8 Best Day Trips from Taipei for Nature, Hot Springs & Food
As someone who lived in Taiwan for 2+ years, I have been around! That means I’ve gotten to explore the best hikes, hot springs, food, and quaint villages.
Yet, I know it’s not always easy to experience all of that across the country.
That said, there are so many stunning natural and cultural spots within an hour or a few hours of Taipei. So you can leave your things at the hotel and embark on the best days trip from Taipei with ease.
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Why Take a Day Trip from Taipei?
Taipei is surrounded by so many stunning day-trip options, packed with natural scenery and historic sites.
Depending on how long you have in Taiwan, taking these day trips from Taipei is one of the best ways to see multiple angles of Taiwan’s beauty without having to go far.
In my experience, Taiwan is very convenient for getting around, and Taipei is no exception. With bus hubs and trains, there are often multiple ways to embark on day trips from Taipei, making planning easy.
Tips for Planning Day Trips from Taipei
As I’ve been on buses, trains, and group day trips from Taipei on many occasions, here are a few tips for planning the best day trips from Taipei:
- Google Maps is usually pretty accurate for taking the right bus or train. Follow that, and when in doubt, ask someone!
- Always check the bus and train schedules, as some do not run late depending on the route. Best practice is to start the day early!
- Don’t forget to bring cash. While cards are often accepted, some places only accept cash, and some of these day trips are small villages that might not have many ATMs.
- Don’t skip out on guided tours! Sometimes tours just make enjoying a place simpler without all the extra planning.
8 Best Day Trips from Taipei
Right, let’s get into my favorite and most popular day trips from Taipei that you need to consider for your travels in Taiwan.
And don’t forget to bookmark this blog post or save it to wherever you plan your Taiwan travels.
Jiaoxi (Hot Springs & Waterfall Hikes)
How to get there: Both trains and buses go directly to Jiaoxi. I often prefer the train, but buses will be about half the cost!
Jiaoxi is the perfect day trip from Taipei for some family fun and nature exploration. I’ve been twice and absolutely loved hiking the Paoma Trail. There are a few waterfalls in the area as well. Some trails can be a bit further out, but there are plenty of hikes if you don’t mind walking a bit.
And of course, the top reason to visit Jiaoxi is for the hot springs! There are many hot spring hotels if you fancy an overnight stay, but otherwise, there are many options with bookable time slots.
I’ve been to Hot Spring Onion twice; it has cute, artistic rooms and a super cozy chill common room (try the guava beer if they still have it!).
Wulai (Calm Hot Spring Town)
How to get there: From Xindian Station (Blue Line), you can take the 849 bus to Wulai. Always double-check bus times, especially when coming back, as some routes may end earlier.
Wulai is one of the Taipei day trips I still need to check off my list! I was planning a trip to spend a day in the hot springs, but it is a bit of a trek to get there, and I ran out of days in Taiwan.
Anyway, that means you’ve got to go and report back to me!
If you’re a geek for anything rail-related, there’s an open-air rail cart that rides along Japanese-era tracks that used to transport lumber. And yes, you can ride it! This is at the top of my list when I go.
And of course, the hot springs in Wulai are a must-visit. There are plenty of hotels and bookable time slots you can take advantage of, many of which are like the Wulai Pause Landis Resort.
Klook.comLuodong (Night Market & Culture)
How to get there: You can take both the bus (1917) and the train to Luodong. The bus will be cheaper than the train.
My ultimate day trip from Taipei would be to Luodong. It’s one of the most memorable day trips I ever took in Taiwan, with its traditional arts center, historical Forestry Culture Park, and MASSIVE night market.
Since Luodong is in Yilan, spring onions are among the top local products, so I suggest you try as many spring onion-infused dishes as possible at the night market.
But my absolute favorite place in Luodong is the National Arts Center. You can rent a QiPao and do a photoshoot with friends, buy all sorts of traditional sweets, and feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Pro tip: Unless you have a car or scooter, getting around by bike in Luodong is the easiest way. You can head to the local GIANT store and ask to rent one for the day.
