Overview
Why Taiwan is Asia's most underrated destination
Taiwan is one of the most rewarding — and most overlooked — countries in Asia. In under two weeks you can walk through neon-lit night markets in Taipei, watch sunrise above the clouds in Alishan, cycle around Sun Moon Lake, wander Tainan's temple lanes and end on the beaches and pagodas of Kaohsiung.
Getting around is remarkably easy. The Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR) connects the west-coast cities in a few hours, local TRA trains reach every regional town, and Taipei and Kaohsiung both have clean, English-friendly MRT systems. One EasyCard covers metros, buses and even convenience stores nationwide.
Taiwan is ideal for solo travellers — one of the safest countries in Asia, famously friendly, well-signposted in English and easy to navigate. Solo dining is completely normal, hostels are excellent, and there's a strong community of independent travellers.
Then there's the food. Taiwan's night-market culture is one of the best in the world — beef noodle soup, xiao long bao, oyster omelettes, gua bao, scallion pancakes and bubble tea (which was invented here). Eating well every day costs less than a coffee back home.
Add dramatic mountain scenery, wild coastlines, hot springs, traditional old streets and a level of public transport that rivals Japan — at a fraction of the cost — and Taiwan makes an incredible 12-day trip.
Quick Overview
Duration
12 Days
Country
Taiwan
Start / Finish
Taipei → Kaohsiung → Taipei
Best For
First-time visitors, backpackers, couples & solo travellers
Budget
Budget, Mid-range & Luxury
Transport
HSR, TRA trains, MRT, buses & occasional taxis
Best Time
October – April (cooler & drier)
Highlights
Taipei 101, Jiufen, Shifen lanterns, Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, Tainan temples & night markets
The Route
Your 12-day Taiwan route
A classic west-coast loop — north to south by HSR and mountain train, ending back in Taipei for departure.
Taipei
- • Taipei 101 & Elephant Mountain
- • Longshan & CKS Memorial
- • Jiufen & Shifen lanterns
- • Yehliu & Tamsui
Sun Moon Lake
- • Lakeside cycling route
- • Wenwu Temple
- • Ita Thao Village
- • Boat trip
Alishan
- • Alishan Forest Railway
- • Giant cypress trees
- • Sacred forest trails
- • Sunrise viewpoint
Tainan
- • Anping Fort & Old Street
- • Chihkan Tower
- • Shennong Street
- • Confucius Temple
Kaohsiung
- • Lotus Pond & Dragon Tiger Pagodas
- • Pier-2 Art Centre
- • Cijin Island
- • Liuhe Night Market
Return to Taipei
- • Dihua Street
- • Huashan 1914
- • Ningxia Night Market
- • National Palace Museum
Days 1–4
Taipei
Your Taiwan trip begins in Taipei — an energetic capital of temples, night markets, mountain viewpoints and one of Asia's most iconic skyscrapers.
How to get there
Fly into Taoyuan International Airport and take the Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station (~35 min), or a taxi. Pick up an EasyCard at any MRT station or 7-Eleven the moment you arrive.
Where to stay
Budget
- Star Hostel Taipei Main Station — stylish sociable hostel
Mid-Range
- Green World Grand Nanjing — comfortable central stay near MRT
- Amba Taipei Ximending — modern boutique in the middle of the action
Luxury
- Mandarin Oriental Taipei — polished five-star luxury
- Grand Hyatt Taipei — Xinyi district, next to Taipei 101
Best areas to stay: Ximending (nightlife, food, first-timers), Xinyi (Taipei 101, shopping, upscale hotels), Zhongshan (metro, boutique hotels, quieter).
