Taipei is one of my favorite cities. I’ve spent days, if not weeks here but I also love exploring easy to get to destinations from Taipei. It’s the perfect launchpad for exploring northern Taiwan and other parts of the country.  Some of Taiwan’s most scenic locations, historic towns, and natural parks are just a short trip away. This post outlines my favorite and most recommended day trips from Taipei that are definitely worth your time and effort.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Summary Day Trips from Taipei: Taipei is an incredible city with an abundance of things to do and attractions. I think Taipei deserves a minimum of two days to visit. But if you are extending your stay in Taipei or just want to see more of Taiwan, there are many great day trips from Taipei that are worth your time.   Top Day Trips from Taipei: Yangmingshan National Park Jiufen Yehliu Geopark Considering a day trip from Taipei? I recommend booking a day trip through Viator, Klook, or Get Your Guide, you can browse the many fun and exciting tours and activities.  Day Trips from Taipei Taipei is an incredible city and deserves time to explore. But if you want to see more of what Taiwan has to offer without spending to much time and hassle, there are many great day trips from Taipei that are both easy and offer a new experience.  My list of day trips from Taipei here includes a nice mix of other cities, national parks, and fun experiences. Yangmingshan National Park One of the closest day trips from Taipei is Yangmingshan National Park. This volcanic area is a must when visiting Taipei and is so easy to get to.  There are a few popular hiking trails like Qingtiangang and Xiaoyoukeng that really showcase this national parks beauty and geothermal activity.  The Qingtiangang Grasslands were one of my favorite areas of Yangmingshan National Park and it was here where I saw the wild water buffalo.  If you are looking to hike in Taiwan, visit hot springs, spot wild water buffalo, and see beautiful nature, then Yangmingshan National Park is definitely the place for you!  Getting to Yangmingshan National Park from Taipei If relying on Public Transit to access Yangmingshan National Park from Taipei, then taking the local bus is the most affordable and easiest option. From Taipei Main Station, take the City Bus 260 to Yangmingshan Bus Terminal. You can check the Taipei eBus website for routes and times.  Jiufen One of the most popular day trips from Taipei is Jiufen. When visiting Jiufen, you get a slice of all things Taiwan in one small town. Jiufen offers a blend of history, culture, scenic beauty, and delicious food!  Jiufen is known for its narrow alley ways, traditional teahouses, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.  While exploring Jiufen, make sure to walk Jiufen Old Street, sample food at the vendors, and take a break at one of the teahouses. You can’t miss a photo opportunity of Amei Teahouse.  Getting to Jiufen from TaipeiFrom Taipei Main Station, take the local train on the Yilan Line to Ruifang Station. When exiting Ruifang Station, head to the bus stop and hop on the Local Bus 788 or 1062 to Jiufen.  The day we visited Jiufen, we opted to take a taxi to and from Ruifang Station. It’s about a 10-15 minute drive.  👉 For more information about Jiufen and things to do, I have a dedicated post: Day Trip to Jiufen.  Houtong Cat Village If you are a cat lover as much as we are, then I highly recommend visiting Houtong Cat Village.  A day trip to Houtong Cat Village from Taipei can be combined with a trip to Jiufen. Houtong Cat Village is a charming destination that got its start as a coal mining town but has since become a tourist attraction due to the abundance of cats that live here.  Not only are adorable cats found throughout Houtong but there are a lot of cat themed sculptures, cafes, and souvenir shops.  Getting to Houtong Cat Village from TaipeiTake the Pingxi Line from Taipei Main Station.  👉 Want to learn more about visiting Houtong Cat Village? I have a post that covers getting there, things to do, and all things cats. The Purrfect Day Trip to Houtong Cat Village from Taipei.  Yehliu Geopark Located along northern Taiwan’s stunning coast is Yehliu Geopark. Known for its unique rock formations like the iconic Queen’s Head or Fairy’s Shoe, this natural wonder is one of the most popular day trips from Taipei. There are a few hiking paths at Yehliu Geopark, but the main attraction is walking along the coast meandering through the rock formations. Keep an eye out for fossils.  Getting to Yehliu Geopark from TaipeiFrom Taipei Main Station go to the Kuo-Kuan Bus Taipei Terminal and look for the Bus #1815 headed toward Dharma Drum Mountain. Get off at Yehliu Bus Station.  👉 For more information on visiting Yehliu Geopark, feel free to read my post on Visiting Yehliu Geopark from Taipei.  