How to spend 5 days in Taiwan: Suggested Taiwan Travel Itinerary 5 Days 4 Nights

June 11, 2025

How to spend 5 days in Taiwan, where to go, what to do and what to eat when traveling to Taiwan for 5 days 4 nights? Let Living Nomads tell you about a self-guided Taiwan travel itinerary of 5 days 4 nights with many new experiences.

Jiufen Ancient Village, Taiwan | 5 days in Taiwan itinerary

Taipei night market | 5 days in Taiwan itinerary

It can be said that Taiwan is a country with a culture influenced by many other countries, from Asia to the West. However, they still do a very good job of preserving their traditional cultural identity. There are countless unique attractions, bustling festivals and bustling night markets waiting for your experience.

Taipei skyline at dusk | @klook | 5 days in Taiwan itinerary

Yong-Kang-Street, Taiwpei. source: wefuntaiwan.com

Once is never enough for you to fully explore everything in Taiwan, but perhaps 5 days 4 nights will not be too short to miss the best things. The trip departing from Taipei to Tainan will bring you many interesting things!

5 days in Taiwan itinerary — Day 1: Ximending Walking Street – Xiangshan Elephant Mountain – Shilin Night Market

On the first day of your 5-day, 4-night Taiwan tour, you will depart and take a flight to Taoyuan International Airport. Don’t forget to book Taoyuan Airport MRT tickets in advance to quickly get to the center!

Ximending Walking Street

Known as “Taipei’s Harajuku” or “the neighborhood that never sleeps”, Ximending is a vibrant walking street, the center of pop culture, street fashion and entertainment for young people. There are countless unique clothing and accessory stores, cinemas, snack bars and street performers, creating an atmosphere that is always full of energy.

Ximending district, Taipei | 5 days in Taiwan itinerary

ximending bubble tea — Ximending bubble tea

Ximending Night Market (1) — Bubblea milk tea stall at Ximending night market

Ximending Food Taipei — Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle | 5 days in Taiwan itinerary

Start your day at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, a massive and majestic architectural complex with a large welcome gate, a large open square and a distinctive white main building with a blue roof. This is a place to honor former President Chiang Kai-shek, where you can witness the solemn and impressive changing of the guard ceremony.

shilin night market — | 5 days in Taiwan itinerary

Xiangshan Elephant Mountain

taipei 101 at sunset — Stunning sunset over Taipei 101 seen from Xiangshan Mountain. | 5 days in Taiwan itinerary

This is a popular short trekking spot, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Taipei, especially the majestic 101 Tower amidst the skyscrapers. It is an ideal place to take “million-like” photos of the sunset and the city’s night scene.

Taipei city view from Elephant Mountain | 5 days in Taiwan itinerary

Shilin Night Market

As the largest night market in Taipei, Shilin is a street food paradise. You can find everything from fried chicken, oyster omelettes, pearl milk tea, scallion pancakes to grilled dishes and fresh seafood. The area also has many souvenir shops and entertainment games, ensuring a lively and filling evening.

Shilin Night Market (1) — Fruit stall| taiwan trip itinerary 7 days

shilin-night-market-taiwan — Shilin, one of the bustling night markets you must visit in Taipei. | 5 days in Taiwan itinerary

Day 2: Jiufen Old Street – Shifen Old Street – Raohe Street Night Market – Taipei 101 Tower

Today, you will leave the city center to visit the ancient and romantic beauty of mountain towns and experience the unique sky lantern release.

Jiufen Old Street

Jiufen ancient village | 5 days in Taiwan itinerary

Jiufen is an ancient town located on the northern slopes of Taiwan, famous for its nostalgic and romantic beauty. Once a gold mining village, Jiufen now attracts tourists with its winding alleys, wooden houses hanging red lanterns, and countless tea shops and local snacks. Especially in the evening, when the lanterns are lit, Jiufen has a magical, sparkling beauty, reminiscent of the scene in the movie “Spirited Away”.

Check out the beautiful ancient village @aiko_738 | 5 days in Taiwan itinerary

Shifen Old Street

Release lantern in Shifen | 5 days in Taiwan itinerary

After enjoying local cuisine in Jiufen, you can move to Shifen Old Street. This is where you can experience the traditional activity of releasing sky lanterns on the railway tracks, writing down your wishes and releasing them into the sky. Nearby is Shifen Waterfall – a majestic waterfall with impressive natural scenery, dubbed the “Niagara Falls of Taiwan”.

