Day Trips from Taipei - 15 Easy Excursions From Taipei

If you’re looking to escape Taipei for the day, there are numerous day trips from Taipei, many of which can be done independently using the Metro or Taiwan Railway / High Speed Rail.

From the popular Taipei day trips like Jiufen and the Pingxi Line to the hidden gems of Wulai, Taiwan’s natural wonders are just a bus or train ride away.

This post may contain affiliate links to tours and hotels. These help us earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

A little further afield, head to Sun Moon Lake or take a 1 hour high speed train to Taichung – alternatively, for budget breaks, just use the Metro to visit the likes of Tamsui or Beitou.

With destination highlights and how to reach all of them from Taipei, here is our guide to the best day-trips from Taipei.

You might like – Our 1 day ultimate Taipei itinerary or our 3 day ‘highlights of Taipei’ guide

Table of Contents

Using Taipei public transport for day-trips

Taipei has one of the best transport infrastructures in the world – even the Taipei Airport MRT to Taipei city is so easy and very cheap at NT$150 one way. Check out our Taipei airport MRT guide here >

The train, bus and subway / Metro network in Taipei is efficient and inexpensive.

The vast majority of these Taipei day-trips are able to be done independently by public transport (except for Sun Moon Lake and Yilan).

Check out the best Taipei day trips with Klook, Viator and Get Your Guide

Taiwanderers Tip

Grab a Taiwan EasyCard as a convenient way to use buses and public transport in Taipei and across Taiwan. They can be easily topped up at stations and convenience stores.

Read more about how to use a Taiwan EasyCard, including how to top up >

You might like – 30 cute and cool Taiwan EasyCard and iPass designs >

Best day trips from Taipei

1. Jiufen

Exploring the mountain town of Jiufen in Taiwan (east of Taipei) feels a little like being in a fantasy movie.

With its historic narrow streets, packed full of beautiful tea-houses and street food stalls, set amidst a backdrop of stunning coastal views, Juifen almost feels unreal.

In fact, legend has it that Jiufen was the inspiration behind the setting for the classic animated Studio Ghibli movie, Spirited Away (although many dispute this so who knows?!).

From traditional temples to ancient alley-ways lit up by red lanterns at night (Jiufen Old Street), there are lots of things to do in Jiufen.

Jiufen Highlights

Tea houses – The 100-year old A-Mei Tea House (阿妹茶楼) in Jiufen is likely Taiwan’s most famous teahouse and the center of the tourist universe here.
Jiufen Old Street – The focal point of Jiufen, the narrow, windy streets filled with traditional Taiwanese restaurants and lanterns are a must visit.
Head to Jiufen Jie Jiao Traditional Diner for delicious dumplings plus beers and brews with views (seriously, the lookout to the ocean here is incredible). Other street food is available!

How to get from Taipei to Jiufen

To get to Jiufen from Taipei, take the northbound train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station. The journey takes 30 minutes for express trains, or 50 minutes for local trains. The cost of the trip from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station is 49 TWD.

Turn left out of the station and take bus number 827 or 788 which both head towards Jiufen Old Street. The bus journey from Ruifang to Jiufen should take around 20 minutes and costs around 15 TWD each way.

Or try this group day tour from Taipei for less than £20 / $26 USD / NT$800 – Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen day tour with Taiwanese pastry making >

You might like our Taiwanderers guide to Jiufen (and how to avoid the crowds) >

First time in Taipei? Check out these helpful guides:

2. Pingxi Line including Shifen

The Pingxi rail line is a journey into the past and a perfect day trip from Taipei or Jiufen.

A 13km stretch of railway that goes through some of Taiwan’s most beautiful landscapes, the Pingxi Rail Line celebrated its 100th anniversary recently (in 2021).

It is a nice way to escape the hustle and bustle of Taipei forest and do day hikes to waterfalls, lush forests or just release a lantern in Shifen or Pingxi Old Town.

Pingxi Line Highlights

Shifen Waterfall – Taiwan’s most famous falls, they cascade down a 20 meter drop, surrounded by forests and accessed by trails and free to visit viewing platforms.
Houtong Cat Village – the ‘purrfect’ Pingxi Line place to visit with hundreds of cats, plus feline themed cafes and gift shops (link somewhere)
Release a lantern in Pingxi or Shifen with your own personalized wishes. Book your Shifen Sky Lantern release in advance here >

How to get from Taipei to the Pingxi Line

Your trip along the Pingxi rail line will likely start (and end) in a town called Ruifang, which is easy to reach from both Taipei and nearby Jiufen.

