Taiwan 1 Week / 7 Day Itinerary – Taipei, Chiayi, Alishan & Kaohsiung

How to spend one week in Taiwan? There is so much to see in Taiwan that 7 days isn’t really enough – but if you’re short on time, this 7 day Taiwan itinerary includes cities, culture, forests and fun night markets plus some suggested options for day trips.

Starting in Taipei (or Kaohsiung), our Taiwanderers one week itinerary includes Taipei, Chiayi, Alishan (including the famous Sea of Clouds sunrise) before finishing in Kaohsiung, one of our favourite Taiwan cities.

With suggested stops, accommodation and transport trips, this is our ultimate Taiwan one week itinerary including Alishan. In case you have a few more days to play with, we also include a few extra suggestions at the end, including spending time in Kenting at southern Taiwan’s best beaches.

We also have a 7 day Taiwan itinerary covering Taipei, Taichung, Sun Moon Lake and Kaohsiung – check it out >

Taiwan checklist

We love using agoda.com (use the code TAIWANDERERS for a discount), expedia.com and booking.com for researching and booking all our hotels.

For booking tours, transfers and buying SIM cards/eSIMs we recommend Klook, Get Your Guide, Viator or KK Day.

For booking rental cars visit Discover Cars. For private drivers and taxis, check out our Transfer guide >

Find safe storage spaces across Taiwan with Bounce (and get 5% discount).

For more recommendations, check out our Taiwan travel booking resources page >

All set for Taiwan? Do one final check with our Taipei first timers guide and our packing list guide. Travelling with kids? Check out our Taipei For Kids eBook >

If you have a few more days planned (e.g. 10 days in Taiwan), we’d also suggest considering Sun Moon Lake and or Tainan.

But for a 7 day / one week Taiwan itinerary, this schedule will give you a nice taste of Taiwan and hopefully encourage you to come back again soon for a longer trip.

Check out all our other recommended itineraries here including 2 to 3 days in Sun Moon Lake, 1 to 3 days in Kaohsiung and various Taipei itineraries including our new 5 day Taipei itinerary.

It is very easy (and inexpensive) to go from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to downtown Taipei via the Taipei Airport MRT – it costs $NT160 as of summer 2026. Check out our Taoyuan Airport transport guide here >

The Taiwan airport bus runs 24 hours a day so it is convenient if you arrive between 11pm and 6am when the Taipei Metro is closed.

Alternatively, you can consider taking a taxi or pre-book a private transfer from Taipei airport with Klook or Viator (best for large groups or big luggage).

We’d recommend buying a Taiwan EasyCard at Taoyuan Airport (or in advance via Klook) to get around Taipei – check out our guide to Taiwan EasyCards, plus all the cool 3D EasyCard designs.

If you have time (and energy) on ‘Day 0’ after arriving into Taiwan and checking into your Taipei hotel, you might want to head straight to your first Taipei night market for some late-night bites – check out our Taipei night market recommendations here >

With late night entertainment centers like Ximending, historic districts like Dadaocheng and Dihua Street plus riverside accommodation in Tamsui, there are many Taipei neighborhoods to choose from.

For good transport links and lots going on, check out our Ximending hotel guide and Taipei Main Station hotel guide based on our own personal hotel recommendations and from members of our Taiwan Travel Tips (TTT) Facebook group.

Another Taipei neighborhood that is great for hotel choice, shopping and attractions is Xinyi – treat yourself to W Taipei, or check out our guide to all the best luxury hotels in Taipei (all ones we’ve personally stayed in).

Since 2024, the famous changing of the guard ceremony inside Chiang Kai-shek Memorial has now stopped and is now performed hourly outside the memorial hall from 9am to 5pm.

The building is a national Taiwan monument and built in the memory of former President Chiang Kai-shek – the grounds are extensive and also one of the best places to spot cherry blossoms in Taipei in the spring months.

Once you’ve explored the grounds, there are several cafes and restaurants inside to grab some food (including the vegetarian restaurant Agarwood).

