Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
From Singapore, allow roughly 2–3 hours from landing at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to your hotel in Taipei. Immigration and baggage collection can take 45–90 minutes; then follow the signs to the Airport MRT. The express train reaches Taipei Main Station in about 35 minutes, but allow 45–60 minutes overall for walking and luggage. For a family of five with suitcases, a pre-booked airport transfer or two taxis may be more comfortable, especially if arriving late. Pick up EasyCards at the airport for later MRT and bus rides, and leave your luggage at the hotel before sightseeing.
In the late afternoon, take the MRT to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. The vast plaza and National Concert Hall area are especially atmospheric as the light softens; allow about 1½ hours, and check the ceremonial guard-change schedule if your children would enjoy it. From there, walk or take a short taxi ride to Yongkang Street for an easy first taste of Taipei—browse the small shops and snack stalls rather than trying to cover every side lane. As this is your arrival day, keep the pace relaxed and expect some jet lag.
For dinner, head to Din Tai Fung (Xinyi Road), a dependable choice for a mixed-age family and a good introduction to xiaolongbao. Expect approximately NT$500–900 per person; queues are common, so take a number early and allow around 1½ hours. If everyone still has energy and the sky is clear, finish at the Taipei 101 Observatory. Reserve timed tickets ahead, particularly during the December–January holiday period, and allow about 1½ hours including the elevator queue and viewing decks. If visibility is poor or the children are tired, skip the observatory tonight—Taipei 101 is more enjoyable on a clear evening, and the building is easy to revisit by MRT.
Start in Wanhua at Longshan Temple, ideally around 8:30–9:00 AM. From central Taipei, take the MRT Bannan Line to Longshan Temple Station; the temple is beside Exit 1. Allow about an hour to watch the morning prayers and incense rituals—this is an active place of worship, not simply a sightseeing stop. Entry is free, though modest clothing and quiet behavior are appreciated. Afterwards, walk about 8 minutes north to Bopiliao Historical Block, where red-brick arcades and restored Qing-era buildings make for an easy, atmospheric wander. It generally opens from late morning into the afternoon, so if the interiors are not yet open, enjoy the lane and return later only if convenient; the exterior streets are the main draw and cost nothing.
Take the MRT or a short taxi ride toward Herb Alley and Dihua Street in Dadaocheng—roughly 15–20 minutes door to door. Wander slowly through the dried-herb, tea, fabric, and festive-goods shops; some stores open around 9:00–10:00 AM, while smaller family businesses may open later. This is a good place to buy snacks and gifts, but keep children close near shop displays and remember that many traditional stores are cash-only. Continue south along Dihua Street to Xiahai City God Temple, a small, very busy neighborhood temple famous for matchmaking traditions. Allow about 45 minutes, and avoid blocking the entrance during prayers; donations are welcome but not required.
From the temple, walk around 15 minutes west to Dadaocheng Wharf for an unhurried riverside break. The promenade is particularly pleasant in the late afternoon, and you can usually find cafés or simple stalls nearby, though river-cruise and stall schedules vary by season and weather. Around dusk, head back inland to Ningxia Night Market, about a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride. Plan roughly two hours and NT$250–500 per person for dinner; choose small portions so everyone can share several dishes, such as oyster omelet, fried taro balls, grilled seafood, or sesame chicken. The market is usually busiest from about 6:00 PM onward, so go slightly early with children if you prefer shorter queues. Taipei MRT and buses remain convenient afterward; use an EasyCard, and expect a 10–20-minute walk from the nearest station depending on your hotel.
After breakfast, take the MRT Tamsui–Xinyi Red Line from central Taipei to Beitou, then change to the short Xinbeitou branch line. Allow about 35–45 minutes door to door, including the platform change; an EasyCard is easiest. Begin at the Beitou Hot Spring Museum, a beautifully restored Japanese-era bathhouse where your family can spend around 45 minutes learning how the district became Taiwan’s most famous hot-spring area. Check the current opening hours before leaving, as museums in Taiwan commonly close one weekday each week.
