Is this your first time planning a trip to Taiwan? Or maybe you’re already dreaming of hopping from Taipei’s night-markets to Taitung’s beaches but aren’t sure how to build the perfect itinerary. Either way, you’ve landed in the right place. I’m a born-and-raised Taiwanese local with 25 + years of insider experience, and I’m ready to show you how to dive deep—tasting hidden-gem street food, riding scenic rail lines, and uncovering corners most tourists miss.
How to Travel Taiwan? Itinerary Duration & Planning Tips at a Glance
No matter how long you’ll be in Taiwan, we’ve got plug-and-play itineraries ready for you. Not sure exactly how many days you’ve got? No worries—this guide is LEGO-style: snap on extra days or peel them off as needed.
5-Day Sprint (Taipei & Nearby):
For a first-time, five-day visit to Taiwan, a few can’t-miss stops belong on every itinerary. With only five days to spare, anchoring yourself in Taipei is the smartest way to dive straight in.
Taipei 101 is one of Taipei’s most iconic landmarks. It shoots 508 m into the clouds and offers you a fantastic view of the whole city. You can grab a ticket to the Taipei 101 Observatory, located on the 89th floor and enjoy the views of Taipei’s skyline or the gorgeous nightscape.
Taipei’s go-to youth zone: neon streets, budget-friendly fashion, and nonstop pop culture. It’s also lined with bars around the Red House, perfect for diving into Taipei’s nightlife.
Nearby the Taipei 101, There’s a 20-mins-trail on the hill with the night views of district Xinyi, where is the most popular place in Taipei. You will love it if you want to climb and enjoy the view over it.
Next stop: my own backyard—Yongkang Street, often called Taipei’s tastiest street. You already know the headliners: Michelin-loved Din Tai Fung and the queue-worthy Tian Jin scallion pancake stall. But here’s my local tip: finish with a bowl of “bai shui douhua” (silky tofu pudding in light syrup) tucked away at the far end of the street.
Dihua Street is one of Taipei’s must-see spots. It’s no longer just an old trading lane—its historical buildings now host dozens of artsy boutiques and craft studios. When I tour the area with foreign friends, we start at the north end near Taipei Bridge MRT Station. From there we wander past century-old buildings, browse handmade-goods shops, and wrap up with afternoon tea in a beautiful building, before ending the day watching the sunset at Dadaocheng Wharf.
If you love nature and enjoy climbing mountains, Yangmingshan National Park is the place for you.
You can start a day with a 1-hour trail in Qingtiangang with the big glass lawn and cows wandering beside the trail. At lunchtime, be sure to try the white-cut chicken—a Yangmingshan favorite. My top pick is Songzhuyuan, a restaurant inside the park that’s listed in the Michelin guide.
7-day Explorer Route
If you’ve got a full week in Taiwan, you don’t have to stay inside the city limits. Use Days 6 and 7 to venture into Taipei’s character-packed suburbs—think hot-spring valleys or lantern villages…or hop over the hills to neighboring Yilan, a country filled with countryside charm—think open rice fields, quiet hot-spring towns, and a breezy Pacific coast.
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Jiufen
Jiufen is a small hillside town about an hour from Taipei. Many visitors say it looks just like the village in Spirited Away, the Oscar-winning Studio Ghibli film. Snack on taro-ball desserts and peanut ice-cream rolls, then settle into a teahouse with a sea view. Try to come on a weekday instead of weekends or holidays—the narrow lanes get very crowded.
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PingXi
Do you know why paper lanterns make people so happy? In Pingxi, you can write your wish on a lantern and let it float into the sky—almost like sending your hopes up to the gods. Each lantern color carries a different wish—red for luck, pink for love, yellow for money—so pick the shade that matches your dream and come feel the magic of Pingxi for yourself.
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Jiaoxi Hot Springs in Yilan
Jiaoxi is a small hot-spring town just one hour from Taipei by train. Natural spring water bubbles up from the ground, so almost every hotel has its own hot-spring bath. If you don’t want to book a room, you can still try the free public foot baths in the town park.
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Luodong Night Market
Luodong Night Market sits in the center of Yilan town, about 10 minutes on foot from Luodong Train Station. Grab a crispy scallion pancake, a bowl of mutton soup, or a cup of bubble tea. Besides the dishes above, don’t miss Yilan’s unique snack—gao-zha (糕渣). Think of a bite-sized cube of thick chicken broth, flash-fried until it’s crispy outside and piping-hot soup inside.
14-Day Ultimate Itinerary
Got two weeks to play? This 14-Day Ultimate Itinerary loops you around Taiwan—big cities, wild coasts, and night markets—no rush, all vibes.
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Sun Moon Lake
Sun Moon Lake is the biggest lake in Taiwan, high in the mountains of Nantou. You can ride a bike around the water, take a small boat between Ita Thao and Shuishe, or hop on a cable car for a view from above. Come early for calm water and soft morning light, or stay late to see the lakeside cafés and hilltop temples glow at night.
