Start at Longshan Temple around 8:00 AM, when the incense-filled courtyard is active but not yet crowded with tour groups. From your hotel in Ximending, it is a straightforward walk west—about 15–20 minutes—or take the MRT one stop from Ximen Station to Longshan Temple Station. Allow about an hour to see the main hall and side shrines respectfully; visitors should dress modestly and avoid blocking worshippers taking part in prayers. Afterward, walk north through Wanhua’s older lanes to Bopiliao Historical Block, roughly 10 minutes away. Its red-brick arcades and preserved Qing-era façades make a pleasant contrast with modern Taipei, and the small cultural exhibits are usually open from around 9:00 AM; admission is generally free or inexpensive.
Return toward Ximending Walking District late morning, taking your time along the pedestrian streets and side alleys rather than staying only on the main shopping strip. For lunch, stop at Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle on Emei Street for its thick, savory rice noodles—expect roughly NT$100–200 per person. It is a standing, casual setup with limited seating, so this works best as a quick local meal rather than a long restaurant break. Spend the early afternoon browsing sneaker shops, Taiwanese beauty stores, arcades, and snack stalls around Hanzhong Street and Emei Street; December is comfortable for walking, though bring a light layer for the cooler evening.
Walk southwest for about 10 minutes to Taipei Cinema Park, a compact creative space with graffiti, colorful murals, and converted warehouse buildings. It is best visited in the late afternoon, when the light is softer and the site is usually quieter; allow 45 minutes and note that individual indoor spaces may have separate or changing hours. Then return to Taipei Tianhou Temple near the heart of Ximending for a short evening visit. This ornate, incense-filled temple is especially atmospheric after the shop signs come on, and 30 minutes is enough unless a ceremony is taking place. Finish nearby with a relaxed snack—pepper buns, fried chicken, or shaved ice—and keep the evening flexible, since the district remains lively until around 10:00 PM or later.
Leave Ximending around 8:00 AM and take the MRT to Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station; the ride takes roughly 20–30 minutes with an EasyCard. Go straight to the Taipei 101 Observatory for the clearest views before the winter haze builds. Allow about 1½ hours, and check the visibility forecast before paying—cloudy days can obscure the mountains. Observatory admission is generally around NT$600 per adult, with hours usually beginning at 10:00 AM, though confirm the December schedule online.
Afterward, stay inside Taipei 101 Mall for lunch and a relaxed browse through the luxury shops and food floors. Budget NT$300–700 per person; the basement food court is efficient, while the upper floors have sit-down Taiwanese, Japanese, and international restaurants. A short walk through the surrounding Xinyi streets then brings you to Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Xinyi A11, where Pokémon Center Taipei is located. Allow about an hour, but expect queues for popular releases and note that stock can sell out—check the mall’s opening time and any timed-entry notices before visiting.
From Xinyi, take a taxi for the easiest five- to ten-minute ride to the Elephant Mountain Trail entrance near Xiangshan Park; the MRT alternative is to ride to Xiangshan Station and walk uphill. The trail is short but has steep stair sections, so allow 1–1½ hours including photo stops. The main lookout gives the classic Taipei 101 skyline view, particularly beautiful as the city lights begin to appear. Bring water, wear shoes with good grip, and avoid rushing the descent.
Continue by taxi to the Maokong Gondola station—roughly 20–30 minutes depending on traffic—or use the MRT to Taipei Zoo Station. The gondola ride to Maokong takes around 30 minutes, longer if you stop at Zhinan Temple; glass-bottom cabins may have a separate queue. Finish at a hillside tea house such as 邀月茶坊 (Yao Yue Tea House) or 貓空茶屋 (Maokong Tea House), where you can order locally grown Tieguanyin tea and simple dishes for about NT$300–600 per person. The gondola usually operates into the evening but may close for maintenance or weather, so check the official notice before leaving Xinyi and keep a taxi option in mind for the return to Ximending.
From Ruifang Station, take the local train toward Shifen Station, then walk about 20 minutes along the riverside paths to Shifen Waterfall. Aim to arrive around 9:00 AM, before the main tour groups; the park usually opens from about 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with admission around NT$100. Allow an hour for the waterfall trail and viewing platforms—December can be damp, so wear shoes with good grip. Return to Shifen Old Street by the same route and spend late morning wandering beneath the railway tracks, trying peanut ice cream rolls, grilled sausage, and taro snacks. The lantern shops are open from roughly 9:00 AM; writing and releasing a sky lantern generally costs NT$150–350, depending on the number of colors.
