5-Day Taiwan Itinerary: Taipei and the North

Five days is just enough to fall for Taiwan without feeling like you raced through it. This itinerary focuses on Taipei and the north, and suits a first visit or folding Taiwan into a larger trip in the region. The big advantage: one base, no changing hotels.

Day 1: Arrival and first Taipei

From Taoyuan Airport, take the Airport MRT to the centre (about 160 NT$, 35–50 minutes). After check-in, open gently: Longshan Temple, then on foot to Ximending for a first evening of lights and food. If you’ve got energy left, Taipei 101 near sunset.

Day 2: The heart of Taipei

Morning at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial and the guard change, then the National Palace Museum or the green Da’an district. In the afternoon, ride the Maokong cable car up to the tea plantations above the city. In the evening, a night market: compact and tasty Raohe, or the big Shilin.

Day 3: Jiufen and the north coast

The classic day. Jiufen, the tea town with red lanterns, combined with Pingxi (paper lanterns) and Yehliu (wind-sculpted rocks on the coast). Do it yourself by train and bus, or save the logistics with a day trip to Jiufen and the north coast. Arrive at Jiufen late, once the groups leave.

Day 4: Beitou and a day of your own

Morning at the Beitou hot springs (one MRT ride), a soak in a public bath. The afternoon is open: shopping in Ximending, galleries, or a long café stop. This is the day to slow down and soak it in.

Day 5: Departure

Depending on your flight time, a last morning for final shopping or a sight you didn’t get to. The Airport MRT gets you back to the airport easily.

What it costs

Five days on a mid-range budget, excluding flights, runs around 12,500–20,000 NT$ per person (roughly ₪1,450–2,300) for lodging, food, transport, and entries. Breakdown in the money and budget guide.

Want more? Move to the 7–10 day itinerary, or back to the main guide.