After landing at Taoyuan Airport, take the Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station—the express train takes about 35–40 minutes from Terminal 1 or 2. Allow roughly an hour including baggage collection, finding the station, and getting oriented. From Taipei Main Station, continue to your accommodation in Ximending by taxi, which is easiest with four people and luggage, or take the MRT to Ximen Station. Expect the Airport MRT to cost about NT$150 per person; taxis from the station to Ximending usually cost around NT$100–200 depending on traffic and luggage.
Once checked in, head to Longshan Temple in Wanhua for about an hour. From Ximen Station, take the blue MRT line one stop to Longshan Temple Station, or walk for roughly 20 minutes through the older streets of Wanhua. The temple is generally open from early morning until around 10 PM, and late afternoon is a good time to see worshippers, incense smoke, and the temple’s intricate carvings without rushing. Beneath it, spend about 45 minutes at the Bangka Longshan Temple Underground Shopping Mall, where small stalls sell traditional clothing, religious goods, crafts, and wonderfully old-fashioned local curiosities. It is not a polished shopping center, so wander slowly and keep cash handy; many stalls close around early evening.
Walk or take the MRT back toward Ximen Station for dinner at Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle, a casual institution on Emei Street. A bowl of its thick, savory rice noodles costs roughly NT$60–100, so NT$100–200 per person is plenty even with a drink. There is usually a queue, but it moves quickly; eat standing or find space nearby rather than expecting a conventional restaurant setting. After dinner, spend about an hour at The Red House, the historic red-brick theater complex just outside Ximen Station. The building and surrounding lanes are home to independent design shops and, depending on the day, small exhibitions or craft stalls—check the posted hours, as the indoor areas often close earlier than the surrounding neighborhood.
Finish by wandering the Ximending Pedestrian Area, especially Hanzhong Street, Wuchang Street, and the lanes around Emei Street. This is the best time for neon signs, street snacks, claw machines, fashion stores, and relaxed people-watching. Shops commonly stay open until around 10 PM or later, while food stalls vary. Keep your first night flexible after the flight, and use Ximen Station or a short taxi ride back to the accommodation whenever everyone is ready to turn in.
After breakfast in Ximending, take the Taipei Metro toward Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall Station; allow about 15–20 minutes door to door, with a fare of roughly NT$20–30 using an EasyCard. Start at National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall around 9:00 AM, when the vast plaza is quieter and the white-and-blue architecture photographs beautifully in the softer morning light. Allow about 1½ hours for the memorial hall, surrounding gates, gardens, and the ceremonial changing of the guard—typically held hourly during daytime, though schedules can occasionally change. Entry to the main hall is generally free.
From there, walk about 15 minutes south to Yongkang Street, a compact neighborhood of tea shops, bakeries, boutiques, and Taiwanese snacks. Take your time browsing rather than trying to cover every shop; this is a good place for a small scallion pancake, mango dessert, or cup of local tea. Plan roughly 1½ hours, then walk or take a short taxi ride—about 10 minutes—to Din Tai Fung Xinyi Restaurant for lunch. Expect around NT$500–900 per person; join the electronic queue if there is a wait, and use the posted ordering sheet to select xiaolongbao, fried rice, greens, and steamed dumplings without over-ordering.
After lunch, walk or take the MRT to Taipei 101—the restaurant is nearby, so the transition should take only 10–15 minutes. Visit the Taipei 101 Observatory in the mid-afternoon, allowing about 1½ hours for the high-speed elevator, indoor viewing floors, and outdoor observation area when open. Tickets are commonly around NT$600 per adult, but check the official site for the 2026 price and visibility before going; cloudy weather can make the upper view less rewarding. From Taipei 101, take a taxi or MRT toward Xiangshan Station, then walk approximately 15–20 minutes to the start of the Elephant Mountain Hiking Trail. The climb is steep in sections, with many stairs, so bring water and wear shoes with good grip. Allow about two hours including rests and the main lookout; in December, aim to reach the viewpoint before sunset, usually around 5:00 PM, while keeping expectations flexible if rain or low cloud obscures the skyline.
Descend before it gets too dark and continue by taxi or MRT to Raohe Street Night Market for dinner and a relaxed final wander. Give yourselves about two hours and roughly NT$300–600 per person for pepper buns, grilled seafood, oyster omelets, fruit, and other small dishes—start at the Songshan Ciyou Temple end and walk through the market rather than stopping at the first stall. Keep cash handy, share portions among the four of you, and return to Ximending by the Green Line from Songshan Station, changing at Ximen, or use a taxi if everyone is tired; the ride back usually takes around 25–35 minutes.
Leave Ximending around 8:00–8:30 AM and take the Taipei Metro Red Line toward Tamsui; trains from Ximen Station take roughly 50–60 minutes, with an EasyCard fare of about NT$50–65. Get off at the terminal and walk toward Tamsui Old Street, allowing about 1½ hours to browse the riverside lanes. Try fresh fish balls, iron eggs, and the local stuffed snack agei—Original Ah-Gei is a classic stop, though queues are common. The waterfront is especially pleasant in the morning, before tour groups and weekend crowds build.