Day 1
Arrive in Taipei
Morning / afternoon
- Arrive at Taoyuan and take the Airport MRT
- Check into your Ximending hotel
- Pick up an EasyCard
- Walk around Ximending pedestrian streets
Afternoon
- Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
- Watch the hourly changing of the guard
- Longshan Temple
Evening
- Raohe Night Market
- Famous black pepper buns (hujiao bing)
- Songshan Ciyou Temple next door
Food recommendations
- Fuzhou pepper buns at Raohe
- Beef noodle soup
- Fried chicken cutlet
- Grilled squid & stinky tofu
Approx daily budget: £45 backpacker · £110 mid · £260 luxury
Day 2
Taipei 101 & Elephant Mountain
Morning
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
- Changing of the guard ceremony
Afternoon
- Taipei 101 area shopping and lunch
- Optional: Taipei 101 Observatory
- Xinyi district cafés
Evening
- Elephant Mountain hike for sunset (20–30 min uphill)
- Iconic Taipei 101 skyline shot
- Tonghua Night Market for dinner
Pack light for the hike
Bring water, a small torch and comfortable shoes. The best photo spot is the first cluster of large rocks.
Day 3
Day trip: Jiufen & Shifen
Morning
- Take the TRA to Ruifang, then bus to Jiufen
- Jiufen Old Street — narrow lanes and red lanterns
- Traditional tea house with a view
Afternoon
- Train to Shifen
- Shifen Old Street
- Release a sky lantern with your wish
- Shifen Waterfall
Evening
- Return to Taipei
- Relaxed dinner in Ximending
Day 4
Day trip: Yehliu & Tamsui
Morning
- Bus to Yehliu Geopark
- Queen's Head rock formation
- Coastal walking trail
Afternoon
- Return to Taipei then MRT to Tamsui
- Tamsui Old Street snacks
- Fisherman's Wharf & Lover's Bridge
Evening
- Sunset over the Tamsui River
- Dinner in Zhongshan
Day 5
Sun Moon Lake
Taiwan's largest lake — a peaceful mountain destination famous for lakeside cycling, temples and indigenous Thao culture.
How to get there
Take the HSR to Taichung (~1 hr), then the Nantou bus to Sun Moon Lake (~1.5 hrs). Buses depart directly from HSR Taichung station.
Where to stay
Budget
- Ita Thao Youth Activity Centre — simple lakeside stay
Mid-Range
- The Richforest Hotel Sun Moon Lake — lake views and easy access
Luxury
- The Lalu Sun Moon Lake — Taiwan's most iconic luxury retreat
Best areas: Shuishe (main pier, restaurants, easy access) or Ita Thao (quieter, indigenous village atmosphere).
Day 5
Cycle & explore the lake
Morning
- Cycle the Xiangshan section — voted one of the world's most beautiful cycling routes
- Coffee stop at Xiangshan Visitor Center
Afternoon
- Boat between Shuishe, Xuanguang and Ita Thao piers
- Wenwu Temple viewpoint
- Ita Thao Village for indigenous Thao snacks
Evening
- Sunset at Shuishe Pier
- Lakeside dinner
Approx daily budget: £55 backpacker · £130 mid · £320 luxury
Days 6–7
Alishan
A high-mountain forest recreation area of ancient cypress trees, misty trails and one of Asia's most famous sunrises above a sea of cloud.
How to get there
Take a direct bus from Sun Moon Lake to Alishan (~4 hrs, seasonal — check schedules) or travel via Chiayi. From Chiayi, take the Alishan Forest Railway (where operating) or Bus 7322.
Where to stay
Budget
- Alishan Shermuh Tourist Hotel — reliable budget option inside the park
Mid-Range
- Alishan House — traditional hotel a short walk from the trails
Luxury
- Alishan Hotel — the most established stay inside the recreation area
Day 6
Arrive in Alishan
Afternoon
- Check into the Alishan Recreation Area
- Sacred Tree route through giant cypress trees
- Sisters Ponds & Shouzhen Temple
Evening
- Sunset viewpoint
- Early dinner and early night — sunrise is at 5–6 am
Day 7
Sunrise, then travel to Tainan
Very early morning
- Sunrise train or shuttle to Zhushan Viewing Platform
- Sunrise above the sea of clouds
- Return to the recreation area for breakfast
Late morning
- Descend to Chiayi
- Transfer to Tainan by TRA or HSR + shuttle
Approx daily budget: £70 backpacker · £160 mid · £360 luxury
Days 7–8
Tainan
Taiwan's oldest city and its unofficial food capital — a slow, temple-filled town of lanes, cafés, historic forts and some of the country's best small-plate cooking.
