How To Spend 5 PERFECT Days in TAIPEI | Travel Guide

Discover the perfect Taipei itinerary with this complete 5-day travel guide. From Ximending’s street food to Jiufen’s misty mountain lanes, Shifen Waterfall, Beitou hot springs, Longshan Temple, Taipei 101, Maokong tea fields, and Tamsui sunsets — this video shows exactly how to explore Taipei like a local.

We cover the best night markets, must-eat dishes, transit tips, hidden alleys, temple etiquette, budget restaurants, iconic viewpoints, and insider-only spots you won’t find in typical guides. Whether you’re planning a first trip to Taiwan or returning to dive deeper, this itinerary brings together the city’s food, culture, nature, and skyline moments into one seamless experience.

Perfect for:
Travelers planning 5 days in Taipei, Taiwan first-timers, food lovers, night market explorers, photographers, and anyone searching for the best things to do in Taipei.

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▬▬▬▬▬T O U R S & T I C K E T S🎟️▬▬▬▬▬
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DAY 1: Ximending Culture Meets Hidden Eats
ACCOMMODATIONS
CityInn Hotel Plus - Ximending Branch
Klook Booking: https://bit.ly/4rtfg9C
Flip Flop Hostel: https://bit.ly/4rjxnyC
ATTRACTIONS
Longshan Temple (Free entry)
Official Website: http://www.lungshan.org.tw/
No booking required - open to public
Huaxi Street Night Market (Free entry)
Location: Huaxi Street, Wanhua District
No booking required
The Red House (Free entry)
Official Website: http://www.redhouse.org.tw/
No booking required
Raohe Street Night Market (Free entry)
Location: Raohe Street, Songshan District
No booking required
TRANSPORT
Taipei MRT Day Pass (Unlimited rides): https://bit.ly/4okFlEX
Can also purchase at any MRT station
DAY 2: Old Meets New — Dadaocheng to Taipei 101
ATTRACTIONS
Lin Hua Tai Tea Company (Operating since 1883)
Location: 34 Dihua Street Section 2, Datong District
Walk-in for tea tasting
Yongle Market (Free entry)
Location: No. 21, Dihua Street Section 1
No booking required
Xiahai City God Temple (Free entry)
Location: No. 61, Dihua Street Section 1
No booking required
Taipei 101 Observatory: GetYourGuide (RECOMMENDED): https://getyourguide.tp.st/3nAROXgB
GetYourGuide Priority Pass: https://getyourguide.tp.st/CJVht8U3
Trailhead: Near Xiangshan MRT Station Exit 2
Songshan Cultural and Creative Park (Free entry)
Official Website: http://www.songshanculturalpark.org/
No booking required
DAY 3: Hot Springs, Imperial Treasures, and Hidden Artisan Streets
ATTRACTIONS
Beitou Hot Springs Museum
https://hotspringmuseum.taipei/
National Palace Museum
GetYourGuide (RECOMMENDED):https://getyourguide.tp.st/mg29PrqG
DAY 4: Jiufen and Shifen Day Trip Adventure
TRANSPORT
Taiwan Railway Tickets
Official Website: https://www.railway.gov.tw/
GUIDED DAY TOURS (Alternative to Independent Travel)
Jiufen, Shifen & Yehliu Day Tour
GetYourGuide (RECOMMENDED): https://getyourguide.tp.st/OUCqH5QQ
Jiufen Night View & Shifen Tour
GetYourGuide: https://getyourguide.tp.st/8UUbPFcW
DAY 5: Temples, Tea Mountain Views, and Sunset Farewell
ATTRACTIONS
Taipei Confucius Temple
Official Website: http://www.ct.taipei.gov.tw/
Dalongdong Bao'an Temple (Free entry)
Official Website: http://www.baoan.org.tw/
Bopiliao Historic Block (Free entry - CLOSED MONDAYS)
Official Website: https://www.bopiliao.taipei/
Maokong Gondola: https://english.gondola.taipei/cp.asp...
TAIPEI RESTAURANTS - BOOKING GUIDE
DAY 1
Walk-In Only:
Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle
Fuzhou Shizu Pepper Buns (Raohe Night Market)
50 Lan Bubble Tea
All night market vendors
DAY 2
Walk-In Only:
Ah-Gei's Rice Rolls (Yongle Market)
Hang Zhou Xiaolongbao
Yongkang Beef Noodle (Taipei 101)
DAY 3
Walk-In Only:
Beitou Market Beef Noodle Soup
Lao Zhang's Braised Pork Rice (Shin Kong Mitsukoshi)
DAY 4
Walk-In Only:
Shu Shin Lou Tea House (Jiufen)
A-Mei Tea House (Jiufen)
Lai Ah Po Taro Balls (Jiufen)
Bamboo Rice Stalls (Shifen)
DAY 5
Walk-In Only:
Book Ahead (ESSENTIAL):
MUME: https://www.mume.tw/reservation.html | +886-2-2700-0901
Shin Yeh: https://www.shinyeh.com.tw/content/en... | https://www.klook.com/en-US/activity/... | +886-2-2596-3255
DISCLAIMER: All information was accurate as of November 2025 but is subject to change. Please verify details before your trip.
⏰ C H A P T E R S ⏰
0:00 — Welcome to Taipei
0:19 — Day 1: Ximending & Night Markets
0:41 — Longshan Temple Morning
2:47 — Raohe Night Market guide
3:55 — Day 2: Dadaocheng to Taipei 101
4:12 — Dadaocheng Morning exploration
7:00 — Taipei 101 Observatory
7:40 — Elephant Mountain Sunset
8:41 — Day 3: Beitou Hot Springs & Museums
10:57 — National Palace Museum
13:19 — Day 4: Jiufen & Shifen Day Trip
14:55 — Jiufen Tea Houses & Old Street
16:15 — Shifen Waterfalls & Sky Lanterns
18:29 — Day 5: Temples & Maokong
21:53 — Maokong Gondola & Tea Experience
22:48 — Tamsui Sunset Farewell