I talk in detail about when I prefer to travel and why.
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If you have seen pictures of a panoramic view of Taipei 101 and Taipe’s skyline, the view is probably from Elephant Mountain.
It’s about a 20-minute hike to the top, and there are a couple of spots along the way for picture taking.
Also, there are specific 3 boulders that people usually climb to get the perfect shot with the Taipei 101 building.
In total, there are 600 steps, which is totally doable, and you can easily take breaks when needed.
Overall, you cannot miss this hike, and I recommend prioritizing this in your Taiwan itinerary 4 days travel guide (because it’s free).
Through the MRT, simply take the red line to the last stop which is the Xiangshan Station.
Pull up google maps, and it will be a 10-minute walk.
We passed parks, apartment buildings, and basketball courts along the way.
Beitou
This city is known as a retirement city in Taiwan because of its natural hot springs and greenery.
We could have chosen a fancy hot springs spa, but my husband and I took it to the next level and went to a $1 bathhouse where all the local senior citizens took baths.
We went to the Millennium Hot Springs, which is known as one of the oldest hot springs in Beitou.
It was the funniest experience ever because we had no idea what we were doing.
We even got yelled at since we took too long to get in the water because it was too hot!
Tip: Start with the cold spa first to numb the body.
Then ease in to the warmer water and start going into the hotter spas once your body starts to get used to the temperature.
Other things to see here:
Beitou Hot Spring Museum
Beitou Thermal Valley
Free foot bath in Beitou Quan Yuan
Taiwan 4 Day Itinerary: Day 4
For day 4, we usedKlookto book a tour that goes to Shifen and Jiufen.
The exact tour (A Day Tour in Jiufen and Shifen From Ximen (Day and Night Scene in Jiufen) that we did through Klook is no longer active.
The Shifen Waterfall, also known as Little Niagara, is one of the most stunning views in Taiwan.
Although not quite as grand as Niagara Falls, the highest point stands at 20 m (66 ft) high and 40m (131 ft).
You can enjoy they view while eating snacks and drinking boba from the café located nearby.
Shifen Railroad
This town is a marketplace surrounding a railroad.
It is most famous for sky lanterns and souvenir shops.
You can buy your own lantern and depending on the color of the lantern you buy, there is a meaning to it.
The vendors set up the lantern for you to be able to paint each side with your wish(es).
Once you are done painting your lantern, the vendor will light up the lantern and give you instructions on when to release it; very similar science to a hot air balloon.
Jiufen
This mountainous small town is most famous for the real-life version of the Japanese animated movie spirited away Hayao Miyazaki.
There really is no proof that Miyazaki based the movie on this place, but I can tell you that it is quite magical.
Warning: this place is all stairs, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes!
Think dense narrow staircases decked with red lanterns, all kinds of mouthwatering Taiwanese foods including the most delicious melt in your mouth Taiwanese beef noodle soup.
I’m pretty sure I gained 20 lbs. from this day alone. We ate everything that looked good (basically everything).
Foods to try:
Boba, you can never have enough!
Fried seafood
Taiwanese beef noddle soup (MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH)
Stinky tofu (to be honest, I could not get myself to finish this. Consider yourself warned).
Taiwan 4 Day Itinerary: Other Ideas or Optional Day 5
Try boba, Taiwan is the creator of boba
Eat Mango Shaved ice
Din Tai Fung- the first-ever Din Tai Fung establishment is in Taipei, try out the amazing xiaolongbao