🇹🇼
Taiwan
Night markets, marble gorges, and bubble tea culture
🇹🇼 Taiwan
About Taiwan
Taiwan is Asia's best-kept secret — a compact island that packs in marble gorges, steaming hot springs, 24-hour night markets, and some of the friendliest locals you will ever meet.
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Top Things to Do in Taiwan
Taroko Gorge
Hike through a cathedral of white marble cliffs carved by the Liwu River.
Jiufen Old Street
Wander lantern-lit alleys in the hillside village that inspired Spirited Away.
Taipei Night Markets
Graze through stinky tofu, scallion pancakes, and fresh mango shaved ice.
Travel Diary
9-Days Taiwan Itinerary
Apps to Download
- YouBike — dock-free bike rentals, register with EasyCard + Taiwanese number
- Google Translate & Google Maps — essential for navigation and menus
- Taiwan Railways E-Booking — pre-book express trains with credit card
- Agoda & Airbnb — best platforms for accommodation
- Klook — tours, day trips and experiences
Booking Ahead
- Tours on Klook: Whale Watching Tour (Hualien) and Yangmingshan National Park day trip
- Express train tickets via Taiwan Railways E-Booking — collect physical ticket at station before boarding
- Accommodation on Agoda or Airbnb — book early, especially for Ruifang and Hualien
Good to Know
- Drinking water available at hostels and Airbnbs — can also be purchased at any convenience store
- Sockets: Type A & Type B — highly recommend bringing a universal adapter
- Pack both an umbrella and a sunscreen jacket — Taiwan weather is unpredictable
- Don't forget your camera and power bank — you will want them everywhere
Day 1Taoyuan · Taichung
Arrival & First Night Market
- 12:45Arrived at Taoyuan International AirportImmigration took 30 minutes.
- Exchanged currency at Bank of Taiwan (at arrival hall)Exchanged USD to Taiwanese Dollars. Had converted INR→USD in India before traveling.
- Got eSIM from Chunghwa Telecom (at arrival hall)Got an e-SIM with 4G unlimited data for 10 days and free voice call. Activated in two minutes, can be paid through cash (Taiwanese dollars) or credit card/forex card. Comes with a real Taiwanese phone number which can be used to login the YouBike App.
- Purchased an EasyCard and loaded money from 7-Eleven at the airportA transportation card that can be used in metros, buses, local trains, for purchases in convenience stores like 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and few select shops. Money can be loaded in all convenience stores or ticket machines/information counters in Metro stations.
- Got some snacks from 7-Eleven before boarding bus to TaichungFollow the signs for bus station from the arrival hall — will take just 10 mins walk.
- Purchased bus ticket from Ubus CounterGreen color counter. Buses to Taichung are available every hour. Cannot use EasyCard for this one.
- 16:05Bus started to TaichungTravelled for 2 hrs, no stop for washrooms.
- 18:05Arrived at Taichung City and walked to Hostel
- 19:00Cycled to Fengchia Night Market — The biggest night market in TaiwanGreat vibes and plenty of food options. Must try grilled mushrooms and strawberry milk. YouBike junctions (bicycles both manual and electric) are literally available everywhere — download the YouBike App, login with your Taiwanese mobile number and register your EasyCard, then you can easily tap and use the bikes. App also shows the map of nearest YouBike Junction and availability of number of manual and electric bikes. Don't worry, junctions are literally everywhere.
- 22:00Done for the day and back at Hostel
Accommodation EaseSingle Inn, Taichung — Stayed in 6 Bed Female Dorm Room with shared bathroom and shared kitchen. Highly recommended, have huge lockers for suitcases, clean, modern and budget friendly, 24/7 reception, walkable distance from train station and bus station.
Day 2Taichung
Bubble Tea, Art & Golden Hour
- Used Cycle (YouBike) / walk for every locationYouBike is charged incrementally on hourly basis, so recommend parking in YouBike locations only so that you can reset the time again when you rent again, but there is a 15 mins cooling period between parking and renting again in the same junction.
