The easiest day trip from Taipei is Jiufen and Shifen, about an hour by car. Yehliu Geopark fits into the same day on the north coast. For hot springs, Jiaoxi in Yilan is about an hour away. Taroko Gorge (express train) and Sun Moon Lake (high-speed rail plus car) are possible in a long day of 11–13 hours.
LiveTaroko Gorge conditions change often. See the trail status, verified 20 October 2026 →
Jiufen and Shifen
Jiufen is a former gold-mining town of lantern-lit stairways above the Pacific; Shifen, in the Pingxi valley, is where you release sky lanterns beside the railway and walk to Shifen Waterfall. Together with the Gold Museum in Jinguashi they make Taipei’s classic day trip.
Shifen Waterfall Park is open 09:00–18:00 from June to September and 09:00–17:00 from October to May. Jiufen is calmest on weekday mornings and after the day groups leave in the evening.
Yehliu Geopark and the north coast
Yehliu’s wind-carved rocks, including the Queen’s Head, are on a cape on the north coast. The park opens 08:00–17:00 (to 18:00 in summer); a full ticket is NT$120. It pairs well with Jiufen, or with a shore day from Keelung.
Yilan: hot springs and the coast
Through the Hsuehshan Tunnel, Jiaoxi has Taiwan’s best-known lowland hot springs; Jiaoxi Hot Springs Park is about 500 m from the railway station. From April to September, boats leave the coast to look for whales and dolphins around Guishan Island.
Long days: Taroko Gorge and Sun Moon Lake
- Taroko Gorge: express train to Hualien (about 2–2.5 hours each way), then a private car. Only parts of the gorge are open; check our live status.
- Sun Moon Lake: high-speed rail to Taichung (about 1 hour), then about 1–1.5 hours by car. A night at the lake is more relaxing.
Inside the city: Beitou
Beitou is in Taipei itself, about 30 minutes from the centre. The Beitou Hot Spring Museum dates from 1913 and, like the nearby Thermal Valley, is closed on Mondays.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best day trip from Taipei?
Jiufen and Shifen: about an hour by car, with sky lanterns, a waterfall, a gold-mining museum and Jiufen’s teahouses in one day.
Can you visit Taroko Gorge in a day from Taipei?
Yes, in a 12–13 hour day using the express train to Hualien and a private car there. Several famous trails are still closed after the 2024 earthquake.
Is Sun Moon Lake too far for a day trip from Taipei?
It is a long day, about 11 hours, using the high-speed rail to Taichung and a car to the lake. Staying one night is better.
What are Yehliu Geopark’s opening hours?
08:00–17:00, extended to 18:00 in summer. A full ticket costs NT$120.
Is a private car worth it for day trips from Taipei?
For Jiufen, Yehliu and Yilan, yes: buses are slow and crowded at weekends, and a car lets you arrive before or after the crowds.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked on 20 October 2026 against these sources, mostly official Taiwanese government and news sites in Chinese. Hours, prices and road access change; we confirm them again before every trip.
- New Taipei City Tourism: Shifen Waterfall Park (十分瀑布公園)
- Taiwan Tourism Administration: Jiufen
- Taiwan Tourism Administration: Gold Museum
- Yehliu Geopark: hours and tickets (時間票價)
- Taiwan Tourism Administration: Jiaoxi Hot Springs Park
- Northeast & Yilan Coast NSA: whale and dolphin tours
- Taiwan Tourism Administration: Taiwan Railway (臺灣鐵路)
- Taiwan High Speed Rail: timetable
- Taipei Travel: Beitou Hot Spring Museum
- Taipei Travel: Beitou Thermal Valley
