Just be sure to rest up—you’ll need the energy for all the fun packed into 24 hours!
For budgetarians like me who like to maximize every single minute of travel, then you’ll understand why I did what I did. 😏 We all want to experience the most out of a foreign place even if we are short on time. That’s one of the ways to deem a trip worthwhile. But then again, maybe it’s just my Pinoy blood taking over.
If you’re looking for a guide (or maybe a sign) to take on unexpected activities you didn’t know were possible, this is it.
Here are 5 quick adventures you can squeeze in a day:
We were only in Taiwan for 39 hours, so we planned a solid adventure day with 2 major agendas: fitness and leisure. The fitness part was DIY so we had to put some more thought into it, while the latter was a Klook Tour we availed (click here) so we could just rest every now and then.
1. DIY: Jinmianshan Trail Hike + Calisthenics Time (0530 to 0930)
Early bird gets the view—could there be a better way to start the day? If you’re a runner or a morning person, then you might consider adding a hike to your itinerary. It’s refreshing, you get to commune with nature, and you also get to squeeze in some cardio. Perfect!
In Taiwan, it may be considered a rite of passage to go to Elephant Mountain to see the city skyline. However, you may be stuck with a truckload of people if you arrive even a minute too late (at least that’s what others say).
There is an alternative and it’s called the Jinmianshan Trail. It is a moderate climb that starts unassumingly easy but becomes more challenging especially when you reach the part with the rugged rocks. That’s where you really have to scramble. Don’t worry, Jinmianshan Trail has unbeatable scenery so your efforts won’t be in vain!
If you’ve got time to go through the route, then I have a more detailed guide right here.
Side Note: Fortunately, the Neihu district is a pretty cool neighborhood with interesting stopovers. We still had some kick left after our hike, so we played around in a Calisthenics Park. From there, we just came back using the same route we took, walking around Section 2 Huanshan Rd to reach the Wende MRT station.
2. KLOOK: Yehliu Geopark (1100 to 1300)
We started our first guided tour (which we nearly missed!) at the picturesque cape along Taiwan’s northern coast. Here, you’ll find fascinating rock formations, such as the “Queen’s Head” and the “Mushroom Rocks.” We were given 1 hour and 10 minutes to explore the place, but we only probably stayed for around 45 minutes. It was super hot at the time of our visit so the prevailing mood was I just can’t be bothered. Lol.
We did take photos at the viewing decks, but that’s as far as we planned to go. On our way out, we got some refreshments at a nearby market.
ALSO READ: 5 Picture-Perfect Spots I Stumbled Upon While on a Little India Walking Tour
3. KLOOK: Shifen Old Street (1430 to 1515)
Shifen Old Street is a historic railway town famous for its sky lanterns. It’s also a charming spot that is just adjacent to Shifen Waterfall. If I remember correctly, I think we rode the bus to get here but only for a few minutes. This is easily one of the most recognizable backdrops in Taiwan so you shouldn’t miss this.
Upon arrival, we quickly made our way to our tour agency’s accredited shop so we could write our wishes on the lantern before releasing them into the sky. The experience was short, but I still had fun. It offers the perfect blend of culture, history, and fun!
The only thing that didn’t sit right with me about the experience was the person assisting us with the lanterns. Judging by her actions, she seemed too tired of tourists. We couldn’t ignore how demanding and rude she sounded when she was instructing us about what to do. And no, it’s not the Mandarin accent, y’all. 😬 I had to tell her a couple of times to “calm down,” or else we’d just look for another person to help us out. I don’t think she gave a flying F- to be honest. Haha. Anyway, we’ve set our intentions and didn’t want the activity to be spoiled so we just focused on being positive. The semi-rude lady also ended up taking so many photos and videos of us, so we’re still thankful. Maybe she just had a bad day.
After that, we ate our rice-stuffed chicken wings and peanut ice cream roll orders and can I just say…. I love it so much! The two are my favorites from my Taiwan foodtrip.
Segue to our Shilin Night Market experience ~
4. KLOOK: Shifen Waterfall (1515 to 1630)
Please go chase waterfalls. Don’t stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to! 😽
The next destination on our tour is none other than Shifen Waterfall. It’s a sight you won’t forget because it gives mini Niagara vibes right in Taiwan. It has a 20-meter epic drop that won’t disappoint (it’s easy on the eyes swear) and is surrounded by lush greenery.
There is a hiking path here so it’s perfect for nature enthusiasts who are coming to spend the day (not so much for those with tight schedules! Ehem, that’s us). Anyway, we just decided to leisurely explore this wonderland. No rush. There are various viewing decks to choose from, and there’s even an area to try all sorts of food and drinks.
5. KLOOK: Jiufen Old Street (1730 to 1915)
The trip going to Jiufen Old Street was pretty crazy. I’d say that heading up is an adventure on its own because the road twists and turns as you climb higher. Our bus reminded me of Tanay- or Antipolo-bound jeepneys because the drivers were beastmode all the way. You seriously need to hang on tight or risk getting thrown off of your seat. Anyway, by the time you reach the top, you’ll be welcomed by the sea of travelers who also want to see the charming destination.
Jiufen Old Street is where you can walk around and explore traditional teahouses, quaint shops, lantern-lit streets (iconic, right?), and distinctly Taiwanese street food stalls. The narrow and sometimes maze-like pathways are iconic. A lot of people also come here because the street’s overall vibe has a resemblance to scenes from the movie “Spirited Away.”
You might be curious about the must-visits. You can try Amei Teahouse, but expect a lot of visitors. If I were you, show some love to other teahouses because those are equally nice. I forgot the one we stayed at but we had no regrets. I’ll show you pictures, and let me know if you can recognize it HAHA.
There are also hazy views of the mountains and the Pacific Ocean, although, at the time, I was far too absorbed in the twisting passageways that I forgot to fully appreciate the scenery. My bad!
I really think the view is especially nicer in the evening. I mean… it is wonderful in the afternoon, but there’s something about the way it looks when the lights and lanterns come on.
ALSO READ: Ultimate Guide to Your Hong Kong-Macau Escapade (2023 – 5D4N Itinerary)
Concluding a day of exploration at Taiwan Main Station
After a day of festivities, we were dropped right in the heart of the action—Taiwan Main Station — at around 8:30 pm. Overall, it was surprisingly fun. Our guide was also bubbly and helpful, so we had a pleasant time with her.
If you want in on the same activities, you can check out this discounted Taiwan Day Trip Tour.
We took public transport back to our temporary home (Wonderwall Hotel), but not before having a quick shopping spree and food trip in Ximending. The place is so lively, so what do you expect? 🕺
Keep an eye out for other worthwhile tours
If your schedule is not as tight as ours, there are other activities that are worth considering:
- Meteor Garden Sightseeing Tour from Taipei
- Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour in Taipei
- Wulai Yunxian Paradise & Wulai Waterfall & Wulai Old Street Day Tour
- Sun Moon Lake & Cingjing Farm One-Day Tour (Taichung City Hotel Pickup)
Have you tried Klook yet? Use the code APP10TW on your app to get 10% off your 1st booking or HotelOnApp to get 5% off on your first hotel booking.
That’s it for my hack on how to make the most out of your day here!
Our trip may be short, but I will remember it as a fun adventure where I saw more of Taiwan than I originally expected.
THE BDT 
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