To get to Ruifang from Taipei you can take a northbound train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station. The journey takes 30 minutes for express trains or 50 minutes for local trains.

For more things to do along the Pingxi Line and a step by step to trains & pass costs, check out Pingxi Line guide here >

shifen old street and lanterns in Taiwan

Join our Facebook Taiwan Travel Tips (TTT) Group!
Need help with your Taiwan itinerary or have any questions? Head on over to the most fun and fastest growing Taiwan Facebook group with 60k+ members and ask the experts!
Click here to join our group >

3. Wulai

Famous for its hot-springs and beautiful countryside setting, Wulai District and Wulai Old Town are wonderful places to visit from Taipei city. From hillside temples to wonderful Wulai Falls, there is lots of natural beauty and things to do in Wulai.

Explore the trails, grab the Wulai Scenic Train and cable car before enjoying some local Atayal aboriginal style food on Wulai Old Street – there are also a couple of museums along the way.

Wulai is perhaps best known for its thermal hot springs and there are several free outdoor hot springs or some more luxurious hotel spas to choose from.

Wulai Highlights

Wulai Old Street – a small row of shops and traditional Taiwanese restaurants selling everything from local Atayal crafts to standard tourist souvenirs.
Wulai Scenic Train – former logging train-line that takes passengers up the hill through forests to the Wulai waterfall (it saves you a 1.5km hike).
Soak up, relax and enjoy one of many Wulai hot-springs and spa resorts.

How to get from Taipei to Wulai

It is easy to get to Wulai by public transport – bus 849 to Wulai goes from Xindian MRT Station (Beixin) Road to Wulai Terminal Station, which is then around a 5 minute walk to Wulai Old Street Old Town.

The journey from Taipei Xindian Station to Wulai Terminal Station on bus 849 is around 40 minutes – Wulai is the last stop so just alight at the end.

You might like our things to do in Wulai guide >

4. Keelung

Keelung is a picturesque port city in Northern Taiwan, famous for its Miaokou Night Market, hillside temples and waterside cityscape.

From the colorful Zhengbin Fishing port to its natural wonders like Heping Island Geopark and there are lots of things to do in Keelung – it is also less than 1 hour away from Taipei by train or bus.

keelung night market - day trip from Taipei

Keelung Highlights

Keelung Night Market – the biggest night market in Northern Taiwan, famous for its fresh seafood. It also recently featured on the Netflix Somebody Feed Phil Taipei episode.
Keelung Tower – a new and free-to-visit observation deck offering incredible panoramic views of the port.
Zhengbin Fishing Harbour – one of the most Instagrammable Taipei places to visit.

How to get to Keelung from Taipei

You can take either a train or bus from Taipei to Keelung – both take under an hour.

The first train from Taipei is around 6am and the last train from Keelung to Taipei departs around 11.30pm so there is plenty of time to include the famous Keelung Night Market.

We also found that the buses from certain parts of downtown Taipei (such as Nanjing and Zhongshan) were almost a quicker way of getting to Keelung than the train from Taipei Main Station.

You might like our things to do in Keelung guide >

Check out our themed 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan guide >
Plus all our individual themed store guides:
• Coca-Cola
• Hello Kitty
• Mofusand
• Snoopy / Peanuts
• Pokémon
• Ultraman
• STARLUX
• Sumikko Gurashi

You might also like our guide to why 7-Elevens in Taiwan are the best in the world!

5. Tamsui

Tamsui near Taipei is a historic port and riverside city located at the end of the Xinyi – Tamsui Metro line. Its scenic setting, numerous food stalls and restaurants plus easy access from Taipei make it a popular day-trip for local families and couples.

Tamsui has seen much change over the centuries with many European and Japanese influences. There are several grand old buildings to explore from Fort San Domingo to the Tamsui Customs Officers’ Residence.

Tamsui Highlights

Tamsui Old Street – a hotchpotch of shops, restaurants and gift shops, this is the main shopping and eating area of Tamsui
Fort San Domingo – a 17th century bastion with a red brick exterior and gorgeous grounds (complete with cannons!) and wonderful waterside views
Take the boat to Fisherman’s Wharf, Lover’s Bridge or Bali.

How to get from Taipei To Tamsui

Tamsui is easily reachable via the Taipei Metro red line (the Tamsui-Xinyi line). From Taipei Main Station to Tamsui station, it is around a 40 minute journey on the Metro.

Or try this Tamsui Historic Site and Beitou Hot Spring day tour from Taipei >

6. Hualien and Taroko National Park

Hualien on Taiwan’s east coast is a cool combination of natural wonders and city attractions.

