tourist attractions in taiwan

36 Must-Visit Attractions in Taiwan

Visitors to Taiwan are spoiled for choice when it comes to things to do and places of incredible natural beauty to visit on the island – with so many attractions, it’s hard to figure out what to see. Let us do the hard work for you, with our list of the most beautiful tourist spots in Taiwan.

1. taipei 101.

2. National Palace Museum

3. taroko gorge.

Park, Shrine

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5. Sun Moon Lake

Natural Feature

7. Dragon and Tiger Pagodas

Buddhist Temple

8. Shilin Night Market

9. yangmingshan geysers, 10. longshan temple.

11. Rainbow Village

12. chiang kai-shek memorial hall.

Memorial, Building, Park

13. Kenting Street

14. fo guang shan buddha museum, 15. fort zeelandia, 16. the rocks of yehliu geopark.

17. The Taiwan Black Bear

18. jiufen gold mines.

Historical Landmark, Museum

19. Enjoy a wild hot spring

Swimming Pool

Yushan National Park

Another of the most beautiful national parks in Taiwan , Yushan National Park is the setting for the country’s tallest mountain along with several other picturesque peaks such as Sanqingshan.

Maolin National Scenic Area

South of Kaohsiung lies the region known as Maolin National Scenic Area. This is where you’ll find Purple Butterfly Valley, the wintering home for a million Euploeini butterflies. An incredible sight to behold if you’re lucky enough to arrive at the right time of the year.

Miramar ferris wheel

Located in the Miramar Entertainment Park, the Miramar ferris wheel dominates the local skyline. And with very few tall buildings to obstruct the scenery, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city.

One of Taiwan’s most popular weekend trips is a trip to the archipelago of Penghu. This sandy tropical paradise has plenty of beaches scattered throughout its islands and is a must for seafood lovers.

Chimei Museum

This private museum was established by the Chimei corporation in 1992 but moved to its current location in 2014 and contains a large collection of Western art, musical instruments, and weapons. Its design is heavily influenced by European architecture, making it one of a kind in Taiwan.

Fulong beach

While Taiwan is not quite a go-to surfing destination like Bali or Hawaii, there are still some great spots around the island that boast waves all year round. One such spot is Fulong beach which is also a popular destination for day-trippers from Taipei keen to spend some time on the sand. As it is on the Northeast coast, Fulong gets some great swells throughout the year but in particular from May to October, just pay attention to the weather as this also coincides with typhoon season.

Xinmending shopping district

One of the coolest neighborhoods in Taipei, Ximending is known as the place to be for the younger generation. But that doesn’t mean tourists can’t also enjoy the scores of shops selling everything from hats to anime figures. A great place to grab an alternative kind of souvenir.

Everyone loves a good sing song but it Taiwan they take it to a whole new level. There’s no need to worry about bothering others with your renditions of the latest pop tunes as in the local Karaoke Television (KTV) clubs you get a private soundproofed room that even has its own bathroom. Fancy something to eat or drink? Pick up the phone, and the wait staff will bring it right in.

Attend a cultural festival

The people of Taiwan love a good celebration, and as a result have a pretty impressive calendar of festivities throughout the year. In spring you have Penghu Ocean Fireworks Festival , Baosheng Cultural Festival and the Bunun Tribe’s Ear Shooting Festival. Come summer it’s all about Taiwan International Balloon Festival , Fulong Sand Sculpting Festival, Dragon Boat Festival and Keelung mid-summer Ghost Festival . In autumn you have Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival , Yunlin International Puppets Arts Festival and National Yimin Festival, while winter welcomes iconic lantern festivals, Christmasland and the Lunar New Year. Read our guide to the best festivals in Taiwan and plan your trip accordingly.

Enjoy the Cherry Blossoms

While Japan is often the go-to tourist spot for cherry blossoms , not many people realize that Taiwan is actually a great place to witness the yearly blossoming. The island is full of cherry blossom trees and you need only go to a local park to find yourself surrounded by these beautiful trees. But perhaps one of the best locations to take in the blossoms is Sun Moon Lake . Here there are hundreds of the trees throughout the area making for some incredible photo ops. March and April are usually the best time of year to see the trees in full bloom.

The Most Unusual Things to do in Taiwan

Go zorbing in kenting.

There are many ways to descend a hill, but one of the most unusual has to be in what can only be described as an inflatable hamster ball. Zorbing down hills in Kenting is a thing – and it’s huge fun if you don’t suffer from motion sickness.

Play with some sheep

OK, while visiting a farm may not initially seem unusual, Qing Jing Farm in Nantou is a little different. Here you can wander around the farm (which is located in stunning surroundings, by the way) and play with the sheep. They are free to roam the mountainside, and you are free to accompany them, stroke them and maybe take a selfie with them!

Eat some penis-shaped goodies

Phallic images and symbols are quite prevalent throughout the island, but it’s the penis waffle that has really captured the imagination of a nation. Head to any night market, and the chances are that someone somewhere is selling a penis waffle and more often than not there will be a queue of locals waiting to take some very NSFW photos with them. Taiwanese people certainly know how to have fun.

Buy betel nuts from a scantily-clad lady

It’s the only place in the world where you will see ladies dressed in skimpy clothing selling betel nuts on the side of the road. The betel nut girls of Taiwan are a bit of a contentious issue, as some politicians feel that they are shameful, while most of the general population consider them a harmless custom. You’ll have to head out of Taipei City to see them though, as they are not allowed to sell within the capital city’s limits.