Klook.comJiufen, Houting, and Shifen (The Classics)
How to get there: I packed all three of these into one, but here are some separate instructions to summarize. From Jiufen, there is a direct bus from Taipei. To Houting, there is a direct train. To Shifen, there is a train on the same line as the one that passes through Houtong.
Jiufen, Houtong, and Shifen are three of Northern Taipei’s top day trips that you can do all together.
Pingxi Lantern Street is usually on that list, but since it’s just super touristy and I’m not sure how I feel about the potential environmental damage from the lanterns, I don’t include it. Of course, still feel free to plan it in if you’re so keen! The scenery there is stunning, and it is really enjoyable to watch the train pass through.
Of them all, Shifen stunned me the most. Yes, it’s just a waterfall, but the color and intense falls are captivating.
Houtong is one for the cat lovers. If it’s hot during the day, they might be hard to catch. There are also some cute cafes.
And Jiufen…to be honest, it’s stunning, and there is some delicious food. But it is so busy with tourists that I wouldn’t go back. Remember, though, I’ve been almost everywhere in Taiwan, so my perspective makes it harder for Jiufen to win me over.
But if it’s your first time and you don’t have much time to explore much else around Taiwan, then definitely still go, as the views and architecture are worth seeing.
Sun Moon Lake
How to get there: For a day trip, I recommend taking a guided tour, as public transit involves many transfers and takes a lot of time.
Yes, it is possible to visit Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan on a day trip from Taipei. It’ll be a long day, but if you must see Sun Moon Lake and you only have a day trip to do it, get on a tour.
Sun Moon Lake is one of the most stunning lakes in Taiwan, where you can also learn about the aboriginal culture in Taiwan (the Thao people specifically).
Another thing not to miss in Sun Moon Lake is the tea eggs. As this region is known for its black tea, the tea eggs are premium!
Yangmingshan (National Park Hiking)
How to get there: The most straightforward way to get to Yangmingshan is to take the bus to Yangmingshan Bus Station. There are many buses from Jiantan and Shilin stations that go directly to Yangmingshan.
This is weird to admit, but I’ve never actually been to Yangmingshan National Park. I’ve been to Beitou and Zhizihu (just next to Yangmingshan), but never to the actual park itself.
But trust me when I say it’s one of the most popular day trips out of Taipei.
What’s most fascinating to me about Yangmingshan is that there are 20 active cones and peaks as part of the Datun volcano group. Yes, it’s a dormant volcanic area, which is why you’ll see clouds of smoke rolling out of the hillsides.
You can go on a day trip yourself, especially if there are specific hikes you want to do, or you can make it simple and join a day trip from Taipei.
Keelung (Night Market & Cultural Charm)
How to get there: There are both local trains and buses that run to Keelung, dropping you right in the heart of the small city.
Keelung has a unique vibe unlike anywhere I’ve been in Taipei. There’s culture, an industrial side to it, and one of the country’s most famous night markets.
Some of the best things to do in Keelung on a day trip from Taipei include visiting the colorful houses, eating away at the night market, and walking along the port.
You can easily make this day trip from Taipei yourself, but there are plenty of tours if you want to combine it with other places like Jiufen.
Klook.comYehliu & WanliiSpace Houses (Unique Nature & Architecture)
How to get there: From Taipei Main Station, bus 1815 will take you directly to Yehliu, passing Wanli on the way.
If you want one of the more peaceful best day trips from Taipei on your own, then Yehliu and the Wanli Space houses are perfect for that. Plus, it comes with a side of beach.
Yehliu is home to some of the strangest rock formations you’ve ever seen, including the famous Queen’s Head Rock.
But the best part of Yehliu for me wasn’t just the interesting geology; it was walking along the cliffsides of the rest of the park. Pass the Queen’s head area, and you’ll be led along some lovely trails filled with view after view.
From Yehliu, you can walk or take the bus over to Wanli, where there’s a beach and the creative but abandoned Wanli space houses.
Pro Tip: The Wanli Space houses are private property, so only view them from outside.
Explore More of Taiwan Beyond the Best Taipei Day Trips
If you’ve made it this far in my list of the best day trips from Taipei, thank you so much! I love to share my personal experiences and help others make the most of their time in Taiwan.
If you’re still planning your Taiwan trip, be sure to check out my other guides and articles about Taiwan:
