Taiwan itinerary — How to spend 11 days in Taiwan (11 days 10 nights) pefectly?

The area of Taiwan (36.193 km2) is quite small, only 1/9 of Vietnam (331.210 km²), moving from Taipei to Kaohsiung in the south by high speed train, which takes only 2.5 hours, it is likely go through the whole length of the country. Therefore, visiting Taiwan this time I decided to go through a series of major tourist destinations in the order: Kaohsiung – Tainan – Chiayi – Taichung – Taipei – Hualien. So, how to spend 11 days in Taiwan perfectly? Let’s check out my Taiwan itinerary blog (Taiwan travel itinerary, Taiwan trip itinerary) with the details of Taiwan itinerary for 11 days (Taiwan 11 days itinerary) to find out the answer. You can also adjust this Taiwan itinerary to 10 days (Taiwan itinerary 10 days, 10 days in Taiwan) if you want a shorter trip.

What I like most in this island nation is the nightlife, very vibrant and bustling, rich culinary culture and diversity at affordable price. 11 days and 10 nights in Taiwan, I tried countless food at the night markets, plus all the cost of moving, eating, drinking, stay in dorm rooms, air tickets … total less than $570 for this Taiwan trip itinerary (Taiwan travel itinerary).

Some useful information

Time zone and temperature

Taiwan is 1 hour faster than Vietnam. The temperature is similar to Vietnam. In the winter, the south of Kaohsiung is still quite hot, while Taipei is cold and rainy, cloudy like Hanoi weather. In my opinion, the most beautiful season in Taiwan is in the spring from March to April because there are cherry blossoms in full bloom, while the autumn in Taiwan in September to early December is not as beautiful and yellow, red leaves not as bright as in Korea but only sporadic in the Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area, Cingjing farm.

Money exchange

The rate is $1 = 30.76 TWD (October 2019). Previously, I bought roundtrip air tickets from Hanoi – Taiwan for $116.31 and booked some vouchers and train tickets on Klook so I only brought about $430 to spend for 11 days.

4G Sim

Chunghwa Telecom – This is the largest telecommunication company and the widest coverage in Taiwan so you can be assured of internet quality. During my trip the internet signal is very strong and fast even when I am climbing in the national forest. Price is NT$ 500 ($16.26)/10 days. Buying this Sim is very simple right opposite the exit door at Kaohsiung airport, or Terminal 1-2 at Taoyuan airport (Taipei). After choosing the Sim package and paying, they will help you install, activate the sim for you to use. In addition, you also can buy on Klook, I find it sold a little cheaper $15.43/10 days.

Transport

In the city, use the Easy Card or MRT 24h card? At first, I thought that in Kaohsiung, I just go around a few places, so I should buy MRT 24h card with price of NT$150 ($4.88). However, the reality is very inconvenient, because to getting to famous tourist attractions such as Fo Guang Shan Monastery and Lotus Pond are quite far away, you have to take the bus. And the principle of Taiwan’s bus is not to return the change. So I “lost money stupid” for the first time when buying bus tickets to Fo Guang Shan with the ticket price is only NT$70 ($2.28) but I must pay NT$100 ($3.25). On the return way, exchange money in advance and buy a “holy card” Easy Card can be used immediately throughout nationwide. The price of Easy Card is NT$100 ($3.25) + top up as much as you like, when the card run out of money you can top up at the subway station or 7 Eleven (but this way has extra charges). You can also pay for things bought in 7 Eleven supermarkets chain with this Easy Card.

Taiwan itinerary — Day 1: Hanoi – Kaohsiung

Flying with Vietjet Air: Hanoi (2:45PM) – Kaohsiung (6PM). Go to Hostel to check in.

Ruifeng Night Market: It is the No. 1 night market in Kaohsiung with more than 1.000 food stalls and playing areas. There are countless delicious food & lucky games in the market, especially to mention the “holy” bubble tea sandwiches (Boba Tea Toast), Fried Fujian seafood noodles, mochi, bubble milk tea, giant steak …. This is one of the night markets I like the most in Taiwan because of the overall it has countless good food, easy to eat, cheap and seats available.