Keelung City Visiting Keelung as a day trip from Taipei is an easy way to experience the beautiful coast of Northern Taiwan not to mention there is a lot to do in Keelung.  Keelung is known for its famous Night Market, it’s often regarded as one of the best night markets in Taiwan.  Other things to do in Keelung include seeing the unique geology and coastal views at Heping Island Geopark, having fun riding the Shen’ao Rail Bike, and taking the Keelung Tower to Zhongzheng Park.  Getting to Keelung from Taipei There are a few ways to get to Keelung from Taipei, I recommend either the bus or train. If taking the bus, at Taipei Main Station head to Taipei East Gate 3 and wait at the bus stop for Bus #1813. Bus #1813 goes directly to Keelung from Taipei. The bus journey to Keelung is about 35 to 50 minutes depending on traffic.  If taking the train there are multiple trains that go to Keelung from Taipei Main Station. These leave roughly every 15 to 20 minutes. The train ride from Taipei to Keelung is around 45 minutes. Pinglin Taiwan’s tea capital, Pinglin is just an hour away from Taipei. A day trip to Pinglin is perfect for those that want to explore Taiwan’s tea culture.  I recommend booking a Pinglin Tea Plantation tour. This is the best way to arrive in Pinglin, learn about the tea culture, and enjoy a tea brewing ceremony. The tour also stops at an observation deck for views of the Thousand Island Lake, beautiful!  👉 Interested in a Pinglin Tour? I have a post on Touring the Pinglin Tea Plantations with information on the tour, how to book it, and what to expect.  Taichung A day trip from Taipei to Taichung is definitely doable, but I recommend starting the day off early as there is a lot to see in Taichung. We stayed in Taichung over the course of a weekend and still didn’t get to see everything we wanted to. But traveling to Taichung from Taipei is only an hour train ride on the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR).  Once in Taichung, most attractions are within walking distance from the city center. I recommend going to Jianguo Public Market, visiting the National Museum of Natural Science, and going to Chun Shui Tang, the birthplace of Bubble Tea.  One of Taichung’s most popular tourist destinations is Rainbow Village. It’s a quick and easy stop from Taichung’s HSR Station.  Taroko National Park One of the most beautiful places in Taiwan is Taroko National Park. Known for it’s stunning marble gorges, mountain forests, and turquoise rivers, Taroko Gorge is a top-rated natural attraction that is a must-see!  I highly recommend staying in Hualien and spending a few days in the Taroko Gorge area, but if that is not an option, a day trip from Taipei is possible.  A local tour is one of the best ways to explore Taroko Gorge. A tour includes transportation and a guide. Here are guided tours to Taroko Gorge from Taipei: Shared Full Day Tour of Taroko National Park from TaipeiPrivate Tour Taroko Gorge from Taipei Conclusion There are an abundance of top-rated attractions and must-see destinations just outside Taipei that make for the perfect day trip. From the small alley ways to explore at Jiufen to the natural wonders of Yehliu Geopark, these destinations are ideal if you are looking to maximize your Taipei itinerary. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️ 🇹🇼    Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖 🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars.

Welcome to my Taichung Travel Guide – this guide is especially helpful for those that are spending a quick weekend in Taichung. Or if you are just visiting for the first time and want to hit the main attractions, eat great food, and explore this colorful and vibrant city!  Taichung is not only the birthplace of Bubble Tea but it is also known for its pleasant weather, artistic neighborhoods, delicious night markets,  fascinating museums. From walking around the iconic Rainbow Village to trying Bubble Tea at Chun Shui Tang, Taichung offers a nice mix of city atmosphere, relaxing spaces, rich culture, and amazing food.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Summary Why Visit Taichung: Taichung is a vibrant city with plenty of things to do and see. Taichung is the birthplace of bubble tea and is known as a foodie city.  Top Things to do in Taichung: Visit the National Museum of Natural Science. Rainbow Village. Bubble Tea at Chun Shui Tang.  Consider taking a Sightseeing Walking Tour With a Local Guide to see the main highlights and learn about Taichung along the way.  Where is Taichung Taichung is located in the central part of Taiwan on the western side of the island between Taipei and Kaohsiung. Taichung is about 170 km (105 miles) south of Taipei.  Getting to Taichung Taiwan is well connected and getting to Taichung is easy. The Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) between Taipei and Kaohsiung stops at Taichung. From here, you can walk to Xinwuri Station and take the local train to Taichung Station, located in the city.  