Best day trips from Taipei — ranked by effort, crowd level, and reward
Taipei: Yehliu Jiufen Shifen guided tour
Duration: 9 hours
What are the best day trips from Taipei?
Jiufen (red-lantern old street, 60 min by train+bus), Shifen (sky lanterns, 70 min by train), Yehliu Geopark (Queen's Head rock, 90 min by bus), Beitou (hot springs, 30 min MRT) and Yangmingshan (volcanic hiking, 40 min by bus) are the top five. All are doable in a single day without a car.
Day trips are what makes Taipei extraordinary
Taipei is one of the few major Asian cities where a single MRT ticket or a short train journey drops you into genuinely different worlds. Within 90 minutes of Taipei Main Station you can reach a rain-wet mountain gold-rush town with red lanterns, a sky lantern village straddling a working railway track, one of the world’s strangest coastal rock formations, and a volcanic national park with hiking trails above the city smog line.
This guide ranks the ten best day trips by how much reward you get for the logistics involved — not just the Instagram appeal, but the actual experience quality.
| Easiest | Beitou — 30 min MRT, no advance planning |
| Most iconic | Jiufen — red lanterns, teahouses, dusk views |
| Best value tour | North coast loop — Yehliu + Jiufen + Shifen |
| No entry fee | Beitou museum, Yangmingshan, Houtong, Tamsui |
| Book ahead | Sky lantern releases at peak festival weekends |
1. Jiufen — red lanterns and mountain teahouses (★★★★☆)
Travel time: 60–75 minutes (TRA train from Taipei to Ruifang, then Bus 788 or taxi 15 min) Best for: Photography, teahouse culture, atmosphere especially at dusk Cost of transport: NT$75–100 one-way by train to Ruifang + NT$15–25 bus Crowd level: High (weekends), moderate (weekdays)
Jiufen is the former gold-mining town that inspired the visual aesthetic of countless films and travel magazines. The narrow staircase alleys lined with red lanterns, bamboo tea rooms perched on the hillside, and views down to the Pacific coast are genuinely compelling.
The honest note: it is extremely crowded on weekend afternoons between 13:00 and 18:00. Come on a weekday, or arrive by 10:00 before tour buses disgorge their groups. The old street itself (Jishan Street) is tourist-dense; the quieter upper streets above it are far more atmospheric.
See the full Jiufen day trip guide for transport details, what to eat, and when to go.
2. Shifen — sky lanterns you actually release yourself (★★★★☆)
Travel time: 70–90 minutes (TRA from Taipei Main to Ruifang, then Pingxi Line local train to Shifen — total ~70 min) Best for: Sky lantern release experience, Shifen Waterfall, family-friendly Cost of transport: NT$90–120 one-way Crowd level: Moderate-high year-round, very high during February–March lantern festival
Shifen is where you release a paper sky lantern over the railway tracks — a tradition that continues year-round, not just during the famous festival. The experience costs NT$150–200 per lantern and takes about 20 minutes from purchase to launch and photograph. Shifen Waterfall (40m wide, 20m drop, nicknamed “Taiwan’s Little Niagara”) is a 20-minute walk from the village and genuinely impressive.
See the Shifen sky lantern guide for the full breakdown.
3. Yehliu Geopark — geological formations unlike anything else (★★★★☆)
Travel time: 75–90 minutes (Bus 1815 from Taipei West Station A, or organised tour) Best for: Unique rock formations, coastal scenery, science-minded travellers Cost of transport: NT$90–120 one-way by bus Crowd level: High during weekday mornings, very high on weekends Entry fee: NT$80 adults
Yehliu’s Queen’s Head rock — a mushroomlike formation created by differential erosion — is one of Taiwan’s most photographed geological features. The entire geopark contains hundreds of formations grouped into three zones, with clear English signage explaining the geology. You need about 2–2.5 hours to walk the full trail.
The rock formations are genuinely extraordinary and not easily replicated at other destinations. However, the combination of heat and crowds can make midday visits unpleasant. Go early or late.
See Yehliu Geopark guide for the bus schedule and what to see.
