Searching for the perfect 5 days in Taiwan itinerary? In this post, a local travel expert who has lived in Taiwan for over a decade tells us how to plan the best 5-day Taipei and Taiwan itinerary. Read on!
Welcome to Taiwan, one of the most compelling, rewarding, and welcoming countries in East Asia! Taiwan may look small on the map, but it has loads to offer for every kind of traveler, from foodies & budding historians to lovers of art and the great outdoors.
To be completely honest, five days in Taiwan is not enough. But if that’s what you’ve got, this article will prove to be an invaluable resource for making the absolute best of the time you do have in the country.
This Taiwan 5 day itinerary will begin with two sight-packed days in the capital, Taipei, followed by a choice of several day trips from the city. Next up, you’ll head down to Taichung City, Central Taiwan’s art & food-focused city, before finishing up at visually stunning Sun Moon Lake.
Note: If you don’t have time to read this full itinerary or prefer that your trip be planned for you, consider booking this 5-day guided tour of Taiwan instead. The tour includes visits to top destinations like Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting, Taitung, the East Coast, Taroko, and more. Accommodations are provided at 5-star hotels throughout the journey.
If you prefer to adventure on your own, read on for the perfect 5 days in Taiwan itinerary!
Things to Know Before You Go To Taiwan
With only five days in Taiwan, you’ll want to plan your Taiwan trip to a tee in order to make maximum use of what little time you have.
You won’t want to waste half a day figuring out what to do, where to go next, where to eat, and so on!
Let’s begin with some tips for planning five unforgettable days in Taiwan!
When to Visit Taiwan
First, you’ll want to choose the right season to visit. Taiwan doesn’t have a distinct high or low season, so the best time for you to visit Taiwan is really going to depend on your interests and favorite kind of weather.
Winter has milder weather and is better for hot springs and flower viewing (hello cherry blossoms!), but Taipei in winter can be damp, chilly, and gray.
Summer is extremely hot and humid, by contrast, plus there’s a chance of encountering a typhoon.
Autumn and spring are probably the best times to visit, but you may want to avoid the mini rain season which usually comes in late May and early June, and typhoons can strike as late as October.
Getting Around Taiwan
As soon as you arrive at the Taoyuan International Airport, you can purchase an EasyCard at the airport’s MRT station.
This is the card all locals use to swipe onto the Taipei MRT, city buses in major cities across Taiwan, and short train rides between cities that don’t require seat reservations.
It’s faster than paying each time, and the fares are discounted.
Next, you can hop on the Airport MRT, which will get you to Taipei Main Station in 35 to 50 minutes, from where you can walk, take a taxi, or connect to another MRT line to reach your hotel.
During your stay in Taipei, you can use the MRT to get everywhere described in this itinerary. By the time you leave Taipei, you’ll seriously be in love with the MRT!
If you ever decide to take a taxi, you’ll find they are everywhere and are relatively cheap. The drivers mostly speak a little English, but there may be cases in which you’ll need to show them an address in Mandarin, so it’s best to have that ready.
If you follow this itinerary, you’ll also have a few transportation choices for getting out of Taipei. I’ll mention exactly how to do that in the relevant sections below.
In Taichung, you’ll rely more on buses. They’re totally free for short rides if you swipe with your EasyCard!
The Perfect Taiwan 5 Day Itinerary
5 days in Taiwan itinerary Day 1: Exploring Taipei
Good morning Taipei! On day one, it’s time to knock off some of the city’s top attractions.
For breakfast, you’ve got to try a local Taiwanese-style breakfast shop.
They’re literally everywhere, but if you want to seek out a particularly famous one, try Yonghe Soy Milk King near Da’An Park, or Yonghe Soy Milk in Taipei.
Go for steamed buns, scallion pancakes with egg & cheese, or flaky shao bing. But you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu!
Pro Tip: If you are a foodie, I suggest taking this Private Street Food Tour with locals which covers food culture and history all in one place. Sample up to 10 street food dishes and Taiwanese specialties + you get to receive personalized recommendations on where to eat in the city.
Next, early birds should visit one of the city’s many temples, which tend to be frequently by elderly worshippers in the early morning. Longshan Temple is Taipei’s most famous.
There you can witness a serene chanting ceremony at 6 a.m. (or again at 8 a.m.) Each one lasts nearly an hour, and visitors are always welcome to explore the temple even while the ceremony is taking place.
Other temples worth checking out include Xingtian Temple, which is incense-free and known for its fortune tellers in an underpass below the main road, and Taipei Tianhou Temple in Ximending, which is sandwiched between two buildings and easy to miss!
