The Ultimate Taiwan Itinerary: 1, 2 and 3 week travel guide

Know before you travel

Earthquakes are part of life here

Taiwan sits in an active seismic zone, so small quakes happen every so often. Most are mild and over quickly, but it’s good to know what to do. If you feel shaking, stay calm and take cover under a sturdy table or move to an open space if you’re outside. Keep an eye on local news or government alerts — they’ll tell you if there’s any reason to worry. It’s better to be aware and prepared than taken by surprise.

Get a local SIM card at the airport

Just like in many places, you can grab a Taiwanese SIM card as soon as you land. Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and FarEasTone are all reliable options. Their data packages are affordable, and coverage is great — even in more remote areas. Having a local SIM will help you look up train times or hail a cab without hunting for Wi-Fi.

Night markets are a must

There’s really nothing like the hustle and bustle of a Taiwanese night market. Stalls sell everything from stinky tofu to bubble tea, and it’s the best place to try local snacks without spending too much. Just be prepared for crowds — people pack in tight, especially on weekends.

Respect temple etiquette

Taiwan has plenty of beautiful temples. If you decide to visit, make sure to dress modestly (cover shoulders and avoid short shorts) and keep your voice down. Some temples provide coverings if needed, but it’s simpler to bring a light scarf or jacket.

Watch out for typhoon season

Taiwan’s typhoon season typically runs from June to October. Storms can disrupt travel plans and public transport. If you’re visiting during these months, keep an eye on weather updates and be ready to adjust your itinerary. It’s better to stay put in a safe spot than risk getting stuck somewhere.

Budget and costs

Taiwan isn’t rock-bottom cheap, but it’s definitely not going to break the bank compared to some Western destinations. You can find decent street food for a few bucks at night markets, and public transport is usually quite affordable.

How to travel around Taiwan?

Both renting a car and using public transportation are good options for getting around Taiwan - they will just give you different types of experiences in the country.

We went for a combination on both occasions that we visited: We used public transportation and on a few days we rented a car to explore more remote areas. While visiting the islands, we opted for scooters.

Public transportation

Taiwan’s MRT systems - the underground trains that run in cities - are easy to navigate, clean, and safe. Within cities, this is the most convenient way to get from A to B.

The country is also well connected by train and busses. However, if you plan on going to more remote areas it might be difficult to reach all attractions. This itinerary assumes that you will take public transportation, but suggests renting a car/scooter in some places to reach more remote areas.

For longer distances, the High-Speed Rail (HSR) is a real time-saver if you don’t mind spending a bit more money on yoru train tickets. Regular trains and buses are cheaper and still quite comfy. If you plan to move around a lot, pick up an EasyCard (悠遊卡) or iPASS — these stored-value cards make paying for transport a breeze.

Car or Scooter rental

Renting a car is great if you want more freedom, especially if you plan to visit more remote areas. Roads are generally in good shape, and signs are usually written in both Chinese and English. But be prepared for city traffic — scooters are everywhere, and rush hour can be hectic. In order to rent a car, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (or a Taiwanese driver’s license). Gas is affordable, and highways have electronic tolls that won’t break the bank. If you’re mostly staying in big cities, however, you might find that public transport is simpler and cheaper.

It's also very easy and cheap to rent scooters in Taiwan - they are a perfect choice for smaller distances. It's very popular to rent them on all the Taiwanese Islands as well as to get to and around Taroko National Park.

How long should you spend in Taiwan?

In my opinion, you can spend quite a long time just being in Taiwan: Eating all the foods, going on all the hikes, soaking in all the hotsprings, visiting all the islands :-) But if you are like most people and don't have unlimited time, I think 2 weeks in Taiwan is the perfect amount to get a good first impression, see all the main sights and fall in love with the country (meaning you'll want to come back)!

Of course, 3 weeks will give you an even more complete impression of the country and trust me, you won't be bored.

Map Overview

Here's a quick overview of the main sights in Taiwan that we cover in this itinerary:

1 week itinerary

This itinerary is designed to give you a bit of everything: Bustling cities, beautiful nature, fascinating cultural sights. If you are particularly interested in one of these, you might want to skim the 2 and 3 week itineraries here and adjust this one so it has more of the things you love doing most.

For tips on where to stay and eat, as well as a summary of all the sights mentioned here, check out our Travel Guide!

