04 November 2025
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Taoyuan International Airport serves as Taiwan’s main gateway and a key hub for international air travel, welcoming countless transit passengers each year. Even with only a few hours to spare — or a full day off — why not step out of the terminal and embark on a compact yet exciting journey?
Within about an hour’s drive from the airport, four major cities — Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan and Hsinchu — offer a concentrated dose of northern Taiwan’s history, culture, stunning landscapes and culinary delights. Pick a route that suits your pace — from bustling cityscapes to serene mountain and sea vistas — and turn even a brief stopover into a memorable encounter.
Taipei: immerse yourself in the city’s past and present
With its landmarks, shopping districts and perfect blend of culture, history and modern urban energy, Taipei remains irresistible. And the city is easily navigable, allowing visitors to experience its highlights even in a short time.
From Taoyuan Airport, the MRT takes roughly 40 minutes to Taipei Main Station, where visitors can begin a journey through the historic Dadaocheng district. Built along the Tamsui River, Dihua Street was once a hub for tea and northern-southern trade goods and remains bustling today.
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Hunt for creative boutiques and souvenirs and start your morning with a bowl of Taiwanese-style noodles and oo-peh-tshiat (offal delicacies) at Mai Mien Yen Tsai. For those seeking good fortune in love, Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple is the perfect place to pray to the god of matchmaking.
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Next, explore Wanhua, Taipei’s oldest commercial district. Longshan Temple, the city’s most famous temple, features a double-eaved archway, bronze dragon pillars and Buddha statues crafted by renowned Taiwanese sculptor Huang Tu-shui. Nearby, Huaxi Street is a haven for local comfort food, with longtime favorites like Yuan Fang Gua Bao and Wang’s Broth offering simple, heartwarming dishes such as steamed bun with pork belly and braised pork rice.
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On Yongkang Street (near Dongmen MRT), don’t miss the famous mango shaved ice served on the street or visit the flagship Din Tai Fung on Xinyi Road for world-renowned xiaolongbao.
Conclude your city tour with panoramic views from the 89th floor of Taipei 101. Once the tallest building in the world at 508 meters, it stands in Xinyi District, surrounded by skyscrapers, luxury mall, and diverse dining options — from Two-MICHELIN-Starred French cuisine at L’ATELIER de Joël Robuchon to innovative One-MICHELIN-Starred restaurants like Chuan Ya, and the ever-popular Muji Beef Noodles. There’s something to satisfy every taste and budget.
New Taipei: a soothing escape amid mountains and sea
From Taoyuan International Airport, it’s just a quick 30–40 minute drive to the southernmost part of New Taipei City, a place where mountains, rivers, and coastline come together — perfect for reconnecting with nature.
Bitan in Xindian is ideal for tranquil riverside scenery. Its wide stretch of river, framed by lush greenery, is especially poetic when mist drifts over the water. The Bitan Suspension Bridge is perfect for a leisurely stroll or renting a swan boat for a sparkling ride across the lake. Nearby San Tung serves steamed dumplings and Shandong roast chicken, while evening visits to Lai Kang Shan are perfect for black gold braised pork rice and lamb soup, warming both body and soul.
Jiufen offers nostalgic charm. This former mining town preserves winding stone alleys and old teahouses, and when mist rolls in, it feels like a scene from a Hayao Miyazaki film. Sample local snacks at A Gan Yi’s Taro Balls and Zhang Ji Fish Ball along the way.
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For coastal scenery, head to Yehliu Geopark, home to the Queen’s Head, Cute Princess, and other whimsical rock formations sculpted by wind and waves over centuries. Prefer a waterfront stroll? Take a ferry in Tamsui, sample fish crisps or A-gei at the old street and watch the sunset from Lover’s Bridge — a rare moment of relaxation during a layover.
Taoyuan: quick and convenient adventures near the airport
If time is tight, several nearby attractions in Taoyuan are within a 10-minute drive from Taoyuan Airport.
Zhuwei Fishing Harbor offers lively scenes and fresh seafood at its tourist fish market, as well as a beach for walking along the waves. For families or lovers of immersive experiences, Xpark Aquarium, established by Japan’s Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, showcases over 300 aquatic species in a dreamlike, sensory-rich environment.
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For a quieter cultural experience, the Hengshan Calligraphy Art Center combines raw concrete and pine wood inspired by calligraphy, immersing visitors in a tranquil, artistic atmosphere. If time allows, indulge in local flavors at Zhongli Night Market with classics like salted crispy chicken, sweet potato balls, and rice noodle soup.
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Hsinchu: serene old towns and Hakka heritage
It’s just about an hour’s drive from Taoyuan Airport to Hsinchu City, where modern tech hubs meet the preserved traditions of Hakka culture.
If time is limited, explore Hsinchu’s old town — walking from East Gate to City God Temple, sampling traditional temple snacks and local favorites at Yuan Wei Duck Noodle or Dongmen Rice Noodle Soup. Arriving via HSR at Hsinchu reveals a different scene of Zhubei in Hsinchu County, where historic Hakka houses at the New Tile House Hakka Cultural District showcase the pioneer spirit of early settlers.
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With more time, head to Beipu or Guanxi in Hsinchu County. Beipu Old Street is just 200 meters long but packed with heritage buildings like the Chiang A-Hsin Mansion and Tianshui Hall, alongside traditional rice-based snacks such as Hakka buns at Tsou Chi Cai Bao (Zhongzheng Road) and flat rice noodles at Bebu. Don’t miss the locally grown Oriental Beauty tea, a fragrant and elegant Taiwanese specialty.
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Guanxi is famous for grass jelly, offering refreshing grass jelly tea and desserts. The old tea factory provides insight into Taiwan’s tea export history, while the Gothic-style Guanxi Sacred Heart Catholic Church, hybrid Japanese-Western Shude Hospital, the historic Guanxi Police Station and red-brick Baroque storefronts showcase the town’s architectural diversity. Taste authentic Hakka dishes like ang gu noodles or tao dumpling noodle soup at Ang Gu, capturing the understated spirit of Hakka culture.
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