4. Beitou — hot springs 30 minutes from the city (★★★★☆)
Travel time: 30 minutes by MRT (Red Line to Xinbeitou) Best for: Hot springs, Japanese-era heritage, combining with Yangmingshan Cost of transport: NT$30 one-way by MRT Crowd level: High weekends, moderate weekdays Spring prices: NT$40–100 public pool; NT$400–800 private room
Beitou wins on pure logistics. No other natural hot spring destination in Asia is this close to a major city centre and this cheap to access. The 1913 Hot Spring Museum is free. The Thermal Valley boiling pond is free. The Millennium Hot Spring public pool costs NT$40–100.
See the Beitou hot springs guide for full facility details.
Beitou and Yangmingshan combined day tour5. Yangmingshan National Park — volcanic trails above Taipei (★★★★☆)
Travel time: 35–45 minutes by bus from Taipei (Bus S15 from Jiantan MRT, or Bus 260 from various stops) Best for: Hiking, cherry blossoms (Feb–Mar), fumaroles and volcanic landscape Cost of transport: NT$15–30 by city bus Crowd level: Very high during cherry blossom season, moderate otherwise Trail fees: None (national park entry free)
Yangmingshan is Taipei’s volcanic backyard: a dormant shield volcano with hiking trails from gentle nature walks to the demanding Seven Star Mountain summit (1,120m). In spring, the calla lily fields and cherry blossoms turn the slopes into the city’s most-visited natural attraction.
Off-season (May, autumn, winter) the park is significantly quieter and the hiking is excellent. The Xiaoyoukeng Visitor Center offers a boardwalk through active fumarole fields. For full trail details, see Yangmingshan hiking guide.
6. Houtong Cat Village — 200 cats and a coal-mining past (★★★☆☆)
Travel time: 45–60 minutes (TRA train from Taipei Main to Houtong Station) Best for: Cat enthusiasts, quiet village atmosphere, photography Cost of transport: NT$63 one-way by train Crowd level: Moderate — known but not overcrowded Entry: Free
Houtong is a former coal-mining village on the Keelung River that has been slowly repopulated with cats over the past decade — rescued, sterilised, and cared for by local volunteers and residents. Currently around 200 cats live in the village, mostly friendly and accustomed to visitors.
The appeal is the combination of genuine atmosphere (still an inhabited village, not a theme park), good light for photography along the riverside, and a very easy train journey. Not for non-cat people, but if cats are your thing, this is one of the better experiences in northern Taiwan.
See Houtong Cat Village guide.
7. Pingxi Line — sky lanterns, waterfalls, and mountain villages (★★★☆☆)
Travel time: 70–90 minutes (TRA from Taipei to Ruifang, then Pingxi Line local train) Best for: Sky lanterns, slow travel, multiple small villages, lantern festival dates Cost of transport: NT$112–140 one-way Crowd level: Moderate weekdays, high during festival months
The Pingxi Branch Line is a 12.9km narrow-gauge railway connecting five small mountain villages: Sandiaoling, Dahua, Shifen, Lingjiao, and Pingxi. A day pass for the branch line costs NT$80 and lets you hop on and off at each village. Shifen is the most visited (sky lanterns, waterfall); Pingxi itself has more local character.
See Pingxi Line day trip guide.
Pingxi sky lantern and Shifen waterfall tour8. Maokong — tea plantations and gondola views (★★★☆☆)
Travel time: 40 minutes (MRT to Taipei Zoo Station, then Maokong Gondola 25 min) Best for: Tea culture, mountain views over Taipei, afternoon escape Cost of transport: NT$100 (gondola round trip NT$50 one-way, MRT separate) Crowd level: Moderate — popular but less hectic than north-coast destinations
Maokong is the closest thing Taipei has to a mountain teahouse district. The gondola from Taipei Zoo Station offers panoramic views before depositing you among tea plantations. Teahouses serve oolong, jin xuan (milk oolong), and baozhong in traditional settings with city views. Reasonably priced (NT$150–300 per pot).
Best visited in late afternoon to watch the sun set over Taipei from a teahouse patio.