Later in the morning, visit Chiang Ka-Shek Memorial Hall, the city’s most impressive historical site.
There you’ll find an enormous square flanked by the National Concert Hall and National Theater, both classical Chinese-style buildings, the beautiful Liberty Square Arch, and the impressive blue & white memorial building itself.
Prefer a guided tour of the city? This classic landmarks day tour is a must-do!
Next, walk (or ride the MRT two stops) to Ximending for lunch. This is Taipei’s coolest neighborhood; some people call it the Harajuku of Taipei for its Japanese-like atmosphere.
It’s also home to Taipei’s largest LGBTQ+ district, which centers on a collection of outdoor bars beside the historic Red House, a former Japanese market & theater.
Stroll the pedestrian-only streets to check out the cute shops, open-air tattoo parlors, and claw-machine arcades.
Take your pick from local street food, Japanese & Korean cuisine, or visit a poo-themed Modern Toilet restaurant.
Tip: If you’d like to experience Taiwanese cuisine after dark, I suggest taking this night tour that will satisfy your appetite. You can then stroll around the lively Raohe Street Night Market, walk across Rainbow Bridge, and see the famous Songshan Ciyou Temple nearby.
In the afternoon, head to Huashan 1914 Creative Park. This former sake distillery dates to the days when Taiwan was a Japanese colony.
Today it is an arts complex featuring rotating exhibits & events, a few cafés & restaurants, cool graffiti, and the perfect lawn for a picnic.
Next up, make your way to Taipei 101, the country’s most iconic attraction. The 510-meter bamboo stalk-shaped skyscraper was the tallest in the world for six years.
To visit the observation deck, you’ll probably need to wait in line for 15-60 minutes, then you’ll be whisked to the 89th floor in the world’s fastest elevator.
If you want to avoid the line, purchase this skip-the-line ticket for the observatory in advance.
The 360-degree view from up there is of course mesmerizing. Also don’t miss the huge stabilizing ball in the middle, which prevents the building from toppling in earthquakes, as well as the small outdoor viewing deck on the 91st floor.
After visiting Taipei 101, walk or ride the MRT one stop to Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) station. From there it’s a short walk to the trail which leads up the eponymous mountain.
In less than 30 minutes of uphill stairs, you’ll be afforded the best view that Taipei City has to offer, with Taipei 101 towering right in front of you. The trail is very popular, especially at sunset, but there’s always room for one more.
Finally, it’s time to eat! After descending the mountain, take your choice from one of Taipei’s legendary night markets. Tonghua Night Market is within walking distance.
The other most famous ones include Shilin Night Market (the largest and most popular among tourists), Raohe (a favorite among locals), and Ningxia (great for oyster omelets, sweet potato balls, and shaved ice desserts).
Need more ideas? Check out our article on the top things to do in Taipei!
5 Days in Taiwan Day 2: Exploring Taipei Part 2
Now that you’ve covered the best of Taipei’s famous attractions, it’s time to get a little more off-the-beaten-path on day two.
For breakfast, you’ll likely be itching to get back into a local breakfast shop to try more items on offer.
Continue on by visiting two more impressive temples: Confucius Temple and its neighboring Dalongdong Bao’An Temple.
The former is completely different than typical Taiwanese temples; its design is simple and its large gardens are serene.
The latter is a gorgeous example of traditional design, with super intricate roof carvings; many believe it’s Taipei’s best.
Next, history lovers could try strolling Dihua Street, Taipei’s oldest street, which features still-running Chinese medicinal shops, teahouses, temples, and restaurants that date back to Taipei’s earliest days.
You can get there from Bao’An Temple on foot, by backtracking a little on the MRT, or by taking a short taxi ride (I’d go for the latter).
Dihua Street stretches from near Daqiaotou MRT station in the north to near Beimen MRT station in the south.
If you make it to the far southern end, make sure to see Beimen (North Gate) itself, the only remaining Old Taipei city wall gate that has been restored to its exact former look.
For lunch, head to Addiction Aquatic Development. The name sounds weird, but it’s an insanely cool high-end seafood market housed in what used to be a traditional fish market.
After peering at the largest crabs in the world (Japanese spider crabs) and other sea creatures in the many water tanks, enter the upscale grocery store where you can buy insanely fresh & delicious take-away trays of sashimi, or splurge on the stand-up sushi & oyster bar.
The closest MRT is Xingtian Temple, from where it’s a 15-minute walk.