There is also an airport in Taichung, Taichung International Airport that has both domestic and international flights. You can read more about flying into Taichung and taking the HSR below.  Taichung International Airport Taichung International Airport is situated about 20 km from downtown Taichung. The airport serves as a hub for both domestic and international flights. For international flights to and from Taichung, there are destinations to places like Incheon, Macau, Hanoi, Hong Kong, and Okinawa.  Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) All HSR trains that travel between Taipei and Kaohsiung make a stop in Taichung.  From Taipei or Kaohsiung, the HSR travel time is about 50 minutes to an hour. The HSR runs frequent, about every 10 – 15 minutes.  You can buy tickets at the train stations or even convenience stores. When purchasing a HSR ticket, you can either do a reserved seat or non-reserved.  Both times we took the HSR, the reserved seats were already booked and the non-reserved carts were full, so we had to stand the entire time.  When you get to Taichung HSR, walk toward Xiwuri Station to take the train to Taichung Main Station. Just note, around the Taichung Station in town, there are a lot of homeless people that camp around the station. They are harmless.  Where to Stay in Taichung Taichung offers a wide variety of places to stay from budget hostels and mid-range hotels to places you can truly splurge on. A lot of it to, just depends on the area of Taichung you are staying in.  Based on price, proximity to the Taichung Station, and activities in the area, I stayed two nights at the Old School Hotel in the East District of Taichung.  Old School Hotel A 5 – 10 minute walk from Taichung Station is the Old School Hotel (Central Land Hotel). Not only is it close to the station but it is within walking distance to many major attractions like the Jianguo Public Market, Miyahara, and some of the huge malls in Taichung.  We chose to stay here because of the location, distance to the train station, budget, and of course decent online reviews. So, for my Taichung Travel Guide, I highly recommend the Old School Hotel.  Staff was friendly, the rooms were big, the hotel was clean, there was a few convenience stores around, and 12 Bubble Tea shops between the hotel and train station, we counted!  I booked a couple nights at the Old School Hotel (Central Land Hotel) using the Agoda app, it’s also listed on Booking.com.  Old School HotelAddress: No. 65 Dazhi Rd, East District, Taichung City, Taiwan 401Coordinates: 24.1339683, 120.6850337Website: Official Hotel Website What to do in Taichung If you are looking for things to do in Taichung for a quick weekend getaway or simply for a day, trust me, you won’t be bored!  Taichung offers a nice mix of tourist attractions, relaxing parks, and night markets. Below is a list of some of the things we did in Taichung over the course of a weekend.  Explore the Jianguo Public Retail Market I absolutely love starting my day off in a local market. It doesn’t get better then walking through aisles full of fresh produce, seafood caught hours ago, and chunks of meat hanging out in the open.  Taichung has many markets scattered throughout the city, but Jianguo Public Market is a must visit! This is the largest market in Taichung, you could spend a few hours here exploring. It’s more of a fresh market though and not a food market. Sure, there are some food items that can be purchased and side restaurants, but this is where locals go to buy their produce, meats, spices, and other culinary delights.  Address: No. 500, Jiancheng Rd, East District, Taichung City, Taiwan 401Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 5:00 am – 12:00. Closed Mondays Visit the National Museum of Natural Science If you are traveling to Taichung with kids or it’s a rainy day in the city, then I highly recommend visiting the National Museum of Natural Science.  I love Natural Science Museums, so I visited on a sunny day and thoroughly enjoyed the museum. You could spend an entire day here, but I was short on time, so I spent probably around 3 hours at the museum. The museum covers a lot of exhibits from local archaeological finds to dinosaurs.  For kids, there are a lot of hands and interactive displays. It’s a great place for the whole family to come together, learn, and have fun!  Address: No. 1, Guanqian Rd, North District, Taichung City Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 am – 17:00. Closed MondaysAdmission: General Admission is NT$100Website: National Museum of Natural Science National Taiwan Museum of Comics I feel like this doesn’t make your average Taichung Travel Guide, but I recommend adding a brief stop at the National Taiwan Museum of Comics to your Taichung itinerary.  It’s a unique attraction that is free and doesn’t take to much time.  