Day 1 and 2: Taipei

Start your trip in Taiwan’s bustling capital. There really is no shortage of things to do here!

On day 1, begin with a visit to Taipei 101 for panoramic views of the city. You can book a table at the cafe that is on top of 101 and have a coffee and cake there while taking in the great view. Next, head to Chiang Kai Shek Memorial hall. From there, you can walk to Lungshan Temple - this will give you a nice impression of this part of Taipei.

For sunset on day 1, hike up to Elephant Mountain. The views of the city and Taipei 101 from here are spectacular. Be aware that it gets quite crowded in the evenings, so if you want a good spot make sure to arrive early! After the sun has set, head to a Night Market for dinner. Shilin is a classic choice, but places like Raohe and Ningxia also offer great food.

On day 2, head to Songshan Fengtian Temple and the National Palace Museum, that has one of the largest collections of Chinese art in the world. In the afternoon, make your way to the Beitou Hot Springs and soak there for a bit.

If you are not such a fan of hotsprings, you could instead take the Maokong Gondola up Maokong mountain. There, you can go on several hikes and also visit Zhangshan Temple.

Getting around Taipei is straightforward — the MRT network is clean, efficient, and easy to figure out. You can get an EasyCard (悠遊卡) to make it even simpler.

Day 3: A day trip from Taipei

On day 3, take a day trip from Taipei. I would highly recommend to combine Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen and Shifen if you are feeling energetic. In the morning, take an early bus to Yehliu Geopark (1h30min), wander around for a bit, then just before lunch take another bus to Jiufen (again 1h30min). You can either spend a bit longer exploring Jiufen or limit your time and make the 1h15min journey to Shifen before you return to Taipei.

Other popular options are Houtong Cat Village and the Jiaoxi Hot Springs.

Day 4: To Taichung

Before 2024, I would have suggested you head to Taroko National Park from Taipei. The park is beautiful and well worth a visit, however it has been heavily affected by the earthquake in April 2024 and many of the streets to get around the park as well as several hiking trails remain closed. So my advice would be to head to Sun Moon Lake and Alishan instead. If you really want to visit Taroko, have a look at the 2 week itinerary below that includes this.

Make your way to Taichung - it's just a 1h train ride with the high speed rail (2h by normal train). You can use the rest of the day to explore Taichung: Shenji New Village, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Rainbow Village, the 921 Earthquake Museum and the Yizhong Street Night Market are some nice stops.

Day 5: To Sun Moon Lake, Sun Moon Lake

On day 5, travel to Sun Moon Lake and explore the area. You can take the bus from Taichung Station to Sun Moon Lake - it takes around 1h40min and costs 160NTD. At the drop off point, you can rent either a scooter or a bike to continue your journey to the sights around the lake. If you are into cycling, you should definitely opt for that: In 2017, CNN featured the road around Sun Moon Lake as one of the most beautiful cycling routes in the world.

A trip by boat is also a nice way to get a feel for what Sun Moon Lake is all about. Most trips start in Shuishe village — where most people first arrive — then head across to Xuanguang Temple and Ita Thao, before looping back to Shuishe.

The cable car at the lake is very popular with tourists, but lines usually move fast. If you would like to get a more panoramic view of the area, this is a great activity to include.

Additionally, I would recommend you visit Wenwu Temple and the Ci En Pagoda. Make sure you catch the sunset at one of the many viewpoints. If you feel like a hike, you could do this trail for sunset - it offers many beautiful spots to stop and take in the view.

Day 6: To Alishan, Alishan

Alishan is famous for its misty forests and sunrise views over the mountains. Early on Day 6 - the shuttle leaves at 8am - take the bus here (2h 30min). After lunch, head for a hike through the beautiful forest and mountain landscape. Both the Alishan Tashan Trail and the Alishan Forest Loop are good options.

Day 7: Alishan back to Taipei, fly out

If you’re able to wake up early and have a bit of time before your flight out of Taipei, you should not miss the sunrise train ride to Chushan Station. Take the Alishan Forest Railway to Chiayi and then the train to Taipei.

2 week itinerary

This itinerary includes a lot of nature experiences. If you are not a big fan of that, I would advise you omit Liuqiu in favour of visiting Kaohshiung. Kaohshiung is Taiwan’s second-largest city and offers a lively mix of waterfront views, modern arts, and tasty night markets. So on Day 8, head to Kaohshiung from Chishang (it’s around four hours by public transport), spend Day 9 exploring the city, and then continue on to Tainan.