Filled with sushi, it’s now time for a more relaxing afternoon activity: visiting Taipei’s only Japanese hot spring village.
Connect to the red line and take it for 30 minutes north to Beitou station. From there, connect to the one-stop pink line, which literally goes uphill and smells like hot springs.
If you prefer to go on a guided tour with an expert, we suggest booking this one right here, which takes you to the Beitou Hotsprings, Yangmingshan Volcano, and other noteworthy stops.
Beitou is a lovely neighborhood at the base of Yangmingshan, a dormant volcano.
It has touristy bits, such as the Beitou Hot Spring Museum (still worth a visit!), the outdoor Beitou Public Hot Spring (the cheapest hot spring bathing option; mixed-sex and bathing suits required) in Hot Spring Park, and Beitou Thermal Valley (a huge steaming hot spring).
You can also get off the beaten track by visiting the Japanese-built Puji Temple or the impressive Beitou Museum. You can walk (slightly uphill) for about 20 minutes to get to the latter, or ride bus 230 or S25.
There are also over a dozen hot spring hotels to choose from for a private soak, ranging from the oldest Japanese bathhouse (Longnice Hot Spring or 瀧乃湯) to ultra fancy & expensive options like Gaia Hotel. Heads up: most are nude only and sex-segregated.
While in town, don’t miss the hot spring ramen! There are two shops offering it: Man Lai Hot Spring Ramen (滿来温泉拉麵) near Xinbeitou MRT station, and Mankewu Taiwanese Style Ramen (滿客屋台式拉麵) near Puji Temple.
Finally, if you still have time, you can ride the MRT further north to Danshui and stroll along the riverside promenade. From there you can also take a bus or river ferry to Fisherman’s Wharf to see the sunset.
Alternatively, return to Taipei and have dinner at whichever night markets you missed on day 1.
For a non-touristy night market that serves amazing foods, visit Nanjichang Night Market. The Michelin-rated stinky tofu at Stinky Boss in the market is amazing!
5 Day Taiwan Itinerary Day 3: Day Trip from Taipei
After thoroughly covering Taipei on your first two days, it’s time to get out of the city!
Choosing a day trip from Taipei is not going to be easy, as there are just so many possibilities. I’m going to give you four different options!
1. The most popular day trip from Taipei
The most popular day trip from Taipei includes some or all of the following: Jiufen, Houtong, Shifen Waterfall, Yehliu, & Keelung. You may be able to squeeze them all in if you get an early start!
To begin, swipe your Easy Card to board a local train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang. From there, take the bus to Jiufen, a former gold mining boomtown built on the slope of a mountain.
Explore the atmospheric staircases, shops, & teahouses. Next, return to Ruifang and catch a train to Houtong, Taiwan’s famous “Cat Village”.
After that, catch the Pingxi Small Train to Shifen station for Shifen Waterfall, the widest waterfall in Taiwan.
Return to Ruifang, then take a local train to Keelung. If you have enough time, you can take a return bus to Yeliu Geopark, a coastal landscape with bizarre rock formations.
Otherwise, just stay in Keelung to eat at Keelung Night Market, one of the best night markets in Taiwan.
From there, it’s a 45-minute train ride back to Taipei. You can swipe your EasyCard for all the rides on this day trip.
Tip: If you prefer leaving the planning to the experts, I recommend this organized guided tour which takes you to top attractions like Yehliu Geological Park, Jiufen, and Pingxi. Having a knowledgeable local guide handle logistics allows you to simply focus on experiencing the best of northern Taiwan.
2. Off-the-beaten track
Culture enthusiasts can head southwest of Taipei to Sanxia, a district of New Taipei City famous for its restored Old Street and the incredibly beautiful Sanxia Temple (Zushi Temple).
You can get there by taking numerous local buses, depending on where you’re coming from in Taipei.
Next, hop in a taxi to the neighboring district of Yingge, the largest pottery center in Taiwan. Stroll the Yingge Old Street and its dozens of ceramics shops, try your hand at pottery making, or walk into historic kilns.
Don’t miss the impressive New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum! It’s only 30 minutes back to Taipei by train.
3. Hiking
For people interested in hiking, there are several amazing day hikes within easy reach of Taipei.
One of the best is the Caoling Historic Trail, which includes impressive coastal bluffs, and blooming silvergrass in November.
Another good one is Teapot Mountain, in which you can climb into a rocky peak that looks like a teapot.
It starts at Jinguashi Gold Ecological Village, which is near Jiufen (see #1 above) and is also worth visiting.
