Itinerary Taipei, Hualien & Tainan

October is one of the very best months to visit Taiwan: pleasant temperatures (22–28°C), low humidity, clear skies, and minimal typhoons make it ideal for exploring cities and hiking.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	$1,600
🏨 Accommodations	$1,100
🧳 Gear	$120
🗺️ On-site	$890
Total	$3,710

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇹🇼 Taipei - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Taipei 101 Observatory ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Iconic skyscraper with panoramic city views. Go at sunset for amazing photos.
• [ ] 🗺️ Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) Hike ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Short but steep hike. The cityscape view is breathtaking, especially late afternoon.
• [ ] 🛕 Longshan Temple ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Historic Buddhist temple; observe locals practicing traditions.
• [ ] 🏛️ National Palace Museum ⭐⭐⭐ (~2.5h)
  • Vast collection of Chinese imperial artifacts. Download the audio guide.
• [ ] 🏛️ Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Monumental square, changing of the guards every hour.
• [ ] 🌳 Daan Forest Park ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Taipei’s “Central Park”; rentable bikes, birdwatching.
• [ ] 🎨 Huashan 1914 Creative Park ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Art exhibitions, pop-up shops, trendy cafés.
• [ ] 🏙️ Ximending District ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Vibrant youth culture, shopping, quirky street performances.
• [ ] 🏛️ Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall ⭐ (~1h)
  • See the changing of the honor guard; peaceful gardens.
• [ ] 📷 Shilin Night Market area (by day) ⭐ (~1h)
  • See old temples and shops before the night crowds.
• [ ] 🌳 Beitou Hot Springs Park/Museum ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Learn about Taiwan’s hot spring history, soak in public baths.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Taipei Ounce ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Speakeasy with creative cocktails—reservation recommended.
• [ ] 🏙️ Maokong Gondola & Teahouses ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Scenic cable car + tea-tasting overlooking city lights.
• [ ] 🍸 Bar Mood Taipei ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Award-winning cocktails, energetic ambiance.
• [ ] 🏮 Shilin Night Market ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Taiwan’s best-known night market: street food paradise.
• [ ] 🏮 Raohe Street Night Market ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Locals’ favorite for black pepper buns and snacks.
• [ ] 🏮 Ningxia Night Market ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Compact, authentic, great for food hopping.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Din Tai Fung (Xinyi) ⭐⭐⭐
  • World-famous soup dumplings (xiaolongbao); ~$15/person.
• [ ] 🍜 Ay Chung Flour-Rice Noodles ⭐⭐
  • Legendary thick noodles in savory broth; ~$5/bowl.
• [ ] 🍜 Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice ⭐⭐
  • Iconic local comfort food; ~$6/person.
• [ ] 🍜 Addiction Aquatic Development ⭐⭐⭐
  • Sushi/seafood market; top-grade sushi, ~$30/person.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Miramar Ferris Wheel (~1.5h)
  • Fun for skyline views, but a bit far from city center.

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🇹🇼 Hualien & Taroko Gorge - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏞️ Taroko National Park: Shakadang Trail ⭐⭐⭐ (~2.5h)
  • Easy riverside hike with blue-green waters.
• [ ] 🏞️ Taroko National Park: Swallow Grotto Trail ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Dramatic cliffs and river views.
• [ ] 🌉 Qingshui Cliffs ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Jaw-dropping ocean cliffs; photo stop en route.
• [ ] 🏞️ Baiyang Trail and Water Curtain Cave ⭐⭐ (~2.5h)
  • Can get wet in the cave—bring a rain jacket (flashlight, too).
• [ ] 🏛️ Hualien Cultural Creative Industries Park ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Galleries/artist’s studios, relaxed vibe.
• [ ] 🏖️ Qixingtan Beach ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Pebble beach, great for sunrise.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍻 Salt Lick by Salt Pig Cafe ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Craft beer, American BBQ, live music nights.
• [ ] 🍜 Dai Ji Wonton Restaurant ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Homestyle wontons; cozy local spot.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Dongdamen Night Market ⭐⭐⭐
  • Fusion of aboriginal and traditional snacks; ~$10–15/person.
• [ ] 🍜 Gongzheng Baozi ⭐⭐
  • Famous steamed buns; $2–3/portion.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏞️ Liyu Lake (~1.5h)
  • Serene cycling and picnicking, peaceful but a bit out of town.