Again, you can find all our tips on where to stay and eat, as well as a summary of all the sights in our Travel Guide!

Days 1-3: As above

For days 1-3, follow the itinerary as above: Spend two full days in Taipei and take one day trip from the city.

Day 4: Hualien

On day 4, make your way to Hualien: the train from Taipei takes 2-3h (depending on which one you catch). Spend the afternoon in Hualien: You can either stay in the city and take a stroll around and also check out the waterfront - or you could already rent a scooter and drive around the area a bit. The coast of Taiwan is beautiful and even though you will spend tomorrow in Taroko National Park, driving up and down the coast a bit is well worth your time.

Dashibishan Trail, Xin she Rice Terrace, Baqi Rest Stop and Ch'ing-shui Cliff are great stops in a radius of ~50min of Hualien. You could also consider renting paddle boats here and explore the coast from the water for a bit.

If you are driving from Taipei, make sure you also stop at / drive to the spots I mentioned above! If you arrive later in the day, make sure you pick up your scooter rental in time to depart early in the morning tomorrow.

Day 5: Taroko National Park

As early as you can get yourself to rise, make your way to Taroko National Park with your scooter. As mentioned above, unfortunately this region has been hit hard by the 2024 earthquake and many trails remain closed. Nevertheless, the park is beautiful and well worth a visit.

Previously, busses were running to Taroko Gorge, however this service has been suspended since the earthquake, so you need to rely on your own transportation - aka your scooter - to visit. For an overview of which roads and trails are open, check the official National Park website. Most of the trails inside the park are closed, but the ones further inward remain open (see below for suggestions). Drive your scooter through the park and stop at the viewpoints that are open, then consider taking one of the hikes further inland.

Most of the trails further landinwards remain open. If you want to hike for a bit longer and the weather is nice, you could opt for the Hehuanshan East Peak Trail. Xiaoqilai Trail and Mount Shimen are also good options. If you are looking for a more challenging hike even further into the country but with beautiful views (and maybe have more than 1 day in Taroko), consider hiking Hehuan North Peak Trail.

If you did not do so yesterday, definitely visit the Ch'ing-shui Cliff and Qixingtan Beach on your way back to Hualien.

Day 6: To Chishang

On day 6, make your way to Chishang. It takes 2-3h by bus from Hualien. If you do not have your own transportation, I highly recommend renting a scooter when you reach Chishang. This means you could spend the rest of the day hiking the Walami Trail and/or stopping at Rui Sui Hot Springs and the Sanxiantai Arch Bridge.

If you are an avid hiker, you could consider adding the Chiaming Lake Trail to your itinerary. It is simply breathtaking! You need to get your permit around a month in advance here.

Day 7: Chishang and Lisong Hot Springs

Today you will explore the beautiful rice fields of Taiwan by bike - in the morning, rent a bicyle (for example here. Spend 2 hours cycling around Chishang and the fields, stopping at Dapo Pond, Jinxin No. 2 Road, Brown Boulevard, Takeshi Kaneshiro Tree, Great View Pavilion and Paradise Road.

After lunch, drive 1h landinwards with your scooter to the Lisong Hot Springs. A 60min hike downhill leads to these natural hot springs. They are located in a river canyon and we loved soaking in them while looking up at the steep walls of the canyon.

Day 8: To Liuqiu/Lambai

Today is a travel day - but you're beach bound! It takes 5h with trains and ferries to reach Liuqui island, also known as "turtle island" or Lambai island. This is the small island that's most accessible from the main island of Taiwan. It is known for its laid-back vibe, beautiful beaches, and loads of sea turtles! If you catch the train at 8am, you will reach the island by 1pm, just in time for lunch.

Day 9: Liuqiu/Lambai

Lambai caught me off guard in the best possible way — I didn’t expect much, but we ended up spending hours in the water just watching and swimming with the turtles. You don’t need to join a guided tour or go searching for them; the moment you step into the ocean, there they are, gliding by without a care. Just keep an eye out for jellyfish tentacles; even a quick brush can leave you with a mild burn.