Just two hours away from Taipei by high speed train, Hualien is the gateway to Taroko National Park, beautiful beaches plus an epic food scene of its very own.

There are some Taroko Gorge tours that start and end at Hualien station, so you can take an early train from Taipei and arrive at Hualien in time to meet your tour group, and then take a train home when the tour has finished.

As of summer 2024, Taroko National Park is currently closed, however there are so many other things to do in Hualien including so much scenery and downtown delights.

Hualien Highlights

Dongdamen Night Market – one of the best nights in Taiwan and open 7 nights a week – there is so much good food from coffin bread to stinky tofu plus international bites.
Hualien Railway Cultural Park & Eastern Railway Site – a cultural park that has been created in the old train station complete with an old locomotive and trendy new cafes.
Taroko National Park – despite the temporary closure in 2024, there are still some tours to the Taroko.

How to get from Taipei to Hualien

The best way to reach Hualien from Taipei is to take the train, which takes around 2 hours.

You can take a TRA express train from Taipei Main station or from Songshan station to Hualien station (Taroko Express or Puyuma Limited Express trains). High speed rail trains do not do this route.

The journey takes just over two hours and costs NT$440. This route is popular so we advise booking your tickets in advance. Check out our guide to Hualien Station here >

You might like our Taiwanderers guide to 25+ things to do in Hualien >

7. Beitou

Beitou is Taipei’s hot spring capital! One of the easiest day-trips from Taipei in this entire list, you can be in Beitou in less than half an hour.

Known for its lush greenery, thermal springs and public baths, the hot spring spas in this area dates back to the Japanese era, which is why the district is so full of character and incredible architecture – even the modern Beitou library is one of the most idyllic spots in Taipei.

Beitou Highlights

Beitou’s Thermal Valley – a free to visit natural wonder that bubbles with steam in what locals refer to as Hell Valley.
Beitou Park is very picturesque and home to the Hot Spring Museum – the park has riverside walks and you’ll find a water fountain, woodland areas plus traditional bridges.
Beitou Public Hot Springs – make sure you bring your swimmers! Or soak your feet in one of the foot pools like Fuxing Park or Quanyuan Park.

To get to Beitou from Taipei

Rake the Taipei Metro (MRT) to the Beitou MRT Station on the red Tamsui-Xinyi Line.

Once at Beitou Station, change platforms and jump on the Xinbeitou Line one stop to Xinbeitou MRT Station.The entire journey lasts less than 20 minutes so it is very easy trip from Taipei

Or see more and try these Beitou and Yangmingshan one-day tours with Klook or Viator.

8. Taichung

Taichung in Taiwan is changing! Once known for its industrial output, it has undergone a total transformation in recent years and become known for its food scene, quirky activities and arts scene.

Taiwan’s second biggest city, there are so many things to do in Taichung with new attractions opening all the time plus some of Taiwan’s best night markets.

Taichung Highlights

The new Taiwan National Museum of Comics – free to visit.
For a bit of fun, visit the Bugcat Capoo House and Foam Cat Cafe.
One of Taiwan’s most colorful attractions, the recently reopened Rainbow Village.

How to get to Taichung from Taipei

The high speed train (HSR) from Taipei to Taichung takes around from 1 hour.

You can buy discounted Taiwan High Speed Rail one way tickets between Taipei and Taichung (plus other stations) via this Klook HSR booking link >

Or try a Taipei to Taichung day trip with Viator >

You might like our 25+ things to do in Taichung guide >

9. Bali

Overlooking Taipei’s Tamsui River, Bali is a historic port area famous for its coastal trail and cycle path, amazing waterside views plus Bali Old Street.

Popular with local families at the weekends, Bali in Taipei is blessed with beautiful beach views and seaside vistas plus is accessible by MRT and bus – or combine it with Tamsui as they are only a short ferry ride apart.

From traditional temples to tourist selfie spots, fossils to food courts, there are many things to do in Bali, Taipei. A fun place for the family near Taipei, this is a popular spot with local families at the weekend.

Bali Highlights

Bali Old Street – a short stretch of shops, restaurants and food kiosks where enthusiastic owners tempt you over with their tasty Taiwanese tidbits.
Bali Left Bank Park and and Wharf – beautiful beachside views looking out over the Tamsui river plus a great place to cycle along coastal paths.
Bali Wedding Plaza – potentially Taipei’s kitch-est attraction but in a cute way – lots of love hearts and selfie spots to be found here.

How to get to Bali from Taipei

If you are visiting from Tamsui, the boat from Tamsui to Bali Left Bank Wharf takes around 5 to 10 minutes (depending on the tide) and runs regularly throughout the day. Fares cost NT$40 one way (prices correct as of summer 2024).

