The Perfect 7 Day Itinerary Taiwan: How I Spent 1 Week Here

I honestly had no idea I’d end up loving Taiwan as much as I did. It wasn’t even on my radar this year, I just kinda ended up there because I needed a cheap flight out of the Philippines. But hey, here we are… and wow, Taiwan completely impressed me.

In my opinion, Taiwan is such a beautiful country, so rich in culture, and the food is absolutely incredible. I had never experienced this side of Asia before. Sure, I knew Southeast Asia pretty well, but Taiwan felt totally different, more like a mix of Chinese influence with its own super unique twist. Everything from the language to the food to the way people live… it was all new to me, and I loved it.

I actually spent almost three weeks in Taiwan, which I know isn’t realistic for most people. Most of you probably have a week or two max. So in this travel guide on the perfect 7 day itinerary Taiwan, I’m putting together all my highlights into one amazing week with my favorite places, things to do, and a bunch of tips from my own experience.

Let’s get into it!

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The Perfect 7 Day Itinerary Taiwan: How I Spent 1 Week Here

Why I Love My 7 Day Itinerary Taiwan

When I spent almost three weeks in Taiwan, I realized pretty quickly that my itinerary was way too city-focused. I was hopping from one big city to the next, experiencing all the culture and eating everything in sight (which was amazing, don’t get me wrong).

But every time I finally got out into nature, I felt like I could finally breathe again. It was such a relief to step away from the concrete and just be in the mountains or by the water for a while.

That’s exactly why I built this 7 day Taiwan itinerary the way I did. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t just about ticking off city landmarks, but also about seeing Taiwan’s quieter, greener side. In my opinion, that’s where Taiwan really shines, the misty forests, the sunrise viewpoints, the peaceful lakes. You’ll still get all the excitement and food in Taipei, but you’ll also have space to slow down.

Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Taiwan

Language: Pretty much everything in Taiwan is in Chinese, and most people only speak Chinese too. I definitely recommend downloading Google Translate and using the photo feature, it saved me so many times, especially with food menus.
Weather: Taiwan can get super hot and humid, especially in summer. Even in spring or fall, Taipei can feel pretty sticky.
Public Transport: The public transport in Taiwan is amazing. You’ll mostly use trains and buses, and you can get pretty much anywhere. The high-speed rail is great but not always the best choice since it doesn’t always bring you to the city center and can be expensive.
SIM Cards: Getting a local SIM card at the airport is super easy and cheap. It’s worth it for using maps and Translate on the go, trust me.
Night Markets: Taiwan’s night markets are a huge part of the culture and honestly some of the best food experiences I had. Definitely try them!
Tap Water: Don’t drink the tap water. Bottled water only.
Nature vs. Cities: Taiwan has incredible nature. Even if you love cities, make sure to get out into the mountains or along the coast. You’ll see a whole different side of the country.

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1 Week Itinerary Taiwan

Day 1: Arriving in Taipei – First Impressions & Night Markets

On your very first day arriving in Taiwan, specifically in Taipei, the capital, it’s all about that first culture shock moment. Taipei is so different from anywhere I had been before, and if you’ve never been to Asia at all, it’ll feel even more wild (in a good way of course).

Personally, my favorite thing to do on day one in a new city is just start walking. I love exploring on foot, no big plans, just wandering. In Taipei, some of my favorite areas are around Taipei 101 (there’s tons of cool cafes and food spots nearby), the Ximending walking district, and Dihua Street. Both Ximending and Dihua Street are full of street food, shopping, huge neon signs, there’s just something happening everywhere. For me exploring these areas was definitely an activity in itself.

You can easily do this on your own, which is what I usually do, but if you want a bit more structure, you can join a free walking tour or, even better, a food tour. That way you get to try loads of local dishes while exploring the city at the same time.

In the evening, we will for sure hit up Taipei’s famous night markets. My personal number one is Raohe Night Market. It’s honestly one of the best night markets in the whole country. There’s so much good food, but you have to try the pepper pork buns. It’s the first stall right at the entrance (you’ll see the line, hard to miss).