Shifen station | 5 days in Taiwan itinerary

shifen-old-street-1440x1800 — Shifen Old Street | 5 days in Taiwan itinerary

Raohe Night Market

When returning to Taipei, you can visit Raohe Street Night Market – one of the oldest and most popular night markets in Taipei, famous for its splendid lantern gate and countless attractive street foods, to enjoy dinner.

Grilled squid at Raohe Night Market — Grilled squid street food | taipei in a day

31-Raohe-Night-Market — Bustling scenes at Raohe

5 days in Taiwan itinerary: Taipei 101 Tower

Taipei skyline at dusk | @klook | 5 days in Taiwan

Visiting Taipei 101 Tower is a must-try on your 5-day, 4-night Taiwan tour. Inside the tower, there are countless clothing brands, cosmetics, and high-end restaurants. In particular, the super-fast elevator here will take you to the observation deck on the 89th floor in just 37 seconds! Don’t miss the local cosmetics store because the prices here are reasonable, with a wide variety of items for you to choose from.

taipei 101 observatory — View from Taipei 101 observatory

To continue your journey, you can travel by HSR high-speed train from Taipei to Taichung, which only takes about 1 hour. After arriving, check in and rest at the hotel.

Day 3: Rainbow Village – Miyahara Building – National Taichung Theater – Gaomei Wetland

Today, you will spend all your time exploring the unique features of Taichung, before moving to Tainan at the end of the day.

Rainbow Village

Start your day at Rainbow Village – a small but colorful village, “enchanted” by the talented brushstrokes of an elderly veteran, turning every wall and walkway into fun and vibrant street art, bringing unique pictures and a joyful feeling.

Rainbow Village (彩虹眷村) in TaiChung, more than just a splatter of colours

Miyahara Building

Once an old ophthalmology clinic during the Japanese colonial period, Miyahara has now been transformed into a chic shop selling sweets, ice cream and drinks with a unique style that looks like something out of a Harry Potter movie. It is famous for its giant ice cream cones and beautifully packaged gifts.

Where to eat in Taichung Taiwanese Ice-cream at Miyahara (1) — | taichung best eats

Taichung National Theater

Top places to visit in Taichung Taichung Metropolitan Opera House (National Taichung Theater) (1) — | 5 days in Taiwan

Designed by renowned Japanese architect Toyo Ito, the National Taichung Theater stands out with its unique curvaceous shape, modern beauty and artistic flair. It hosts world-class opera, music, drama and dance performances, and also has exhibition spaces, restaurants and a rooftop garden, offering visitors a diverse cultural experience.

Gaomei Wetland

Gaomei Wetland is a famous wetland reserve in Taichung, considered one of the most beautiful sunset spots in Taiwan. It has a diverse ecosystem and a long wooden bridge that allows visitors to admire the whole view. In particular, at sunset, the mudflats reflect the sky, creating a unique “mirror” scene, with giant wind turbines silhouetted against the brilliant sky.

In the late afternoon, you can travel by HSR high-speed train from Taichung to Tainan, this journey only takes about 40-50 minutes. When you arrive, you can rest and prepare for the journey to explore Tainan the next day.

Day 4: Anping Fortress – Anping Tree House – Confucius Temple – Chimei Museum – Anping Old Town

On this day, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the long-standing flow of history through architectural relics and explore the depth of rich cuisine.

Anping Fortress

Anping Fortress is one of Taiwan’s oldest and most important historical sites, built by the Dutch in 1624. Although much of the original structure has been destroyed, the fort still retains its ancient brick walls and observatory. Visitors can climb to the observatory to get a panoramic view of Anping, and learn about Taiwan’s complex history through the exhibits.

Anping Tree House

The Anping Tree House is a unique attraction where nature and architecture come together. Once an abandoned warehouse, it is now completely covered in the roots and trunks of tropical banyan trees. Visitors can walk on the wooden walkways above, exploring this surreal and enchanting scene, a living testament to the power of nature.

Confucius Temple

The Confucius Temple is the first and oldest Confucius temple in Taiwan, built in 1665. With its majestic traditional architecture and serene atmosphere, this place is not only a place to worship Confucius but also an important center of learning. Coming here, you will admire the historical beauty and learn about Confucian philosophy in a peaceful atmosphere.

Chimei Museum

Chimei is a unique private museum with a diverse collection of Western art (sculptures, paintings), classical musical instruments, weapons, and natural specimens. Featuring splendid Greek architecture and a large garden, this is a great destination to enjoy art and architecture.

