4-Day Taipei Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Downtown Exploration

Morning: Arrive at Taoyuan International Airport and take the MRT to your hotel in Xinyi District. After settling in, enjoy a leisurely brunch near Taipei 101 and admire the skyscraper’s sleek façade.

Afternoon: Head up to the Taipei 101 Observatory for panoramic city views, then stroll through the adjacent shopping mall for a quick coffee break. Continue with a walk to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and explore its exhibitions.

Evening: Experience the bustling Raohe Street Night Market, sampling street foods like pepper steak and bubble tea. End the night with a relaxing river walk along the Keelung River promenade.

Day 2: Culture & History

Morning: Visit the world‑class National Palace Museum, home to priceless Chinese artifacts. Allocate time for the jade cabbage and the meat-shaped stone.

Afternoon: Take the MRT to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and wander the expansive grounds, catching the hourly flag‑raising ceremony. Afterwards, explore nearby Daan Forest Park for a refreshing break.

Evening: Head to Longshan Temple in Wanhua to experience its vibrant night ambiance. Finish with dinner at the lively Huaxi Street Night Market, famous for snake soup and oyster omelets.

Day 3: Nature & Tea

Morning: Take the MRT to Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) and hike up for the iconic view of Taipei 101 against the skyline. The trek takes about 30 minutes and offers photo‑perfect spots.

Afternoon: Ride the Maokong Gondola to the tea‑plantation hills of Maokong. Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony at a teahouse while overlooking the city’s outskirts.

Evening: Return to the city and explore the youthful vibe of Ximending, stopping at the Red House for indie boutiques and live performances. Sample local snacks at the surrounding night stalls.

Day 4: Hot Springs & Departure

Morning: Check out of your hotel and travel to Beitou Hot Springs. Relax in a public bathhouse and visit the Beitou Hot Spring Museum to learn about the area’s history.

Afternoon: Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant in Beitou, then head back to the city for any last‑minute shopping at Shilin Night Market (open early in the afternoon).

Evening: Retrieve your luggage, take the MRT to Taoyuan Airport, and reflect on a memorable Taipei adventure.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Taipei 101 Observatory – 2 hours – $20
• National Palace Museum – 3 hours – $15
• Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall – 2 hours – Free
• Elephant Mountain Hike – 2 hours – Free
• Maokong Gondola (round‑trip) – 3 hours – $7
• Tea House in Maokong – 1.5 hours – $12
• Beitou Hot Springs Public Bath – 2 hours – $8
• Beitou Hot Spring Museum – 1 hour – $3
• Night Markets (Raohe, Huaxi, Shilin) – 4 hours – $25 (food & drinks)
• Transportation (MRT, buses, gondola) – 4 days – $30
• Accommodation (3 nights) – 3 nights – $180
• Meals (excluding night‑market snacks) – 4 days – $120
• Miscellaneous (souvenirs, tips) – $20
Total Estimated Cost: $560

Tips

If you have extra time, consider adding a day trip to Jiufen and the coastal town of Keelung for picturesque mountain‑sea scenery and more street food. To shorten the trip, skip the Maokong tea experience and replace it with a quick visit to Sunset at Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf, which can be reached in under an hour by MRT.