After landing at Taoyuan International Airport, allow roughly 5–6 hours door-to-door for immigration, luggage, the airport transfer and hotel check-in. The Airport MRT takes about 35–50 minutes to Taipei Main Station, but with a toddler and luggage, a pre-booked car directly to your hotel is often worth the extra cost—typically around NT$1,200–2,000, depending on vehicle size and arrival time. Keep dinner and sightseeing flexible in case the flight is delayed; December evenings can be cool, so have a light jacket ready.
Once settled, head to Taipei 101 Observatory in Xinyi, ideally allowing about 1.5 hours including the lift queue and security. Tickets are usually around NT$600 per adult, with children’s pricing varying by height and age; check the official ticketing page before travelling, especially if you want a timed entry. The observatory is stroller-friendly, though the mall and lift area can be busy. On a clear evening, the city lights make this a gentle introduction to Taipei without the effort of a full sightseeing day.
Eat at the Taipei 101 Mall food court, where you can choose noodles, rice dishes, dumplings or simple Western food without committing to a long restaurant meal. Budget approximately NT$250–600 per person. There are baby-care facilities and plenty of seating, making this much easier with a three-year-old than a popular sit-down restaurant. After dinner, take a short wander through the Xinyi evening streets, around Taipei City Hall and the open spaces surrounding Taipei 101. Keep this to about 45 minutes and return to the hotel early; the main value tonight is settling in, not fitting in another attraction.
Start with Wooderful Life Taipei in the Yulon City/Neihu area, ideally booking the earliest available session. Allow about two hours for the hands-on wooden play experience; sessions can sell out, so confirm the date, entry time and age requirements before leaving the hotel. A taxi is simplest with a toddler—budget roughly NT$250–400 from central Taipei, depending on your hotel and traffic. Bring socks and a change of clothes, and keep the morning unhurried rather than adding another attraction in Neihu.
Have lunch near Neihu before taking a taxi to the National Palace Museum in Shilin, usually around 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. For a three-year-old, concentrate on a short 90-minute visit rather than attempting the entire collection: choose a few famous galleries, use the lifts, and take a break if your child becomes restless. General admission is commonly around NT$350 per adult, with child concessions and special-exhibition pricing subject to change; check the museum’s official opening hours and current ticket rules, as some galleries or displays may close temporarily. The museum is generally closed on Mondays, so Wednesday is a suitable day, but verify holiday arrangements before travelling.
From the museum, take a taxi or bus towards Shilin Night Market; allow roughly 10–20 minutes. Eat early, around 5:30–6:00pm, before the busiest crowds arrive. With a toddler, stay around the more spacious main lanes and choose easy foods such as oyster omelette, scallion pancakes, grilled chicken, fried sweet-potato balls and fruit; budget about NT$250–600 per adult, depending on how much you sample. Keep valuables secure and avoid letting the child walk independently through the densest lanes.
Finish at Garden City in Songshan, travelling by taxi for the most practical connection—approximately 25–35 minutes in evening traffic. Allow about an hour for its creative family-oriented shops and cafés, but check individual store hours because the complex’s tenants may close earlier than the surrounding night market. If everyone is tired after Shilin Night Market, this is the easiest item to shorten; return to the hotel by taxi rather than relying on a late transfer with a sleepy toddler.
Start at Taipei Zoo near opening, ideally around 9:00am, before the larger school and family crowds arrive. From central Taipei, take the MRT Wenhu Line to Taipei Zoo Station; the journey is usually 30–40 minutes, and the station entrance is convenient for a stroller. Allow about three hours, but keep the visit flexible—at this age, the panda house, penguins and shorter animal trails are usually more rewarding than trying to cover the entire hillside zoo. Entry is inexpensive, roughly NT$100 per adult, with young children generally free; bring water and snacks, as the grounds are large and gently hilly.
