RoutesEast Asia
Two Weeks Around Taiwan
A round-island rail loop of night markets, marble gorges, temples and mountain lakes.
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Dotted path is schematic (great-circle-ish arcs between stops), not a transport route.
Stop by stop
Click a stop (or its pin on the map) for costs, country facts and what to do there.
1Taipei TWNight markets, the National Palace Museum and the Elephant Mountain trail.3 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Taipei or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
train to Ruifang and bus · about 1.5 hours
2Jiufen TWThe old street and teahouses in the evening, with a side trip to Shifen or Jinguashi.1 night
We do not hold a full destination profile for Jiufen or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
bus to Ruifang and express train to Hualien · about 3.0 hours
3Hualien TWTaroko Gorge (open sections only) and the Qixingtan coast.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Hualien or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
train · about 2.5 hours
4Taitung TWHot springs at Zhiben and the Indigenous cultural sites around the city.1 night
We do not hold a full destination profile for Taitung or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
South Link train to Fangliao and bus to Kenting · about 4.0 hours
5Kenting TWBeaches, Eluanbi Lighthouse and the coastal forest of Kenting National Park.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Kenting or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
express bus · about 3.0 hours
6Kaohsiung TWThe Pier-2 Art Center, Lotus Pond and the harbour light rail.1 night
We do not hold a full destination profile for Kaohsiung or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
train · about 1.0 hours
7Tainan TWTemple-hopping, Anping Fort and a day of eating through the old snack stalls.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Tainan or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
high-speed rail to Taichung and bus to the lake · about 3.5 hours
8Sun Moon Lake TWCycle the lakeside path and take a boat across to Ita Thao.1 night
We do not hold a full destination profile for Sun Moon Lake or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
Taipei and the northeast coast
Taipei offers night markets such as Shilin and Raohe, Taipei 101, the National Palace Museum's collection of Chinese imperial art and short hikes up Elephant Mountain, all linked by an efficient metro. A train and bus ride reaches Jiufen, a former gold-mining town on a hillside above the sea whose lantern-lit teahouses and narrow lanes draw crowds of day-trippers; an overnight stay allows the town to be seen once they leave.
Down the east coast
The east coast railway runs between the Central Mountain Range and the Pacific. Hualien is the base for Taroko Gorge, a marble canyon in Taroko National Park. The April 2024 earthquake damaged trails and roads in the park, and sections have reopened in stages, so current access is worth checking with the park authority. South of Hualien, the East Rift Valley and Taitung offer hot springs, rice fields and Indigenous culture, before the South Link line crosses the southern end of the island towards Kenting National Park, with beaches, raised coral coast and tropical forest at Taiwan's southern tip.
Kaohsiung, Tainan and Sun Moon Lake
Kaohsiung, the main southern port city, has the Pier-2 Art Center, the dragon and tiger pagodas on Lotus Pond and a light-rail line around the harbour. Tainan, the island's former capital, is often described as Taiwan's food capital, with a dense concentration of historic temples, Anping Fort and long-established snack stalls. The final stop is Sun Moon Lake in the central mountains, reached by high-speed rail to Taichung and a direct bus, with a lakeside cycle path, boat crossings and the Ita Thao village of the Thao people. Buses return to Taichung for the high-speed train to Taipei and the airport.
Practical notes
Visas: Many nationalities can enter visa-free for a set period, which varies by passport; the Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs publishes the current list. Transport: Taiwan Railway trains on the east coast and South Link line, the high-speed rail on the west coast and local buses for Jiufen, Kenting and Sun Moon Lake. A stored-value transit card covers metros, buses and many local trains. Express trains on the east coast often sell out at weekends and holidays. Weather: October to November and March to April are usually the mildest months. The plum rains arrive around May and June, typhoons are most likely from about July to October, and northern winters are cool and damp. Budget: The mid figure assumes mid-range hotels and guesthouses, reserved express train seats, one high-speed rail leg, local buses and park and museum entry. Safety: Crime levels are low. Earthquakes and typhoons are the main natural hazards, and mountain roads can close after heavy rain. Government travel advisories are worth checking before departure.