Walk uphill through Beitou Park for roughly 10 minutes to Beitou Thermal Valley. The sulphurous steam and turquoise water are most atmospheric in the cooler morning air, but stay on the marked paths and keep children close—the basin is extremely hot. Return downhill toward Beitou Public Library, beside the park, for a quiet look at its timber-and-glass architecture and a short rest. The library is free; please keep voices low, and treat it as a working public facility rather than only a photo stop.
Continue to Xinbeitou Historic Station, about a five-minute walk from the library. The restored wooden station makes a pleasant 30-minute heritage stop, and the surrounding streets are easy for a relaxed wander. From here, take a taxi up the hillside to Marshal Zen Garden—walking is steep and uncomfortable with young children. Allow roughly 10–15 minutes by taxi depending on traffic, and reserve ahead if possible: the tea-based lunch is popular, seasonal opening arrangements can change, and a family of five may need a larger table. Budget approximately NT$500–900 per person, then linger for the mountain views and Japanese-era atmosphere for about two hours.
For the return, taxi back down to Xinbeitou Station rather than waiting on the hillside for a bus, then take the branch line and connect at Beitou for Taipei. Allow around 45–60 minutes from the restaurant to your hotel, including the taxi and MRT transfer. If everyone still has energy, buy a small snack near the station before boarding; otherwise, keep the evening easy, as the hot-spring district is best enjoyed without rushing.
After breakfast, take the Xinbeitou branch line back to Beitou, then continue on the MRT Red Line to Tamsui. Allow 45–60 minutes door to door; leaving around 8:30–9:00 AM gives your family a comfortable start. Begin at Tamsui Old Street, where the riverside lanes are easiest to explore before the afternoon crowds. Let the children sample small portions of fish balls, iron eggs, and local pastries while you browse the traditional shops; budget roughly NT$100–200 per person for snacks.
Walk about 10 minutes inland to the Little White House, a compact historic residence with shady gardens and white arcades. It usually opens from around 9:30 AM, though hours can vary, and admission is generally free or nominal. Continue on foot toward Fort San Domingo—allow 15–20 minutes, mostly uphill in places—and spend about an hour among the old red-brick buildings and terraces. Check the current opening day before setting out, as historic sites may close on a regular weekday.
Return toward Tamsui Old Street for an a-gei and fish-ball lunch before heading farther west. Try a traditional shop such as Original Ah-Gei or Wenhua A-Gei; seating is simple, portions are filling, and NT$200–400 per person is sufficient. From the old street, take a local bus or taxi to Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf—a taxi is easiest for five people and usually takes 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. The waterfront is best treated as a slow walk: follow the boardwalk, pause for drinks or shaved ice, and cross Lover’s Bridge for broad river and sunset-facing views. Allow about two hours, with comfortable shoes and a light jacket in winter; the wind off the water can be surprisingly strong.
Return to central Tamsui by bus or taxi, then take the MRT Red Line back toward Taipei. If everyone still has energy, have an early dinner around the station rather than forcing another sightseeing stop. Keep an EasyCard topped up for the return journey; the MRT is the most predictable option, while taxis are useful if the children are tired or you are carrying leftover snacks.
Leave Tamsui around 8:00 AM in your pre-booked private van or taxi to Jiufen; allow 1½–2 hours, since the coastal roads and mountain approach can slow considerably. For five people, a van is much easier than changing buses, especially with luggage. Arrange either hotel drop-off or luggage storage before departure—many Jiufen guesthouses have steep stair access, so confirm where the vehicle can stop. Begin with about two hours wandering Jiufen Old Street, arriving before the busiest tour groups. Browse the covered lanes for taro balls, peanut ice-cream rolls, and savoury snacks, but keep small cash on hand and expect uneven steps.
