Taiwan is super easy to get to - just 4.5 hours by direct flight from Singapore. Whether you want to hike high mountains, explore deep gorges, or relax on the beach, Taiwan has it all.
If you grew up watching Taiwanese dramas or listening to Mandopop, it's even better. You can visit real spots from movies and music videos. It's like walking into your favorite scenes.
This guide is to help you plan how to go to the places that interest you. Based in China and online since 1998, we have created well over 100,000 custom-made China tours. The majority were for families and couples.
A Classic Taiwan Itinerary Suggestion
For your first trip to Taiwan, we recommend at least one week for the main highlights, including:
- Taipei (2-3 days): Main gateway city
- Sun Moon Lake (2 days): Breathtaking lake and mountain views
- Alishan (2days): Dense forest and peaceful mountains
Taipei is the main gateway city, while Sun Moon Lake and Alishan offer cool, comfortable escapes into nature—with great facilities and scenic views, they're perfect for getting away from the city heat and crowds.
On a longer trip, use your second week to dive into some of Taiwan's other hidden gems. Spend 2–3 days relaxing on the beach of Kenting, 1–2 days in Yilan for farm leisure, and another 1–2 days in Hualien for dolphin watching by boat. You can check our Yilan and Hualien itinerary: 4-Day Scenic Tour To Yilan and Hualien
Day 1-3: Taipei
One day for city highlights.
- Spend 2–3 hours at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and the National Palace Museum to learn about history and culture.
- Have lunch at Taipei 101 and enjoy the city view from the observatory deck.
- In the evening, head to Shilin or Raohe Night Market for tasty Taiwanese street food and a fun local vibe.
Taipei 101 and city skylineOne or two days for nearby attractions.
- One day to walk through flowers and see volcano craters at Yangmingshan, relax at Qingtiangang in the sunshine with water buffaloes, then enjoy a hot spring in Beitou District.
- One day to go to Yehliu Geopark to take a photo with the Queen's Head rock, then head to Jiufen for chewy taro balls and beautiful lantern views at night.
Queen's head Stone on Yehliu GeoparkDay 4-5: Sun Moon Lake
The distance between Taipei and Sun Moon Lake is about 250 km, taking a minimum of 3 hours by driving.
We suggest staying overnight to recharge and enjoy both the sunrise and sunset.
Landscape of Sun Moon Lake- To create unforgettable memories, we suggest you renting bikes in the morning, and ride about 2 hours along trail above the lake. It is one of the world's top 10 most beautiful bike trails, suitable for both adults and children.
- In the afternoon, head to Yidashao Old Street to try local snacks. Or take the cable car up the mountain to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village for theme park fun mixed with ethnic culture.
Day 6-7: Alishan
The distance between Sun Moon Lake and Alishan is About 100 km, taking a minimum of 2 hours by driving.
The Alishan area is renowned as a summer retreat from the searing hot temperatures.
- Start your Alishan journey at noon, and take a slow walk in the forest. In the cherry blossom season (March to April), you can take a romantic walk under the cherry blossoms with your wife/husband or ride on the red mini train through the flowers.
- We recommend staying overnight in Alishan so you can enjoy the famous sea of clouds at sunset, and join a guided tour for stargazing or watching fireflies at night.
Stunning sunset in AlishanAfter visiting Alishan, you can extend 2-3 days to Kenting or get back to Taipei. From Taipei, fly back home or takes another 4 days to Hualien and Yilan.
Kenting is about a 4-hour drive from Alishan. The ocean there is a pure, vibrant blue. Rent a bicycle or electric scooter and ride along the coastal roads on a sunny day to enjoy the romantic and leisurely seaside atmosphere.
Coastline of kenting national parkAvoid visiting Kenting in the winter (December-January) due to the strong katabatic winds.
**Taroko Gorge in Hualien: In 2025, due to earthquake damage, famous attractions like Swallow Grotto and Shakadang Trail in Taroko are temporarily closed. Consider postponing or canceling your trip to Taroko.**
Best Time to Visit Taiwan
Early spring (February to March, 14–22°C / 57–72°F) and autumn (October to November, 19–27°C / 66–81°F) is the best time to visit Taiwan. They offer a great travel experience with mild weather and less rain (6–10 rainy days per month). You can enjoy colorful natural scenery (such as cherry blossoms and fall foliage) and comfortable outdoor activities.
Spring cherry blossoms in AlishanThe second best could be winter (December to January, 14–20°C / 57–68°F) and early April to May (19–29°C / 66–84°F), also offer relatively mild weather and fewer tourists, making travel more affordable.
From May to June is the plum rain season (around 16 rainy days per month), while July to September is a hot and rainy summer (25–33°C / 77–91°F, over 12 rainy days per month), often with typhoons. Frequent rain may affect outdoor plans, so consider indoor activities as alternatives during these months. Typically, three to four typhoons hit Taiwan from July to October, each lasting 2–3 days.
Regardless, Taiwan's eastern and southern beaches are stunning, and summer is perfect for beach fun and dolphin or whale watching. You can also hike in the mountains to escape the heat. Summer is also the peak tourism season in Taiwan due to school holidays.
You can check the monthly weather and travel information as below.
| January | February | March | April |
| May | June | July | August |
| September | October | November | December |
Taiwan Travel Cost
If you're flying from Singapore, a 7-day trip to Taiwan costs around SGD 5,000/USD 4,000 per person. Excluding flights, the daily average is about SGD 300–400/USD 200–300.
Compared to other developed areas, some things in Taiwan—like transport and food—are quite affordable. The biggest expenses are usually the international flights (about SGD 1,600/USD 1,200 for a round-trip) and accommodation (about SGD 300/USD 200 per night).
Taiwan's peak travel seasons are usually June to August and late December. The biggest price differences between peak and off-peak seasons are in hotel and flight costs, with prices potentially rising by 50% to 100% during peak times. If you're traveling during peak season, book at least 2 to 3 months in advance.
Know the Entry Policy
Most visitors can stay in Taiwan for up to 14 days without applying for an entry permit. Some nationalities may stay even longer—for example, Singaporean visitors can stay for 30 days, while U.S. and U.K. visitors can stay for 90 days without a permit. You can visit Official website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs of Taiwan, China for the latest details and eligibility.
If you need to apply for a permit to enter, we recommend applying entry permission to two months before your planned travel date. You can also check the applicable regulations and apply for a convenient electronic entry permission.
Discover Taiwan with China Highlights
If you're visiting Taiwan for the first time, we highly recommend choosing a private tour with China Highlights. We could help maximize your time and make your travel comfortable, avoid the public transport hassles, save your time and energy in figuring out airline travel, transportation, and accommodations.
You could tell us your tour goals and interests by contacting us to inquire about a tour. Our popular Taiwan Tour Packages may inspire you.