Next up, take a 12 minute walk from Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall to Rongjin Gorgeous Time, – or if you want to try some traditional Taiwanese xiao long bao, try a quick trip to Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao 杭州小籠湯包, 5 minutes walk away (map).

Opened in late 2022 and located on the site of a former prison built in the early 1900s during the Japanese colonial period, Taipei’s Rongjin Gorgeous Time’s Japanese style buildings have quickly become one of Taipei’s best hipster hangouts and characterful creative districts.

As our next stop is a Taipei foodie paradise, maybe just grab a snack or coffee at Rongjin Gorgeous Time – one of Taipei’s hottest new coffee shops, Alchemist Da’an (map) has also just opened up in a historic home. opened in March 2026, it is the third Alchemist Taiwan branch.

If you don’t fancy visiting Rongjin Gorgeous Time, then head straight to Yongkang Street and beat the massive lunchtime queues for a Din Tai Fung brunch.

Yongkang Street is one of the yummiest things to do in Taiwan, packed full of cool cafes, decadent desserts and oodles of noodle shops and delicious dumplings.

From the terrific Tian Jin Scallion Flaky Pancakes (map) to xiao long bao soup dumplings and beef noodle soup, there is something to suit all tastes (and budgets) along Yongkang Street – and don’t forget tofu pudding for dessert or try other tasty Taiwanese foods

If you want to try the famous Taiwan beef noodles, make time for Yongkang Beef Noodles with melt in the mouth beef and often visited by famous food writers like the late great Anthony Bourdain (RIP). Or grab some takeaway dumplings from Din Tai Fung and eat them in Yongkang Park.

One of Taipei’s top food destinations, here is our ultimate guide to the things to do along Yongkang Street, Taipei >

A green oasis in a very busy city, Daan Forest Park in Taipei is a sprawling open space popular with families and walkers. Given its inner city location, you’d be surprised by the sheer number of wildlife and birds that live here.

Sprawling over 60 acres, it has an outdoor auditorium, numerous fitness facilities and running tracks plus lots of flora and fauna including an eco-pond. Daan Park is also one of the best free things to do in Taipei and great for families.

Check out our full Daan Park guide here >

A ‘gem’ of a Taipei weekend market, Jianguo Jade Market takes place below a bustling underpass and the flower market is full of color, featuring beautiful flowers to gorgeous jewelry like green jade necklaces (plus lots of locals with cute dogs in prams)!

Read our Taiwanderers guide to the market here >

4pm Onwards

See a Taipei sunset* at Elephant mountain

*In Taipei, sunset ranges from about 5pm in early winter to 6.30pm to 7pm in summer.

Elephant Mountain (also known as “Xiangshan” in Mandarin) is one of the best free things to do in Taipei, with several incredible viewpoints within walking distance of Xiangshan MRT Metro station.

Although steep, these several short Elephant Mountain viewpoints all offer stunning views of Taipei and its cityscape, including Taipei 101 and the Xinyi District.

We’d class ourselves as average fitness and it took us exactly 15 minutes from the start of the Xiangshan Hiking Trail to the first proper viewpoint without any stops.

If you can, try to combine your Elephant Mountain hike with sunset – see our sunset and night-time photos and our Elephant Mountain hiking guide here >

As it is your first night, you could treat yourself to A Joy (map), a premium buffet located on the 86th floor of the Taipei 101 skyscraper. We ate there on our latest 2026 Taiwan trip and it was so good!

The evening dinner session starts at 6pm and lasts 3.5 hours so there is plenty of time to eat and drink, even if you arrive a little late.

A Joy has quickly become one of the most sought after luxury dining experiences in Taiwan. Their huge buffet includes premium dishes including lobster, king crab, oysters and A5 Wagyu beef, plus cocktails.

