Taiwan Itinerary 7 Days: Taipei and East Coast Guide

Quick answer

For a 7-day trip focusing on the northern and eastern regions, allocate three days to Taipei, one day to the northeast coast (Jiufen and Shifen), and two days to Hualien for Taroko Gorge. Budget approximately NT$2,500–$4,000 ($80–$125 USD) per person per day for mid-range accommodation and transport. Visit between October and December for dry weather and temperatures averaging 22°C.

Trip summary

• Duration: 7 Days
• Ideal traveller: First-time visitors, hikers, and food enthusiasts
• Pace: Moderate to active
• Daily budget: NT$3,200 ($100 USD)
• Best season: October to April (avoiding Lunar New Year)

Day 1

Morning: Start at Liberty Square to view the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Arrive by 09:00 to see the changing of the guards. Walk 15 minutes to the Nanmen Market to observe local breakfast culture and sample sticky rice tamales.

Afternoon: Take the Red Line (Tamsui-Xinyi) to Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station. Ascend the observatory (NT$600) for a 360-degree view of the basin. Walk 10 minutes to the Adidas 101 basketball court area for modern shopping in Xinyi District.

Evening: Travel by MRT to Xiangshan Station. Hike the Elephant Mountain trail (20-30 minutes, steep stairs) for sunset photos of the skyline. Finish the night at Tonghua Night Market, focusing on the Lin Jiang Street area for pan-fried buns and peanut ice cream rolls.

Transport: MRT primarily; total walking load is 10-12km. This sequence follows the Red Line south to east to minimise transit time.

Day 2

Morning: Take the MRT to Longshan Temple Station. Visit the temple early to hear morning chants. Walk 10 minutes to Bopiliao Historical Block to see Qing Dynasty-era architecture.

Afternoon: Head to the National Palace Museum via the Red Line to Shilin Station, then a 15-minute bus ride (R30 or 255). Allocate 3 hours for the permanent collection, including the Jadeite Cabbage.

Evening: Return to Shilin for the Shilin Night Market. Target the underground food court for oyster omelettes and the street stalls for large fried chicken cutlets.

Transport: MRT and Bus; 1 hour total transit. The cultural sites are grouped to clear the central city before the night market rush.

Day 3

Morning: Take the TRA train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang (45-60 minutes), then transfer to the Pingxi Line. Visit Shifen Waterfall, a 20-minute walk from Shifen Station.

Afternoon: Take a bus or taxi (NT$250) from Ruifang to Jiufen Old Street. Walk the narrow alleys of Shuqi Road and visit the A-Mei Tea House. Expect heavy crowds between 14:00 and 17:00.

Evening: Take the 1062 bus directly back to Zhongxiao Fuxing Station in Taipei (75-90 minutes). Dine at the original Din Tai Fung branch (Xinyi Store) or the nearby multi-storey branch at Xinsheng for xiaolongbao.

Transport: TRA Train and Bus; total walking load 8km. Leaving the city early avoids the peak tourist influx at the narrow Jiufen walkways.

Day 4

Morning: Take the Express TRA or Tze-Chiang Limited Express train from Taipei to Hualien (2-2.5 hours). Pre-book tickets 28 days in advance as this route sells out quickly.

Afternoon: Rent a scooter (requires International Driving Permit with motorcycle endorsement) or hire a private driver (NT$3,000 per day) to visit Qixingtan Beach and the Pine Garden.

Evening: Visit Dongdamen Night Market in Hualien City. Try the Coffin Bread (thick toast filled with chowder) and local indigenous-style grilled meats.

Transport: Train and Private Vehicle; 3 hours total transit. Getting to Hualien by noon allows for a relaxed afternoon by the coast before the gorge day.

Day 5

Morning: Enter Taroko National Park. Start at the Shakadang Trail (4.4km return, flat) to see the turquoise water and marble canyons.

Afternoon: Drive to the Yanzikou (Swallow Grotto) trail. Wear a safety helmet (provided free at the park entrance) to walk the road tunnels. Continue to the Lushui Trail or the Eternal Spring Shrine.