After lunch, take a taxi from Shifen to Yehliu Geopark—the direct ride is much more practical than returning toward Taipei and changing buses, taking about 45–60 minutes and roughly NT$1,000–1,500 per vehicle. A taxi arranged through your hotel or a local driver is especially worthwhile for four people. At Yehliu Geopark, allow around two hours to follow the coastal paths past the Queen’s Head and other wind-and-wave-shaped rocks; the park generally runs about 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, with admission around NT$120. Keep to the marked areas, as the rocks can be slippery and the outer cape is often very windy.
Continue by taxi or local bus to Jinshan Old Street, arriving around 4:00 PM. This is a good place for an unhurried snack break rather than a formal meal: look for Jinshan duck meat, sweet potato dishes, sesame sweets, and chewy traditional rice snacks, budgeting NT$250–500 per person. Afterward, take a short taxi ride or local bus to Tiaoshi Coast Bus Stop for a 30-minute sea view before dark. The coast is exposed and has little shelter, so bring a warm layer; from there, return toward Taipei by bus or taxi, allowing roughly 1–1½ hours depending on traffic. Check the final bus times in advance—service becomes less frequent in the evening—and keep some cash or an EasyCard ready for the return ride.
Have your chartered van collect you from Ximending around 7:30 AM; the drive to LeoFoo Village Theme Park in Guanxi takes roughly 1½ hours, depending on Taipei traffic. Ask the driver to use the main parking area or designated drop-off, and arrive close to the 9:00 AM opening so you can head straight to the most popular rides. Spend the morning moving between the safari area, thrill rides, and family attractions—December weather is usually comfortable, but bring a light jacket and comfortable shoes. Tickets commonly cost around NT$999–1,299, though online bundles and weekday promotions can be cheaper; check the official calendar because seasonal opening hours and ride closures vary.
Stay at LeoFoo Village until about 3:30 PM, taking a proper lunch break inside the park rather than losing time leaving and re-entering. Your driver can then take you west toward Zhongshe Flower Market in Houli, Taichung; allow around 1½–2 hours for this leg, with traffic near Taichung potentially adding time. The flower market is particularly atmospheric in December, with broad seasonal displays, greenhouse sections, and plenty of photo spots—plan about 1½ hours and bring cash for snacks or small purchases. It is generally open from roughly 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, but confirm the winter schedule before leaving LeoFoo Village.
For dinner, continue into Taichung for Takemura Izakaya, allowing about 30–45 minutes from Zhongshe Flower Market depending on the restaurant branch and traffic. Reserve ahead, especially for four people, and expect shared Japanese dishes, skewers, grilled items, and drinks to cost approximately NT$800–1,500 per person. Leave around 7:30 PM for the return drive to Ximending; the journey to Taipei usually takes 2–2½ hours, but Friday-style evening congestion can make it longer, so keep the night flexible and confirm the exact drop-off point with your driver.
Have your chartered vehicle collect you from Ximending at about 5:30 AM. The drive to Qingjing Farm is long—usually 4½–5½ hours—and includes winding mountain roads after Puli, so bring breakfast, water, and motion-sickness medicine if anyone needs it. Ask the driver in advance to confirm the day’s route, parking or drop-off point, and whether the vehicle is permitted to continue to Hehuanshan Scenic Area. Winter weather can close higher roads, so the driver should check conditions before leaving Taipei.
Arrive at Qingjing Farm around 10:00–11:00 AM, depending on traffic. Spend about two hours among the highland pastures and sheep performances; the cooler air and open hills are a welcome change after the drive. Admission is commonly around NT$200–250, though performance times and fees can change, so check locally on arrival. Afterward, have lunch near the farm at one of the small mountain restaurants along Ren’ai Township’s Provincial Highway 14. Choose hot pot, free-range chicken, or stir-fried mountain vegetables—allow roughly NT$300–700 per person. Many places are casual and may close between lunch and dinner, so eat promptly rather than waiting until mid-afternoon.
Walk the Qingjing Skywalk in the early afternoon, allowing about 1½ hours for the ridge path and viewpoints over the Central Mountain Range. Wear shoes with good grip and bring a warm layer: December can feel much colder here than in Taipei, with strong wind and occasional mist. Continue by vehicle toward Hehuanshan Scenic Area only if the road is open and visibility is reasonable. Allow about two hours for the high mountain viewpoints, but keep expectations flexible—snow, ice, fog, or traffic controls may limit access, and the summit area can be dramatically colder than Qingjing Farm. Do not linger at altitude if anyone develops a headache, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
Leave the mountain area by about 3:30 PM for the return drive, which can take another 4–5 hours or longer in winter traffic. Keep the evening free rather than booking a restaurant or airport transfer too tightly; a simple late meal back in Ximending is the sensible finish after this demanding day. Before departure, settle the charter details and confirm that the driver is comfortable with the mountain-road conditions and the final drop-off at your accommodation.