Where to stay
Budget
- Tai-Chen Hostel — friendly central hostel
Mid-Range
- Silks Place Tainan — modern comfort near the main sights
- U.I.J Hotel & Hostel — stylish design hotel
Luxury
- Silks Place Tainan Executive Floor — premium rooms in a central location
Best area: West Central District — Tainan's historic core with temples, food and cafés.
Day 7 (evening)
Arrive in Tainan
Evening
- Wander Shennong Street — Tainan's most photogenic lane
- Coffee and light dinner at a converted-shophouse café
Day 8
Historic Tainan
Morning
- Chihkan Tower (Fort Provintia)
- Confucius Temple
- Hayashi Department Store — restored Art Deco landmark
Afternoon
- Anping district
- Anping Fort (Fort Zeelandia)
- Anping Old Street snacks
- Anping Tree House
Evening
- Tainan food tour — beef soup, danzai noodles, milkfish, coffin bread
Food recommendations
- Danzai noodles
- Milkfish soup
- Coffin bread
- Shrimp rolls
- Beef soup breakfast (yes, breakfast)
Approx daily budget: £45 backpacker · £110 mid · £260 luxury
Days 9–10
Kaohsiung
Taiwan's easy-going southern port city — waterfront art districts, dragon pagodas, ferries to Cijin Island and one of the country's most walkable downtowns.
How to get there
TRA local train from Tainan to Kaohsiung (~30–45 min) — no need to use the HSR for this short hop.
Where to stay
Budget
- Single Inn Kaohsiung Station — clean modern hostel-hotel
Mid-Range
- H2O Hotel — creative design hotel near the harbour
- Silks Club Kaohsiung — upscale central stay
Luxury
- Silks Club Kaohsiung — Kaohsiung's premier five-star stay
Best areas: Yancheng (waterfront, art district, MRT), Lingya (shopping, dining, harbour views), Sanmin (near main station, cheaper).
Day 9
Arrive in Kaohsiung
Afternoon
- Lotus Pond
- Dragon and Tiger Pagodas — enter through the dragon, exit through the tiger
- Confucius Temple by the lake
Evening
- Pier-2 Art Centre
- Sunset along the harbour
- Liuhe Night Market
Approx daily budget: £45 backpacker · £110 mid · £260 luxury
Day 10
Cijin Island & Love River
Morning
- Ferry to Cijin Island
- Cijin Old Street seafood
- Rainbow Church & lighthouse walk
Afternoon (optional)
- Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum — Taiwan's largest Buddhist complex
- Or Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard MRT
Evening
- Love River gondola ride
- Riverside dinner
Days 11–12
Back to Taipei
Return north on the HSR for one last night, some final shopping and any Taipei corners you missed the first time round.
How to get there
HSR from Zuoying (Kaohsiung) to Taipei is around 1h 40m — book an early-bird ticket for a discount.
Day 11
Back in Taipei
Morning
- HSR from Kaohsiung to Taipei
- Drop bags at the hotel
Afternoon
- Dihua Street — traditional apothecaries and tea shops
- Huashan 1914 Creative Park
- Coffee in Da'an
Evening
- Ningxia Night Market
- Souvenir shopping in Ximending
Approx daily budget: £50 backpacker · £120 mid · £280 luxury
Day 12
Departure day
Morning (flexible)
- National Palace Museum
- Taipei Botanical Garden
- Final bubble tea
- Last-minute pineapple cake souvenirs
Departure
- Airport MRT direct to Taoyuan International
- Allow 90 min before your flight
Where to Stay
Best neighbourhoods in each city
Taipei — Ximending
Pedestrian streets, night eats and Taipei's most sociable area — ideal for first-timers.
Taipei — Xinyi
Home to Taipei 101, luxury hotels, shopping malls and the Elephant Mountain trail.
Taipei — Zhongshan
Quieter, more design-led — boutique hotels, cafés and easy MRT access.
Sun Moon Lake — Ita Thao
Quieter lakeside village with indigenous Thao food and a slower pace.
