Have been to Taipei but not elsewhere in Taiwan. One reason I'm including Taiwan on an upcoming trip is to visit Taipei 101's observation deck (didn't go the last time I was in Taipei due to the weather).

Would like to visit Tainan and interested in seeing the Dome of Light in Kaoshuing.

This is the itinerary I'd drafted:-

Day 1, arrive 10.30 am, at TPE, take bus to Taoyuan and take HSR to Tainan. Sightsee in Tainan. Overnight in Tainan.
Day 2, more sightseeing in Tainan, spend late afternoon or evening visiting the Dome of Light in Kaoshuing using HSR. Overnight, Tainan.
Day 3, take HSR to Taipei, visit Taipei 101. Overnight, Taipei.
Day 4, depart Taiwan.

HSR = High Speed Rail.

As the weather can be a hit or miss, I'm debating if I should base myself in Taipei and make day trips. If I do this the two day trips I'd make would be to Tainan and Kaoshuing, which really are in the same direction and would take more travel time but would give me the flexibility of staying in Taipei if the weather is good for visiting Taipei 101. I'd buy a rail pass, so I'd have unlimited travel on the HSR for three consecutive days. The itinerary would be like this:-

Day 1, arrive TPE at 10.30 am, travel to Taipei,sightsee visit Taipei 101 overnight, Taipei
Day 2, day trip to Tainan by HSR, overnight, Taipei.
Day 3, day trip to Kaoshuing or stay in Taipei if I don't visit Taipei 101 on day 1. Overnight, Taipei.
Day 4, depart Taiwan.

Please critic both itineraries and let me know which one is better. I can't spend anymore days in Taiwan, so adding a day or two is not an option.

Thanks in advance.

If your top priority is Taipei 101, obviously the second is the better option. If you are flexible, and the weather cooperates, you could still spend nights 2 and 3 in Tainan, you just need hotel reservations that you can cancel.

thursdaysd, thanks for your reply.

How long do you recommend spending in Tainan to see the main sights? I remember your blog on Taiwan, but don't recall if you went to Kaoshuing. If you did, would you recommend it, it sounds like 'just another city". How long do you recommend in Kaoshuing?

Are the HSR trains crowded, if I do option #1 I'll have luggage in tow.

Thanks again.

I really liked Tainan, but you could probably see the main sights in one day. I didn't make it to Kaoshuing, it would be on the list if i went back.

I don't remember how crowded the high speed trains were, but I travel light - one carry on sized wheeled bag and a day pack. They were no problem.

This was my post including Tainan:
https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...oon-on-taiwan/

Thank you, thursdaysd.

Your post on the typhoon really makes me rethink whether I want to stay in Tainan rather than Taipei. I need to fly out of Taipei and my travel date isn't flexible. I'm leaning towards staying in Taipei and day tripping. It'll cost more in time to travel by HSR on the day trips, but I will make good use of the pass and keep my sightseeing itinerary a little flexible.