Enjoy Taiwan outside of its main city, yet close to town
From its location in northern Taiwan, Taipei isn’t just an amazing, convenient, and safe destination all its own. The green spaces, towns, and villages just outside the main city offer opportunities for day trips from Taipei. Visitors can enjoy different parts of Taiwan, yet head back into town in time for dinner.
Plan your trip to Taiwan
Why day trip from Taipei?
Day trips from Taipei have options for any traveler, including families visiting with kids:
- With international airports and a main hub station for trains and buses, Taipei is a convenient base for day trips
- Day trips transport you to natural space and different cultural areas
- Quality private tour providers and excellent public transportation make it easy to arrange day trips
- Families can easily enjoy day trips suitable for children (as we did with our own 10yo and 13yo, on day trips to the zoo and the Maokong Gondola, not to mention a tea tour)
- Day trip tour pickup points are reachable by rideshare or public transportation, as are many out-of-town destinations
We’ll share 7 day trip ideas for your own trip to Taipei, based on our own Taiwan travel experiences and research. Some Taipei day trips we’ve done ourselves, as a family with kids. Others are high on our list for a future visit to Taipei.
Check out day trips from Taipei
We booked our day trip tours via Viator. When we are seeking out anything from cooking classes to day trips, Viator is our first stop online.
Reviews help us gauge not only the quality of the experience, but how family friendly it is for children. Plus, most experiences offer flexible terms for changing or canceling, which always gives peace of mind to parents.
1. Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola: nature and wildlife adventure
Panoramic views and animals from around the world (including pandas!)
Along the hills southeast of Taipei, you can easily combine two day trips into one.
During our own stay in Taipei, we spent a day first on the Maokong Gondola and the hillside village at the top of the route. Then we headed back down and visited the Taipei Zoo (with a focus on the pandas in the Giant Panda House).
We started with the Maokong Gondola. Cables and towers take you over the forested hills (don’t be surprised if you see macaques below). You can stop off at stations along the way, such as the iconic Zhinan Temple. Up top, food stalls line the area outside the station. We wandered the village streets, checked out tea shops, and took a wander along a path to a pond.
Riding back down, we walked less than a kilometer to the Taipei Zoo. In addition to the lush and lovely grounds, the animal exhibits span the globe. We focused mainly on the pandas in the Giant Panda House though, and loved getting lots of time to watch the two pandas in their enclosure.
Things to keep in mind about the gondola and zoo
- Easy MRT access to Taipei Zoo
- The gondola ride offers amazing views, including of Taipei 101 and a smokestack painted to look like a giraffe
- Maokong’s shops feature tea and treats, great for some shopping or a break after wandering around
- Keep some flexibility in your schedule, since bad weather can cause the gondola to stop running for safety
- Taipei Zoo offers the giant panda exhibit along with many interactive children’s areas
- The Maokong area has walking trails suitable for families, such as the Camphor Tea Trail, which takes in excellent panoramic views of the city
2. Tea tour and tasting: cultural immersion in Taiwan’s tea heritage
Steep yourselves in nature and a tea tasting
Tea country surrounds Taipei, and you can be in the midst of tea bushes along terraced hillsides in as little as an hour from the city center.
We enjoyed a half-day tour, which left in the early afternoon and dropped us off at Taipei 101 in time for dinner.
Tea tastings and tours can vary, but typically offer a combination of visiting tea farms, enjoying a tea tasting, and perhaps working in other activities related to tea or being outdoors.
Our own tour included hilltop views of the countryside from a tea farm, a sit-down indoors tea tasting, and a visit to the Pinglin Tea Museum. This interactive, fun museum gave us more historical and cultural perspective on tea’s place in Taiwanese culture, from royal ceremonies to the everyday bubble tea shop ubiquitous throughout Taipei.
