How to Have an Epic 72-Hour Holiday in Taiwan

Planning a holiday in Taiwan? You made the right choice! Boasting an array of delicious dishes, stunning natural wonders, and plenty of iconic sights, it’s no surprise that this sweet potato-shaped island is such a popular destination among travelers.

And though you may have some initial doubts, getting around Taiwan actually isn’t as daunting as it seems. Metro stations have signages and ticket machines in English along with clear posters of bus transfer routes. If you’re worried about how to go around, the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) also has you covered — conveniently covering the entire west coast of Taiwan, you can easily travel all over the island without any problems!

Klook Fun Fact: The Taiwan High Speed Rail, better known to locals as Gao Tie, travels at an average speed of 300 kilometers per hour. It takes only 90 minutes to bring you from Taipei to Kaohsiung, which are 385.6 kilometers away from each other!

Most intermediate stations on the Taiwan High Speed Rail line lie outside the cities served; however, various transfer options such as free shuttle buses, conventional rail, and metros have been constructed to facilitate transport connections.

Much like the famed Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), visitors to this island can also save some cash on transport by getting themselves the 3-Day THSR Tourist Pass or the 5-Day Joint Train Pass.

On your next holiday in Taiwan, enjoy convenient and fast travel between Taipei and 11 other cities via the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR)! With only a 90-minute journey from the Northern end of Taipei to the Southern tip of Kaohsiung, it's the fastest form of transport around the country, with a 99% efficiency rate to boot. You also enjoy great discounts when you book your Taiwan High Speed Rail ticket on Klook!

But if you’re planning to travel on the THSR multiple times during your trip, things can get pricey really quick. Good thing there are various THSR passes that you can use to save you some money — read on below for our guide on the different types of THSR passes:

If you are having a longer holiday in Taiwan, you can also check out our 5-Day Joint Train Pass Guide, which gives you five consecutive days of unlimited travel on the Taiwan Railway and two days of unlimited travel on the speedy Taiwan High Speed Rail.

You've got your transpo secured. The next question is: where should you go in Taiwan with the Taiwan High Speed Rail?

If you mention Taiwan to anyone, the first thing they’ll probably say is "The food there is sooo good!" And while we don’t deny that (after all, we’re in love with their wacky street food markets), there’s so much more to uncover beyond the food for your holiday in Taiwan? 

But you won’t need to worry about making your own itinerary — we've got your back! It doesn't matter whether you're a nature lover, an adrenaline junkie, or a foodie: we’ve come up with three mini itineraries you can choose from (and even mix-and-match) for the best 72 hours in Taiwan!

Home to several parks, hiking trails, and hot springs, Yang Min Shan Park in Northern Taipei is definitely worth a visit. You can even stop by the Liu Huang Gu Sulfur Valley Geothermal Scenic Area to experience real-life geography lessons.

Each season brings a different type of floral beauty to Yang Ming Shan National Park, so it’s never the same scenery throughout the year. Be prepared for quite a bit of walking while exploring Yang Ming Shan Park, but it’ll be more than worth it: throughout the day, you'll be rewarded with beautiful landscapes and blooming flowers!

Klook Fun Fact: Zhu Zi Hu (Bamboo Lake) did, in fact, used to be a lava-dammed lake, but the water started to drain away after the subsequent erosion. The lake has since dried up and is now used to grow the beautiful Calla Lilies you’ll see when you visit.

A sacred Buddhist area and home to a network of Buddhist and Taoist temples along with the spectacular Shui Lian Cave, Lion's Head Mountain gets its name from its resemblance to the head of a lion! Be amazed by the crystal-clear silver water as you hike along the trail of Shui Lian Cave, then check out the century-old Shui Lian Bridge built using ancient stone blocks (mixed with glutinous rice, dark brown sugar, and lime!)