Alternatively, to get from downtown Taipei to Bali, take the MRT to Taipei MRT Guandu Station, then take Tamsui Red Bus 13 to Left Bank Pier stop – you’ll arrive by Bali Old Street.

You might like our guide to the 10 best things to do in Bali >

10. Yehliu GeoPark

Taiwan on the rocks! Often included on day trips to Shifen and Jiufen, we’re saying Yahoo to ‘Yehliu Geopark, home to a number of unique geological formations (rock stars) formed over thousands of years.

Located on a beautiful part of the North Taiwan coast, the peninsula stretches around 1,700 meters, formed by geological movement that forced the local Datun Mountains to change their shape jutting out into the ocean.

Alternatively, check out Heping Island Geopark in Keelung, which is easier to get to by public transport and which we’ve written about extensively here >

How to get to Yehliu Geopark from Taipei

Take the 1815 bus from Taipei Main Station to Yehliu then walk 10 minutes to the geopark – the journey takes around 90 minutes including the walk.

Or try this inexpensive day-trip to Yehliu Geopark that also include the Pingxi Line, Shifen and Jiuifen with Klook (over 300k booked) >

11. Yingge

A 30 minute train from Taipei Main Station brings you to Yingge, Taipei’s Ceramics Capital.

yingge - day trip from taipei — *Yingge Old Street*

Famous for all of its pottery workshops and ceramic manufacturers, Yingge has a traditional Old Street plus several massive new museums like the The New Taipei City Art Museum (which had still to be fully completed when we visited Yingge in October 2024).

A great place to buy unique Taiwan souvenirs like local pottery, there are even glass blowing centers in Yingge where you can ‘blow your own’.

Yingge Highlights

Take a walk along Yingge Old Street and Historic Ceramics Street and browse the various pottery shops.
The Yingge Ceramics Museum costs only NT$80 and looks very ‘Brutalist’ from the outside but contains so many beautiful pieces inside – there is also a huge outdoor garden with artwork and workshops.
A visit to the New Taipei City Art Museum and its weird shaped observatory (observatory only open at the weekends).
If you like themed 7-Elevens in Taiwan, there is a Pompurin 7-Eleven a short bus ride from Yingge TRA Station.

How to get to Yingge from Taipei

Yingge is actually one of the easiest day trips from Taipei in this entire list. Trains to Yingge depart regularly from Taipei Main Station (up to 9 departures an hour) and usually takes around 30 minutes on the local train, costing NT$31.

12. Maokong

Time for some high tea in Taipei – literally! A good excuse to take Taipei’s most famous cable-car, the Maokong Gondola (as if you need one), Maokong is Taipei’s teahouse town in the mountains with incredible views looking out over the city

Easy to combine with Taipei Zoo (as the Maokong Gondola departs just next door to it), the entire journey takes around 35 minutes to the top, but be sure to stop off at the Zhinan Temple Station on your way, built in the 1890s.

Given the zoo and amazing views from the gondola plus all the matcha green tea ice-creams at the top, this is a great Taipei day-trip that is fun thing to do in Taipei with kids too.

Maokong Highlights

Drink green tea or enjoy matcha ice-cream at the top – there is a even a Taipei Tea Promotion Center at the top that serves free tea.
Eat in a Maokong restaurant overlooking the city – in our Taiwan Travel Tips Facebook group, one of the most commonly recommended Maokong restaurants with a view of the city is ‘Longmen’.
Escape the city and hike the Camphor Tree Trail – an easy walk along a well maintained path with incredible views of the city and Taipei 101 from afar.
Stop of at Taipei Zoo or Zhinan Temple along the way.

How to get to Maokong from Taipei

There are many buses from downtown Taipei into the Maokong Hills but the most fun way to arrive is by the Maokong Gondola – it is a 2.5 mile stretch of cable car.

Take the blue Bannian MRT Line to Maokong Gondola Taipei Zoo Station and the cable car is a one minute walk from the MRT station.

Alternatively try this Pinglin Tea Culture and Maokong guided day tour with Get Your Guide or Klook.

You might like – Our guide to Taiwan’s best night markets >

13. Capybara Rock and Shen’ao Rail Bike, Ruifang District

Taiwan’s first rail bike with a view of the sea and mountains, the Shen’ao Rail Bike is a fun way to explore the Northern Taiwan coast between Badouzi and Shen’ao. Located in the Ruifang District

Along a 1.3km stretch of coastline track along a former coal-mining route, jump into a colorful rail-bike buggy, look out to sea and pedal slowly between two stations.

