4 DAYS DIY TRAVEL GUIDE TO TAIWAN

Day 1: Taipei City Tourist Spots
Day 2: Taipei Expo Park, Yangmingshan, Beitou & More!
– Yangmingshan Travel Guide
– Beitou Travel Guide
Day 3: Keelung City, Yehliu Geopark, Shifen Old Street, Jiufen, Jinguashi and more!
Day 4: Taichung City, Taiwan

Here are things you need to know before your trip:

1. Check if your Country is VISA free

Normally if your passport still has a least 6 months validity you can apply for a visa, but please check details for your own country. A Tourist/Visitor visa requires filling in a form and satisfying the requirements (it’s all on the Taiwan official web site).

Citizens of the Philippines:
Visitors to Taiwan for tourism purposes are permitted a 14 day stay starting on 1 November 2017 until 31 July 2018. For other cases, please apply for e-Visa or ROC Travel Authorization Certificate.

• Arrival Information
  Documents required for entering Taiwan:
  1. Passport
  2. Return ticket
  3. Customs declaration form
  4. Hotel Reservation or any proof of accommodation
  5. Foreign nationals: Visa, arrival card, boarding pass

Find Out More

2. Book your Ticket & Hotel

Most of the flights from the Philippines to Taiwan go through the night and arrive early morning, so their not the best, but a typical ticket price bought well in advance is around PHP 2,000 return plus luggage – but there are always loads of spot promotions so you never know your luck!

Where we stayed?

Hotels abound and cater for all types of budgets – use all the usual online hotel search sites as even the cost of the same hotel can vary depending on which site you check out. In our case, we stayed at Jiizu Hostel. We paid Php3456.28 in our 4D3N stay. Check-in is from 2pm onwards but you may store your luggage as early as 7am. Their rooms are so clean and service is really accommodating. But if you want to check out other hotels you can check Agoda.

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

Best Budget Hotels in Taipei City

Starbox Hostel From around Php 350 / USD 7 CHECK RATES HERE	Angels Hostel Taipei Ximen From around Php 400 / USD 8 CHECK RATES HERE
NEOSOHO Cabin From around Php 450 / USD 9 CHECK RATES HERE	Fun Inn Taipei From around Php 480 / USD 9 CHECK RATES HERE
Taipei Taipei Hostel From around Php 480 / USD 9 CHECK RATES HERE	Ximen Corner Hostel From around Php 500 / USD 9 CHECK RATES HERE

Top Hotels in Taipei City

SleepBox Hostel From around Php 600 / USD 12 CHECK RATES HERE	Work Inn TPE From around Php 700 / USD 14 CHECK RATES HERE
Backpackers Inn Taipei From around Php 541 / USD 10 CHECK RATES HERE	Art Inn From around Php 556 / USD 10 CHECK RATES HERE
Taiwan Youth Hostel  From around Php 1,000 / USD 20 CHECK RATES HERE	One Plus One Hotel From around Php 1,350 / USD 25 CHECK RATES HERE

4. Plan your Itinerary

It’s better to plan your travel so you don’t have to waste hours in thinking if a place to go when you are there. Instead, write it down on a paper/notebook or type it down on your phone. Plus book your activities online beforehand as its way cheaper than buying it when you get there.

Where to get cheaper tours?Based on our personal experiences, Klook Are a great company for discounted tours for your trip to Taiwan and we took the following from KLOOK

• ‘Unite Traveler’ 4G SIM Card (TW Airport Pick Up) for Taiwan
• Yehliu Geopark Shuttle Bus from Ximen
• Taipei 101 Observatory E-Ticket
• THSR One Way Ticket to or from Taipei
• Yangmingshan National Park & Hot Springs Tour

More Activities

5. Get a Local Simcard or Pocket Wifi

We bought our sim cards online via Klook for Php531 with 5 days Unlimited Internet (Buy here). I prefer getting a Simcard because data roaming with a Philippines network is so expensive. You can purchase sim cards at the airport but they are so expensive and are often not even open, so if you want to use Youbike you will need a working data mobile phone.

