Work flexibly, hike mountains, eat well, shoot everything.
Taoyuan Airport → Taipei · Get your bearings, scout the neighbourhood, first night market
You land at Taoyuan around 9–10 AM local time (Taiwan is UTC+8, same as Philippines). Clear immigration, grab your SIM and EasyCard at the airport, and you're already on the MRT into the city. Taipei's transit is excellent — one of the best in Asia. Day 1 is light on purpose: recover from the early departure, get settled, and scout a good café for tomorrow's work session.
Land at Taoyuan International Airport
🚨 Do firstImmigration is straightforward with Philippine passport (visa-free 90 days). Priority stop: Chunghwa Telecom booth for a 7-day tourist SIM (NT$300, fast 5G). Pick up an EasyCard from any convenience store inside arrivals — you'll use this for every MRT and bus trip.
MRT to Taipei Main Station
Taoyuan Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station, ~45 minutes, NT$160. Fast, air-conditioned, and direct. Store big luggage at the station lockers (NT$30–80) if you can't check in early — saves dragging bags around on Day 1.
Check In + Rest
Stay in Zhongzheng or Da'an district — central, walking distance to MRT, good café density for working. Budget guesthouses and capsule hotels in this area run NT$900–1,500/night. Rest, shower, do a gear check for the week.
Neighbourhood Walk + Café Scout
📸 ShootWalk your area. Find a café that has stable wifi and power outlets — you'll want to know where to go tomorrow morning before you need to work. Da'an, Zhongshan, and Yongkang Street areas have the highest density of good working cafes in Taipei.
Raohe Night Market — First Dinner
🍜 FoodRaohe Street Night Market (饒河夜市) is one of Taipei's oldest and most photogenic. Covered, so it runs even in afternoon rain. Must-try: pepper buns from the famous Fuzhou stall at the temple gate (NT$55, queue worth it), oyster omelette, grilled corn. Great intro vlog segment — busy, colourful, authentic.
象山 Dawn Shoot · Café Work Session · Wanhua District · Night Market
July mornings in Taipei are actually pleasant before 9 AM — it's the middle of the day that destroys you. Elephant Mountain at sunrise is one of the best photography spots in the country: the 101 skyline backlit by golden hour, mist in the valleys below. Go early, shoot hard, then retreat to an air-conditioned café and get work done while it's hot outside.
Leave for Elephant Mountain (象山)
📸 Key ShotMRT to Xiangshan Station (红线), 5-minute walk to trailhead. The climb is 20–30 minutes up steep stone steps. Bring a torch, water, and the A7C2. You want to be at the top rocks (第一巨石) by 5:45–6:00 AM for first light over the Taipei skyline.
Sunrise Shoot — Taipei 101 Skyline
📸 Golden HourThe classic composition: Taipei 101 with the mountain ridge and morning mist. 18mm wide for the cityscape, zoom in at 100–200mm for compression shots of 101 against the clouds. Golden hour lasts maybe 30 minutes before it gets hazy. This is prime vlog material — time-lapse of the city waking up, drone-style movement.
Breakfast: Soy Milk Shop
🍜 FoodWalk back down to the Xinyi or Da'an area for a proper Taiwanese breakfast. Look for a 豆漿 (dòu jiāng / soy milk) shop — the style with freshly made soy milk, scallion pancakes (蔥油餅), egg crepe (蛋餅), and rice rolls (飯糰). NT$50–80, filling, completely local.
Work Session — Café
💻 Work4-hour work block while the city heats up. Good options: Cama Café (chain, reliable wifi, NT$100 minimum), Simple Kaffa (specialty coffee, Da'an), or any independent café with visible power strips at tables. Order a coffee every 2 hours to keep the seat without issue.
Wanhua District + Longshan Temple
📸 ShootOldest district in Taipei. Longshan Temple (龍山寺) is the best incense photography in Taiwan — smoky, layered, genuinely spiritual. Be respectful: shoot from the sides, avoid photographing worshippers directly. Surrounding streets have traditional medicine shops, street food, and layers of history.
Ximending — Street Food + Culture
Youth culture hub, pedestrian zone. Loud, colourful, great for street photography and b-roll vlog footage. Stinky tofu here if you want to try it — NT$50. Red Bean Mochi ice cream NT$30. Walk the alleys.