Go paragliding in Wanli

Not something that many would expect to find just outside of Taipei but it’s just a short bus ride to Wanli where local paragliding clubs take tourists up for tandem rides around the bay. Kitted out with a GoPro, thrill seekers can record their trip to prove to the folks back home that they really did it.

Visit a haunted prison

Green Island’s Bagua Building was once home to political prisoners, and it’s said that during the White Terror period between 1949 and 1987 many of these prisoners died in most unpleasant ways. Locals say their spirits haunt the buildings and tourists jump at the opportunity to visit the abandoned buildings at night.

Have a sleepover in an aquarium

The National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium have come up with a novel way to allow visitors to enjoy the fish after the building has shut down. They allow a limited number of guests to sleep in various sections of the aquarium each night. Imagine waking up to the sight of a shark swimming overhead. Pretty magical.

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20 Places to Visit in Taiwan that I’m Obsessed With

In this article, I’ve shortlisted my 20 favorite destinations in Taiwan. It wasn’t easy!

After living in Taiwan for over 10 years, writing a book about it, introducing Taiwan’s attractions to the likes of BBC Travel, CNN, and National Geographic, and running a Facebook group about Taiwan Travel Planning , I’d like to think that I know Taiwan fairly well.

In this article, I’m really sticking to the sights that I truly love. Some are super obvious and famous, while others are off-the-beaten-track. All of them are places that I’m legitimately obsessed with and will keep returning to again and again.

Table of Contents

My Top-5 Places in Taiwan

Here I’ve hand-picked my personal top-five places to visit in Taiwan.

Taipei – The City with Everything

OK, so I’m biased (I lived in Taipei city , well technically New Taipei City , for a quarter of my life). But I freakin love Taipei.

Taiwan’s capital has it all: the best night markets in the country , the most famous attractions ( Taipei 101 , Longshan Temple , CKS Memorial Hall, Maokong Gondola , Elephant Mountain ), and the coolest neighborhoods ( Ximending , Dadaocheng , Tamsui, and more).

And there’s more – the biggest events, the best public transportation, the top restaurants, cherry blossom viewing , and hikes galore .

On its doorstep, it has active volcanoes in Yangmingshan National Park , hot springs at Beitou , beaches, aboriginal villages , tea plantations , and atmospheric old streets like this one .

You can never run out of things to do in this city, and that’s why I will never grow tired of exploring it. It’s no wonder it has chosen as the best city in the world for expats several times !

Most visitors start and/or end their Taiwan trip in Taipei. It’s even tempting to use the city as a base for your whole trip (see my recommended hotels ), but I do urge you to get out at some point – we still have 19 more awesome places to cover!

Alishan Region – Tea Farms & Bamboo Forests

It’s no secret that I’m in love with Alishan region in Chiayi county . I have a personal connection to Chiayi – it’s my wife’s ancestral hometown and we usually go there to visit her family for Lunar New Year.

I’ve been raving Alishan for years and the articles I’ve written about the area have helped to popularize some of its small villages among foreign visitors – I know because people tell me all the time in my Facebook group that they went there because of me.

Most tourists gravitate to Alishan National Forest Recreation Area (even though getting there is a little complicated). It is known for its misty forests of ancient hinoki cypress trees, iconic Alishan Forest Railway Line, and stunning sunrises.

My personal favorite spot, however, is Shizhuo village , where I love staying in accommodations on tea plantations and hiking through tea farm. The tea produced there is Alishan High Mountain Oolong Tea , the country’s most famous.

I also love the cute market town of Fenqihu, with its fireflies, railway bento boxes, and bamboo forests. And we can’t forget about the epic sunrises and sunsets on Eryanping Trail .

I even have a plan to someday retire and open a killer guesthouse in Alishan region, so watch for that (in like 1 or 2 decades…). That’s how much I love this area!

Penghu Islands – Best Beaches

It’s super tough to choose only one of Taiwan’s offshore islands to put in my top-5. But that honor goes to the Penghu archipelago , which lies in the middle of the Taiwan Strait (the body of water between China and Taiwan).

Riding a scooter around the islands of Penghu – which include four main connected ones and many smaller ones – is one of my single favorite things to do in Taiwan.

Penghu has a unique, windswept landscape, with edible purple cacti (they make sorbet out of them!), the best beaches I’ve seen in the country , traditional courtyard homes made of coral, ancient heart-shaped weirs for catching fish, and towering volcanic basalt columns.

On top of all that, Penghu has the country’s best fireworks festival, which goes for several months from spring to summer, and some excellent snorkelling and scuba diving.

Oh, and did I mention it’s super easy to get to? There are oven a dozen flights every day from Taipei’s city-center Songshan Airport!

I’ve been to Penghu three times and would happily return at the drop of a hat.

The East Coast – The Ultimate Road Trip

The entire East Coast of Taiwan is more than just one place, but I’m lumping it together here because you’ll likely tackle it in one go – here’s how to rent a car and drive in Taiwan . For all the details, see my part 1 and part 2 guides to road tripping the east coast . But of course you can do it by train, too!

Taiwan’s east coast is wild, sparsely populated, and breathtakingly gorgeous. The continental shelf is just off the coast, so within a surprisingly short distance, towering mountains drop off to coastal buffs and continue descending rapid off the coast.

Currents are strong and that’s why you can’t swim on most east coast beaches – but you can spot whales there !

Starting from one of Taiwan’s best seafood harbors, Nanfangao, the highway passes the dramatic Qingshui Cliffs and the entrance to Taroko Gorge (Taroko is currently closed for an estimated one year due to the April 3, 2024 earthquake, but here are things you can still do in Hualien ).

