6 Days in Taiwan: Lantern Festivals, Mountain Trains, and the Most Underrated Island in Asia
By Karlie Place
Taiwan was never really on my radar the way places like Japan or Thailand were — but after six days traveling from the buzzing streets of Taipei down through the mountain forests of Alishan and the glassy shores of Sun Moon Lake, I can honestly say it might be one of the most underrated destinations in all of Asia. It has big cities, ancient mountain railways, misty forests, centuries-old salt fields, and one of the most visually stunning lakes I've ever seen — all packed into a relatively small island. This trip was part of the Taiwan Tourism Administration's Lantern Festival Influencer Press Trip, and I flew over on EVA Air Premium Economy, which honestly made the very long travel day so much more comfortable. I genuinely slept on a plane for the first time in my life. EVA Air is actually credited as the founders of the very first premium economy class — so you know it's going to be good.
After almost 21 hours of flights and airports, we landed at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport at around 5:00 in the morning, met up with our group, and got straight to it. Over the next six days, we worked our way south — Taipei → Chiayi → Alishan → Tainan → Sun Moon Lake — ending with a sky lantern release that I genuinely will never forget.
Let's get into it.
📋 In This Guide:
Day 1 & 2: Taipei
Day 3: Chiayi + The Lantern Festival Opening Ceremony
Day 4: Alishan — The Mountain That Felt Like a Movie
Day 5: Tainan — Salt Fields, Markets & Lantern-Lit Streets
Day 6: Sun Moon Lake — The Pinnacle of the Trip
The Finale: Sky Lanterns at Shifen Old Street
Day 1 & 2: Taipei
Grand Hotel Taipei: Our First Impression of the City
Our first stop was the Grand Hotel Taipei, and they were not kidding when they described it as iconic. It's an enormous Chinese palace-style building perched on a hill overlooking the city — bright red columns, golden rooftops, and this kind of majestic presence that you can see from across the skyline. It honestly felt more like a palace than a hotel. We had just enough time to shower, grab breakfast, and attempt to feel human again before heading out.
Elephant Mountain
One thing I always tell people to do in Taipei is hike Elephant Mountain. Just be ready for the stairs to humble you a little. The payoff though? Arguably the best views of the entire city — especially looking out at Taipei 101 rising above the skyline. We went up in about 20 minutes and came back down in about 10. My knees were shaking at the bottom, not going to lie, but I think that's more because I'm not used to all the stairs than because it was actually hard. There's also a little massage spot at the base of the trail, which we clocked for later. (Curious what camera gear I used for all these shots? Check out my complete travel photography kit.)
"The view. Oh my gosh. You can see so much of the city from up here. The sun just keeps coming in and out. I'm a little sweaty, I'm being honest, but it is so worth it.”
Taipei 101 Observatory + Din Tai Fung
After the hike, we headed over to Taipei 101 — which used to be the tallest building in the world, and is still one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Taiwan. The elevator to the top holds the Guinness World Record for fastest in the world at 37 seconds. At the top, you can do a "Skyline 460" experience where you're actually strapped in and walk along the outside of the building, 460 meters above the city. It was a pretty cloudy day when we went, but honestly? Still incredible. The entire city is just right there.
Inside Taipei 101 is also where you'll find Din Tai Fung — one of the most famous restaurants in Taiwan. They're known for their xiao long bao (soup dumplings), and they are folded with almost surgical precision. You can watch them being made through the glass window as you wait. Make sure you finish your meal with the chocolate xiao long bao. Genuinely so good.
The gift shop at the top is also worth a quick stop — the water bottles and tea bags are shaped like the building, and they send you off with complimentary bubble milk tea. Very cute touch.
Dadaocheng Historic District
Later in the afternoon, we explored Dadaocheng, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Taipei. The streets are full of preserved historic buildings, traditional tea shops, herbal medicine stores, and artisan boutiques alongside modern cafes — old and new Taiwan layered right on top of each other. We also did a retro costume dress-up experience here, which was one of those spontaneously really fun moments I didn't expect to love as much as I did.
Ximending + Hot Pot + Foot Massage
As the sun went down, we headed over to Ximending — Taipei's version of Shibuya or Harajuku. Bright lights, street food, shopping, music, and just insane energy everywhere you look. We had hot pot for dinner (personal hot pots, so you can customize everything — a dream for me as a vegetarian/pescatarian). And then — I still can't believe it was still only day one — we ended the night getting foot massages. They brought us warm tea while we sat there. It was the perfect reset after a 21-hour travel day.
One tip: bring a poncho or rain jacket if you're visiting in late February/early March. At one point the streets completely flooded with mopeds AND rain simultaneously and it made for the most chaotic, amazing content moment.
Day 3: Chiayi + The Lantern Festival Opening Ceremony
High-Speed Rail South
The next morning, we packed up and took Taiwan's High Speed Rail south to Chiayi. The ride is only about 1.5 hours and honestly so pleasant — big comfortable seats, beautiful views of the western plains rolling past. I picked up snacks from the train station (they basically had an entire little dessert market in there) and did a full taste test on the train. The strawberry mochi was hands-down the best thing I put in my mouth that day. Dense, perfectly flavored — the guy at the stall told me it was his personal favorite and he was not wrong.
