Taiwan

~ marks an estimate. Budgets are per day in US dollars. Check services and fares before setting out.

1. 01

   Taipei

   Taiwan · Daily budget ~$49

   A slower, cheaper counterweight to major Asian capitals, Taipei blends tea houses, night markets, galleries, and historic landmarks with modern districts. Its MRT and rail links make city neighborhoods and mountain escapes easy to combine.

   Taipei →to Jiufen

   Bus~$3.55

2. 02

   

   Jiufen

   Taiwan · Daily budget ~$69

   Jiufen is a preserved gold-mining village in Taiwan's northeast hills, known for lantern-lined lanes, tea houses, and taro-ball desserts. Its atmospheric alleys and Pacific panoramas make a compact half-day visit with a strong sense of mining history.

   Jiufen →to Hualien

   Transport details are not recorded.

3. 03

   

   Hualien

   Taiwan · Daily budget ~$77

   Hualien sits between the Pacific Ocean and the Central Mountain Range, serving as a base for Taroko Gorge. The city also rewards a stay with indigenous culture, night markets, stone sculpture art, and a relaxed east-coast atmosphere.

   Hualien →to Taroko Gorge

   Bus~48 min~$4.02

4. 04

   

   Taroko Gorge

   Taiwan · Daily budget ~$51

   A 19-km rocky canyon surrounds a blue-green river and tree-lined hiking routes, from easy walks to strenuous trails. Staying overnight in Tianxiang or Xincheng can help hikers start earlier and beat crowds.

   Taroko Gorge →to Taitung

   Transport details are not recorded.

5. 05

   

   Taitung

   Taiwan · Daily budget ~$47

   A relaxed East Rift Valley city between mountains and ocean, Taitung combines quiet fields with Japanese-era houses and Indigenous communities. Its artistic atmosphere, bike loop, markets, and nearby islands reward a slower stay.

   Taitung →to Kenting National Park

   Train~$8.45

6. 06

   

   Kenting National Park

   Taiwan · Daily budget ~$54

   Kenting National Park combines southern Taiwan beaches, coastal cliffs, tropical forests, and dramatic geological landscapes. It suits travelers seeking surfing, forest walks, fresh seafood, and a relatively local beach-town atmosphere.

   Kenting National Park →to Kaohsiung

   Bus~3 h~$12

7. 07

   

   Kaohsiung

   Taiwan · Daily budget ~$48

   Kaohsiung is a relaxed southern Taiwan metropolis with beautified waterfronts along the Love River. Its wider streets, lighter traffic, and lower prices create an easygoing base for exploring southern Taiwan.

   Kaohsiung →to Tainan

   Train~30 min~$5.77

8. 08

   

   Tainan

   Taiwan · Daily budget ~$49

   Tainan layers Dutch forts, Qing temples, and Japanese buildings with a famously snack-focused food scene. A compact old center makes it easy to combine historic sites, night markets, and local noodles on foot.

   Tainan →to Sun Moon Lake

   Transport details are not recorded.

9. 09

   

   Sun Moon Lake

   Taiwan · Daily budget ~$59

   Set 760 metres above sea level amid a mountain backdrop, the lake is a peaceful base for cycling and boat trips. Ita Thao village, temples, and the Thao people's living culture add depth to a slower escape from Taiwan's major cities.