A Joy usually books up weeks in advance so make your reservations early on Klook here >

Other Xinyi dinner options that we enjoy and would recommend include:

• Din Tai Fung, famous for their xiao long bao (soup dumplings) – there are several DTFs in Xinyi
• YEN Chinese restaurant and Bar at the W Taipei hotel (map), one of our best ever Taipei dining experiences especially the duck. The YEN bar also has tables directly looking out over Taipei 101. Read our W Taipei review here >
• Hooters Xinyi (map) – yes, we know what you are thinking but the outdoor terrace is one of the best places for drinks with Taipei 101 views. Read our guide >
• The Taipei Grand Hyatt Cafe Buffet (map) – we include it in our Taipei best buffets guide >
• Grab some budget bites at one of the mall food courts including the 美食Food Court beneath Taipei 101

Finish the night at a Xinyi craft beer like Flow Brewing Beer Taproom 心流釀造 (map), BeerGeek (map) or Zhangmen Brewing (map). Alternatively, head to Xinyi’s famous bar street at ATT 4 FUN 戶外廣場 / JOIN HI PLAZA (map).

From sublime street food to fantastic food courts outdoors, no Taiwan itinerary is complete without at least one visit to a Taipei night market (but we’d recommend you go to several).

The closest night market to Taipei 101 is Linjiang Street Night Market – or our recommendations would be Raohe Night Market, Ningxia Night Market, Shilin Night Market or join the students at Gongguan Night Market.

*You could also do the TourMeAway breakfast tour which goes around various local eateries. Check out our photos in our Taiwan Travel Tips Facebook group, and book on Klook (discount code CKTRAVELS) or book directly with TourMeAway (use our discount code TAIWANDERERS to get up to 15% off).

The area is perhaps most famous for its amazing architecture, traditional Chinese medicine shops and Lunar New Year celebrations – however, in recent years, the area has welcomed an influx of coffee shops and hipster hangouts.

A marvelous mix of new and traditional Taipei, the main Dihua Street and its opulent mansion houses were once Taipei’s most prosperous area, built up in the 1850s – it has real charm and character and is one of the most interesting Taipei neighborhoods to visit.

Featuring historic markets and temple food courts, there are many things to do in Dihua Street, plus it is one of the best places to buy gifts in Taipei with a wide range of Taiwan souvenirs.

Read our Dihua Street and Dadaocheng guide >

Morning option 2

Start your day exploring Beitou’s Thermal Valley (map), a free to visit natural wonder that bubbles with steam and smells very sulphuric – there are boardwalks all around and it is amazing to see the bubbling water in what locals refer to as Hell Valley.

Afterwards, go for a walk along the river and around Beitou Park – in the park, you’ll find one of Taipei’s most scenic libraries plus a Hot Spring Museum (map). Please note these Beitou attractions are closed on Mondays.

One of Taipei’s best known neighbourhoods and popular with tourists, Ximending is a must-visit, especially for shopping.

You absolutely must visit the Wannian Building (map) for cool collectibles, Taipei geek gifts plus traditional Taiwanese dining in the basement including Lao Shan Dong Homemade Noodles 老山東牛肉麵 (map) or King Pork Wan Nian Store 金園排骨萬年店 (map).

From street performers to street food stalls (like crispy milk donuts), retail therapy to tattoo street, Ximending is always fun to visit with plenty of bars and cafes hidden amongst the side alleys.

Check out our things to do in Ximending guide or our where to eat in Ximending guide.

Ximending’s Red House now hosts cultural performances, a theatre, plus a fantastic two storey independent retail emporium, chock full of unique and one-off designs by local artists.

The stalls at the Red House change every few months to keep it fresh, plus during Lunar New Year in Taipei, it is home to lion dances and many celebrations.

Whilst shopping heaven in the daytime, Red House reinvents itself at night with an array of LBGTQ+ bars opening in the courtyard. Check out our Taipei LGBTQ+ guide >

From crafts to clothing, bars to brownies, here is our ultimate guide to Red House Taipei >

From Ximen, take the Taipei MRT Blue Line (Bannan Line) 1 stop to Longshan Temple MRT – or you can walk it quite easily too.

Whilst not always serene (it attracts huge crowds of tourists and worshippers), it is certainly one of the most beautiful temples in the city.

With the original Longshan temple site dating back to the Qing Dynasty in the late 1730s, the shrine has been rebuilt several times over the years, most recently after the aftermath of WWII bombing in 1945.

