Start your day with a sensory wake-up at Huaxi Street Night Market (Snake Alley) area, sampling comforting breakfast bowls like warm soybean milk and savory radish cakes from local stalls before the crowds build. Wander north to the nearby Gongguan Morning Market for fresh fruit, piping-hot youtiao and Taiwanese pastries, then head toward Longshan Temple to soak in incense-scented history and watch locals performing morning rituals-perfect for photos and a gentle cultural introduction before your Ximending food crawl later.
After a morning of markets and temples, wander into the lively lanes around Ximen Red House and sample creative street eats like pepper buns and mango shaved ice at nearby vendors, then duck into Modern Toilet Restaurant for a playful photo-op and quirky Taiwanese-themed treats. Continue with a relaxed stroll through Green Market (Huashan 1914 Creative Park's outdoor stalls) to browse artisan snacks and spot small artworks you could bring home-look for hand-painted fans or woodblock prints-before ending the afternoon with people-watching and a craft beer at Zhongshan Creative Brewery to recharge for evening food hunting.
As the neon lights come alive, head to Raohe Street Night Market for a classic Taiwanese night-food marathon-try the peppery black pepper buns, charcoal-grilled squid, and a bowl of warming oyster vermicelli from stall vendors while weaving through lively crowds. After sampling street bites, stroll to the nearby riverside promenade at Songshan Cultural Park Riverside for a calm night view and a skyline glimpse (including distant Taipei 101), then finish with a relaxed cocktail or craft tea tasting at the intimate speakeasy-style bar Indulge Bistro in Wanhua to reflect on the day's flavors.
Begin with a peaceful stroll through Dihua Street, browsing preserved Qing-era shopfronts and stopping at specialty tea shops to taste high-mountain oolong and pick up vacuum-sealed samples for the flight home; don't miss the century-old herbal stores selling artisanal dried goods. Continue to Bao'an Temple to admire vibrant temple carvings and the rooftop ceramics, then head to Dadaocheng Wharf for a riverside breakfast of freshly baked danishes at a local café and to spot street artists selling small woodblock prints and hand-painted postcards-perfect, portable artworks to bring back as souvenirs.
Wander the atmospheric alleys of Nanjing West Craft Street to discover tiny galleries and shops selling lino prints, hand-painted fans, and ceramic charms-chat with makers and pick a compact artwork perfect for travel. Then cross to Tamsui Old Street for a riverside food crawl: sample the famous A-Gei tofu pockets, grilled fish crackers, and sweet iron eggs while watching the sunset over the Tamsui River and catching a distant silhouette of Taipei 101 on the skyline before heading back to prepare for your evening departure.
As dusk falls, head to Maji Square near Songshan for a relaxed dinner at the rooftop food stalls where you can sample grilled Taiwanese skewers and craft beers while watching the city lights; pop into the nearby Songshan Cultural Park for evening exhibitions or designer stalls selling small prints and enamel pins you can take home. Afterwards, ride the MRT to Beimen (North Gate) and wander the atmospheric Bao'an Road lanes to discover tiny vintage shops and a tea salon serving traditional Taiwanese cold brew-finish with a riverside walk along Bangka Riverside Park to catch a last skyline view (including a distant Taipei 101) before returning to Cho Hotel to collect luggage and head to the airport.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Huaxi Street Night Market area (breakfast stalls) | NT$120 |
| Gongguan Morning Market | NT$100 |
| Longshan Temple | Free |
| Ximen Red House (Ximending area browsing) | Free |
| Street eats (pepper buns, mango shaved ice, etc.) - Ximending | NT$300 |
| Modern Toilet Restaurant (novelty meal) | NT$350 |
| Huashan 1914 Creative Park / Green Market stalls | Free |
| Zhongshan Creative Brewery (craft beer) | NT$300 |
| Raohe Street Night Market (street food crawl) | NT$400 |
| Songshan Cultural Park Riverside / promenade (view) | Free |
| Indulge Bistro (speakeasy cocktail) | NT$450 |
| Dihua Street (tea tasting & shopping) | NT$200 |
| Bao'an Temple | Free |
| Dadaocheng Wharf (riverside breakfast / cafes) | NT$200 |
| Nanjing West Craft Street (lino prints, fans, ceramics) | NT$300 |
| Tamsui Old Street food crawl (A-Gei, iron eggs, snacks) | NT$350 |
| Maji Square rooftop food stalls (dinner) | NT$400 |
| Songshan Cultural Park (evening exhibitions / designer stalls) | Free |
| Beimen (North Gate) / Bao'an Road vintage shops & tea salon | Free |
| Bangka Riverside Park (riverside walk / skyline view) | Free |
| Small artwork souvenir (hand-painted fan or woodblock print) - purchase | NT$800 |
| MRT rides & local transport (2 days approximate) | NT$200 |
| Extra buffer for snacks / incidental purchases | NT$300 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | NT$5,760 |