Taiwan is a blend of old and new—it is home to bustling urban areas as well as quiet rural towns. This island is abundantly green, with densely forested mountains surrounding both its cities and countryside. From its iconic night markets to its scenic hiking trails, Taiwan is abundant in activities and sights for visitors and locals alike.
In November 2024, Kevin and I visited Taiwan for the first time. We spent time in Taipei, Shifen, and Jiufen. During our visit, what stood out to me was the people who are warm and honest, the quiet alleyways in busy neighborhoods where you can often find places like temples and coffee shops tucked away, the countless number of mom-and-pop food stalls, the incredible food, and so much more. We only scratched the surface during our visit, and cannot wait to return in the future!
To help plan your own visit, keep reading for our 5-day itinerary and watch my YouTube video.
Table of Contents
Skip ahead to specific places on our itinerary!
• 王記豆腐捲
• Jiufen
• Kebuke
• 7-Eleven
Our 5-Day Itinerary in Taiwan
Day 1—Taipei:
Airbnb in Da'an District: After our flight to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Kevin and I checked into our Airbnb located in the Da'an District. I cannot recommend Stella's home enough—it has everything you need for a comfortable stay (plus, a view of the surrounding mountains).
Yonghe Soy Milk King: Our first meal in Taipei was at Yonghe Soy Milk King, a popular restaurant that serves traditional Taiwanese breakfast. Make sure to try their youtiao (fried dough sticks) with soy milk!
Jack & NaNa Coffee: We quickly noticed the thriving coffee scene with numerous third-wave coffee shops located throughout the city. After having breakfast, we grabbed coffee at Jack & NaNa Coffee—a cozy café that offers an extensive selection of drinks.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: Learn about Taiwan's complex political history and see traditional Chinese architecture at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall—a national monument commemorating Chiang Kai-shek, the former president of the Republic of China.
Lungshan Temple: There are over 15,000 temples in Taiwan. The oldest in Taipei is Lungshan Temple, which was built in 1738. This temple is so beautiful with its ornate decorations and intricate carvings. Growing up in a Buddhist household, this visit felt particularly special—but whether you practice the religion or not, I highly recommend adding this temple to your itinerary!
Fuhong Beef Noodles: We had dinner at Fuhong Beef Noodles, a no-frills restaurant popular with both visitors and locals. Their Taiwanese beef noodle soup is the best we've ever tried—the broth is incredibly rich and the knife-cut noodles are perfectly chewy. Don't forget to pair with their pickled mustard greens!
Day 2—Taipei:
The FOLKS: Kevin and I began our morning with coffee at The FOLKS, another local coffee shop. The owner here is clearly dedicated to his craft—he not only runs the shop, but also designed the shop with his friend!
Qian Ying Restaurant: Qian Ying Restaurant is a neighborhood breakfast spot that's mostly frequented by locals. The family that runs the restaurant is friendly, and you'll often spot their adorable pup here!
Their radish cakes are so tasty—our meal made us feel like we were back at home.
Elephant Mountain: Elephant Mountain is one of Taipei's most popular hiking trails, offering sweeping views of the city. The viewpoint can be accessed through a 0.7-mile out-and-back trail on a steep staircase surrounded by greenery.
Taipei 101: Taipei 101 is one of the most iconic landmarks in Taiwan. This 101-story skyscraper houses a shopping mall with upscale stores, as well as an observation deck with views of the city.
Yongkang Street: Yongkang Street is a lively area with several shopping and dining options. Here you'll find shops from specialty boutique stores to local handicraft stores, as well as eateries from restaurants and bars to food stalls and cafés. This was one of my favorite spots in Taipei—it is the perfect place to find souvenirs to bring home.
While you're in the area, grab a savory snack at Tianjing Chong Zhua Pancake. Their scallion pancakes are warm, fluffy, and flaky—again, the best we've ever had!
Yi Jia Zi: There are thousands of long-standing, mom-and-pop food stalls across Taiwan. For dinner, we headed to Yi Jia Zi which is a food stall that is Michelin guide-recommended for their braised pork belly. Make sure to try their gua bao (braised pork belly in a steamed bun)—their pork belly is melt-in-your-mouth tender!
Linjiang Night Market: Taiwan is known for its night markets, and for good reason. They boast a wide variety of classic Taiwanese dishes at affordable prices. Night markets are also fun and vibrant, often packed with visitors and locals.
We visited Linjiang Night Market with my friend Linh, who was also in Taiwan at the time. The three of us shared dessert at Yu Pin Yuan Tangyuan, which is known for their glutinous rice balls with shaved ice. I recommend trying their rice balls with black sesame and peanut paste which are perfectly chewy and sweet.
Nightlife in Taipei: From intimate bars to lively nightclubs, there’s no shortage of nightlife in the city. We began our night at Ounce, which is a cozy speakeasy where you can often find a mix of visitors and locals. We then walked over to Pawnshop, which is an underground nightclub that feels like a labyrinth with three separate rooms dedicated to house, techno, and disco. I highly recommend the latter, especially if you enjoy EDM—it was such a memorable experience!