To truly experience the tranquility and peace of this sacred spot, it's recommended to spend a night there and be up early to enjoy the indescribable sunrise over the pagoda. The spectacular view and the quiet ambience make Lion's Head Mountain a perfect getaway from the buzzing city.

Sun Moon Lake is the largest lake in Taiwan, with the east side shaped like the sun and the west side shaped like a crescent moon. The grounds around the lake are home to the aboriginal Thao Tribe of Taiwan, where several small towns are clustered into the following four zones:

Take a walk around the quaint town of Itashao (meaning "our homeland" in the aboriginal Thao language) and enjoy peace and sanctuary. Hop on the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway (also known as the cable car) and take in the magnificent aerial view of the lake.

But there's even more to Sun Moon Lake than just the view — have some fun at the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, an extraordinary theme park split into two sections: a cultural segment showcasing the heritage and aborigines of Sun Moon Lake and an amusement park filled with thrill rides! No matter what you choose to do, we're sure the entire family will enjoy a day at Sun Moon Lake.

Klook Fun Fact: The forests bordering Sun Moon Lake are good places for bird watching, with several species (such as the Bamboo Patridge) living on the mid-elevation! From Sun Moon Lake, you can also visit the nearby Jiji Township and Sky Bridge to experience a relaxing bicycle tour and taste delicious pineapple cakes!

The Alishan National Scenic Area, hidden in the mountains of Chiayi, is a must-visit when you're on your holiday in Taiwan! Boasting a proud 37,000 hectares of dense forests, Alishan promises all a peaceful respite from the buzzing city life with its idyllic landscape.

Many have sworn by the Alishan Forest Railway that departs from Chiayi THSR station every morning because it stops midpoint at Feng Qi Hu, where you can gobble down the famous railway lunch box! If you have a penchant for tea, stay back and visit the Sheng Le Tea Plantation / Farm Cafe and try tea-picking yourself (yes, you get to dress up in a straw hat and don a woven basket)!

After that, it's time to burn those carbs by taking on as many trails as possible to fully explore the lands of Alishan. The different routes are marked clearly by signs, which are helpful when looking for the 3-Generation Tree! Alishan is the busiest during the Cherry Blossom Festival in March and April and during Autumn — it’s simply breathtaking to catch the blossoms in full bloom!

Tucked in northern Taiwan lies a two-kilometer stretch of beautiful cliffs right by the wild Pacific Ocean, Long Dong. Long Dong gets its name from its coastline shape, resembling a dragon's body.

A premier climbing destination accessible all year round, there's no better place for those who want to reach new limits! Scale the perfect golden and gray sandstone crags and feel the calm wind on your face before turning around to a stunning aerial view of the coastline. The climbing here is mostly unregulated, and do note that some cliffs may be inaccessible depending on the tide and weather, so make sure you’re well-prepared.

Complete the Long Dong experience by taking a plunge into Long Dong Bay, where you can snorkel your way through the spectacular coral reef and be surrounded by diverse exotic sea life. Try to dive slightly deeper to check out the sea urchins but beware of the blowfish!

The Dahan Bridge is located right in the heart of Taoyuan, where the Dahan River flows. The eye-catching red bridge is 24-story-high and looking down from it takes immense courage, so it’s definitely not for the faint of heart!

The best time to visit Dahan Bridge is during the fall when the maple trees add a hint of gold and red to the usually green landscape. If you love butterflies, jet over in May instead to watch as Taiwanese broad-tailed Swallowtail butterflies take flight!

As with all adrenaline junkies, can you imagine jumping off the Dahan Bridge into the breathtaking forest greens? Well, you sure can do that here! With The Bungy Club, you can dive straight into the lush forest and take Taoyuan's spectacular landscape from a whole other perspective. Trust us, you'll LOVE it.

At a whopping 76,850 hectares, Shei Pa National Park covers Taiwan's most iconic peaks — the Snow Mountain and Dapachien Mountain. But it doesn't stop there: with 49 summits more than 3,000 meters above sea level, hikers are definitely spoilt for choice on where to go.