If you plan to visit Longshan Temple be sure to try and coincide your visit with one of the three chanting ceremonies held daily (the afternoon session is usually between 3.45pm and 5pm) – it is one of the most memorable and inspiring things to do in Taipei

Find out more about Longshan Temple >

Learn more about the rich history of Wenhua at the Bopiliao Historical Block (map) or eat well at several famous Taipei night markets like Huaxi (map) and Monga (map)- we really enjoyed the braised pork rice at Wang’s Broth too (map).

Explore and eat your way around the area’s night markets which we talk about in more detail in our Wanhua area guide >

Alternatively, there is a TourMeAway night market tour at 7.30pm where you eat at several local night market stalls and restaurants (including Wang’s Broth and some very stinky tofu).

You can book the tour on Klook (use our code CKTRAVELS for a discount when spending over $50 USD), or you can book directly on the TourMeAway website (use our code TAIWANDERERS to get up to 15% off). Watch our video of the food tour below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CK Travels (@c.k.travels)

You can also walk back to Ximending after for more night-time entertainment or shopping – check out our Ximending at night guide >

Chiayi in southwest Taiwan has two main train stations – Chiayi Station (for local / TRA trains) and Chiayi High Speed Railway (HSR) Station. Note the HSR station is a little way away from downtown and most of the central Chiayi accommodation.

From Taipei to Chiayi, the High Speed Railway train from Taipei Main Station takes around 1 hour 27 minutes (5 stops), whilst the local ‘Tze-Chiang Limited Express’ from Taipei takes around 3 hours 30 minutes.

So if you want to arrive in Chiayi mid afternoon on the HSR, you could still do more Taipei activities in the morning or do another half day trip like Tamsui or Wulai.

Depending on when you arrive in Chiayi, these are our highlights which can easily be done in half a day.

Hinoki Village 檜意森活村

Chiayi’s best known cultural village, Hinoki Village (map) dates back to the 1910s, when it was built during Japanese rule to house workers constructing the Alishan Forest Railway line.

With around 30 buildings now converted to shops, cafes and workshops, it is one of the biggest surviving Japanese style villages left in Taiwan.

After WWII, the village housed forestry workers until it was designated a listed site and converted into a cultural park around 10 years ago.

Wenhua Road Night Market

Chiayi’s most famous night market, the Wenhua Road Night Market (map) opens daily from mid afternoon until around 11pm – taking place along a main road, this is as popular with pedestrians as it is with moped drivers.

From bao buns to fried chicken, sugar cane drinks to stinky tofu, you won’t go hungry at Wenhua Road Night Market. Food is inexpensive but if you want to sit down, head to one of the restaurants along the strip.

As well as food, there are lots of the usual Taiwan night market activities like children’s games, retro pinball arcades plus a few gachapon shops and tech / clothing shops.

Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum

Opened in 2015 and designed by architect Kris Yao, the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum (map) is one of Chiayi’s landmark buildings with a design influenced by traditional calligraphy ink wash paintings.

Eat turkey rice or dine at Smart Fish

One of Chiayi’s longest established family run restaurants and as recently featured  on the NETFLIX Street Food Asia series, Smart Fish 林聰明沙鍋魚頭 (map) is a must eat experience when you visit (well, if you don’t mind the huge queue in the evenings).

Began in the 1950’s and now operated by the original owner’s grand-daughter Grace Chia Hui, Smart Fish is famous for their signature fish dish – deep-fried fish head served in pork bone broth served with tofu, cabbage and black fungus.

Alternatively, Taiwanese chicken rice originated in Chiayi so you’ll see many popular chicken rice / turkey rice stalls dotted around the city. Turkey rice was introduced to feed the US Troops stationed here many decades ago.

Check out our things to do in Chiayi for more ideas >

From its ancient tall trees to cherry blossom trails, sea of clouds and the famous Alishan Forest Railway, this is an amazing way to get back to nature.

Getting to Alishan and staying in Alishan Park isn’t as complicated as you might think BUT the key is to plan and book in advance, particularly during public holidays and Alishan cherry blossom season (usually March or April) – and you could arrive in style by Taiwan’s scenic Formosensis train.

