Recommended Day Trips from Taipei: Nature, Culture, & Getaways
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.
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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.
If you are looking to hike in Taiwan, visit hot springs, see wild water buffalo, and see beautiful nature, then Yangmingshan National Park is definitely the place for you!
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.
For more information about Jiufen and things to do, I have a dedicated post: Day Trip to Jiufen.
Getting to Jiufen from Taipei
From 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.
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 Taipei
Take the Pingxi Line from Taipei Main Station.
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 Taipei
From 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.
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!
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 Taipei
Private 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.
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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.
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I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
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