There is even an ocean-themed tunnel of lights (very trippy!) along the way to keep you entertained.

You can also visit Taiwan’s Capybara Rock (formerly ‘Elephant Trunk Rock’), which is a short walk from the Shen’ao Rail Bike station – and yes, it really does look like capybara.

How to get to Shen’ao Railbike

It takes around 1 hour by bus from downtown Taipei and is much easier if you start your trip at the Badouzi Station side of the Shen’ao Rail Bike (it has two stations – Badouzi and Shen’ao).

The easiest way to reach Badouzi Rail Bike departure station from Taipei is to board bus number 1579 from multiple stops in Taipei including Taipei City Hall Bus Station. This will take you directly to Badouzi station in just under 1 hour.

Check out our detailed guides to Capybara Rock and Shen’ao Rail Bikes.

Book your Shen’ao Rail Bike tickets with KKDay >

14. Yilan

Surf’s up! Coastal Yilan is one of the closest surfing areas to Taipei (Toucheng along with Fulong Beach) and is known for its pristine beaches, cheap seafood and Kavalan Whiskey Distillery.

The three combined must make up one of the most memorable day-trips from Taipei – unless you overdo the tasting in the Kavalan Distillery!

Soak up in the hot-springs, visit Turtle Island or try some coastal-cycling – this is a nice way to ‘sea’ some things away from Taipei’s busy metropolis.

Yilan Highlights

Cycle through the 2km Caoling Old Tunnel, with its light installations and lovely coastal views.
Go surfing or try some watersports at Wai’ao Beach (famous for its big boulders).
Arrive in style and do a private tour to Kavalan Whiskey Distillery >
Coastal highlights include Turtle Island, Wushi Harbor & Honeymoon Bay.

How to get to Yilan from Taipei

Yilan County is pretty spread out so the journey time / length from Taipei depends on where you want to go.

From Taipei Main Station to Toucheng, the train takes around 1 hour 50 minutes and is 23 stops, costing NT$119 one way

A quicker way is to take a bus from Taipei Main Station to Luodong Transfer Station (the journey is around 50 minutes), then take the Tze-Chiang Limited Express train from Luodong Station to Yilan Station which is 1 stop / 7 minutes away. The total journey from Taipei costs NT$166 one way in total as of October 2024.

Alternatively, try this tour from Taipei – Yilan’s coast line, Suao springs, Dongao Bay plus taste Taiwan’s famous Kavalan Whiskey >

15. Sun Moon Lake

Beautiful Sun Moon Lake is one of the most popular tourist areas to visit in Taiwan.

From lakeside tea-tasting (brews with views) to sunset strolls, cable cars to cycle routes, there are lots of things to do in and around Sun Moon Lake.

Better still, there is an expensive Sun Moon Lake ferry that gets you to all the main sites including stops, departing from Shuishe and including Ita Thao.

Sun Moon Lake Boat Ferry fares cost $NT150 one way or $NT300 return / to do the complete circuit (all three piers) in one day. Get your Sun Moon Lake boat tickets here >

Sun Moon Lake Highlights

The Sun Moon Lake Ropeway and the Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village – get your combo tickets here >
Lakeside strolls, cute cafes overlooking the water and the Plum Lotus Garden in Shuishe.
The waterside views of Wenwu Temple (accessible by public bus from Shuishe or Ita Thao).

Sun Moon Lake day trip tours from Taipei

Sun Moon Lake would be difficult to do as a day trip from Taipei using public transport as the transportation time is several hours long.

You would be best to drive there, or join a group tour:

16. Other day trips from Taipei to consider

Sulfur Valley and Yangmingshan National Park

A short bus ride from Beitou or a 45 minute walk, Sulfur Valley is a great place to start a day of short hikes and trails in Yangmingshan National Park.

Check out our detailed guide to visiting Taiwan’s Sulfur Valley here (coming soon).

Fulong Beach

We were hoping to do this trip ourselves this autumn for the Fulong Beach Sandcastle festival but the monsoon put paid to that – so we will try again in 2025!

Fulong Beach is just over 40km away from downtown Taipei and known for its sandy shores and crystal clear waters – the beaches are around a 15 minute walk from Fulong Station. You can reach it on a 1 hour train from Taipei Main Station.

Some other Taipei day trip tours you might like:

Found this day trips from Taipei article helpful?

Did you enjoy our day trips from Taipei blog post? Let us know in the comments or by sharing it on social media.

You can follow Taiwanderers on:
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok
YouTube
Pinterest