From Tamsui Old Street, walk about 10–15 minutes to Tamsui Customs Officers’ Residence, usually open Tuesday–Sunday from around 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM; admission is generally free or nominal. Spend an hour in the quiet gardens and preserved rooms, then continue by local bus or taxi to Hobe Fort—a taxi is easiest for four people and should take roughly 10 minutes, while buses may require more waiting. The fort is typically open until late afternoon and costs only a small admission fee; allow an hour for its brick passages, old cannons, and views toward the river mouth. Wear shoes with good grip, as some paths around the fort can be uneven.
Continue by taxi or local bus to Fisherman’s Wharf, allowing 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Reserve the late afternoon for the wooden boardwalk and Lover’s Bridge—this is the best part of the day for wide river-and-sea views, particularly around sunset in December, when it can arrive before 5:00 PM. Bring a light jacket: Tamsui is noticeably windier than central Taipei. For dinner, choose one of the casual seafood restaurants around the wharf, such as Fisherman’s Wharf Seafood Restaurant or the nearby waterfront dining strip; expect roughly NT$600–1,200 per person depending on the catch and shared dishes. After dinner, return to Tamsui Station by taxi or bus and take the Red Line directly back to Ximen Station.
Leave Ximending around 7:30–8:00 AM so you reach Jiufen before the main crowds build. Allow roughly 2–2½ hours for the MRT, train, and uphill bus connection; on a Sunday, the final bus can be crowded, so board at Ruifang Station rather than waiting for a later service. Once you arrive, use the public toilets near the bus stop, then walk into Jiufen Old Street through Jishan Street. Spend about two hours wandering the narrow lantern-lit lanes, browsing snack stalls and small craft shops, and trying taro balls, peanut ice cream rolls, and fish ball soup. Most shops open around 10:00 AM, and the stone lanes can be slippery in December rain—wear shoes with good grip.
Around noon, walk along Qingbian Road to A-Mei Tea House for a slow tea stop and hillside views. Budget about NT$300–600 per person; the tea service is more about the setting and ritual than a quick drink, so allow a full hour. From Jiufen, take a local bus toward Jinguashi—usually about 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic—and get off near Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park. Spend roughly two hours exploring the former mining settlement, including the restored industrial buildings and the Four Joined Japanese-Style Residences. The park is generally open Tuesday–Sunday from about 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with some facilities closing earlier; admission to the park grounds is typically free, though individual exhibitions may charge separately.
Continue by local bus or taxi to Golden Waterfall, about 10–15 minutes from Jinguashi. The roadside viewpoint only needs around 30 minutes, but take care near traffic and do not climb over barriers—the waterfall’s orange-gold color comes from mineral deposits, not actual gold. From here, a taxi is the most practical option for four people and can take you toward Keelung in roughly 30–40 minutes; buses are cheaper but less convenient after sunset. Finish at Keelung Miaokou Night Market, where the bright yellow signboards make the food lanes easy to spot. Spend 1½–2 hours sampling oyster omelets, crab thick soup, tempura, pork knuckles, and shaved ice; NT$300–600 per person is plenty. Return to Taipei by train from Keelung Station to Taipei Main Station, then take the MRT or a short taxi ride back to Ximending. Expect the full return to take around 1½–2 hours, and check the last train and bus times before settling in for dinner.
Leave Jiufen around 8:00 AM for Ximending, allowing 1½–2¼ hours for the bus and final walk or taxi connection. With luggage, a taxi from central Taipei may be easier than transferring through the MRT; ask the driver to drop you near Ximen Station or your hotel. Once settled, begin at Futai Street Mansion, a beautifully preserved Japanese-era residence near the historic west side of the district. It is a compact visit of about 45 minutes, and the exterior is especially photogenic in the softer morning light. From there, walk roughly 10 minutes to Taipei Cinema Park, where former industrial buildings, painted walls, and rotating creative installations make for an easy, unhurried photo stop. Check current access arrangements on the day, as some studios or event areas may have limited hours.
Walk back toward the pedestrian heart of Ximending for Taipei Tianhou Temple, tucked among the busy shopping streets. Spend about 45 minutes admiring the incense-filled interior and detailed Mazu decorations; keep voices low and avoid blocking worshippers. For lunch, stop at Chengdu Yangtao Bing for fruit-filled pastries and light snacks, budgeting around NT$100–250 per person. After eating, take the short walk east to 228 Peace Park and spend about 1½ hours at the National Taiwan Museum. The historic building is one of Taipei’s most elegant colonial landmarks, with natural-history and cultural displays; allow extra time for the building itself. It is generally open Tuesday–Sunday, approximately 9:30 AM–5:00 PM, with last entry around 4:30 PM, and is typically closed Mondays.
Return to Ximending for a relaxed final shopping circuit through Ximending shopping streets. Browse Wuchang Street, Emei Street, and the pedestrian lanes around Hanzhong Street for Taiwanese snacks, small gifts, cosmetics, clothing, and convenient travel souvenirs. Keep fragile purchases and liquids together if you are flying later, and use the district’s many convenience stores for boxed treats. Since it is your departure day, avoid straying too far from the hotel after shopping; collect your luggage, confirm your airport transfer, and leave a buffer for traffic and check-in.