20-Day Ultimate Budget Backpacking Route in Taiwan
Taiwan is a dream for budget travelers who crave a mix of futuristic urbanism and raw natural beauty without the price tag of Tokyo or Seoul. This 20-day loop takes you through the heart of the island using the highly efficient Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) network and the local bus systems, keeping costs low while maximizing the experience.
By sticking to local night markets for dinner, utilizing the extensive YouBike network for short trips, and sleeping in highly-rated hostels, you can explore the entire country for a fraction of the cost. Get ready for an epic journey across Formosa, the beautiful island.
Day 1: Arrival & Exploring Taipei
Arrival at Taoyuan International Airport
Land and pick up your EasyCard at the airport terminal to use on all public transport.
Check-in at Ximending Hostel
Drop your bags in the Ximending district, the 'Harajuku of Taipei,' known for its vibrant street culture.
Ximen Red House
Visit this historic octagonal building that now serves as a hub for local artists and designers.
Ximending Night Market
Feast on cheap street food like Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle for just a few dollars.
Day 2: Taipei - Mountains and Memorials
Liberty Square & Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Witness the changing of the guard ceremony in this massive, free-to-enter public square.
Dongmen Lunch
Grab affordable scallion pancakes and dumplings in the alleys near Yongkang Street.
Elephant Mountain Hike
Climb the stairs for the most iconic, free view of the Taipei 101 skyscraper at sunset.
Tonghua Night Market
A less touristy night market favored by locals for its authentic snacks.
Day 3: Taipei - History and Riverfronts
Dadaocheng & Dihua Street
Explore Taipei’s oldest street, filled with traditional tea shops, herbs, and historic architecture.
Longshan Temple
Experience the spiritual heart of the city at this beautifully preserved temple built in 1738.
Tamsui Riverside
Take the MRT Red Line to the end for a scenic walk along the Tamsui River as the sun sets.
Ningxia Night Market
Famous for its 'oyster omelets' and historical vibe, it's a food lover's paradise.
Day 4: Taipei to Keelung - Harbor Life
TRA Train to Keelung
A short 45-minute local train ride brings you to the northern port city of Keelung.
Heping Island Park
Check out the unique geological formations and natural sea pools (small entrance fee).
Zhengbin Fishing Port
Snap photos of the famous colorful houses reflected in the harbor water.
Miaokou Night Market
Considered one of the best in Taiwan, try the butter crabs and tempura.
Day 5: Keelung to Jiufen - Cats and Gold Mines
Houtong Cat Village
Take the Pingxi line to this former mining town now inhabited by hundreds of friendly cats.
Jiufen Old Street
Wander the narrow lantern-lit alleys that inspired 'Spirited Away'.
Teapot Mountain Hike
A relatively short hike offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the northern coastline.
Shengping Theater
Visit Taiwan's first movie theater, a free window into the 1930s gold rush era.
Day 6: Jiufen to Hualien - The Scenic East Coast
Scenic Train Ride to Hualien
Board the TRA train for a stunning 3-hour journey down the rugged East Coast.
Hualien Cultural & Creative Industries Park
Explore this former distillery turned into an arts center with free exhibits.
Pacific Park (Nanbin Park)
Rent a cheap bike and ride along the coastline for sunset views.
Dongdamen Night Market
A massive, well-organized night market with plenty of local aboriginal cuisine.
Day 7: Hualien - Taroko Gorge Adventure
Taroko Gorge National Park
Take the public 302 bus into the park to explore the world's largest marble canyon for free.
Shakadang Trail
Walk this flat, easy trail along a turquoise river with stunning rock formations.
Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou)
Witness the narrowest part of the gorge where the river has carved deep into the marble.
Eternal Spring Shrine
A picturesque shrine built over a waterfall, commemorating those who built the highway.
Day 8: Hualien - Coastal Relaxation
Qixingtan Beach
Visit this pebble beach for incredible mountain-meets-sea vistas.
Four-Eight Highland
A short walk from the beach provides a panoramic view of the entire crescent bay.
Pine Garden
A historic Japanese military site surrounded by pine trees with harbor views (small entry fee).
Local Wonton Dinner
Try the famous Hualien wontons at a local shop for a filling, cheap meal.
Day 9: Hualien to Taitung - Southward Bound
TRA Train to Taitung
Enjoy the rice paddy views of the Huadong Valley during this 2.5-hour journey.
Taitung Forest Park
Rent a bicycle and explore the 'Black Forest' and the beautiful Pipa Lake.
Taitung Seaside Park
See the unique 'Papago' bamboo structure and enjoy the ocean breeze.
Tiehua Music Village
A creative space with hand-painted lanterns and free live music performances.
Day 10: Taitung - Rice Paddies & Rural Vibes
Chishang Rice Fields
Take a short train to Chishang to cycle through the vast, mountain-backed rice fields.
Chishang Lunch Box
Eat a traditional 'Bento' lunch box, a regional specialty served in wooden boxes.
Brown Avenue (Mr. Brown Avenue)
Cycle down this famous road with no utility poles, offering pure views of the valley.
Taitung Night Market
Explore the local stalls for fried chicken and fresh fruit juices.
Day 11: Taitung to Kaohsiung - South Link Line
South Link Rail Journey
Travel through the mountains to the southwestern coast. The views from the train are world-class.