Ningxia Night Market
🍜 FoodAuthentic local night market frequented by Taipei residents, not just tourists. More intimate than Shilin. Must-try: taro balls (芋圓) in sweet soup (NT$55), peanut brittle ice cream rolls, braised pork rice (滷肉飯) for NT$40.
Old Town · Sky Lanterns · Waterfall · Golden Hour Photography
Jiufen (九份) is the town that inspired Spirited Away — stacked teahouses on a hillside, red lanterns, narrow stone alleys, ocean views. Shifen is 20 minutes away with Taiwan's widest waterfall and the famous sky lantern tradition. Do both in one day. The golden hour in Jiufen from 5–7 PM is some of the best photography lighting in Asia.
Train: Taipei Main Station → Ruifang
TRA (台灣鐵路) regional train, ~40 minutes, NT$50. Trains run frequently. Buy tickets at the station or via the TRA app. Ruifang is the hub for both Jiufen and Shifen.
Shifen Old Street + Waterfall
📸 WaterfallFrom Ruifang, take a local train or bus to Shifen (十分). The Old Street sits right on active train tracks — trains roll through every 20–30 minutes, which makes for great vlog footage. Shifen Waterfall (十分瀑布) is a 20-minute walk — Taiwan's widest waterfall, nicknamed the 'mini Niagara.' Long exposure with the 18mm here.
Sky Lanterns (Optional)
📸 Vlog MomentSky lanterns are the thing here — you write your wishes on a lantern and release it. NT$150–200. Great vlog content. Note: this is a tourist activity, but it reads authentically on camera. Shoot the release from below at wide angle, then zoom as it rises.
Bus to Jiufen
Local bus from Shifen to Jiufen takes ~20 minutes. Alternatively, taxi NT$200–300. Arrive before the main tourist rush.
Jiufen Lunch
🍜 FoodEat at a small local restaurant on the main street. Taro ball soup (芋圓) at Ah-Gan's Original Taro (阿柑姨芋圓) is the classic — get the cold version in July. Fish ball soup and braised pork rice are the local staples. NT$100–150 for a full meal.
Jiufen Old Town — Explore
📸 ShootWander the main alley (基山街) and Shuqi Road (豎崎路 — the stone steps). A-Mei Tea House (阿妹茶樓) is the iconic Spirited Away-looking teahouse — best photographed from across the valley or from the steps above. NT$200 minimum order to sit inside. Worth it for one cup of Taiwanese oolong.
Golden Hour Photography — Jiufen
📸 Golden HourThis is the reason to stay late. When the lanterns light up and the sun drops behind the mountains, Jiufen turns into something extraordinary. Warm orange and red light, ocean in the background, mist on the hills. Set up the iPhone tripod for static wide shots, use the A7C2 for telephoto compression of the lit-up teahouses. This is the money shot for the vlog.
Bus back to Ruifang → Train to Taipei
Regular buses back to Ruifang from Jiufen every 15–20 minutes. Be aware: after golden hour, the bus gets crowded with everyone leaving at the same time. Alternatively, take a taxi to Ruifang (NT$200). Train back to Taipei.
Volcanic Hike · Sulfur Vents · Beitou Hot Springs
Yangmingshan is Taipei's backyard volcano — 30 minutes from the city centre, and one of the best hikes in northern Taiwan. The volcanic landscape is unlike anything else: sulfur vents steaming from the ground, crater lakes, open ridgeline with panoramic views of Taipei below. Go early before the heat peaks.
Bus to Yangmingshan
Bus 260 from Zhongshan MRT Station to Yangmingshan National Park (~1 hour, NT$15 with EasyCard). Or take the MRT to Jiantan then Bus S9 to the main park area. Get on early to secure a seat.
Qixing Trail — Main Hike
🥾 HikeQixingshan (七星山, 1,120m) is the highest peak in Taipei and the most rewarding hike in the park. The main trail from Xiaoyoukeng visitor centre takes 2–3 hours round trip. Volcanic terrain: rocky switchbacks, open ridgeline, dramatic views. Start here before clouds build up mid-morning.
Xiaoyoukeng — Sulfur Vents
📸 Unique ShotThe sulfur vent area near the trailhead is prime photography. Steaming cracks in the earth, the smell of sulfur, yellow mineral deposits on the rocks. Wide angle at 18mm for the landscape scale, then zoom into individual vents for texture shots. Surreal and completely free to visit.
