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What Our Customers Say About Us

Hassle free every penny was worth it..

Brought my senior citizen parents with me and decided to buy tour tickets instead just to make sure that we'll be able to release lanterns at the event... A must-attend festival indeed before you die. Thanks again MyTaiwanTour for this convenient tour!

Angel , U.S.

Great guide and great family tour

Our guide, Esther, was awesome! She was able to give us a bunch of history and was accommodating with our two elementary-age sons. The tour is great for young kids when they won't make the full day. Ending at Din Tai Fung is a great concept.

Matt P. , U.S.

Great Introduction to Taipei With Flexible Itinerary

Jett rearranged the typical itinerary to accommodate our wishes. Provided us with excellent commentary about Taiwan, made sure that we were perfectly placed for the changing of the guard, took us to a great restaurant and then guided us through the museum.

Richard J , U.S.

Seven day private tour

Highly recommended. Debby was easy to deal with and more especially patient as we changed our itinerary constantly. Gordon our driver was fun and friendly and happy to change the itinerary to suit the weather, our changing moods, and levels of tiredness.

Douglas99 , U.K.

Like Good Friends Over a Cup of Tea

The best part of this tour is the people who guided us along this trip. The trip was engaging like we were traveling with good friends whom we just actually met that day. These guys created a memorable experience on our Taiwan trip.

Stephen C. , Philippines

Amazing day with Kevin visiting Jiufen and Taipei!

Kevin picked us up with a big smile and a warm welcome to Taiwan. Kevin kept us so entertained and informed that we almost forgot it was raining. We had to alter our day some because of the rain but Kevin had many options for us. We had the most enjoyable day!

mcguireshanealan , U.S.

Excellent private tour!

Excellent guide, very knowledgeable. And great driver! They were able to give us different routes to get to our destinations! Very friendly and kind, too. We were really able to see the main spots in Jiufen and Yilan. The food they recommended was great as well.

Faus Y. , U.S.

Excellent introduction to Taipei

We had an absolutely excellent visit with David. He was a wealth of knowledge not only about tea but about Taiwan itself. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone spending more than a few days in Taipei.

Andrew W. , U.K.

Recommended Tour Around Taiwan - A Journey of Connection

Read a fantastic story from our customer about her trip across Taiwan, visiting many breathtaking natural sites.

Jiufen - A Place of Remembrance

In the enchanting town of Shifen, a second-generation Chinese family from Aruba found solace and unity as they crafted a lantern in honor of their late son, Jordan. With the lantern's heartfelt message glowing against the night sky, their shared moment of remembrance became a poignant memory etched in time.

5 Best Things To Do Around Taipei 101

After shopping and seeing the view on Taipei 101 and... What are other must-visit places near Taipei 101?

Best Places to Visit in Taipei City

Taipei is a city of contrasts, seamlessly blending the modern with the historical. If you only got one day, Explore these essential destinations that you must visit!

6 Things To Do Around National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

Wondering what to do after visiting Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall? How about visiting more local activities nearby?

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Taiwan is an island with both natural environments and urban cities.

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NORTHERN REGION

EASTERN REGION

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Northern Taiwan is home to the island's capital, Taipei. This vibrant city is the economic heart of the island. Just outside of Taipei are national parks, soaring mountains, cave temples, tea farms, and ceramic towns filled with culture.

Taiwan's Eastern Region is famous for its natural valleys and oceanic spots along the Pacific Ocean. It's also home to Taroko Gorge, the largest marble canyon in the world, and indigenous communities.

Taiwan's Central region is home to Sun Moon Lake, a natural wonder of Taiwan. Taiwan's tea farms, local whisky, and agricultural roots can be explored here.

Taiwan's Southern Region is known for its beach resorts, warm hospitality, and warm weather. Towering religious statues can be seen in this culturally-rich part of the island.

Recommended Tours

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Taipei 101 Top Floor Tour

Taipei city and Taipei suburbs One day

See Taipei from new heights! MyTaiwanTour is one of the only tour companies in Taiwan that can take you to THE 101th floor of Taipei 101. After meeting at Taipei 101, walk just one block to Four Four South Village and explore how Taiwan preserves its culture and adapts to the new world at this old military village turned young art museum. Then, return to 101 and begin your journey up to one of the tallest buildings in the world. Learn about its state-of-the-art technology and innovative, architectural design along the way. Once at the top, "walk along the clouds" safely with proper saftey equipment and capture the moment with the building's perfectly placed, pre-installed camera. After you've come down from your high, enjoy exclusive entrance to Bar88 where you will sip innovative drinks and enjoy panoramic views from the 88th floor. Finish the evening at Taipei's most iconic restaurant, famous for its soup dumplings (xiaolongbao). Experience the MyTaiwanTour difference!