Walk or take a short taxi ride to Maokong Gondola Taipei Zoo Station for the ride up to Maokong. Allow around 1½ hours including the queue, boarding and a brief look around the mountaintop. The crystal cabins can have a longer wait, so treat them as a bonus rather than essential with a toddler. Check the official operating status that morning—wind, rain and maintenance can affect service—and have a taxi alternative ready. After returning to the city, use a pre-booked taxi or private car for Qingtiangang Grassland; it is roughly 45–60 minutes from central Taipei, depending on traffic. The grassland is best as a short, easy walk rather than a full hike, with wide-open views and grazing cattle. December can be cool, windy and muddy, so bring a light waterproof layer and shoes with grip. If the ridge is foggy or wet, shorten this stop substantially; there is little shelter.
Continue by car to Beitou Hot Spring Museum, a compact stop that works well before dinner and usually needs only 45 minutes. It is a short walk from Xinbeitou MRT Station, but a taxi is easier if your toddler is tired. Admission is generally free, though opening days and hours can change, so check before setting out; remove shoes where requested and keep the visit quiet and brief. Finish around Xinbeitou with an early Beitou dinner, choosing a family-friendly noodle shop or Taiwanese restaurant rather than committing to a formal hot-spring meal. Budget about NT$250–600 per adult, and expect many small eateries to be cash-only. From Beitou, central Taipei is about 30–45 minutes by MRT or taxi; with the day’s driving and walking, returning to the hotel after dinner is wiser than adding another attraction.
Leave central Taipei at about 8:00am by private car, allowing 1.5–2.5 hours to reach Zhang Mei Ama’s Farm in Sanxing. Traffic through the Hsuehshan Tunnel can be slow on Friday mornings, so confirm a proper toddler car seat and ask the driver to avoid rushing. After arrival, allow roughly two hours for animal feeding and the farm’s seasonal activities; check the current ticketing arrangements and which encounters are operating before leaving Taipei. Wear washable shoes and bring spare clothes—the farm is hands-on rather than a quick photo stop.
Have a simple local lunch around Sanxing or Luodong, then drive about 15–20 minutes to Luodong Forestry Culture Park. Its shaded paths, old railway buildings and open spaces make it a good post-lunch stop for a three-year-old who needs to move around. Allow about an hour, with a stroller if your child still naps; some paths are easy, but the park is spread out. Entry is generally free or low-cost, though individual exhibitions and facilities may vary. If everyone is tired, keep this stop short rather than trying to cover every corner.
Check in at a Luodong hotel with parking and a family room, ideally near the railway station or within a short taxi ride of the market. Luodong Night Market is easiest with a lightweight stroller before it becomes crowded, so arrive around 5:30–6:00pm for dinner and allow about two hours. Try local snacks such as scallion pancakes, grilled seafood, duck dishes and peanut ice cream; budget around NT$250–500 per adult, with cash in small notes. Keep the toddler close in the busiest lanes and expect limited seating—one adult can queue while the other finds a quieter edge or nearby table. Stay in Luodong tonight for convenience; choose Jiaoxi instead only if a hotel hot spring is more important than avoiding another evening transfer.
Start around 8:30am and drive from your Yilan hotel to Lucky Art Crayon Factory in Su’ao, allowing roughly 35–45 minutes depending on where you are staying. The factory is easiest by car, with parking generally more manageable than central Yilan; ask your driver to wait or arrange a pickup time. Allow about two hours for the interactive craft sessions. Advance reservation is important because workshops may run at fixed times and some activities have age or participation requirements. Bring clothes that can get messy, and check whether the toddler needs a paid ticket for the specific workshop.
Continue approximately 10–15 minutes to Nanfang’ao Fishing Port for a relaxed seafood lunch and a look around the harbor. Choose a restaurant with live tanks and ask staff to recommend the day’s smaller portions—steamed fish, prawns, squid, egg dishes and plain rice are usually easier for a young child than ordering one large seafood platter. Budget around NT$400–900 per adult, depending on the catch and number of dishes; confirm prices before ordering. Spend about 1½ hours here, taking a short walk along the waterfront after eating, but keep the toddler close around the docks and uneven harbor edges.