To take on the whole hike experience, it generally takes two days and two nights to complete a round trip journey on foot. On this trek, you'll get the chance to witness the largest glacial traces in Taiwan, and, if you're brave enough to endure and reach the summit of Snow Mountain, you'll be able to see the famous Holy Ridge, a 15-kilometer razor-thin ridge that runs from north to south connecting Snow Mountain to Dapachien Mountain. The scenic landscape is spectacular along this trek, but the hike is definitely challenging.

Shei Pa is also famous for being the home to its most unique asset — the Formosan Landlocked Salmon. Although it's not the only landlocked salmon species in the world, it is the only type that lives near the tropics.

Ahoy! It's Taiwan's first water park dedicated to the one and only: wakeboarding! A little background on Lotus Pond: it is a man-made pond surrounded by several picturesque pagodas and temples. If you went to Taiwan to kickstart your water adventures, then you’ve definitely come to the right place. Whether a professional or an amateur, Lotus Wake Park has top-notch international-grade wakeboarding equipment to get you the best experience! The park even features Taiwan's only five-tower cable system, as well as a two-tower system with slower speeds for the newbies. This is also where the largest Confucius Temple sits in Taiwan, which is a must-visit during your holiday.

Klook Fun Fact: It is believed that when visiting the pagodas, always remember to start at the Dragon Pagoda and exit through the Tiger Pagoda for good luck!

Rao He Night Market is one of the oldest night markets in Taipei, which makes it a must-visit! The 600-meter path-long street market is packed with the wackiest street food, snacks, and carnival games. Vendors begin preparing at 17:00, so dropping by around 19:00 is the golden time. 

Besides basking in the glory of food, Raohe Night Market's entertainment does not disappoint. Shop ‘til you drop or try your game at the Retro Pinballs (operated by marbles and steel pins) for nostalgia!

Klook Tip: Tour groups tend to concentrate around the market's eastern edge. We recommend you walk directly past these groups for a more relaxed experience.

Boasting a space of 1 kilometer, Feng Chia Night Market is the mother of all night markets! Located along Feng Chia Road, visitors to the night market are encouraged to rent a bike from the iBike Station (outside the main intersection) to travel green. After all, it wouldn't hurt to burn some carbs to make space for more street food, don't you agree?

Just like Rao He, you can enjoy arcade games and mini shopping malls after gobbling down a week's worth of sweet food that's bound to keep you satisfied before your next trip back!

Klook Fun Fact: During the weekend, as many as 30,000 people can pass through the market. Wow!

Da Dong Night Market opens only on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday each week. Watch as a myriad of stores come together, displaying different tastes and aromas of the ever-popular Taiwanese street foods.

There is also an outdoor auction hosted by a pair of brothers (or so we heard!), and lots of visitors stand around, amazed at the exciting ways the duo present their products.

Klook Fun Fact: It is the second-largest night market in Taiwan and is often frequented by National Cheng Kung University (NKCU) students. Friday nights are usually pretty crowded.

Rui Feng Night Market is one of the biggest night markets in Taiwan and can easily offer the most authentic Taiwanese experience! We recommend that you grab a drink and sip as you wander through the night (it's going to be long)! You could try Dian Xiao Er's Fresh Milk Tea, made with milk produced in Kaohsiung!

As Rui Feng is tucked away from direct access by cars and scooters, safety is less of an issue. Nonetheless, ensure all valuables are kept safe and sound at all times.

Klook Fun Fact: Several stalls at Rui Feng Night Market have more than two decades of history! Try to learn more about them during your visit.

What are you waiting for? Taiwan is a beautiful country with countless gems waiting to be explored. Remember to grab the essentials to stay connected on the go, and if you want to explore the beaten path, check out car charters and car rental services on Klook. There’s no time better than now to get your dose of fun during your holiday in Taiwan!