Book Here: Taipei Walking Tour
Book Here: Taipei Food Tour

Day 2: Explore Taipei – Taipei 101, Temples & CKS Memorial

Since day one was a bit more chill (which is what I always do, I’m usually way too tired to go full sightseeing mode right after arriving), day two in Taipei is when I really start to explore properly.

This obviously depends a bit on where you’re staying. I stayed near Taipei 101 and really liked it, so first thing in the morning I went straight to Taipei 101. The iconic skyscraper that looks like a giant pagoda. Head up to the observation deck for some amazing city views.

After that, I jumped on the MRT (that’s the metro here) and went to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, a massive and super impressive memorial that honestly kind of reminded me of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.

From there, I walked to one of my favorite temples in Taipei: Lungshan Temple. It’s an active temple, so definitely be respectful, but tourists are totally welcome, so don’t be shy!

For the afternoon, you’ve got two options. I went to the National Palace Museum, which is beautiful and full of ancient Chinese artifacts (I’ll be honest though… I thought it was a little boring, but hey, up to you!).

Alternatively, I’d actually recommend Elephant Mountain. It’s only about a 15-minute hike, but the views over Taipei at sunset are incredible and definitely one of my favorite things I did in the city.

Day 3: Day Trip to Jiufen (Spirited Away in Real Life)

Day three of this Taiwan itinerary is all about one of my favorite day trips from Taipei: Jiufen.

Jiufen is this super cute little mountain town about an hour outside of Taipei. It used to be a gold mining town back in the day, but now it’s famous for its amazing views, narrow old streets, beautiful tea houses, and all those red lanterns everywhere. It’s actually the place that inspired the movie Spirited Away, which is pretty cool.

You’ve got a few options for how to visit. I did it all on my own, took the train and bus, which was super easy since public transport in Taiwan is great. I actually stayed a night there, which I loved because you get to see all the lanterns lit up at night. I also did the popular Teapot Mountain hike, which was totally worth it.

Of course, you can also just visit as a day trip. You can do it solo like I did, or book an organized day tour from Taipei if you want it all handled for you (transport, guide, all that).

I honestly loved Jiufen. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s honestly beautiful and it was great seeing somewhere outside of Taipei that feels a little more traditional compared to Taipei.

Day 4: Explore Sun Moon Lake

On day four of our Taiwan itinerary, we’re heading to one of Taiwan’s most famous spots: Sun Moon Lake. I honestly thought it might be overrated, but it was actually super peaceful and such a nice break from the cities.

The easiest way to get here is by bus from Taichung or Taipei (I came from Taichung where I took the train to first and it was super smooth and easy). Once I arrived, I loved enjoying the lake views and cute little villages around the lake.

I rented an e-bike to ride around the lake (highly recommend), stopped at Wenwu Temple for the views, and grabbed some snacks along the way. You can also take the ferry boat across the lake, which is a fun way to see different spots.

I stayed overnight and loved having a slow morning by the water, but you can also do it as a day trip if you’re short on time and head straight back to Taipei afterwards

Day 5: Travel Alishan National Forest

From Sun Moon Lake, I took a bus straight to Alishan National Forest Recreation Area, which is definitely one of my favorite places in Taiwan. After all the cities and busy streets, arriving here felt like finally being able to breathe again.

A bit of background: Alishan used to be a big timber logging area during the Japanese colonial period, which is actually why the famous Alishan Forest Railway was originally built, to transport logs down the mountain. Nowadays, it’s a peaceful, lush forest with thick mist, giant ancient cedar trees, beautiful ponds, and easy walking trails everywhere.

I loved just wandering around the little forest paths, taking in the quiet, and hopping on the tiny scenic trains that run inside the park, they’re honestly such a fun way to explore.

I stayed overnight in one of the lodges inside the forest so I could catch the famous Alishan sunrise the next morning (which I 100% recommend doing). Spending the night here really lets you experience the beautiful mountain atmosphere.

Day 6: Trains, Hiking & Sunrise in Alishan

Day 6 of this Taiwan itinerary we’ll try to catch the magical Alishan sunrise. You’ll need to wake up super early (we’re talking around 4 am), but it’s totally worth it.

