We decided to go to Taiwan after getting off the Celebrity Millennium in Hong Kong in December 2014. We love hot springs, and there were plenty of choices in Taiwan. The total housing cost was just under $500 & the trains/buses/cabs were reasonably priced. Lots of great restaurants to choose from & each meal was about $5-15pp.
Day 1: Flew 1.5 hours on China Air to Taipei(about $200pp/RT). Checked into our Airbnb studio($70/night) in Ximending area. Walked around town.
Day 2: Palace Museum and the night markets
Day 3: Bus to Yeliu Geopark. Bus to Jiufen Old Street.
Day 4: Wulai hot springs area. Maokong Gondola. Public transportation including buses.
Day 5: Taroko National Park. Train SE for 2.5 hours to Hualien. Picked up by tour guide at the train station. All day tour($85 for two people).
This was on Christmas day. I was surprised to see that it was a regular work day in Taiwan. Normal rush crowds on the subway.
Day 6: Yangmingshan National park & Beitou Hot Spring. Public transportation.
Day 7: Metro to Tamsui.
Day 8: flew back to Hong Kong
Small Wide World 