The Ultimate 5-Day Taipei Itinerary Under S$1,000 – The Best Things to See, Do, and Eat
Taipei embraces everything amazing about Taiwan – the vibrant culture and history, lush nature and diverse landscapes, and irresistible local delicacies. We’ve curated the ultimate Taipei itinerary packed with must-sees, dos, and eats for you to experience the best of Taipei in 5 days on a budget of only S$1,000. Warning: All the attractions and yummy food recommendations may leave you tempted to stay in Taiwan for a longer time!
Taiwan Travel Essentials 🇹🇼
Planning a holiday to Taiwan? Here's our checklist of travel essentials for a smooth and hassle-free trip!
🚅 For starters, the Taiwan High Speed Rail Pass is a must for your adventures. It will come in useful when you are exploring various cities as you can get unlimited rides via high-speed rail for:
- Any two days or of a designated seven-day period (THSR Flexible 2-Day Pass) or
- Three consecutive days (THSR 3-Day Pass)
🏮 Taiwan Essentials: Transportation Passes & Top Must-Dos
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✨ Others
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Summary
How to get to and around Taipei
When to visit Taipei
Where to stay in Taipei
Day 1: Taipei 101 and Elephant Mountain –Taipei’s panorama
Day 2: Wanhua and Ximending – Taipei’s past to present
Day 3: Museums and monuments – Taipei’s arts and culture
Day 4: Maokong and Pinglin – Tea culture and nature
Day 5: Yangmingshan and Beitou – Hiking and hot springs
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How to get to and around Taipei
It’s a breeze to travel to Taipei from Taiwan’s main airport, Taoyuan International Airport. You can take the airport MRT, shuttle bus, or hire a private car charter (best for big groups or those travelling with kids as it is extra convenient), and reach Taipei within an hour.
It's not only easy to get to Taipei, it’s easy to travel around the city too. Taipei is served by a comprehensive transportation network and Taipei Metro is your best friend as you can hop on and off the trains and visit many attractions. Remember to buy an EasyCard and top up its value as this versatile card can be used for metro and bus rides and cashless payments in shops.
#KlookTip: Arm yourself with the mighty Taipei Fun Pass that gives you unlimited rides on the Taipei Metro, city buses, Taiwan Tourism Shuttle, and more. For savings on attractions, check out the Klook Taipei Pass that offers up to 40% off tickets to your favourite must-dos like Taipei 101 Observatory, Maokong Gondola, Jiufen Day Tour, and more!
P/S: Looking to go on a day trip? Travelling out of Taipei is easy with the Taiwan High-Speed Rail
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When to visit Taipei
Taipei is blessed with pleasant weather and an exciting calendar of events and festivals that make visiting the city fun all year round. Two major festivals take place around the Lunar New Year period in January and February: Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival and Taiwan Lantern Festival (this annual festival will be returning to Taipei in 2023 after touring around Taiwan since 2001).
In spring from March to June, gorgeous flowers blanket Yangmingshan during the Zhuzihu Calla Lily and Hydrangea Festival. As winter turns to spring, cherry blossoms emerge around Taipei, especially in Yangmingshan National Park from February to April.
In summer from June to September, you can join the energetic Dragonboat Festival, summer music events, and visit beaches and islands around Taipei.
In autumn from September to November, enjoy the fall foliage and traditional celebrations during the Mid-autumn Festival.
In winter from December to March, Christmas illuminations light up the city and Taipei New Year’s Eve Countdown Party ushers in the new year with spectacular Taipei 101 fireworks.
#KlookTip: Autumn and winter months are best for visiting hot springs and Taipei’s best hot springs are found in Beitou and Yangmingshan. The rainy season is usually from mid-May to mid-June and the typhoons tend to hit between June and September so check the weather.
Where to stay in Taipei
From luxurious to budget hotels, you’ll be spoiled with a diverse range of accommodation options in Taipei. We have hunted down bargain stays in popular areas for you.
