Itineraries · 1 week
One week around the island
The full loop: cities, gorge, coast and the tropical south.
Classic
1 week · Round island
Numbers follow the order of the trip. Open a destination for the full guide.
Day by day
The plan
This loop covers the island’s greatest hits without feeling rushed. The longest travel day is Hualien to Kenting; every other leg is under three hours.
Swap the order if you are travelling in winter and want to chase the sun: start in the south and finish in Taipei.
Day 1
Taipei: old city & skyline
Land, settle in and spend the afternoon crossing the old town before ending with the classic skyline view.
Longshan Temple & Dadaocheng
Start with the incense of Longshan, then walk the old merchant lanes of Dihua Street.
Beef noodles
A proper Taipei lunch in Zhongshan or Yongkang Street.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
The vast square, the memorial and the hourly guard change.
Xiangshan sunset
Climb to the viewpoint as Taipei 101 lights up.
Shilin Night Market
Dinner from the stalls, then an early night before the northeast day trip.
Day 2
Jiufen & the northeast coast
Waterfalls, sky lanterns and a hillside village. Sleep in Jiufen or return to Taipei in the evening.
Train to Ruifang
Take the local train along the coast, then switch to the Pingxi Line.
Shifen Waterfall & lanterns
Walk to the waterfall, then release a paper lantern over the old railway tracks.
Houtong Cat Village
A short train hop and a gentle hour by the river.
Jiufen Old Street
Climb the lanes, try taro balls and browse the teahouses.
Blue hour in Jiufen
Stay for the lanterns, then dinner in a teahouse above the sea.
Day 3
Hualien & Taroko Gorge
The prettiest train ride in Taiwan, then an afternoon in the gorge and a night-market dinner.
Train to Hualien
Sit on the left for ocean views. The journey takes about two hours.
Taroko Gorge
Walk the Shakadang Trail and stop at the Swallow Grotto and Tunnel of Nine Turns, subject to park closures.
Qixingtan Beach
A pebble beach with big Pacific waves and mountains behind.
Hualien Night Market
Grilled seafood and indigenous barbecue.
Day 4
East coast to Kenting
A long travel day with spectacular stops. Leave early and book the final transfer in advance.
Qingshui Cliff
Stop at the viewpoint over the marble cliffs and the layered blue sea.
Train to Fangliao
The scenic southbound train winds along the coast and through the mountains.
Bus to Kenting
From Fangliao, buses run to Kenting in about an hour.
Nanwan Beach
Check in, then walk down to the sand for a late-afternoon swim.
Kenting Night Market
Grilled seafood and fruit smoothies on the main strip.
Day 5
Kenting National Park
A full day on the southern tip, with beaches, lookouts and the lighthouse at sunset.
Eluanbi Park
The southernmost point, the lighthouse and the coastal paths.
Maobitou Park
Coral cliffs and sea caves on the south-west coast.
Lunch in Kenting
Seafood or a casual noodle shop on the main strip.
Nanwan Beach
Swim, snorkel or simply nap under an umbrella.
Sunset at Longpan
A grassy plateau above the Pacific for the last light.
Day 6
Kaohsiung: harbour & temples
North to the city for art warehouses, a temple walk and an island ferry.
Bus to Kaohsiung
The journey takes about two hours. Drop your bags near the harbour.
Dragon and Tiger Pagodas
Enter through the dragon's mouth and leave through the tiger's at Lotus Pond.
Lunch & Pier-2
Eat near the harbour, then explore the warehouses and public art.
Cijin Island
Ferry across, rent a bike and ride to the beach and lighthouse.
Liuhe Night Market
Papaya milk and grilled seafood to finish.
Day 7
Tainan, then home
A morning in Taiwan's oldest city before the high-speed train back to Taipei.
Train to Tainan
Thirty-five minutes from Kaohsiung. Leave bags at the station.
Anping Fort
The Dutch fort and the old Anping lanes.
Chihkan Tower & Shennong Street
The red pavilions of Fort Provintia, then the prettiest lane in the city.
Danzai noodles
A final bowl of Tainan's signature dish.
HSR to Taipei
About 1 hour 45 minutes. Allow time to connect to the airport.
More itineraries
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