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7-Day Taiwan Adventure from Manila: Taipei, Northeast Coast, Taroko, Taichung & Sun Moon Lake

Viewed by 275 travelers

Day 1: Arrive Taipei

Taipei, Taiwan on October 5, 2025

9:30am

Flight: Manila (MNL) → Taipei (TPE)

Take a morning direct flight (approx 2h) to Taipei Taoyuan; arrive early afternoon and transfer to city (airport MRT or taxi).
PHP8000, 2h0m.

1:30pm

Check-in and freshen up

Drop bags at your Taipei hotel (Ximending or Taipei Main Station area recommended for convenience) and relax before exploring.
TWD0, 1h0m.

2:30pm

Ximending Walking Area

Youthful shopping and street-food district — great for an easy first stroll and people-watching; most shops open 10:00–22:00.
TWD0, 1h30m.

4:00pm

Longshan Temple

Historic temple in Wanhua; culturally rich and photogenic — open roughly 6:00–10:00pm, best visited in late afternoon/early evening.
TWD0, 45m.

6:00pm

Dinner — Din Tai Fung (Taipei 101 branch)

Famous xiaolongbao and Taiwanese dishes; reservations recommended. Open typically 10:00–9:00pm at the Taipei 101 branch.
TWD600, 1h0m.

7:30pm

Taipei 101 Observatory (optional)

See panoramic city views at dusk; observatory hours generally 9:00–10:00pm. Book tickets in advance to save queue time.
TWD600, 1h0m.

9:00pm

Raohe or Ximending Night Market

Finish day with snacks and street food — markets typically active 6:00pm–midnight; great for stinky tofu, pepper buns and bubble tea.
TWD300, 1h30m.
Find Hotels in Taipei

Day 2: Northeast Coast

Taipei → Yehliu → Jiufen → Pingxi, Taiwan on October 6, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — local soy milk and youtiao

Grab a quick Taiwanese breakfast (soy milk + youtiao) or hotel breakfast to start early; most breakfast shops open from 6:00am.
TWD120, 30m.

8:30am

Yehliu Geopark

Iconic coastal rock formations (Queen’s Head) — park hours typically 7:30am–5:00pm; morning arrival avoids busier crowds.
TWD80, 1h30m.

11:00am

Drive/transfer to Jiufen Old Street

Historic gold-mining town with narrow lantern-lit lanes and tea houses; shops and cafes generally open from 10:00–20:00.
TWD0, 30m.

11:30am

Lunch — Jiufen Old Street snacks or A-Mei Tea House (if you want a sit-down tea experience)

Enjoy local specialties (taro balls, braised pork rice) or a tea ceremony with views; A-Mei Tea House popular — open usually 10:00–18:00 (check for peak-day seating).
TWD400, 1h0m.

1:30pm

Explore Jiufen & nearby Gold Ecological Park (optional)

Wander alleys, enjoy views and old shops; optional short visit to the nearby gold-mining museum (check local hours ~9:00–17:00).
TWD100, 1h30m.

3:30pm

Pingxi (Sky Lanterns)

Head to Pingxi for lantern releasing along the old railway — daytime visits fine, but early evening produces better lantern photos; lanterns sold locally (no strict opening hours).
TWD200, 1h30m.

6:00pm

Return to Taipei & Dinner — Keelung Miaokou-style seafood (or back to Taipei night market)

Back in Taipei, opt for seafood at a night market or restaurant; night markets generally active 6:00pm–midnight.
TWD400, 1h30m.
Find Hotels in Taipei → Yehliu → Jiufen → Pingxi

Day 3: Taipei Culture

Taipei, Taiwan on October 7, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — Yonghe Soy Milk King

Classic Taiwanese breakfast of soy milk, egg crepe and buns; many branches open from 6:00–10:00.
TWD150, 30m.

9:00am

National Palace Museum

World-class collection of Chinese art and antiquities — museum hours typically 8:30am–6:30pm (check for late openings and special exhibitions).
TWD350, 2h30m.

12:00pm

Lunch — Shilin or nearby restaurant

Eat nearby (restaurants around the museum or Shilin district) to refuel before afternoon sightseeing; many open 11:00–14:00.
TWD300, 1h0m.

1:30pm

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Impressive plaza and changing-of-the-guard; grounds open around 9:00–6:00pm, with museum inside usually 9:00–5:00.
TWD0, 1h0m.

3:00pm

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

Art exhibitions, cafés and shops in a converted factory — open roughly 10:00–18:00; good for coffee and souvenirs.
TWD0, 1h30m.

6:30pm

Dinner — Shilin Night Market

Taipei’s largest night market with countless street-food stalls — best visited from 6:00pm onwards; try oyster omelette and grilled squid.
TWD350, 1h30m.

8:30pm

Leisure evening

Enjoy a relaxed evening back in your hotel area or explore more late-night spots in Ximending.
TWD0, 1h30m.
Find Hotels in Taipei

Day 4: To Taroko

Hualien, Taiwan on October 8, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast and check-out

Early breakfast at hotel or nearby breakfast shop; prepare luggage for train to Hualien. Breakfast places typically open from 6:00am.
TWD150, 30m.