Taiwan Main Station (for convenience):
- Cityinn Taipei Station (from S$83 per night) - they also have 3 branches near the station and more in Ximending and Fuxing North Road
- Meander 1948 hostel (from S$75 per night)
Ximending (for shopping and food):
- Just Sleep Ximending (from S$135 per night)
- Amba Taipei Ximending(from S$144 per night)
Xinyi (for shopping and entertainment):
- Sparkle Hotel (from S$96 per night)
- Members Hotel (from S$63 per night)
5-Day Taipei itinerary under S$1,000
Day 1: Taipei 101 and Elephant Mountain – Enjoy the city’s panorama
Morning
Start your Taipei adventure with the city’s tallest building, Taipei 101. As you may have guessed, this majestic building has 101 floors and you can ride in one of the world’s fastest elevators up to the observation deck for a panoramic view of Taipei’s skyline. From this vantage point, try to spot landmarks and sites of places that you’ll visit in the next few days!
Address: No. 7, Sec. 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 101
Afternoon
Image Credit: Songshan Creative Park on Facebook
Continue your exploration of the Xinyi District, also known as the “Manhattan of Taipei,” by visiting the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. This former tobacco factory has been transformed into a creative hub with galleries that host exhibitions, innovative shops, and even a baroque-style garden.
Address: No. 133, Guangfu S Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
Next, head to the Elephant Mountain, also called Xiangshan, a lovely lookout point hidden in the urban jungle. Take a short hike and enjoy an unforgettable view of Taipei 101 framing the landscape. Stay for the sunset and be awed by the changing hues of the cityscape.
Address: Lane 150, Songren Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City
Evening
Fill your tummy with the best Taiwanese food in Raohe Night Market, one of the oldest night markets in Taipei. Savour a dazzling variety of street food in this food haven, especially the local specialties from Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand hawkers: Fuzhou Black Pepper Bun, Beef Noodles and Beef Entrails Soup, Chen Tung Pork Ribs Medicinal Herbs Soup, and A Kuo Lu Wei’s braised food.
Address: 105, Raohe Street, Songshan District, Taipei City
Day 2: Wanhua and Ximending – Taipei’s past to present
Morning
Travel back in time to learn about Taipei’s history in the oldest region of the city, the Wanhua District. Begin your day in the heart of Wanhua, the historical Longshan Temple and wander through the well-restored temple and its decorative halls and doorways.
Just around the corner of the temple, you’ll find the Herbal Lane, a narrow street lined with historical shops selling medicinal herbs. Examine traces of history as you explore traditional buildings at Bopiliao Historic Block. These attractions in Wanhua are free to explore.
Address: No. 211, Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10853
Afternoon
Take a short metro ride to the northern part of Wanhua and spend your afternoon in Ximending. Check out the iconic Red House, which was constructed by the Japanese and one of the earliest public markets in Taiwan.
Today, this creative spot is buzzing with energy and surrounded by LGBTQ+ friendly spaces. Head over to the Ximending shopping street and see how things have changed now. Feel the youthful vibes pulsing through the city as you shop and try local food like the famous Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodles, mala hot pot, and even halal beef noodles.
Address: No. 10, Chengdu Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108
Evening
Since the attractions you have visited today are mostly free, splurge on the new Taipei Double-Decker Restaurant Bus. Indulge in a gastronomical feast and admire Taipei’s scenery through the see-through roof of the bus. The exclusive meals served onboard are specially prepared by top restaurants in Taipei.
Alternatively, spend your evening at the old Dadaocheng area and stroll through the rustic Dihua Street that’s flanked by charming buildings that reflect an intriguing confluence of east-west architectural styles. Dine and drink like a local in one of the many cafes and restaurants.
Address: Section 1, Dihua Street, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103
Day 3: Museums and monuments – Taipei’s arts and culture
Morning
Delve into Taipei’s rich history and culture today by visiting the city’s top arts and cultural attractions. The first stop is Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Arrive early to catch the changing of the guards ceremony that starts from 9am and takes place once every hour till 5pm.