South of Hualien city, the main base for visiting the region, Highway 9 follows the train line through the East Rift Valley. My favorite stops are Chishang for cycling among the rice paddies and Luye for tea farms and the incredible International Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Meanwhile, Highway 11 runs down the practically uninhabited coast, with Sanxiantai (Dragon’s Backbone Bridge) and Dulan surf town being the major highlights.

Southern Hualien and Taitung county are Taiwan’s most laid-back region and home to the highest concentration of aboriginal peoples. While it may lack the big-name attractions of other parts of Taiwan, I suggest you slow down here and really take it all in.

Tainan – Temple Hopping in the Old Capital

Taiwan’s original capital, Tainan , remains the country’s heart and soul and arguably the most authentically Taiwanese city. The history nerd and temple junkie in me will always keep me coming back to Tainan.

It will come as no surprise that Tainan has the country’s best collection of ancient temples and historic attractions. The Confucius Temple stands out as the most popular, but there are dozens of others, dedicate to concubines, the sea goddess, gods of water, wind, and medicine, and many more.

Over in Anping district , Anping Fort and Anping Tree House are also musts, while Anping Old Street is one of the country’s oldest and most traditional.

Not far out of the city, Sicao Green Tunnel is a good introduction to the marshlands and rare migratory birds of Taijiang National Park, Luermen Tianhou Temple is enormous, Cigu Salt Mountain is bizarre, Jingzijiao Wapan Salt Fields are stunning, and Guanziling Mud Hot Springs are one-of-a-kind.

Locals will also tell you that Tainan is the culinary capital of Taiwan. I love stepping into Tainan’s hole-in-the-wall shops and night markets to sample unique dishes like eel noodles, oyster rolls, Spanish mackerel stew, and traditional ice cream with fruit.

Other Destinations I Love to Visit

Here’s are 15 more Taiwanese attractions that I’ll never grow tired of visiting.

The Pingxi Line – Best Taipei Day Trips

The Pingxi Line is one of several old railway lines in Taiwan which have been converted from transporting timber and coal to transporting tourists.

The Pingxi Line is the closest one to Taipei and provides access to several extremely popular tourist attractions but also some great off-the-beaten-track ones.

On the touristy side, Jiufen Old Street (access from Ruifang Station, with train connections to Taipei) and Shifen Old Street (famous for its sky lanterns and Shifen Waterfall ) are two of the most popular tourist attractions in Taiwan – expect serious crowds.

However, my personal favorites include Badouzi (for Shen’ao Rail Bike ), Houtong Cat Village (I’ve been there a ridiculous number of times), Sandiaoling (my favorite waterfall hike in Taiwan), Pingxi (for the thrilling Pingxi Crags hike and known for Pingxi Lantern Festival ), and Jingtong (an off-the-beaten-track old street).

Yilan – Hot Springs & Kid-Friendly Activities

Yilan is a county on the northeast coast of Taiwan which is fully loaded with fun activities and attractions, especially for kids. This is why it is a favorite weekend getaway for Taipei families, mine included.

Jiaoxi village is home to some of the kid-friendliest hot spring spas in Taiwan – think hot spring slides, bright pink bubble gum or oolong tea scented thermal pools, and foot-skin-nibbling fish ponds. Jiaoxi also has waterfall hikes and hot springs ramen, where you can soak your feet while you eat.

Then there’s Luodong, which has some of the best minsus (local guesthouses) in Taiwan, like this one , and an excellent night market . We choose here as a base for taking our kids to leisure farms like Zhang Mei Ama’s Farm , eating green onion cakes at Sanxing, and trips to Taipingshan (see below).

On top of all that, Yilan has Northern Taiwan’s best surf beach at Wai’ao, award winning whiskey at Kavalan Distillery , a great brewery at Jim & Dad’s, and several excellent museums.   

Kaohsiung – Arts & Temples

Kaohsiung people hate me for not raving about their city as much as I do about Taipei. But they have a point – Kaohsiung is undeniably a cooler, more laid-back, and less pretentious city than Taipei, and I do love it, too.

Taiwan’s largest port city is also without a doubt the country’s street art capital. My favorite place is Pier 2 Art Center , where creative art installations line the docks, especially when they are lit up at night.

Everywhere I go in the city, I’m always stumbling upon amazing new murals covering entire sides of buildings – the city activity encourages graffiti. Weiwuying has a whole neighborhood covered in it. Dome of Art in Formosa Boulevard is also mesmerizing, while Cijin Island ’s coast is lined with art installations.

Kaohsiung is also about the grandiose – from the kitschy temples and god statues on Lotus Pond to Fo Guang Shan , the country’s largest monastery and Buddha statue, where I enjoyed an eye-opening temple stay many years ago.

One of my favorite souvenirs from Taiwan is the Hakka paper umbrella that I bought from Meinong Folk Village in Kaohsiung.

I admit that I don’t know Kaohsiung as well as many other parts of Taiwan – I have yet to visit the hot springs of Guguan, the huge seafood harbors on the coast, or see the swarms of purple butterflies at Maolin – many reasons for me to keep coming back.

Hehuanshan – Hiking & Sunrises  

Hehuanshan in Nantou is Taiwan’s most accessible high mountain area. There’s nowhere else in Taiwan, or in all of East Asia for that matter, where you can literally drive a car or take a public bus to 3275 meters above sea level (Wuling Pass).

Hehuanshan consists of five high mountain peaks, all of which are much easier to climb than almost all the other 100 Peaks of Taiwan.