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Taroko Gorge
Taroko Gorge is a deep marble canyon in Hualien on Taiwan’s east coast. Sheer gray-white cliffs rise beside a blue river, and easy trails like Shakadang and Swallow Grotto let you walk right under the towering rock walls and across hanging bridges. It’s a quick bus ride from Hualien City and one of Taiwan’s most dramatic nature spots.
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Alishan
Alishan is a high mountain park in central Taiwan. People go there to ride a small red train, walk among giant cedar trees, and watch the famous sunrise above a “sea of clouds.” Short wooden trails make the forest easy to explore, and cool mountain air feels great after hot city days. Buses and the Alishan Forest Railway run up from Chiayi, so getting there is simple.
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Kenting
Kenting sits at Taiwan’s far south and feels like an endless summer. Long sandy beaches, warm blue water, and palm trees make it the island’s top spot for swimming, surfing, and snorkeling. Inland, Kenting National Park has easy trails with coral rock, tropical plants, and sea-cliff views. After sunset, head to Kenting Main Street for a busy night market filled with seafood and fruit drinks. It’s beach fun by day and street food by night—all in one relaxed town.
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Lukang Old Street
Lukang Old Street is a charming historical area in central Taiwan. It is famous for its red brick houses, small alleys, and traditional shops. As you walk through the street, you can enjoy local snacks like mian-cha (a warm peanut-flavored powder drink) and see shops selling mullet roe (a special seafood product dried by the owners themselves). Nearby, you can visit beautiful temples such as Longshan Temple and Tianhou Temple, which show Taiwan’s traditional culture. Many people come here to take photos, buy handmade crafts, and enjoy the slow and peaceful atmosphere. It’s a great place to explore old Taiwan and taste something special.
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Dulan
If you want an east coast adventure and hope to explore hidden and unique places, Dulan is the perfect choice. This small town in Taitung is quiet, friendly, and full of charm. It is also rich in Taiwanese Indigenous culture. You can find many local Indigenous foods in small shops and markets. Dulan is popular with surfers from around the world, who come here for the good waves and relaxed vibe. You can walk along peaceful beaches, try surfing, and visit art spaces created by local artists. The famous Dulan Sugar Factory is a great place to see handmade crafts and enjoy live music. Dulan is a great place to relax, meet new people, and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Best Times to Visit & Taiwan Weather Tips
Not sure when to visit Taiwan? Check the table below for a quick season-by-season guide.
2025 Entry Requirements, Visa, and Health Guidelines
Heading to Taiwan soon? Check your passport first! Do you need a visa? The info below has all the current Taiwan visa rules.
There’re 65 countries that enjoy visa-free entry.
- 90 days: US, EU, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, etc.
- 30 days: Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong SAR, Belize, Nauru and a few others. Passport must be valid 6 + months and you must hold a return ticket.
Reference: Republic of China(Taiwan)-Visa-Exempt Entry
There's an eVISA for you!
If you still need a visa to visit Taiwan, you have two options: an eVisa or a landing visa. The eVisa is single-entry and lets you stay up to 30 days. Apply online through Taiwan’s eVisa portal at least three working days before you fly, pay the NT$1,600 fee by credit card, and print the approval letter to show at check-in and immigration.
Reference: General Information on eVisa Application
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance isn’t required, but it’s highly recommended if you visit Taiwan during typhoon season. When a typhoon approaches, flights are often canceled and many travelers end up stranded.
Don’t forget to complete the mandatory online arrival registration before you set off.
Starting 1 October 2025, Taiwan is scrapping the paper arrival card—everyone must fill the new Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) online within the three days before landing. Simply head to twac.immigration.gov.tw, upload or type your passport details, hit “submit,” and keep the confirmation e-mail for check-in. Doing it in advance speeds you through immigration.
Getting Around Taiwan: Simple Transportation Guide
The best way to move around Taiwan really depends on your itinerary. If you plan to stay only in Taipei City for a few days, the MRT and city buses will take you everywhere you need to go and save you a lot of money. But if you want to explore the suburbs—Jiufen, for example—your easiest option is to hire a private car with a driver for smooth, door-to-door travel. Check the following table for reference to choose which type of transportation is the best for you.
Planning to travel around Taiwan? A private car with a driver may be the best option for visitors, since local traffic can get hectic. Consider the SUPER SMOOTH BUS rental service—it provides a car and driver, so you can relax and skip the parking hassles.