Rural Tea Tour

One day Culture and History Tour

Experience firsthand how organic Taiwanese tea is grown and produced at a real operating tea farm in Yilan that still uses traditional tea processing methods passed down by generations. Pick leaves with a local tea farmer at the plantation and learn how they are harvested (without modern machines) and prepared to become tasty cups of Oolong. Then, experience a rare, hands-on experience learning how to roll and roast tea leaves. After a lunch of traditional Yilan cuisine, head to a quaint pottery house and coffee shop for some therapeutic ceramics painting. There, you will learn the ancient art of decorating blue and white China in a DIY class and will even take home your very own souvenir! Discover the beauty of the small town of Yilan with this slow travel experience!

Jiufen Night Tour

One day Adventure Tour

Explore Taiwan's northeast coastline and the mountainous town of Jiufen by night! Before the sun sets, stop by Yehliu Geopark, a relaxing seacoast attraction home to a number of unique geological formations. Then, head to Jiufen, where the lantern-lined alleys of this old mining own come alive at night, creating a magical experience said to resemble scenes from the Miyazaki classic, "Spirited Away." After dinner, relax at a traditional tea house and enjoy views of the illuminated and elevated town before returning to your accommodation.

Around Taiwan 8 Day Private Tour (Classic)

Multi-day Adventure Tour

Take a step back in time with a full day tour of Taiwan’s northern villages renowned for their charm, history, and culture: Jinguashi, Jiufen, and Pingxi. Jinguashi is a quaint, coastal town famous for its former gold mines. Tour the Thirteen Ruins, an abandoned refinery high up in the mountains overlooking the gold and blue Yin Yang Sea of Ruifang. The coastal town of Jiufen is said to be the inspiration for the Miyazaki classic Spirited Away, so expect to be similarly enchanted

Taipei city and Taipei suburbs Half day

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10 of the best places to visit in Taiwan

Oct 23, 2023 • 6 min read

Narrow down your travel plans with this guide to the best places to visit in Taiwan © kitzcorner / Getty Images

With dynamic night markets jam-packed with delectable street food, gorgeous beaches and soaring mountains, Taiwan offers lots in a small package.

Just 395km (245 miles) from top to bottom, travelers will find futuristic cities, historic temples and killer surf breaks – all connected by affordable high-speed rail. As one of the friendliest East Asian countries for LGBTIQ+ travelers, too, it's pretty much got everything. Here are the best places to visit.

1. Sun Moon Lake

Best place to bike

Located in central Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake is renowned for hiking, boating, romantic walks and countryside temples. It’s also famous for its bikeways, frequently found on lists of the world’s most stunning biking paths in the world. There are multiple options, but we recommend the Shuishang Bikeway . This 1300ft-long route wraps so closely around the lake that whizzing around its perimeter feels like floating on water. 

2. Beitou, Taipei

Best place for hot springs

Although 130 hot springs spill across this volcanic country island, Taipei locals love Beitou hot springs for their accessibility. Just a 30-minute train ride away from the center of the capital, you can luxuriate in geothermal heat-fueled hot springs. Veiled in the sulfur mist, you'll find hotels outfitted with bathtubs gushing hot water, public baths and a springs-obsessed culture. 

Planning tip: Visit Thermal Valley, aka Hell Valley, for one of the world’s only two green sulfur hot springs. It reopened in July 2022 after a renovation featuring improved accessibility, additional facilities and upgraded seating areas. 

3. Taroko National Park

Best place to chase waterfalls

Journey to this popular national park for its famed 19km (12 mile) canyon, Taroko Gorge , which features marble cliffs carved through centuries by the Liwu River. Located around 145km (90 miles) southeast of Taipei, the gorge contains  hikes of all levels where you can view an abundance of waterfalls towering and small. 

Make sure to hit the Yindai, Baiyang and Lushui waterfalls for the most stunning views. Intermediate hikers should trek the 4km round trip (2.6 miles) Baiyang Waterfall Trail, featuring eight tunnels and the Shuiliandong Water Curtain. For photo ops at Taroko National Park , check the waterfall and pavilion at the Eternal Spring Shrine, a picturesque veteran’s memorial. 

