Day 2: 02/01/09

Depends on how long you want to spend at YMS, you might want to shift Wufenpu and Raohe Night Market to the 3rd day. Otherwise you will be drop dead tired on day 2

You may want to check out this itinerary thread of forumers that has been to Taiwan as reference:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293910-i9303-k587…

From airport to hotel in XMD: u can try checking with Freego counter at the airport. They send customers (or alight them nearby) to some of the XMD hotels.

For the return trip, keep to GuoGuang for better control of yr time.

On train tix: better book early, as it's a Sunday. I read from the forum that it's possible to book in advance and pay using yr foreign credit card. Need not subject yourself to collection within 3 days after reservation.

Day 3: 03/01/09

Keelung's main and famous attractions:

Miaokou food street -- Local snacks and night market;

Chung Cheng Park -- 22.5m high white Kuan Yin statue flanked by two golden stone lions on a hilltop. Panoramic views of Keelung harbour and city;

Heping (Peace) Island -- Tourist fish market and sea-eroded rock beach resembling Yehliu.

The first two attractions are the most frequented by travellers and can be toured in half a day.

Other attractions less frequented by travellers:

Lover's Lake – lake with a suspension bridge;

Seagate fortress (Hai Men Tian Sian) -- ancient fort;

Eighteen Luohan-tong -- statues of Hua Mulan, Yue Fei etc

For more information on Keelung:

http://www.klcg.gov.tw/en/index.jsp

http://tour.klcg.gov.tw/english/index2.asp

Day 5: 05/01/09

Visit Longshan Temple before Taipei Zoo to avoid back-tracking. Longshan Temple is one MRT station away from Ximen Station and opens early at 0530 hrs.

Day 2 and 5 may be a bit hectic. Don’t forget the "Must try" food in Taipei city: tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293913-i9546-k196…

Thanks for your input guys! I will take note of the points you mentioned.

As for the train tickets to Hualian, my friend in Taiwan have already booked and collected for us.

If time permits, I will visit either the CKS Memorial Hall or Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall on the first day, after I drop my luggage off at the hotel.

taiwanDIY, can you advice me on how to get to Keelung Miaokou Night Market and Chung Cheng Park from Keelung Railway Station?

What time does the Miaokou Night Market open?

Thanks for your help! :)

From the front of Keelung Railway Station, walk on 忠一路 (Chung Yi Rd) alongside the harbour. Miaokou food street is on your right after walking for about 10 mins from Keelung Railway Station. Please refer to map shown in website below.

Keelung Miaokou food street (Open 24 hrs) & Night Market http://www.miaokow.org

Night market starts business around dinner time.

To get to Chung Cheng Park, board bus 201, 203 or 204 from bus stop on 忠一路 (Chung Yi Rd) alongside the harbour. Alight at Keelung Hospital stop. Fare: NT$22 Travel time: About 10 mins. Walk about 100m in direction of traffic flow and turn left into Shou Shan Rd. It’s a 15 - 20 mins’ walk uphill to Chung Cheng Park. To return to Keelung Railway Station, go to the next street with traffic in the opposite direction as the traffic in front of Keelung Hospital is one-way. Alight at the same bus stop on your return from Chung Cheng Park. One-way cab fare: NT$80 ~ NT$90