Taiwan Trip Planner - Dec 18-22, 2025

🛬 Day 1: Arrival & Ximending Vibes

Land in Taipei and dive into the neon-lit energy of Ximending

Morning

✈️ Airport Arrival

Land at Taoyuan or Songshan Airport. Grab an EasyCard (load TWD 500-1000) for MRT, buses, and convenience stores.

Travel Time: ~40 min from Taoyuan, ~15 min from Songshan to Taipei Main Station

Evening

🌃 Ximending Night Market

Dive into Ximending's pedestrian streets. Try fried chicken steak, bubble tea, or hit Din Tai Fung for xiao long bao.

Pro Tip: Most spots stay open till ~11 PM. Keep it light if jet-lagged!

🏛️ Day 2: Taipei Classics

Iconic landmarks, Taipei 101 views, and night market adventures

Morning

🥞 Taiwanese Breakfast

Start at Yonghe Soy Milk King for dan bing (egg crepe) and warm soy milk. Then visit Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.

Don't Miss: Changing of the guard ceremony at the memorial

Afternoon

🏢 Taipei 101 & Xinyi District

Lunch at Lin Dong Fang for beef noodle soup. Observatory tickets TWD 600 (book online for discounts).

Pro Tip: Go early afternoon to avoid long lines

Evening

🌙 Raohe Night Market

Try pepper buns and stinky tofu. Optional rooftop bar near Taipei 101 for drinks.

⛰️ Day 3: Jiufen Day Trip

Studio Ghibli vibes and mountain charm in historic Jiufen

Morning

🚂 Journey to Jiufen

Train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang (~40 min, TWD 49-76), then bus to Jiufen (~15 min, TWD 15-100).

Must Try: Tea at A-Mei Tea House, taro balls, peanut ice cream rolls

Afternoon

⛏️ Jinguashi Gold Mine

Explore gold mine history and mountain views. Optional: Teapot Mountain trail hike (1-2 hours, moderate).

Pro Tip: Start early (8-9 AM) to beat crowds on buses

Evening

🦪 Ningxia Night Market

Return to Taipei (~1 hr). Chill at Ningxia Night Market for lighter eats like oyster omelets.

♨️ Day 4: Beitou Hot Springs & Culture

Relax in natural hot springs and explore Taiwanese spirituality

Morning

♨️ Beitou Hot Springs

Try scallion pancakes for breakfast. Soak at Millennium Hot Spring (TWD 40) or private hotel springs (TWD 800-2000).

Travel: ~30 min MRT from Taipei Main Station

Afternoon

🌋 Thermal Valley & Longshan Temple

Visit Beitou Thermal Valley and Hot Spring Museum (free). Then explore Longshan Temple for Taiwanese spirituality.

Evening

🍽️ Quirky Ximending Dinner

Back to Ximending for dinner at a themed café like Modern Toilet Restaurant. Shop for mochi and pineapple cakes.

🛍️ Day 5: Last Bites & Departure

Final food adventures and souvenir shopping before heading home

Morning

🛍️ Last-Minute Shopping

Final souvenir run and packing. Grab some famous Taiwanese snacks for the journey home.

Departure

✈️ Airport Journey

Head to airport with plenty of time. Don't forget to use up your EasyCard balance!

🇹🇼 Taiwan Adventure

🛬 Day 1: Arrival & Ximending Vibes

✈️ Airport Arrival

🌃 Ximending Night Market

🏛️ Day 2: Taipei Classics

🥞 Taiwanese Breakfast

🏢 Taipei 101 & Xinyi District

🌙 Raohe Night Market

⛰️ Day 3: Jiufen Day Trip

🚂 Journey to Jiufen

⛏️ Jinguashi Gold Mine

🦪 Ningxia Night Market

♨️ Day 4: Beitou Hot Springs & Culture

♨️ Beitou Hot Springs

🌋 Thermal Valley & Longshan Temple

🍽️ Quirky Ximending Dinner

🛍️ Day 5: Last Bites & Departure

🛍️ Last-Minute Shopping

✈️ Airport Journey

🎒 Essential Trip Info

💰 Budget Estimates (TWD)

🏨 Recommended Areas