Minibuses depart from Shuishe village to Alishan only twice per day, at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. You can usually buy tickets upon boarding, but its best to inquire the day before. Needless to say, 1 week in Taiwan is not a lot. From Jiufen, get the train from Riufang to Taipei (20 minutes). Jiufen Old Street is famous for its food with hundreds of choices from street food to sit down meals. From there, you can catch a lakeside bus to the below sights. We chose this option and it made life a lot easier. The easiest way to get to Jiufen is to take the TRA train from Taipei Main Station to Riufang. Once youve got into the city and settled in, its time to head off and see the best sites in the city. You should definitely pack light and breathable clothes that dry quickly and are easy to layer. On the beach, you can also rent umbrellas if the sun gets too hot.. You can purchase an EasyCard at any metro station or convenience store. This way, you will always be able to connect no matter where you go. On leaving the park we noticed a stall by the side of the road a little way before Swallow Grotto where you could borrow a helmet for free. Move: All your travels today will be within Taipei, using the MRT and cable car, plus a bit of hiking. Click on the save button and pin it for later! Move:It is 40 km from the airport to downtown Taipei. This blog is all about the best adventures around the world. Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling. 1 Taiwan Facts 2 Taiwan Itinerary 7 days - Planning 3 Your Ultimate Taiwan Itinerary to the best places to visit in Taiwan 4 Day 1 + 2 Taipei 5 Day 3 Taipei Day Trips 6 Day 4 Kenting National Park 7 Day 5 - 7 8 Day 7 Return to Taipei 9 Bonus Beach Vacation in Taiwan 10 FAQ about your Taiwan trip Taiwan Facts Also called the Republic of China Trust me, you will make use of your warmer clothes several times during your 7 Days in Taiwan. This site offers discounts and is what we regularly used in Taiwan. Make sure you end your day with a tasty dinner. It is incredibly popular (so dont expect to have much space), but theres nowhere better to be at sunset than here. I recommend it for anyone spending more than just a weekend in Taiwan. Merchant House, which offers a glimpse of the lives of the early traders in this important international trading port. There are a couple of options depending on how much of a keen walker you are. We personally thought it was much nicer than any of the teahouses we saw in the Maokong area of Taipei. After all that exertion, head out the park to see the wild east coast of Taiwan. As a result, you should expect to spend between 700-1,400 USD per person per week of travel in Taiwan, not including the cost of inbound and outbound international flights. To finish the day, head back towards the entrance of the park and stop at The Shrine of Eternal Springs. Jiufen is a magical place that is famous for its old street - a narrow laneway that is lit by picturesque lanterns and is an assault on the senses. Riding one of these is a must-do experience in itself! Youll arrive at Shuishe, the main village on the lake, where most hotels are found. Hopefully, you now have a pretty good idea of what to pack and how to travel in Taiwan. Insider Tip: Rainbow Village is quite a ways from the Taichung City Center and Taichung Station. Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO. It took us over five hours and as we didnt leave early enough and were walking in the dark by the end. Day 6 - The Surf Challenge. The owners are very friendly. The Ultimate One-Week Switzerland Itinerary, Visit Malmo, Sweden: 2 Day Malmo Itinerary, Nick Kembel is the author of Taiwan in the Eyes of a Foreigner and has penned Taiwan guides for CNN, National Geographic Traveller, Discover Taipei Magazine, and more. Shifen waterfall is the widest waterfall in Taiwan and is a sight to behold. Its extremely flavorful and lacks the overpowering bite of the sushi wasabi you are probably used to. The most convenient way to get to Ningxia Night Market is to get the MTR to Zhonghsan or Shuanglian Station and walk for about 10 minutes. Getting there is half the fun, too. So long as there isnt a huge tour group it should be a really peaceful place. Wifi can be patchy in Taiwan, so if you want to stay connected, then click here to order a wifi device before you go from Klook. I have lived in Taiwan for more than two years, and I still enjoy going back there to visit. We actually stayed in Top Home 9 but we wouldnt recommend it. We used them several times and saved a lot of money. However, the effort was well worth it for this incredible trail. In Taiwan, we had a total of 7 nights in Taiwan, which barely scratched the . 