Sun Moon Lake — Shuishe
Main pier, more restaurants and the easiest transport connections.
Alishan — Recreation Area
Stay inside the park to catch the sunrise without a pre-dawn journey.
Tainan — West Central District
Historic temples, cafés and Tainan's most photogenic streets.
Kaohsiung — Yancheng
Harbour views, Pier-2 Art Centre and MRT access all in one area.
Kaohsiung — Lingya / Sanmin
Great value hotels near shopping streets and Kaohsiung Main Station.
Getting around
Taiwan transport guide
Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR)
Runs down the west coast — Taipei ↔ Kaohsiung (Zuoying) in ~1h 40m. Book early-bird discounts (up to 35% off) 28 days ahead via the official HSR app.
Taiwan Railways (TRA)
Slower but cheaper regional trains that reach smaller towns and Taiwan's east coast. Perfect for short hops like Taipei → Ruifang or Tainan → Kaohsiung.
MRT (metro)
Taipei and Kaohsiung both have clean, English-signposted metros. Kaohsiung has the world-famous "Dome of Light" at Formosa Boulevard station.
EasyCard & iPASS
Rechargeable transit cards that work on MRT, buses, TRA local trains, YouBike and convenience stores. Buy at any MRT station or 7-Eleven — this is the single best thing you can do on day one.
Buses
Reliable and cheap, especially for reaching Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, Jiufen and Yehliu. Pay with EasyCard.
Uber & taxis
Uber operates in Taipei and Kaohsiung. Regular taxis are metered, cheap and reliable — carry your destination in Chinese where possible.
Food to Try
10 Taiwanese dishes you can't miss
Beef Noodle Soup
Taiwan's unofficial national dish — braised beef, hand-pulled noodles, rich broth.
Xiao Long Bao
Steamed soup dumplings. Din Tai Fung was born here — pilgrimage required.
Oyster Omelette
Sweet chilli sauce, fresh oysters, sweet-potato-starch batter — a night-market classic.
Braised Pork Rice (Lu Rou Fan)
Fatty pork slow-braised in soy over rice. Comfort food perfection.
Bubble Tea
Invented in Taichung in the 80s. Try it where it began.
Fuzhou Pepper Buns
Charcoal-oven baked pork buns — famous at Raohe Night Market.
Scallion Pancakes
Crispy, flaky, layered — with egg is the way to order.
Gua Bao
Steamed bun with braised pork belly, pickled greens and peanut powder.
Stinky Tofu
For the adventurous — deep-fried, funky, weirdly addictive.
Pineapple Cake
Taiwan's signature souvenir — SunnyHills is worth the trip.
Costs
Taiwan budget breakdown
All-in estimates per person for 12 days — accommodation, food, HSR, local transport and activities. International flights excluded.
| Travel Style | Estimated Cost for 12 Days | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | £540 – £840 | Hostels, night market food, TRA trains, EasyCard for MRT & buses, free temples and viewpoints. |
| Mid-Range | £960 – £1,680 | Comfortable 3–4 star hotels, mix of local and modern restaurants, HSR on long-distance sections, occasional taxis. |
| Luxury | £2,400+ | 5-star hotels including Mandarin Oriental Taipei, private drivers, business-class HSR, guided tours and premium dining. |
Accommodation (per night)
Hostel £18–30 · Budget hotel £40–70 · Mid-range £80–140 · Luxury £180+
Food
Street food £2–6 · Restaurant meal £8–18 · Coffee £3–5 · Bubble tea £2–4
Transport
HSR £20–60 per journey · Metro £0.50–2 · Bus £0.40–2
Money-saving tips
How to travel Taiwan for less
- • Buy an EasyCard or iPASS immediately on arrival
- • Eat at night markets — dinner for under £5
- • Book HSR early-bird tickets (up to 35% off)
- • Use TRA local trains for shorter regional hops
- • Stay near MRT / HSR stations to save on taxis
- • Carry cash for night markets and small vendors
- • Most temples, parks and viewpoints are free
- • 7-Eleven and FamilyMart double as ATMs, cafés and transit top-ups
FAQ
Common questions about 12 days in Taiwan
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