High Level Itinerary for Taiwan

How many days do you actually need in Taiwan?

When planning your itinerary for Taiwan, if you want to explore a few different areas and get a good feel for what Taiwan is actually like, then you should spend at least 5 days in Taiwan. Ideally, I would spend 1-2 weeks exploring Taiwan. On my first trip, we only spent 5 days in Taiwan and it felt too rushed and I didn’t even get a chance to see the east coast which is meant to be one of the best parts of Taiwan. You’ll be surprised at how much there is to do and see on this small island!

Here is my recommendation if you only have 7 days in Taiwan:

2 days in Taipei

1 day in Manyueyuan National Forest

2 days in Taichung

2 days in Sun Moon Lake

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Tips for Visiting Taiwan/ FAQs About Taiwan

Best time to visit Taiwan

Which time of year is best to visit Taiwan will depend on what type of itinerary for Taiwan you’re going for. As such, I’ve broken it down by season with pros and cons of each to help you decide along with a weather chart at the bottom

Average Temperatures in Taiwan

How to get to Taiwan

Fly of course! There are a few major airports in Taiwan you can fly into but I’d say the most common one for international flights is Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in Taipei.

I always use Google Flights to find the cheapest flights and if you love booking on points, I’d suggest installing the Points Path Google Chrome extension which shows you the price in points in your Google flights search.

I personally flew with China Airlines direct from London and would highly recommend. The service was great and the economy seats had lots of space. The food was pretty average.

How to get around Taiwan

When planning your itinerary for Taiwan, one of the most important things you’ll need to consider is how to get around. When I was in Taiwan we had a driver the whole time so we were getting around almost entirely by car. The roads were very well maintained and safe. The traffic isn’t insane like in some parts of Asia and everyone actually follows the rules. One of my friends who had been in Taiwan the week before we arrived had rented a car to get around so this is definitely an option. Just make sure you have an international drivers license to do so.

If you’re not up for driving, there is also a great public transport system in Taiwan. I did get to experience the high speed rail from Taichung to Taipei and it was great! The train was very clean, comfortable, and on time. It seemed pretty easy to navigate and buy tickets as well. I would suggest booking ahead of time if you can as there is a chance you won’t get a seat if you wait until the last minute to buy and don’t get a reserved seat.

Currency used in Taiwan and is Cash or Card preferred

The currency used in Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar. I used card almost everywhere in Taiwan although I’d suggest getting cash for the night markets and to play the arcade games which are EVERYWHERE in Taiwan.

Do people speak English in Taiwan?

The main language spoken in Taiwan is Mandarin and you will find that English is not very widely spoken. As such, it’s super important to have the Google Translate app downloaded on your phone so you can translate spoken and written Mandarin.

Convenience Stores in Taiwan

There is a massive culture of convenience stores in Taiwan. In fact Taiwan has 1 convenience store per 1,582 people, the most famous being 7/11 and Family Mart. You absolutely HAVE to schedule a stop in one of the convenience stores for your itinerary in Taiwan. You can find everything from food, to toiletries, coffee, and alcohol. Definitely check out the ready meals, iced coffees, and sushi. Also, a really popular flavour of beer I kept seeing was peach and that ended up being my drink of choice on the trip!

Is Taiwan a good destination for solo travellers?

Yes! Taiwan is a great place for solo travellers as there’s plenty to do, the people are friendly, and the city is safe. As a solo female traveller, I would definitely recommend Taiwan for your next solo trip. Check out this article I’ve written on How to Make Friends While Traveling Solo if you want some tips!

Is Taiwan Safe?

Yes Taiwan is very safe. I felt completely comfortable walking around day and night everywhere in Taiwan. What’s even better is that petty crime is very low in Taiwan so you will barely hear of anyone getting robbed or pickpocketed.

No matter how safe a destination is, you should ALWAYS have travel insurance. I highly recommend Safety Wing for travellers who will be traveling long term. Their essential plan not only covers medical emergencies but also travel emergencies such as lost luggage or trip cancellation.