Drive north to Jiaoxi Hot Spring Park, allowing about 45–60 minutes from Su’ao, or slightly longer if traffic builds around Yilan. The park is a good low-effort stop after lunch: stroll beneath the trees and use the designated foot-soaking area for roughly an hour. Check the water temperature before letting your toddler enter, and bring a small towel, spare clothes and sandals; young children should not be immersed in hot water for long. Since Weng Yao Chicken Jiaoxi is popular, arrive for an early dinner around 5:00–5:30pm or expect a queue. Share the roast chicken with rice, vegetables and soup, budgeting roughly NT$400–800 per adult depending on what you add. Finish at your Jiaoxi hotel hot spring with a pre-booked private family bath or an in-room hot-spring facility—much more comfortable with a toddler than relying on a public bathing area. Do not assume same-day availability, especially on a Saturday, and confirm child policies and the permitted bathing time when booking.
Leave your Yilan hotel at about 7:30am by pre-booked private car, allowing 4.5–6 hours including a toddler break and lunch stop. The driver should use Freeway 5 through the Hsuehshan Tunnel, then continue south on the freeway network; confirm a proper child seat and enough boot space for your luggage. With a young child, it is more comfortable to stop once around Hsinchu or Miaoli rather than trying to drive straight through. After arriving in Taichung, go directly to Rainbow Village in Nantun for a gentle first stop—around 45 minutes is enough for the painted lanes and photographs. It is primarily outdoors, so keep this flexible if rain is heavy; parking and the small lanes can be awkward with a stroller.
Continue by car or taxi for about 15–20 minutes to Chun Shui Tang Original Store in West District, the traditional home of pearl milk tea. Allow about an hour for a relaxed lunch, ordering Taiwanese dishes to share as well as a milk tea; budget roughly NT$250–500 per adult. The restaurant may be busy on a Sunday, so expect a short wait rather than planning a tight departure. Afterwards, it is a short taxi ride to the National Museum of Natural Science, where you can spend around two hours in the indoor galleries. This is an excellent recovery stop after the long drive, with toilets, lifts and plenty of space for a toddler to move around; check the museum’s current Sunday hours and exhibition charges before leaving Yilan, as special galleries may require separate tickets.
Rest at your Taichung hotel before heading to Fengjia Night Market around 5:30–6:00pm. From the museum, allow roughly 20–30 minutes by taxi, depending on traffic. Wander the main lanes around Fengjia Road and Wenhua Road, choosing small portions rather than committing to one large meal: grilled chicken, scallion pancakes, fried sweet-potato balls and fruit drinks are easy to share. Set aside about NT$250–600 per adult, with extra for snacks and drinks. The market is crowded on Sunday, so use a compact stroller or toddler carrier and keep valuables secure; it is usually easiest to meet your taxi on a quieter surrounding street rather than inside the busiest lanes. After this full travel day, return to a hotel in West District for easier access to tomorrow’s city sights, or stay near Fengjia if you prefer a shorter evening transfer.
Make Lihpao Discovery Land in Houli the main event and arrive near opening, usually around 9:30–10:00am. From central Taichung, a taxi or private car takes roughly 40–60 minutes; the TRA train to Houli followed by a taxi is possible, but less convenient with a toddler and bags. Allow five to six hours here rather than trying to cover every attraction. Choose the gentler family rides and indoor areas first, and check the official calendar before going because operating days and individual ride closures can vary. Adult admission commonly runs around NT$1,000–1,500 depending on the park area and promotion, while toddler pricing depends on height; book online if a dated ticket or promotion is required. Keep a stroller or toddler carrier, sunscreen and a light jacket handy—the December weather can be cool and breezy.
Leave Houli after an early snack or late lunch and return to central Taichung, allowing about 45–60 minutes by car. Stop at Miyahara for around 45 minutes to admire the beautifully restored former ophthalmology building and have its generous ice-cream-and-toppings combination. Budget roughly NT$200–400 per person, and expect a queue at popular times; one adult can order while the other keeps your child comfortable. This is better treated as dessert than a full meal, especially after a full day at the park.
Walk or take a short taxi ride to Taichung Second Market, where the traditional food stalls make an easy early dinner. Aim for about 5:30–6:00pm, before the toddler becomes overtired and while more stalls are still serving. Try 山河魯肉飯 for braised pork rice, 王記菜頭粿糯米腸 for turnip cake and sausage, or a simple bowl of noodles and soup; allow NT$200–500 per adult depending on how much you sample. Hours vary by stall and many vendors close early or take a regular weekly break, so keep expectations flexible on Monday. The market is compact but can be crowded, so a stroller may be awkward—use a carrier if practical.