Pick Up Location:(Opening Hours: 5:30am-1:00am)

• Taoyuan International Airport(TPE) Terminal 1, counter 3, Unite Traveler
• Taoyuan International Airport(TPE) Terminal 2, counter 3, Unite Traveler

In picking up your Simcard you need 2 things:
1.Your Passport
3. Another Valid ID ( Drivers License, Birth Certificate and so on.. )
One person can purchase up to 5 Sim cards 

Opening Hours: 5:30am-1:00am

Pick up near the arrival area!

Reserve your Simcard/WIFI Here

Note: Free Public Wi-Fi

Each connection only lasts 4 hours before you’ll need to re-connect. Check out the location of Wi-Fi Hotspots here and some popular FAQs answered here.

With the same iTaiwan account, you may use local internet Wi-Fi service in other cities such as New Taipei, Tainan, Taichung, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Changhua, and Taitung.

Be very careful with what data (e.g. passwords, usernames etc) you share during connection because the connecting process uses unencrypted transmissions. This might cause information you put out there to be stolen.

6. Get an EasyCard 

The EasyCard is one of the most important things to have in Taipei. Among the things, you can use these contactless smartcards for the excellent metro, the city bike scheme, buses, ferries, and even taxis. You can use them to pay for public parking, and as a prepaid credit card for convenience stores and supermarkets. They can also get you into the zoo, the Maokong Gondolas, Youbikes and some museums. Buy them at Metro and bus stations or at convenience stores. In our case, we bought them at the convenience store downstairs the Arrival Area. A standard fare card is NTD100 ($3), and they can be topped-up in amounts up to NTD10,000 ($310). Any unused cash can be refunded

We bought Easycard at the convenience store near the arrival area.

7. Where to change money?

If you think ahead then order your foreign currency in advance through your bank or in the malls. Changing money at any airport is a rip off so try to avoid. You can, of course, use credit and debit cards, but check with your bank as to charges. Don’t take peso cash and no one wants to change them, so if you can’t get local currency in advance get some US Dollars instead.

In our case, We exchange our USD at the airport and get a great deal.

In our case, We exchange our USD at the airport and get a great deal.

Getting out of Taoyuan International Airport

The transportation network connecting to the Taoyuan International Airport is highly efficient. Travelers entering or departing the country can choose from a variety of transportation methods to and from the airport. The high-speed rail which allows direct access to all major cities and the buses which travel between various regions make it extremely convenient for travelers to go to and from the destination of their choice and the airport.

Visitors may also take a taxi, a tour bus, or car rentals if they wish to reach their destination directly.

Shuttle bus to THSR Taoyuan Station

The Taiwan Airport MRT has Express and Commuter Trains. The Express Trains are for airport passengers and travel time is 38 minutes while Commuter trains have more stops and the travel time is 1 hour & 10 minutes and you can pay using your EasyCard. The Airport MRT is also one of the best ways to get to Taipei from the airport. It costs 160NTD one way. Make sure to ride the express service, which is only a 35 minutes train ride from Taipei Main Station, then the commuter service who stops at all stations before the airport. It is also just available from 6AM to 11PM.

If you arrive at 2am or so, like we did, the best option is to take a bus going to Taipei (Cost 125NTD) Buses are 24/7 with a 15-20mins interval.

If you are arriving in Taiwan around 11pm to 7am it’s really quiet and you can opt for a hassle-free transfer from Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei. You can book the Taiwan Airport Carpool Transfer here. or Choose a private car from Taiwan Airport Transfer, good for 4 persons.Click here for Private Car Aiport Transfer. 

Book Carpool Transfer Book Private Car

Getting Around Taiwan

1. Train – This is probably your best bet, but if you arrive at the airport after 12am then the train station will be closed, but on a normal day it’s the best and most efficient way to travel. From your hotel just take a cab to the nearest Station. We took the Express train to the airport which was I think about 100-150 NTD. For trips around the city, Taipei Metro is the easiest way to get around; it’s convenient, fast, easy and cheap. A basic ride starts at 20NTD (around 35Php) so our advice to you is to get a travel card called an EasyCard. The fare using EasyCard is 20% lower than the single ride ticket. It costs 100NTD which is consumable.

