Taiwan Solo Trip 2026 🇹🇼

May 28, 2026

Travel

8 Days Between Hostels, New Friends & Unexpected Adventures

Not luxury travel.

Not a packed itinerary.

I hadn’t been back to Taiwan in a few years, and this solo trip reminded me how much I actually enjoy traveling alone.

Just staying in hostels, walking around slowly, joining random activities, and meeting people along the way.

This time I went to Changhua, Sun Moon Lake, and Taipei.

Accommodation

May 8 - 11 : Changhua

🏨 Timios Inn

This is a female dorm and I booked a private room. The whole place is newly renovated and very nice. The common area is big and comfortable, and breakfast is simple but good. It’s very close to Changhua Station, walking distance.

Things To Note:

• There's a lounge room where you can chill and hang out. There's also complimentary snacks and drinks to enjoy
• Towels need to be rented
• No disposable amenities provided
• The staff cleaner can be a male in a female dorm, so take note if you're uncomfortable with that

Around 8000 yen per night, so not very cheap.

Overall: good 👍

May 11 - 12 : Sun Moon Lake

🏨 Sun Moon Lake Apollo Resort Hotel

I booked a super beautiful hotel. Morning and sunset views are amazing for photos. In the morning, you can cycle or walk around the lake.
At night, there’s also a night market. Must try the grilled eel stick and fried chicken, they are very nice!

Things To Note:

• Breakfast was included, but unfortunately we didn’t really enjoy the experience. Around 7am, we were suddenly woken up by the doorbell and found out the hotel had delivered breakfast directly to our room, which wasn’t informed to us earlier. We later learned that the breakfast area was not open, possibly due to low occupancy or limited staff. After the delivery, we went back to sleep and the food became cold by the time we woke up, so we didn’t end up eating it. It was also delivered without proper covers or containers, so it didn’t feel very hygienic either. Thankfully, aside from this small issue, the overall stay was still quite good.

• Around 22,000 yen per night, not too expensive but good value

Overall: good 👍

May 12 - 15 : Taipei

🏨 Wondertime Taipei Station-Hankou Ladies Hostel

I booked an 8-person dorm. The location is very good, about 10 minutes from Taipei Main Station, and surrounded by food.
There are many toilets and bathrooms, so you almost never need to wait. The bed is very clean and comfortable. They also provide a basket for carrying your things to the bathroom, which is very convenient.

Things To Note:

• The common area is a bit small but good value. Super clean and comfortable
• Very busy, easily distracted. If you are a light sleeper, hostels are honestly not ideal 😭 (people pack luggage late at night)

But for around 3000 yen per night, it’s very cheap, so I can accept it.

Overall: also good

Itinerary

🚄 May 8 - 11 : Taipei - Changhua

Day 1 : Arrival

For this trip I purposely took the high-speed rail 高鐵 from Taipei to TaiChung first. My friend came and picked me up, and then we headed to Changhua. (You can book from Taipei directly to Changhua too)

I booked the business class 商務艙 which had a wider and more comfortable seating, extra legroom, power outlets, and complimentary snacks and drinks. The whole journey was smooth and good.

And I had a local friend to bring me around for 3 days, this definitely made the experience a whole lot better.

I arrived in the evening and got dinner at 阿章爌肉飯. This place is quite famous in Changhua for braised pork rice (爌肉飯). The pork is very soft and flavorful, with a good balance of fat and lean meat. The sauce is rich but not too salty, and it goes really well with rice. (most of the dishes already sold oit when we're there). Simple local food, but after traveling the whole day, it tasted especially good.

Then checked into the hostel - Timios Inn.

Day 2 : Food + Massage + Festival

Breakfast at 阿根蛋饼

A very typical Taiwanese breakfast shop. The egg pancake is crispy outside and soft inside, simple but really comforting. Taiwan breakfast really never disappoints. (I was too hungry and forgot to take a picture 😂)

Get a traditional massage at 不老松足湯養生行館

I always come here when I visit Changhua. Many experienced therapists, good service, and a nice environment. I went there 2 times while I was there!

Lunch at 國際牛肉麵

Classic Taiwanese comfort food. Rich soup, tender beef, always a safe choice. Local favourite!

Dinner at 新港鸭肉羹

A very local Taiwanese dish. The soup is thick and slightly sweet, with tender duck meat. The flavor is quite unique, not something you can easily find outside Taiwan.

🎉 藝閣

We happened to catch a very special festival, only once a year. People stand on top and throw things down to the crowd: bananas, snacks, toys, even luggage 😂 Everyone below tries to catch them. It was chaotic, but also very fun and memorable.