I recently had an incredible stay at historic Songsyue Lodge , built for former president Chiang Kai-Shek at the base of the only ski resort Taiwan has ever had. That’s right – it even snows at Hehuanshan, at least once every year. When it happens, tourists and locals alike flock to see it.

Staying at the lodge, I witnessed one of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen, from right in front of the accommodation. It’s not easy to get a room there (click my link above to find out how), so many will stay at Cingjing Farm nearby and do a morning sunrise tour.

Lukang – Traditional Taiwanese Culture

Like a smaller and more off-the-beaten-track version of Tainan, Lukang in Changhua is a small town with loads of history.

Because a train line was never built to it (they didn’t want it), Lukang remains decidedly traditional to this day. It has some of the country’s best preserved ancient temples, a new temple made of glass, and a quirky temple with odd decorations and tunnels below it.

Lukang Old Street is also one of the country’s most traditional, with food specialties like miancha (flour tea), phoenix eye cakes, ox tongue cookies, and shrimp monkeys.

There are often traditional temple parades and festivals going on in Lukang, while the town’s Dragon Boat Festival celebrations are better than anywhere else in the country.

Yushan – Taiwan’s Tallest Peak

In my first year of living in Taiwan (2008), I joined a guided hike to the peak of Jade Mountain (Yu Shan), the tallest mountain in Northeast Asia. It beats out Mt. Fuji by 176 meters!

Yushan National Park is Taiwan’s largest non-marine national park. Most of it is remote and inaccessible. Biologists have even called it “The Ark” as it is a repository for rare species, including Formosan black bears and flying squirrels.

Needless to say, Yushan was one of the most incredible places I’ve visited in Taiwan. Sunrise from the peak was an experience I’ll never forget.

We were surrounded by seas of clouds in all directions, as the sun rose majestically above the horizon. On clear days, you can see as far as the sea.

The North Coast – Beaches & Harbors

Since this is supposed a list of places in Taiwan that I love to repeatedly visit, I can’t leave out the beaches on the North coast of Taiwan .

Because most of these can be reached in only one or two hours from Taipei, I return to them again and again every year. They may not be as picture-perfect as the beaches in the far south or on the offshore islands, but they are super convenient for a capital city dweller like me.

Qianshuiwan is my go-to place for easy access and restaurant-bars by the sea. Baishawan is a little further but a little better, while Fulong Beach stands out as the prettiest, not to mention its awesome sandcastle festival.

Besides beaches, I love cliff diving at Longdong (also known for rock climbing and scuba diving), feasting on seafood at Guihou Harbor (near the super popular Yehliu Geopark ), photographing Laomei Green Reef, swimming at the seawater pool on Heping Island in Keelung , and finishing off at Keelung Night Market , my favorite night market in Taiwan.

Sun Moon Lake – Aboriginal Culture & Tea Farms

Sun Moon Lake is probably the most divisive major tourist attraction in Taiwan – visitors either love it or hate it.

If you only do the tourist things at Sun Moon Lake – like riding a boat across the lake and taking the Ropeway to Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village , then you might hate find it too touristy.

However, there are many gems around the lake, too. The tea plantations north of the lake make insanely good black tea (a rarity in a country that produces mostly oolong). The lake views from the top of Wenwu Temple or Ci’En Pagoda are unbeatable.  

For authentic aboriginal culture, avoid Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village and head to Ita Thao village instead.

The Thao Tribe Performance Center there is trying its best to preserve a culture which is on the verge of extinction (it’s one of Taiwan’s smallest tribes), while the food street in Ita Thao is one of the easiest places in Taiwan to try Taiwanese aboriginal foods and millet wine.

I love hopping on a bike at Sun Moon Lake. CNN has even called the paths around the lake one of the best cycling trips in the world (though I sort of feel that’s an exaggeration).

Last but not least, Shuiyuan Suspension Bridge south of the lake is quite possible the country’s most beautiful one, but it’s not super easy to get to.

Green Island – Scuba & Salty Hot Springs

Green Island off the coast of Taitung is another of my favorite offshore islands in Taiwan. This former penal colony stands out for me in two big ways today.

First, Green Island has some excellent snorkelling and scuba diving – the best I’ve done in Taiwan, but I haven’t tried it everywhere.

Secondly, Zhaori Hot Spring on Green Island is one of my favorite hot springs in the whole country . This is one of only three saltwater hot springs in the world. The hot spring pools are right on the coast, with some of the lowest pools right next to the sea.

Lying in one of those pools at night, gazing at stars to the sound of waves splashing into the hot pool, was one of my most sublime experiences in all my years of living in Taiwan.  

Taipingshan – Hiking on Old Logging Railways

As the fourth mountain on my list, you may be starting to gather that I really love the mountains in Taiwan.

Taipingshan is like Alishan’s lesser known cousin, among foreign tourists at least. It too is a former logging region-turned-tourist attraction.

The must-do tourist attraction at Taipingshan is taking a ride on the cutely named (and cute looking) Bong Bong Train. My personal favorite hike there is Jianqing Haigu Trail, which follows an old mining railway line that is now twisted and overgrown with vegetation.

Another highlight of visiting Taipingshan is hitting Jiuzhize Hot Spring on the down the mountain back to central Yilan. For a few bucks, you can cook your own hot spring eggs in the boiling thermal waters.

The public springs at Jiuzhize there are awesome,, too, with multiple private elevated tubs in the main pool. There’s an open air nude bath, too, if that’s your jam.

For the best experience, you’ll need to drive, hire a private driver , or take a tour to Taipingshan. There’s only one bus per day and it limits how much you can see.

