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Taiwan's Round-Island Rail — a 7-Day Plan You Can Actually Do
The 7-day version for November: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 6-day plan · 7-day plan · 9-day plan · best time to go.
7
days
900 km
distance
12.0 h
on trains
46
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Typhoons done, humidity down — the east-coast line between cliffs and Pacific is the ride of the trip.
Day 1 Taipei → Hualien
🌡 16.7–28.4°C · 🌧 ~12 rain days · ☀ 10.8h light
09:00
National Taiwan Normal Universitymuseums & heritage
Visit one of Taiwan's oldest universities, known as Shida.
50 min · Taipei
09:50
Mandarin Training Centermuseums & heritage
Join one of Taiwan's most popular Mandarin learning institutions.
50 min · Taipei
10:40
International Chinese Language Program National Taiwan Universityhistory & sagas
Experience high-quality advanced Chinese language training.
50 min · Taipei
13:38
Hualien County Stone Sculpture Museummuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Appreciate traditional and modern stone art on display.
50 min · Hualien · NT$20
open: Daily 09:00-17:00
14:28
Chihsing Tan Katsuo Museummuseums & heritageseafood
Learn about the traditions of dried bonito fish in Xincheng.
50 min · Hualien
open: 08:30-17:30
15:18
The Abode of Still Thoughtshistory & sagas
Experience tranquility in a simple Buddhist temple with a garden.
50 min · Hualien
open: 09:00–17:00
16:08
Dongdamen Night Market
Savor street food amid lively music and dance.
60 min · Hualien
open: 18:00–00:00
18:30
Cafe Jademuseums & heritagecoffee & bakes
Relax with a drink while enjoying live music and art.
75 min · Hualien
open: 13:00–17:00, closed Sa Su
Overnight: Hualien
e.g. Fullon Hotel Hualien · Chan Tai Hotel
Day 2 Around Hualien
🌡 16.7–28.4°C · 🌧 ~12 rain days · ☀ 10.8h light
09:00
Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Parklocal & traditional
Stroll through vibrant warehouses filled with local arts.
50 min · Hualien
open: 10:00–18:00, closed M
09:50
Pine Gardenhistory & sagas
Unwind amidst historic pine trees and serene surroundings.
50 min · Hualien
open: 09:00–18:00
10:40
Yenpin Prefectural Templehistory & sagas
Admire Taiwan's oldest temple in Hualien, rich in history.
50 min · Hualien
open: 05:30–20:30
11:30
Farglory Ocean Parklocal & traditional
Enjoy marine life exhibits, a Ferris wheel, and a cable car.
90 min · Hualien · Adults NT$890, children NT$790
open: M-F 09:00-17:00, Sa Su 08:30-17:00
13:00
Visitor Information Centermuseums & heritage
Get friendly guidance for exploring Hualien's attractions.
50 min · Hualien
13:50
Hualien Railway Culture Parkmuseums & heritage
Explore Taiwan's railway heritage in an open-air setting.
50 min · Hualien
14:40
Tosca Pasta
Taste authentic European dishes in a cozy setting.
60 min · Hualien
open: 11:30–13:30 17:00–20:30, closed M
Overnight: Hualien
e.g. Fullon Hotel Hualien · Chan Tai Hotel
Day 3 Taitung
🌡 12.5–27.9°C · 🌧 ~10 rain days · ☀ 10.9h light
11:16
Tourist Information Centermuseums & heritagehistory & sagaslocal & traditional
Gather maps and tips on local aboriginal and temple events.
50 min · Taitung
12:06
Taitung Railway Art Villagemuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Admire vibrant local art in repurposed railway buildings.
50 min · Taitung
12:56
National Museum of Prehistorymuseums & heritage
Discover ancient artifacts from the Peinan culture excavations.
50 min · Taitung · NT$100 (main museum), NT$30 (Peinan cult
open: 09:00-17:00 (closed M)
13:46
Beinan Cultural Parkmuseums & heritage
Explore vast prehistoric ruins and enjoy sweeping scenic views.
50 min · Taitung · Free admission (except visitor center: N
open: 09:00-17:00 (closed M)
14:36
Tianhou Templehistory & sagas
Witness ornate decorations dedicated to the goddess Mazu.
50 min · Taitung
15:26
Taitung Culture and Tourism Centermuseums & heritage
Discover indigenous artifacts and local exhibitions in two buildings.
50 min · Taitung
16:16
Mibanaimuseums & heritage
Sample authentic Amis cuisine in a cozy group setting.