Kaohsiung Main Station Arrival
Check into your hostel in the Sanmin or Sinsing district.
Formosa Boulevard MRT Station
See the 'Dome of Light,' the world's largest glass art installation, for free inside the station.
Liuhe Night Market
Try the seafood porridge and papaya milk at this historic market.
Day 12: Kaohsiung - Art and Islands
Pier-2 Art Center
Explore this former warehouse district transformed into a hub for street art and sculptures.
Cijin Island Ferry
Take the cheap 5-minute ferry from Gushan Pier to Cijin Island.
Cihou Fort & Lighthouse
Walk up the hill for a free view of the Kaohsiung harbor and skyline.
Cijin Seafood Street
Enjoy fresh, affordable seafood before taking the ferry back to the mainland.
Day 13: Kaohsiung - Temples and Lakes
Lotus Pond
A man-made lake famous for its numerous temples and pavilions.
Dragon and Tiger Pagodas
Enter through the dragon's mouth and exit through the tiger's to turn bad luck into good.
Confucius Temple
Visit the largest Confucius temple in Taiwan, located at the north end of Lotus Pond.
Love River Walk
Stroll along the riverbanks as the city lights up for the night.
Day 14: Kaohsiung to Tainan - Cultural Capital
Local Train to Tainan
A short 1-hour train ride brings you to the oldest city in Taiwan.
Blueprint Culture & Creative Park
A former judicial dormitory area now filled with 3D murals and creative studios.
Confucius Temple Tainan
Founded in 1665, it is the oldest temple of its kind in the country.
Tainan Flower Night Market
One of the largest in Taiwan—check the schedule as it only opens on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Day 15: Tainan - Anping History
Anping Old Fort
Explore the remains of the 17th-century Dutch fortress (small entry fee).
Anping Tree House
An old warehouse completely overtaken by banyan tree roots—an incredible sight.
Anping Old Street
Try local shrimp crackers and traditional Tainan 'Coffin Bread'.
Sicao Green Tunnel
A short bus ride away, take a raft through this mangrove tunnel (optional but highly recommended).
Day 16: Tainan - Alleys and Temples
Chihkan Tower
Visit the former Fort Provintia, another major Dutch landmark in central Tainan.
Shennong Street
The most well-preserved historic street in Tainan, perfect for photography and quiet cafes.
Grand Matsu Temple
A beautiful and intricate temple dedicated to the goddess of the sea.
Guohua Street Food Crawl
This is the ground zero for Tainan street food—try the beef soup and savory rice pudding.
Day 17: Tainan to Taichung - Central Hub
Bus/Train to Taichung
Head north for 2 hours to Taiwan’s second-largest city.
Painted Animation Lane
A small alleyway filled with murals of famous anime and cartoon characters.
National Museum of Natural Science
Check out the free outdoor areas and botanical garden.
Fengjia Night Market
Adjacent to Feng Chia University, this market is a trendsetter for new street foods in Taiwan.
Day 18: Taichung - Color and Culture
Rainbow Village
A colorful village painted by a single veteran to save it from demolition.
Taichung Second Market
A century-old market perfect for a cheap, authentic braised pork rice lunch.
Taichung Cultural and Creative Industries Park
Another great free space located in a former brewery.
Yizhong Street Night Market
Popular with local students, meaning prices are very low and portions are large.
Day 19: Taichung to Taipei - Full Circle
TRA Express to Taipei
Return to the capital for your final day of souvenir hunting and exploration.
Songshan Cultural and Creative Park
Relax by the pond or browse the many free art galleries in this former tobacco factory.
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
Watch the final changing of the guard and enjoy the park with views of Taipei 101.
Raohe Street Night Market
Finish your trip with a famous Black Pepper Bun at the market entrance.
Day 20: Taipei - Final Souvenirs & Departure
Breakfast at a Traditional Soy Milk Stand
Enjoy 'You Tiao' and salty soy milk for a few cents to start your last day.
Souvenir Shopping at Carrefour
Locals shop here for cheap pineapple cakes and tea to take home.
MRT to Taoyuan Airport
Use the remaining balance on your EasyCard for the fare or at the airport convenience stores.
Departure
Safe travels home after an epic 20-day Taiwanese adventure.
Best Time to Visit Taiwan
The best time to visit Taiwan is during the shoulder seasons of spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). During these months, the weather is pleasantly warm and the rainfall is lower compared to the typhoon-prone summer. Winters (December to February) are mild but can be drizzly in the north, while summers are extremely hot and humid, though great for beach lovers.
Currency & Money
Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). At the time of travel, 1 USD is approximately 32 TWD. Taiwan is still very much a cash-based society, especially at night markets and small eateries. However, you can use your EasyCard (a rechargeable IC card) to pay at convenience stores, most public transport, and even some supermarkets. Tipping is not expected and generally not practiced in Taiwan.
Getting Around Taiwan
The best way to travel between cities is the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) train network. It is affordable, reliable, and covers the entire perimeter of the island. For local travel within cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung, the MRT (subway) is world-class. In cities without an MRT, like Tainan or Taitung, the local bus system and the 'Taiwan Tourist Shuttle' connect major attractions efficiently. Always keep an EasyCard or iPass handy for seamless transfers.
