This is our exact route that we followed for our recent Taiwan trip – you can find the whole video series on YouTube.
Note on Taroko National Park: We had originally planned to visit Taroko National Park on our trip, but sadly large parts of the park got severely damaged by an earthquake. To our knowledge, the national park hasn't fully reopened since, so unfortunately we had to skip this stop on our itinerary.
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Stop 1: Taipei (5 days)
📍 About the place
Taipei, Taiwan's capital city, is a fascinating blend of ancient traditions and modern innovation. With its bustling night markets, tranquil temples, creative parks, and towering skyscrapers, Taipei offers something for every traveler. It's the perfect starting point for your Taiwan adventure. You can find our first video on our time in Taipei here (it involves a lot of food).
🏡 Accommodation
We stayed at a hostel called Meander Ximending, which is perfectly located in the heart of the vibrant Ximending district - often called the "Harajuku of Taipei." The hostel is modern, clean, and just steps away from countless shops, restaurants, and street food vendors. Its central location makes it an excellent base for exploring the city. The rooms are pretty minimalistic, but the vibe is super friendly.
💡 Our tips
- Take advantage of the free walking tours offered by TourMeAway. We particularly enjoyed their Street Food Tour and Old Town Taipei Tour, which gave us great insights into the local culture and cuisine.
- Visit Huashan 1914 Creative Park and other creative parks around the city. These repurposed industrial spaces now host art exhibitions, boutique shops, and hip cafes.
- Splurge on the A-Joy luxury buffet in Taipei 101. While it's a bit pricey, the combination of delicious food and spectacular views from one of the world's tallest buildings makes it worthwhile.
- Hike up Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) for sunset. It's a moderate climb that rewards you with breathtaking panoramic views of the Taipei skyline.
- Don't miss Din Tai Fung for some of the world's best soup dumplings (xiaolongbao). While it's a famous chain now, the original branch is in Taipei, and the quality is exceptional.
- From Taipei we also visited Jiufen and Houtong Cat Village, which we can recommend - well - if you love cats!
Stop 2: Chiayi + Alishan National Park (2 days)
📍 About the place
Chiayi might not be on every traveler's radar, but it's the jumping-off point for one of Taiwan's most magical experiences – the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area. Famous for its misty forests, ancient cypress trees, high-mountain tea plantations, and spectacular sunrise views, Alishan offers a glimpse into Taiwan's breathtaking natural beauty.
🏡 Accommodation
We split our time here between two accommodations:
First, we stayed at Chiayi King hotel in Chiayi City for one night before heading to Alishan. The hotel is modern and comfortable, with a convenient location near the train station.
We then spent a night at Chinshan Villa in Alishan. Alishan hotels aren't known for their great value for money, so don't expect too much. Overall we were happy with our choice though! Staying in the mountains allowed us to maximise our time in Alishan National Park. Many people also stay here to catch the famous "sea of clouds" at sunrise without an early morning journey from Chiayi.
💡 Our tips
- Take the Alishan Forest Railway, which recently reopened. Booking tickets online can be tricky, but we managed with Google Translate. This historic narrow-gauge railway offers spectacular views as it climbs through forests and tea plantations.
- For the return journey, we booked a bus from Alishan to Chiayi using a guide from a blog called Taiwan Obsessed, which was extremely helpful.
- Go hiking! Follow one of the trails you can find on the official Alishan map or just wander around and enjoy nature.
- Wake up early to see the famous sunrise over Alishan's "sea of clouds" – a truly magical experience when the weather cooperates.
- Try the local high-mountain oolong tea, which is renowned throughout Taiwan and beyond.
Stop 3: Tainan (4 days)
📍 About the place
Tainan, Taiwan's oldest city and former capital, is a treasure trove of history, culture, and incredible food. With over 300 years of history, Tainan boasts ancient temples, forts from the Dutch colonial period, and a food scene that many consider to be Taiwan's best. The city has a relaxed pace and authentic charm that makes it a favourite among travellers.
🏡 Accommodation
We stayed at Fu's house 52, a stylish and comfortable hotel in a convenient location. This was one of the best accommodations we've ever stayed in! The atmosphere was just super friendly, we loved the rooms and the location was perfect for us. The modern rooms provided a welcome respite after days of exploring Tainan's historic sites and bustling night markets.
💡 Our tips
- Explore Anping Old Fort, the oldest fortress in Taiwan, built by the Dutch East India Company in 1624.
- Visit the Confucius Temple, the oldest Confucius temple in Taiwan, established in 1665.
- Don't miss Hayashi Department Store, a beautifully restored historic building with a rooftop garden offering city views.
- For food lovers, Tainan is paradise. We also had some great Japanese food here: we particularly enjoyed the chicken ramen at this local shop and had a fantastic dinner at a cozy izakaya.
- The night markets in Tainan offer some of Taiwan's most authentic street food. Try local specialties like danzai noodles, milkfish, and coffin bread.
Final Stop: Back to Taipei (1 day)
After Tainan, we headed back to Taipei for one night before continuing our journey to Hanoi. We stayed at Tomato TTT, which offered a convenient location for our early morning flight. If you have time, you could revisit some of your favorite spots in the city or do some last-minute shopping for souvenirs.
This 2-week itinerary offers a perfect blend of urban experiences, natural wonders, and cultural immersion that make Taiwan such a special destination. Remember to take your time, enjoy the incredible food, and immerse yourself in the friendly and welcoming atmosphere that defines this beautiful island nation.