Lion’s Head Mountain – Sleeping in a Temple

Shitoushan or “ Lion’s Head Mountain ” is an off-the-beaten-track destination on the border between Hsinchu and Miaoli in Central Taiwan.

This small mountain is dotted with Buddhist and Taoist temples, some of which are built into caves. The coolest thing about hiking this mountain is that you can sleep in one of the temples, Quanhua Temple on the Miaoli side.

I’ve slept in this temple a couple times, including once with my kids. Both times, I/we were the only ones there, making it a truly serene experience.

Nearby, Nanzhuang Old Street is one of the coolest old streets in Taiwan. It’s famous for its sweet osmanthus shaved ice and Hakka-style dried tofu.

This part of Miaoli is known for slow travel and for its many traditional minsus (guesthouses). We loved staying at this one and this one .

Orchid Island – Unique Aboriginal Culture

Lanyu (Orchid Island) is another remarkable offshore island in Taiwan. This one is best known as the home of the Tao people, Taiwan’s most isolated and traditional aboriginal tribe.

Tao culture is the main draw here – including the chance to see traditional hand-carved canoes, Tao underground houses, and activities related to the Flying Fish Festival, which takes place throughout spring.

Two of my best friends and I had a blast scootering around Lanyu and spotting the countless roaming goats on the island.

Orchid Island also has some great swimming holes, rock formations, and scuba diving. It’s best to fly here from Taitung, as the ferry ride is extra bumpy. Also, avoid winter, when almost everything shuts down.

Neiwan Old Street – Hakka Culture & Hot Springs

Neiwan Old Street is probably my favorite of Taiwan’s many old streets. Neiwan is the terminal stop on the Neiwan Line, another cute small train lines – this one sets out from Hsinchu.

Neiwan is an old Hakka village and former mining/logging town. Today, the old street is one of the best places in Taiwan to sample leicha or “pounded tea”. It is made by pounding tealeaves with various seeds, nuts, and spices, adding hot water, topped with puffed rice, and usually served with mochi.

The old street also has extremely delicious Hakka dried tofu and a famous old theater.

Nearby, my family and I loved spending a weekend camping or visiting hot springs in Jianshi district. This is a remote, aboriginal district with gorgeous scenery and some excellent hot spring spas like this one .

Kenting National Park – Beachy Getaway

In my early years in Taiwan, we used to make the annual journey down to Kenting National Park for Spring Scream Music Festival on the April long weekend .

Kenting occupies the southern tip of the country and has the best beaches and beach resorts on all of mainland Taiwan.

While Spring Scream has long ended and is now replaced with a free music festival put on by the local government on the main beach, it is still the unofficial place to party and laze on the beach for spring break.

Kenting’s beaches can feel a little crowded, but for me, it has always been a part of the package. I love Kenting Night Market , the only place in Taiwan you’ll see cocktail vendors wearing beach attire and blasting electronic music.

I also love cycling or scootering along the Kenting coast, finding new spots to try seafood, and hiking to natural infinity pools in the jungle . Thrill seekers can also try surfing, scuba diving, jet skiing, and more.

Xiaoliuqiu – Snorkeling with Sea Turtles

I’m finishing off this list with yet another offshore island. It’s one of the smallest but also best, and it goes by many names – Little Okinawa, Lambai Island, or as the locals say, Xiaoliuqiu .

Xiaoliuqiu’s biggest draw is its resident population of nearly a thousand giant sea turtles. You’re pretty much guaranteed to see them if you try – my kids and I even saw them swimming in the harbor from our hotel room balcony .

Even better, we had an intimate encounter snorkeling with the turtles in water – my kids’ first time ever snorkeling. Freediving is also very popular on Xiaoliuqiu.

The island is so small that you can scooter or cycling around it without difficulty, yet there are many little secret beaches and coves to explore.

Read This Before Renting a Car and Driving in Taiwan!

What to eat at ningxia night market in taipei (with map), 2 thoughts on “20 places to visit in taiwan that i’m obsessed with”.

Another excellent article! As someone who is also Taiwan obsessed, I appreciate you sharing your experiences. I will return to Taipei this May and your blog is giving me so much hype!

Thank you so much!

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The Top 15 Things to Do in Taiwan

A compact 245 miles from its northern to southernmost tips (and 90 miles wide at its thickest section), it's easy to traverse the entirety of Taiwan in a day thanks to its sleek High Speed Rail system . But why rush it? There are plenty of cities and natural wonders alike to take in here including Jiufen—the picaresque cliffside village that inspired Studio Ghibli's "Spirited Away"—and coveted wedding and honeymoon destination Sun Moon Lake.

While there are hundreds of activities, places, and things to see and do in Taiwan, here are our current 15 musts.

Get a Bird's-Eye View From Taipei 101

Frankly speaking, Taipei lacked the sophisticated, modern city planning and grandeur of Hong Kong and many of mainland China's capital cities until the early 2000s. Oh how things have changed! Now you can take in the glorious skyline and juxtaposition against nature from 1,474 feet in the air via the Taipei 101's observation deck.

The world's tallest skyscraper when it opened in 2004 (as of 2020, it ranks as 10th), it also has a unique, suspended golden-hued 730-ton damper globe (which keeps the tower balanced in event of an earthquake). On the lower levels, there are shops and restaurants like Din Tai Fung, the gold standard for Taiwanese-style soup dumplings.

