The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is a symbol of Taiwan’s democracy and a must-see landmark in Taipei. The extravagant white building stands on a 250,000 square-meter site and has a museum inside dedicated to former president Chiang Kai-Shek.
The Taipei 101 used to be the tallest building in the world. The observatory on the 89th and 91st floor offers breathtaking views of the city. It’s the perfect place to experience Taipei's skyline and cityscape. Besides being a tower, Taipei 101 is also home to a world-class shopping center and several high-end restaurants.
Sun Moon Lake is a picturesque alpine lake in central Taiwan surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. The lake is named after the shapes of the eastern and western shores that resemble a sun and a moon. The area around the lake is home to the Thao tribe and features several scenic bike trails around the lake.
Taroko National Park is one of the most stunning natural attractions in Taiwan. The Taroko Gorge, the centerpiece of the park, is a 19-kilometer long canyon surrounded by gorgeous marble cliffs. The park has several hiking trails, including the Baiyang Trail and the Shakadang Trail, and is perfect for nature lovers.
The Beitou Hot Springs are located in Taipei's northern suburbs and are known for their relaxing waters. The area is also abundant in hot spring hotels and resorts that offer hot spring baths and spas. Beitou’s hot springs area is a more luxurious experience, featuring high-end resorts and private hot spring rooms, perfect for a relaxing end to the five-day itinerary.
For this itinerary, it’s best to rent a car with a driver to get around. It can be pricey, but it allows for more flexibility and convenience, especially for a luxury trip. It costs around NT$12,000-NT$15,000 for an eight-hour rental. Another option is to use public transportation, which is pretty affordable and easy to navigate. However, travel time may increase, and accessibility to some areas may be limited.
If you have more than five days, consider adding nearby cities and attractions like Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Jiufen. If you have less than five days, you can skip Taroko National Park and Sun Moon Lake and focus on Taipei's city attractions.
Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is the main international airport in Taiwan. It's located in Taoyuan City, approximately 40 km from downtown Taipei. Another airport is Songshan Airport (TSA), the domestic airport located in Taipei City, about 10 km from the city center.