Things to keep in mind about a tea tour
- You can choose from tours that combine outdoor and indoor destinations
- Mountain scenery and views of lakes and the nearby coast are an opportunity to get out of the city for more rural spaces
- Tea is integral in Taiwanese culture, and understanding that deepens the experience of any cup of tea
- Plan for weather: Our own tour had a drizzly and rainy afternoon, but other days might be very hot and sunny
- A variety of tours can match your interests, or be shorter and easier for small children
- An organized tour typically includes transportation and the stops on your route, such as the tasting (you’ll need to cover entrance fees, like we did for the Pinglin Tea Museum)
- Half-day and full-day tours available
- Opportunities to buy tea and other souvenirs
3. Tamsui: Riverside views while in town
Relaxed day trips from Taipei perfect for leisurely family exploration
This riverside area is near the northern end of Taipei, and it offers a great chance to be in the city, yet feel more removed from it. Easy train and rideshare options make it especially convenient to get up this way, even for us when we were staying in the more southern Xinyi area south of Taipei 101.
Tamsui combines winding neighborhood streets with intriguing attractions. Guandu Temple had more rooms, corridors, and tucked away side areas than we could have visited in a day. The Mangrove Ecology Trail’s boardwalk gave us a serene touch of nature. This quiet respite is near the Hongshulin station, and the mangrove forest and river wetlands made for a lovely low-key afternoon walk.
Tamsui is a popular choice for daytrippers heading out from Taipei for the riverside promenades, bike rentals, and other attractions, such as historic Hobe Fort.
Things to keep in mind about a Tamsui day trip
- Easy MRT access via the Red Line (which also has its northern terminus here, at Tamsui Station)
- Hongshulin Station is also where you can switch to the local tram that runs throughout many of Tamsui’s main attraction areas
- Riverside promenade is excellent for cycling and walking, along with visiting local parks
- This popular area can be crowded on weekends, but it’s great for all ages
4. Yangmingshan National Park: Volcanoes and hot springs
Nature-focused day trips from Taipei ideal for active families
From Crater Lake in Oregon to Mt. Aso in Japan, we enjoy visiting volcanoes. However, visiting a volcanic area doesn’t mean heading to lava flows or finding your footing along hot rocks. While the park has steaming fumaroles and other volcanic features, it also is a green space full of hiking trails, flowers, and hot springs.
Yangmingshan National Park is also big. Visiting it takes some planning, depending on your interests, time of year, and how you’d like to get around.
The upshot? We love visiting national parks in the USA, but often you have to go far from town to get to them. A huge perk of visiting Yangmingshan National Park is its proximity to Taipei City and New Taipei City.
We’d consider hiring a driver or booking a small tour to at least check out the highlights of Yangmingshan National Park. If we wanted a more in-depth visit, we’d look at a multi-day stay closer to the park itself.
Things to keep in mind about Yangmingshan National Park
- Many hot springs are open to the public
- The park is big, and visiting is best with some advance planning, not on a whim
- Lodging in the area might mention Yangmingshan in their name or marketing, but that doesn’t mean they’re close to the park itself
- Choose from a variety of hiking trails for seasonal flowers, volcanic features, or views
- Cool mountain air escape from city heat (during the winter, this area can get pretty chilly too)
- Expect a big, full, long day of sightseeing and travel
- You can plan routes with a hired driver or tour, rent a car, or even take public buses around parts of the park
5. Jiufen: Old Street brings a new perspective
Snapshot of traditional Taiwanese life and culture
If you’ve checked out photos of Jiufen, let’s get the obvious out of the way:
It’s said this area was part of Miyazaki’s inspiration for the setting of the anime Spirited Away. Our understanding is that Miyazaki has said it didn’t. While the resemblance is striking, it’s probably just one of those things in a funny ole world.
All the same, there’s nothing wrong with steeping yourself in a mountain village east of Taipei that evokes a place that feels mystical and part of another world.
Natural spaces outside of town include hill walks and waterfalls. With teahouses, shops, stalls, and cafes that evoke traditional Taipei life—not to mention gorgeous lantern displays in the evening—we’d especially enjoy a day’s wander along Old Street.