3. Taxi – Strange as this may seem, not only is this the most expensive travel option but it’s all the least effective. An average trip from the Airport or your hotel will cost around 800+ NTD that’s 1000+ Php. and the drivers speak little English so you need google maps or similar to show them where you want to go.

Uber – Uber is the only app bested taxi service in Taiwan and they do not accept cash payment, only credit cards or account.

4. Rent a car – You may prefer to pre-rent a car and that saves long taxi queues etc., check out Klook for offers Private Car Charter.

Book Private CAR HERE

5. Rent a Youbike – This is a bike sharing system and it is all over the city! This is definitely recommended if you want to save time and energy avoiding long walks. All you need is an EasyCard and a local mobile number to be able to register in the kiosk terminal. One mobile number can register up to 5 EasyCards. Once you’re registered, you just need to tap your EasyCard on the bike terminal to use and once you return it at another kiosk just tap your EasyCard again to terminate the hire. The first 30 minutes of each trip is free then the following 30 minutes will cost 10NTD. 

To guarantee people’s leisure activities, the authority allows bicycles to be taken on the metro during weekends and holidays. Each person can only take one bike and it is forbidden to use the escalator with the bike. Regardless of the distance, the cyclist should pay NT$80 to ride the train. Generally, the size of the bicycle should be within 71in*47in*28in (180cm*120cm*70cm) in length, height and width. Children under 14 years old cannot bring a bike on the train unless being accompanied by an adult.

 Bicycles are allowed to take into many MRT stations except the following:
1. Tamsui Station
2. Taipei Main Station
3. Daan Station
4. Zhongxiao Fuxing Station
5. Nanjing Fuxing Station
6. All stations on Wenhu Line

6. Taiwan High-Speed Rail  (THSR) –  is a high-speed rail line that covers the West coast of Taiwan. It starts from Taipei Main Station and ends at Kaohsiung in the South. It’s an amazing service and can reach speeds of up to 300kph. Taiwan has train pass packages to help tourists save money, especially so if you’re planning to visit places outside of Taipei (which we highly encourage you to!).You can check out Klook’s 3 Day THSR Tourist Pass Guide and 5 Day Joint Train Pass Guide to discover the many places of interest, both mainstream and hidden gems like:

• • Sun Moon Lake
  • Alishan
  • Da Han Bridge (bungee jumping everyone!)
  • Shei Pa National Park
  • Lotus Water Park (wakeboarding time!)
  • Rao He Night Market
  • Feng Chia Night Market…and so many more!

Get you 3 Day THSR Tourist Pass Here

4 Days Taiwan Itinerary

Day 1: Taipei City Tourist Spots

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

Presidential Office Building

National Taiwan Museum

228 Peace Memorial Park

Lin Family Mansion and Garden

Dahu Park

Maokong Gondola

Taipei Zoo

Taipei Zoo

Taipei 101 Observatory

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Day 2: Taipei Expo Park, Yangmingshan, Beitou & More!

Taipei Expo Park  

Dalongdong Bao-an Temple 

Yangmingshan National Park

Yangmingshan National Park

National Palace Museum

Elephant Mountain

Elephant Mountain

Shilin Night Market

DAY 2 ITINERARY – Yangmingshan + Beitou
7:30 AM	Taipei Expo Park
	Baoan & Confucious Temple
	Yangminshan National Park
	Xinbeitou Station
	Beitou Park
	Beitou Public Library
	Beitou Hot Spring Museum
	Millennium Hot Spring
	Puji Temple
	Beitou Musuem
	Thermal Village
	Beitou Plum Garden
	Elephant Mountain
	Shilin Night Market
End of Tour	Youbike Around Taipei

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Day 3: Keelung City, Yehliu Geopark, Shifen Old Street, Jiufen, Jinguashi and more!