Day 3 : Lukang

Visit Lukang Old Street

Second time here, and I still really like it. The small shops are interesting. I bought a wooden comb, and also an umbrella, the seller demonstrated so seriously, saying even typhoons won’t break it, I felt bad not buying 😂

Then we went for misua noodle at 王罔麵線糊.

This is an old-school local eatery with a very traditional Taiwan vibe. The shop is simple and nostalgic, the kind that keeps you coming back. It's a must try.

Got a traditional dessert at a famous, decades-old street food stall 素珠芋丸.

They are famous for their signature deep-fried taro balls stuffed with savory minced pork and shallots. Not sure how if I like this. The combination of sweet and savoury and the mochi-like texture is too distinctive or my taste. Reminded me of the hakka 算盘子, but as a dessert. But it's worth a try!

At night, we headed to the night market, definitely a must visit when traveling in Taiwan The atmosphere was lively, full of local food, snacks, games, and shopping stalls. One of the best ways to experience Taiwan’s street food culture and local vibes at night.

I booked a hair spa at 雅絲

a Smart Haircare & Scalp Wellness Center, kind of like a massage for your hair. It was such a fun and unique experience. They use this smart device to wash your hair and scalp, which felt super cooling and somehow really ticklish for me 😂 Overall, it was a very relaxing and enjoyable experience

May 11-12 : Sun Moon Lake

One of the places I really enjoyed during my Taiwan trip was Sun Moon Lake. Surrounded by mountains and peaceful lake views, the whole area feels calm and refreshing compared to the cities.

Started the day by exploring 日月潭文武廟.

The temple sits on a hill overlooking Sun Moon Lake, so the view from there was really beautiful and peaceful. A nice spot to slowly enjoy the scenery and atmosphere around the lake.

We also stopped by Hohocha Tea Factory near Sun Moon Lake, which is one of Taiwan’s most famous black tea producing areas.

The cool mountain weather and fresh air around the lake make the tea here especially fragrant and smooth. The most famous one is Taiwan No.18 Ruby Black Tea (紅玉紅茶), known for its unique minty and slightly cinnamon-like aroma. The tea was really delicious, and it was fun learning more about Taiwan’s tea culture there. Definitely worth buying some tea back as souvenirs too.

Visited the local night market. We also tried 白鳗 (white eel), a local specialty at Sun Moon Lake. It’s made from freshwater eel from the lake itself, usually cooked in a simple but flavourful way like frying or soup. The texture was tender and slightly chewy, with a really rich taste that’s quite different from normal fish. Interesting taste but worth a try!

I also joined a firefly tour (20 TWD per person).

I thought it was a boat ride, but it turned out to be walking into the mountains 😭It was completely dark, and I was a bit scared. But when we saw a whole group of fireflies, it was really beautiful. The guide was also very nice.

I booked the tour while I was there, but there's many tours you can book online too.

Before going Taipei, I really want to thank my friend 小湘 for bringing me around these few days ❤️

She even got me a Taiwan EasyCard (悠遊卡). It’s a super useful travel card in Taiwan that you can use for MRT, buses, and even convenience stores like 7-Eleven. It made getting around so much easier since you can just tap and go. Ours is a limited edition shopping bag design, feel more like a souvenir than just a transport card. Such a thoughtful idea.

She owns 6 restaurants in Taiwan now, and I’m super proud of her. Her steamboat restaurant 嗑肉石锅北斗店 in Changhua was soooo good. Good food, good company, and many local experiences I probably wouldn’t have discovered alone.

May 13 - 15 : Taipei

Day 1 : Day Tour

I joined a bus tour and it covered these places :
• Yehliu Geopark (Queen head stone, super cool!)
• Jiufen Old Street
• Shifen Old Street

Bus tour, around 4000 yen, very worth it. The guide explained everything and recommended activities (mostly partner shops, everyone understands 😂)

First stop already selling bubble tea. Shifen sky lantern was nice.

After the pineapple cake DIY, there was a souvenir shop stop. Some people had already bought things elsewhere, and the guide seemed unhappy and talked for a few minutes, a bit awkward. But overall still a good experience.

Day 2 : Cooking Class + Exploring

This was honestly one of the highlights of my trip.

The teacher spoke very good English and was very friendly (and very pretty 😂).

There were people from different countries, and everyone chatted a lot. Very fun experience.

We made :
• Xiao Long Bao
• Sesame oil chicken mee sua
• Cold dish
• Bubble milk tea

City Sightseeing - Taipei 101 and the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

After that, I went out with a Japanese girl I met there, Satoko-san. It was nice exploring the city and sightseeing with a new friend during the trip. We also went up to the Taipei 101 observatory, but honestly, the view wasn’t as impressive as I expected. Still, it was fun experiencing one of Taiwan’s most iconic landmarks together.

