Weekend flight from Taiwan to...?
 

Okinawa and Ishigaki have been on my list for a short hop from TPE.

If you're willing to leave for a weekend I really think you can bump the flight time up to 3.5hrs or so, which gives you a lot more options. I'd also focus on cities that have nonstop routes from TPE/TSA but might not be that easy to get to even if you visit the country in question later - e.g., Japanese cities like Fukuoka or Sapporo, or even secondary cities like Takamatsu, Toyama, or Sendai. Same with Korea and cities like Jeju.

If you're not totally set on leaving Taiwan, also consider other Taiwan destinations, like Kinmen/Penghu. Don't forget any of the cities the HSR stops in either.

FUK is already 2.5hrs, CTS is actually closer to 4 gate-to-gate. So I already took some liberties with my recommendations.

Most of Southeast Asia will need 3+hrs, to be fair. Even SGN, BKK, etc. are ~1500mi.

If you're willing to extend the flight time a bit: Vietnam, Malaysia (KL, Penang), Cambodia.

You mentioned Macao. Eh...frankly, for me, Macao is a waste of time. Unless you really want to gamble or shop in over-priced designer shops, or hang out in a Vegas-style hotel, there's not much to do there.

Guam.

Macau? Why? Are you a hard gambler and like to spend in casinos? Well, apart from casinos there are women who can be your friend by paying.

Understood. If your goal is to just check off another country, it's good for that. Easy in, easy out.

I went there again last year for a quick weekend getaway with the wife. It had been 20+ years since my last visit, and I was curious to see what had changed. The answer was: everything. It really is about as devoid of character and soul as a place can be. Many of the casino hotels are linked together by interior walkways (shopping malls), so you never really need to go outside. We had some decent food, but that was the only redeeming part of our visit.

Some questions to consider:

• Is price a factor?
• Do you have/need a visa for China?

The most interesting destinations: I'd say Kinabalu (BKI), HCMC/Saigon (SGN), Hanoi (HAN), also Bangkok (BKK, DMK) and Chiang Mai (CNX) but these two are more like 3.5h. Singapore (SIN) has lots of flights but is ~ 4h.

Seoul-Gimpo (GMP) from Taipei-Songshan (TSA), no need to go Taoyuan, saves the ~ 1h commute. Also lots of China destinations from there, as well as Tokyo-Haneda (HND) but not really cheap.

Also Osaka-Kansai (KIX), Okinawa-Naha (OKA), lots of other places in Japan but most only on particular days of the week, Macau (MFM), Manila (MNL). There is a direct flight to Puerto Princesa (PPS) if you plan in advance.

Hong Kong (HKG) is always TWD ~5k return. Not the cheapest to stay though, if price is a a factor, and honestly not that interesting either these days.

If it's not supposed to be a visa run, consider Taiwan's outlying islands: the most interesting are Matsu (MFK) and Kinmen (KNH).

Something more exotic? Try Palau (ROR), a direct flight on CI.

I agree Macau has been ruined, it's not really that much worth visiting anymore. However, if you're already there, take a bus to Combustibles Terminal and get off at the Prison stop: the Coloane Village is off the beaten path and reasonably interesting. You might even be able to find some decent food. Farther along the same route there are also some beaches and a trail linking them.

Xiamen? Jeju?

Go to google flights. Put in TPE or TSA as starting point and no destination. Then go to map and you will see all possibilities. Pick one that is close and see if it fits what you want to do.

[QIUOTE=IluvSQ;31374322]Xiamen? Jeju?[/QUOTE]

I also like Xiamen, though its bit like Taiwan.