End your night with a bowl of beef noodle soup at Taiwan Beef Noodles, which closes (very) late into the night daily.
Day 3—Shifen and Taipei:
紅寶礦工食堂: On the way to Shifen, Kevin and I stopped by 紅寶礦工食堂 on Jingtong Old Street. This café feels like something out of a Studio Ghibli film. We had a quiet, rainy morning here (alongside the owners' adorable cats and dog), enjoying seeing all of the greenery outside. This is a place that I would love to visit time and time again if I lived nearby.
Shifen Old Street: Write your wishes on a lantern and send it into the sky at Shifen Old Street—popular for its sky lantern experience. This street is lined with gift stores and food stalls, with an active railway track that runs through the street. Make sure to stay until you can see the train pass along the track!
While you're on Shifen Old Street, stop by here for an indulgent snack. This food stall sells 大腸包小腸 (small sausage in large sausage) which is a pork sausage that's wrapped in a garlicky, glutinous rice sausage.
Shifen Waterfall: Made up of multiple cascading falls, the dramatic Shifen Waterfall spans over 130 feet in width. The short trail to the waterfall winds alongside a river and through a dense forest, with scenic bridge crossings along the way. Keep an eye out for the diverse bird species that inhabit this area!
Addiction Aquatic Development: After spending the day in Shifen, we returned to Taipei where we visited Addiction Aquatic Development which combines a gourmet seafood market with dining options. This market sells high-quality seafood, both live and ready-to-eat. There are a few dining options, including a sushi bar where we had dinner.
Day 4—Jiufen, Keelung, and Taipei:
王記豆腐捲: Kevin and I shared a quick breakfast at 王記豆腐捲—an unassuming food stall in the Da’an District. I highly recommend trying their sweet and savory beef rolls, made with thinly sliced beef wrapped in a scallion pancake!
Kouli Coffee: Before making our way to Jiufen, we grabbed coffee at Kouli Coffee which offers a quiet retreat from the city's bustling financial district.
Jiufen: Jiufen is a small village nestled in the mountains, and is often referred to as the place that inspired Hayao Miyazaki's film "Spirited Away." Although Miyazaki denies this, this dreamy village does feel like something out of a film or storybook. While you're in Jiufen, I recommend visiting the following:
• Jiufen Old Street: Wander through Jiufen Old Street which twists and turns through narrow, lantern-lined alleyways and staircases. There are countless shopping and dining options in this area.
• A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll: Stop by A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll to try their popular dessert which is a thin pancake filled with peanut ice cream and peanut brittle shavings, and topped with cilantro!
• A Gan Yi Taro Balls: Walk over to A Gan Yi Taro Balls to try another traditional Taiwanese dessert—chewy taro and sweet potato balls served on shaved ice, paired with mung bean and red bean.
• A-Mei Teahouse: A-Mei Teahouse is one of the most photographed spots in Jiufen and for good reason. This traditional teahouse is perched atop a hill overlooking the ocean and surrounding mountains, and its exterior is lined with red lanterns and glass windows.
Zhengbin Port Color Houses: Before heading back to Taipei, we visited the Zhengbin Port Color Houses in Keelung. Overlooking a fishing harbor, this row of colorful, multi-level buildings houses coffee shops and restaurants.
While you're here, stop by Tuman Café and grab a seat by the window to enjoy a cup of coffee with a view of the harbor.
Emperor Palace Hot Pot: With a plethora of hot pot restaurants in the city, choosing one can be overwhelming. We decided on Emperor Palace Hot Pot in the Da'an District, a popular spot serving flavorful broth as well as quality meat and seafood.
Raohe Night Market: Raohe Night Market is one of the city's most popular night markets, with numerous vendors selling a wide variety of food and goods. We came right after dinner, which probably wasn’t the best idea—be sure to visit on an empty stomach!
Day 5—Taipei:
Ruian Soy Milk: Kevin and I began our last day with breakfast at Ruian Soy Milk. This restaurant offers a variety of breakfast staples, from soup dumplings and pork buns to scallion pancakes and radish cakes.
Kebuke: Taiwan is famous for its boba milk tea, with several of its chains expanded internationally. After breakfast, we made our way to Kebuke and had some of the best milk tea we've ever tried. I highly recommend ordering their signature black milk tea which is the perfect balance between the bold flavor of the black tea and the sweetness of the milk.
7-Eleven: Before our flight, we stopped by a 7-Eleven near our Airbnb to grab snacks. 7-Elevens are quintessential in Taiwan, often serving as more than just a convenience store. Here you can find ready-to-eat meals, snacks, beverages, health and wellness products, and much more. For visitors (like us), they are so fun to visit as they offer a far wider selection of food than those in the United States.
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