One slight detour: one of our group members went to the bathroom on the train and didn't make it back off in time before we pulled away from the station. The train left with her on it. We all remained very calm (ish), she went one stop, came back, and we waited at Starbucks. Travel is never fully predictable, and I think that's kind of the point.
2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival Opening Ceremony
We arrived in Chiayi just in time for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival — which is honestly one of the most underrated cultural events I've ever attended. When most people picture this festival, they think of thousands of lanterns floating into the sky. But the scale of the festival itself is so much more than that. There are massive handmade lantern displays, traditional performances, fireworks, and there was even an address from the president. We wandered the night market portion of the festival and I found the most amazing little potato balls dusted in plum powder — kind of chewy like mochi, but puffed up. First I was skeptical, then I was immediately eating all of them.
Note: drones are not allowed at the festival — so leave those at the hotel.
We stayed at the voco Chiayi by IHG for two nights, which is a really lovely modern hotel right in the heart of the city with easy access to everything.
Day 4: Alishan — The Mountain That Felt Like a Movie
This was the day I didn't expect to be the one that stuck with me the most.
Historic Alishan Mountain Railway
We took the Historic Alishan Railway up into the mountains — originally built for logging more than 100 years ago and now one of the most scenic train experiences in Taiwan. It goes through forests, tunnels, and steep mountain slopes, and the whole thing felt like something out of a Miyazaki film. The trees are covered in moss, the fog rolls in between them, and everything just feels incredibly quiet and otherworldly. From the drone footage, the mountain skyline genuinely reminded me of Switzerland.
Alishan Forest Trail Trek
Once we reached the Alishan Forest, we spent a couple of hours hiking through ancient cypress forests and bamboo groves. It's noticeably cooler up here — the fog settles into the trees and everything has this calm, peaceful quality compared to the energy of the city. I made a friend on a moped passing through who warned me that some of the beautiful yellow wildflowers along the path were actually super poisonous. Small but important travel tip.
There's also a sunrise train that comes through just once a day, and I genuinely wish I had planned to stay overnight at the hotel up at the top just for that experience. Add it to the list.
Tea Tasting in the Mountains
A huge part of Alishan's culture is tea. The region is famous for growing high mountain oolong, and we got to visit a local tea field, learn how the leaves are processed, and do a fresh tea tasting — including a tea that had won multiple international awards. It was such a grounding, memorable experience. If you visit Alishan, do not skip the tea.
We had lunch at YUPASU Tsou Restaurant — an Indigenous restaurant nestled in the mountains with views of tea fields and surrounding peaks. The menu has vegetarian options, BBQ mountain pork, bamboo rice, and everything is made with locally sourced ingredients. One of the best meals of the entire trip.
Shizhuo Trail + Alishan Sunset Sea of Clouds
The afternoon was spent on the Shizhuo Trail system — a network of six interconnected routes through tea plantations, bamboo groves, cedar forests, and elevated mountain viewpoints. As the sun started to set, the sea of clouds rolled in below the peaks. Alishan is actually famous for its "Five Wonders," and the sea of clouds at sunset is one of them. On a clear day, you can see distant peaks rising above the horizon. It's one of the most atmospheric things I've ever experienced — and a reminder that I should always pack a warm layer, because the temperature drops fast up here.
Day 5: Tainan — Salt Fields, Markets, and Lantern-Lit Streets
Southwest Coast + Jingzaijiao Salt Fields
After checking out of voco Chiayi, we headed toward Tainan and made our first stop at the Jingzaijiao Tile-Paved Salt Fields — the oldest surviving salt fields in Taiwan at over 200 years old. As someone who has visited the Atacama Salt Flats in Chile and lives close to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, I'll say: this is less visually dramatic, but the history here is genuinely fascinating. You can walk out among the mosaic-like salt pans and, on a clear day, the sunset reflections are supposed to be really striking. There's also a temple visible right from the salt fields, which makes it a uniquely beautiful combination of history and landscape.
Drones are allowed in certain areas here — one of the few places on the trip where you can fly.
7-Eleven Taiwan (Yes, Really)
Okay — I have to talk about 7-Eleven in Taiwan because it is not what you think. It's not just a convenience store. It's a cultural experience. Fresh food, local snacks, specialty items — and apparently the rest stops on the highway are equally impressive. We stopped at one on the drive between cities and it was genuinely like a mall. One of the girls mentioned there was a Dyson hair dryer in the women's restroom. Everything in Taiwan is just so thoughtfully done.
Shennong Street at Night
Our last stop of the day ended up being one of my favorites of the whole trip. Shennong Street in Tainan is a side street completely covered in hand-painted lanterns. It's quiet on a weeknight — almost serene — and so, so beautiful. There's also apparently a speakeasy hidden somewhere along the street, which we definitely tried to find.
We stayed at Silks Place Tainan — a five-star hotel in the historic West Central District. Truly a stunning place to stay if you're spending a night in Tainan.
