Hi,
I’m from Germany and thinking of going to Hong Kong and local area (Macau, Shenzhen, Guangzhou) for holiday during 19.12-01.01. I was wandering if it would make sense to skip Shenzhen and Guangzhou and do half of the holiday in Taiwan? Would you recommend it or is it not much time? What is possible to do in Taiwan within 6 days?
Looking forward to your reply.
Thank you!
Shenzhen and Guangzhou are very near to Hong Kong (Shenzhen is right next to Hong Kong), at very least see Shenzhen, which is very modern, clean, safe city. Shenzhen a few hours are ok for some, or a night or two, should be cheap flights from Germany (there are from Italy/Finland) on various Chinese Airlines. From Hong Kong (there some flights also from Shenzhen) to Taipei-Taoyuan, and few to KIA-KHH in here in the South. In 6 days, a day in Tainan/KHH (3rd biggest city, Tainan is home of Taiwan local food, old Taiwan culture), a day in Taichung (second city) and few days in Taipei (biggest city on the island). Taipei has the most well known tourist sites but most sights can be seen in 2-3 days, or just spend whole 6 days there if you want save on travel time.
Now thank God BR to MXP is daily, CI to FCO is like 3x weekly.
Honestly, your question reads a bit like someone planning a Euro-Trip and then asking something like “Does it make sense to skip Cologne and Heidelberg and instead visit Czech Republic?” 
Personally, I think Taiwan has enough to offer for 6 days easily. I also think Taiwan is worth a trip.
But does it make sense to visit Taiwan?
Well, only you can answer that… And highly depends on your “goal” or whatever…
Taichung fans may disagree, but I’d say for a short visit to Taiwan that sprawling mess of a city can be skipped. I wonder if @Brianjones would agree.
If someone loves tea, which central Taiwan certainly does well, they can instead check out the many tea houses in Maokong (in the hills on the edge of Taipei City) and the 19th century tea sellers district in Dadaocheng / Dihua Street (also in Taipei City), from which Formosa Oolong became famous.
Guy
Taichung is just another random, faceless Taiwanese city. It has no interesting cultural or historical sites. Split Taipei with Tainan instead. Tainan was the original capitol and is compact enough to visit most of it in a couple of days. Or better yet, drive down the East Coast to see the scenery.
Guangzhou and Shenzhen are both random, faceless Chinese cities. Canton has some mild historical interest. Shenzhen has none. Shenzhen’s only reason for existence is that it’s right next door to Hong Kong. It’s an artificial city created overnight and has no culture or history. Skip it. Frankly 90% of China’s cities are interchangeable grim, grey urban wastelands devoid of any interest. If you have time, Xiamen in Fujian is an exception, and is a short ferry ride from Kinmen.
Yeah I totally agree with your proposal here, makes a lot of sense. Taipei city is a great city in terms of what you can do around it as well as in the urban centre. It blows away 90% of Asian cities I’ve been to. Tainan you’ve got the old capital vibe with the temples.
I also agree Xiamen is very nice , there’s a little island that’s lovely to visit there, not Kinmen .
I liked some of China’s cities in particular Chengdu and Guilin and Beijing and Nanjing and Suzhou and Hangzhou, at certain times of year it’s nice to visit as a tourist but I wouldn’t go out of my way too much either. Chengdu was the most ‘Chinese’ place to me that had more old time charm and people enjoying the outdoors. The thing about China is it’s bloody massive and can take some time to fly between cities, delays and traffic.
Depends what you want.
If you want something more china based then HK, macau and the surrounding sz and Guangzhou makes sense.
If u want to skip china entirely then hk/macau/ taiwan also makes sense.
Really depends what you are after. If u have no specific desire to go to china its probably going to be a hassle to go there. Personally I’d love to go there right now but I cannot be bothered to set up the alipay wechat pay nonsense.
Six days in Taiwan instead of SZ/GZ is absolutely enough — and a cleaner contrast with Hong Kong than another mega-city day.
A simple shape that doesn’t waste the week on trains:
4 nights Taipei as the base (old neighborhoods, food, one easy nature half-day: Yangmingshan or Wulai — not both).
1–2 nights Tainan if you want “old Taiwan” food/culture without east-coast driving in winter weather.
Skip trying to also do Alishan / Taroko / Kaohsiung on this length.
In Taipei, a slow half-day that isn’t the 101 checklist: walk Dihua / Dadaocheng in the afternoon, then sit somewhere quiet. Disclosure: I run HEHE Bookstore & Wine at 51 Guide St (both floors) — English-friendly Taiwan lit & philosophy, small-farm French wine; we open 14:00 and are among the few spots on that street still easy to sit into the evening.
Hi guys,
Thank you very much for your thoughts.