5 Days Itinerary to Taiwan Day 1 - Taipei City Tour Day 2 - North Coast Day 3 - Shiding Day 4 - Taichung Day 5 - Taichung or Nantou Where to Book Tours Tours via KKDay Tours via private car Where to Stay in Taiwan Where to Eat Reminders and Tips! Its an unofficial place, but bathing there is an unforgettable experience. This is a short steep trail which takes you up to a fantastic viewpoint for stunning views of Taipei 101 and the city. From there, you can circle back to Taipei, or head directly to Taoyuan Internation Airport. Big & yummy breakfast. If you love walking then head to Fenchihu for a hike that left us speechless. Xincheng is a lot closer to Taroko, but Hualien has a greater choice of hotels and restaurants. 12K Likes, 134 Comments - BLACKPINK INDONESIA (@blackpinkblinkindo) on Instagram: "BLACKPINK BORN PINK WORLD TOUR in Kaohsiung, Taiwan - SOUNDCHECK DAY 1 " You can park up at Heliu Campground nearby. It should take about 20 minutes on a motorbike. Additionally, Ive included two relaxing days on the beach. A torch or phone is quite handy too as it is pretty dark inside the cave, although it only takes a few minutes to walk through. I particularly wanted to visit Tainan as the Dutch founded it long ago and I . Ride the MRT two stops from Longshan Temple to Beimen (North Gate) station. Start traveling after breakfast, so that you have enough time to stop in Taipei before heading to the airport. From the steaming thermal waters of Beitou Hot Spring to an epic sunrise above a sea of clouds at Alishan National Scenic Area, youll have all the makings of the trip of a lifetime! To save time, take the High Speed Rail (HSR) from Taipei to Taichung, which gets you there twice as fast, plus the HSR station is closer to Rainbow Village than the regular train station. Your email address will not be published. Huge wind turbines add to the atmosphere. However, if you plan on doing any serious hiking while youre there, for example, in Taroko Gorge or any of the cool urban hikes around Taipei, youre going to need something better than sandals. Insider tip: There are no hostels at Alishan, and a rather poor selection of regular hotels. The best place to take this in is the Qingshui Cliffs. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The MRT (metro) is the most efficient way to move around Taipei, with all stations and signs both in Mandarin Chinese and English. Enjoy a day without too much transportation unless you count cycling or kayaking. This is hands-down the best view of Taipei, the place where postcards are shot. Read next: Taiwan Budget - the surprising costs of food, hotels and more. Pause for an afternoon cocktail at one of many patio bars beside Red House, a Japanese-era theater-cum-craft & design market. To give you an idea, you should expect to travel to Taiwan with an average daily cost of about USD $35~ per person on a budget, or at least $95~ if you want to experience more comfort in activities, tours, hotels, and more. Move:Today, you are returning to the north by train. Although many long-distance buses are available, the train is generally the best option for traveling around the island. So after your venture into nature, you can sit comfortably and continue by experiencing Taipei by night. He went to Taiwan in 2008 with the intention of staying for a year, but that turned into 11 after he met his later-to-be wife on the Taipei MRT. Even if you dont want to spend the money on the tea it is still very much worth popping in for a look around and one of the tea tasters. When you lose your wallet, people will even try to find you based on the information they find in it. This Taiwan one-week itinerary assumes you'll have seven complete days to work with. Friendly note: Be prepared that Taipei can be a little overwhelming for first-time visitors. It has gorgeous views and is moments away from the old street. If you would like a gentle stroll then go for the Shuishan Giant Tree trail. (Values below show low budget to medium budget ranges). Unless you are going to travel the island from north to south and back, there wont be too many long bus or train rides. A day pass for the bus is quite affordable at NT$250 (US$8). Get from the airport to your hotel, and as soon as you recover from the jetlag, its time to start exploring Taipei. Youll be relying entirely on the excellent MRT to get around Taipei. On the coast of Taichung, this wetland area has a series of boardwalks that provide access to tidal flats. Traveling around Taipei is very easy. Alternatively you can get a shuttle bus directly from Ximen MRT station to Jiufen. From here, walk to the furthest end of the museum to find the start of the trail to Teapot Mountain (detailed instructions in this post). / carton king /lavender cottage Ans: From TaoyuanAirport, take bus to Taichung and stay near Fengjia. Whilst Orange Hotels outside Taipei are much much better, the one in Kaifong is a decent choice. Below is my 7 day Taiwan itinerary, complete with recommendations on things to do and see in each place. It would be a crime to miss it from your Taiwan itinerary, its very close to Taipei and one of the hidden gems of the Far East. Jiufen is a mountaintop former gold mining boomtown transformed into popular market street. We went on a miserable wet and cloudy day and were still blown away by the views. Typically, this was asked by the airline when I was checking in. The trail is also home to a few