60 min · Taitung
open: 11:30–14:00, 17:30–20:30
18:30
Denim Elephantcoffee & bakes
Unwind with Taitung coffee, teas, and a small menu in an artsy cafe.
75 min · Taitung
open: W-Su 11:00–15:00 17:00–20:00, closed M Tu
Overnight: Taitung
e.g. La Pace Hostel · Hostel Who Knows
Day 4 Around Taitung
🌡 12.5–27.9°C · 🌧 ~10 rain days · ☀ 10.9h light
09:00
Taitung Story Museummuseums & heritage
50 min · Taitung
09:50
Bombing of Master Han Dan
Experience a thrilling festival with dramatic, symbolic performances.
90 min · Taitung
11:20
Liyushan Park
Hike trails with panoramic city views and enjoy lookout points.
90 min · Taitung
12:50
Taitung Seashore Park
Stroll along pristine seashores and walk peaceful trails.
90 min · Taitung · NT$30/20 full/concession
14:20
Makapahay
Join colorful dances and celebrations honoring the millet harvest.
90 min · Taitung
15:50
Taitung City Bikeway
Cycle along a scenic loop through forests and rivers.
90 min · Taitung
Overnight: Taitung
e.g. La Pace Hostel · Hostel Who Knows
Day 5 Kaohsiung
🌡 19.0–29.3°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 10.9h light
11:16
Central Parklocal & traditionalcoffee & bakesseafood
Wander through a hedge maze and enjoy a tranquil pond.
50 min · Kaohsiung
12:06
Kaohsiung Lantern Festivalmuseums & heritagelocal & traditionalseafood
Marvel at a dazzling display of traditional and modern lanterns along the harbor.
90 min · Kaohsiung
13:36
Urban Spotlightlocal & traditionalcoffee & bakes
Unwind at a café where local bands perform live music in the evening.
90 min · Kaohsiung
open: 24h
15:06
Syongjhen North Gatehistory & sagasseafood
Enjoy quiet sea views from this renovated Qing fort.
50 min · Kaohsiung · Free
15:56
The Pier-2 Art Centermuseums & heritageseafood
Explore vibrant art in converted warehouse spaces.
50 min · Kaohsiung
16:46
Liouhe Night Marketlocal & traditionalseafood
Sample a variety of dishes, from seafood to international street food, in a vibrant night market atmosphere.
60 min · Kaohsiung
18:30
Tianchi Donggua Tealocal & traditional
Enjoy calming winter melon tea in a traditional shop.
75 min · Kaohsiung · NT$15-80
open: M Tu Th-Sa 09:30-21:30
Overnight: Kaohsiung
e.g. Venus Hotel · Takaobay Hostel
Day 6 Tainan
🌡 17.3–29.3°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 10.9h light
09:40
National Museum of Taiwan Historymuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Explore Taiwan's past through vivid displays and dioramas.
50 min · Tainan · NT$80
open: Tu-Su 09:00-17:00
10:30
National Museum of Taiwan Literaturemuseums & heritagecoffee & bakes
Discover literary treasures in a charming colonial-era building.
50 min · Tainan · Free
open: Tu-Su 09:00-18:00
11:20
Chimei Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Marvel at rare violins and diverse exhibits in a lush park setting.
50 min · Tainan · NT$200
open: Tu-Su 09:30-17:30
12:10
Old Tainan District Courtmuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Trace Taiwan's legal history in a beautifully preserved building.
50 min · Tainan
open: 09:00-17:00
13:00
Chihkan Towerhistory & sagas
Admire centuries-old architecture, standing tall through history.
50 min · Tainan · NT$70
open: Daily 08:30-21:30
13:50
Eternal Golden Fortresshistory & sagas
Walk through spacious grounds of a coastal defense fortress.
50 min · Tainan · NT$70
open: Daily 08:30-17:00
14:40
SongChunlocal & traditional
Delight in traditional Taiwanese braised meats with a unique smoky flavor.
60 min · Tainan
open: Tu-Su 08:00-12:00
18:30
Speakeasy Barcraft beer & pubs
Enjoy expertly mixed cocktails in a popular, reservation-only speakeasy.
75 min · Tainan
open: Opens 20:00
Overnight: Tainan
e.g. Seren Hostel · Tainan City Labour Recreation Centre
Day 7 Taichung → back to start
🌡 11.0–32.9°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 10.8h light
11:00
Taichung Winerymuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Explore wine-making history and sip wines in a historic Japanese-era setting.
50 min · Taichung
11:50
Taichung Jazz Festival
Sway to live jazz amidst street food and a vibrant picnic atmosphere.
90 min · Taichung