Taiwan Round Island Tour (5 Days)
Explore Taiwan in 5 days with this complete round island itinerary. Visit Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting National Park, the East Coast, Yilan and return to Taipei on an unforgettable journey.
Taiwan is the kind of destination that feels made for a 5-day itinerary: compact enough to travel across, yet incredibly diverse. In just a few days, you can go from Taipei’s skyline to alpine lakes, from historic forts to tropical coastlines, and from wild East Coast cliffs to relaxing hot springs. This guide follows a Taiwan 5-day round island tour inspired by a popular route: Taipei → Sun Moon Lake → Tainan → Kaohsiung → Kenting → Taitung → Hualien → Yilan → Taipei. Whether you’re planning 5 days in Taiwan independently or looking for a ready-made trip, this itinerary shows what to do in Taiwan in 5 days with day-by-day highlights, cultural stops and scenic nature.
Taiwan 5-Day Itinerary: Key takeaways
- 🗺️ Complete 5-day route: Taipei, Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting, East Coast, Yilan.
- 🏞️ Nature + culture: temples, forts, coastal landscapes, hot springs and local traditions.
- ⏱️ Efficient logistics: guided coach transport + a scenic train segment (Hualien → Yilan).
- 🛏️ Overnights included: Sun Moon Lake, Kaohsiung, Taitung (hot spring resort), Yilan.
- 🛂 Before you travel: Make sure to complete your Taiwan Arrival Card, the mandatory entry form for all visitors.
Your Taiwan itinerary 5 days begins with a scenic drive from Taipei into the mountains of Central Taiwan. Sun Moon Lake is one of the country’s most iconic natural escapes, known for calm waters, forested hills and viewpoints that feel worlds away from the capital. It’s the perfect first stop to slow down and shift from city energy to nature.
✨ Day 1 highlights:
Starting your 5 days in Taiwan at Sun Moon Lake is ideal: it combines culture, landscapes and an easy pace, making it one of the best additions to any Taiwan travel itinerary.
Overnight: stay at Fleur De Chine Hotel in Sun Moon Lake, Le Méridien Taichung in Taichung, or a similar hotel.
After breakfast, you head south to Tainan, Taiwan’s oldest city and a true cultural treasure. This day is packed with heritage, from colonial history to old streets filled with local snacks and traditional architecture. In the afternoon, the route continues to Kaohsiung, the country’s southern metropolis, where modern city life meets deep spiritual traditions.
✨ Day 2 highlights:
This is one of the most balanced days in a Taiwan 5 day itinerary: you get history in Tainan, then a powerful cultural experience at Fo Guang Shan before resting in Kaohsiung.
Overnight: stay at Grand Hilai Hotel in Kaohsiung (or similar).
Day 3 is where your Taiwan 5-day itinerary turns tropical. After breakfast, you travel toward the island’s southern tip to explore Kenting National Park, Taiwan’s best-known coastal playground. Expect dramatic cliffs, bright-blue waters and windswept viewpoints. Later, you continue to Taitung on the southeast coast, famous for slow living, mountains meeting the sea, and relaxing hot spring resorts.
✨ Day 3 highlights:
If you’re planning what to do in Taiwan for 5 days, Kenting is the best way to add a different vibe: beaches, cliffs and a warmer, laid-back atmosphere you won’t get in the north.
Overnight: hotel in Taitung City (or similar), often with hot spring access.
Many travelers say the East Coast is the most beautiful part of Taiwan, and Day 4 proves why. The route follows the shoreline where mountains plunge into the Pacific, creating dramatic seascapes and unique geology. Throughout the day, you’ll stop at several standout viewpoints, then switch travel style with a comfortable train ride from Hualien to Yilan, offering a relaxed end to a nature-heavy day.
✨ Day 4 highlights:
This segment is a highlight of a 5 day Taiwan itinerary. The East Coast brings raw nature, fewer crowds and the kind of landscapes that make Taiwan unforgettable.
Overnight: Wellspring by Silks Jiaoxi in Yilan (or similar), a popular base for relaxation.