- 8:30–10:00Chun Shui Tang — The Original Bubble Tea shopHad breakfast here.
- 10:15–10:45Painted Animation LaneFree entry.
- 11:00–12:30National Museum of ComicsFree entry.
- 13:00–14:30DIY suncakes at Taiwan Suncakes MuseumRecommend buying Original and Honey flavored suncakes.
- 15:00–16:00Lunch at Taichung Second MarketPopular Gua Bao stalls.
- 16:30–19:00Stroll around Calligraphy GreenwayFree entry. Try MINIMAL ice cream (only Michelin recommended ice cream), enjoy little picnic watching sunset, can explore Eslite Spectrum (popular book store in Taiwan, also has plenty of cute stationeries, electronics and snacks) in Park Lane by CMP (small mall) — also has CASETiFY store, Taiwanese branded stores and bakeries. Everything is walkable, like within 500 meters radius.
- 20:00–22:00Option 1: Dinner at Daqing Night Market | Option 2: Dinner at Night School Braised Pork RiceNight School Braised Pork Rice is famous for pork bone and blood soup and pork rib platter.
- 22:30Done for the day
Day 3Hualien
Coastal Arrival & Goose Feast
- Note: YouBike is not available in Hualien.
- 6:30–11:15Express Train to HualienPrebooked before two weeks, in Taiwan Railways E-booking App through Credit Card. Online booking alone is not sufficient — before boarding the train, should get a physical ticket from the Counter/self vending machine at any train station. QR codes in the physical ticket will be used for entry and exit, EasyCard doesn't work for express trains. Advise to reach the train station at least 30 mins before departure as there can be queues at the counters. Also, you can buy a bento box (meal box) available at the station — popular with Taiwanese people.
- 11:30Walked to Hostel and checked in early as there was vacancyAll hostels and hotels allow luggage dropping in case you are not able to check in, as most check-ins are after 3pm, so plan accordingly.
- 12:30Famous Scallion Pancakes for lunchWalkable from Hostel.
- 14:00–16:30Whale watching tour booked in KlookPicked up and dropped at the hostel. Check out our Taiwan stories (@loveforlatidtudes).
- 17:30–19:00Dinner at A Cheng Goose MeatGoose meat is a thing in Hualien. Walkable from Hostel.
- 19:30Done for the day
Accommodation LovelyBean Hostel, Hualien — Booked private room with shared bathroom, no kitchen. Was decent enough for the budget and the owner was very kind and helpful. But if the hostel gets full, then there might be long queueing for bathrooms as there was only two bathrooms and one toilet for around 10 people. Walkable from Train and Bus stations.
Day 4Taroko · Hualien
Marble Gorges & Night Market
- Had Breakfast in 7-Eleven and bought some snacks for the day
- 8:30Walk to Bus station
- Purchased Ubus one day passCost effective. Can also use EasyCard in buses. Buses are available mostly every hour — check Google Maps.
- 9:00–10:00Bus No. 310 to Taroko National Park Visitor Center
- 10:00–12:30Exploring Taroko National ParkFree entry. Slowly walked around more than 5 kms exploring the national park on road. The easiest way would be to rent a scooty but International Driving License is mandatory and roads are open only at certain times for vehicles — check taroko.gov.tw. Note that the hiking trails are currently closed due to 2024 earthquakes but you can still walk along the highway roads and see those marvelous mountains and rivers. Worth a visit.
- 12:40–15:00Bus No. 310 to Qixingtan Scenic AreaIncluded in one day pass. Free entry. Park, walking/cycling lane along the beach, pebble beach with gigantic cliff mountains on the side. Best views at sunrise.
- 15:00–18:00Pine Garden and Hualien Stone Sculpture MuseumOther stops on Bus No. 310 (included in one day pass) worth visiting. Both free entry.
- 19:00–21:00Bus No. 310 to Dongdamen Night MarketIncluded in one day pass. Must Try: Blood Pudding covered with Peanut, Peanut rolled Ice cream.
