After landing at Taoyuan International Airport around 2:00 AM, allow plenty of time for immigration, baggage collection, currency exchange, and getting to Taoyuan HSR Station. The airport-to-station transfer takes about 20–30 minutes by Airport MRT or taxi, but because you are arriving overnight, waiting for transport and clearing immigration may make the full transfer longer. Aim to leave the airport around 5:00 AM and take the earliest practical Taiwan High Speed Rail service from Taoyuan HSR Station to Zuoying HSR Station. The train ride is about 1 hour 40 minutes; door-to-door, plan on roughly 5–6 hours. Reserve the HSR ticket ahead if possible, and keep luggage compact—there is limited room during the morning rush. From Zuoying, take the Kaohsiung MRT or a short taxi ride to Single Inn - Linsen for your planned luggage drop and rest before the afternoon booking.
Have a slow lunch and recovery break near your hotel, then leave for E Sky Mall with a generous buffer. From central Kaohsiung, the MRT to Zuoying is straightforward, but the mall is large and event queues may form before your booked entry. Arrive by about 2:30 PM for the 3:15 PM BTS Pop-Up: Arirang schedule, allowing time to locate the event area and complete any check-in procedure. Keep the afternoon focused on the booking rather than adding another distant attraction; after an overnight arrival and long transfer, this will make the day much more comfortable.
After the pop-up, take the MRT from Zuoying to Formosa Boulevard Station, allowing around 25–35 minutes including walking and platform transfers. Spend about 20–30 minutes at the Dome of Light, especially if you want to photograph the colorful glass panels without rushing. From there, Liuhe Tourist Night Market is only a short walk along Zhongshan 1st Road. Set aside roughly 6:30–8:30 PM for grilled seafood, pepper buns, papaya milk, fruit, and other street snacks; a comfortable food budget is about NT$250–500 per person. The market is generally liveliest in the evening, but individual stalls keep different hours, so treat the timing as flexible. After dinner, return to Single Inn - Linsen on foot or by a short taxi ride and prioritize sleep before tomorrow’s waterfront day.
Start around 9:00 AM from central Kaohsiung and take the MRT to Gushan Station, then walk to the Gushan Ferry Pier. The ferry to Cijin Island takes only about 5–10 minutes and costs roughly NT$30 each way; you can use an EasyCard. Ferries generally run frequently during the day, but allow extra time on weekends and holidays. Once across, rent a bicycle or electric scooter from the harbor area if you have the appropriate license, or explore on foot along the old streets and waterfront. Spend the morning between Cijin Beach, the harbor promenade, and the historic lanes near the ferry terminal. A bicycle makes the coastline much easier, but walking is perfectly manageable if you keep the route relaxed.
Continue to Cijin Rainbow Church for a brief photo stop along the coast. It is an outdoor installation rather than a staffed attraction, so access is generally flexible, although strong sun and wind can make the exposed shoreline tiring. Have lunch afterward on Cijin Seafood Street, where restaurants display fresh seafood for you to choose and cook. Budget around NT$300–600 per person; ask about cooking charges and confirm the price before ordering, especially for larger fish or shellfish.
After lunch, return by ferry to Gushan and take the light rail or a short taxi ride toward Pier-2 Art Center in Yancheng. Allow about 20–30 minutes for the transfer, depending on your connection. Spend roughly two hours wandering through the converted warehouses, outdoor installations, design shops, and graffiti-covered lanes. Most outdoor works are freely accessible, while individual exhibitions may charge around NT$50–200. This is a good place to slow down rather than try to see every building; the area is especially pleasant in the late afternoon when the light softens.
Walk from Pier-2 Art Center toward Kaohsiung Music Center, following the waterfront for around 10–15 minutes. Give yourself about 45 minutes to enjoy the illuminated harbor architecture and open views. Continue along Love River for an easy evening stroll; a short boat ride may be available, usually costing approximately NT$150–250, but departures and operating hours can vary. If you prefer dinner after the walk, the Yancheng area has casual noodle shops, hot-pot restaurants, and cafés, while the riverside is best enjoyed without rushing. Keep an EasyCard topped up for the return MRT or light rail trip, and carry a light jacket—the harbor breeze can feel noticeably cooler after sunset.
Start around 9:00 AM at Lotus Pond in Zuoying, ideally reaching the lakeside before the midday heat. Walk the western shore to see Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, then continue to Spring and Autumn Pavilions and the nearby Confucius Temple. The temples are free to enter, though donations are welcome. From central Kaohsiung, take the MRT Red Line to Zuoying Station and use a short taxi ride or local bus for the final leg; allow about 25–35 minutes door to door. Wear comfortable shoes, as the temples are spread around the lake and some paths are uneven.
