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London to Taiwan: Taipei, Sun Moon Lake and Tainan

London → Taipei → Sun Moon Lake → Tainan

Taipei
"Taipei_Skyline_2022.06.29.jpg" by 毛貓大少爺, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Downtown Tainan(2012) (cropped) (Tainan)
Photo: Mersh, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Night markets, lakes & temples Best season (general guide): Oct–Apr

Taiwan combines a modern capital with mountains, lakes and an old southern capital known for its temples and food. This route spends seven nights in Taipei, Sun Moon Lake and Tainan. From London you'll fly to Taipei, directly or via a hub.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Taipei: day one, Taipei 101; day two, National Palace Museum; day three, night market. Then spend days four and five at Sun Moon Lake: day four, high-speed train and bus to Sun Moon Lake; day five, cycle and boat around the lake. Then spend days six and seven in Tainan: day six, travel to Tainan, then Chihkan Tower; day seven, temples and street food.

Taipei 101 was once the world's tallest building, and its observation deck looks over the city. The National Palace Museum holds a vast collection of Chinese art. Night markets, such as Shilin, are the place to try local snacks.

The high-speed rail runs down the west coast, and a bus climbs from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake, surrounded by mountains. Cycle paths, boats and a ropeway let you explore. Wenwu Temple overlooks the water.

Tainan was the capital of Taiwan for centuries and is known for its many temples and its food. Chihkan Tower dates from the Dutch period, rebuilt by later rulers.

October to April is the most comfortable time. Summer is hot and humid, and typhoons can occur from July to October.

Taipei's temples, such as Longshan, are busy with worshippers burning incense. The city's metro is clean and efficient, and hot springs at Beitou are easy to reach. Around Sun Moon Lake, the Thao people, one of Taiwan's indigenous groups, live in villages by the water. Tainan's alleys are full of small food stalls, and its snacks are famous across Taiwan.

Good to know: The high-speed rail makes travel easy, and an EasyCard works on most transport. Book Sun Moon Lake accommodation ahead at weekends.

Carry cash for night market stalls.

Book high-speed rail seats ahead at weekends and holidays, when trains fill up, and keep some time free for Taipei's tea houses and markets.

Suggested outline

  1. London

    Start

  2. Taipei

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Taipei 101, the National Palace Museum and night markets.

  3. Sun Moon Lake

    By train and bus · 2 nights suggested

    A mountain lake with temples, cycle paths and a ropeway.

    Sun Moon Lake Taiwan
    "Nantou-County Taiwan Sun-Moon-Lake-Ropeway-01.jpg" by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  4. Tainan

    By bus and train · 2 nights suggested

    The old capital, with hundreds of temples and street food.

    Tainan
    "Downtown_Tainan(2012)_(cropped).jpg" by Mersh, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Taipei — Arrive; Taipei 101· London → Taipei (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Taipei — National Palace Museum
  3. Day 3 · Taipei — Night market
  4. Day 4 · Sun Moon Lake — High-speed train and bus to Sun Moon Lake· Taipei → Sun Moon Lake (by train and bus)
  5. Day 5 · Sun Moon Lake — Cycle and boat around the lake
  6. Day 6 · Tainan — To Tainan; Chihkan Tower· Sun Moon Lake → Tainan (by bus and train)
  7. Day 7 · Tainan — Temples and street food
  8. Day 8 · Tainan — Travel home from Tainan· Tainan → London (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Taipei

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Plan the trip: Taipei

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Sun Moon Lake

Nearest airport: Taichung

Tainan

More about Tainan →

Plan the trip: Tainan

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