8-Day Taiwan Itinerary: Exploring The Island’s Hidden Travel Gems

A trip to Taiwan always promises plenty of fun, memorable experiences. After all, it’s one of the most popular destinations in Asia, famous for its mouthwatering street food, and alluring natural scenery. However, if you’re looking for places to visit in Taiwan other than Taipei, then we’ve got you covered. 

Here is an 8-day Taiwan itinerary that helps you explore some of the more underrated and hidden gem locations in Taiwan! From overlooked cities to hidden islands in the south, these locations will reignite your wanderlust for this beautiful island! 

An 8D Taiwan Itinerary

Arrival and first stop: Taichung

Instead of starting your Taiwan trip in Taipei like everyone else does, why not start by visiting Taichung? After all, this underrated city is just a short drive from Taoyuan. Plus, along the way, you can stop by a few hidden gems in Taiwan too. 

As you travel towards Taichung, make a stop at the ambient Beipu Old Street in Hsinchu County. The area exudes a more laidback atmosphere, far removed from the bustling metropolitan vibes of Taiwan. Here at this hidden gem, you’ll find traditional shophouses, historic Buddhist temples and sites, and, most importantly, a plethora of delectable Hakkanese cuisine, from ground tea to sweet persimmon cakes. 

Image credit: Seng Huat Sim via Canva Pro 

After indulging in a hearty Hakkanese meal, make your way to the Gao Mei Wetlands, an expansive 1,500-hectare estuarine wetland featuring mudflats, salt marshes, and sand dunes. Located off the west coast of Taiwan, just 20km or so north of Taichung City, this popular ecological attraction boasts swoon-worthy scenery and a rich biodiversity of local flora and fauna which you can see while exploring the area via the boardwalks. 

Next, visit Shen Ji New Village, located close to the heart of Taichung City. As the name suggests, this area is the epitome of a location that combines tradition and modernity. Filled with renovated old houses, Shenji New Village is a vibrant creative and cultural hub, where one can find artisanal markets, cafes, and plenty of art studios. The backdrop of picturesque buildings also makes this an area that appeals to avid photographers! 

Finally, before retiring for the night, visit Taichung’s most popular night market — Feng Jia Night Market, and feast on a diverse array of mouthwatering street food! Personally, we found the gua bao (pork belly buns) to be exceptionally delicious and you have to try them! 

Explore Taiwan’s hidden gems in the south

After immersing in the cultural vibes of Taichung, start the next day by travelling to Kaohsiung, one of the top underrated travel destinations in Taiwan. Along the way, make a detour to visit some popular locations in Chiayi and Tainan as well! 

One of the must-visit locations between Taichung and Kaohsiung is the scenic Hinoki Village in the east of Chiayi. This historic cultural attraction features Japanese-style huts that were built during Japanese rule in Taiwan. In the past, they were mainly used as dormitories for workers but today, thanks to the serene scenery around it, the area is a popular tourist site where visitors can take plenty of photos and learn about Taiwan’s history. 

Continuing your Taiwan itinerary, embark on an hour-long drive through forested roads to Tainan Zengwen Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Taiwan. Here, you can hop on a yacht tour and admire the majestic scenery around you, punctuated by enigmatic mountain faces and flowing rivers. As you sail closer to Dapu, you’ll pass by Wild Boar Island and Flying Eagle Canyon where, if you’re lucky, you’ll spot some adorable boars and giant eagles in the air! 

After finally arriving in Kaohsiung, you simply must visit one of the city’s vibrant night markets. Our pick? The popular Liu He Night Market which features over 130 stalls selling street food that will surely make your tummy rumble! 

Discover Taiwan’s hidden island paradise — Xiao Liu Qiu

Image credit: Leung Cho Pan via Canva Pro

While in Kaohsiung, one of the best things to do is actually to take a mini 2D1N trip to the little-known island of Xiao Liu Qiu. Also known as Lambai Island, Xiao Liu Qiu is a breathtaking coral island (the only one of its kind in Taiwan) off the southwestern coast of Taiwan. It takes a 30-minute ferry ride from Donggang in Pingtung County to get to the secluded island. 

Once there, you’ll immediately notice Xiao Liu Qiu’s pristine beaches, rocky cliffs, colourful coral reefs, and enigmatic geological formations, all of which are sights that make the island a popular getaway spot for the locals. 

One of the must-visit spots in Xiao Liu Qiu is Vase Rock, one of the most iconic landmarks on the island. Located in the intertidal zone, the rock formation is a result of rising coral reefs in the area, while sea erosion over time gave it its vase-like shape. 

