Taiwan 5 Day Itinerary

Title: 5-Day Taiwan Travel Itinerary

Day 1: Taipei

  • Visit the Taipei 101 (observatory ticket required): https://www.taipei-101.com/en/
  • Explore Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: Free admission, open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM
  • Walk around Ximending (Taipei’s premier shopping district) for food, shopping, and nightlife
  • Take a stroll in Daan Forest Park for some tranquility amidst the city bustle
  • Things to know: Taiwan uses New Taiwan Dollar (NTD or $). English is widely spoken. Taxi drivers may not always understand street names, use map apps or write down destinations when needed.
  • Transportation: MRT (Taipei Metro) is efficient and affordable, covering most of the city. Consider getting a Taipei Fun Pass for unlimited travel within designated areas.

Day 2: Taipei & Yehliu Geopark

  • Morning: Yehliu Geopark (1-hour drive from Taipei): Famous for its unique geological formations, such as the ‘Jade Egg’ and ‘Queen’s Head’. Admission fee required.
  • Afternoon: Jiufen (30-minute drive from Yehliu): A charming town with narrow alleyways filled with tea houses, souvenir shops, and street food stalls.
  • Things to know: The best time to visit is early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds. Bring cash as some establishments may not accept cards.
  • Transportation: Rent a car or join a tour to explore these locations. If you prefer public transportation, take a train to Ruifang Station and change for a bus to Yehliu Geopark. For Jiufen, it’s a short taxi ride from Yehliu or take the bus back to Ruifang and transfer to another bus for Jiufen.

Day 3: Taichung

  • Visit Taichung’s National Taiwan Museum (admission fee required): https://www.ntm.gov.tw/
  • Explore Fengjia Night Market for food, shopping, and entertainment
  • Check out the Gaomei Wetlands for beautiful sunsets and birdwatching
  • Things to know: Taichung is about 2 hours by high-speed rail from Taipei. English signage can be limited, so having a translation app may be helpful.
  • Transportation: High-speed rail (THSR) connects Taipei with Taichung in less than an hour. Local buses and rental bikes are available for transportation within the city.

Day 4: Sun Moon Lake

  • Take a boat tour of Sun Moon Lake: https://www.sunmoonlake.com.tw/en/
  • Hike around Wenwu Temple or Xiangwan Park for scenic views
  • Visit the Shuishe Village for souvenir shopping and local food
  • Things to know: Sun Moon Lake is about 2 hours by train from Taichung. Rent a bike, scooter, or car to explore the area. Check the weather forecast as it can be foggy at times.
  • Transportation: Take a train to Nantou Station and transfer to a bus for Sun Moon Lake. Buses operate frequently between key locations around the lake.

Day 5: Tainan

  • Visit the Anping Old Fort and Dutch-style Church (admission fee required)
  • Explore the Tainan Confucius Temple, Chimei Museum, and Hayashi Department Store
  • Try local dishes such as Oyster Noodles and Danzai Noodles
  • Things to know: Tainan is about 1.5 hours by high-speed rail from Sun Moon Lake. Mandarin and Hokkien are commonly spoken here, but English is also used in tourist areas.
  • Transportation: High-speed rail connects Tainan with other major cities. Within Tainan, buses, rental bikes, and taxis are available for transportation.