Best day trips from Taipei (with a simple decision framework)
Taipei is an ideal base for easy day trips—choose between old towns, coastlines, hikes, hot springs, and lantern villages with minimal planning friction.
Discover More
A famous Pingxi Line stop where you can experience the sky-lantern tradition, browse small-town snacks, and combine it with Shifen Waterfall for a full day.
Map
Visualize where this fits in your day (and plan nearby pairings).
Interactive map powered by OpenFreeMap (MapLibre + OpenStreetMap).Tip: scroll-zoom is disabled.
District
New Taipei (Pingxi/Shifen — day trip)
Best for
Sky lanterns, railway-town atmosphere, day-trip photos
Time needed
2–4 hours (longer with waterfall + add-ons)
Highlights
- A classic “lantern town” experience near Taipei
- Easy pairing with Shifen Waterfall and other Pingxi Line stops
- Great for photos and “trip texture” beyond the city
Why go
Shifen is one of the most “day trip” day trips near Taipei: small-town rhythm, a clear activity (sky lanterns), and a very easy pairing nearby (the waterfall).
It’s especially good if you’ve already done Taipei’s city icons and want a different kind of memory.
How to plan it
Treat Shifen as your anchor and add only one or two nearby stops. Pingxi Line days are best when you keep it spacious.
- Shifen Old Street → Shifen Waterfall (most common combo)
- Add-on option: Pingxi Old Street or Houtong for contrast
- Start earlier for calmer lanes and smoother transit
Safety + comfort note
Be mindful around train-track areas and follow local signage. If you’re traveling with kids, keep the day paced and avoid peak crowd hours when possible.
Helpful links
Official pages and references for planning details.
Keep exploring
Hand-picked next reads to make your Taipei plan smoother.
Ready to plan your next stop?
Start with a simple loop: one neighborhood stroll, one iconic sight, and one night market. Taipei rewards balance.
Tip: hours, prices, and seasonal schedules can change. When something matters (like a museum ticket or a special exhibition), check the official listing before you go.