Late morning, walk to Shengping Theater, a compact museum tracing Jiufen’s mining-town and cinema history. Allow around 45 minutes; opening hours can vary, so treat this as a flexible stop rather than a fixed admission. The lanes around the theater are quieter than the main market—an enjoyable place to pause and look down toward the coast before lunch.
Have tea and lunch at a traditional Jiufen tea house, choosing a window or terrace table for the layered mountain-and-sea views. A tea service typically costs about NT$400–800 per person, and the meal can take 1–1½ hours. Let the staff guide you through the brewing; this is one of the day’s best opportunities to slow down rather than rush between sights.
After lunch, take the van roughly 10–15 minutes to Jinguashi Gold Museum. Allow about two hours for the historic buildings, mining displays, and open-air grounds. The museum is generally open during daytime hours but may close on a regular weekly day, so verify the schedule before leaving Taipei; admission is usually modest, around NT$80–100 for adults, with concessions for children. Wear comfortable shoes—the site involves slopes and outdoor walking, and the weather can be cool, wet, and windy in winter.
Leave Jiufen around 4:30 PM by your pre-booked van or taxi for Taipei, allowing 1½–2 hours and extra time for traffic on the mountain road. If everyone is tired, ask the driver to drop you directly at your hotel rather than adding another stop. Keep dinner simple near your accommodation after arrival; Jiufen’s day is more enjoyable when you leave before the evening traffic and avoid trying to combine this outing with another Taipei attraction.
Take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 965 from Jiufen Old Street to Ruifang Station, then meet your pre-booked private driver there. Allow 20–30 minutes for the bus and a little extra time for waiting, as mountain-road services can be affected by traffic. At Ruifang Station and Old Street, spend about an hour picking up drinks and easy snacks—rice balls, scallion pancakes, and boxed pastries travel well in the van. Confirm that the driver can stop at the coastal viewpoints and wait while your family walks; parking is limited at several stops.
Continue along the coast to Nanya Rock Formation, roughly 25–35 minutes from Ruifang depending on traffic. The rock layers and sea-carved shapes are best photographed from the roadside viewpoint, but keep children well back from the edge, particularly in windy or wet weather. There is no substantial visitor facility here, so use the restroom and buy water in Ruifang first. From Nanya, it is about 15–20 minutes by van to Bitou Cape Trail.
At Bitou Cape Trail, allow 1½–2 hours, choosing the shorter out-and-back section if the children are tired or the weather is damp. The path includes steps and exposed stretches, but the views over the Pacific are excellent; wear shoes with good grip and bring sun protection even in winter. The small parking area can fill on weekends, so having a driver drop you near the trailhead and wait in an agreed location is much easier than relying on a bus. After the walk, continue about 15 minutes to Longdong Bay for a slower hour among the cliffs and broad sea views. This is a good place to let the children stretch their legs, but avoid the water in rough conditions and stay away from wet rocks.
Have your main meal at a seafood restaurant near Aodi or Fulong, timing it for the late afternoon before the return drive. Look for a busy family-run dining room displaying the day’s catch; order several shared dishes such as steamed fish, squid, fried prawns, vegetables, and soup rather than individual set meals. Budget approximately NT$500–900 per person, depending on the seafood selected. Restaurants in these smaller coastal communities may close earlier than city restaurants, so ask the driver to call ahead, especially outside peak weekends.
After dinner, use the Ruifang-area private van return to head back toward Jiufen or Taipei, allowing about 1½–2 hours and more if returning during evening traffic. If you are staying in Taipei, have the driver drop you directly at the hotel; if staying in Jiufen, arrange a precise guesthouse drop-off because narrow lanes and limited parking make the final approach awkward. Keep the evening free—after the trail and coastal stops, the family will appreciate a simple meal or early night rather than another attraction.
Take a morning TRA local train from Ruifang to Keelung; allow 25–35 minutes, plus waiting and the short walk from your accommodation to Ruifang Station. For a family of five, leave around 8:00–8:30 AM so you reach the harbor before the day warms up. Trains are straightforward with an EasyCard, though check the Taiwan Railway app the night before for platform and service details.