If everyone still has energy, continue by taxi for roughly 10–15 minutes to Yizhong Street Night Market for a short wander of about 60–90 minutes. It is lively, youthful and much busier than a quiet family shopping street, so stay on the wider edges with the stroller and avoid making this a second full dinner. Look for fried chicken, scallion pancakes, fruit drinks and grilled snacks, with roughly NT$100–300 per person for grazing. If your toddler is fading after Lihpao Discovery Land, skip Yizhong Street Night Market and return to your hotel—this is the sensible omission rather than pushing through another late stop.
Leave Taichung around 7:30am by private car so you reach Shuishe Visitor Center at roughly 9:00–9:30am, before the main tour-bus arrivals. Use one of the marked public car parks rather than trying to stop beside the lake; parking around Shuishe fills quickly, especially during holiday periods. The visitor center is useful for checking boat and ropeway operations, weather, and the latest lake conditions. From there, take the gentle Shuishe lakeside trail for about an hour—keep it short with the toddler, as some sections are uneven and a compact stroller is easier than a large one.
Walk to the Shuishe pier for the Sun Moon Lake boat tour, allowing around two hours including queueing and waits. The usual route calls at Xuanguang Temple and Ita Thao, with the boat ride itself broken into manageable stretches for a young child. Services can be reduced or suspended in strong wind or poor weather, so confirm departures before buying tickets; expect roughly NT$300–400 per adult, with child pricing varying by operator. At Ita Thao Old Street, have lunch from several small stalls rather than committing to a long sit-down meal. Look for Ita Thao Barbecue for grilled items, Mochi and peanut or sesame snacks, and Indigenous-style millet or wild-boar dishes; budget about NT$250–600 per adult. The street is compact but busy, so keep the stroller close and allow about 90 minutes.
From Ita Thao, walk a few minutes to the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway station. The round trip takes around 30 minutes, but allow 1–1½ hours for queues and boarding, particularly if tour groups arrive. The cabins give excellent views over the lake and forest, and the ride is usually a highlight for toddlers. Check wind conditions at the station before joining the line, as operations may pause in strong weather. Tickets are generally around NT$300 per adult for a return journey, with discounts and child rules subject to the current ticket policy.
Leave Sun Moon Lake after about 5:00pm, allowing 1½–2 hours back to Taichung; the winding roads can be slow after dark, so keep dinner simple and near your hotel rather than adding another attraction. Ask the driver to stop for a toddler break before leaving the lake if needed. For dinner, Chun Shui Tang’s Taichung locations are dependable for a family meal if you have not already visited, while the Calligraphy Greenway area has plenty of casual restaurants and easier evening strolling. Pack a light jacket—the lakeside can feel noticeably cooler than Taichung, particularly once the sun sets.
After the morning transfer, aim to reach Chiayi around late morning or noon. Staying near Chiayi Station or Wenhua Road makes this afternoon easy on foot and keeps the evening food stops convenient; ask the hotel to hold your luggage if the room is not ready. With a toddler, allow a little extra time for the driver’s rest stop and avoid trying to add Alishan today—the mountain road is better handled separately.
Once you have checked in or dropped your bags, take a short taxi ride to Hinoki Village in the East District. The Japanese-era timber buildings are pleasant for an unhurried 1–1½-hour wander, with shaded paths, small craft shops and plenty of places to stop with a stroller. It is generally open during daytime hours, but shop hours vary; budget roughly NT$100–300 per adult for drinks or small purchases. The wooden paths are mostly manageable, though a compact stroller is easier than a large one.
Walk or take a five-minute taxi to Chiayi Municipal Museum, a compact stop that suits a family better than a large, demanding museum. Allow about an hour, including time for the child to move around; admission is usually free or low-cost, but check the current exhibition and opening schedule before going. If the toddler needs a break, the surrounding East District streets are calmer than the night-market area and make a good reset before eating.