Day 6: Sun Moon Lake — The Pinnacle of the Trip
The Drive There (Worth It)
Sun Moon Lake is about a 3–3.5 hour drive from Tainan, and going up in elevation to get there, the weather completely transformed. We went from overcast and fall-like to what felt like the most perfect summer afternoon. The water at the lake is this deep, clear blue — someone said it reminded them of Lake Tahoe, and honestly, not wrong.
SUP on the Lake
There is so much to do around Sun Moon Lake, and with limited time, we prioritized getting out on the water. We did stand-up paddleboarding, which was just incredible — surrounded by mountains, turquoise water, and warm sunshine. A heads up if you plan to do this: you need a swim cap (mandatory at all water facilities in Taiwan), appropriate swimwear (bikinis aren't permitted), and a change of clothes. Changing tents are available on-site but there aren't shower facilities, so plan accordingly.
Ci'en Pagoda
With our remaining time, we hiked up to Ci'en Pagoda — the tallest pagoda in Taiwan and the highest accessible point around Sun Moon Lake. It's a short but steep hike, and the panoramic views from the top are absolutely worth it. We got there just as the sun was setting. I will truly never forget the feeling of standing at the top, looking out over the water with the mountains for miles and the fog gently rolling in. That was the moment that felt like the pinnacle of the entire trip.
We stayed at Wyndham Sun Moon Lake — a stunning lakeside property with Thao indigenous-inspired design elements. The setting alone is worth the stay.
Sunrise at the Lake (Final Morning)
On our last morning, Paige and I woke up before the sun and walked down to the water. The light, the reflections, the stillness — it's hard to put into words. I genuinely did not want to leave. If I could do any part of this trip again, I'd give Sun Moon Lake four or five days instead of just one, and I'd spend them biking, exploring the small towns around the water, and waking up every morning to that view.
The Finale: Sky Lanterns at Shifen Old Street
On our last day, we made one final stop before heading to the airport: Shifen Old Street in New Taipei City. A railway runs straight through this little village, and it's one of the most popular spots in Taiwan to release sky lanterns. You write your wishes on the lantern, light it, and send it up into the sky with hundreds of others. Watching hundreds of lanterns float up all at once is genuinely like something out of a movie. Surreal and beautiful and a little emotional. It was the perfect ending.
I also want to mention something for anyone who's eco-conscious about this (because I was): lantern releases are deeply ingrained in Taiwanese culture, and there are active government programs that support cleanup. Locals can collect fallen lanterns and return them to shops to be compensated, and there are regular cleanup crews working to protect the surrounding mountains. It felt good to know that thought has gone into it.
Final Thoughts
Six days in Taiwan. Mountains, cities, ancient railways, misty forests, salt fields, temples, paddle boards, and one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever seen. This trip ended up being so much more diverse than I could have imagined going in. If Taiwan isn't already on your travel list — it absolutely should be.
A huge thank you to Taiwan Tourism Administration and EVA Air for making this trip happen. Follow along with Taiwan Tourism at @taiwantourism.na on Instagram.
Watch the full Taiwan video on my YouTube channel. Follow along on Instagram at @karlieplace.
Planning more Asia travels? My 3-day Seoul itinerary is another favorite — great for pairing with a Taiwan trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taiwan
Is 6 days enough time to visit Taiwan?
Six days is a solid introduction to Taiwan — enough to hit Taipei, one or two southern cities like Tainan or Alishan, and Sun Moon Lake. That said, Taiwan rewards slow travel. If you have 10+ days, you could add Taroko Gorge, Jiufen, or more time in Tainan, which could easily take two full days on its own.
What is the best time to visit Taiwan for the Lantern Festival?
The Taiwan Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year — usually in late January or February. The opening ceremony is typically held in a different city each year (ours was in Chiayi in 2026). The Shifen sky lanterns on Shifen Old Street happen year-round, but the main festival atmosphere peaks in the weeks around Lunar New Year.
How do you get around Taiwan as a tourist?
Taiwan's High-Speed Rail (HSR) is an absolute game-changer for getting between major cities like Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung — it's fast, affordable, and runs frequently. Within cities, the MRT (metro) and Uber work well. For places like Alishan or Sun Moon Lake, hiring a driver or joining a tour is the most practical option, since public transit connections are limited.
Is Taiwan safe for solo travelers?
Taiwan consistently ranks among the safest countries in Asia for travelers, including solo visitors. The locals are extremely welcoming, the infrastructure is excellent, and English signage is common in tourist areas. As always, exercise normal precautions — but overall Taiwan feels very safe and easy to navigate independently.
What should I pack for a Taiwan trip in February?
February in Taiwan means mild to cool weather in Taipei (highs around 18°C/65°F) and cooler, misty conditions at altitude in places like Alishan. Pack layers — a light rain jacket is essential since the mountains can be damp. Comfortable walking shoes are a must. If you're planning to SUP at Sun Moon Lake or do outdoor activities, bring a packable athletic layer as well.
Tags: Travel, Asia, Taiwan, Lantern Festival, Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, Taipei, Adventure