Evening: Return to Hualien City. Visit a local cafe in the renovated Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park.

Transport: Private car or shuttle bus; walking load depends on trail choice (avg 6-9km). This route follows the park road from the entrance toward the interior to manage traffic flow.

Day 6

Morning: Take the train from Hualien back to Taipei. Check into a hotel in the Ximending area.

Afternoon: Explore Ximending’s pedestrian zone. Visit the Red House and browse the local design shops. Walk 15 minutes to the Wannian Building for retro hobby shops.

Evening: Head to the Dadaocheng area (Dihua Street) via the Green Line to Beimen Station. See the traditional herb and fabric shops, then walk to the Yanping Riverside Park for the sunset over the Tamsui River.

Transport: Train and MRT; 3 hours total transit. Returning to Taipei allows for a final day of shopping and logistics before departure.

Day 7

Morning: Visit the Beitou Hot Spring area (Red Line to Beitou, transfer to Xinbeitou). Walk to the Thermal Valley (Geothermal Hell) and visit the Beitou Hot Spring Museum.

Afternoon: Take the MRT to Tamsui (end of the Red Line). Walk the Tamsui Old Street and take the ferry (NT$30) to Fisherman’s Wharf to see the Lover’s Bridge.

Evening: Return to central Taipei. If time permits, visit the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi for last-minute souvenirs like pineapple cakes (Chia Te or SunnyHills) before heading to Taoyuan Airport via the Airport MRT (35-50 minutes).

Transport: MRT and Airport Express; 2 hours total transit. Beitou and Tamsui are on the same line, making this an efficient final-day loop.

Estimated costs

Note: Prices are estimates based on standard rates. Check official sites before you go.

Reservations to book ahead

• TRA Train Tickets: Taipei to Hualien return. Bookable 28 days in advance on the Taiwan Railways website.
• Taipei 101 Observatory: Book 2-3 days ahead for sunset slots to avoid ticket queues.
• Taroko Gorge Private Tour: Book at least 1 week ahead if not using the public shuttle bus.
• Accommodation: Book 2 months ahead if travelling during the October-December peak season.

Common mistakes

• Ignoring the EasyCard: Failing to buy an EasyCard (NT$100) at the airport results in wasting time with single-journey tokens and exact-change bus fares.
• Underestimating Taroko travel time: Thinking a day trip from Taipei to Taroko is easy; it involves 5+ hours of transit, leaving little time for hiking. An overnight stay in Hualien is more practical.
• Mistaking the station names: Confusing Taipei Main Station with Taipei 101 Station or Taipei City Hall. Always verify the MRT exit number for specific venues.
• Overpacking for trains: TRA trains have limited luggage space compared to the HSR. Use the luggage forwarding services or lockers at Taipei Main Station for large suitcases.
• Ignoring the weather: Not checking the rain forecast for Jiufen, which is one of the wettest spots in Taiwan. Always carry a sturdy umbrella or poncho.

Plan your trip

Journey Planner turns this itinerary into a personalised schedule based on your specific travel dates. It integrates real-time weather forecasts for Taipei and Hualien, provides live transport times for the TRA and MRT, and calculates an updated budget based on current currency rates. You can also generate a custom packing list that accounts for the humidity in the north and the cooler mountain air in Taroko Gorge.

FAQ

How much is a 7 day trip to Taiwan? A moderate budget is roughly NT$25,000 ($780 USD) excluding international flights. This covers 3-star hotels, daily night market meals, one or two sit-down restaurants like Din Tai Fung, and all regional train travel.

Is 7 days enough for Taiwan? Seven days is sufficient for the northern and eastern loop (Taipei, Jiufen, Taroko). It is not enough time to circle the entire island; attempting a full loop in one week results in excessive time spent on trains.

What is the best way to get around Taiwan? In Taipei, the MRT is the most efficient. For travel between cities on the West Coast, use the High Speed Rail (HSR). For the East Coast (Hualien/Taitung), the standard TRA trains are the only rail option.

Do I need cash in Taiwan? Yes. While malls and hotels accept credit cards, most night market stalls, small eateries, and temples are cash-only. Always carry small denominations of NT$.