Have an early lunch or snack at Ruifeng Night Market, about 10–15 minutes from Lotus Pond by taxi or local bus. It is usually livelier from late afternoon onward, so confirm that the stalls are operating on your visit day; schedules can vary. Budget around NT$200–400 per person for items such as pepper buns, grilled seafood, scallion pancakes, and fruit tea. Keep this stop to about an hour so you have enough time for Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum. From Zuoying, a taxi is the simplest option and takes roughly 30–45 minutes; public buses are cheaper but slower and less frequent. The museum grounds are expansive, with gardens, shrine halls, and the enormous seated Buddha, so allow around three hours. Check the official opening arrangements before leaving, particularly for weekday access, religious events, or transport changes. Admission is generally free, while donations are appreciated.
If you still have energy after returning from Dashu, spend about 1½ hours at Kaohsiung National Science and Technology Museum in Sanmin. This is a good flexible stop because it is indoors and easy to shorten if the day has run long; verify the day’s opening hours and special-exhibition fees before going. Finish at Central Park, where the shaded paths and fountains make for an easy break after several temple and museum visits. From the science museum, take the MRT or a taxi toward Central Park Station and wander for roughly 45 minutes. For dinner, try Duck Zhen near the Central Park and Sinsing area for a classic Kaohsiung-style duck rice meal, or choose a small Taiwanese restaurant along Zhongshan 1st Road; expect about NT$400–800 per person for a relaxed meal. Keep the evening unhurried and return to your hotel by MRT from Central Park Station or by taxi if you are tired.
Take the planned THSR from Zuoying Station around 10:00 AM, allowing roughly 2.5–3.5 hours door to door once you include the walk or MRT transfer from Taipei Main Station to Dan Hostel in Ximending. Since your stated 11:00 AM early check-in overlaps with the train journey, treat 11:00 AM as a luggage-drop request rather than a guaranteed room check-in; standard rooms may not be ready until the property’s normal afternoon check-in time. Keep essentials in a small day bag, and confirm the hostel’s luggage-storage policy in advance.
After dropping your bags, begin with a relaxed walk through the pedestrian lanes of Ximending Walking District, where neon signs, cinema façades, sneaker shops, street snacks, and small boutiques make for easy people-watching. Visit Taipei Tianhou Temple, a compact but atmospheric Mazu temple tucked into the busy shopping area; allow about 30 minutes and dress respectfully. Continue to The Red House, whose historic octagonal building now anchors a cluster of independent design shops and creative studios. The Red House’s shops and exhibits can have varying opening days, so check the official schedule if you want to browse inside; the surrounding plaza is still pleasant for a short stop.
For dinner, stop at Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle in Ximending for its signature thick rice noodles—quick, inexpensive, and ideal after a travel day. Expect roughly NT$80–200 per person, depending on drinks and extras. Then walk or take a short taxi ride toward Taipei Cinema Park in Wanhua, a former industrial site with painted walls, old warehouse structures, and an easygoing arts atmosphere. It is best enjoyed as an unhurried 30–45-minute stroll rather than a major sightseeing stop; some creative spaces may close early, but the outdoor area is usually the main attraction.
Return to Dan Hostel on foot through Ximending, or use Ximen Station if you prefer not to walk. Keep this evening intentionally light after the intercity transfer, and save a full meal or late-night wandering for another night—your Jiufen, Shifen, and coastal day will require an early start.
Leave Ximending around 6:45–7:00 AM and take the MRT or walk to Taipei Main Station. Aim for a 7:30 AM TRA train to Ruifang, then transfer to the Pingxi Line for Shifen. Allow roughly 2–2½ hours door to door, including the transfer and waiting time; check the Sunday timetable because Pingxi Line trains are not frequent. An EasyCard is convenient, though reserved or limited-express services may require a separate ticket.
Spend about an hour around Shifen Old Street, where the railway runs directly through the village. The area is liveliest before midday, so it is a good time for peanut ice cream rolls, grilled sausages, and a lantern photo near the tracks. Then walk or take the local shuttle toward Shifen Waterfall; allow about 1½ hours for the forested path, viewing platforms, and return. Wear shoes with decent grip, especially if the trail is damp.