In between snorkeling sessions, take in the laid-back island lifestyle and friendly local vibe, or explore the striking rock formations like Vase Rock and Beauty Cave for a bit of sightseeing on land. By the evening, treat yourself to fresh fish and seafood at one of the many local eateries.

Day 10: Liuqiu to Tainan

In the morning, make your way to Tainan. Tainan was the island’s capital from 1683–1887 and is the city with the most preserved historic buildings in Taiwan. It takes around 3h from Liuqiu to Tainan - I would advise you catch the ferry at 8:30 so you reach Tainan at 11:45am. Get lunch and then spend the rest of the day exploring the city.

Snail Alley (蝸牛巷) and Shennong Street (神農街) are cute streets to wander through and start your explorations. Tainan has so many temples that it would be a long list to include them all here, but I really enjoyed Koxinga’s Shrine, Lady Linshui’s Temple and Grand Matsu Temple. The Chikhan Tower is another interesting heritage building.

A bit further out towards the sea, you should not miss Anping Fort, Anping Tree House and the Merchant House.

If you like art, don't miss the Tainan Art Museum and the Blueprint Culture & Creative Park. The Chimei Museum is a bit outside of the city but a great stop too if you are into museums.

In terms of night markets, head to Ta-Tung Night Market on Monday, Tuesdays and Fridays; Wusheng Night Market on Wednesdays and Garden Night Market on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Day 11: Tainan, to Chiayi

Spend the day still exploring the sights of Tainan listed above. In the afternoon, make yoru way to Chiayi (takes around 1h30min by train). Chiayi city is the gateway to the Alishan region - inside the city, you could make time to explore Hinoki Village if you are interested in Japanese architecture and buildings.

Day 12: Alishan

Get up early and make your way to Alishan. You can either take the Alishan Forest train or go by bus - the train journey takes twice as long as the bus journey, but is more scenic. There are two trains each day that head toward Fenqihu (departing at 9 AM and 10 AM), but only the 10 AM train continues on to Alishan, arriving around 3 PM.

Once there, head for a hike through the beautiful forest and mountain landscape. Both the Alishan Tashan Trail and the Alishan Forest Loop are good options.

Day 13: Sun Moon Lake

Spend the first half of the day still exploring Alishan, then catch the 1pm tourist shuttle bus to Sun Moon Lake. The shuttle arrives at 3:30pm at Sun Moon lake - spend your afternoon at the lake (itinerary see above), then catch the sunset on one of the lookout points.

Day 14: Sun Moon Lake, to Taipei

Depending on when your flight leaves, you can continue exploring Sun Moon Lake today. The journey back to Taipei taks 3h with the High speed rail. For a list of what to do in Sun Moon Lake, see the 1 week itinerary!

3 week itinerary

If you have 3 weeks, you have enough time to really explore Taiwan in depth. Here are my recommendations of places to add to the above itinerary:

Orchid island (Lanyu) and Green island (Lüdao): 4 days

I would suggest you add Orchid island and Green island to your stay - these are two beautiful and intriguing islands that can best be reached from Taitung. Green island is a volcanic island that offers great diving, hikes and hotsprings. Visiting Orchid island feels like you’ve stepped into a whole new world. This island is home to the indigenous Tao (or Yami) people, and their way of life is unlike anything else you’ll encounter in Taiwan.

After your stay in Chishang, head to Taitung and take the ferry to Green island. Spend the rest of the day as well as the full following day on the island. On day 3, take the ferry to Orchid island/Lanyu and spend the rest of the day here. Make your way back to the mainland on day 4 and continue your itinerary - you can take a ferry not back to Taichung, but to the tip of Kenting, which is closer to your next stop, Lambai island.

Ferry schedules can be checked here.

For a full account of what to do, where to stay and eat on both Lanyu and Lüdao, see the article we've written on the islands and which ones to visit.

Kaohshiung: 1 day

After having visited Lambai island, instead of heading to Tainan, make your way to Kaohshiung and spend one full day here. Visit Pier-2 Art Center, Lotus Pond, and Cijin Island.

Taichung and Lukang: 2 days

Add one day each in Taichung and Lukang. In Taichung, you should visit Rainbow Village and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts as well as the 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan. Lukang is on the coast close to Taichung and is full of traditional architecture, temples, and alleyways waiting to be explored - you can just do a day trip from Taichung and wander around the village.