Summit + Views of Taipei
📸 SummitClear morning days give you a full panorama: Taipei basin below, the ocean to the east, neighbouring peaks. The summit is open and exposed — bring water. This is where the 18-200mm zoom earns its place: wide for context, then compress the Taipei 101 skyline from 1,100m.
Back to Park Visitor Centre
Grab food at the park's café or convenience store. The midday heat at lower elevations is brutal — rest here or head back to Taipei earlier.
Work Session — Taipei Café
💻 WorkBack in Taipei for the afternoon work block. Yangmingshan morning + work afternoon is the ideal split for this trip's work-travel balance.
Beitou Hot Springs (北投溫泉)
♨️ Hot SpringsPublic hot spring baths near Yangmingshan. Xinbeitou MRT station (Red Line) → 10-min walk to Millennium Hot Spring (千禧湯), the cheapest public bath: NT$70 for adults. Outdoor pools at around 40°C. Strange but deeply relaxing after a morning hike. Bring a towel and flip flops.
Yongkang Street · Full Work Day · Palace Museum · Maokong Gondola
Day 5 is the most Taipei day of the trip. Morning food exploration, a proper full work session, then cultural photography at the National Palace Museum and sunset views from Maokong mountain. A good mix of productivity and exploration without needing to travel far.
Yongkang Street — Breakfast + Food Street
🍜 FoodYongkang Street (永康街) is Taipei's best street for food tourism. Start with breakfast at a local spot — Yongkang Beef Noodles (永康牛肉麵) isn't open for breakfast but the area has great morning options. Browse the street: tea shops, mochi, tofu pudding. This is also Din Tai Fung's original location for anyone wanting soup dumplings for brunch (NT$200–350).
Full Work Session
💻 Work4–5 hour work block. Recommended spots: Simple Kaffa (Da'an, specialty coffee), Fujin Tree Café (Songshan area, great atmosphere), or WorkInn coworking in Xinyi (NT$250/day, fast wifi, standing desks). Midweek cafes in Da'an are quieter and easier to hold a seat.
National Palace Museum (故宮博物院)
📸 CulturalOne of the world's greatest collections of Chinese artefacts — jade, ceramics, calligraphy, bronze. NT$350 entry. The main hall is massively air-conditioned (essential in July). Photography of artefacts is generally allowed (no flash). Good vlog content: contrast of ancient craft with modern Taiwan. Budget 2 hours.
Maokong Gondola — Mountain Tea Views
📸 ViewsCable car from Taipei Zoo MRT station up to Maokong mountain. NT$120 one way. Tea plantations on the hillside, city views on the way up, tea houses at the top serving traditional Taiwanese oolong with mountain snacks. Sunset from up here on a clear day is excellent. A7C2 on the gondola glass for cityscape shots.
Linjiang / Tonghua Night Market
🍜 FoodThe local's favourite night market in Da'an district. Smaller than Shilin and Raohe, but the food quality is consistently high. Oyster vermicelli (蚵仔麵線, NT$50), pepper rolls, fresh-cut fruit, grilled squid. Great for last-minute shooting in low tungsten market light.
Fishing Village · Fort San Domingo · Last Sunset · Early Checkout
Last full day. Keep it relaxed — you have a 3:15 AM flight. Tamsui is easy, beautiful, and photogenic without requiring much physical effort. End the trip at Shilin Night Market for a final Taiwan meal, then pack early and rest before the departure.
MRT to Tamsui (淡水)
Red Line, end of the line, ~40 minutes from central Taipei. The MRT runs right along the river for the last stretch — scenic on its own. NT$52.
Tamsui Waterfront Walk
📸 ShootThe old fishing village has a well-maintained waterfront promenade. Fisherman's Wharf, old Dutch and Japanese colonial architecture, small shrines. The wide Tamsui River with fishing boats makes for strong morning photography — good light before 11 AM, manageable temperatures.
Fort San Domingo (紅毛城)
📸 Architecture17th-century Dutch fort, then Spanish, then British consulate — layers of colonial history in one site. NT$80 entry. Brick walls, iron doors, ocean views. Strong architectural photography: the red walls against blue sky are iconic Taiwan.
