Taipei 4-Day Itinerary: The Ultimate Guide to YeS-Jin-Ji Tour and Must-Try City Eats
We have compiled the essential travel itinerary for those planning a 3-night, 4-day trip to Taipei, Taiwan. This article focuses on the most efficient 4-day route, including a visit to the popular YeS-Jin-Ji (Yehliu, Shifen, Jinguashi, Jiufen) area near Taipei, along with major city attractions and must-try restaurants.
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| Songshan Ciyou Temple |
For basic information on preparing for your Taiwan trip, including transportation, currency exchange, and SIM card details, we recommend checking out our previous post.
Taipei 4-Day Recommended Itinerary at a Glance
Before diving into the details, we've organized the core 4-day itinerary so you can grasp the overall travel flow. Each day is structured for maximum efficiency, considering Taipei's geographical layout and transportation options.
- Day 1: #Ximending, #LongshanTemple, #NightMarket
- Afternoon: Arrive at the airport, travel to the city, check in to the accommodation, and have lunch in Ximending.
- Evening: Visit Longshan Temple, followed by dinner and exploration at Huaxi Street Night Market.
- Day 2: #YeSJinJi, #Shifen, #Jiufen
- Morning/Afternoon: YeS-Jin-Ji bus tour (Yehliu Geopark → Shifen Sky Lantern experience → Jinguashi).
- Evening: Enjoy the night view and dinner at Jiufen Red Lantern Street.
- Day 3: #ChiangKaiShekMemorialHall, #YongkangStreet, #Taipei101
- Morning: Visit Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
- Afternoon: Explore Yongkang Street and have lunch (Din Tai Fung, Mango Shaved Ice, etc.).
- Evening: Enjoy the night view from the Taipei 101 Observation Deck, followed by a visit to Ningxia Night Market.
- Day 4: #Souvenirs, #PineappleCake, #Shopping
- Morning: Souvenir shopping for Pineapple Cake, Nougat Cracker, etc., at Carrefour or Sunmerry.
- Afternoon: Head to the airport for departure.
Day 1: Taipei's First Impression, the Vibrancy of Ximending
It is best to start your first day in Taipei focusing on Ximending, which offers convenient transportation and many sights. It is a great place to feel the vibrant atmosphere of Taipei and start your trip lightly.
Taoyuan Airport → City Accommodation Transfer
Upon arriving at Taoyuan Airport, first travel to the city center where your accommodation is located. The fastest way is to use the Airport MRT express train (purple line), which takes about 35 minutes to Taipei Main Station. There are also airport buses, including the Kuo-Kuang Bus (Route 1819), so choose the most convenient transport based on your accommodation's location.
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| Taoyuan Airport MRT |
Lunch and Exploring Ximending
After dropping off your luggage at the accommodation and heading out to Ximending, your trip officially begins. If you're hungry, grab lunch with the Ximending specialty, Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle (阿宗麵線). After filling up, consider stopping by The Red House (西門紅樓), the symbol of Ximending. Inside the 100-year-old red brick building, you'll find charming design shops and cafes, perfect for a short break.
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| Ximending |
Longshan Temple
Not far from Ximending is Longshan Temple, the oldest temple in Taipei. It's just one MRT stop away, making it a worthwhile quick visit. Take time to appreciate the elaborate architecture and carvings, and observe the daily lives of the local worshippers.
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| Longshan Temple |
Huaxi Street Night Market
For dinner, consider the Huaxi Street Night Market, located right next to Longshan Temple. It offers a strong local atmosphere compared to other famous night markets. Although it was historically known as 'Snake Alley,' today it's filled with popular Taiwanese street foods like oyster omelets and braised pork feet that everyone can enjoy. Experiencing the night of Taipei here is a wonderful way to conclude your first day.
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| Huaxi Street Night Market |
Day 2: Conquering Taipei's Outskirts - The YeS-Jin-Ji Grand Tour
The second day of your trip is dedicated to exploring the scenic spots outside of Taipei city. 'YeS-Jin-Ji' is an acronym for Yehliu, Shifen, Jinguashi, and Jiufen. Since all four can be visited in one day using a taxi or bus tour, it is highly convenient.
YeS-Jin-Ji: Bus Tour vs. Taxi Tour
There are generally two ways to explore the YeS-Jin-Ji route: a group bus tour that follows a set schedule, or a private taxi tour that allows your group to travel freely. Consider the pros and cons to choose the best option for you.
- Bus Tour: The biggest advantage is the reasonable price. You travel with other tourists, and many packages offer an English or Korean-speaking guide for convenience. However, the time spent at each destination can be tight due to the fixed schedule.
- Taxi Tour: The advantage is the freedom to stay as long as you like at any location. This option offers a much more comfortable journey, especially for travelers with children or older parents. The price is higher than a bus tour, but the cost can be shared among 3 to 4 people to reduce the burden.
Yehliu Geopark
Yehliu Geopark is an ideal first stop on the tour, where you can see unique rock formations created by centuries of erosion and weathering. The most famous among them is the 'Queen's Head Rock,' which resembles the profile of an Egyptian queen. Since the line for a commemorative photo can be long, visiting early in the morning allows for a more relaxed experience.
