18 days in Taiwan Itinerary

Situated in a basin between two mountain ranges, Taipei appeals to tourists with its blend of Asian cultures, living side by side amidst Japanese-era mansions and Taoist temples.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Sun): don't miss a visit to National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, then explore the wide array of goods at Miramar Entertainment Park, then take in the natural beauty of Beitou Hot Spring, and finally look for gifts at Dihua Street. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: enjoy the sand and surf at White Sand Bay, then contemplate the long history of Wulai, and then don't miss a visit to Elephant Mountain (aka Nangang District Hiking Trail).

To see other places to visit, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Taipei itinerary maker website.

Jacksonville, USA to Taipei is an approximately 24-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time to Taipei Standard Time is 13 hours. Traveling from Jacksonville in March, expect somewhat warmer with lows of 59°F in Taipei. On the 14th (Tue), you're off to Taichung.

Known for its good weather, Taichung boasts an interesting set of cultural attractions, including many temples showing the development of religious architectural styles in the area and forming focal points for most tours of Taichung.

On the 14th (Tue), look for gifts at Yichung Shopping Street. On the next day, don't miss a visit to Wenwu Temple and then contemplate the waterfront views at Sun Moon Lake.

For reviews, maps, photos, and other tourist information, read Taichung day trip tool.

Traveling by train from Taipei to Taichung takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 71°F in March, and nighttime lows around 57°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Thu) so you can drive to Tainan.

The oldest city in the country, Tainan stood as the island's capital during feudal times.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Fri): appreciate the extensive heritage of Chihkan Tower (Fort Provintia) and then examine the collection at Chimei Museum.

For other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Tainan online tour itinerary planner.

You can drive from Taichung to Tainan in 2 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Taichung in March; daily highs in Tainan reach 80°F and lows reach 66°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Chiayi County.

A rugged landscape scattered with villages and vast plains of untouched nature, Chiayi County stretches between sea and mountains on the southwestern coast.

Start off your visit on the 18th (Sat): look for gifts at Wenhua Night Market, then make a trip to The Hinoki Village, and then don't miss a visit to Alishan Forestry Village & Hinoki Village. Keep things going the next day: explore the world behind art at Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum and then head outdoors with Eryanping Trail.

To find where to stay, maps, photos, and tourist information, read Chiayi County trip itinerary maker website.

You can drive from Tainan to Chiayi County in an hour. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus. In March, Chiayi County is slightly colder than Tainan - with highs of 62°F and lows of 60°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sun) so you can go by car to Pingtung.

Mostly serving as a base for exploring Kenting National Park, Pingtung enjoys a pleasant, subtropical climate, sandy beaches, and a friendly atmosphere.

On the 20th (Mon), get outside with White Sand Bay and then browse the exhibits of National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium.

For more things to do, other places to visit, photos, and more tourist information, use the Pingtung travel route planner.

Traveling by car from Chiayi County to Pingtung takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, train, and taxi; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Kaohsiung.

A small trading town in the 17th century, Kaohsiung now stands as a sprawling metropolis, its harbor representing the largest on the island.

On the 21st (Tue), enjoy the sea views from Cihou Lighthouse, head off the coast to Cijin Island, then take in the exciting artwork at The Pier-2 Art Centre, and finally head outdoors with Ai He (Love River). Here are some ideas for day two: ponder the world of politics at Kaohsiung Main Public Library, then make a trip to The Dome of Light, then make a trip to Dragon Tiger Tower, and finally explore the activities along Lianchi (Lotus) Lake.

For maps, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Kaohsiung route planning site.

Drive from Pingtung to Kaohsiung in an hour. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and train; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Expect a daytime high around 80°F in March, and nighttime lows around 66°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Wed) so you can take a train to Hualien.

Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Thu): hunt for treasures at Zhiqiang Night Market and then hike along Taroko Gorge.

To find maps, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, read Hualien day trip planner.

You can take a train from Kaohsiung to Hualien in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Thu) so you can catch the train to Taipei.

Escape the urban bustle at YehLiu Geopark and Beitou Hot Spring. Get a sense of the local culture at Chiufen (Jiufen Old Street) and National Palace Museum. See even more of Taipei: wander the streets of Ximending, contemplate the long history of 228 Peace Memorial Park, browse the range of quality goods at Miramar Entertainment Park, and make a trip to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.

To see ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Taipei trip itinerary maker tool.

Traveling by train from Hualien to Taipei takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Mon) early enough to catch the flight back home.