This post is written in partnership with KKday Singapore.
We’ve visited Taiwan multiple times over the course of our digital nomad journey! The place has that magical allure that keeps us going back.
Just a short 4.5-hour flight away from Singapore, Taiwan offers a wide variety of food options that cater to our tastebuds. It’s always a feast whenever we visit Taiwan!
There’s also a wide variety of activities to do, from shopping at Xi Men Ding to cultural experiences at Jiu Fen. No two trips to the island are ever the same!
If you’re planning a week-long trip to Taiwan, this guide is for you! We’ll share our itinerary, together with some tips for your upcoming trip!
Getting to Taipei
Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is the most common gateway to Taipei. Numerous daily direct flights to Taipei from Singapore give you plenty of flexibility in timings and budget.
From Taoyuan International Airport, there are plenty of ways to get to the city centre. You can choose to take private transfers, public direct buses or the Taoyuan Airport MRT. Regardless of the option you choose, you’ll be able to easily get to the city centre within an hour.
You can search for and book your flights to Taipei through KKday, a Taiwanese Online Travel Agency, so you’ll be assured that solid local recommendations are guaranteed. KKday is currently offering some promo codes when you book your flights through them!
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KKday is currently having a promotion with Taiwanese airline STARLUX! Using the following promo codes, you can get up to 10% off your next STARLUX booking through KKday.
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Additionally, Taiwan Tourism Administration is giving away Taiwan travel vouchers worth NT$5,000 (~S$219) to individual travellers visiting Taiwan! Be one of the 500,000 tourists to win exciting vouchers via a raffle draw. Find out more here.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Getting to Taipei
After landing at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), make your way to Taipei’s city centre with any of the convenient options available.
| Taoyuan Airport MRT | Link to book via KKday |
| Public Shuttle Bus | Link to book via KKday |
| Private Airport Transfer | Link to book via KKday |
Visit Taipei’s Night Markets for Dinner
Once you’ve checked into your hotel, catch a short rest and freshen up, head to one of Taipei’s famous night markets to get a first taste of their delicious street cuisine.
2 of the most popular night markets, in our opinion, are the Shihlin Night Market and Raohe Night Market. Shihlin Night Market is a much larger night market and is more tourist-centric. In addition to street food, you can also find souvenirs and carnival game shops!
On the other hand, Raohe Night Market is a smaller night market that has a more local flair. If you’re looking for something more traditional, then Raohe Night Market might be a better option for you!
Day 2 – Day Trip around Taipei
Magical Jiu Fen Old Street
Fans of Spirited Away will have heard of the Jiufen Old Street. Even if you haven’t, this is one spot you have to visit when visiting Taipei!
About 1.5 hours away from Taipei City is the former gold mining town of Jiufen. Wander along the streets of Jiufen Old Street and try out some local delicacies like taro balls and stinky tofu!
Marvel at Yeh Liu
Nearby Jiu Fen in New Taipei City, you’ll find the unique geological park of Yeh Liu. Here houses otherworldly rock formations, which have been sculpted by years of marine erosion, weathering, and crustal movement.
To make your itinerary to Jiu Fen and Yeh Liu a lot more convenient, you can find plenty of day trip tours to these places on KKday! With these tours, you won’t have to worry about transfers between the different locations, which can take up a significant part of your vacation time. Download KKday on iOS or Android and start booking your tours to Taiwan!
Link to book via KKday!
Use SHRUGKKDAY for up to 10% off your KKday bookings.
Day 3 – Day Trip to Wulai
As a volcanic island, there’s no shortage of natural beauties and hot springs in Taiwan.
On the next day, head out of Taipei City to the Wulai district! It’s easily accessible via public transportation, like trains and buses, and it only takes an hour!
Wulai Waterfall
One of the main highlights of Wulai is the iconic Wulai Waterfall, a majestic 80m tall waterfall! You can view the waterfall from multiple landmarks, making it very easy for a photo opportunity!
