This route makes the most of five busy days, combining Taipei’s classic sights with a taste of the east coast and Taiwan’s oldest city. It’s a quick-moving trip, so book the intercity trains and popular restaurants ahead where possible.
Budget
About NT$9,000–15,000 per person, excluding international flights and accommodation; includes intercity rail, local transport, admission and meals.
Best time to visit
October to April is generally comfortable for city sightseeing; spring and autumn are especially pleasant. Check weather and park access before visiting Taroko, and avoid planning around typhoon season without flexibility.
Taipei: Zhongzheng and Ximending
Start with Taipei’s landmark halls, then finish with street food and neon-lit lanes in nearby Ximending.
Morning
Visit
Explore the memorial grounds and main hall; allow about 20 minutes to walk from here to the next stop.
FreeMorning
See the
Admire the grand buildings on Liberty Square, a short walk from the memorial hall.
FreeAfternoon
Browse the
See Taiwan’s natural and cultural history in this landmark museum; it’s about 15 minutes on foot from the theater complex.
About NT$30Afternoon
Walk through
Take a relaxing loop through the park, directly across from the museum.
FreeEvening
Explore Ximending and eat at
Head about 15 minutes by MRT or 25 minutes on foot to Ximending for a lively evening and a well-known bowl of noodles.
About NT$100–200
Taipei: Longshan, Dihua Street and Taipei 101
Follow Taipei’s historic streets from Wanhua to Dadaocheng, then cross town for skyline views and a modern night market.
Morning
Visit
See one of Taipei’s most important temples and its lively surrounding streets; allow about 20 minutes by MRT to the next stop.
FreeMorning
Explore
Walk through restored Qing- and Japanese-era streets, about 10 minutes on foot from the temple.
FreeAfternoon
Stroll
Browse traditional shops and historic shophouses; it’s around 20 minutes by taxi or 30 minutes by transit from Bopiliao.
FreeAfternoon
Visit and its food stalls
Take a short walk through Dadaocheng to see the temple and try a local snack nearby.
About NT$50–200Evening
Go up
Travel about 25 minutes by taxi or 35 minutes by MRT from Dadaocheng, then take in the city lights from above.
About NT$600Evening
Eat your way through
Continue about 20 minutes by MRT or taxi to this compact, popular night market for pepper buns and other snacks.
About NT$200–400
Hualien and Taroko Gorge
Take an early train to Hualien for dramatic mountain scenery and a focused visit to the gorge, checking current access before setting out.
Morning
Take the train to Hualien and visit
Catch an early express train from Taipei to Hualien (about 2–2.5 hours), then take a taxi roughly 15 minutes to the coast.
About Train NT$440–650; beach freeAfternoon
Explore
Travel about 35–45 minutes by taxi or pre-booked tour from Qixingtan; choose open trails and viewpoints, since access can change after earthquakes and heavy rain.
FreeEvening
Have dinner at
Return to Hualien city, about 40 minutes from the gorge by car, for a relaxed dinner among the food stalls.
About NT$200–400
Hualien to Tainan: temples and historic streets
Use the morning for one more Hualien coastal stop, then travel south to Tainan for an evening among its celebrated food and heritage sites.
Morning
Walk the Qixingtan coastal path
Spend a little time by the Pacific before heading back toward Hualien Station; allow about 15 minutes by taxi from the city center.
FreeAfternoon
Take the train to Tainan
Allow roughly 4–5 hours by rail, often with a transfer; check schedules and reserve seats in advance.
About NT$1,000–1,600Evening
Explore and nearby historic lanes
From Tainan Station, travel about 30–40 minutes by taxi or bus to Anping; visit the fort and wander the old streets before dinner.
About NT$70Evening
Try Tainan specialties at
Finish with classic local dishes in the Anping area, a short walk from the fort; check opening hours before going.
About NT$300–600
Tainan: old town and city center
Spend your last day among Tainan’s compact historic sights, then enjoy a final meal before departing.
Morning
Visit
Explore the historic complex in central Tainan; allow about 15 minutes by taxi from .
About NT$70Morning
See Confucius Temple and its grounds
Walk about 15 minutes through the old center to this serene temple complex.
FreeAfternoon
Browse
Visit a beautifully restored Japanese-era department store, about 10 minutes on foot from the temple.
FreeAfternoon
Take a break at
Browse the shops and installations in this creative district, around 15 minutes by taxi or 25 minutes on foot from Hayashi.
FreeEvening
Have a final dinner at
Head about 15 minutes by taxi to the original branch for a final taste of Tainan-style danzai noodles and small plates.
About NT$250–500
Good to know
Taroko access
Trail and road conditions can change significantly. Check official updates shortly before travel, and consider a guided or pre-booked Hualien tour.
Train bookings
Reserve seats early for Taipei–Hualien and Hualien–Tainan. The southbound journey may require a transfer, and schedules vary.
Getting around
Use an EasyCard for Taipei transit. For this fast itinerary, taxis or a pre-booked driver are useful around Hualien and Anping.
Pace and luggage
This plan includes two long rail journeys and is demanding. Pack light, and confirm your final-day departure time before committing to the full Tainan route.