Taiwan Trip Itinerary: July 9 - July 13, 2025

Day 1: Arrival & Taipei City Exploration

Morning: Arrive at Taoyuan Airport around 10AM. Take the MRT or taxi to LaVita Hotel Ximending to check in and refresh.

Afternoon: Explore the lively Ximending shopping district nearby for an authentic Taipei urban vibe, street snacks, and boutique shops.

Evening: Visit the Red House Theater area for local arts and enjoy dinner at one of the many night markets—try Huaxi Street Night Market or Ningxia Night Market.

Day 2: Jiufen and Shufen Day Trip

Morning: Take a bus (e.g. Keelung Bus) from Taipei Main Station or Ximen to Shufen. Explore the old railway tracks, waterfalls, and quaint shops.

Afternoon: Continue by bus uphill to Jiufen, famous for its narrow lanes, teahouses, and views. Enjoy local snacks and wander through the charming streets.

Evening: Return by bus or train to Taipei. Relax and have dinner around Ximending or your hotel.

Day 3: Xitou Monster Village & Sun Link Sea Forest

Morning: Take a morning bus from Taipei to Taichung HSR station, then transfer to a bus bound for Xitou Monster Village, a whimsical Japanese-style forest village with unique shops and themed decorations.

Afternoon: From Monster Village, take a local bus or taxi to Sun Link Sea Forest Recreation Area. Hike scenic trails surrounded by Taiwan's exquisite mountain forests and enjoy fresh mountain air.

Evening: Return by bus to Taichung HSR, then take the HSR back to Taipei in the evening. Rest at the hotel.

Day 4: Taipei Cultural & Shopping Day

Morning: Visit Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall for cultural history and grand architecture, followed by a walk in nearby parks.

Afternoon: Head to Taipei 101 for shopping and optionally visit the observatory for panoramic city views.

Evening: Explore Raohe Street Night Market or return to Ximending for last-minute shopping and street food.

Day 5: Departure

Morning: Pack and check out early. Take airport MRT or taxi to Taoyuan Airport for your 10AM departure.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Shufen: 2-3 hours, Bus fare ~ NT$90-120 one way
• Jiufen: 3-4 hours, Bus fare ~ NT$40-60 one way from Shufen
• Xitou Monster Village: 3 hours, Bus fare (Taipei - Taichung HSR ~ NT$700 round trip, plus bus to Monster Village NT$90-150)
• Sun Link Sea Forest: 2-3 hours, Local bus/taxi fare ~ NT$100-200
• Taipei 101 Observatory: 1-2 hours, Ticket ~ NT$600
• Night Markets (Ximending, Raohe, Huaxi): 1-2 hours each, Food/snacks approx NT$100-300 per visit
• Local MRT/Bus rides in Taipei (per day): NT$150-250

Total estimated cost: Approximately NT$3,000 - NT$3,800 per person (including transport, admissions, and food)

Tips

If you'd like to extend your trip, consider adding a day to spend overnight in the Xitou area to explore nearby mountain trails and enjoy the cooler climate at a relaxed pace. Conversely, if you'd prefer a shorter trip, prioritize Day 2’s Jiufen and Shufen visit and skip the Xitou Monster Village and Sun Link Sea Forest excursion, which requires longer travel times from Taipei.