Keelung City

Yehliu Geopark

Yehliu Geopark

Jiufen

Jiufen

Shifen Old Street

Shifen Old Street

Amitea house

Raohe Night Market

Raohe Night Market

DAY 3 ITINERARY – Keelung + Yehliu Geopark + Jiufen + Shifen
6:30 AM	Taipei Bus Station
	Keelung
	Yehliu Geopark
	Jiufen
	Jinguashi
	Shifen
End of Tour	Raohe Night Market

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 Day 4: Taichung City, Taiwan

Taichung City

National Museum of Natural Science

Gaomei Wetland

Rainbow Village

Rainbow Village

Miyahara

Taichung Park

4 Days Taiwan Budget & Expenses

*Expenses may differ depends on what you eat or where you eat plus I didn’t include here the Php1,500 pesos I spent for Pasalubong (take home gifts).

Tourist Spots in Taiwan

Things you need to Know!

What to Eat?

Taipei is a foodie paradise. There are so many good dishes and some of the most favored include braised pork on rice, beef noodles, oyster omelet, and pearl milk tea (bubble tea). There are really so many good things to try that you could write pages on this subject alone, but for the more unusual dishes to keep an eye out for , look for fried cuttlefish soup, Dongshan duck head, Taiwanese meatballs, shredded chicken on rice, pepper popcorn chicken (Taiwanese fried chicken), flaky scallion pancakes, hot grass jelly, and mango shaved ice etc. Most are not expensive and have some unique tastes!

Must-Buy

Pastries and Tea go together in Taipei like a horse and carriage! In the more traditional cafes, the old ways still prevail, but there are plenty of more modern slants on an old theme. Specialty teas include Tieguanyin and Baozhong and don’t forget to try the delicious local pineapple cakes, mung-bean cakes, and nougat candies.

We’ve tried pineapples cakes from Chi Ate Bakery and so far its our favorite! this is also good for pasalubong! Bring home one of Taiwan’s most famous snacks as a souvenir for friends and family. yum!

Chi Ate Bakery: Pineapple Cake

reserve Pineapple Cake Souvenir Set here

Le Secret Nougat Cookie

Get a taste of one of Taiwan’s most popular snacks with a visit to Le Secret Nougat Cookie in Taipei! Using top-quality and all-natural ingredients, these bite-sized treats called Mimi Crackers are one of the best souvenirs you can bring home from your trip to the bustling city. Sample these tasty delicacies without having to queue up by scheduling a pick up or delivery service (available anywhere within a 10km distance from the store) through the Klook website/app.

reserve Nougat Cookie Souvenir Set here

Zeng Noodles with Scallion & Spicy Sichuan Sauce

Bring home a taste of Taiwan with the delicious and popular Zeng Noodles that’s making waves in Taiwan. The handmade-style ribbon ramen is a local favorite thanks to its unique minty and spicy taste made from locally sourced scallion spring onions and spicy Sichuan peppercorns. Conveniently pick up your noodle order from Taipei’s Taoyuan Airport (TPE) or Songshan Airport (TSA) before you leave Taiwan. Each bag comes with 4 packs – an amazing souvenir for friends and family at home.

Night Markets

Taipei’s night markets are the places to go for the overall food experience. You don’t want to arrive earlier than 8/9pm or you will not get the full atmospheric effect of the places. Greater Taipei has more than two dozen night markets, and Shilin, Raohe (don’t miss black pepper pork puns by the temple entrance) and Ningxia with its excellent fried chicken, are the most popular. Sadly as they are so popular with tourists from all over the world, they are becoming ‘fashionably’ pricey, so do try the lest well-known places such as Nanjichang in gritty Wanhua district, or Dalongdong in historic Datong district. Nanya night market in Banqiao, Sanhe night market in Sanchong, and Luzhou-Miaokou night market in Luzhou are also Less famous.

Shilin Night Market

Shilin Night Market

Raohe Night Market

Raohe Night Market

Feng Chia Night Market

Shilin Night Market

Book Taipei Night Market Tour

Top 10 Night Markets in Taiwan

Apps to Download

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