Why Taipei Deserves 4 Full Days
I've lost count of how many times I've flown into Taipei Taoyuan for what was supposed to be a quick weekend, only to extend my stay because there was simply too much left to eat, see, and soak in. Taipei is one of those cities that rewards slow travel — the night markets alone could occupy an entire trip, and that's before you've even left for Jiufen's lantern-lit alleys or Yangmingshan's steaming hot springs. This 4-day itinerary is built from multiple trips, dozens of MRT rides, and more bowls of beef noodle soup than I care to admit. It balances the iconic (Taipei 101, Shilin Night Market) with the slower, soul-of-the-city moments (a quiet temple at dawn, a hot spring foot bath at dusk).
Singapore to Taipei is a straightforward 4.5-hour flight, and with visa-free entry for Singapore passport holders (up to 90 days), it's one of the easiest short getaways from the region. Here's exactly how to spend four days doing it right.
Day 1: Taipei 101, Elephant Mountain & Shilin Night Market
Morning: Settle In and Get Your Bearings
Start easy. Check into your hotel — Xinyi District puts you closest to Taipei 101 and the best nightlife, while Ximending is better if you want budget hostels and a livelier, younger vibe. Grab breakfast at a local dan bing (savory crepe) stall; you'll pay under S$3 for something that will ruin every future breakfast for you.
Afternoon: Taipei 101 Observatory
Taipei 101 was the world's tallest building until 2010, and the observation deck on the 89th floor still delivers one of Asia's best city panoramas. On a clear day you can see all the way to the mountains ringing the Taipei basin. Book your ticket online in advance — the walk-up queue on weekends can eat an hour of your afternoon that's better spent elsewhere.
Late Afternoon: Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) Sunset Hike
This is the single best free activity in Taipei. The hike to the main viewing platform takes about 20-30 minutes of stair climbing (bring water, it's humid), and the reward is a postcard shot of Taipei 101 glowing against the sunset skyline. Time your climb to arrive 30 minutes before sunset — the platform fills up fast with photographers.
Evening: Shilin Night Market
Taipei's largest and most famous night market. Come hungry and order small: fried chicken cutlets bigger than your face, oyster omelettes, stinky tofu (it smells worse than it tastes, promise), bubble tea, and giant squid skewers. Skip the tourist-trap main strip stalls with the longest queues that just have flashy signage — the best food is often one lane over.
Day 2: Jiufen Old Street, Shifen Waterfall & Sky Lanterns
Morning: Jiufen Old Street
An hour outside the city, Jiufen is a former gold-mining town clinging to a mountainside, its narrow lantern-lined lane immortalized (unofficially) as an inspiration for Spirited Away's bathhouse. Arrive early — by 10am, before tour buses flood in — to actually enjoy the red-lantern alleys without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Try the taro balls at the original A-Mei Tea House and grab a seat overlooking the valley and coastline.
Afternoon: Shifen Waterfall & the Old Railway
A short ride from Jiufen, Shifen has two draws: a waterfall that's genuinely impressive (Taiwan's widest), and the old Pingxi rail line that runs directly through the town's main street lined with shops and cafes.
Evening: Sky Lantern Release
Write your wishes on a paper lantern, light it, and watch it drift into the night sky over the old railway. It's touristy, yes — but it's also genuinely moving, and photos here are some of the best souvenirs you'll bring home from Taiwan.
Day 3: Yangmingshan Hot Springs, Beitou & Danshui Sunset
Morning: Yangmingshan National Park
Just 40 minutes from downtown, Yangmingshan is a volcanic national park with sulfur vents, hiking trails, and (seasonally) cherry blossoms or calla lily fields. Even a short 1-2 hour trail loop feels like a completely different country from the concrete of Xinyi.
Afternoon: Beitou Hot Springs
Beitou is Taipei's hot spring district, easily reached by MRT. Public bathhouses cost a few dollars; private-room hotels with spring-fed tubs are a splurge worth considering if you want to properly unwind mid-trip. The Thermal Valley (Hell Valley) nearby, with its steaming teal-green pool, is worth the short walk even if you don't bathe.
Evening: Danshui Sunset & Old Street
End the day at Danshui, where the river meets the sea. The riverside promenade is Taipei's best sunset-watching spot, and the Old Street nearby has excellent seafood and street snacks, including the famous 'iron egg' and A-gei (fish paste stuffed tofu).
Day 4: Din Tai Fung, Ximending & Longshan Temple
Morning: Longshan Temple
One of Taipei's oldest and most active temples, Longshan is a working place of worship, not a museum piece — you'll see locals praying, drawing fortune sticks, and lighting incense. Dress modestly and move quietly through the inner courtyards.
Lunch: Din Tai Fung
Yes, it's a chain now, but the original branch (or any Taipei branch) is still worth the queue for xiao long bao made with genuine, visible skill. Order the classic pork soup dumplings, plus the shrimp and pork wontons in chili oil.
Afternoon: Ximending Shopping District
Taipei's answer to Shibuya — pedestrianized streets packed with fashion boutiques, arcades, indie record stores, and street performers. It's also a great spot for cheap, excellent Taiwanese street food if you're saving your appetite for one last market crawl before your flight.
Getting Around: MRT & EasyCard
Taipei's MRT is clean, punctual, and genuinely one of the best metro systems in Asia. Buy an EasyCard on arrival (available at any MRT station or convenience store) — it works on the metro, buses, and even convenience store purchases, and saves roughly 20% versus single-journey tickets.
Best Night Markets Compared
4-Day Budget Breakdown (Per Person, Mid-Range)
What to Pack
- Comfortable walking shoes — you will easily hit 15,000+ steps a day
- A light rain jacket or umbrella — Taipei drizzle appears without warning
- Cash in small denominations — many night market stalls are cash-only
- A power bank — long days of photos drain phones fast
- Layers if visiting Yangmingshan or hot springs in cooler months
Visa & Entry Requirements for Singaporeans
Singapore passport holders can enter Taiwan visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism purposes. You'll need a passport valid for at least 6 months, proof of onward travel, and it's worth registering online for the Travel Authorization Certificate before departure, which is free and takes minutes.
Book Your Taipei Attractions Before You Fly
Skip the queues and lock in savings by booking your Taipei 101 Observatory ticket, Jiufen & Shifen day tour, and other top attractions online through HolidaySG before you land. Instant e-tickets, easy cancellation, and one less thing to think about while you're chasing sunsets from Elephant Mountain.
