From Taoyuan International Airport, take the Airport MRT Express to Taipei Main Station—about 35 minutes from Terminal 1 or 39 minutes from Terminal 2. After collecting luggage, allow roughly 1–1½ hours in total for immigration, the train, and getting to your accommodation in Ximending. From Taipei Main Station, a short taxi ride is easiest with bags; the metro is also straightforward via the Blue Line to Ximen Station. Airport MRT fares are about NT$150, and the last trains generally run around late evening, so use a taxi if your flight arrives late.
After checking in, head first to Longshan Temple, one of Taipei’s most atmospheric places, especially as the incense and evening prayers begin. It is generally open from early morning until around 10 p.m.; entry is free, though donations are welcome. From Ximen Station, take the Blue Line one stop to Longshan Temple Station, or walk about 15–20 minutes through old Wanhua. Continue on foot to Bopiliao Historical Block, roughly 5–10 minutes away, where preserved red-brick buildings and Qing-era streets make for an easy, photogenic 45-minute wander. The historic buildings and exhibitions usually close by early evening, so visit before dinner rather than treating it as a late-night stop.
Return to Ximending for Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle, a casual counter-style institution near Emei Street. Order the thick rice noodles with oysters and intestines, adding vinegar, chili, or garlic to taste; expect about NT$60–150 per person. It is popular and seating is informal, so be prepared to eat standing or share a table. Spend the rest of the evening exploring the Ximending Walking District at an unhurried pace—browse Wuchang Street, look into arcades and small fashion shops, and stop for bubble tea or dessert around Hanzhong Street. Most shops stay open until roughly 9–10 p.m., while the pedestrian streets remain lively later; keep your first night flexible in case jet lag catches up with you.
Leave Ximending around 7:30–8:00 AM and take the MRT Blue Line from Ximen Station to Taipei City Hall Station; the ride takes roughly 20–30 minutes and costs about NT$20–30. From there, it is a pleasant walk through Xinyi to Taipei 101. Aim to reach the observatory near opening time—hours commonly begin around 10:00 AM, but check the official schedule before your trip. Allow about two hours for the high-speed elevator, indoor viewing floors, and photos of the city; visibility is best before the afternoon haze. Afterward, spend an hour browsing Taipei 101 Mall, especially the basement food area and the building’s polished international shops.
Have lunch at Din Tai Fung Taipei 101, where the signature xiaolongbao are the obvious choice, along with hot-and-sour soup and seasonal vegetables. Expect about NT$500–900 per person, and take a queue ticket if there is a wait. After lunch, walk or take a short taxi ride to Songshan Cultural and Creative Park—around 10–15 minutes—where former tobacco-factory buildings now hold exhibitions, independent design stores, and relaxed courtyards. Give yourselves about two hours here; the program changes regularly, so it is worth checking for a ticketed exhibition on the day. Later, take a taxi to the Elephant Mountain Trail entrance near Xiangshan Station rather than walking from the park. The climb is stair-heavy, so bring water and allow at least 45 minutes each way to the main viewpoints. In December, sunset is early, usually around 5:00 PM, so start the hike by about 3:30–4:00 PM for the classic Taipei 101 skyline view.
From Xiangshan, take the MRT or a short taxi ride toward Raohe Street Night Market, entering near Songshan Station and Ciyou Temple. Spend the evening grazing rather than ordering one large meal: try pepper buns, grilled seafood, oyster vermicelli, and fruit drinks, budgeting roughly NT$250–500 per person. The market is generally liveliest from about 6:00 PM onward and runs late, but the narrow central lane becomes crowded, so keep bags and phones secure. After dinner, Songshan Station provides a convenient MRT connection back toward Ximen; alternatively, a taxi is comfortable for four people, particularly after the hike.
Leave Ximending around 7:00–7:30 AM, allowing 1½–2 hours to reach Leofoo Village Theme Park in Guanxi. Confirm the December 2026 shuttle schedule and pickup point before traveling; if no direct shuttle is running, the practical backup is Taiwan Railway to Zhongli followed by a taxi. Aim to arrive before opening, and keep your booking confirmation ready at the designated drop-off or parking area. Winter mornings can be cool, while the park may feel warm once you are walking and queuing, so dress in light layers and wear comfortable shoes.
Spend the main part of the day exploring Leofoo Village Theme Park, starting with the popular rides before queues build. Move between the themed zones and animal attractions at an easy pace—there is enough here for a full day, and it is better to choose a few major rides than rush across the entire park. Check the official December operating calendar before departure, since weekday opening hours and individual attractions can change seasonally. For lunch, use one of the park’s restaurants or snack stands rather than leaving; budget approximately NT$300–600 per person, and consider eating slightly before noon or after 1:00 PM to avoid the busiest period. Bring a refillable water bottle, although drinks and snacks are readily available inside.
