Day 1 — Taipei → Taichung
Depart from Taipei to Taichung in the morning. First stop: Rainbow Village—vibrant murals and the storey of “Grandpa Rainbow” make it a perfect spot for photos, and you can also listen to a brief cultural explanation. Stroll along the Qinmei Green Parkway, soaking in the atmosphere of cafes and design shops. Enjoy Taichung's local delicacies for lunch, then visit Miyahara Dessert Shop to admire its historic interior and desserts. In the afternoon, visit the Taichung National Theatre to appreciate Toyo Ito's fluid architectural design and public spaces. In the evening, head to Gaomei Wetlands to admire the boardwalk, windmills, and migratory birds, and enjoy the beautiful sunset. In the evening, head to Fengjia Night Market for a culinary adventure; overnight in Taichung.
Day 2 — Taichung → Sun Moon Lake → Cingjing
Drive to Sun Moon Lake, take a boat tour, visit Wenwu Temple, and enjoy local tea by the lake. Climb to Cingjing (Green Grassland) in the Central Highlands: feed sheep, watch a rural performance, stroll along the Cingjing Skywalk, and then visit the Little Swiss Garden. Dinner: Enjoy a warm mountain meal; overnight stay in a characteristic guesthouse, admiring the magnificent mountain views.
Day 3 — Cingjing → Wuling/Hehuanshan → Hualien
Drive to Wuling before dawn—Taiwan's highest highway point (approximately 3,275 metres)—to enjoy panoramic mountain views and have the opportunity to photograph the sea of clouds. Weather permitting, take a leisurely hike along the Hehuanshan Ridge, then descend along the East Rift Valley to Hualien. Stop briefly under the jacaranda trees for a short forest walk; in the evening, head to Qixing Beach for a stroll along the pebble beach, enjoying the coastal light and shadows; overnight stay in Hualien.
Day 4 — Hualien: A Nostalgic Journey Through Lakes, Sugar Factory, and Forest Park
In the morning, enjoy the tranquil scenery and photography at Yunshan Shuimeng Lake. Visit the nostalgic Hualien Sugar Factory, sample handmade ice cream, and explore the renovated space. Explore Da Nong Da Fu Forest Park by bicycle or on foot, observing birds and seasonal flowers. In the afternoon, visit Qingxiuyuan in Ji'an to learn about local history. In the evening, enjoy street food at Dongdamen Night Market and watch indigenous performances. Overnight in Hualien.
Day 5 — Hualien → Yilan → Taipei
Drive north to the rugged Chongde Recreation Area to admire the magnificent coastal cliff scenery. Then, visit the National Centre for Traditional Arts in Yilan to watch a puppet show, experience a handicraft workshop, and participate in activities such as paper cutting or bamboo weaving. Make a brief stop at Didi Dang Forest/Jimmy Plaza along the way to photograph interesting public art pieces. Finally, visit the Kavalan Distillery and taste its spirits before returning to Taipei. Overnight in Taipei.
