Taiwan Itinerary: 7, 10 and 14 Days Around the Island (2026)

Taiwan is small enough to see a lot of in a week, and varied enough to fill two. In a few days you can go from Taipei’s night markets to the marble cliffs of Taroko, the misty tea hills of Alishan and the temples of Tainan. The high-speed rail runs down the west coast, and good trains link Taipei with the east, so it’s an easy country to travel without flying. Here are three itineraries, for 7, 10 and 14 days, and what you need to know in 2026.

Taiwan in 7 days

Spend the first three nights in Taipei. Give one day to the National Palace Museum and the old streets of Dadaocheng, one to the hot-spring valley of Beitou or the old mining town of Jiufen, and leave the evenings for night markets such as Raohe or Ningxia. Our guide to things to do in Taipei has more.

On day four, take the train down the east coast to Hualien. It’s about two to two and a half hours on the express trains. Spend two nights there, with a day in Taroko Gorge (see the 2026 notes below). Then go back to Taipei, or cross to Taichung for a last night at Sun Moon Lake if you’d rather see the mountains than the city again.

Taiwan in 10 days

Follow the 7-day route to Hualien, then head to the center of the island. Sun Moon Lake is a calm, high mountain lake with boat rides, a cycle path along the shore and Thao villages. Two nights there is enough. Then go to Alishan for sunrise over the sea of clouds and walks among giant old cypress trees. The Alishan Forest Railway runs the whole line again since July 2024, after years of repairs following a typhoon. Finish with two nights in Tainan, Taiwan’s oldest city, for temples and some of the island’s best food.

See our pages on Sun Moon Lake and Alishan.

Taiwan in 14 days

With two weeks, you can go all the way round. Add Kaohsiung, with its harbor and art district, and the beaches and coral coast of Kenting National Park at the southern tip. Then come up the quieter east coast through Taitung, with its rice fields and hot springs, to Hualien and Taroko, before the train back to Taipei. This is the version we’d choose if you like the countryside as much as cities. See Kaohsiung and Kenting.

Taroko Gorge in 2026

The April 2024 earthquake near Hualien damaged roads and trails inside Taroko National Park, and they’ve been reopening section by section since then. As of October 2026, the main road through the gorge, Provincial Highway 8, still runs with traffic control on the stretch between Tianxiang and the park entrance, with vehicles let through in set time windows during the day. Some trails are open and others are still closed, and reports from local sources don’t always agree on which. Before you go, check the “roads and trails open” notice on the Taroko National Park website, and plan Taroko with some flexibility. A local guide who checks the day’s status is a real help here. More on our Taroko page.

Getting around

The high-speed rail runs down the west side of the island, linking Taipei with Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan and Kaohsiung. For Hualien and the east, you take the conventional railway’s express trains. Seats on those can sell out at weekends and holidays, so book as soon as you can. For Sun Moon Lake and Alishan, you’ll need a car or bus from the nearest station. On a private tour, a driver takes care of those mountain legs.

When to go

October to December, and March to May, are the most comfortable, with mild temperatures and less rain. Summer is hot and humid, and typhoons are possible from about July to September. Winter is cool in the north and pleasant in the south. Our best time to visit Taiwan page has more detail.

Before you go

US citizens can visit Taiwan without a visa for up to 90 days. Fill in the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) online before you land. It’s free on the official immigration site, twac.immigration.gov.tw, and since July 2026 you can submit it up to seven days before arrival. Avoid copycat sites that charge a fee. An EasyCard covers the Taipei metro, buses and many shops.

Planning it with Absolute Asia Tours

Absolute Asia Tours has planned private trips in Asia since 1989. In Taiwan, that means a private guide and driver for the mountain and east-coast legs, train tickets booked for you, and hotels picked for the route. We’re rated 4.8 out of 5 across about 900 traveler reviews. Have a look at our Taiwan tours, such as Discover Taiwan’s Scenic Highlights and Southern Taiwan Highlights, or tell us your dates.

Sources (read in Chinese): Bureau of Consular Affairs on visa-free stays; National Immigration Agency on the Taiwan Arrival Card (July 2026); Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency on the Alishan Forest Railway; Highway Bureau and Taiwanese press on Taroko road control (October 2026). Last checked October 2026.

Taiwan itinerary: FAQ

How many days do you need in Taiwan?

Seven days covers Taipei and Taroko. Ten days adds Sun Moon Lake, Alishan and Tainan. Two weeks lets you go all the way round the island.

Is Taroko Gorge open in 2026?

Partly. The road through the gorge runs with traffic control in set time windows, and some trails are open while others are still closed after the 2024 earthquake. Check the park’s official notice before you go.

What is the best way to travel around Taiwan?

High-speed rail down the west coast, express trains to Hualien on the east, and a car or bus for Sun Moon Lake and Alishan.

Do Americans need a visa for Taiwan?

No, US citizens can stay up to 90 days without a visa. You do need to submit the free Taiwan Arrival Card online within seven days before you arrive.

What is the best time to visit Taiwan?

October to December and March to May. Summer is hot, and typhoons are possible from about July to September.