Yet another is Sandiaoling, which includes three waterfalls, one of which you can climb into a rocky overhang behind.
This one is near Houtong and Shifen (see #1), so it could also be combined with some of the places mentioned in #1.
4. Hot Springs
If you’re visiting in winter, you may want to try even more hot springs than Beitou in Taipei City. Moreover, the ones outside of Taipei City are generally cheaper.
The two best options within easy reach of Taipei are Wulai and Jiaoxi.
Wulai is an aboriginal village south of Taipei City. It has a market street with lots of yummy aboriginal food (try the mountain boar or bamboo tubes stuffed with sticky rice).
There are some free riverside hot spring pools that are rather decaying, or several private options to choose from (mostly private hot tub rooms with river views).
Alternatively, Jiaoxi Hot Spring in Yilan County is only an hour away by bus or local train. It has excellent spas with multi-colored hot spring waters, hot tubs with massage jets, and more.
Chuang Tang is one of the best, while Art Spa Hotel even has a tall hot water slide.
The town also has a hot spring park where you can drink local craft beer while you soak your feet, a few waterfall hikes.
5 days in Taiwan Itinerary Day 4: A Day in Taichung
On day four, it’s time to pack your bags and relocate to Taichung City, the largest city in Central Taiwan.
To maximize your time, you can hop on the High-Speed Rail (HSR), which only takes an hour and doesn’t even require a reservation; just buy a non-reserved ticket from one of the machines at the station and get on the train cars 10-12.
You can also ride the cheaper regular train (TRA), which takes two hours. You can try to reserve a seat, but if it’s fully booked, you’ll need to stand or sit on the floor between cars (many people do this).
One plus of the HSR is that it will get you closer to your first stop, Rainbow Village. From the station, grab a taxi or take bus #617; so long as your luggage isn’t too big, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Rainbow Village is one of Taiwan’s quirkiest attractions. Here a retired soldier painted his entire home in wild colors to save it from destruction. You may even meet the elderly man (“Rainbow Grandpa”) while you’re there!
Next, head into the city center to leave your luggage and/or check into your hotel.
After that, make your way to Chun Shui Tang, the supposed birthplace of pearl milk tea (bubble tea/boba)! They’ve also got decent food on offer.
Your tour of the city center can also include stops at Natural Way Six Arts Cultural Center (a beautifully restored Japanese martial arts hall), Painted Animation Lane, and Cultural Heritage Park.
For dinner, there’s no choice better than Feng Chia Night Market, the largest and best night market in Taichung.
Taiwan Itinerary Day 5: Sun Moon Lake
For the final stop on your Taiwan five day itinerary, you’re going to visit one of Taiwan’s most beautiful landscapes: Sun Moon Lake.
From Gancheng Station, Taichung Station, Daqing Station, or the Taichung High Speed Rail Station, you can catch the Sun Moon Lake shuttle bus, which takes around 90 minutes.
You’ll need to pay in cash for these tickets, or you can book them at any 7-Eleven iBon machine. It’s unusual for them to sell out.
Note: There is a cool tour from Taipei City that lets you explore Nantou and then spend time at the scenic Sun Moon Lake. You get to take in the lake’s mountainside vistas and visit landmarks in the region like Yidashao Wharf and Xuanguang Temple.
You’ll arrive at Shuishe, the main tourist village on the lake. From there, hop on the round-the-lake bus to the huge Wenwu Temple, which has the most stunning views looking down on the lake.
Continue on to the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway for more unbeatable views, and finally Ita Thao, an aboriginal village with an all-day market street offering the best food at Sun Moon Lake.
To return to Shuishe, take the bus back or a scenic boat rides across the lake. Buses back to Taichung leave roughly hourly, and the last one departs at 7:25 p.m.
Return to Taichung Station for the regular train back to Taipei, or the High Speed Rail Station for the fastest option.
If you want to head directly to Taoyuan International Airport, get off at Taoyuan Station and take the 10-minute shuttle bus.
Another Favorite Read: The Best Things to Do in Kaohsiung
In conclusion
Well, that sums up my whirlwind 5-day Taiwan itinerary. I hope you’ve got more than enough ideas for planning an unforgettable trip.
Trust me, after this, you’ll want to come back to Taiwan again as soon as possible!
This is a post by guest contributor, Nick Kembel.
Author’s Bio: Nick Kembel has lived in Taiwan for over 11 years and is the author of Taiwan in the Eyes of a Foreigner. He blogs about Taiwan at nickkembel.com and offers free Taiwan travel planning advice in this group.