For a late lunch or early dinner, head to Democracy Turkey Rice in central Chiayi. Order the classic turkey rice with simple side dishes rather than planning a long meal—roughly NT$100–250 per adult is sufficient. Portions are quick and informal, and going slightly outside the main lunch rush makes seating easier with a child. A taxi from the museum should take around 5–10 minutes, depending on traffic.
Spend the evening along Wenhua Road Night Market, about a 5–10-minute taxi ride from the turkey-rice shop. This is a relatively manageable first night in Chiayi: browse at toddler pace, share small portions and keep the visit to around 1½ hours rather than trying to eat everything. Look for local snacks such as grilled items, oyster omelette and sweet potato balls, while keeping some food mild for the child; allow about NT$200–500 per adult for grazing.
The road becomes livelier after dusk, and some sections can be crowded, so a toddler carrier is often easier than a stroller. Return to the hotel on foot if you are staying near Wenhua Road, or use a short taxi ride. Keep the night early—the next day’s Alishan drive is winding and is best started rested.
Leave Chiayi at around 6:30am in a pre-booked car with a proper toddler car seat. The drive up Highway 18 takes roughly 2.5–3.5 hours, but allow extra time for toilet stops and the winding sections above the plains. Give your toddler a light breakfast before departure, keep motion-sickness supplies handy, and ask the driver to stop at a roadside viewpoint only where it is safe. Check road closures, fog and weather before setting off; winter conditions can change quickly in the mountains.
After arriving in Alishan, leave luggage with your hotel if the room is not ready and spend about two hours among the cedars and cool, misty forest paths. The Alishan National Forest Recreation Area has uneven surfaces and occasional steps, so a compact stroller plus a toddler carrier is more practical than a large pram. Use the local shuttle where useful and keep the walk gentle rather than trying to cover every trail. For the Alishan Forest Railway, treat the ride as optional: short scenic sections are enjoyable, but seats and services depend on the 2026 timetable, weather and railway operations. Reserve tickets in advance if available, and do not rely on buying a same-day seat for the whole family.
Only continue to Fengqihu Old Street if the roads are clear and everyone is handling the mountain drive well. It is about 1.5 hours by car from Alishan, so this is a substantial outing rather than a quick add-on. Have lunch among the railway-village stalls—try the local Fengqihu railway lunchbox—then allow time for the bamboo paths and old wooden lanes. Keep the toddler close around steps and roadside edges, and confirm with your driver whether the return road is safe before committing; in heavy fog or rain, omit this stop and enjoy a slower afternoon in Alishan instead.
Return to your Alishan hotel before dark and keep dinner simple at the hotel restaurant or a confirmed nearby dining room. Expect roughly NT$300–700 per adult, with fewer choices and earlier closing times than in Chiayi, so arrange dinner before arriving rather than wandering in search of food. This is the right night to stay overnight in Alishan—the long mountain descent back to Chiayi would be tiring and unsafe after a full day. Pack warm layers for the evening; December temperatures can feel distinctly cold, especially with wind and mist.
Keep the morning in Alishan very light and leave by 3:30–4:00pm at the latest in a pre-booked private car with a proper toddler car seat. The drive via Highway 18 and the freeway network takes roughly 5–6 hours, including a meal, fuel and toilet stop; the mountain road is winding, so avoid adding another sightseeing stop. Ask the driver to confirm that the booking includes direct Taoyuan International Airport drop-off, late-night service and enough luggage space. A direct car is expensive—approximately NT$12,000–18,000—but is considerably less stressful than coordinating a last-minute transfer from Chiayi to the high-speed rail and then onward to the airport.
Aim to reach the correct terminal by about 10:30pm, giving you more than three hours before the 1:50am overnight flight to Singapore. Use the airport toilets and changing facilities before check-in, and keep snacks, a change of clothes and the toddler’s comfort items in your cabin bag. Allow time for baggage drop, immigration and security queues, especially if the flight is busy; do not plan a sit-down dinner after arrival, as airport outlets and seating options may be limited late at night. If the car service cannot guarantee the timing, the safer alternative is to leave Alishan earlier and spend the extra time at the airport rather than risking the flight.
No packing list attached yet.