The small island nation captures the extremes with its high central mountains and long coastline. It soon becomes clear why road trips to the island are so popular.
Enjoy misty mountains, sand, and rugged beaches while enjoying some delicious local food along the way.
Taiwan is an easy East Asian road trip through subtropical islands that everyone should try.
How to rent a car in Taiwan
If you want to rent a car in Taiwan, you just need to make sure you have the correct credentials. You need a passport and an international driver’s license.
Day 1: Taipei
If you’re just spending one night in Taipei, consider your priorities. Do you want to spend time in the modern Xinyi District? Or, do you want to visit temples and night markets? Then Songshan and Raohe Night Market should be your destination. Want to see old Taipei? Wanhua District and Datong District will have the destination you are looking for.
Day 2: Taichung
Wake up and set off for Taichung. Taichung is more dispersed and less vertical than Taipei. A few places to visit here are Rainbow Village, which is very suitable for sightseeing, very suitable for IG, and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts is also a good place. Fengjia Night Market is definitely your gas station.
- Travel distance – 165 km, 2 hours 4 minutes from Taipei
Day 3: Qingjing Farm
Established on February 20, 1961, Cingjing Farm is not just a place to watch sheep. You’re constantly gaining altitude as you climb up the hill, and the driving itself is half the experience here. If you travel in spring, you can see peach, pear and apple blossoms. The visuals of the misty mountains surrounding this little sheep farm are worth a visit on their own.
- Travel distance – 85.1km, 1 hour 38 minutes from Taichung
Day 4 and/or Day 5 (one or two days): Sun Moon Lake
Sun Moon Lake is located in the lower mountains of Taiwan’s Central Mountains. Surrounded by low-mountain forests, walking trails and the Jiu Aboriginal Culture Village dedicated to Aboriginal history, there is much to explore. You can choose to spend a day or two here. For the more relaxed traveler, choosing two may be ideal. Giving an extra day to Alishan National Park will allow for more hiking.
- Travel distance – 71 kilometers, 1 hour 38 minutes from Cingjing Farm
Day 5 and/or Day 6 (one or two days): Alishan National Park
Alishan National Park is located on Alishan. Alishan is home to tea plantations, aboriginal culture, ancient railways and amazing sights. You can spend the day here admiring its beauty and having a cup of tea while looking around at the magnificent views. If you choose to spend an extra day here, plan to hike to the summit on that day.
- Travel distance – 115 kilometers, 3 hours and 4 minutes from Sun Moon Lake
Day 7: Tainan
Tainan is known as the food capital of Taiwan, and even if you think you’re only interested in food for a while, you need to take some time to visit here. The city itself is quite pleasant, smaller than Taipei and Kaohsiung, but more aesthetically pleasing. Check out some of the restaurants linked below, take some time to hit the beach, maybe walk past Taiwan’s first Confucian temple, or stroll along the canals and get involved in the vibrant city life.
- Travel distance – 130 km from Alishan National Park, 2 hours and 22 minutes
- Yi Nong sweet and not spicy – Taiwanese style tempura, $
- Mao Fun – Chinese, Japanese, Hot Pot, $$
- Tan Zuo Ma Li Grill – Taiwanese, Japanese BBQ, $$$
Day 8: Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung is the second largest city and largest port in Taiwan. It’s a wider city than Taipei and more car-friendly. While in Kaohsiung, you can admire sights such as the Lotus Pond (Lotus Pond) and its scenic towers and bridges. The Blueprint Cultural and Creative Park is also a great place to watch live performances and local arts. You can also eat some seafood here! It is a port city.
- Travel distance – 50 km, 53 minutes from Tainan
Day 9: Kenting National Park
Kenting is a popular beach destination for tourists from other parts of Taipei. This is a place to snorkel and enjoy a few waves. There are several good options for beaches here, as well as some landmarks to photograph. If beaches aren’t your thing, there’s also a National Forest Recreation Area. You can also find where the South China Sea meets the Pacific Ocean.
- Travel distance – 108km, 2 hours from Kaohsiung
Day 10: Taitung
Taitung is a slow-paced coastal city in southeastern Taiwan. You’ll find many coastal attractions, such as Sanxiantai or Xiuyeliu, easily accessible by car. In addition, Taitung Forest Park and Taitung Seaside Park are great places to visit from within the city. There are also some nice local tea houses to visit!
- Travel distance – 122 km, 2 hours 20 minutes from Kenting National Park
Day 11: Hualien
The drive to Hualien can be a spectacular experience in itself as you pass through the narrow valley between the Central Mountains and the smaller coastal Hoian Mountains. Hualien is a fun little city with plenty of outdoor activities. If you have a car, it is not a problem to visit the Sixty Stone Mountain. If you want to live near the city, Dongdamen Night Market and Pacific Ocean Park (Seaside Park) are also worth a visit.
- Travel distance – 165km, 3 hours 23 minutes from Taitung
Day 12: Taroko Gorge
You will need to plan a full day for this, and with your own car, you will find it easy to navigate between the different trails. There are many here, and they’re all beautiful, so pick a few that match your ability level, and enjoy a day in one of Taiwan’s most fascinating places.
- Travel distance – 55.3 km, 1 hour 32 minutes (all the way to Canyon Road) from Hualien
- Path List and Difficulty
Day 13: Jiaoxi
Before heading back to Taipei through the sometimes congested tunnels, take your time to enjoy the hot spring resort and food. There are many hot spring resorts to choose from, as well as many small restaurants, making it a haven for Taipei people. Get up early and try to catch the sunrise at Wai’ao Beach before finally returning to Taipei.
- Travel distance – 116 km, 2 hours 25 minutes, from Hualien
Day 14: Return to Taipei
- Travel distance – 44 km from Jiaoxi, 40 minutes (no traffic jam, plan for one hour)
- total distance – 1,226.4 km
- total driving time – 23 hours 59 minutes
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