Address: Yucheng Road, Zuoying Dist., Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Total retail floor area: 3.000 m²
Hours: 6PM–12AM
Monday, Wednesday: Closed
Phone: +886 986 554 866
Getting there: Exit at Kaohsiung Arena Station, Exit 1, go straight for 5 minutes.

11 days in Taiwan — Day 2: Kaohsiung

Morning: Fo Guang Shan, this place is known as “the largest Buddhist capital in Taiwan” with a 108m high bronze and steel Buddha statue, and an overall architecture of many impressive stupas and gardens. When I came here it was quite deserted, mainly tourists, if you are a follower it is very interesting because the inside has a beautiful & extremely modern altar.

Address: No.153, Xingtian Road, Dashu District, Kaohsiung 84049, Taiwan
Hours: 9am – 7pm weekdays, weekends open until 8pm
Getting there: Take the MRT to Zuoying Station, transfer to Harvard Express bus, line 2

Lotus Pond: I don’t know why when I came here I felt it is very similar to West Lake in Hanoi. The lake is not very wide (42 ha), standing on one shore of the lake, you can look to the other side. Around the lake there are attractions such as Dragon and Tiger Pagoda symbolizing prosperity, luck, Confucius temple, market … Here you can learn the unique temple architecture, beliefs of Taiwanese people.

Address: No. 9, Liantan Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 813
Opened: 1976
Height: 11 m
Floors: 7
Phone: +886 7 581 9286
Hours: 8am – 5pm every day of the week
Getting there: Take the MRT to Zuoying Station, transfer to bus No. 301 or No. 51A, 51B, 51C, 35, all can reach Lotus Pond.

Afternoon: Pier2 Art Center, the second pier of the abandoned port of Kaohsiung now becomes an open center of art – culture and creativity to attract tourists. You should come here a little early because I came back from Lotus Pond quite late, around 5 pm many shops were preparing to close.

Address: No. 1, Dayong Road, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 803
Opened: 1973
Hours: From 10am – 6pm from Monday – Thursday | Until 8pm on the weekends
Phone: +886 7 521 4899
Getting there: Take the MRT and get off at Yanchengu Station, walk for about 550m (7 minutes) to get there.

Evening: Liuhe Night Market. This night market is very similar to the Dong Xuan night market in Hanoi because it was built in the middle of a street rather than being planned as an area like Ruifeng night market. The two sides of the street sell a lot of delicious food. Especially famous here is Papaya Milk Smoothie, oyster omelette and fresh seafood, with tables and chairs in the middle of the market, crowded and fun.

Address: Liuhe 2nd Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 800
Phone: +886 7 285 6786
Opening hours: 6:30PM – 12AM
Getting there: Take the MRT and get off at Yanchengu Station, walk for about 550m (7 minutes) to get there.

Taiwan 11 days itinerary — Day 3: Kaohsiung – Tainan – Chiayi

Chimei Museum: This is a European-style private museum founded in 1992 by Chi Mei Group in Tainan, Taiwan. This museum is located near Tainan HSR station. There is free shuttle bus to getting here. But from here to visiting the city of Tainan is very inconvenient. If you have ever visited museums in Europe or Italy, you can skip it because the two floors show no too many rare artifacts or paintings. The museum’s gallery is divided into five categories: Western Art; Musical instrument; Natural history; Weapons and armor; Antiques and artifacts.

Address: No. 66, Section 2, Wenhua Road, Rende District, Tainan City, Taiwan 71755
Hours: 9:30AM–5:30PM / Wednesday: Closed
Tickets: NT$150–200
Getting there: After getting off at Tainan THSR station, go to the bus stop and waiting at Bus Platform 1, go to the next stop to get there.

Anping Old Street – Tree House – Anping Old Fort (Fort Zeelandia)

Hours: 8:30AM – 5:30PM daily
Getting there: From the Chimei Museum, I walk to Bao An Station to take the train to the central station, Tainan Station. Get out of the station, cross the road, take bus 88 or 99 to go to Anping Old Street / Tree House / Anping Fort close to each other. You pay attention to ask the driver upon arrival.

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