Other must-see locations include Beauty Cave, a natural limestone cave covered in fossilised shells and corals, Black Ghost Cave, an enigmatic cave steeped in legend that leads into a lush jungle, and the Wild Boar Trench Trail, a scenic trekking trail flanked by towering tropical trees and covered by a thick jungle canopy. Along the way, you’ll see uplifted coral reef rocks and plenty and lovely coastal views. 

Don’t miss the chance to also visit the tidal zone, where you can observe the island’s rich marine biodiversity. Once the sun sets, you can explore the night scenery of Xiao Liu Qiu before heading to one of the homestays on the island to rest for the night. 

Delve into the culture of Taiwan at Kaohsiung

Before calling it a day on the 2D1N Xiao Liu Qiu island excursion, treat yourself to an unforgettable underwater view by hopping on one of the glass bottom boats on the island. Once you’ve taken in the aquatic scenery, it’s time to head back to Kaohsiung. 

While there are plenty of popular attractions in Kaohsiung, such as Fo Guang Shan and the Tiger-Dragon Pagoda, let’s take the opportunity to check out one of the city’s more underrated locations — Hongmaogang Cultural Park. 

Here at this expansive park, known for its historical significance, you can dive into Kaohsiung’s (and Taiwan’s) fascinating maritime history by visiting the themed display zones and museum in the area. What’s more, thanks to the park’s waterfront location, you’ll be able to take in plenty of scenic views throughout the park by heading to the viewing platforms or by braving the skywalk. 

After bidding farewell to Kaohsiung, make your way north to Chiayi, one of the most underrated travel gems in Taiwan, despite being the gateway to one of the island’s top attractions (more on that later). Our first stop in Chiayi though, is the city’s famous night market, where you can treat yourself to some of the delicious local delicacies, such as turkey rice and fish head stew. 

Admire the natural beauty of Alishan

No trip to Taiwan is ever complete without a visit to the Alishan National Scenic Area, one of Taiwan’s most popular natural attractions. And Chiayi just so happens to be the easiest city from which to head to Alishan. While many choose to hike along the well-maintained trails to reach the top of Alishan, we recommend hopping aboard a scenic train ride from Alishan Station to Chaoping Station. 

Once you alight from the train, you’ll be swept away by the natural scenery throughout the area, especially if you’re visiting during autumn or spring! While you’re in Alishan, don’t miss some of the area’s top attractions, like the Sister Lakes, the Tree Spirit Pagoda, and Shouzhen Temple. Before heading back down, we recommend stopping by the gift shops to buy some of Alishan’s famous tea leaves, known for having an incredible aroma and pristine taste. 

After spending plenty of time taking in the natural allure of Alishan, head back towards Taichung, where your 8-day Taiwan itinerary first began. Head to Yizhong Street, where you’ll find one of the most famous night markets in Taichung. Naturally, we hope you brought a big appetite! 

Enjoy underrated experiences in Taipei

Before heading back home to Singapore, we recommend making a stop in Taipei. However, instead of visiting mainstream attractions like Taipei 101, discover new experiences in Taiwan’s pulsating capital instead. 

We recommend first heading to the Vigor Kobo Pineapple Cake Museum where you can not only see how Taiwan’s famous pastries are made but also get hands-on with a DIY Pineapple Cake Making class! And yes, you can bring your cakes home as a souvenir! 

Next, head to the Tian Lu Art Centre to learn a little bit about the fascinating art of geomantic before shopping for traditional goods (think bolts of cloth, local crafts, and herbs) at Dadaocheng, which is famous for its traditional shophouses. You can even rent a Qipao (traditional Chinese dress) for a quick photography session! 

At night, we recommend skipping Shilin Night Market and instead heading for the more underrated Ningxia Night Market. While the former is more famous among tourists, the latter is a more localised night market, where there are more locals than tourists. Plus, having been there ourselves, we can say that the food there is much more tasty and slightly more affordable! 

Home sweet home

Image credit: Leung Cho Pan via Canva Pro

If you have some time before your flight home, you can certainly make the most of it by visiting some of Taipei’s top locations while you’re there. However, our personal preference is simply to head to Ximending and treat ourselves to a final flurry of Taiwanese food for the road. You could also head to the Gongguan Shopping District for some last-minute shopping before making your way to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. 

And there you have it: an 8-day Taiwan Itinerary that lets you discover the hidden gems of Taiwan whilst also filling your time with some of the best experiences. Already itching to book those flights to Taiwan? Then we have good news! 

Brought to you by ASA Holidays and Taiwan Tourism Bureau