7:50am

TRA Train: Taipei → Hualien

Take an express/local east-bound train to Hualien (scenic route along the east coast). Journey time ~2h30m–3h depending on service.
TWD440, 3h0m.

11:00am

Check-in & quick lunch in Hualien

Drop bags at Hualien hotel and grab a light lunch near the station (many cafés and bento shops are open by 11:00).
TWD250, 1h0m.

1:00pm

Taroko Gorge — Visitor Centre & Shakadang Trail

Explore Taroko’s highlights: visitor centre (typically 9:00–17:00) and the Shakadang or Shakadang/Swallow Grotto area; trails are best in daylight.
TWD0, 3h0m.

4:30pm

Eternal Spring Shrine / Tunnel views

Short walks to iconic viewpoints and the shrine; most trails are accessible during daylight — avoid after dusk for safety.
TWD0, 1h0m.

6:30pm

Dinner — Dongdamen Night Market (Hualien)

Large night market with local Hualien specialties and seafood; typically opens around 5:00–10:00pm.
TWD300, 1h30m.
Find Hotels in Hualien

Day 5: Hualien → Taichung

Hualien → Taichung, Taiwan on October 9, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast and morning market

Visit a local market for quick bites (rice balls, pastries) before more sightseeing or transit; markets open early from 6:00–9:00.
TWD150, 30m.

8:30am

Optional quick Taroko stop (Swallow Grotto)

If you missed any short viewpoints, catch them early before heading back to Hualien town — best while daylight is crisp.
TWD0, 1h0m.

10:30am

TRA Train: Hualien → Taipei

Return to Taipei by train (approx 2h30m); from Taipei transfer to THSR for Taichung or continue by rail depending on schedule.
TWD440, 2h30m.

2:00pm

THSR: Taipei → Taichung

High-speed rail from Taipei to Taichung takes about 1h; arrive at Taichung HSR station then transfer to city centre.
TWD700, 1h0m.

4:00pm

Check-in & light rest

Drop bags at your Taichung hotel; rest before evening explorations.
TWD0, 1h0m.

6:30pm

Dinner & explore — Fengjia Night Market

Taiwan’s largest student night market with countless innovative snacks; market typically lively from 5:00pm–midnight.
TWD350, 2h0m.
Find Hotels in Hualien → Taichung

Day 6: Sun Moon Lake

Taichung → Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan on October 10, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast and depart for Sun Moon Lake

Early breakfast then take a direct bus or booked shuttle from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake; travel time ~1h–1h30m depending on service.
TWD200, 1h30m.

9:30am

Sun Moon Lake — Boat tour

Scenic boat ride between piers gives a great overview of the lake and access to walking spots; ticketed and generally runs 09:00–16:30.
TWD300, 1h0m.

11:00am

Cable car & Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village (optional)

Take the ropeway for panoramic views and (optional) visit the nearby theme/heritage park; cable car hours usually 08:00–17:00 (check seasonal hours).
TWD600, 1h30m.

1:00pm

Lunch — Ita Thao village

Explore indigenous cuisine and lakeside eateries in Ita Thao; many restaurants open 11:00–15:00 for lunch.
TWD350, 1h0m.

2:30pm

Cycle or walk lakeside (rent a bicycle)

Cycle the lakeside paths for beautiful scenery; rental shops are open during daylight and routes are gentle for most fitness levels.
TWD300, 1h30m.

4:30pm

Return to Taichung

Catch an afternoon bus/shuttle back to Taichung to arrive in the evening; buses generally run until early evening.
TWD200, 1h30m.

7:30pm

Dinner — Taichung local restaurant

Dinner in Taichung city (try local braised pork rice or beef noodle soup); restaurants open 17:00–21:00.
TWD300, 1h0m.
Find Hotels in Taichung → Sun Moon Lake

Day 7: Return Home

Taichung → Taipei → Manila on October 11, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast and check-out

Final breakfast in Taichung; prepare luggage for morning activities and return to Taipei for your flight.
TWD150, 30m.

9:30am

Rainbow Village

Colourful street-art village in Taichung — small, quick visit; open daytime roughly 9:00–16:30.
TWD0, 45m.

11:00am

THSR: Taichung → Taipei

High-speed transfer to Taipei Taoyuan area; travel ~1h to Taipei Main Station then connect to airport MRT or direct transfer if arranged.
TWD700, 1h0m.

1:30pm

Lunch in Taipei — Din Tai Fung / local restaurant

Have a last taste of Taiwanese cuisine near Taipei Main Station/airport MRT stop; many options open from 11:00–14:00.
TWD300, 1h0m.

3:30pm

Transfer to Taoyuan Airport (TPE)

Allow ample time for airport transfer (MRT ~40–50 minutes from Taipei Main Station) and international check-in (arrive 2–3 hours prior).
TWD160, 1h30m.

6:30pm

Flight: Taipei (TPE) → Manila (MNL)

Take an evening direct flight back to Manila (flight time ~2h) arriving the same night; choose a flight that allows comfortable airport processing time.
PHP8000, 2h0m.
Find Hotels in Taichung → Taipei → Manila
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