My main goal is Hong Kong (and Macau a little). I do consider Shenzhen because nowadays it is a world-famous Chinese Silicon Valley, full of tech stuff. I can imagine going to Shenzhen for a day trip or one night. Guangzhou I don’t know much about. I was thinking visiting it because if I stay in the Hong Kong area (without Taiwan) it makes sense to start the journey in Guangzhou and move slowly to Hong Kong (after visiting Shenzhen and Macau). I also don’t know much about Taiwan, except being famous for computer chips.
I have started watching Youtube videos about Taipeh. On first look seemed to be like Japan. And because I was in Japan once, Taipeh seems to be a bit boring.
I have some little asian experience already. Visited Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Vietnam, Thailand. If you are not buddhist, after some time you can’t see these temples anymore… Nevertheless I like culture.
If you have already been to Beijing and shanghai then I wouldn’t bother with SZ, GZ. Never been to GZ but SZ wasn’t a patch on SH, BJ. Even Nanjing was far better.
Yeah, I always tell people the same about Europe: Once you’ve seen one country or even one city there, you’ve seen all. Unless you’re Christian, the Churches basically all look the same…
Not sure if you’re trolling, but temples are just a tiny part of what Taiwan and Asia in general have to offer.
But to get back to your original question: No, probably visiting Taiwan does not “make sense” for you under these circumstances.
I want to like your post but feels like too much AI influence to the construction of it. Or maybe I’m wrong, dunno.
That’s just a dumb statement ,sorry, open your mind a bit.
You’ve been to another country once so Taipei (a city not a country) seems boring even though you’ve never been there and know almost nothing about it ?
I have spent plenty of time in Japan, and I currently live and work in Taipei. For any confused people reading this thread: no, they are not the same, not even close!
Guy
I had a similar reaction. Alas, I’m having that reaction to far too much stuff online now.
I tend to do the following:
Land in Hong Kong and stay there for like a week. During that time, I would do day trips to Macau and Shenzhen. After I would fly to Taipeh. And from here I think about to options: After landing go by train directly to Tainan and stay there for 2 nights. Then I go back to Taipeh and stay there for the rest of the trip (must be 4 nights or something). During that time I would do a day tour with getyourguide to Shifen, Jiufen and so on. Then have new years eve and a relaxed last day after to do shopping and pack luggage.
Or I can stay a few days in Taipeh, do the tour and after 2 or 3 nights move to Tainan for 2 nights and then come back to Taipeh for New Years eve.
Is Tainan worth the visit or should I spend time somewhere else?
I tend to do that Hong Kong Taiwan combination because I’m not that much interested in Guangzhou (My old idea: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Macau, Hong Kong). And I don’t think that I will come to that area (including Taiwan) again. So, for me it seems to make sense to use the chance to visit Taiwan this time as I will be in the area around.
I forgot to mention that I would fly home from Taipeh and not got back to Hong Kong to do that.
As an alternative, you may want to consider taking the train and then a shuttle to Taroko Gorge for an overnight (or two). The scenery is stunning, the ride is hair raising and there some great hikes.
If you are interested in historical sites, then you may want to check out Lugang (sometimes spelled Lukang). It is closer to Taipei so you can do it as a day trip. Lugang’s historic district has preserved old buildings and streets in a more comprehensive way than most towns. There are some interesting artisans keeping old traditional crafts alive. Some excellent local food too. Don’t forget to try the cow’s tongues (don’t worry, it is a pastry). Note that it is popular with Taiwan tourists.
You may not be interested in Buddhist temples but most temples are Chinese folk religion and there is a fine Confucius temple in Taipei. If you are interested in hot springs, then head to Beitou/Yangmingshan. There are some great places to soak in sulfur baths.
Posters have mentioned Dihua Street in Taipei. It is also a good example of historical architecture and businesses. There is plenty to do and see in Taipei for a few days even if you just stroll around and see where things take you.
Good choice to be in Taipei for New Years Eve. Seeing the fireworks at Taipei 101 building is definitely worth it.
I do think Tainan is a fantastic place. It is just given the travel time and your limited schedule, you should do some research to see if it is a place you want to spend your time and if there are specific sites that you want to see there.
Taroko wins for extraordinary scenery (I say this as a Canadian) although it would be helpful if forumosans who have been there recently could jump in and say if this place is OK now, following massive rearrangement of the landscape in the April 2024 earthquake.
Given the original poster’s stated lack of interest in temples, if Taroko is in decent condition that may be more memorable for a visitor than a Tainan excursion, especially if the original poster can secure a room at Silks Palace Taroko. But no matter what, I would not advise any short-term visitor to do all of the above (that is, I don’t advise Tainan - Taipei - Taroko). My vote would be to keep Taipei and choose one of the other two depending on one’s preferences.
Guy