Elephant Mountain 象山

Originally I only wanted to go to the first viewpoint. But Satoko-san is a hiking expert 😭This mountain is all stairs, no slope at all. I was very tired but didn’t dare to say stop 😂 Tiring, but worth it. But in the end, we reached the top and saw the night view. Taipei 101 lighting up was really beautiful.

Dinner at 老邱牛肉麵

A beef noodle place. This place is super good, highly recommend! Soy milk & tea are free by the way.

Ramen for late supper

Late at night, I also went to 吾流ラーメン a ramen shop that only opens from 1am to 3am. Yes… literally midnight ramen 😂

The owner was actually my language school friend from Japan 10 years ago. Seeing him open his own ramen shop in Taiwan made me really happy and proud.

The ramen was super delicious. They focus on chicken-based soup, and you can really tell how much effort goes into it. The broth, pork, and ingredients are all slow-cooked and prepared for many hours by the chef.

If you plan to go, go early because there can be a queue. And the restaurant is moving soon, so check their IG for latest update. Google might not be as accurate.

Day 3 : Airport + Head Home

Before heading to the airport, I went to eat 豆浆油条 for breakfast. And I accidentally discovered a super delicious menu item called 葱烧油条 🤤 Crispy, fragrant, slightly savory, honestly so good.

Flight 18:20 Taipei → Osaka

Thank you to my parents-in-law for taking care of my 4-year-old and giving me the chance to breathe for a while.

Mama really needs some alone time sometimes. And thank you, Taiwan, until we meet again!

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A post shared by Evon イーボン 🇲🇾🇯🇵 (@nicobon_in_japan)

Taiwan Solo Trip 2026 🇹🇼

8 Days Between Hostels, New Friends & Unexpected Adventures

Not luxury travel.

Not a packed itinerary.

I hadn’t been back to Taiwan in a few years, and this solo trip reminded me how much I actually enjoy traveling alone.

Just staying in hostels, walking around slowly, joining random activities, and meeting people along the way.

This time I went to Changhua, Sun Moon Lake, and Taipei.

Accommodation

May 8 - 11 : Changhua

🏨 Timios Inn

This is a female dorm and I booked a private room. The whole place is newly renovated and very nice. The common area is big and comfortable, and breakfast is simple but good. It’s very close to Changhua Station, walking distance.

Things To Note:

• There's a lounge room where you can chill and hang out. There's also complimentary snacks and drinks to enjoy • Towels need to be rented • No disposable amenities provided • The staff cleaner can be a male in a female dorm, so take note if you're uncomfortable with that

Around 8000 yen per night, so not very cheap.

Overall: good 👍

May 11 - 12 : Sun Moon Lake

🏨 Sun Moon Lake Apollo Resort Hotel

I booked a super beautiful hotel. Morning and sunset views are amazing for photos. In the morning, you can cycle or walk around the lake. At night, there’s also a night market. Must try the grilled eel stick and fried chicken, they are very nice!

Things To Note:

• Around 22,000 yen per night, not too expensive but good value

Overall: good 👍

May 12 - 15 : Taipei

🏨 Wondertime Taipei Station-Hankou Ladies Hostel

Things To Note:

• The common area is a bit small but good value. Super clean and comfortable • Very busy, easily distracted. If you are a light sleeper, hostels are honestly not ideal 😭 (people pack luggage late at night)

But for around 3000 yen per night, it’s very cheap, so I can accept it.

Overall: also good

Itinerary

🚄 May 8 - 11 : Taipei - Changhua

Day 1 : Arrival

For this trip I purposely took the high-speed rail 高鐵 from Taipei to TaiChung first. My friend came and picked me up, and then we headed to Changhua. (You can book from Taipei directly to Changhua too)

I booked the business class 商務艙 which had a wider and more comfortable seating, extra legroom, power outlets, and complimentary snacks and drinks. The whole journey was smooth and good.

And I had a local friend to bring me around for 3 days, this definitely made the experience a whole lot better.

Then checked into the hostel - Timios Inn.

Day 2 : Food + Massage + Festival

Breakfast at 阿根蛋饼

A very typical Taiwanese breakfast shop. The egg pancake is crispy outside and soft inside, simple but really comforting. Taiwan breakfast really never disappoints. (I was too hungry and forgot to take a picture 😂)

Get a traditional massage at 不老松足湯養生行館

I always come here when I visit Changhua. Many experienced therapists, good service, and a nice environment. I went there 2 times while I was there!

Lunch at 國際牛肉麵

Classic Taiwanese comfort food. Rich soup, tender beef, always a safe choice. Local favourite!