How to get phone data when visiting Taiwan

If your phone provider doesn’t have a great international roaming plan, then I’d recommend getting an eSIM. I normally use the Airalo app to get my eSIM to access data abroad. You can use my code WRIGHT3 to get $3 off your first eSIM with Airalo.

Taipei

I’ve included a quick Taipei travel guide below, but if you’re looking for the full Taipei travel guide including my 4 day Taipei itinerary, click the link below.

Where to stay in Taipei

Taiwan is pretty affordable for accommodation especially in Taipei where there’s lots of choice. It’s not as cheap as South East Asia, but you can still find a nice double room in a hotel for for £40 or less. One thing to note about hotels in Taipei though, the basic rooms will usually have no windows. You’ll notice this when you search so just pay attention to that when booking if you’re someone who needs a window and natural light.

What to do in Taipei

Lungshan Temple

This was one of the most beautiful temples in Taiwan. I’d recommend seeing it during the day and during the evening or going just before sunset so you can see both. This is a great place to see the traditional religious practices in Taiwan. I would highly suggest getting a tour guide for the temples so you can learn what all the traditions are and what people are actually doing. It’s really cool to observe and learn and a great addition to your itinerary for Taiwan.

Elephant Mountain Hike

This is a hike right in the middle of the city. To get to the view point you have to climb a set of steps which isn’t that difficult but can be a bit steep. The views at the top are worth it though and you will probably see the locals working out on the outdoor gym!

Explore Dihua Street

Dihua Street is a historical and vibrant street located in the Datong District in downtown Taipei. This was one of my favourites parts of Taipei as there was so much to see and do such as traditional shops, street food vendors, markets, temples, and restaurants. This is where I had the chance to try the famous ice cream spring roll which is ice cream and peanut candy shavings with optional coriander rolled up in rice paper. I also tried the famous Baozi from a local street vendor and it was one of the best I’ve ever had. I have all of these food places pinned in my Taiwan Google Map Guide if you want the exact locations

Guided Tour

I always suggest doing at least one guided tour when visiting somewhere new to get a lay of the land and some basic interesting facts and history. My go to place for finding these is either the tourist information centre, searching “free walking tour” on Google, or going to Get Your Guide. Here are some of the top guided tours I found on Get Your Guide for Taipei:

Taipei 101 Observation Deck

Yes this is touristy but yes the views are great so just book your ticket here and go for it. One thing I forgot to check is if you get multiple entries per ticket because it would be great to go up to see the view during the day and in the evening. If not, then I’d recommend going just before sunset to see both.

Where to eat in Taipei

Huaxi Street Night Market

No itinerary for Taiwan is complete without a visit to at least 1 night market and this was my favourite night market in all of Taiwan! It wasn’t as crowded as the others and we found some Michelin start bao buns! My favourites stalls were Yuan Fang Guabao and Wang’s Broth – both of which are pinned in my Taiwan Google Map Guide. There are also quite a few massage places in this market if you’re looking for a fairly priced foot massage after a long day of walking around Taipei.

Din Tai Fung

This place is an institution and probably the most famous place in the world to get ziao long bao aka “soup dumplings”. The dumplings are filled with meat and broth and there’s loads of different types you can get. My favourites were the truffle, traditional pork, and Godiva chocolate for dessert.

Addiction Aquatic Development

This is a trendy fresh fish market in downtown Taipei and if you love sushi then you have to put this on your itinerary for Taiwan! There’s also a cute little wine bar inside. You can also grab the sushi to go and sit on the tables outside.

Raohe Street Night Market

This is another night market you should check out in Taipei however, I found this one really crowded which is why I preferred Huaxi. However, I did get my absolute favourite street food of the entire trip here which is Rou Jia Mo and pinned on my Taiwan Google Map Guide. This night market also has loads of fun arcade and game vendors so it’s definitely worth checking out.

Bubble Tea

Bubble tea is quite a huge thing in Taiwan (as is normal tea of course) and I tried my first one at 得正#台北龍山寺計劃. When you order the tea you will need to specify the type of tea you want, how sweet, how much ice, and which type of bubbles.

Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation Area

The Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation area is definitely one to put on your itinerary for Taiwan if you love hiking, hot springs, and the outdoors.

Where to stay in Manyueyuan National Forest

The Great Roots Forestry Spa Resort

This hotel was such a treat for our first night in Taiwan. Not only is it a hotel but it’s a hot spring and hiking resort as well as it’s right in the middle of the forest. The rooms have some gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains.

What to do in Manyueyuan National Forest

Hike

There are tons of different hikes you can do in the Manyueyuan National Forest. Just head to the ticket office and grab a map to check out which one your most suited to with your skill level. We did the one to Manyueyuan Falls and it was very easy on a paved path.

Hot Spring

If you’re staying at the Great Roots Forestry Spa Resort, a visit to the hot springs is already included in your stay. When you get there, there are locker rooms for both males and females. You’ll need to leave your shoes and belongings in a locker while you’re in the hot springs. You also need to wear a swim cap which they provide for free if you don’t have your own. There are different types of hot springs in the spa you can try for example, some have bubbles, some are cold, and others are warm. It’s quite the experience and I’d definitely recommend a visit especially if you want to relax.

Where to eat in Manyueyuan National Forest

The restaurant at the Great Roots Resort is pretty decent but if you’re looking for something different and local, there’s a local roasted chicken restaurant nearby called 三峽插角133現烤胡椒雞. There’s also another cute cafe and restaurant down the street called 插角25號咖啡.

Taichung

Where to stay in Taichung

Le Méridien Taichung

Le Meridien is where I stayed when visiting Taichung and it was absolutely INCREDIBLE. Such a nice luxury hotel. The rooftop is also a great spot for swimming and watching the sunset. There’s even a rooftop bar. I’d also recommended a couple budget friendly options (Spring Rhapsody Hotel, Taichung & The Carlton Hotel, Taichung) as this one is a little pricey, but worth it!

What to do in Taichung

Rainbow Village

Start your day in Taichung with a visit to the colourful Rainbow Village. To give you a quick bit of history, Rainbow Village was originally a housing settlement built for military personnel and their families after the Chinese Civil War. When the government looked to demolish the village, one of the retired soldiers, Huang Yung-Fu, began painting the walls, doors, and streets to deter them. It gained such widespread attention, it let to it’s preservation and is still standing today. It’s open from 8am – 6pm and is free to enter but you can also donate if you wish.

Gaomei Wetlands Sunset Day Trip

A quick 1 hour drive or 2 hour train ride will take you to this famous west coast ecological reserve. It’s one of the best spots on the island to catch a beautiful sunset from the pier that extends 800 meters (about half a mile) long. When we visited it was incredibly windy but still cool and it made for some fun photos. If you’re lucky, you may get to see the crabs running around when the tide is out on the wetlands below.

Shen Ji New Village

This is a cool little village with local unique shops and street vendors, food stands, sweet shops and restaurants. Our tour guide referred to it as the “hipster village”. I loved it and got a few cool souvenirs including a couple prints to hang in my flat and a necklace.

Karaoke at 67 Bar

If you want to hit the town and grab a drink, I’d recommend this bar on Jiguang street. You’ll also find some other pubs and bars nearby if you want to do some bar hopping.

Where to eat in Taichung

Wulao for Hot Pot

This was my first ever hot pot experience and wow was it incredible! If you’ve never done hot pot before it’s kind of like fondue but instead of cheese you have flavoured boiling broth that you dip meat and veg in to cook. There’s an unlimited rice and sauce/seasoning station for sides with the hot pot. This is a must do experience for your itinerary for Taiwan.

Fengchia Night Market

This is a super fun night market in Taichung which of course does loads of good food but what I loved even more about it were the carnival game stands and the photo booth. We had a blast exploring this market and it wasn’t too crowded or overwhelming like some of the night markets in Taipei.