If the train timing works, continue along the Pingxi Line to Pingxi Old Street for a slower lunch and a look at its old mining-town lanes. Small noodle shops and rice dishes generally cost around NT$250–500 per person. Keep this stop to about an hour and check the next train before eating—if the schedule leaves a long wait, skip it rather than compressing the afternoon. Sunday services can be crowded, and missing one train may add close to an hour.
From the railway area, continue toward Jiufen Old Street by the practical bus connection via Ruifang; allow approximately 45–75 minutes, depending on the connection and traffic. Give yourself around 2½ hours for the narrow lanes, taro balls, fish-ball soup, peanut ice cream rolls, and traditional tea houses. The best experience is to wander slightly uphill and away from the busiest central stretch, then pause at a teahouse for mountain-and-sea views. Bring cash, as many food stalls do not accept cards.
If there is still daylight and the bus schedule lines up, make a brief stop near Tiaoshi Bus Stop for the Keelung Mountain coastal scenery. Treat it as an optional 30–45-minute viewpoint rather than a full hike; the roads and trails become much less comfortable after dark. If buses are delayed or visibility is poor, return directly from Jiufen instead.
For the journey back, use a bus toward Ruifang and take a TRA train to Taipei Main Station, then continue to Ximending. Allow 2–2½ hours from the Jiufen area, and try to begin the return by about 6:00–6:30 PM. Keep a little flexibility for Sunday crowds, and check the final bus and train times before leaving—using a small-group Jiufen–Shifen shuttle tour would be the easier backup if you prefer not to manage several transfers.
Start around 8:30 AM from Ximending. Take the MRT Green Line from Ximen toward Taipei Zoo; the journey takes roughly 35–45 minutes. Arriving close to the 9:00 AM opening gives you cooler temperatures and a better chance of seeing active animals. Spend about three hours exploring only the sections that interest you rather than trying to cover the entire zoo—this keeps the day comfortable. Admission is usually around NT$100, with EasyCard payment commonly accepted; check the official site before going in case of weather-related closures.
After the zoo, walk to Taipei Zoo Station for the Maokong Gondola. Allow 30–45 minutes for the ride and possible queues, and check the operating status that morning because wind or maintenance can suspend service. Get off at Maokong Station and choose a tea house along Maokong Road for a relaxed lunch of Taiwanese tea, noodles, or simple dishes; budget approximately NT$300–700 per person. After lunch, continue to Zhinan Temple, either by a short local bus ride or taxi if you prefer to save your legs. The temple’s hillside terraces have excellent city views, and one hour is enough for a peaceful visit. If the gondola is closed, use the local bus or a taxi from Taipei Zoo instead.
Leave Maokong by gondola or bus around 4:30–5:00 PM and take the MRT from Taipei Zoo toward Taipei 101/World Trade Center; allow about 35–45 minutes, plus time for the transfer. Have your reserved Taipei 101 Observatory evening slot booked in advance—security, ticketing, and elevator queues can add 20–30 minutes. Spend around 1½ hours enjoying the sunset or nighttime panorama, depending on your reservation. Finish in the surrounding Xinyi shopping district, where Taipei City Hall, Songzhi Road, and the malls around Taipei 101 are easy to explore on foot. For dinner, look for Taiwanese food in the mall dining floors or a casual restaurant along Songren Road; budget approximately NT$500–1,000 per person. Return to Ximending by MRT from Taipei 101/World Trade Center, usually taking about 20 minutes.
Because your flight departs at 3:00 AM on November 24, treat this as a late-night airport transfer rather than a normal evening outing. Finish dinner and return to your accommodation in Ximending by about 10:00 PM, then collect your luggage and leave around 10:45–11:00 PM. Walk or take a short taxi ride to Taipei Main Station, allowing extra time for underground corridors and finding the Airport MRT entrance. The Airport MRT is the fastest public-transit option, but its late-night schedule may not provide a suitable departure, so check the official timetable shortly before your trip.
If the final Airport MRT service is too early or does not align comfortably with airline check-in, pre-book a taxi directly from Ximending to Taoyuan International Airport. The road journey is commonly around 45–70 minutes, depending on traffic, and a late-night taxi may cost approximately NT$1,000–1,500. For a 3:00 AM international flight, arriving around 12:15–12:30 AM gives you useful time for terminal navigation, check-in, baggage drop, immigration, and security. Confirm your airline’s minimum check-in time, terminal, and overnight counter hours; if your airline does not accept such an early arrival, an airport-area hotel or arranging with the airline in advance may be more practical than waiting landside.
No packing list attached yet.