After a final walk through the park and a quick check that you have collected all belongings, leave around 5:30–6:30 PM for the return to Ximending. The journey usually takes 1½–2 hours, but allow extra time for traffic and the evening shuttle schedule. Back in Ximending, keep dinner simple near your accommodation rather than planning another major attraction; the pedestrian streets and small noodle shops around Emei Street are convenient for a relaxed late meal.
Start from Leofoo Village Theme Park after your park day and arrange a private taxi or transfer for the return to Taipei, ideally leaving around 5:30–6:00 PM. Because this is an evening drive, allow 1½–2 hours for traffic; going directly to Huashan 1914 Creative Park is not practical, so visit it first thing on this day only if your schedule allows an early return. At Huashan, spend about two hours wandering the former industrial buildings, checking the current exhibition program, and browsing small design shops. The grounds are generally open from around 6:00 AM, while individual galleries and stores usually open closer to 10:00 or 11:00 AM; entrance is free, though exhibitions vary.
Take a taxi or MRT toward Taipei Fine Arts Museum in Zhongshan—from Huashan, a taxi is roughly 15–20 minutes, while public transport takes around 25–35 minutes. Allow about two hours for the museum’s rotating contemporary-art exhibitions; it is usually open Tuesday–Sunday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with later hours on Saturday, and closed Mondays. For lunch, walk about 10 minutes to MAJI Square, where food stalls and casual restaurants make it easy for four people to choose different dishes. Budget approximately NT$300–600 per person, and check the individual vendors’ opening hours since they do not all operate on the same schedule.
After lunch, stroll through Taipei Expo Park for about an hour, following the lawns and public-art areas around the museum district before taking the MRT or a taxi south to Xinyi. Expect roughly 25–35 minutes by taxi depending on traffic. Finish at Pokémon Center Taipei inside Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Xinyi, allowing 1–1½ hours for the shop; stock can change quickly, and popular Taiwan-exclusive items may sell out, so go straight to the Pokémon Center rather than leaving it until the last few minutes. Continue on foot to Eslite Spectrum Songyan for an easy evening browse through books, stationery, Taiwanese design goods, and lifestyle shops. It is usually open until around 10:00 PM, making it a comfortable final stop; for dinner, use the surrounding Songyan and Xinyi restaurants rather than trying to fit in another attraction.
From Ximending, take the MRT to Taipei Zoo Station via the Brown Line, allowing about 35–45 minutes including the transfer. Start around 8:00 AM so you have roughly three hours for Taipei Zoo, which generally opens at 9:00 AM; admission is about NT$100. Focus on the panda, koala, and Formosan animal areas rather than trying to cover every path. The zoo is hilly and spread out, so wear comfortable shoes; the shuttle train costs extra and is useful if anyone in your group prefers not to walk uphill. Lockers are available around the station and zoo entrance, subject to size and availability.
Walk from the zoo entrance to Maokong Gondola Taipei Zoo Station—about 10 minutes—and ride uphill toward Maokong late in the morning. A standard ride costs roughly NT$120 one way, with crystal-floor cabins sometimes costing slightly more; allow extra time for queues, especially on weekends. Enjoy the forested ride and hillside views, then take the gondola back down around lunchtime. If weather is poor or the gondola is suspended, keep this portion flexible rather than waiting indefinitely, as mountain fog and wind can affect operations.
From Taipei Zoo Station, take the MRT to Dongmen Station and walk about 5–10 minutes to Yongkang Street. Set aside about 1½ hours for lunch and wandering. For a classic meal, try Yongkang Beef Noodles, while Tao-Yuan Street Beef Noodle Shop is another popular option nearby; finish with mango shaved ice at Smoothie House if it is open. Expect around NT$300–700 per person, and note that queues can be longest between noon and 1:00 PM. After lunch, take the MRT from Dongmen Station to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall Station for the short walk to National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Explore the broad plaza, blue-and-white memorial hall, National Concert Hall, and National Theater; allow about 1½ hours. The changing of the guard is traditionally held hourly during daytime opening hours, but confirm the December schedule on the day.
Return to Taipei Main Station by MRT and spend about an hour in the Taipei Main Station underground shopping area, where you can pick up pineapple cakes, tea, packaged snacks, and small gifts without carrying them around the city. From Taipei Main Station, take the Blue Line one stop to Ximen Station, or use a taxi if your bags are heavy; the MRT transfer and ride take roughly 15–20 minutes, with fares around NT$20–30. Finish with a relaxed farewell dinner in Ximending—a well-reviewed hot-pot restaurant such as Mala Yuanyang Hotpot is convenient for four people, while Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle is a quick local-style option if you want something lighter. Allow NT$400–800 per person for dinner, and keep the rest of the evening free for one final walk through the pedestrian streets.