Taipei Day Trips
Escape the city and explore Taiwan's best day trips — from lantern-lit mountain towns to coastal geoparks, hot springs, and indigenous villages.
Top Day Trips from Taipei
Jiufen Old Street
Wander lantern-lit alleyways, sip tea in cliffside houses, and relive the golden age of Taiwan's gold rush.
Explore guide →Beitou Hot Springs
Soak in Taiwan's most famous hot springs, explore the steaming Thermal Valley, and admire Japanese-era architecture.
Explore guide →Shifen & Pingxi Railway
Release a sky lantern over railway tracks, visit the dramatic Shifen Waterfall, and ride the scenic Pingxi Line.
Explore guide →Tamsui Riverside
Catch a legendary sunset along the Tamsui River, stroll the old street, and explore historic Fort Santo Domingo.
Explore guide →Yangmingshan National Park
Hike volcanic peaks, see seasonal flowers, soak in mountain hot springs, and enjoy panoramic views of Taipei.
Explore guide →Yehliu Geopark
Marvel at the iconic Queen's Head rock formation and unique coastal hoodoos along Taiwan's northern shore.
Explore guide →Maokong Tea Hills
Ride the glass gondola above tea plantations, taste high-mountain oolong, and unwind in hilltop tea houses.
Explore guide →Keelung Harbor & Night Market
Feast at the legendary Miaokou Night Market, walk the harbor, and visit the giant Buddha at Zhongzheng Park.
Explore guide →North Coast Scenic Drive
Drive past Fulong Beach, Golden Waterfall, Jinguashi gold mines, and dramatic coastal cliffs.
Explore guide →Wulai Indigenous Village
Visit an Atayal village, ride the cable car, soak in riverside hot springs, and watch the waterfall.
Explore guide →Each guide includes transport options, top attractions, practical tips, and suggested combo itineraries to help you make the most of your time.
Whether you are a first-time visitor or a Taipei resident looking for a weekend escape, these day trips reveal the incredible diversity of Taiwan's landscapes and cultures within easy reach of the capital.
All guides are kept up to date with current transport schedules, entry fees, and seasonal advice. We recommend checking the latest MRT and bus timetables before your trip, especially on weekends and public holidays.
Bookmark this page and return whenever you are planning your next adventure. The mountains, hot springs, coastlines, and tea hills of northern Taiwan are waiting to be explored.
Smart Combo Itineraries
Jiufen + Shifen + Pingxi
A full day along the Pingxi Railway. Release a lantern at Shifen, explore waterfalls, then continue to Jiufen for golden-hour tea.
Beitou + Tamsui
Morning hot springs in Beitou, sunset at Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf. The classic northern Taipei day trip.
Yehliu + North Coast
Coastal geology in the morning, beach time at Fulong, and the Golden Waterfall in the afternoon.
Yangmingshan + Maokong
Volcanic peaks and flowers in the morning, tea tasting and gondola views in the afternoon.
Day Trip Planning Tips
Getting Around
- ✓ Use the EasyCard for trains, buses, and the Maokong Gondola.
- ✓ The TR Pingxi Line is the best way to reach Shifen and Jiufen.
- ✓ Rent a car or scooter for the North Coast and Yangmingshan.
- ✓ UBus and Kuo-Kuang buses serve Yehliu, Wulai, and Keelung.
When to Go
- ✓ Spring (Mar-May): Best for Yangmingshan flowers and comfortable hiking.
- ✓ Autumn (Sep-Nov): Clear skies, perfect for coastal views and sunsets.
- ✓ Winter: Ideal for hot springs in Beitou and Wulai.
- ✓ Weekdays: Jiufen and Shifen are far less crowded on weekdays.
Why Take a Day Trip from Taipei
Taipei is surrounded by incredible natural and cultural attractions within a one-hour radius. From volcanic hot springs and indigenous villages to coastal geoparks and lantern-lit mountain towns, every day trip offers a completely different experience of Taiwan.
The public transportation network makes most of these destinations accessible by train, bus, or gondola. For the more adventurous, renting a car or scooter opens up the scenic North Coast and hidden mountain roads.
Each destination has its own character, cuisine, and seasonal highlights. Spring brings cherry blossoms to Yangmingshan, summer makes Fulong Beach irresistible, autumn paints the North Coast in golden light, and winter turns Beitou and Wulai into hot spring paradises.
Many of these trips can be combined into combo itineraries. The most popular is the Jiufen-Shifen-Pingxi route, which takes you from sky lanterns to cliffside tea houses in a single day.
The Beitou-Tamsui combo is another classic: soak in mineral springs in the morning, then watch the sunset over the Taiwan Strait in the evening. For drivers, the North Coast loop combines Yehliu, Fulong, and Jinguashi into one unforgettable coastal road trip.
Whether you want a relaxing soak in hot springs, a challenging mountain hike, or a food-filled night market crawl, our guides help you plan the perfect Taipei day trip.
Start Exploring Taipei
Whether you want a hot spring soak, a mountain hike, or a coastal road trip, our day trip guides have you covered.