There are many places to stay on the outskirts of Alishan, but if (like us), you want to stay within the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area itself, be sure to book your accommodation months in advance as they usually sell out well before. This is also handy if you only have a short period of time in Taiwan.

Whilst it isn’t cheap, there are lots of good quality accommodation in the park within walking distance of the train station.

*You can pay onboard the bus using your EasyCard or there is an option to buy tickets online up to 31 days in advance on this website or this website. Please note you can no longer purchase tickets in FamilyMart stores as of spring 2026.

More details of how to get to Alishan can be found in our Alishan itinerary guide >

Once you’ve dropped your bags off at your hotel , we’d recommend heading straight over to Alishan Train Station to purchase your Alishan sunrise train tickets (unless you plan to walk the long journey in the dark tomorrow morning).

Tickets for tomorrow’s sunrise train are usually on sale until around 4:30pm (or you can book them in advance online here).

In the station, you’ll also find signs by the ticket desk stating what time the Alishan sunrise is plus what time the train departs (usually about an hour before sunrise).

Taiwanderers tip – One of the most useful Taiwan apps to download is the Sea of Clouds (雲海人) app

Alternatively go a little bit further and do the Shuishan Trail (1,600m) or Shuishan Healing Trail (800m). We’ll give an overview of all the main Alishan trails for day 5 of your one week Taiwan itinerary.

Some hotels and tour operators in Alishan offer stargazing tours – ask in the Alishan Visitor Center (map) or find more information on the official Alishan National Scenic Area Headquarters website >

We’d recommend getting the Alishan Sunrise train otherwise you’ll need to get up even earlier to do the hike to Zhushan sunrise viewing platforms in the dark.

The train from Alishan Station to Chushan station takes around 25 minutes.

You now have a choice of two main Alishan sunrise observation decks – Zhushan Sunrise Observation Deck 祝山觀日平臺 (map) – located right next to Zhushan Station, or Xiaoliyuanshan Lookout 小笠原山觀景台 (map) – located around a 550 metres walk from the station (approx a 10 minute walk).

Based on images we’d seen on Google Reviews, we decided to head to Xiaoliyuanshan Lookout as it looked much quieter (which it was) and the views were more ‘panoramic’.

Check out our full guide to see the Alishan sunrise and Sea of Clouds here >

We picked up a very detailed Alishan map for free from the visitor center – they also recommend downloading the Alipedia app (Apple | Google Play) which has lots of information about the local area and augmented maps.

There are many different trails and short hikes in the main forest area. Some of the Alishan National Forest best trails and things to do include:

Alishan Forest has several railway stations with all trains going to and from Alishan Station.

• Alishan Station is the nearest station to the park entrance, many hotels and the transport center.

• Zhushan Station is where you need to go to see the sunrise (the station is only open for 1 return journey per day at sunrise).
• Sacred Tree Station is located in the heart of the forest.
• Zhaoping Station is the midway point between Zhushan Station and Alishan Station.

Most of the rail journeys last only a few minutes but there is something magical about riding through the forest on a steam train waving at tourists (and the occasional squirrel).

If you’ve seen misty pictures of Alishan’s forests before, this is likely where they were taken and it is genuinely like taking a step back in time (well apart from the tourists in bright jackets using phones and cameras)!

The trails are fine for anyone with a good general level of fitness and at the end, you could always make your way to the Sacred Tree Alishan Forest Railway Station and get the train back to the main park.

Other highlights, which we talk about in more detail in our detailed Alishan guide are:

• Thousand Year Cypress (map) & Wooden Bo’ai Pavillion
• Sister Ponds (map)
• Do a day trip to nearby Shizhuo (map) or Fenqihu (map) by bus.

Alishan to Kaohsiung – Day 6 of the 7 Day Taiwan Itinerary

If you haven’t booked a return train ticket to Chiayi station already aboard the Alishan Forest railway, you will need to get a bus or hire a private driver.