From Keelung Station, take a taxi to Keelung Maritime Plaza—about 10 minutes and roughly NT$150–250 per taxi, depending on traffic. Spend around 45 minutes along the waterfront, looking across the working harbor and up toward the surrounding hills. From there, continue by taxi to Zhongzheng Park; the uphill road is not especially pleasant on foot, and the ride usually takes 10–15 minutes. Allow about 1½ hours for the hillside paths, viewpoints, and the enormous white Guanyin statue. Bring water and shoes with good grip, as some paths and steps can be damp.
Have an early lunch near the park or back in central Keelung, then take a taxi toward Heping Island Park, allowing 20–30 minutes depending on harbor traffic. The park is best treated as a slow coastal walk rather than a quick photo stop: explore the eroded sandstone formations, sea pools, and broad viewpoints for around two hours. Admission is usually about NT$80 per adult, with reduced or free entry for some children; opening hours and access to the water areas can change with weather, tides, strong winds, or maintenance, so check the official notice before setting out. If conditions are rough, stay on the marked paths and do not enter closed sea pools.
Return to central Keelung by taxi or local bus and spend the evening at Keelung Miaokou Night Market. Start near the market’s central lanes and let everyone choose small portions rather than committing to one large meal. Look for the famous crab thick soup, tempura, pepper buns, butter crab, and the sweet shaved-ice stalls; budget roughly NT$250–500 per person. It is liveliest after 5:30 PM, but the narrow lanes become crowded, so keep younger children close and carry cash in small denominations.
After dinner, walk back to Keelung Station—usually 10–15 minutes—or take a short taxi if the children are tired. Return to Taipei by TRA train, allowing about an hour door to door including station access; buses are also possible but are more vulnerable to evening traffic. If you are staying near Taipei Main Station, the train is generally the least stressful option.
From Keelung, allow roughly 1½–2 hours to reach Houtong Cat Village, changing at Ruifang Station for the Pingxi–Shen’ao line. Leave early—around 7:30–8:00 AM is sensible—as trains on the branch line are infrequent. Check the Taiwan Railway timetable the night before, and consider a one-day pass if you expect several rides; otherwise, an EasyCard is convenient. If your family is carrying bags, use station lockers at Ruifang Station where available.
Spend about 1½ hours wandering Houtong Cat Village, keeping voices low around the cats and residents. The former mining settlement is best enjoyed slowly: look for old railway buildings, hillside viewpoints, and small cafés rather than trying to find every cat. Continue to Houtong Coal Mine Ecological Park for roughly an hour, where mining relics, industrial structures, and railway heritage give the village more context. Wear shoes with good grip, particularly in December or January when paths can be damp.
For Shifen Waterfall, arrange a local taxi from Houtong rather than relying on a complicated sequence of rural buses; the short road transfer is usually the most practical option for five people. Allow around 1½ hours at the waterfall, including the walk from the entrance and time at the viewing platforms. The paths involve steps and can be slippery after rain, so bring light rain jackets and avoid standing too close to the spray. A simple lunch can be taken before or after the waterfall at one of the small eateries near Shifen Old Street—choices are basic, but noodles, fried snacks, sausages, and grilled corn are easy for a family to share.
Continue to Shifen Old Street in the late afternoon. The railway runs directly through the market street, so stand well clear of the tracks and follow shopkeepers’ instructions when a train approaches. This is a good place for an unhurried snack stop, with about NT$200–400 per person sufficient for casual food and drinks. Lantern shops are common, but ask about prices and disposal arrangements before purchasing; skip the activity if the weather is poor or the children are tired.
Return to Taipei by train, allowing 1½–2 hours and extra time for a missed connection or wet-weather delays. Because evening services are not frequent, check the next departures before settling into dinner. If the family is exhausted, a pre-arranged private transfer from Shifen is more comfortable, though it will cost considerably more than the railway. Keep dinner simple near your Taipei accommodation rather than adding another sightseeing stop; this is a long day, and the rural train ride back can be tiring.