Enjoy Tea and Cinematic Views in Jiufen

It's not often a Japanese animated classic comes to life, but wandering the winding, sloping hillside alleys and stairways of Jiufen is just like entering the world of Studio Ghibli's fantastical, Oscar-winning film "Spirited Away" (albeit without the spirits and dragon). A former gold rush town—and actual setting for 1989 historical drama, "A City of Sadness"—Jiufen is equal parts tranquil, picaresque, and bustling thanks to its ocean and lush mountain views, rustic architecture, historic (and wonderful) teahouses, and endless vendors of street food, crafts, and souvenirs.

Chill Out in a Hot Spring

Like Japan, Taiwan is peppered with mineral-rich natural hot springs, ranging from economical and no-frills to family-friendly to luxurious, exclusive resorts nestled by nature. To experience a hot spring without leaving Taipei, you only need to visit the Beitou district. Consider the appropriately-named Grand View Resort (which boasts indoor and outdoor white sulfur springs or the comparatively low-frills 24-hour Kawayu hot springs.

Elsewhere in Taiwan, Yilan County's Jiaoxi Hot Springs entails a large range of facilities including a giant public pool for soaking one's feet. Zhaori Hot Spring on Green Island —accessible via a 50-minute ferry ride from the southeast coast's Taitung—is one of the world's three saltwater hot springs, heated by volcanic lava and surrounded by glorious ocean views.

As with a Japanese onsen or a Korean spa, Taiwan's same-sex facilities have a mandatory no-clothing policy.

Savor Taiwan's Distinctive Soup Dumplings

Although the steamed soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) hail from mainland China—and are most frequently associated with Shanghai–Taiwan put its own spin on things. Taiwanese chain Din Tai Fung has perfected and defined Taiwanese-style xiaolongbao: a fig-sized pouch with a precise 18 folds in its chewy dough skin, which contains a succulent nugget of pork and savory broth.

Of course, there are many varieties of xiaolongbao at hundreds of venues across Taiwan, from decadent truffle to bitter melon to shrimp, although none are as literally colorful as those at Paradise Dynasty. A Singapore-born chain, the Taipei location must have poached its staff from a Din Tai Fung, since their signature eight varieties, all featuring different colored skins,are utterly precise, consistently excellent. Don't miss the black garlic, red Sichuan pepper, and yellow cheese—its pork bursting with gooey, stringy cheese.

Hike Taroko National Park

This national park, located in Hualien county just south of Taipei, is a gem for outdoorsy types and nature lovers. There are dozens of trails for hiking, mountaineering, bicycling, and simply taking in scenic views. The most famous are the dramatic Taroko Gorge and the stunning, Tunnel of Nine Turns trail (which was reopened in 2019). Longer, more advanced trails include barrier- and rail-free Zhuilu Cliffs' hiking trail. These trails are indeed difficult so be sure to consult the Park's website or consider a guided tour in advance: several are offered by Silks Place Tarako , a five-star hotel located within the park itself.

Get Zen At Kaohsiung's Fo Guang Shan Monastery

Southwest Taiwan's major port city of Kaohsiung (population over 2.773 million) is a draw for Buddhists and temple seekers thanks to its Fo Guang Shan Monastery and Buddha Museum . Highlights of Taiwan's largest Buddhist temple and campus include a towering 120-meter high golden statue of Buddha Amitabha and more than one thousand additional Buddha incarnations, deities, and other statues spread across its shrines, four temples, and other buildings. The museum's pagodas include fantastic selections of relics, exhibitions, and more.

Experience Taiwan's Annual Lantern Festival

Chang Hsiu Huang / Getty Images

Taiwan's annual lantern festival sees thousands of imaginative and colorfully decorated floating paper lanterns take to the skies in cities and towns all over the island. However, the most famed and oldest incarnation—the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival—which takes place an hour or so east of Taipei in the hillside town of Shifen, is a truly magical experience thanks to its tradition of releasing lit rice paper lanterns into the sky with your wishes written on them. Summertime's Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival is also quite the Instagram-worthy spectacle.

Eat Your Way Through Taiwan's Incredible Night Markets

Reportedly dating back to the Tang Dynasty in the 9th century, Taiwan's night markets are filled with the scents of street food, from frisbee-sized crispy chicken cutlets to "coffin bread" stuffed with various fillings, and the unmistakable national favorite stinky tofu. You'll also be able to find trinkets, clothing, craft beer, and home goods at these markets. Everyone has their opinions on which night market is the best, but a few essentials for your list include Taipei's Shilin and Raohe, Taichung's Fengjia and Yizhong, and Kaohsiung's Ruifeng. No matter which local night market you visit, however, you're guaranteed at least a few tasty bites!

Take in Taiwan's Creative Art and Culture Parks

Taiwan has seen former factories, abandoned industrial eyesores, and government compounds transformed into vibrant, creative, family-friendly destinations in a growing number of cities. In Taipei you'll find the trailblazing Huashan 1914 Creative Park ; Songshan Creative Park , which boasts a boutique hotel, bookstore, and arthouse cinema from Eslite; and Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab , opened in 2018 in the former Republic of China Air Force headquarters.

Opened in late 2015, Tainan's Blueprint Cultural & Creative Park is chock full of colorful contemporary murals and installations, and shops within former heritage houses. Mural lovers will also enjoy a stroll and plenty of selfies around Kaohsiung's Pier-2 Art Center . In Taichung's South District, an early 1900s brewery is now The Cultural Heritage Park, largely dedicated to culture-related exhibitions and activities in its dozen-plus buildings.

Explore Quirky Themed "Villages"

Some quaint and heritage villages throughout Taiwan have been turned into quirky attractions worth a detour. Taichung's Rainbow Family Village lives up to its name thanks to village elder and erstwhile military man Huang Yung-Fu, who painted streets, houses, and pretty much every surface with all types of critters, people, and patterns.