Miyahara Confectionary Shop

This is a famous confectionary shop selling treats and delicious ice cream. The ice cream selection was incredible, there were 17 varieties of chocolate alone!!! I also bought a couple boxes of Pineapple cake to take home with me which is a Taiwan speciality. These cakes symbolise luck and prosperity and are often given as gifts to friends and loved ones.

Sun Moon Lake

Where to stay in Sun Moon Lake

Wyndham Sun Moon Lake

I HIGHLY recommend staying at The Wyndham Hotel while in Sun Moon Lake for a few reasons. Firstly, the rooftop is incredible for sunset. Secondly, the bathrooms in the hotel rooms are like mini spas, and lastly, the buffet breakfast is incredible!

A couple additional more budget friendly options I found are Sun Moon Lake Bamboo Rock Garden and Dreamy Nomads Hostel

What to do in Sun Moon Lake

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

This was my favourite activity in all of Taiwan mostly because I’m obsessed with any water activity, but also because it gives you a different view and perspective of the lake. Technically you’re not allowed to swim in Sun Moon Lake (which is crazy!!) so this is the closest you can get if you actually want to be on the water – and if you fall in well, it’s just an accident right 😜. I had a blast with our paddle board instructor at 盛百年原生魚類生態復育場.

Rent a Bike

One of the best ways to see Sun Moon Lake by land is to rent a bike and ride around the whole lake. Most of it is on a path but there are some points you’ll need to ride on the road, however, traffic isn’t that heavy and it’s quite safe.

Ci’en Pagoda

The Ci’en pagoda was commissioned by Chiang Kai-shek, the former President of China, in 1971. It was built in memory of his late mother as a symbol of honor and love. There’s a 700 meter path through the forest to get to the pagoda itself which is paved and on a gradual incline. The pagoda itself is 46 meters (150 ft) tall and you climb a circular staircase to get to the top. The climb is absolutely worth the stunning view of Sun Moon Lake and the surrounding mountains.

Cable Car

If you love a birds eye view but prefer to skip the walk or hike, this is your best option. Get carried to the top of the mountains by a cable car.

Wenwu Temple

If you only put one temple on your entire itinerary for Taiwan, make sure it’s Wenwu!! This was my favourite temple of the entire trip and probably one of my top 3 favourite temples in the entire world. The name “Wenwu” translates to “Literature and Martial Arts,”. It was built in 1938 and features traditional Chinese palace-style architecture.

Ferry Ride

Taking a ferry ride across Sun Moon Lake is a great way to see it from a different perspective.

Hohocha Tea Factory

No itinerary for Taiwan is complete without a visit to a tea factory that includes a tasting. If you’re a tea lover absolutely put this on the list. The only issue though is I don’t believe they do the tea experiences in English so you would need to go with a translator. They may offer a translator but I can’t figure it out from their website. Luckily when I went, we had a guide who translated it all for us to English. You get to try 5 different teas and their famous tea soaked boiled eggs. I’m told some people just come for the eggs lol.

Where to eat in Sun Moon Lake

Chicken Restaurant 哖記紅茶甕缸雞(日月潭)/美食/推薦餐廳/南投必吃/魚池鄉餐廳

This local chicken restaurant was right next to the Wyndham hotel and oh my was it delicious! The chicken was so well seasoned and there were loads of sides you could get with it.

Tiao Café

This is a cute little café right on the water with excellent views. They also have some pretty good western food options if you need a break from local food. I tried the peanut butter toast here and OMG delicious. That with an iced coffee will perk you right up.

Final Thoughts on the Itinerary for Taiwan

As you can see there’s LOADS to see and do in Taiwan and this 7 day itinerary for Taiwan hasn’t even touched upon the east coast which is where all of the best beaches are! You could also add in some epic hikes as Taiwan has some of the best peaks in the world to climb. In summary, while 7 days is definitely enough time to explore Taiwan, I’d highly recommend visiting for 2 weeks if you can swing it. I really hope you found this guide useful and enjoy Taiwan as much as I did!