To get back to Chiayi to then board a train to Kaohsiung, the first bus (7329) back to Chiayi HSR station departs around 10.10am – alternatively, the first bus from Alishan to Chiayi TRA station departs around 9:10am.

Please note these first buses to depart Alishan each day can be very busy so you want to arrive early and queue up.

The high speed rail journey from Chiayi HSR station to Kaohsiung (Zuoying HSR Station) takes about 30 minutes.

The local (non HSR) train from Chiayi TRA station to Kaohsiung Main Station takes around 1 hour 25 minutes on the Tze-Chiang Limited Express trains.

Budget to Mid-Range ($$)
Kindness Hotel Kaohsiung Station
On our latest trip, we stayed here and loved it. The location is walking distance from Kaohsiung station, and the room was perfectly functional and very clean – we also liked the large TV, speedy Wi-Fi, free laundry and the small Jim & Dad’s craft beer bar which guests were entitled to one free beer per night. Check rates and availability on booking.com, agoda.com and expedia.com

Luxury ($$$)
TAI Urban Resort
Stylish 5 star hotel with a 27th floor bar, rooftop infinity pool, spa, gym and on-site restaurants. Check rates and availability on booking.com and agoda.com

Luxury ($$$)
InterContinental Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung’s newest 5* hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels in the whole of Kaohsiung. Facilities include an indoor swimming pool and five restaurants, including the Japanese WA-RA, which is famous for its digital art installation. Check rates and availability on booking.com,  agoda.com, expedia.com and hotels.com

Check out the best hotels in Kaohsiung via booking.com or agoda.com

Check out our guide to the best hotels in Kaohsiung >

There are lots of things to do in Kaohsiung and we would suggest saving Fo Guang Shan temple and the Lotus Lake for your full / final day in Kaohsiung as they are a little out of the city.

Our recommended activities for your first afternoon would be:

It is regarded as a Taoism temple of south Taiwan, but with Northern style architecture.

Sanfeng Temple is adorned with hundreds of red lanterns strewn across every available space all year round  with a steady stream of well wishers and worshippers– make sure you head up the staircases at the rear of the temple, up two flights of stairs, to get the best views of the temple and Kaohsiung.

Incidentally, Sanfeng temple is equally magnificent at night (possibly more so) when all the lanterns are lit up – so if your schedule allows it, you could always visit here in the evening too.

Opened in 2009 and looking like something out of a STAR WARS movie, the futuristic Kaohsiung Music Center (map) can be easily walked to from the Pier 2 Art Center and is free to visit, even if you aren’t going to a concert.

Also here, Kaohsiung’s newest shopping center and entertainment destination, FOCUS 13 珊瑚廣場 is located at Coral Plaza in the iconic Kaohsiung Music Center.

Opened in late 2025, this waterfront mall complex looks out over the Love River and whose name links back to the original Pier 13 that used to reside here.

With the first floor full of cool shops and the second floor dedicated to cafes and restaurants with harborside views, this is a great place in Kaohsiung for shopping then sipping.

Once a hive of fishing piers and international shipping trade, this area of Kaohsiung fell into disuse until it was revived in 2006.

The whole Pier 2 Art Center area is usually abuzz with families, friends and teenagers (especially at the weekends) out shopping, browsing or going to the various pop-up exhibitions.

One of the best museums here is the Hamasen Museum of Taiwan Railway which recently reopened in summer 2025 after a massive restoration project – here you can ride on miniature trains outside and learn more about Taiwan’s rich rail history.

From quirky pop-up shops to weekend flea markets and fun outdoor sculptures and murals, there is a lot to see at Pier 2 Art Centre and it is one of Kaohsiung’s top things to do.

Read our Kaohsiung Pier 2 Art Centre article >

Kaohsiung’s was designed by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata and it is the ‘world’s largest domed underground station’. It took over four years to complete and install (it is approx 30 metres in diameter, and made up of over 4,000 glass pieces).

The main Formosa Boulevard MRT station itself is as you’d expect of any Taiwanese MRT station but it is the Dome of Light that makes this so special and unique – although the hourly light show is very very average and not really worth sticking around for.

