Taiwan in 5 Days

  • Day 1: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
    12 minutes (5.2 km) from Taipei 101

    The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a national monument and landmark in Taipei. It's dedicated to the former President of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-shek. Visitors can witness the changing of the guard ceremony and view exhibits about President Chiang's life.

  • Day 2: Beitou Hot Springs
    50 minutes (19.7 km) via MRT from Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

    Beitou is the most famous hot spring area in Taiwan. Visitors can relax in public or private hot springs, visit the Beitou Hot Springs Museum, and explore the area's nature and history at the Beitou Thermal Valley and the Beitou Plum Garden.

  • Day 3: Sun Moon Lake
    4 hours (230 km) via bus from Beitou Hot Springs

    Sun Moon Lake is a scenic lake in central Taiwan surrounded by mountains and forests. Visitors can enjoy boat tours, cycling, hiking, and visiting attractions like the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, the Wenwu Temple, and the Ci'en Pagoda.

  • Day 4: Taroko Gorge
    4 hours 30 minutes (229 km) via train and bus from Sun Moon Lake

    Taroko Gorge is a stunning natural wonder in eastern Taiwan. Visitors can hike and admire the marble cliffs, waterfalls, and scenic views like the Eternal Spring Shrine and the Qingshui Cliffs.

  • Day 5: Jiufen Old Street
    3 hours 30 minutes (177 km) via train and bus from Taroko Gorge

    Jiufen Old Street is a charming historic street in northeastern Taiwan. Visitors can walk through narrow alleys, admire views of the sea and mountains, try traditional snacks and tea, and visit landmarks like the Jiufen Shengping Theater.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (1-2 hours, free)
  • Beitou Hot Springs (3-4 hours, TWD 200-400)
  • Sun Moon Lake (6-8 hours, TWD 300-500)
  • Taroko Gorge (8-10 hours, TWD 500-800)
  • Jiufen Old Street (2-3 hours, TWD 200-400)

  • Total Estimated Costs: TWD 1200-1900 or £30-50

Transportation

To travel around Taiwan, visitors can use public transportation like MRT, buses, and trains. The Taipei MRT is efficient, clean, and easy to navigate, while Taiwan Railways and High-Speed Rail offer comfortable and affordable train rides to major cities and attractions. Visitors can also use taxis or car rentals, but they should be aware of traffic congestion and different driving rules.

The estimated travel costs are around TWD 1000-1500 or £25-40 per day.

Useful Tips

If visitors have more time, they can explore other attractions like the National Palace Museum, the Yehliu Geopark, or the Kenting National Park. If they have less time, they can skip some attractions or reduce the duration of each visit. Visitors should also check the weather forecast and wear appropriate clothing and shoes for each activity.

Airports

Taiwan has several airports, but the main international gateway is Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) near Taipei. It's located 40 km west of Taipei and offers various transportation options like MRT, bus, taxi, and car rental. Other airports include Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) in the city center, Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) in southern Taiwan, and Taichung International Airport (RMQ) in central Taiwan.

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