Hot Springs
Another big draw of Wulai is the abundance of hot springs! There are plenty of options available depending on your budget, from private luxurious spas to outdoor local hot springs along the river.
Stroll along Wulai Old Street
The Wulai Old Street is the centre of it all, a lively pedestrian street lined with shops and restaurants. You’ll find a variety of Taiwanese street food, local aboriginal delicacies like wild boar sausage, bamboo rice, and unique handicrafts. Don’t miss the chance to ride the iconic Wulai log carts for a truly memorable experience!
Link to book via KKday!
Use SHRUGKKDAY for up to 10% off your KKday bookings.
Day 4 – Day Trip to Tamsui
We’ll now switch over to the north of Taipei, where we can find the historical port town of Tamsui. It’s renowned for its charming riverside promenade, historic colonial architecture, and vibrant Old Street.
It is very easy to get to Tamsui from Taipei City! It is just an hour away from Taipei City on the Taipei Metro.
Hearty Breakfast at Fong Da Coffee
Start your day at a popular breakfast spot in Taipei! It’s an old-school coffee shop with great coffee. The beans are roasted on site, so you’ll be guaranteed a great fresh cup of coffee when you order. As it’s incredibly popular, get there early to avoid queuing for too long.
After having your breakfast, you make your way to Tamsui for the rest of the day.
Cycle around Tamsui
The best way to explore Tamsui is by bicycle! You can rent one easily using Ubike, which is available almost everywhere around Tamsui and Taipei.
To rent a uBike, simply download the uBike app, connect your credit card to it and scan the QR code on the bike. It’s a very easy and straightforward process!
Try the famous A-Gei Dish
Perhaps the most famous dish in Tamsui is A-Gei, a food made popular by Jay Chou! It is a fried tofu that’s filled with a ton of different stuffings.
When we visited the original Wen Hua Ah Gei restaurant, there was a long queue, attesting to its popularity even after so many years.
Day 5 – Short Hike in Taipei
Breakfast at Fu Hang Soy Milk
Wake up early for breakfast at the famous Fu Hang Soy Milk for a local experience. This breakfast shop is considered a must-visit for both locals and foreigners alike. It has also been featured on the Michelin Bib Gourmand guide for its quality of food!
Be sure to wake up early to queue for it as it’s incredibly popular.
Hike Up Elephant Mountain Trail
Before heading to the airport, sneak in a quick hike up the Elephant Mountain Trail! This is a quick 1.1km hiking trail that brings you to an overlook where you can have a bird’s eye view of the entire city.
If you’re an aviation geek, the top of the mountain overlooks Taipei Songshan Airport’s runway! You’ll be able to view the frequent landings and takeoffs from the airport.
Tips for Travelling around Taiwan
Use a Travel eSIM
Gone are the days when you’ll need to spend time purchasing a physical SIM card when you land in a new place! You can now get a travel eSIM card from KKDay before your trip, and get connected the moment you land in Taipei!
The data plans offer unlimited data while being affordable, providing the best value for all your data streaming needs while travelling.
Link to book via KKday!
Use SHRUGKKDAY for up to 10% off your KKday bookings.
Apps to Improve Your Trip
There are some apps that we used extensively during our trips to Taiwan to greatly improve the quality of our trips.
- Google Maps: Google Maps is the most convenient app for navigation around the island. It is convenient and contains all the necessary information for both driving and public transportation.
- Uber: For ride-hailing, we used Uber extensively! It is affordable and easily accessible to foreign tourists. You do not need a local phone number to use Uber, unlike other ride-sharing services in the city.
- KKday: As a Taiwanese-based Online Travel Agency, KKday offers a wide range of activity selections in Taiwan. It’s a great platform to book flights, hotels and day activities when you’re on the island.
Download KKday on iOS or Android and start booking your tours to Taiwan!
Use SHRUGKKDAY for up to 10% off your KKday bookings.
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