Build within the historic Taichung Prison Officers Quarters, the museum is comprised of several Japanese colonial-era buildings. Within the buildings you can find comics and art.  For me, the giant Banyan Tree on the grounds was the most impressive site. Based on the visible roots, you can see where a house used to be. Address: No. 33, Linsen Road, West District, Taichung CityHours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 18:00. Closed Mondays Walk the Liuchuan Riverside Walk I think the Liuchuan Riverside Walk is a newer addition in Taichung. It was constructed to clean up the river system and create an environment that people can enjoy and relax at both during the day and night.  The riverwalk is only about 300 meters long but it’s a nice stroll. Apparently at night it is lit up and especially around holidays and special occasions. Relax at one of the Parks I was surprised at how green Taichung was. There were so many parks, riverwalks, and greenspaces, scattered throughout the city.  Many of the parks I visited were pretty busy and active. Whether it’s people jogging on the trails or taking paddle boats around the city ponds.  Some of the parks and greenspaces I recommend visiting in Taichung include Yogquan Park, Taichung Park, Shin Sei Green Waterway, and the Calligraphy Greenway.  If you are wandering around Taichung and need a place to rest and relax, find a park and enjoy!  Rainbow Village Prior to visiting Taichung, I was doing my research and read that the Rainbow Village in Taichung is the most popular attraction.  Rainbow Village is in the Nantun District, not far from the HSR Station. We took an Uber to the Rainbow Village from the station and jumped in a taxi on the way back. Price wise it was the same, NT$272. What’s so special about Rainbow Village? It’s a small yet vibrant cluster of houses and structures that are painted with colorful murals depicting people, animals, designs, and local Taichung art.  Rainbow Village was started by a former soldier, Huang Yung-Fu. He first painted his home and due to its popularity, his artwork spread to a few nearby homes.  Rainbow Village is a fun and quirky. It was much smaller then I expected. Sure, it’s great for photos and Instagram but I don’t think it is worth going out of your way for. If you have time to spare before or after the train station, by all means, go! Address: Zhanqu 1st Rd, Wuri District, Taichung CityHours: Daily from 8:00 am – 18:00Fee: Free Get a Taiwanese Foot Massage At the end of a long day on your feet while traveling, what better way to finish your night then a cheap yet professional foot massage.  We get foot massages every night when we visit Taiwan. It’s so cheap and so necessary after a long day.  You can find massage parlors everywhere in Taichung, simply look one up nearest to you and go.  One we went to that I really recommend is called, 金角養生館. Address below.  Address: No. 32 Section 4, Fuxing Rd, East District, Taichung CityHours: 11:00 am – 24:00 The Birthplace of Bubble Tea Taichung is renowned as being the birthplace of bubble tea. Taichung definitely lives up to being the capital city of Bubble Tea as it seemed that every other storefront sold Bubble Tea.  I mentioned earlier, just a 5-10 minute walk from the train station to our hotel, there were 12 Bubble Tea shops. Of course, they sold everything from fruit tea to milk tea. Chun Shui Tang Original Store Every Taichung Travel Guide will say that you have to go to Chun Shui Tang, the Bubble Tea shop that started it all. I highly agree, and we did. We went to the original Chun Shui Tang and waited about 20 minutes to be seated.  Chun Shui Tang began in 1983 and the founder, Liu Han-Chieh served cold tea with tapioca pearls which ultimately led to the first bubble tea.  When visiting Chun Shui Tang, you kind of have to try the Pearl Milk Tea, this is their claim to fame. On a hot day, it was fantastic. Although I prefer the fruit tea over milk tea, it was still really good. The food here was delicious as well. Treat yourself to a nice meal and bubble tea!  Chun Shui Tang has multiple locations around Taichung, the original store’s address is below. Chun Shui Tang has exploded all over Taiwan and can even be found at Taoyuan International Airport.  Address: No. 30, Siwei St, West District, Taichung CityHours: 8:00 am – 22:00 Where to Eat in Taichung Taichung is a great city for foodies. You have the morning markets, great restaurants, small sit down eateries, and incredible night markets!  My recommendation is to check out a morning market, grab lunch at a restaurant, and sample bite sized dishes at the night markets for dinner.  Below is a listing of some of the recommended places to eat in Taichung City from Night Markets to Vegetarian sit down places.  Zhongxiao Road Night Market Zhongxiao Road Night Market was about a 10 minute walk from the Old School Hotel we were staying at. Since