- 21:00–21:30Bus No. 301 back to HostelCan pay with EasyCard. Check for buses in Google Maps — pretty accurate.
- 21:30Done for the day
Day 5Hualien → Ruifang
Mountain Villages & Lantern Skies
- People usually take a day trip to Ruifang — Jiufen and Shifen, but I wanted to stay a night, so I prebooked express train directly from Hualien to Ruifang in Taiwanese Railway E-booking App through Credit Card.
- 9:55–11:50Express train from Hualien to RuifangDon't worry if you forgot the bento box at the station, in-train purchase of bento box is also available.
- 12:00–14:00Drop luggage at Hostel and have lunch at Fu Ge Beef NoodlesHighly recommended.
- 14:00–14:30Bus to Jiufen Old StreetAvailable almost every half an hour, check Google Maps for buses — pretty accurate. Cycle (YouBike) is also available in Ruifang and Jiufen old street, but buses are convenient.
- 14:30–16:30Explore Jiufen Old StreetLots of stairs, food and shopping souvenirs like Taro based sweets and mochi snacks, Tea Houses — Traditional tea table experience, Spirited Away town vibes, great ocean views.
- 16:30–18:30Hike Mount Keelung for sunsetFree.
- 18:30–20:00Jiufen street at night (lantern lit views)Try Red Vinesse Taiwanese Meatballs, Taro balls, herbal rice cakes, Brown sugar boba milk at Xing Fu Tang — Must Try.
- 20:00–20:30Bus back to RuifangAvailable almost every half an hour — check Google Maps. Frequency of buses reduces after 21:00 and the last bus is at 22:00.
- 20:30Done for the day
Accommodation Ruifang Yi Hostel, Ruifang — Stayed in 4 bed Female Dorm, clean and convenient, shared kitchen and bath, highly recommended, walkable to Ruifang Train stations and bus stops, budget friendly.
Day 6Ruifang · Jiufen · Shifen
Coastal Hike, Waterfalls & Lanterns
- 8:30–9:30Breakfast at Ruifang Food CourtWalkable from Hostel. Try oyster omelette and thin noodle soup.
- Check out hostel and drop luggage at front desk
- 9:30–10:30Bus No. 856/886 to Bitoujiao TrailSit on the left side of the bus for scenic coastal views.
- 10:30–12:00Hike Bitoujiao TrailFree.
- 12:30–13:30Seafood lunch along Pi-t'ou Fishing HarborRight at the end of the trail.
- Initially planned to snorkel at Longdong Bay Park but the water was too cold in April, so skipped.
- 13:30Bus to RuifangAlmost every half an hour, check Google Maps — pretty accurate.
- 14:00–15:00Local Train to Shifen Old StreetBoard the local train from Ruifang Railway station, can use EasyCard, train available almost every hour, check Google Maps.
- 15:00–18:00Explore Shifen Old Street and Shifen WaterfallsCan release lanterns in the train street upon making wishes, beautiful street with lots of souvenir shops and food stalls — Taiwanese sausage is a must try. Shifen Waterfalls is walkable from old street, little bit of a hike across a river crossing through beautiful bridge, various viewpoints of waterfalls, no bathing.
- 18:00Local train back to RuifangCollect luggage from hostel front desk — hostel is just 200 meters from railway station.
- 18:30–19:30Local Train to TaipeiUse EasyCard, train available almost every half an hour. The train runs across Taipei — get down at the nearest station to your accommodation, check Google Maps.
- 20:00Got down at Nangang station, transferred to Blue Line Metro to MRT City Hall StationCheck in room and drop luggage.
- 21:00–22:30Cycled (YouBike) to Raohe Night MarketMust try: Black Pepper buns and Stinky Tofu.
- 23:00Done for the day
Accommodation Airbnb at Xinyi District, Taipei — Very good for the price, spacious private room with shared bathroom and shared kitchen, walkable distance to MRT City Hall Station. Most recommended place for accommodation is Ximending, but metro runs across Taipei so connectivity is very easy from anywhere near a metro station.