Tamsui Old Street — Last Snacks
🍜 FoodWalk the old street before heading back. Tamsui is famous for: iron eggs (鐵蛋, NT$30), fish crackers, a-gei (阿給 — tofu stuffed with noodles, unique to Tamsui). Buy some iron eggs to take home. They're vacuum-packed and travel well.
Return + Final Work / Rest
💻 WorkBack in Taipei. Do a short work check-in if needed, then rest. You have a 3:15 AM departure — sleeping now is the right call.
Shilin Night Market — Final Dinner
🍜 Final NightShilin (士林夜市) is Taipei's largest night market. Overwhelming in the best way. Final meal: stinky tofu if you haven't tried it (the smell is worse than the taste), large fried chicken cutlet (雞排, NT$70), oysters, bubble tea. Vlog your goodbyes to Taiwan food here.
Pack + Sleep
🚨 ImportantFull pack before you sleep. Alarm at 1:30 AM for a taxi to Taoyuan airport (NT$1,000–1,200 fixed fare from most Taipei hotels, ~45 minutes). Don't rely on the MRT — airport MRT ends at midnight.
Taiwan is one of the best hiking destinations in Asia — over 200 peaks above 3,000m and accessible trails starting from city suburbs. July is hot at low elevation but cool at altitude. Start early, carry 2L of water minimum.
Best Taipei 101 photography. Stone steps, open rocks at the top. Go at sunrise (5:30 AM) or sunset. Very accessible — 5 min walk from Xiangshan MRT.
Highest peak in Taipei at 1,120m. Volcanic terrain, sulfur vents, open ridgeline. Best views of the city from above. Take Bus 260 or S9.
Taiwan's widest waterfall. Short, flat trail through forest. Best in the morning. Long exposure shots require a tripod and ND filter.
Tea plantation mountain above Taipei. Trail connects several tea houses. Can hike down from the gondola station. Cooler than the city, beautiful terraced views.
Flat waterfront walk from Tamsui Station to Fisherman's Wharf. Not a hike but great for morning light and river photography. No elevation gain.
Taiwan has some of the best street food in the world. Night markets are the backbone — cheap, varied, and open until midnight. Budget NT$100–200 per meal comfortably.
Covered market, great for rainy nights. Pepper buns (胡椒餅) from the temple stall are mandatory — join the queue. Oyster omelette, stinky tofu, fruit.
Taipei's largest. Underground food hall + outdoor stalls. Fried chicken cutlets, oysters, bubble tea. Touristy but genuinely great food.
Most authentic of the big markets. Taro balls (芋圓), peanut ice cream rolls (花生捲冰淇淋), braised pork rice (滷肉飯). Locals outnumber tourists.
Soy milk (豆漿), scallion pancake (蔥油餅), egg crepe (蛋餅). The quintessential Taiwan start. Find a local shop near your hotel — there's one within 200m of anywhere in Taipei.
Taiwan's unofficial national dish. Braised beef in a rich spiced broth, hand-pulled noodles. Yongkang Beef Noodle (永康牛肉麵) is the most famous. NT$180–250.
Underrated. Taiwan convenience stores have hot lurou fan (braised pork rice, NT$35), freshly heated meals, good coffee (NT$45), and free wifi. Reliable backup for any meal.
Taiwan is one of the best countries in the world for working remotely. Fast wifi everywhere, café culture is deeply embedded, and the NT$80–150 minimum order buys you hours of power-outlet time in comfortable, air-conditioned spaces.
Most reliable for work. Stable wifi, plenty of outlets, good drip coffee at NT$100–130. The Da'an and Zhongshan branches are never overpacked on weekdays.
World-class specialty coffee in a calm, focused environment. Good for a morning 2–3 hour session. NT$150–200 for a flat white. One of the best cafés in Asia.
Proper coworking space with day passes. Fast internet, standing desks, meeting rooms available. Best for full work days when you need separation from café distractions.
Free wifi, outlets at some seats, open 24 hours. Not glamorous but 100% reliable. Good for a quick 30-minute check-in or when you need to work at odd hours.
Taiwan is excellent value for money, especially on food and transport. Accommodation is the main variable — capsule hotels at NT$600–900/night vs. budget guesthouses at NT$1,200–1,500/night. Everything else is cheap.