9. Tamsui — riverside sunset and red fort history (★★★☆☆)
Travel time: 35–40 minutes by MRT (Red Line to Tamsui end of line) Best for: Leisurely sunset stroll, oyster omelettes, Fort San Domingo Cost of transport: NT$52 one-way MRT Crowd level: Busy on evenings and weekends, lighter on weekday mornings
Tamsui (Danshui) is at the northern end of the MRT Red Line where the river meets the Taiwan Strait. The old street runs parallel to the river with seafood vendors, oyster vermicelli shops (a Tamsui specialty), and the 17th-century Fort San Domingo (Dutch and Spanish colonial, NT$50 entry). The riverside promenade is pleasant at sunset.
Honest assessment: Tamsui is a pleasant half-day but lacks the dramatic scenery of the mountain and coast destinations. It works best as a late-afternoon add-on combined with Beitou (both on the Red Line) or on its own for a low-effort relaxed afternoon.
10. North coast loop — Yehliu + Jiufen + Shifen in one day (★★★★★)
Travel time: Varies by transport (car or organised tour recommended) Best for: Efficient travellers who want to cover the main north-coast highlights in a single day Cost: NT$900–1,800 per person on a group tour; NT$300–500 by independent train if covering Jiufen+Shifen (Yehliu requires bus backtrack) Crowd level: High in all three locations — the classic tourist circuit
Combining Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen in a single day is the most-booked day-trip format from Taipei. It works well because the three sites are geographically clustered on the northeast coast, and the day has natural pacing: Yehliu geopark in the morning (cooler, fewer crowds), Shifen sky lanterns midday, Jiufen old street late afternoon and into dusk.
By public transport alone, doing Yehliu + Jiufen + Shifen in one day requires backtracking (Yehliu is northwest of Jiufen; Jiufen and Shifen are east of Keelung), so most people either join an organised tour or rent a car. Going independently by train covers Jiufen + Shifen conveniently but adds complexity to include Yehliu.
Yehliu, Jiufen and Shifen guided group day tourSee north coast loop guide for the detailed routing.
Tour vs DIY: a realistic comparison
| Factor | Organised tour (NT$900–1,800) | DIY train (NT$200–350) |
|---|---|---|
| Transport stress | None — pick up from hotel | Plan connections yourself |
| Flexibility | Fixed schedule, group pace | Go at your own pace |
| Jiufen+Shifen+Yehliu combo | Standard on most tours | Requires extra planning for Yehliu |
| Language | English-speaking guide included | Navigation required |
| Best for | First-timers, time-limited, families | Independent travellers, budget travellers |
For more on tour vs DIY decision-making, see the tour vs DIY day trips comparison guide.
Yehliu, Jiufen and Pingxi private day tourPlanning a day trip: the practical framework
How much time do you need per destination?
Most first-time visitors underestimate time for a few key reasons: the journey between sites, queues at popular spots on weekends, and the fact that eating well takes longer than expected when everything looks good.
Practical minimums:
- Jiufen: 2.5 hours at site + 1.5 hours travel (each way) = 5.5 hours total
- Shifen: 1.5 hours at site + 1.5 hours travel = 4.5 hours; waterfall adds 1 hour
- Yehliu: 2 hours at site + 1.5 hours travel (bus) = 5 hours; but return bus is slower in afternoon
- Beitou: 1.5 hours activity + 0.5 hours travel = 2.5 hours total (shortest trip)
- Yangmingshan: 3 hours hiking + 1 hour travel = 5 hours minimum
- Houtong: 2 hours village + 1 hour travel = 3 hours (very doable as half-day)
- Maokong: 2.5 hours gondola + tea + 1 hour travel = 4 hours
Which destinations can be combined?
Natural pairings (same transport corridor):
- Houtong + Shifen (both on TRA before Ruifang/Pingxi Line)
- Jiufen + Shifen (both accessed via Ruifang; taxi between them)
- Beitou + Yangmingshan (connected by Bus 130/Xiao-1 from Xinbeitou)
- Beitou + Tamsui (both on MRT Red Line north of the city)
Combinations that require a tour or private car:
- Yehliu + Jiufen + Shifen (the classic north coast loop — no direct public transit link between Yehliu and Shifen)
- Maokong + Houtong (opposite sides of the city)
Combinations that are too rushed:
- Yangmingshan + Jiufen (they are in different directions; by public transport this is a 3-hour transfer)
- Yehliu + Beitou (again, different directions; only viable with private transport)
How much does a day trip cost?