You can either take the famous Alishan Forest Railway sunrise train up to Zhushan Station, which is the main sunrise viewpoint, or if you feel energetic, you can also hike up there (though most people take the train).

Watching the sun slowly rise above the sea of clouds and misty mountains is honestly one of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever had in Asia. There’s a reason this sunrise is so famous.

Afterwards, I spent the rest of the morning wandering around the forest trails. Definitely don’t miss the Giant Tree Plank Trail, where you’ll see some of Alishan’s ancient trees like the Alishan Sacred Tree, which is over 3,000 years old, and the Three-Generation Tree. There are also small lakes like Sisters Ponds, which are so pretty.

Later in the afternoon, I made my way back down to Chiayi, the closest city to Alishan. From there, you can catch the train back to Taipei to get ready for the last day of this trip.

Day 7: Last Day in Taipei – Food Tour & Sightseeing

Our last day in Taiwan is for sure going to focus on catching everything we missed in Taipei during those first couple of days, and let’s be honest, there’s always more to eat and explore here.

One absolute must for me was Din Tai Fung, the super famous Taiwanese dumpling restaurant (their xiao long bao soup dumplings are some of the best I’ve ever had). Just know that if you don’t go early or book ahead, you’ll probably have to wait in line, but trust me, it’s worth it.

If you haven’t done a food tour yet, I highly recommend doing one today. It’s the best way to taste all those local dishes you wouldn’t know to try on your own. You also get to explore different neighborhoods and learn more about Taiwanese food culture.

During the day, you can tick off any last sights you missed. Maybe check out Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall again if you want to see the changing of the guards, visit a few more temples, or wander around creative areas like Huashan 1914 Creative Park.

And of course, in the evening, it’s night market time again. If you still have energy (and space in your stomach), head over to Shilin Night Market, one of the biggest and most famous in Taipei. More food, more chaos, more fun, exactly the right way to wrap up an amazing week in Taiwan.

FAQs About My 1 Week in Taiwan Itinerary

Is 7 Days in Taiwan enough?

Honestly, 7 days in Taiwan is a pretty decent amount to get a good first taste of the country. You won’t see everything, but you can definitely squeeze in some of my personal highlights, from city life in Taipei to the forests of Alishan and lakes like Sun Moon Lake.

Is Taiwan expensive to travel?

I think Taiwan is pretty affordable, especially compared to Japan or South Korea. Food is super budget-friendly (night markets are your best friend), and public transport is cheap and efficient. Of course, if you go for fancy hotels and eat at high-end restaurants, you’ll spend more, but you can definitely travel Taiwan comfortably on a mid-range or even a backpacker budget.

Is Taiwan worth visiting?

A huge yes from me. I didn’t even have Taiwan on my radar initially, and now it’s easily one of my favorite places I’ve visited. The mix of amazing food, super friendly people, good public transport, and the contrast between chaotic cities and peaceful nature is so much fun to explore.

What to do in 1 Week in Taiwan?

My personal itinerary is exactly what I recommend: eat your way through Taipei, take a day trip to Jiufen, explore Sun Moon Lake, breathe in the fresh air in Alishan, and make sure to do a food tour (or two!).

Final Thoughts on 7 Day Itinerary Taiwan

I can honestly say Taiwan surprised me. When I first booked my flight, it was more of a spontaneous choice than anything else, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of my travels so far.

What I really loved about this 7 day Taiwan itinerary is how it shows you so many different sides of the country in a short time. From getting lost in the night markets, stuffing your face with dumplings at Din Tai Fung, to standing above a sea of clouds in Alishan at sunrise, it’s a trip that felt like I’ve visited five different places in one week.

If you have more time, of course, I’d recommend staying longer. But even if you’re working with just a week, you’ll leave with a full belly, tired legs, and a camera roll overflowing with new favorite memories.

I genuinely loved my time in Taiwan, and if you’re on the fence about visiting, I say just book that flight. You’ll see what I mean.