The four parts that comprise it (water, earth, light and fire) symbolize birth, growth, glory and destruction respectively, and refer to Taiwan’s democratic process and reform.

Read our Kaohsiung Dome of Light guide >

Renowned for its seafood due to being a coastal city, we visited Liuhe Night Market most nights whilst staying in Kaohsiung and sampled lots of local fare.

Popular local dishes to try whilst in Liu He night market included beef noodle soup and their take on clam spaghetti.

There is plenty of seating down the main strip at Liuhe Night Market and it never felt too crowded – Liuhe Night Market usually has around 150 to 200 stalls.

As well as street food at Liuhe Night Market, locals love to play fairground style amusements and fun games – we rate it as one of the best night markets in Taiwan >

It is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan and home to a 108 metre high / 1,800 tonne copper Buddha (the largest seated Sakyamuni Buddha statue in Asia).

How much time you spend here is up to you but if you love temples, allow at least half a day to explore the temple, museum and nearby monastery.

Inside the visitor center, there are gift shops and the renowned ‘Hi Lai vegetarian restaurant’ (this is a great lunch stop for day 2) plus possibly Taiwan’s only temple Starbucks, complete with an exclusive Fo Guang Shan temple Starbucks mug – who knew?!

Once complete, take the E02 shuttle bus back to the station.

Or take the Kaohsiung Light Railway no 1 from Penglai Pier 2 to Makadao Station and then take the bus from there. Based on this Kaohsiung itinerary, you will likely arrive here around 3pm.

After several years of restoration, the famous dragon and tiger pagodas in 2025 are now fully reopened and visitors can go inside.

Kaohsiung’s Lotus Pond is actually a man made lake that was built in the 1950s, as a way to entice more visitors to the area – it definitely seems to be working! The annual Kaohsiung Lantern Festival also often takes place at Lotus Pond.

It is also famous for being home to several large statues and religious shrines – the most famous of these (and likely the ones you will have seen on Instagram) are the Tiger and Dragon Pagodas, the Spring and Autumn Pavilions plus the Beiji Xuantian Shang Di Pavilion. This is also a great place to visit in Kaohsiung at night as everything is lit up.

In line with Taiwanese tradition, we visited by entering through the dragon’s mouth and out via the tiger’s jaws to hopefully increase our good fortune.

Taiwanderers Tip – for an amazing shot of the Lotus Pond tiger and dragon pagodas, head inside the Chiji Temple 左營城邑慈濟宮 just across the road and look back towards the lake.

However, please note Ruifeng Night Market is closed on Monday and Wednesdays so if your final day in Kaohsiung happens to be then, maybe find a local restaurant or head to Liuhe Night Market again instead.

Ruifeng Night Market is located between Yucheng and Nanping Road in the Buoying District (a 3 minute walk from the Kaohsiung Arena MRT station).

From stinky tofu to gao bao, you won’t go hungry at Ruifeng Night Market – plus this Kaohsiung night market also has one of the largest non-food sections we’ve ever encountered. Think massages to Mahjong, shooting galleries to super-fun fairground rides.

Ruifeng Night Market is open from 5pm to around midnight / 1am – afterwards, grab a drink at one of the nearby bars and raise a glass to your Taiwan trip

Staying more than 7 days in Taiwan?

We hope this one week Taiwan itinerary has helped with your Taiwan travel planning – if you want to stay around a few more days before heading back to Taipei or departing Kaohsiung airport, here are some more suggestions:

Kenting (map)

Kenting in Taiwan is known for its colourful coastline, sandy beaches, excellent surfing and Kenting National Forest, not to mention its night-life scene and summer festivals. If your Taiwan itinerary allows it and the weather is good, we’d recommend 2 or 3 nights in Kenting.

Southern Taiwan’s tropical paradise in Pingtung, Kenting is accessible by bus, car or moped and around a 2 to 3 hour journey from Kaohsiung.

From street-eats at Kenting Night Market (one of the longest in Taiwan) to how to get there by bus, here is our guide to Kenting in southern Taiwan >

You can follow Taiwanderers on: 
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok 
YouTube
Pinterest