Private Yangmingshan, Jiufen and Yehliu Day

Northern Taiwan packs several very different places into a single drive from Taipei: a volcanic national park, a hillside town built on gold mining, a village where a railway runs through the main street, and a coast of strangely eroded rock. This is a private day that links them, in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide.

The day starts at your accommodation. The first stop is Yangmingshan National Park, where Xiaoyoukeng has steaming fumaroles and sulphur vents. You continue to Qingtiangang Grassland, an open stretch of meadow where water buffalo may be grazing, and stop at Lengshuikeng, a forested valley with a pale mineral pond. At Yehliu Geopark you follow coastal paths past rock formations shaped by wind and waves, including the famous Queen's Head.

Jiufen Old Street is next, a former gold-mining town overlooking the sea, with narrow lanes, traditional shops and food stalls to explore at your own pace. The last stops are Shifen Old Street, where shops line an active railway, and Shifen Waterfall. At Shifen you can buy a sky lantern, write your wishes on it and release it above the valley; the lantern is optional and paid for separately.

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the private vehicle, the driver-guide, all entrance fees and bottled water. The pickup details are confirmed one day before the tour. The route includes paths, uneven ground and stairs, so wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring a light jacket and rain protection, because mountain weather changes quickly. The whole day is about eleven hours.

The tour is run by Roamhertravel and booked through GetYourGuide, which shows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start and marks the day as likely to sell out. It suits travellers who want to see the north of Taiwan in one day without arranging trains and buses between stops, and who like having a guide to decide where to linger.

The day is built around variety, so expect short stops rather than long hikes. If you prefer one landscape in depth, the Taroko Gorge private day on this site covers a single national park on the east coast, but it requires a longer drive and the full day.