Taiwan is located off the coast of southwest of Okinawa, Japan and north of the Philippines. The island has been governed by the Republic of China (ROC) since 1945. Shaped roughly like a sweet potato, the island nation has more than 23 million people and is one of the most densely populated places in the world. Besides its crowded cities, Taiwan is also known for steep mountains and lush forests.
Taiwan has some very impressive scenic sites and its capital city, Taipei, is a vibrant culture and entertainment hub. Taiwanese cuisine is highly regarded with the Japanese in particular taking short trips to enjoy its relatively cheaper hospitality.
4D3N DIY TAIWAN ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrival at Taoyuan Airport (09:25AM)
CHECK-IN AT INN CUBE MINQUAN
From Airport, ride the express train going to Taipei Main StationFrom Taipei Main Station, transfer to MRT red line going to Tamsui and drop off at Minquan StationGo to Exit #10 and walk for 2-3 mins to reach the hostel
CHIANG KAI SHEK MEMORIAL HALLFrom Minquan Station, ride the MRT going to Xiangshan and drop off at Chiang Kai Shek Station
TAIPEI 101 OBSERVATORYFrom Chiang Kai Shek Station, ride train going to Xiangshan and drop off at Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station
ELEPHANT MOUNTAINFrom Taipei 101, go to Xiangshan Station and walk for 10-15 mins going to the start of the trailTrek for 30-45mins depending on how good your stamina is. We trekked for almost an hour because we have more rest than trek 
SHILIN NIGHT MARKETFrom Xiangshan station, ride the train going to Tamsui and drop off at Jiantian Station (this station is nearer in Shilin Night Market than Shilin Station)
DAY 2
πBooked from Klook so itinerary will depend on traffic situations and the weather.
PLACES TO VISIT:
- Yehliu Geopark
- Yin Yang Sea
- Golden Waterfall
- Jiufen Old Street
- Shifen Waterfall
- Shifen Old Street
DAY 3
ZHONG SHE GUANGUANG FLOWER MARKET
πFrom Minquan Station, ride the MRT going to Taipei Main Station.
πTransfer to Mountain trains and head off to Hsichuan Station
πRide another train going to Tai’an Station
πWalk for 20 mins to reach the flower market
TAMSUI RIVER (SUNSET), OLD STREET & NIGHT MARKET
πFrom Tai’an Station, ride the train going to Keelung and drop off at Taipei Main Station
πTransfer to MRT red line going to Tamsui
DAY 4
DEPARTURE
EXPENSES
Airfare: 1,900 (Booked last December’s piso sale of CebPac)Travel Tax: 1,620Hotel: 1,650 for 3 Nights (Inn Cube Minquan – recommended)Klook (pocket wifi rental, Yehliu-Jiufen-Shifen shuttle bus and Taipei 101 Observatory ticket): 2,350Easy Pay Card (card fee and load) 100NTD for card and 900NTD load : PHP1,770 (includes our roundtrip fare to Tai’an station which is the nearest station to Zhong She Guanguang Flower Market)Meals including milk teas and food trips on night markets for 4 days: 1,600 (I don’t eat a lot so your expense will depend on how often you eat and how much you eat)Yehliu Geopark Entrance fee (80NTD): 142Sky lantern at Shifen Old Street (190NTD/2): 168Zhong She Guanguang Flower Market Entrance Fee (60NTD): 106Taxi Fare from Flower Market to Tai’an station(150NTD/2): 133One-way MRT ticket to Airport (160NTD): 283
TOTAL EXPENSES: 11,722 or approximately 12,000
TIPS & REMINDERS
π It’s kinda hard to communicate with the locals since most of them can’t understand english so I’d recommend you to download the translator app (body language also helped a lot π)
π Taipei MRT Maps are readily available in hotels or MRT stations. It will be your bestfriend when doing a DIY trip.
π Buy an easy pay card so you don’t have to fall in line when buying tickets in MRT. Cost of the card is 100NTD (177). Pwede siya i load sa stations, 7/11, Family Mart, etc. MRT fares within the city usually cost 16NTD-40NTD (PHP28-75).
π Most of the destinations in Taipei doesn’t have entrance fees so fare na lang talaga. You may skip Taipei 101 Obesrvatory since view lang naman talaga ng Taipei City makikita mo. It was okay, pero masyadong mahal yung PHP900+ na ticket for that.
π I highly recommend Elephant Mountain tho. Sobrang dreamy ng view. Start trekking at around 5PM so you’ll reach the viewpoints just in time for sunset. Medyo nakakapagod siya but if you’ve experienced trekking Mt. Tapyas in Coron, parang ganun yun kasi stairs din aakyatin.
π There’s so many night markets in Taipei so if you want to experience their street foods, you have to check as many night markets as you can. Legit din ang mga milk tea besh so try it as often as possible.
π For a hassle free tour, you may book a shuttle going to Yehliu-Jiufen-Shifen through Klook.
π Zhong She Guanguang Flower Market is a bit far. There is a high speed train going to Taichung (38 mins travel time) but costs PHP900+ per way when you book through Klook. We chose the cheapest option (took us 2.5-3 hrs) which only costs PHP700+ for the roundtrip fare.
π If you want another view of a great sunset, go to Tamsui. There’s a night market there as well so a trip going here is worth it.
π Take as many photos as you can but don’t forget to enjoy the experience, their culture and the place. β€οΈ
BY: LAURY AGAPOR
Laury, 26, a bank officer. I travel to see the beauty of the world, unwind and release the stress from work. When I’m travelling, I forget everything else. I just enjoy the moment and enjoy getting lost in beautiful places. I also travel on a budget. I want to show the world that you can go to faraway places without really spending too much for it.
Instagram: @lauryagapor
Facebook: Laury’s Travels
4 thoughts on “4D3N DIY TAIWAN ITINERARY (12K PESOS BUDGET ALL-IN)”
Kelan po kayo pumunta?
Hi Vida. This was a guest post by Laury. You can directly ask her through her IG or FB page mentioned at the end of the post. ?
Iβll be visiting Taiwan next year and plan to stay for 4 days as well. Thanks for sharing your itinerary, big help!
You’re welcome. ?