In my experience, 2 weeks in Taiwan is basically the perfect trip to the country. It’s long enough that you can take a more or less comprehensive first trip—or, if you’re returning for round two (or 10!), you can dig deep into destinations you’ve never visited. You’ll have more than enough time to get over your jet lag, but not so much that you leave ready to go home.
Importantly, it’s also not too long. Unless you’re living in Taiwan, as I’ve done, having too much time in Taiwan can have surprising negative consequences. You either go too hard and too fast for too long (and, thus, burn out), or lean so far into “slow travel” that you become stuck in proverbial quicksand.
Thankfully, these eventualities don’t concern you: Two weeks in Taiwan is truly a Goldlocks trip around the country. It’s “just right,” baby bear.
Why Two Weeks in Taiwan is a “Goldilocks” Trip
It isn’t surprising to me that this Taiwan 14 day itinerary has consistently been one of the most-read posts on my site. Part of this, of course, is because two weeks is a popular length of vacation. Many people have around two weeks of PTO per year; in other cases, it’s simply that it allows you to get away from your life (and certainly, to feel like you’ve gotten away from it) without actually abandoning it.
It just so happens that because of Taiwan’s size, two weeks allows for a wonderful comprehensive trip around the country. With the possible exception of outlying islands like Lanyu and Lyudao, you really don’t need to pick and choose. You can explore exciting west coast cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung, lush interior destinations such as Alishan and Sun Moon Lake and even drive down the east coast, all the way to Kenting National Park.
Where to Go With 2 Weeks in Taiwan
Taipei (and day trips from it)
It should go without saying that any trip to Taiwan will include time in Taipei. With two weeks in the country, however, you can take your time. This means city center attractions from Longshan Temple to Taipei 101, and everywhere in between; it also makes taking at least a couple of day trips from Taipei, whether to hike at Yangmingshan, or to admire the red lanterns of the Jiufen Old Street.
Hualien or Yilan
The next step on a Taiwan 2 week itinerary, at least when it’s mine or one I plan, is to pick up a rental car and drive east. I usually like to start toward the northern end of the east coast. Yilan is a bit less touristic; Hualien and Taroko Gorge (at least the parts of the Gorge that have reopened following the 2024 earthquake) are a bit more typical. In any case, having two weeks means you likely need to choose one of these places, and not both.
Taitung
Heading southward through the Great Rift Valley from Hualien, you’ll pass through Yuli township (TIP: make sure to stop at Sanxiantai, or Bridge of the Three Immortals) toward Taitung, the hub of southeastern Taiwan. I don’t think you’ll spend much time in town; rather, you’ll want to explore the scenic surrounds, whether that’s the best-in-Taiwan view from Taimali, or the thrilling hike that takes you down to Lisong Hot Spring.
TIP: If you have time, I’d suggest stopping in Kenting National Park as you curve back westward around the southern tip of Taiwan. Spend the night, if you can!
Kaohsiung, Tainan and/or Taichung
When it comes to a Taiwan itinerary, 14 days is enough for a relatively comprehensive trip—but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to choose. Heading back up the west coast after dropping off your car in Kaohsiung, for example, you can sleep a night or two in Tainan or Taichung (or maybe even in places like Chiayi or Hsinchu). But you almost certainly won’t have time to stop “everywhere.”
Alishan and Sun Moon Lake
If you do happen to visit Chiayi for more than a night, there’s a major hidden advantage: It’s the best base for making an onward excursion up to Alishan. Want to visit Sun Moon Lake instead? It’s best reachable from Taichung. In both cases, though public transportation is an option, having your own set of wheels will make your life much easier.
The Easiest Way to Plan Out Your Two Weeks in Taiwan
I’ve laid out destinations you can visit in Taiwan pretty clearly, and I’ve also given you a pretty clear idea of how to structure the trip. Namely, after getting your bearings in Taipei, heading east to Yilan or Hualien, then heading down the east coast to Taitung (and maybe Kenting) before heading back up the west coast to make a loop, potentially stopping en route in Alishan and/or Sun Moon Lake.
But while it might be the perfect length for a Taiwan itinerary, 2 weeks (in other words, the relative amount of time you’ll need to plan the trip by yourself) might not be something you can swing in the lead-up to your travel. Thankfully, you can hire me to do the dirty work for you. When you do, I’ll create a document with personalized daily recommendations for activities, meals and accommodation, plus detailed transportation advice throughout.
Other FAQ About Planning a Two Week Taiwan Itinerary
Is 2 weeks too long for Taiwan?
Two weeks is not too long in Taiwan—and in fact, is probably the best frame for a Taiwan trip you can take. With two weeks, you can not only enjoy big cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung, but inland wonderlands such as Sun Moon Lake and Alishan and even the country’s scenic east coast.
How much does 2 weeks in Taiwan cost?
I usually suggest a budget of between 100-200 USD per person, per day in Taiwan. As a result, you can generally expect a two-week trip to Taiwan to cost around 1,500-3,000 USD per person, not including the cost of flights to and from Taiwan. Obviously, this figure can go much higher; truly thrifty travelers can probably get by on less.
What is a good 2-week itinerary for Taiwan?
If you’ve got about two weeks and have never been to Taiwan before, I like to start with a few nights in Taipei before renting a car and heading east to Yilan or Hualien. From there, drive south to Taitung (and maybe to Kenting National Park) before dropping your car off in Kaohsiung. Well, your first car: If you make detours from Chiayi to Alishan or from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake on your way up Taiwan’s industrialized west coast by high-speed train, you may need to rent cars again for a day or two.
The Bottom Line
If you’re able to spend two weeks in Taiwan, I have good news—and I have better news. The good news is that you’re in the “Goldilocks zone” of travel, both in terms of how much you can expect to see (the whole country, likely minus the outlying islands, if you want to) and when it comes to a trip that’s long enough to beat jet lag, but not too long that you leave exhausted and ready to leave. The better news? If you’ve read this entire post (and I trust that you have), you’ll land at Taoyuan Airport with a clear (and impossibly satisfying) mission to complete. Need personalized help making your great trip perfect? Commission a custom Taiwan itinerary today!