Taipei's rustic and cliffside Treasure Hill Artist Village (built during a housing shortage circa the 1940s for immigrants) is now home to dozens of artists, who transform the winding lanes and houses into murals, ever-changing art installations, and shops.

A bit off the beaten track but worth it for retro architecture lovers, Wanli UFO Village is populated by flying saucer-esque, abandoned 1960s Futuro and Venturo houses, while Nantou's lush and comparatively lively Xitou Monster Village draws its inspiration from Japanese ghosts and creepy creatures (and even boasts a boutique hotel or two for overnighters).

Explore the History of Taiwan's Former Capital

Taiwan's capital city from 1683 to 1887, Tainan is home to the National Museum of Taiwan History, which explores its indigenous culture and history of occupation by the mainland Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Dutch. The Dutch influence can be found and explored at Fort Zeelandia, aka Anping Old Fort.

Try Some Stinky Tofu

Exactly what it sounds like, this soy-based delicacy is to Taiwan what durian is to Thailand and what stinky cheeses are to France. Fermentation gives the tofu a funky, pungent stench and it's a staple at Taiwan's many night markets. If you're a fan, or adventurous eater, be sure to visit New Taipei's Shenkeng Old Street, which is basically dedicated to an endless array of variations, including spicy, fried, filled, and even some non-stinky tofu treats like ice cream and cake.

Experience Taiwan's Booming Craft Beer Scene

Still under the radar internationally, Taiwan's craft beer makers have nonetheless received recognition and awards, including a World's Best Dark Altbier honor in 2020. Taipei in particular is booming with dedicated craft beer bars and restaurants with local selections on tap, including the excellent Sunmai (the longan honey lager is a must). Yet surprises await all over Taiwan. Northwest Taiwan's Dahu township is best known for its abundant, delicious, oversized strawberries—January and February are peak tourism times for visiting and picking—and its Dahu Wineland Resort produces a juicy seasonal strawberry beer.

Relax at Sun Moon Lake

Wan Ru Chen / Getty Images

Almost smack dab in the middle of the country in Nantou County, Sun Moon Lake is a major destination for wedding portraits, romantic and family getaways, and outdoor activities. Sun Moon Lake got its name from sections shaped like a round sun and crescent moon and is Taiwan's largest natural alpine lake. It's nestled within lush mountains, features a small island in its middle, while a bikeway weaves around the perimeter. Another unique aspect of Sun Moon Lake is its indigenous tribes, the Thao and Bunan who share their cuisines and various cultural experiences with visitors.

Snap a Picture at High-Heel Wedding Church

Courtesy of Tourism Bureau, Republic of China (Taiwan)

Located between Taichung and Tainan, Chaiyi County features an offbeat treat in this striking, high heel shoe-shaped 17-meter high wedding venue. Constructed from 320 panes of blue glass in Chiayi Budai Seascape Park, this secular "chapel" pays tribute to a comparatively somber bit of history: the blackfoot disease epidemic that struck Taiwan's southwest coast circa 1969, which resulted in many young women's feet being amputated. Opened in 2016, now people of all identities can enjoy a wedding inside glamorous high heel, or just snap a photo of it.

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Must-see attractions in Taiwan

A true hidden gem, this private museum has a small but exceptional collection of sculpture and antiques by mid-19th- to 20th-century Japanese artists who…

National Palace Museum

Home to the world's largest and arguably finest collection of Chinese art, this vast hoard covers treasures in painting, calligraphy, statuary, bronzes,…

Longshan Temple

Ximending & Wanhua

Founded in 1738 by Han immigrants from Fujian, this temple has served as a municipal, guild and self-defence centre, as well as a house of worship. These…

Dihua Street

This former 'Centre Street' has long been known for its Chinese medicine shops, fabric market and lively Lunar New Year sundry market. It has attracted…

Towering above the city like the gigantic bamboo stalk it was designed to resemble, Taipei 101 is impossible to miss. At 508m, Taipei 101 held the title…

Grand Mazu Temple

This lively temple once served as the palace of Ning Jin, the last king of the Ming dynasty. If you wish to confirm visually that a king's status is lower…

Tianliao Stone Temple

Tianliao Stone Temple is a fantastical, Gaudi-esque interpretation of a Taoist temple by Southeast Asian migrant workers. The 500 men had been hired to…

National Human Rights Museum

This former detention centre, court and jail was where political prisoners were incarcerated and tried during the White Terror period (1947–87). The…

Moonlight Inn

Central East Coast

For spectacular views looking down across Dulan towards the ocean and horizon-silhouette of Green Island, you can't beat the upper balcony of this little…

Alishan Forest Recreation Area

Western Taiwan

Visiting Alishan may almost feel like a cliche, but do not lose heart. There may be equally beautiful and less-visited places in Taiwan, but Alishan, with…

Qinbi Village

Qinbi is by far Beigan's most complete traditional village, with its array of interconnected stone homes built on a steep slope, facing the curved bay and…

Neiwei Flea Market

This sprawling flea market in Neiwei may possibly offer one of the most authentic and fabulous experiences of Taiwan. You'll find everything under the sun…

Jibei Sand Tail

Penghu Islands

Those desert island paradise photos you probably saw on Penghu's promotion brochures and websites were most likely taken at Jibei Sand Tail, a dazzling…

Mazu Temple

This holy structure was renovated in 1936, a high period in Taiwan's temple arts. The woodcarvings are particularly fine in the front hall, and the high…