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| Yehliu Geopark |
Shifen
Shifen's Sky Lantern Square is a place where you can experience the activity of releasing paper lanterns (sky lanterns) with your wishes written on them. It is fun to choose from the various colored lanterns, each representing a different meaning, such as health, wealth, or happiness.
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| Shifen |
Jinguashi
Jinguashi is a small mountain village in Northern Taiwan that once thrived as a gold mine. Today, it is a popular tourist destination where you can trace the history of the old mine through the Gold Museum, Miner's Tunnel, and Golden Waterfall. It is close to Jiufen, making it easy to include in a single day's itinerary. You can also enjoy local specialty foods, such as the Miner's lunch box.
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| Jinguashi |
Jiufen
We recommend arriving at Jiufen around sunset. This is when the narrow alleys and stairs lined with red lanterns begin to light up, creating a romantic, picturesque scene. Famous as the inspiration for the animated film 'Spirited Away,' it is always bustling with tourists. It's a great place to conclude your second day by enjoying the night view from a teahouse or sampling street snacks like peanut ice cream rolls.
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| Jiufen |
Day 3: Meeting Taipei's Past and Present
Day three focuses on exploring Taipei's symbolic architecture to experience both the city's history and its modern presence. The itinerary is strategically planned to allow smooth travel from the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to Taipei 101.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
We recommend visiting the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in the morning, which commemorates Chiang Kai-shek, a crucial figure in Taiwan's history. The massive white building and the expansive Liberty Square are impressive in scale. If you time your visit correctly, you can watch the ceremonial Changing of the Guard, which occurs every hour on the hour and is a popular spectacle.
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| Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall |
Yongkang Street
Lunch is best had on Yongkang Street, the famous gourmet street. The original branch of the world-renowned restaurant Din Tai Fung is located here, as are many excellent Taiwanese beef noodle soup restaurants. After your meal, it's a perfect time for dessert at Smoothie House (思慕昔), famous for its Mango Shaved Ice. The area also features many quaint shops and cafes along its alleys, making it ideal for a leisurely stroll.
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| Din Tai Fung |
Taipei 101
In the afternoon, head to Taipei 101, the city's symbol and tallest building. Take the high-speed elevator up to the 89th-floor observatory to view the entire Taipei cityscape. Pre-booking your ticket online can save you time waiting in line. Visiting in the late afternoon allows you to enjoy the daytime view, the beautiful sunset, and the spectacular night view of Taipei all at once.
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| Taipei 101 |
Evening: Ningxia Night Market
We also recommend the Ningxia Night Market, popular among locals. Although smaller than other large markets, it is known as the 'Gourmet Night Market' for its abundance of delicious food. Conclude your third day by tasting unique dishes that are hard to find elsewhere, such as oyster omelets, stinky tofu, and taro ball fritters.
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| Ningxia Night Market |
Day 4: Wrapping Up the Trip with Souvenir Shopping
On your final day, it is best to plan a relaxed schedule tailored to your flight time. This time can be used to alleviate any feelings of regret by shopping for souvenirs to take home memories of Taipei.
Taipei Must-Buy Souvenir List
If you want to share your fond memories of Taipei with family or friends, consider picking up small souvenirs. If you are unsure what to buy, refer to the list below.
- Pineapple Cake (Fenglisu): Taiwan's representative pastry filled with pineapple jam, highly popular as a souvenir.
- Nougat Cracker: Offers a charming sweet-and-salty flavor with sweet nougat sandwiched between savory crackers.
- Darlie Toothpaste: Popularly known for its whitening effect.
- 3:15pm Milk Tea: Tea bag form of milk tea that is easy to prepare, known for its smooth flavor.
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| Carrefour Taipei |
Carrefour vs. Sunmerry
It is convenient to choose your shopping location based on the type of souvenir you intend to buy. Refer to the characteristics of these two popular spots and choose the one that fits your travel route.
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Carrefour: Many branches operate 24 hours, making late-night shopping convenient. Most of the items on the shopping list above can be purchased in one place, and prices are generally reasonable. It is a good choice when you want to buy various items at once.
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Sunmerry: A store specializing in bakery items, such as Pineapple Cake and Pineapple Cake rolls. It is a great choice if you want to sample higher-quality Pineapple Cakes or buy bakery gifts.
From the City to the Airport: A Relaxed Conclusion
Similar to your arrival, using the Airport MRT or bus is convenient for getting back to the airport. It's recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2–3 hours before departure to allow time for check-in and security, so try not to pack your final day's itinerary too tightly.
Based on my own experience traveling to Taiwan, I've compiled this 3-night, 4-day Taipei free travel itinerary. This route allows you to explore various aspects of Taipei in a short time, from the scenery of YeS-Jin-Ji to city restaurants and major attractions. For such a short 4-day trip, it's generally difficult to deviate significantly from this itinerary.
Use this suggested route as a reference when planning your own trip. However, if you plan to stay for five days or more, you might consider adding other areas. For example, we recommend including Beitou, where you can enjoy hot springs, or Tamsui, famous for its beautiful riverside sunsets. The National Palace Museum, home to world-class artifacts, is also a worthy half-day excursion to consider.
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