Anping Old Town

In the afternoon, you can relax at Anping Old Town. This is the perfect place to shop for unique souvenirs and enjoy a variety of Tainan’s signature snacks, making for a fun dining and shopping experience. Afterwards, enjoy a special dinner at one of Tainan’s long-standing restaurants, famous for its traditional dishes.

Day 5: National Taiwan Museum of History – Return to Taipei to Return to Vietnam

On the last day, you will have some time to relax in Tainan before moving back to Taipei and ending the trip. You can relax at a local cafe in Tainan, or visit a local specialty store for last-minute souvenir shopping such as pineapple cakes, sun cakes, or teas.

National Taiwan Museum of History

Visit the National Taiwan Museum of History, which recreates Taiwan’s rich and diverse history from prehistoric to modern times through interactive exhibits and unique artifacts, providing insight into the island’s culture and development. All are vividly recounted, helping you learn more about Taiwan’s identity and heritage.

Return to Taipei to return to Vietnam

At noon or in the afternoon, you will travel by HSR high-speed train from Tainan back to Taipei, with a travel time of about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. From Taipei HSR station, you can go straight to Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to check in and board a flight back to Vietnam, ending your journey to explore Taiwan full of memories.

Essential items When Traveling to Taiwan for 5 Days and 4 Nights

The essential amenities when traveling to Taiwan for 5 days and 4 nights below will help you have a smooth and easy trip. Hurry up and book on Klook before departing to Taiwan!

Taiwan 4G SIM or 4G Wi-Fi Device

You can choose Taiwan 4G Sim or Rent a 4G Wifi device to use. These two utilities ensure that you maintain an Internet connection throughout your travel time in Taiwan. Everything will become extremely difficult if you do not have Internet to look up maps, translate, pay, etc. Therefore, an international Sim is the top necessary utility when you travel abroad.

Taiwan High Speed Rail Tickets

To easily travel to places in Taiwan, you should book Taiwan High Speed Rail Tickets before departure. With a speed of 350km/h, you will reach your destinations very quickly. Depending on each person’s travel needs, there will be separate options, please visit Klook Vietnam for details.

EasyCard

how-to-get-around-in-taiwan — Easy to getting around Taiwan by swipe EasyCard.

Exploring Taiwan will be much simpler when you own an EasyCard. When you own this card, you will no longer have to worry about cash. Everything like public transportation, convenience stores, Starbucks, and some attractions are easily paid for.

Taiwan 5 Days 4 Nights Travel Cost Reference

This cost is estimated based on your preference for convenience, full experience of the activities in the itinerary, and choice of a fairly good service (3-4 star hotel, convenient transportation).

Category	Cost/person (USD))
Round trip airfare (Vietnam - Taipei)	153.82 - 230.73
Hotels in Taipei and Tainan (4 nights)	115.36 - 192.27
Taoyuan Airport MRT Ticket (Round Trip)	12.31
EasyCard/iPass (for MRT/city bus and top-up)	7.69
HSR High Speed Rail (Taipei - Taichung - Tainan - Taipei)	70.49
Food (5 days)	96.14 - 153.82
Taipei 101 Observatory Ticket	17.30
Jiufen, Shifen Day Tour	29.99
Other attractions	3.85 - 7.69
Shopping & Souvenirs	38.45 - 115.36
Total	557.59 - 884.45

Frequently Asked Questions When Traveling to Taiwan 5 Days 4 Nights on Your Own

When is the best time to visit Taiwan?

Spring (March – May) and autumn (September – November) are ideal, with cool weather and little rain.

What is the most convenient and economical means of transportation?

Use the High Speed Rail (HSR) between cities and EasyCard/iPass for MRT/inner-city buses.

Is it difficult to get a Taiwan visa?

Not too difficult. You can get a conditional visa exemption if you have a visa from a developed country, or apply for a regular visa.

Is eating in Taiwan expensive?

Quite affordable, especially at the night market. Try pearl milk tea, stinky tofu, giant fried chicken, beef noodles.

Do you need to prepare a 4G SIM/eSIM?

Highly recommended for convenient communication and lookup. You can buy a SIM at the airport or eSIM online before your trip.

Taiwan is a country with an extremely rich landscape, the most modern cities, along with the charm of ancient Chinese cultural heritage and traditions. The upcoming 5-day, 4-night Taiwan tour is a great opportunity for you to explore “everything” of this country’s quintessence.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Taipei you can refer to

Are you finding more top things to do in Taipei: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Taipei itinerary 4 days — How to spend 4 days in Taipei & what to do in Taipei for 4 days perfectly?