Taiwan Food Map: From Night Market Snacks to Michelin Restaurants
As someone born and raised in Taiwan, I have a long list of must-try dishes for you. Here are the Taiwanese foods you absolutely shouldn’t miss:
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Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung is Taiwan’s most famous xiaolongbao house and draws queues of food travelers every day. If you’re finding the same steamy soup-dumpling which is cheaper, walk two minutes from Dongmen MRT to Hangzhou Xiaolong Tangbao. The dumplings aren’t as neat-looking, but they’re juicy, flavorful, and roughly half the price—an everyday favorite for locals.
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Raohe Night Market
Raohe Night Market sits right outside MRT Songshan Station (Green Line) and is best known for its pepper-pork buns fresh from clay ovens, warming herb spare-rib soup, and smoky grilled squid on a stick.
Locals, though, say the real hidden gem is Nanjichang Night Market on the south side of the city. It’s smaller, cheaper, and packed with mom-and-pop stalls—and it once won top honors on Taiwan’s TV show “Night Market King,” making it the island’s champion night market.
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Lu Rou Fan (Jin Feng Lu Rou Fan)
Lu Rou Fan is simply rice topped with slow-braised pork.
In the north (Taipei, Keelung): the pork is finely minced, the sauce is salty-savory, and you taste lots of fried shallot. In the south (Tainan, Kaohsiung): the pork comes in small belly cubes, the sauce is sweeter, and you may hear locals call it “rou-zao-fan.”
Start with a famous Taipei bowl—Jin Feng near CKS Memorial Hall is an easy pick—then try the sweeter southern style when you travel to other cities. Same dish, new flavor in every county!
Travel Tips for Taiwan: Currency, Internet & Safety
Taiwan Currency
Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). ATMs that accept foreign cards are everywhere—in convenience stores, banks and MRT stations. Many machines are fee-free, but some charge up to NT$100 per withdrawal
Credit cards work in hotels, chain stores and the HSR, yet cash is still important at night-market stalls and small cafés.
Pick up an EasyCard or iPASS (NT$100 deposit) at any MRT station—it lets you tap on metro, buses, YouBike and many shops, cutting the need for small coins.
About Internet in Taiwan
Taiwan’s 4G/5G coverage is excellent. Airport counters sell unlimited-data SIMs from Chunghwa, Taiwan Mobile and FarEasTone starting around NT$420–500 for 5 days.
Free Wi-Fi hotspots (iTaiwan, 7-Eleven, Starbucks) fill the cities, but rural areas can be patchy—pick a SIM if you plan to roam the mountains.
About Safety
Taiwan ranks among the world’s safest destinations; violent crime is rare and pick-pocket risk is rated low even in busy night markets.
If anything goes wrong, call 110 for police or 119 for an ambulance or fire services. Most officers and metro staff speak at least basic English, so don’t hesitate to call.
Taiwan Travel FAQ
Q1: Do I need to tip in Taiwan?
Answer: No tipping is expected in Taiwan. Restaurants and cafés either add a 10 % service charge or nothing at all, and staff will not wait around for extra cash. The same goes for taxis, hair salons, and convenience stores—just pay the meter or the bill.
Q2: Can I drink the tap water in Taiwan, or do I need to buy bottled water?
Answer: Tap water in Taiwan is treated and technically safe, but most locals still boil it or use a filter because pipes in older buildings can add a funny taste. Hotels and guesthouses usually supply a kettle or a free hot-cold water dispenser in the hallway, and filtered fountains are common in MRT stations, airports, and convenience stores. So bring a reusable bottle and refill when you can; grab bottled water only if you’re hiking or far from a dispenser.
Q3: Are public restrooms easy to find in Taiwan, and do I need to bring my own toilet paper?
Answer: In cities, you’ll find toilets in every MRT station, large shopping malls, highway rest stops, and most Starbucks cafés. Small corner convenience stores, however, generally do not offer customer restrooms. Most public facilities supply toilet paper, but a few older parks or rest stops may run low, so carrying a small pack of tissues is a smart backup.
Q4: Is it easy to pay by credit card in Taiwan, and can I use one at night markets or small shops?
Answer: Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, department stores, chain restaurants, and most convenience stores. However, at night markets and small independent stalls or shops, you’ll usually need cash—only a few vendors offer card machines. To stay flexible, carry enough New Taiwan Dollars for street food and small purchases, and use your card for larger bills and in bigger outlets.
Q5: How many days is enough for Taiwan?
There’s no one-size-fits-all—but here’s a quick rule of thumb based on what you want to see:
- 5 days: Perfect for Taipei + a quick day-trip (Yangmingshan, Jiufen or Pingxi). You’ll get the city vibes, night markets, and have time for bubble tea breaks.
- 7 days: Spend Days 6–7 exploring nearby gems like Yilan’s hot springs or Keelung’s sea-food stalls. You’ll feel like a local.
- 14 days (Full island loop) : Taipei → East Coast (Taroko, Hualien) → South (Kenting, Tainan) → West (Taichung) → Sun Moon Lake → finish in Taoyuan. No FOMO, just maxed-out adventure.