11 days in Taiwan Itinerary

A small trading town in the 17th century, Kaohsiung now stands as a sprawling metropolis, its harbor representing the largest on the island.

Explore Kaohsiung's surroundings by going to Anping Guanyinting (in Anping), Chimei Museum (in Rende) and Xiao Liu Qiu (in Liuqiu). The adventure continues: take in the exciting artwork at The Pier-2 Art Centre, take in the pleasant sights at Takao Fishing Port, make a trip to The Dome of Light, and appreciate the extensive heritage of Chihkan Tower (Fort Provintia).

To find traveler tips, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, read our Kaohsiung road trip tool .

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Kaohsiung is an approximately 8-hour flight. Prepare for little chillier weather when traveling from Kuala Lumpur in December: high temperatures in Kaohsiung hover around 29°C and lows are around 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Nantou.

Nantou provides good access to the cultural and natural sites of the surrounding county of the same name.

Kick off your visit on the 30th (Mon): walk around Chung Hsing New Village Children's Park and then contemplate the waterfront views at Sun Moon Lake. Keep things going the next day: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Hehuan Mountain (Hehuanshan) and then experience rural life at Cingjing Veterans Farm.

To find photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Nantou tour itinerary maker .

Take a train from Kaohsiung to Nantou in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Kaohsiung in December, with highs in Nantou at 24°C and lows at 15°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 31st (Tue) so you can travel to Hualien.

Nestled between the sea and the mountains, Hualien boasts a number of attractions, both natural and manmade.

On the 1st (Wed), enjoy the sand and surf at Chishingtan Scenic Area and then hike along Taroko Gorge. Keep things going the next day: trek along Yanzihkou Trail and then take in the dramatic natural features at Ch'ing-shui Cliff.

For maps, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Hualien tour planner.

You can take a train from Nantou to Hualien in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Thu) so you can take a train to New Taipei.

Xinbei, also known as New Taipei City, stands as a newly founded part of the wider Taipei metropolitan area, stretching up from the capital to the island's northern coast.

When in New Taipei, make a side trip to see National Palace Museum in Shilin, approximately 42 minutes away. There's much more to do: pause for some photo ops at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, hunt for treasures at Chiufen (Jiufen Old Street), don't miss a visit to National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and wander the streets of Ximending.

To find reviews, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, read New Taipei holiday builder app .

Getting from Hualien to New Taipei by train takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and train. In January, daytime highs in New Taipei are 22°C, while nighttime lows are 16°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sun) so you can travel back home.