macaques (monkeys) that jump through the trees, so keep an eye out. Itinerary: Taiwan In 7 Days. If you need help, dont be afraid to ask the locals. Now that youve done a fair share of walking, its time to kick back and soak in some thermal hot spring water. Day 7: Kaohsiung Make your way back to Kaohsiung and get your last-minute shopping done at Xin Jue Jiang Shopping District before heading home! Thanks for sharing your experience! During cherry blossom season (late March to early April), it can be almost impossible to get a room. Beitou is Taipeis only hot spring, and the only one that is metro-accessible in all of Taiwan. This crystal clear, bright blue river cuts through the mountains to make one of the most picturesque valleys in Taroko. You may have had a glimpse of it from the train, but the best place to get a good look is from the Chongde Rest Area. The Sun Moon Lake Cable Car ascends rapidly and givers riders unparalleled lake views. Some people organise a taxi to take them from Fenchihu to Ruelli and do the walk in reverse to make sure it is a one way hike. Day 3:Head to the east coast by train The only way to see the Old Street is on foot. Day 6: Alishan. You can take in the views by a small footpath that runs alongside the road (and sometimes becomes the road!) The jewel of the Central Mountain Range is Sun Moon Lake. Anping Wander the streets of the historic Anping District. Ita Thao is less touristy than Shuishe, and theres a great day and night market along the main road to the lake, featuring aboriginal delicacies and Taiwanese snacks. The town is rather quiet, but they have a lovely butterfly farm with free entrance. Dry shampoo is great to bring, too. Day 1: Land in Taipei and explore the city, Day 5: Head to Fulong and enjoy the views of the ocean, Day 6:Relaxingday with cycling/kayakingoption, this bundle consisting of a SIM card and an EasyCard, Twelve Great Reasons to Go Cycling in Taiwan, Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport. Just like Taipei offers a staggering number of worthwhile sights and activities, there is also an endless number of day trip possibilities. While tourists usually make their way to Shilin Night Market, Taipeis largest and most famous, youll be better off trying Raohe Night Market, with its more manageable size and local feel. Like Japan, Taiwan has a network of bullet trains that cover the major cities on the island. With public transportation, this takes slightly more than one hour. The best and easiest option is to get a local SIM card upon your arrival at Taipeis Taoyuan InternationalAirport (TPE). Youll have the opportunity to take in a variety of landscapes. Often called the Shinjuku of Taipei, the pedestrian-only neighborhood features cosplay cafs, claw machine arcades, bubble tea galore, an open air tattoo street, a toilet-themed restaurant, and some of the best street art in all of Taipei. There were times when it was really cloudy and raining around Swallow Grotto but clear and sunny at Tianxiang. No time to read this Taiwan itinerary now? Besides soaking in one of the many hot spring facilities, ranging from budget-friendly Beitou Public Hot Spring to high-end luxurious spas, you can also walk through Beitou Hot Spring Park, get enveloped in the mist at Beitou Thermal Valley, or learn about the area at Beitou Hot Spring Museum, housed in the original Japanese bathhouse. Fingers crossed it will be one of the most memorable parts of your trip. 2023 - Walk My World. video from:https://twitter.com/Jendeukiliebe/status/1637024463970775044?s=20#JISOO #lisa #jennie #ros #BLACKPINK # Its a complete must during your trip to the island country! The monument stands in expansive Liberty Square, flanked by two classical Chinese buildings: National Concert Hall and National Theater. Due to rockfall which can occur at any time many people wear helmets whilst doing this walk, we didnt because we didnt see where to get them from at the time. Move: It takes a bit more than one hour to get from Toucheng/Fulong to Taipei. I have been to 40 countries so far and still counting. You can buy your tickets to the National Palace Museum in advance with Klook. The National Palace Museum is famous for having one of the largest collections of ancient Chinese artifacts with over 700,000 in total. Bringinga quick-dry towelis a great idea as it has a variety of possible uses: an emergency towel, blanket for bus trips, a scarf, beach cover-up, or an extra layer for colder days. See more information in my guide to Taipei's top temples. Here youll be heading up to the mountains where the temperatures drop, the humidity lessens and most of the time youll be above the clouds. Alternatively you can book an airport transfer before you fly. Ive heard a lot of great things to do there. Sadly we got to the top as thick cloud rolled in so we cant show you what it looks like, but weve seen pictures and it will be worth the walk if you have better luck. If you visit the park with a private driver, you can ask them to leave you at Wenshen Hot Springs for an hour or two. It is a great place to head at sunset and one of the few places in Taroko Gorge that will have next to no one there at any time of day (the steepness of the climb puts a lot of people off). There is an insane number of tour groups, only choose the weekend if you have no other choice. If you are planning to do some hiking trips or travel around Taiwan, I honestly recommend you get a local SIM card. Sign up to our mailing list to get our free mini guide! The main reason for this is because the Shakadang Trail runs along side an azure blue river - the likes of which weve only ever seen in New Zealand. It isnt too long and although it is uphill, it isnt too hard either. There are two popular towns to stay for a trip to Taroko Gorge: tiny little Xincheng or the city of Hualien. The rooms are nicely furnished, quiet and not quite as small as the box rooms we got elsewhere in the city! From there, walk a few blocks to Dihua Street in historical Dadaocheng neighborhood. A bit of a tourist magnet, the lake is nevertheless stunningly and is home to one of Taiwans smallest aboriginal tribes. I hope youve found all the information for planning a fantastic one week in Taiwan. At the final station, you can explore the tea plantations, tea houses, and hiking trails with stunning vistas of Taipei. Im Veronika, a crazy girl from Czech Republic who calls the world my home. Take a moment to admire, and walk right under Beimen, the only of the original five historic gates to Taipei City that still looks like it did in the Qing Dynasty. After arriving at Jiufen, head towards the Gold Museum (you can catch a bus or a taxi from the centre of Jiufen). This is an extremely steep walk for the most part but if you are lucky will give you a clear view to the Jade Mountain, Yushan Peak. It starts around 8 am from Hualien train station, and you are back by 5 pm. The Fenrui Track starts in a car park on the side of a road just north of Fenchihu Train Station (the spot is marked on the map below, the spot marked as the Fenrui Trail on Google Maps is actually a gap on the side of a highway). Below Im going to cut to the chase and give you a 1 week Taiwan itinerary that takes in the best of the countrys cultural, historical, artistic, culinary, and scenic wonders in the most efficient way possible. Swallow Grotto is 10km from the entrance to Taroko National Park. We did visit the lake and sadly it didnt quite live up to our expectations, however, if you have more than 7 days then it is worth going to. The taxis have fixed fares for the Main Street (200 TWD - $10 USD) or the hotels (250 TWD - $12 USD). Hinoki Village This took only 40 minutes and cost 850 TWD ($29 USD), but meant we could leave at the time we wanted. With a tourist shuttle bus from Hualien (it also passes via Xincheng, where we stayed), you will be able to visit various places in the park. Qingshui Cliffs is a 15 minute ride from Xincheng town along the main road. Once there, walk towards the Jinguashi Shrine, but dont take the walking trail to it, instead, keep walking towards the bridge. According to my father, Taroko was the best part of our Taiwan itinerary. Sign up below to receive stories and tips from Walk My World. Day 1: Land in Taipei and explore the city Plus, lunch is provided too. Unless you book in advance, you will have to pay the full rate. Although there are many beautiful parks and other natural places to visit in Taiwan, Taroko Gorge offers arguably the most beautiful slice of nature in the country. Cost of tour: ~S$88.20/pax (1 day tour) Tour timing: 8:15AM - 6:30PM Meeting point: THSR Chiayi Station. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I have also published a dedicated article about how to plan acycling trip in Taiwan here. Day 1 Taipei Itinerary and City Explorations, Day 2 Taipei Cool Neighborhoods and Attractions, Day 6 Sun Moon Lake to Alishan National Scenic Area, Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery of Hong Kong, Things to do in Hong Kong The Complete Travel Guide, 24 Top Things to Do in Shanghai, China in 2020, 13 Things to do in Nanjing China A Complete Guide to the Ancient Capital, 25 Things to do in Suzhou China All You Need to Know Before you Go, Everything You Need to Know About a Muay Thai Holiday in Thailand, 10 Unique Things to Do in Central Florida. Navigating around Taipei, you are likely to find free WiFi signals in most public places as well as on some buses. You can find out about those tickets by clicking here. Stay:Lovely and modern Star Hostel features both private rooms and dorms. Although Maokong is a ways from the city center, you can still reach the gondola comfortably by MRT. Here is a suggested 7-day itinerary that will allow you to experience the best that the country has to offer. Looking to book your next trip? Day 3: Day trip from Taipei ( this one covers the top spots in one day!) If you can, get the express train as this takes about 20 minutes as opposed to the local trains 50. Move:The express trains (Taroko ExpressorPuyuma Express) will get you to Hualien in about 2 hours, while the non-express trains can take 3-4 hours.