Budget per person, including transport and basic entrance fees but not meals:
| Destination | Transport | Entry | Total (budget) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beitou | NT$60 return MRT | NT$40–100 pool | NT$100–160 |
| Houtong | NT$126 return train | Free | NT$126 |
| Maokong | NT$120 return gondola + MRT | Free | NT$150–170 |
| Shifen | NT$190 return train | NT$150–200 lantern + NT$50 waterfall | NT$390–440 |
| Jiufen | NT$200 return train+bus | Free (paid teahouse optional) | NT$200–350 |
| Yangmingshan | NT$80 return bus + MRT | Free | NT$80–100 |
| Yehliu | NT$180 return bus | NT$80 | NT$260 |
| North coast loop tour | NT$900–1,800 (tour price incl. all) | NT$80 (Yehliu) + NT$150–200 (lantern) | NT$1,130–2,080 |
EasyCard vs single tickets
The EasyCard (充值卡) is a rechargeable RFID card that covers MRT, city buses, and some intercity buses. It gives a small discount on each fare and removes the need to buy tickets at each machine. For day trips that use the MRT plus city buses (Beitou, Maokong, Yangmingshan, Tamsui), it is worth having. For TRA train journeys (Jiufen, Houtong, Shifen), EasyCard works on local trains but not on express services — you may still buy a train ticket at the counter for faster services.
See the EasyCard guide for how to get and top up a card.
Rainy day alternatives
If it rains heavily, hiking-focused day trips (Yangmingshan summit, Sandiaoling waterfalls) become significantly less appealing. The best rain-tolerant options:
- Beitou: Hot springs are better in cool, wet weather — the atmospheric contrast is heightened
- Houtong: The cats shelter under awnings and porches; the village is walkable in light rain
- Maokong: Teahouses are indoors and cosy in rain; the gondola may suspend in heavy wind
For more detail on each destination, follow the linked guides. For trip planning: Taipei in 3 days, Taipei in 5 days, Taipei in 7 days. Transport: Taipei MRT guide, EasyCard guide. Destinations: destinations/jiufen, destinations/shifen, destinations/yehliu, destinations/beitou, destinations/yangmingshan.
Day trips with kids
Not every destination on this list works equally well with children. Beitou and Tamsui are the easiest — short travel time, flat walking, and immediate payoff (splashing in a pool, or an oyster omelette by the river). Shifen’s sky lantern release is genuinely a highlight for kids old enough to hold a marker and write a wish. Yangmingshan’s longer hikes and Yehliu’s midday heat are harder going with young children — aim for the shorter boardwalk sections rather than the full trail. The north coast loop’s long single-day itinerary is tiring for anyone under about 8; splitting it across two shorter outings works better with a family. See Taipei with kids for the fuller family-trip framework.
How many day trips should you actually plan?
First-time visitors often try to cram four or five day trips into a week and end up exhausted, having seen everything at a rush. A more honest framework: on a 5-day trip, budget for two day trips maximum, leaving the rest for the city itself. On a 7-day trip, three is reasonable. Pick one north-coast destination (Jiufen, Shifen, or the combined loop), one closer escape (Beitou or Yangmingshan), and stop there unless you are staying 10+ days. See how many days in Taipei for the fuller framework, and Taipei in 5 days for a sample itinerary that balances city time against day trips.
Booking tours in advance vs on arrival
For the popular north-coast combinations (Jiufen + Shifen + Yehliu), booking a day or two ahead online is worth it in peak season (weekends, cherry blossom season, summer holidays) — group tours can sell out, and the alternative is scrambling for train tickets on a crowded morning. Outside peak periods, same-day booking or DIY train travel works fine and gives you more flexibility to change plans if the weather turns. For destinations with no public transport shortcut (the north coast loop especially), a pre-booked tour removes the single biggest source of day-trip stress: figuring out bus connections in a language you don’t read.
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