Taiwan Itinerary: 5 Days in Taipei and Taichung

Quick answer

A five-day Taiwan itinerary focuses on the north and west coast, typically costing NT$15,000–NT$22,500 ($460–$700 USD) per person excluding flights. Spend three days in Taipei for urban sites and Shifen/Jiufen, then two days in Taichung for Sun Moon Lake or Hualien for Taroko Gorge. Travel between major cities via the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) for maximum efficiency.

Trip Summary

• Duration: 5 days
• Ideal traveller type: First-time visitors, urban explorers, and food-motivated travellers.
• Pace: Moderate to fast-paced.
• Approximate daily budget: NT$3,500–NT$4,500 ($110–$140 USD).
• Best season: October to December (dry weather, mild temperatures 18°C–24°C).

Day 1: Central Taipei and Xinyi District

Morning: Arrive at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). Take the Airport MRT Express to Taipei Main Station (35 minutes, NT$160). Check into a hotel in Ximending or near Main Station. Visit Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (Red Line/Green Line). Walk 15 minutes to Nanmen Market for Lu Rou Fan (braised pork rice). Afternoon: Take the Red Line to Taipei 101. Buy an observatory ticket (NT$600) for the 89th floor. Walk 10 minutes to the Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) trailhead. Hike 20 minutes up the stairs for the classic skyline view including Taipei 101. Evening: Take the Blue Line to Raohe Street Night Market. Try the Black Pepper Bun at the entrance (NT$60) and grilled squid. Travel time between Xinyi and Raohe is 15 minutes by taxi. Walking load: 12-15km. Logic: This route stays on the Tamsui-Xinyi (Red) line, minimising transfers while hitting primary landmarks.

Day 2: Shifen, Jiufen, and Teapot Mountain

Morning: Take a local TRA train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang (50 minutes, NT$49), then transfer to the Pingxi Line for Shifen Waterfall and Shifen Old Street. The waterfall is a 15-minute walk from the station. Afternoon: Return to Ruifang and take bus 788 or 1062 (15 minutes, NT$15) to Jiufen Old Street. Walk through the narrow alleys to A-Mei Tea House. Continue by bus to the Jinguashi Gold Museum area to start the Teapot Mountain trail (2-hour round trip). Evening: Return to Taipei via the 1062 bus directly to Zhongxiao Fuxing station (1.5 hours). Eat Xiao Long Bao at Din Tai Fung in the Fuxing SOGO basement. Walking load: 10km (hilly). Logic: Grouping these northeast coastal sites reduces transit overhead as they all branch from Ruifang Station.

Day 3: Hualien and Taroko Gorge

Morning: Take the 06:00 or 07:00 express TRA train (Puyuma or Taroko Express) from Taipei to Hualien (2 hours, NT$440). Hire a private driver or take the Taroko Route 310 bus from Hualien Station. Visit Shakadang Trail (1.5 hours walk). Afternoon: Proceed to Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou), Cihmu Bridge, and the Lushui Trail. View the Eternal Spring Shrine from the roadside viewpoint. Evening: Return to Hualien for the Dongdamen Night Market. Try the Coffin Bread (thick toast filled with seafood chowder). Return to Taipei on the late express train (arrival around 22:30). Walking load: 8-10km. Logic: A day trip is feasible if you secure the 06:00 express train, avoiding the need to move luggage to a new hotel.

Day 4: Taichung and Sun Moon Lake

Morning: Take the THSR from Taipei to Taichung (45-60 minutes, NT$700). From Taichung HSR station, take the Nantou Bus (Exit 5) to Sun Moon Lake (90 minutes, NT$170). Afternoon: Rent a bicycle at Shuishe Pier and cycle the lakeside path to Xiangshan Visitor Centre (40 minutes). Take the boat ferry (NT$300 for a day pass) to Syuanguang Temple and Itashao Village. Eat tea eggs and aboriginal wild boar sausages. Evening: Return to Taichung city. Visit Miyahara (a former eye clinic turned sweet shop) near Taichung TRA station for ice cream. Overnight in Taichung. Walking load: 6km plus 10km cycling. Logic: Using the high-speed rail allows for a full day at the lake despite the distance from Taipei.

Day 5: Taichung Arts and Departure

Morning: Visit the Rainbow Village (check opening status as sections undergo renovation) or the National Museum of Natural Science. Visit the National Taichung Theater, designed by Toyo Ito, in the Xitun District. Afternoon: Eat lunch at Chun Shui Tang (the birthplace of bubble tea) in the Qinmei area. Take the THSR from Taichung back to Taoyuan HSR station (35 minutes), then the shuttle bus or MRT to the airport (15 minutes). Evening: Arrive at TPE airport 3 hours before departure. Walking load: 5-7km. Logic: This keeps you on the west coast, closer to the international airport for a low-stress departure.

Estimated cost table

Prices are estimates based on average rates; check official sites like the THSR or Taipei 101 website for current pricing before you go.

Reservations to book ahead

• THSR Tickets: Book 28 days in advance for "Early Bird" discounts up to 35% off. Use the T-EX mobile app.
• TRA Express Trains: Essential for the Taipei-Hualien route; these sell out minutes after opening 28 days before travel.
• Taipei 101 Observatory: Book via Klook or the official site to skip the ticket booth line.
• Accommodation: Book hotels in Ximending (Taipei) and near Taichung Station at least 2 months ahead for peak seasons.

Common mistakes

• Ignoring EasyCard: Do not buy individual MRT tickets. Purchase an EasyCard at any convenience store (7-Eleven/FamilyMart) for NT$100 and top it up; it works on all buses, trains, and even in vending machines.
• Underestimating Taroko travel time: The local train (non-express) takes 3.5 hours compared to the 2-hour express. Always book the Limited Express (Puyuma/Taroko/EMU3000).
• Skipping the HSR station location check: Taichung HSR station is not in the city centre; it is a 15-minute train ride or 20-minute taxi from Taichung Main Station.
• Monday museum visits: Many public museums and some attractions in Jiufen close on the first Monday of the month or every Monday.

Plan your trip

Journey Planner turns this itinerary into a live day-by-day plan. It monitors local weather alerts for Taroko Gorge, calculates real-time THSR schedules, and generates a packing list based on your travel dates. You can sync your bookings to receive reminders for train departures and gate changes at Taoyuan International Airport.

FAQ

Is 5 days enough for Taiwan? Five days is sufficient for a focused trip to Taipei and one other region like Taichung or Hualien, but not enough to circle the entire island.

Do I need cash in Taiwan? Yes, while department stores take cards, most night markets, small eateries, and temple stalls are cash-only. Carry at least NT$2,000 in cash daily.

How do I get internet in Taiwan? Purchase a 5-day unlimited 4G SIM card at the airport (NT$300–$500) from providers like Chunghwa Telecom or FarEasTone.