Home › Journeys › Taipei to Kaohsiung around the East & West Coasts › 9 days
Taipei to Kaohsiung around the East & West Coasts: 9-Day Plan You Can Actually Do
Last updated:
The 9-day version for November: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 7-day plan · 8-day plan · 9-day plan · best time to go.
Use this plan → Customize this plan →
9
days
900 km
distance
23.8 h
on trains
47
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Cooler conditions often suit the city-and-rail circuit, but every dated train and any weather-related disruption still require a current TRA check.
Day 1 Taipei → Hualien
- Transit
- 3h48
- Finish
- ~17:25
- Temperature
- 23.3°C–24.7°C 💨
- Rainy days
- ~12
- Daylight
- 10.8h
09:00
Experience serene Buddhist rituals and vibrant traditional prayers in a historic temple dedicated to Guanyin.
60 min · Taipei · Free
open: Daily 06:00-22:00
10:10
Witness the flag-raising ceremony in a grand courtyard.
50 min · Taipei · Free
11:20
Gaze up at the bamboo-inspired skyscraper soaring overhead.
50 min · Taipei
15:25
Unwind amidst historic pine trees and serene surroundings.
60 min · Hualien
open: 09:00–18:00
16:35
Overnight: Hualien
e.g. Chan Tai Hotel · Formosa Backpackers Apartmant & Hostel
Day 2 Around Hualien
- Transit
- 0h38
- Finish
- ~14:40
- Temperature
- 23.3°C–24.7°C 💨
- Rainy days
- ~12
- Daylight
- 10.8h
09:00
Feel the sand, hear waves, and spot colorful agates.
90 min · Hualien
10:50
The Former Residence of Kuo Tzu-Chiu hccc.gov.tw map ↗
Discover the home of a renowned local musician and teacher.
50 min · Hualien
open: 09:00–15:00, closed M Tu
11:50
12:50
Stroll through vibrant warehouses filled with local arts.
50 min · Hualien
open: 10:00–18:00, closed M
13:50
Overnight here
e.g. Chan Tai Hotel · Formosa Backpackers Apartmant & Hostel
Day 3 Taitung
- Transit
- 2h47
- Finish
- ~18:00
- Temperature
- 18.7°C–22.9°C
- Rainy days
- ~10
- Daylight
- 10.9h
11:00
12:40
13:40
14:50
16:00
Discover ancient artifacts from the Peinan culture excavations.
50 min · Taitung · NT$100 (main museum), NT$30 (Peinan cultural park); discounts for students and groups
open: 09:00-17:00 (closed M)
17:00
Seaweed Deli Dessert facebook.com map ↗
Enjoy fresh, healthy noodle dishes and dumplings in a clean setting.
60 min · Taitung · NT$70-180
open: 11:00–14:00, 17:00–20:00, closed Th
Overnight here
e.g. La Pace Hostel · Hostel Who Knows
Day 4 Kaohsiung
- Transit
- 3h10
- Finish
- ~17:45
- Temperature
- 24.5°C–26.1°C
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 10.9h
11:10
The Pier-2 Art Center en.pier2.org map ↗
Explore vibrant art in converted warehouse spaces.
120 min · Kaohsiung
13:35
14:55
Glide past temples lining the serene lake's edge.
50 min · Kaohsiung
15:55
Explore Taiwan's largest Confucian temple complex near Lotus Pond in Zuoying District.
50 min · Kaohsiung · Free
open: 09:00–17:00, closed Monday
16:55
Overnight here
e.g. Backpacker 41 Hostel · Takaobay Hostel
Day 5 Around Kaohsiung
- Transit
- 1h46
- Finish
- ~16:05
- Temperature
- 24.5°C–26.1°C
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 10.9h
09:00
Experience the grandeur of one of Taiwan's most impressive Buddhist monasteries.
50 min · Kaohsiung · Free with complimentary tours
11:00
Discover interactive exhibits that spark curiosity in Asia's largest science museum.
50 min · Kaohsiung · NT$100 adults, NT$70 students with ID
12:05
Contemplate timeless paintings and sculptures on display.
50 min · Kaohsiung
13:15
See the white Baroque tower guiding ships at sea.
50 min · Kaohsiung
14:15
15:05
Michino Diner facebook.com map ↗
Enjoy a hearty breakfast or brunch with options ranging from burgers to omelettes.
60 min · Kaohsiung · NT$150-300
open: Tu-Su 10:00-22:00
Overnight here
e.g. Backpacker 41 Hostel · Takaobay Hostel
Day 6 Tainan
- Transit
- 2h11
- Finish
- ~17:15
- Temperature
- 22.7°C–25.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 10.9h
10:05
11:45
12:55
13:55
Discover remnants of Dutch colonial fortifications.
50 min · Tainan · NT$70
open: Daily 08:30–17:30
15:25
16:15
Overnight here
e.g. Guest House Hamuya · Guang Hwa Hotel
Day 7 Around Tainan
- Transit
- 1h52
- Finish
- ~16:10
- Temperature
- 22.7°C–25.8°C
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 10.9h
09:00
Stroll peaceful grounds, then savor sweet shaved ice nearby.
50 min · Tainan · NT$40
open: Daily 08:30-17:30
10:00
Discover literary treasures in a charming colonial-era building.
50 min · Tainan · Free
open: Tu-Su 09:00-18:00
11:20
13:15
Learn about Taiwan's salt production heritage on its historic site.
50 min · Tainan
open: Daily 09:00-17:30
14:20
Tainan Art Museum tnam.museum read more
Experience modern art in a historic former police headquarters.
50 min · Tainan
open: 09:00-17:00
15:10
Du Hsiao Yueh noodle1895.com map ↗
Taste delicate dan zai mian noodles in a pork-shrimp broth, garnished with shrimp.
60 min · Tainan
Overnight here
e.g. Guest House Hamuya · Guang Hwa Hotel
Day 8 Taichung
- Transit
- 2h55
- Finish
- ~17:40
- Temperature
- 18.1°C–26.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 10.8h
10:50
National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts read more
Experience rotating visual art and a creative children's area.
150 min · Taichung · Free
open: Tu-Su 09:00-17:00
13:35
Roam Rainbow Village, where vibrant street art transforms a former military dependents' village.
50 min · Taichung
open: 09:00–17:00, closed M
14:45
Admire the unique architecture of I.M. Pei's serene chapel on Tunghai University.
50 min · Taichung · Free
open: Sun only
16:10
Overnight here
e.g. J&I Hostel · Backpacker 41 Taichung
Day 9 Taichung → Taipei
- Transit
- 4h40
- Finish
- ~17:45
- Temperature
- 18.1°C–26.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 10.8h
09:00
Reflect at preserved ruins of a school devastated by earthquake.
50 min · Taichung · NT$ 50
open: 09:00-17:00
10:00
11:30
13:35
Watch the sunset over the water, and at low tide, walk the wet sand at the end of the dock to see small crabs and migratory birds.
90 min · Taichung · Free
open: Dock 08:00-19:00 (closing per sunset, sooner or later and possible closing around high tide)
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.