Your final day focuses on Yilan’s cultural and local experiences before returning to Taipei. This region is known for hot springs, countryside scenery and artisanal traditions. The day includes a visit to Taiwan’s most famous whisky producer and a cultural stop that showcases heritage crafts and performances. After that, you head back to the capital to conclude your Taiwan 5-day round island tour.
✨ Day 5 highlights:
Ending your Taiwan itinerary from Taipei in Yilan is a smart move: it’s close to the capital, easy to return from, and adds a final cultural layer to the trip.
To make the most of 5 days in Taiwan, it helps to plan around transport, weather and comfort. Taiwan is easy to travel, but distances add up quickly if you try to cram too much into each day. This route works well because it connects major regions efficiently while still leaving room for scenic stops and relaxed evenings.
✨ Travel advice:
A well-designed Taiwan 5-day itinerary balances cities, history and nature. This route does exactly that, with a smooth pace and a logical loop back to Taipei.
If you have more time in Taiwan or want to tailor your journey beyond this 5 day Taiwan itinerary, the island offers an impressive variety of iconic attractions that are easy to add as day trips or short extensions. Whether you prefer modern city landmarks, historic towns, dramatic natural scenery or immersive cultural experiences, these highlights allow you to personalize your route and explore Taiwan at your own pace.
In Taipei, a visit to Taipei 101 is almost unavoidable. Beyond its famous observation deck, the surrounding district offers upscale shopping, dining and excellent transport connections, making it an ideal first or last stop on your trip. Just outside the capital, Jiufen Old Street and Shifen Waterfall are among the most popular day trips from Taipei. Jiufen charms visitors with its lantern-lit alleys, hillside tea houses and nostalgic atmosphere, while Shifen adds a natural touch with Taiwan’s most famous waterfall and the iconic sky lantern experience along the Pingxi railway line.
Nature lovers should not miss Taroko Gorge, one of Taiwan’s most spectacular landscapes. Located on the east side of the island near Hualien, this marble canyon is perfect for scenic walks, short hikes and photography. On the northern coast, Yehliu Geopark offers a very different natural experience, with unique rock formations shaped by wind and sea, including the famous Queen’s Head. It’s an easy half-day excursion from Taipei and works well even on a tight schedule.
For travelers interested in culture and history, the National Palace Museum is an essential stop. Its world-class collection of imperial Chinese artifacts provides deep insight into East Asian art and heritage. Nearby, Beitou Hot Springs and Yangmingshan National Park form a perfect combination of relaxation and nature, allowing you to enjoy thermal baths, volcanic landscapes and gentle hiking trails without leaving the Taipei area.
Further inland, Sun Moon Lake stands out as one of Taiwan’s most peaceful destinations. It’s ideal for cycling, boat rides and temple visits, and fits naturally into longer itineraries through central Taiwan. Finally, for a quieter cultural escape, Pinglin Tea Museum offers a glimpse into Taiwan’s tea traditions, surrounded by lush hills and tea plantations just outside the capital.
By combining one or more of these attractions with your main itinerary, you can create a richer, more personalized Taiwan experience that balances cities, culture and nature seamlessly.
Find out if your question has been answered in the list below
In 5 days, Taiwan allows you to experience a perfect mix of cities, culture and nature. A well-planned itinerary usually includes Taipei, Sun Moon Lake, historic Tainan, vibrant Kaohsiung, Kenting National Park and the scenic East Coast. This route shows what to do in Taiwan for 5 days without rushing, while covering the island’s most iconic highlights.
Yes, 5 days in Taiwan is enough to see the main highlights if your itinerary is well structured. By following a logical north-to-south route and combining guided transport with scenic train journeys, you can visit major cities, cultural landmarks and natural attractions. While it won’t cover everything, it offers an excellent first overview of the country.
The best Taiwan itinerary for 5 days follows a round-island route starting and ending in Taipei. It typically includes Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting, the East Coast, and Yilan. This balance of destinations ensures variety, smooth logistics and minimal backtracking, making it one of the most efficient ways to explore Taiwan in a short time.
A guided Taiwan 5 day itinerary is often easier and more efficient than traveling independently, especially for first-time visitors. It simplifies transport, hotel selection and route planning, while ensuring you don’t miss key attractions. Independent travel is possible, but guided tours save time and reduce logistical stress when covering long distances in just five days.