Day 7Taipei
Temples, Street Art & Elephant Mountain
- 8:00–10:30Breakfast at Din Tai FungExpect long waiting, walkable from Airbnb. Must try: Xiao long Bao and spicy wanton.
- 10:30–11:00Metro to Chiang Kai Shek Memorial HallFree entry, open 9:00–18:00, guard changing ceremony every hour at 9am, 10am, 11am…5pm. Xing Fu Tang is available inside the memorial hall — at this point I was addicted to their brown sugar boba milk. All metro routes can be easily viewed in Google Maps and metros are also very easy to navigate, not much walking.
- 11:30–13:30Longshan Temple and Underground shopping mallTook metro.
- 13:30–16:00Ximending Walking streetPopular shopping street and great vibes, also have Xing Fu Tang — Brown sugar boba milk shop. Walkable or can take metro. Have lunch at Ay Cheng Flour Rice Noodles Shop.
- 16:00–17:00Take metro to Elephant Mountain Trailhead
- 17:00–18:30Hike Elephant MountainMost beautiful sunset with Taipei 101 right in front.
- 18:30–22:00Option 1: Take metro to Ningxia Night Market | Option 2: Dinner in a nearby restaurantMight feel like too much visiting night markets everyday, but trust me, you are not going to get tired of it but would want to go again and again.
- 22:00Done for the day
Day 8Yangmingshan · Taipei
Volcanoes, Hot Springs & Shilin Night Market
- Had Breakfast in FamilyMart and bought some packed lunch
- Booked day trip to Yangmingshan National Park via KlookIf you come with family or don't prefer to walk long distance, then book the day trip. Otherwise, if you are someone who loves to walk like me, then highly recommend doing DIY trip (as I felt many places in the day trip were scams trying to sell stuff and like bogus locations not worth my time, but it comes down to preferences).
- 8:00–10:00Take metro Blue Line to Shandao Temple station, then take bus 1717 to Xiaoyoukeng visitor centreExplore Volcanic landform of Xiaoyoukeng.
- 9:30–11:30Hike Qixing mountainTallest viewpoint of the national park.
- 12:00–12:30Lengshuikeng Hot SpringsFree hot spring, can dip your feet and relax. Closed from 12:30–14:00.
- 13:30–14:30Qingtiangang GrasslandEnjoy the winds with water buffalo, picnic with packed lunch.
- 14:30–16:00Take bus to Beitou Thermal ValleyAll bus routes can be checked at that time in Google Maps — gives you many options.
- 16:00–17:00Enjoy the natural Thermal Valley
- 17:00–18:00Take bus to Shilin Night market
- 18:00–20:00Shilin Night marketGames, shopping and food. Must try: Hot Star Fried Chicken, oyster omelette. Love night markets.
- 20:00–21:00Metro to Airbnb
- 21:30Done for the day
Day 9Taipei → Airport
Final Morning & Farewell
- 6:00Metro to breakfastTrust me, you gotta go early.
- 6:30–8:30Breakfast in Fuhang Soy MilkMichelin recommended, expect very long queues. Must try: Salty soy milk, deep fried Chinese donut.
- 9:00Check out Airbnb
- 9:00–10:00Metro to Daan Forest Park
- 10:00–13:00Relax at Daan Forest ParkBest for bird watching. Have lunch nearby.
- 13:00–15:00Leave for airportTake Metro to Taipei Main station, then take Airport Express from there to Airport Terminals. Use EasyCard.
- Money remaining in EasyCard?Option 1: Use to buy things in convenience stores. Option 2: Get refund at Taipei Main station (can be done at any metro station, while keeping a little money for your journey to Airport) — a service fee of NT20 will be deducted and refunded up to a limit of NT3000. Option 3: Save the card for your next trip to Taiwan.
- Exchange remaining currency at Bank of Taiwan, airportNT→USD, or save for your next Taiwan trip.
- Boarded the flight (Thai Air Asia with layover in Bangkok) to homeBye Bye Taiwan.