13 days in Taiwan Itinerary

Located on the southern tip of the eponymous peninsula, Hengchun serves as the entry point to Kenting National Park, often attracting more travelers than locals with its tropical beach resorts and bustling night markets.

On the 30th (Mon), see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, then enjoy the sand and surf at Shadao Ecological Reserve, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Fu'an Temple. On the next day, kick back and relax at Dawan Kenting Beach Park and then identify plant and animal life at Kenting National Park.

To see ratings, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Hengchun vacation builder tool .

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Hengchun is an approximately 10-hour combination of flight and car. You can also drive. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Kuala Lumpur in December, with highs in Hengchun at 29°C and lows at 20°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 31st (Tue) so you can go by car to Hualien.

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

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Wed): contemplate the waterfront views at Chishingtan Scenic Area and then head outdoors with Taroko Gorge. On the next day, hike along Xiao Zhui Lu Trail, then make a trip to Ch'ing-shui Cliff, and then trek along Yanzihkou Trail.

To see photos, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Hualien holiday planner .

You can drive from Hengchun to Hualien in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. 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.

Do your shopping at Chiufen (Jiufen Old Street) and Taipei 101. Get outdoors at Yangmingshan National Park and Keelung River. You'll find plenty of places to visit near New Taipei: National Palace Museum (in Shilin) and Keelung River Right Bank Bike Trail (in Neihu). Next up on the itinerary: wander the streets of Ximending and don't miss a visit to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.

For other places to visit, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, read our New Taipei online trip itinerary maker .

Traveling by train from Hualien to New Taipei takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. In January, plan for daily highs up to 22°C, and evening lows to 16°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) early enough to drive to Nantou.

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

On the 6th (Mon), delve into the distant past at Checheng Logging Exhibition Hall, then explore the activities along Sun Moon Lake, and then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Wenwumiaohoushan Park. On your second day here, take a stroll through Rainbow Village Taichung, then look for all kinds of wild species at Gaomei Wetland, and then wander the streets of Lukang.

For traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, read Nantou online tour itinerary planner .

Traveling by car from New Taipei to Nantou takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In January, daytime highs in Nantou are 22°C, while nighttime lows are 14°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Kaohsiung.

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

Head to The Pier-2 Art Centre and Freedom Sunset Marketfor some retail therapy. Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum and Chihkan Tower (Fort Provintia) will appeal to history buffs. Step out of Kaohsiung with an excursion to Chimei Museum in Rende--about 46 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: get outside with Ai He (Love River), relax and rejuvenate at Floating Palace, and head off the coast to Cijin Island.

To find photos, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Kaohsiung online trip planner .

You can take a train from Nantou to Kaohsiung in 2 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Nantou in January: high temperatures in Kaohsiung hover around 29°C and lows are around 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.