Itinerary · Taiwan
Taipei in 4 Days: A Relaxed Route with Beitou and Jiufen
A relaxed 4-day Taipei route: Palace Museum, Beitou, a Shifen and Jiufen day trip, and Shilin and Ningxia night markets.
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The big picture: what a fourth day adds
Three to four days suits Taipei well. A short weekend fills up with the city highlights and one day trip, but an extra day lets you add the places weekend plans tend to drop: the National Palace Museum, Beitou Hot Springs, sunset on Elephant Mountain and the cafe lanes of Zhongshan.
This plan follows the guide's four-day route. Day 1 covers Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temple, Ximending and Elephant Mountain; Day 2 the Palace Museum, Beitou and Shilin Night Market; Day 3 a Shifen and Jiufen day trip; Day 4 Zhongshan, Taipei 101, Xinyi and Ningxia Night Market. Trim the first and last days to fit your flight times.
For a first visit, Taipei Main Station is the easiest base, with the Airport MRT, high-speed rail and regional trains all meeting there. Ximending suits value and a lively vibe, Zhongshan suits relaxed stays near Ningxia Night Market, and Xinyi suits skyline views and upscale hotels, though hotels there are pricier.
Arrival: from the airport to the city
Taipei has two airports: Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and Songshan Airport (TSA), which sits in the city itself, and many regional flights from Seoul Gimpo, Tokyo Haneda and Shanghai arrive there. Pick up an EasyCard at the airport; it works on the MRT, buses, YouBike and in shops for all four days.
On the Taoyuan Airport MRT, take the purple Express train, not the commuter. Late at night or with lots of luggage, use the official taxi rank.
- Taoyuan Airport MRT Express to Taipei Main Station: about 35-40 min, about NT$150-160
- Airport Bus to Taipei Main Station and hotel areas: about 50-70 min, fares vary by route (check official information); some late-night services
- Taxi from Taoyuan: about 40-60 min, metered (check official information)
- Songshan Airport to the city: brown Wenhu Line MRT, about 10-20 min, about NT$20-30
Day 1: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temple, Ximending, Elephant Mountain
If you land in the morning, drop your bags and start at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, a vast plaza and monumental hall with a changing-of-the-guard ceremony. Entry is free.
In the afternoon, visit Longshan Temple, one of Taipei's oldest temples and busy with local worshippers (also free), then walk into Ximending's pedestrian streets full of snacks and shops.
Around sunset, climb Elephant Mountain. A 20-30 minute stair climb brings you to a free viewpoint facing Taipei 101, and sunset is the most popular time. If you arrive late in the day, this view alone makes a good first evening.
Day 2: National Palace Museum, Beitou Hot Springs, Shilin Night Market
Spend the morning at the National Palace Museum, a world-class collection of Chinese imperial treasures including the famous Jadeite Cabbage. Allow at least 2-3 hours. It is closed on Mondays (with some exceptions), so if Day 2 falls on a Monday, swap it with another day and check official information.
In the afternoon, take the MRT to Beitou Hot Springs, which ranges from public baths to upscale resorts. The public outdoor bath has been closed for renovation, so check official information before you go, and note that Thermal Valley is closed on Mondays.
In the evening, head to Shilin Night Market, Taipei's biggest, liveliest after 6 pm, with fried chicken cutlets, oyster omelets and more. Snacks are about NT$50-100 each, so graze on several.
Day 3: Day trip to Shifen and Jiufen
Day three heads out of the city. Shifen and Jiufen are reached by bus or by train via Ruifang. Release a sky lantern in Shifen first, then move to Jiufen in the late afternoon for the red-lantern hillside town, which is most atmospheric in the evening.
Jiufen is very crowded on weekends, so try to make this a weekday. With four days, it is easy to reorder Days 1-3 around the calendar. Check return transport times with the official source before you set off.
If heavy rain spoils the plan, swap in a city day or Tamsui, which is on the MRT. Carry a small umbrella either way.
Day 4: Zhongshan, Taipei 101 and Xinyi, Ningxia Night Market
Start the last day in Zhongshan's quiet lanes of cafes and boutiques, which sit on two MRT lines.
In the afternoon, explore Xinyi, the modern district around Taipei 101 and its big malls. The 101 observatory is paid, so if you already enjoyed the free view from Elephant Mountain, you could focus on shopping instead. Tourists can claim VAT refunds at stores displaying the TRS sign on qualifying purchases; bring your passport.
Finish at Ningxia Night Market near Zhongshan. If your flight leaves in the evening, shorten the day and work backwards from your departure, allowing for the trip to the airport (about 35-40 min on the Taoyuan Airport MRT Express, about 10-20 min from Songshan by MRT) plus check-in time.
Before you go: food, budget and local rules
For food, expect beef noodle soup at about NT$150-300 a bowl, xiaolongbao at about NT$150-300 a basket, lu rou fan at about NT$40-70 a bowl, bubble tea at about NT$50-80 and summer mango shaved ice at about NT$150-250. Per person per day, budget about NT$1,500-2,000 with hostels, night markets and the MRT, about NT$3,500-4,500 with a 3-4 star hotel and restaurant meals, and about NT$8,000+ with a luxury hotel and fine dining.
Night markets and small eateries are often cash only, so carry Taiwan dollars; convenience store ATMs accept foreign cards. There is no tipping, though some restaurants add a 10% service charge. Eating and drinking, even water or gum, is banned in MRT stations and on trains, and fines apply. Taipei Metro asks riders to hold the handrail and stand on both sides of escalators.
Complete the online Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) on the official site (twac.immigration.gov.tw) within 3 days before arrival. It is free, so avoid lookalike sites that charge fees, and check the National Immigration Agency for who needs it and for entry requirements.
- Best time: October-December and March-April, mild and relatively dry
- Best avoided: May-June plum rains and the hot July-September typhoon season
- January-February is cool and damp, and many shops close for Lunar New Year
- Bring a light layer for strong indoor air conditioning
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FAQ
Is 3 or 4 days better for Taipei?
Both work. Three days covers the main city sights and one day trip; four days adds the Palace Museum, Beitou and Zhongshan at a relaxed pace.
How do I get from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station?
Take the purple Express train on the Taoyuan Airport MRT. It takes about 35-40 minutes and costs about NT$150-160.
Can I visit the Palace Museum and Beitou on a Monday?
The National Palace Museum is closed on Mondays (with some exceptions) and Beitou's Thermal Valley also closes on Mondays. Reorder your days and check official information.
When is the best time to visit Jiufen?
Evening, when the red lanterns are lit. Weekends are very crowded, so go on a weekday if you can.
Do I need to fill in anything before arrival?
Complete the free online Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) on the official site within 3 days before arrival, and check the National Immigration Agency for details.
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