Things to keep in mind about Jiufen
- The lanterns lit in the evening make it worth heading back to Taipei later instead of earlier
- It’s a hilly area, so walking in some spots can be with elevation
- Lots of street food and treats to sample
- Expect a full day and a late return to Taipei
- Popular area can be crowded on weekends, holidays, and high season
6. Yehliu Geopark: Scenic rock formations by the sea
The “Yehliu Turtle” is full of spots for great photos and fun wanders
I’m a sucker for a good formation. (Skull Rock in California’s Joshua Tree National Park comes to mind). So to consider that ever-eroding limestone along this coastal area results in an array of intriguing rock formations, a visit to Yehliu Geopark (and formations such as Dragon Head, Tofu Rock, Queen’s Head, and Camel’s Hump Rock) would be high on our list of day trips from Taipei.
When you look at Yehliu Geopark, you may notice 2 things, and both are important:
- Even though Yehliu Geopark is close to Yangmingshan National Park, they are separate areas. In fact, Yehliu Geopark is at the far northeastern end of Taiwan, and it’s worth considering visiting this area all on its own day.
- From above, the Geopark area looks like a turtle entering the water, which inspired the nickname “Yehliu Turtle.” We love turtles. The park had us at the mention of turtles.
The visual stunningness of this area very much appeals to snapping photos and getting some family videos while visiting Yehliu. The overall area is 1.7km long, and it’s made for a good wander—but it is rocky bits by the sea, so of course, keep an eye on the kiddos.
Things to keep in mind about Yehliu Geopark
- The oceanside scenery and sea air make a lovely coastal break from the city
- Matching up rock formations to their evocative names can be a fun family game
- Also here is Yehliu Ocean World, a small aquarium that known for sea lion and dolphin shows
- Many walking paths, including ones suitable for kids
- Fun fact: From the end of the cape, if you followed the angle of Yehliu, you could draw a line 777 miles to Fukuoka, Japan
- Yehliu could be a there-and-back excursion all its own, or you could combine it into a bigger day’s outing to Keelung (known for its night market) or the eastern side of Yangmingshan National Park
- Since it is coastal and at the edge of the island, weather conditions can be a factor
- Reachable by car or public bus
7. Beitou Hot Springs: Enjoy a hot soak in the hills
Family relaxation is just north of Taipei
Japanese destinations such as Beppu might be famous for their onsen, but Taiwan has plenty of hot springs, thermal features, and public and private baths as well.
Just north of Taiwan, the Beitou area would be a big priority for one of our next day trips from Taipei.
This hilly area includes hiking trails, and there are many bath options. Some are Japanese-style, or sex segregated and naked. Taiwanese-style or Western-style options are also available: These are coed, and bathers wear a bathing suit.
Actually, Beitou would make a great day trip, especially since it’s so close to the northern end of Taipei. But I wouldn’t be surprised if we stayed a few days, and maximized our bath time.
Things to keep in mind about Beitou
- Natural hot springs have lots of options for separate sex, mixed sex, and family friendly bathing, with public and private baths available
- Also check out the Beitou Hot Springs Museum to understand the history, geology, and culture around Taiwanese hot springs and baths
- Reachable via the MRT Tamsui–Xinyi line
Planning your day trips from Taipei
The areas just outside Taipei have so much to offer for visitors who want to jaunt out of town. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- MRT trains and public buses go to many Taipei day trip destinations, and you can check schedules via mapping apps such as Google Maps
- Organized tours can make it easier to just enjoy the experience without having to worry about logistics (Viator is where we turn to look for a good organized small-group or private tour)
- Check forecasts and seasonality as you make plans and on the day. Bad weather warrants a change in plan, especially for coastal areas
- Families may want to start early to avoid crowds, or go later in the day when most tours have finished
- Break down any day trip destination based on your interests. Especially for larger destinations, that can make it easier to balance the day without feeling stressed or overwhelmed from too many activities or rushing around
Day trips from Taipei help you get the most out of your time in Taiwan
Our family loved visiting Taiwan, and we plan to return. There are so many places we haven’t visited yet, and we’d love to return and go on more day trips from Taipei itself.
Taipei offers safety, delicious food, excellent public transportation, and an array of natural, cultural, and historic attractions just outside the city. We could easily imagine multiple day trips, so we can sample a variety of natural spaces, traditional villages, and hot springs.
And Taipei offers more than enough variety to let you mix and match day trips to what you want to experience during your trip to Taiwan.