Dinner at 新港鸭肉羹

A very local Taiwanese dish. The soup is thick and slightly sweet, with tender duck meat. The flavor is quite unique, not something you can easily find outside Taiwan.

🎉 藝閣

We happened to catch a very special festival, only once a year. People stand on top and throw things down to the crowd: bananas, snacks, toys, even luggage 😂 Everyone below tries to catch them. It was chaotic, but also very fun and memorable.

Day 3 : Lukang

Visit Lukang Old Street

Second time here, and I still really like it. The small shops are interesting. I bought a wooden comb, and also an umbrella, the seller demonstrated so seriously, saying even typhoons won’t break it, I felt bad not buying 😂

Then we went for misua noodle at 王罔麵線糊.

This is an old-school local eatery with a very traditional Taiwan vibe. The shop is simple and nostalgic, the kind that keeps you coming back. It's a must try.

Got a traditional dessert at a famous, decades-old street food stall 素珠芋丸.

At night, we headed to the night market, definitely a must visit when traveling in Taiwan The atmosphere was lively, full of local food, snacks, games, and shopping stalls. One of the best ways to experience Taiwan’s street food culture and local vibes at night.

I booked a hair spa at 雅絲

a Smart Haircare & Scalp Wellness Center, kind of like a massage for your hair. It was such a fun and unique experience. They use this smart device to wash your hair and scalp, which felt super cooling and somehow really ticklish for me 😂 Overall, it was a very relaxing and enjoyable experience

May 11-12 : Sun Moon Lake

One of the places I really enjoyed during my Taiwan trip was Sun Moon Lake. Surrounded by mountains and peaceful lake views, the whole area feels calm and refreshing compared to the cities.

Started the day by exploring 日月潭文武廟.

The temple sits on a hill overlooking Sun Moon Lake, so the view from there was really beautiful and peaceful. A nice spot to slowly enjoy the scenery and atmosphere around the lake.

We also stopped by Hohocha Tea Factory near Sun Moon Lake, which is one of Taiwan’s most famous black tea producing areas.

I also joined a firefly tour (20 TWD per person).

I thought it was a boat ride, but it turned out to be walking into the mountains 😭It was completely dark, and I was a bit scared. But when we saw a whole group of fireflies, it was really beautiful. The guide was also very nice.

I booked the tour while I was there, but there's many tours you can book online too.

Before going Taipei, I really want to thank my friend 小湘 for bringing me around these few days ❤️

She owns 6 restaurants in Taiwan now, and I’m super proud of her. Her steamboat restaurant 嗑肉石锅北斗店 in Changhua was soooo good. Good food, good company, and many local experiences I probably wouldn’t have discovered alone.

May 13 - 15 : Taipei

Day 1 : Day Tour

I joined a bus tour and it covered these places : • Yehliu Geopark (Queen head stone, super cool!) • Jiufen Old Street • Shifen Old Street

Bus tour, around 4000 yen, very worth it. The guide explained everything and recommended activities (mostly partner shops, everyone understands 😂)

First stop already selling bubble tea. Shifen sky lantern was nice.

After the pineapple cake DIY, there was a souvenir shop stop. Some people had already bought things elsewhere, and the guide seemed unhappy and talked for a few minutes, a bit awkward. But overall still a good experience.

Day 2 : Cooking Class + Exploring

This was honestly one of the highlights of my trip.

The teacher spoke very good English and was very friendly (and very pretty 😂).

There were people from different countries, and everyone chatted a lot. Very fun experience.

We made : • Xiao Long Bao • Sesame oil chicken mee sua • Cold dish • Bubble milk tea

City Sightseeing - Taipei 101 and the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Elephant Mountain 象山

Dinner at 老邱牛肉麵

A beef noodle place. This place is super good, highly recommend! Soy milk & tea are free by the way.

Ramen for late supper

• There's a lounge room where you can chill and hang out. There's also complimentary snacks and drinks to enjoy
• Towels need to be rented
• No disposable amenities provided
• The staff cleaner can be a male in a female dorm, so take note if you're uncomfortable with that

I booked a super beautiful hotel. Morning and sunset views are amazing for photos. In the morning, you can cycle or walk around the lake.
At night, there’s also a night market. Must try the grilled eel stick and fried chicken, they are very nice!

• The common area is a bit small but good value. Super clean and comfortable
• Very busy, easily distracted. If you are a light sleeper, hostels are honestly not ideal 😭 (people pack luggage late at night)

I joined a bus tour and it covered these places :
• Yehliu Geopark (Queen head stone, super cool!)
• Jiufen Old Street
• Shifen Old Street

We made :
• Xiao Long Bao
• Sesame oil chicken mee sua
• Cold dish
• Bubble milk tea