Backpacking in Taiwan is one of the best travel experiences in Asia—compact, safe, affordable, and incredibly diverse. You can go from bustling cities to high mountains to tropical beaches in just a few hours.
Here’s a practical, inspiring guide to get you started 👇
🧭 Why Backpack Taiwan?
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- 🚄 Easy transport (fast trains + buses everywhere)
- 💰 Budget-friendly (hostels, cheap food)
- 🥟 Food paradise (night markets!)
- 🏞️ Nature + city mix in a small area
- 🛵 Safe & traveler-friendly
🗺️ Classic Backpacking Route (10–14 days)
1. Taipei (2–3 days)
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📍 Taipei
- Visit Taipei 101
- Eat at Shilin Night Market
- Day trip to Jiufen
- Hike Elephant Mountain for skyline views
💡 Tip: Get an EasyCard for transport + convenience stores.
2. Taroko Gorge (1–2 days)
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📍 Taroko Gorge
- Marble canyon hikes
- Bike or scooter through tunnels
- Must-see: Eternal Spring Shrine
💡 Stay in Hualien for budget options.
3. Hualien → Taitung (East Coast) (2–3 days)
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- One of Asia’s most underrated coastal routes
- Rent a scooter or bike
- Chill, slow travel vibes
📍 Taitung
4. Kenting (2 days)
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📍 Kenting National Park
- Beaches, surfing, warm weather
- Night market + laid-back vibe
5. Kaohsiung (1–2 days)
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📍 Kaohsiung
- Visit Dragon & Tiger Pagodas
- Chill art scene at Pier-2
6. Alishan (1–2 days)
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📍 Alishan
- Famous sunrise + “sea of clouds”
- Scenic forest railway
💰 Budget (per day)
- Hostel: €10–25
- Food: €10–20
- Transport: €5–15
👉 Total: ~€30–60/day
🚄 Getting Around
- TRA trains (cheap, scenic)
- HSR (fast but pricier)
- Buses (cover remote areas)
- Scooter rental (popular on east coast & islands)
🍜 Must-Try Food
- Beef noodle soup
- Xiao long bao (try Din Tai Fung)
- Bubble tea 🧋
- Night market snacks (stinky tofu, fried chicken)
🏕️ Backpacking Tips
- Book trains early on weekends
- Carry cash (some places don’t take cards)
- Learn basic Mandarin phrases (helpful but not essential)
- Use 7-Eleven / FamilyMart for EVERYTHING (seriously)
⏱️ Best Time to Go
- 🌸 Spring (Mar–May): best overall
- 🍂 Autumn (Oct–Nov): cool + clear
- ☀️ Summer: hot + typhoons
- ❄️ Winter: mild, rainy north
🔥 Optional Add-ons
- Lanyu – remote island vibes
- Penghu – beaches + windsurfing
- Sun Moon Lake – cycling + chill scenery