Address: No. 21, Zhongshan S. Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Spend the second half of your morning in the National Palace Museum, the best museum in Taipei that showcases a treasure trove of artworks spanning periods of Chinese history. Marvel at the museum’s masterpieces: the Jadeite Cabbage, Meat-shaped Stone, and Zhong bell of Zong Zhou.
Address: No. 221, Sec. 2, Zhishan Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 101
Afternoon
Hop onto the Taipei Double Decker Sightseeing Bus that brings you to Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence. This national historical monument offers a peek into the life of Taiwan’s first president. It’s home to beautiful gardens and the Victoria Chapel.
Address: No. 60, Fulin Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111
Image Credit: 總統府 on flickr
Continue your history tour to Taipei Martyrs' Shrine, a grand commemorative building. Look out for the honoured guards who change shifts and perform drills every hour from 9am to 5pm.
Address: No. 139, Beian Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10491
Day 4: Maokong and Pinglin – Tea culture and nature
Morning
Begin your day with a scenic Maokong cable car ride to the terraced tea plantations in Maokong. The rolling tea fields produce high quality Taiwanese tea and many tea houses welcome visitors to their farms where you can try different types of tea and enjoy local food.
Try the many hiking trails here and climb the stairs to the Zhinan Temple for a great view of the mountains and tea farms. Continue your Maokong excursion and take the cable car to the Taipei Zoo. Meet adorable animals like pandas, giraffes, and the rare Formosan black bear.
#KlookTip: For the best views of the mountains, ride the glass-bottomed “crystal cable car” - you can get discounted tickets on Klook!
Afternoon
Visit more tea farms in Pinglin and learn more about Taiwanese tea culture. Surrounded by terraced tea fields, Pinglin is a tranquil place for a relaxing afternoon. Visit Pinglin Tea Museum, one of the world’s largest tea museums, and learn more about tea appreciation. If there’s time, make a trip to the Thousand Island Lake for a gorgeous view of tiny islands spread over the peaceful lake.
Evening
Join the locals at one of their favourite night markets, Ningxia Night Market. Be prepared to eat throughout the night as you’ll find a wide selection of Taiwanese cuisine and street food. Look out for the Michelin Guide Gourmand recommended stores: Fang Chia Shredded Chicken Rice, Liu Yu Zi’s Fried Taro Balls, and Rong’s Pork Liver.
Address: 103, Taiwan, Taipei City, Datong District, Ningxia Rd
Day 5: Yangmingshan and Beitou – Hiking and hot springs
Morning
Venture out of the city on your final day in Taipei! Enjoy a refreshing morning at Yangmingshan, the expansive green lung of Taipei that covers New Taipei City.
Try some of the hiking trails like Qixingshan trail that passes through Qixingshan, also known as the Seven Star Mountain–the highest peak in Yangmingshan National Park. Spot the steaming sulphuric pools in Xiaoyoukeng and colourful flowers like cherry blossoms and calla lilies if you visit during the flowering season.
Address: No. 1-20, Zhizihu Road, Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan 11292
Afternoon
The next stop is the Beitou Hot Spring area that’s located at the foot of Yangmingshan in the Beitou District. After your morning exercise in the mountains, reward yourself with a comforting soak in the nourishing hot spring waters here. Choose from a list of hotels like the luxurious The Gaia Hotel or family-friendly Spring City Resort that offer private baths or visit Beitou Public Hot Spring (Millennium Hot Spring) for a communal experience.
Address (Beitou Public Hot Spring): No. 6, Zhongshan Road, Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan 112
Evening
Wrap up your 5 amazing days in Taipei with a feast at Shilin Night Market. Eat your fill of Taiwanese street food like fried chicken, sausages, and scallion pancakes. Soak in the atmosphere of the night market and do any last-minute shopping.
Address: No. 101, Jihe Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111
Before you bid goodbye to Taipei, have another cup of bubble tea and maybe start thinking of planning your next trip to Taiwan!
#KlookTip: Ready to travel around Taipei like a pro? Get your hands Klook Pass Taipei and save on ticket prices and activities.