Leave Pingxi early—around 7:00–7:30 AM is sensible—for the train via Ruifang to Taipei Main Station, then continue by MRT on the Wenhu Line to Taipei Zoo Station. Allow 2–2½ hours door to door, including the transfer and a little waiting time; this is a long start, so have breakfast before boarding or pick up something at the station. Buy an EasyCard if you have not already, and check the Taiwan Railways timetable the evening before since branch-line services are not frequent.
Spend a relaxed three to four hours at Taipei Zoo, starting with the larger outdoor habitats while everyone still has energy. The zoo is extensive, so use the internal shuttle if operating and avoid trying to see every enclosure. Entry is inexpensive—typically around NT$100 for adults, with reduced fares for eligible children—and the grounds usually open in the morning, but confirm the current hours and any animal-area closures before setting out. Afterward, walk to the nearby Maokong Gondola station; allow time for the queue, especially on weekends or holidays.
Take the Maokong Gondola uphill, choosing a crystal cabin only if the queue is manageable; the regular cabins are perfectly fine and often move faster. The ride and waiting time together can take about an hour each way, and service may pause in strong wind or close for scheduled maintenance, so check the official status that morning. At the top, settle into a Maokong tea house for a countryside-style meal and locally grown tea. Budget roughly NT$400–800 per person; order gradually if possible, as some tea houses charge by pot and add separate minimum or service fees. Leave time for the views rather than rushing back down.
Return by gondola and take the MRT from Taipei Zoo toward Songshan, allowing around 40–50 minutes. Finish at Raohe Street Night Market, where a practical family strategy is to share several small portions: pepper buns, grilled seafood, scallion pancakes, and sweet potato balls make an easy dinner for about NT$250–500 per person. At the eastern entrance, spend 30–45 minutes at Songshan Ciyou Temple, whose illuminated rooflines are especially striking after dark. It stands directly beside the market, so you can visit before eating or after your first snack round; keep the temple visit quiet and avoid blocking worshippers during prayers.
Keep your last morning light and organized. After breakfast, take the MRT to Shilin Station, then use a taxi for the short uphill ride to the National Palace Museum; walking from the station is possible but not pleasant with children. Arrive near opening time and allow about 2½ hours for the highlights, including jade, ceramics, paintings, and rotating exhibitions. Check the museum’s current hours and exhibition notices beforehand, as special displays may require a separate ticket or timed entry. Admission is commonly around NT$350 for adults, with concessions and child policies varying by exhibition.
From the museum, take a taxi or bus downhill to the Shilin Official Residence, allowing roughly 10–15 minutes depending on traffic. Spend about an hour in the gardens and former residence grounds; the open lawns make this a useful final chance for the children to stretch their legs. Garden access and indoor exhibition opening hours can differ, so treat the residence interiors as optional if your departure schedule is tight. Pick up drinks or a simple snack around Zhongshan North Road before returning to central Taipei.
Head to Taipei Main Station by MRT from Shilin Station—the Red Line takes about 15–20 minutes—or take a taxi if you have several suitcases. Have your final meal at the Taipei Main Station food court, where each family member can choose independently; budget approximately NT$200–500 per person. Leave about an hour to eat, use the station facilities, and collect luggage from your hotel or luggage storage. Do not leave this until the last minute: allow extra time for the walk through the station and for retrieving bags.
For Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, the Airport MRT express service from Taipei Main Station takes about 35 minutes to Terminal 1 or 39 minutes to Terminal 2, but budget 60–75 minutes door to door for reaching the platform, handling luggage, and any waiting. Aim to leave central Taipei at least 3–3½ hours before your Singapore flight; add more buffer during school holidays or if checking bags. Confirm the correct terminal before boarding, and keep passports, tax-refund documents, medicines, and valuables in your hand luggage.
No packing list attached yet.