5-Day Itinerary
Taiwan 5-Day Highlights Itinerary: Taipei, Jiufen & Taroko Gorge
This is the essential Taiwan experience packed into 5 days — Taipei's skyline and street food, the atmospheric village of Jiufen, sky lanterns at Shifen, and the emerald canyons of Taroko Gorge. Best for short-stay travelers, layovers extended to 5 days, or visitors flying in from Hong Kong, Tokyo, or Singapore.
You won't see all of Taiwan, but you'll hit the highlights that most first-time visitors remember most vividly. Every location is reachable by public transport with no car required.
Best eSIM for this trip: The 15-day 10GB plan ($20) is cheaper than buying five separate 1-day plans ($25 total) and gives you far more flexibility. Install it before your flight — your data starts the moment you land at TPE.
Day-by-Day Route
1
Taipei
Arrive — Taipei City
Land at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and take the Airport MRT directly to the city (35 min, ~$2). Check in, then head to Elephant Mountain for a sunset view of Taipei 101. End the evening at Ximending for street food and shopping.
2
Taipei
Taipei 101, Da'an & Shilin Night Market
Morning visit to Taipei 101 observatory. Walk through Da'an Forest Park and browse the boutiques of Yongkang Street. In the evening, take the MRT to Shilin Night Market — Taiwan's largest and most famous night market. Try oyster omelette, stinky tofu, and the legendary Shilin steak.
3
Northeast Coast
Jiufen + Shifen — Day Trip
Take a bus or taxi from Taipei to Jiufen (1 hr), the atmospheric mountain village that inspired Spirited Away. Walk the narrow red lantern-lit stairways and eat taro balls with an ocean view. Continue to Shifen for sky lantern releasing over the old train tracks. Return to Taipei by evening.
4
Hualien
Train to Hualien — Taroko Gorge
Take the morning train to Hualien (2 hrs — book the Puyuma or Taroko Express in advance). Spend the afternoon exploring Taroko Gorge — the Eternal Spring Shrine, Swallow Grotto, and the emerald-green Liwu River. Stay overnight in Hualien to maximize gorge time.
5
Hualien → Taipei
Deep Taroko — Fly Home
Morning hike into Taroko — the Shakadang Trail (2 hrs, flat, turquoise river) or Zhuilu Old Road (permit required, dramatic cliff views). Take the afternoon train back to Taipei. If your flight is late evening, you have time for a final hot pot dinner before heading to the airport.
Recommended eSIM for 5 days
15-day / 10GB plan — $20. Cheaper than buying five 1-day plans and far more flexible.
Practical Tips
- Trains fill up fast — book the Taipei–Hualien express at least a week ahead, especially on weekends.
- Jiufen is best early — arrive before 11am to avoid tour groups. Leave by 2pm or stay for the evening lanterns.
- Taroko permit — the Zhuilu Old Road requires a free permit from the Taroko National Park website. Apply at least 3 days before.
- Airport MRT EasyCard — buy an EasyCard at the airport and use it for the MRT, buses, and convenience stores throughout the trip.