Best surf spot

Jinzun is located in Taitung County, which is home to the lengthiest coastline in Taiwan, running approximately 175km (109 miles). This little fishing village is a 40-minute drive from Taitung and hosts the Taiwan Open of Surfing . Surfing conditions are decent year-round, but the best time to go is in the autumn and winter, when typhoons create optimal waves. Professional surfers consider the waves here to be world-class, and since surfing is a newer sport in Taiwan, Jinzun is ideal for surfers trying to beat the crowds. If you don’t want to catch waves, go fishing or sunbathe on the sandy beaches. You can also pop 10 minutes south to Dulan to visit the Amis tribal village and Xindong Sugar Factory.

5. Kaohsiung 

Best place to temple hop

Taiwan’s second-largest city crackles with energy, and many consider it one of the best places to live on the island for its convenience and safety. Despite Kaohsiung’s zippy streets, you can find pockets of tranquility in its parks, pagodas and temples. Visit Lotus Pond to see more than 20 temples – enter through the Dragon pagoda and exit the Tiger pagoda for good luck. 

Located on the north side of the pond is the Kaohsiung Confucius Temple – the largest Confucius temple in Taiwan, designed in the style of a Song Dynasty-era temple. After temple-hopping, visit the romantic  Love River and indulge in street eats at the Rueifong Night Market.

Best place for quiet

This beautiful haven for nature fans rests on Taiwan’s northeast coast. Here, mountains meet the sea with cold and hot springs, whale and dolphin-watching, scenic hikes and black sand beaches. Highlights include the Hsuehshan Tunnel – the second-longest highway tunnel in Asia, connecting Taipei to Yilan in just 50 minutes – and the Divine Trees Garden at MaKau Ecological Park. The garden is home to over a hundred indigenous, millennia-old Taiwan red cypress trees, hinoki and benihi trees.

Planning tip: Head to the world’s first quiet trail, Cuifeng Lake Circular Trail – accredited by Quiet Parks International (QPI). It’s a 7.4km round trip (4.6 miles) hiking path, ranging from 1890–1980m (6200–6500ft) above sea level, abutting Sun Moon Lake and winding through floors of dense moss – said to absorb sound. 

7. Ximen district, Taipei

Best place for LGBTIQ+ travelers 

Taiwan has become one of the most progressive Asian countries for LGBTIQ+ rights. As the host of Asia’s biggest Pride parade, it’s also the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. The Ximen district in Taipei is renowned for its gay scene found behind the historic Red House Theatre , built in 1908. At this first openly gay place in the city, there are countless gay bars, saunas, restaurants and open-air plazas for hanging out. 

Planning tip: Ximen district is a well-known shopping area, great for people-watching stylish youth and the high-end fashion of those living in what’s considered the richest city in Taiwan. It’s also likely you'll see cosplayers, impromptu street dances, performances and celebrities and pop stars hosting meet and greets. 

Best place for fresh seafood

This port city overlooking the Donghai Sea is about 30km (19 miles) north of Taipei. Known for fresh seafood, Keelung Night Market is the perfect place to sample many dishes at once. Munch on butter crabs, thick crab soup, oyster omelets, tempera fish paste, ding bian cuo – a meat and seafood stew with rice batter noodles, deep-fried crab and braised eel, to name a few. 

Continue your eating spree by trying the local street food delicacy, chikuwa , a charcoal-grilled fishcake treat, and leftover remnant of the Japanese occupation at the Zhengbin Fishing Port. Afterward, night owls can hit the Kanziding Fish Market, a large frenetic seafood market open from 10pm to 6am. 

Best place to island hop

Locals love the southwest Penghu archipelago as a holiday destination for its white sand beaches, illustrious basalt columns, and pristine coral reefs. It’s speckled with islands and accessible from Taipei via an hour's flight. You’ll probably land in Magong City, where there’s plenty to explore, like the Penghu Tianhou Temple , Shanshui Beach, and the Du Hang Shih Cun military village. Don’t leave without trying local specialties, such as brown sugar cake, peanut candy, fresh oysters and cactus ice cream.

Planning tip:  Sign up for an island-hopping tour with everything from half-day to multi-day itineraries available. History buffs will enjoy Wang-an island for Zhongshe Village, an ancient fishing village. For sunbathers and swimmers,  Jibei is a great stop for its stunning beaches . Other famous islands include Wiyu, Baisha and Huxi.

10. Green Island

Best place to be underwater

Snorkelers, freedivers and scuba divers enjoy Green Island’s hundreds of species of brightly colored coral and fish. Located southeast of Taitung , this volcanic island is a diving destination with options for both shore and boat dives. If you prefer being above water, eyeball stunning views from the Lyudao Lighthouse , soak in the Zhaori Hot Spring  or relish the island’s natural vistas. 

This article was first published January 2023 and updated October 2023

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