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🇹🇼 Tainan - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Chihkan Tower (Fort Provintia) ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Historic Dutch fort; exhibits on colonial Taiwan.
• [ ] 🏛️ Anping Old Fort (Fort Zeelandia) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Western end of Tainan; key history and sea views.
• [ ] 🏙️ Shennong Street ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Charming street with old houses, boutiques, cafés.
• [ ] 🏛️ Confucius Temple ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Peaceful, historic grounds and museum.
• [ ] 🎨 Blueprint Culture & Creative Park ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Art and design shops in a navy base setting.
• [ ] 🛕 Koxinga Shrine ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Shrine to a Taiwanese hero with lovely grounds.
• [ ] 🏛️ Hayashi Department Store ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Retro-style shopping center—rooftop views.
• [ ] 🌳 Tainan Park ⭐ (~1h)
  • City’s green lung, flowering in October.
• [ ] 🏛️ Great South Gate ⭐ (~0.5h)
  • Part of the old city’s defensive walls.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🏮 Garden Night Market ⭐⭐⭐ (~2.5h)
  • Street food heaven, local crafts and affordable fun.
• [ ] 🍸 TCRC Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Stylish speakeasy, historical building.
• [ ] 🍜 Dain-Dain Hamburger ⭐
  • Quirky Taiwanese “hamburgers,” local favorite.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 A Xia Shrimp Rolls ⭐⭐⭐
  • Legendary local specialty; ~$6.
• [ ] 🍜 Chou’s Shrimp Rolls ⭐⭐
  • Another institution for shrimp rolls; $5–7/portion.
• [ ] 🍜 Fuye Yam Rice ⭐⭐
  • Comfort food: steamed rice with taro and pork; ~$8.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Sicao Green Tunnel boat tour (~2h)
  • Mangrove canoeing; tranquil and scenic.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇹🇼 Taipei

• [ ] 🎬 Yi Yi (2000) — ⭐ 8.1 — Subtle family drama set in Taipei — Criterion
• [ ] 📺 Light the Night (2021) — ⭐ 7.4 — Nightclub intrigue, 1980s Taipei — Netflix
• [ ] 🎬 Monga (2010) — ⭐ 7.0 — Gangster drama in 1980s Wanhua — Amazon Prime

🇹🇼 Hualien

• [ ] 🎬 Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above (2013) — ⭐ 7.7 — Stunning aerials of Taiwan’s landscapes — YouTube
• [ ] 🎬 Tunnel (2017) — ⭐ 6.9 — Railway disaster thriller filmed in Hualien — Viki

🇹🇼 Tainan

• [ ] 🎬 Cape No. 7 (2008) — ⭐ 7.1 — Romantic comedy filmed in Southern Taiwan — Netflix
• [ ] 🎬 Kano (2014) — ⭐ 7.9 — Baseball, colonial era, shot in and around Tainan — Netflix

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🍜 Local specialties

🇹🇼 Taipei

• [ ] Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings)
• [ ] Beef noodle soup
• [ ] Gua bao (Taiwanese pork bun)

🇹🇼 Hualien

• [ ] Mochi rice cakes
• [ ] Wild boar sausage (aboriginal cuisine)
• [ ] Steamed pork buns (baozi)

🇹🇼 Tainan

• [ ] Danzai noodles
• [ ] Shrimp rolls
• [ ] Coffin toast

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇹🇼 Taipei

1. 🌤️ Taipei 101 Observatory
2. 🌙 Shilin Night Market
3. 🛍️ Eslite Dunnan Bookstore
4. 🏨 Hotel Resonance Taipei
5. 🍽️ Din Tai Fung (Xinyi)

🇹🇼 Hualien

1. 🌤️ Taroko National Park: Shakadang Trail
2. 🌙 Dongdamen Night Market
3. 🛍️ Hualien Cultural Creative Industries Park
4. 🏨 Lakeshore Hotel Hualien
5. 🍽️ Gongzheng Baozi

🇹🇼 Tainan

1. 🌤️ Anping Old Fort
2. 🌙 Garden Night Market
3. 🛍️ Shennong Street shops
4. 🏨 Silks Place Tainan
5. 🍽️ A Xia Shrimp Rolls

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Taipei (TPE)
• [ ] 🚅 Taipei → Hualien
• [ ] 🚅 Hualien → Tainan (via Taipei changing trains)
• [ ] 🚅 Tainan → Taipei (return, if flying out from TPE)
• [ ] ✈️ Taipei (TPE) → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Taipei	3	Hotel Resonance Taipei	$490
Hualien	2	Lakeshore Hotel Hualien	$320
Tainan	2	Silks Place Tainan	$290
Total	7 nights		$1,100

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Enjoy delicious street food, vibrant night markets, world-class hiking, and cultural treasures — October is a fabulous time to experience Taiwan at its finest!