National Museum of Natural Science

A fantastic place for kids and botany fans, this massive museum has over 50 exhibit areas covering space, the environment, rainforests, gems and minerals,…

National Palace Museum Southern Branch

Fans of historical art and antiques will have a field day here: there is exquisite Buddhist art from Asia's oldest civilisations, excellent displays on…

Tianhou Temple

This celebrated 17th-century Matsu temple sports high, sweeping swallowtail eaves and a wealth of gorgeous Chaozhou-style woodcarvings, mostly from a 1922…

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

This grandiose monument to authoritarian leader Chiang Kai-shek is a popular attraction and rightly so. It is a sobering feeling to stand in the massive…

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

Borrowing from western urban-regeneration models, this early-20th-century wine factory has been restored as Taipei's most retro-chic venue. Remodelled…

Bao'an Temple

Recipient of a Unesco Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for both its restoration and its revival of temple rites and festivities, Bao'an Temple (also called…

Zhongshan Hall

This handsome four-storey building, constructed in 1936 for the coronation of Emperor Hirohito, is where the Japanese surrender ceremony was held in…

Cijin Island

This narrow island that acts as a buffer to the harbour and extends down the city coastline makes for a lovely day trip from the mainland. The main…

Zinan Temple

Nantou County

Dedicated to the Earth God, the carnivalesque Zinan Temple celebrates entrepreneurship and is perpetually busy, as is the marketplace that has grown…

Eastern Taiwan & Taroko National Park

Green Island's windswept northeast corner was completely out of bounds for much of the 20th century, occupied by a large prison camp. Here, political…

Pier-2 Art Center

An attractive sprawl of old warehouses by the port is separated by tree-lined boulevards, and hosts shops, galleries and cafes. It's a wonderful place to…

Cijin Tianhou Temple

One of Kaohsiung's few temples that made the national protected relics list is also its oldest Mazu temple. Cijin Tianhou Temple was constructed in 1673…

Shilin Night Market

Taipei's most famous night market is hugely popular with travellers – and many young locals – who come to enjoy the carnival of street-side snacking,…

Lin Family Mansion & Garden

Northern Taiwan

The family mansion of Lin Ying-yin boasts wood and stone carvings, traditional architectural motifs representing luck and fortune, and a beautiful…

Gaomei Wetlands

Beautiful wetlands teeming with life rendered surreal by the sight of wind turbines on the horizon. It is especially photogenic at sunset and makes for a…

Gold Ecological Park

Jinguashi's big draw is this Japanese-era mining-complex-turned-tourist-park, where hillside paths connect 1930s offices, workshops and dormitories, and…

Beihai Tunnel

This 700m of sea tunnel took three laborious years to carve out with many soldiers losing their lives in the process. Completed in 1971, it was used as a…

Nantian Temple

In the southern foothills of Baguashan is this bizarre temple and haunted house where parents used to take their children to scare them into obedience. It…

Fu Wan Chocolate

Pingtung County

Cacao orchard, boutique, and hotel in one, Fu Wan makes fabulous, (mostly) tree-to-bar chocolate that's bagged multiple laurels at the International…

Antique Assam Tea Farm

An operating tea farm that's also a showcase for the reinstatement of tea shrubs to Sun Moon Lake. The speciality here is Assam black tea, introduced by…

Peace Memorial Park

Until the start of this century, Beigan's steep eastern peninsula housed a slew of defensive military emplacements. Many have been preserved as part of…

City God Temple

When you enter the temple, look up for the two large abacuses used to calculate whether you have done more good than bad in life; check out the most…

Alien Art Centre

A remarkable museum in a unique location. From the '50s to the '70s this white building was a hostel for young men departing for compulsory military…

About 1km beyond Fort San Domingo on Zhongzheng Rd is the turn-off for Hobe Fort, built in 1886 when then governor Liu Ming-Chuan was attempting to shore…

First built in 1748, and masterfully restored in 1924, this Hsinchu landmark has the highest rank of all the city god temples in Taiwan, and is a splendid…

Treasure Hill

Head down to the river from the Museum of Drinking Water, turn left, and you'll soon come across this charming art village. It was founded in the late…

The 27 Best Taiwan Tourist Spots – Time Saver Taiwan Itinerary

Taiwan tourist spots can leave you in awe of reaction. It is an island nation located in East Asia, is a hidden gem that offers a captivating blend of natural wonders, rich history, and modern attractions. Its unique cultural heritage and warm hospitality make it a must-visit destination for any traveler.

If you’re planning a trip to Taiwan, make sure to follow these enchanting tourist spots in order to save your time when you visit Taiwan.

Table of Contents

1. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall

This majestic memorial hall stands tall in Taipei City. Its grand architecture, lush gardens, and a giant bronze statue of Sun Yat Sen are awe-inspiring. The hall also houses exhibitions and artifacts related to the leader’s life and revolutionary activities. The architecture of the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall is a breathtaking blend of traditional Chinese design and modern aesthetics and a must-visit Taiwan tourist spots.

2. Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan Hiking Trail)

This enchanting Taiwan tourist spot offers an exhilarating hiking experience that promises breathtaking panoramas of the city’s skyline, making it a favorite destination for both locals and travelers seeking a dose of nature The trail is relatively short but challenging, especially during sunset and at night when Taipei’s lights illuminate the landscape.

3. Raohe Night Market

Indulge your taste buds and immerse yourself in the vibrant Taiwanese street food culture at Raohe Night Market. From delicious local delicacies like pepper buns and stinky tofu to quirky snacks and trendy fashion items, this bustling market has it all.

4. Liberty Square (Chiang Kai Shek Memorial)

Dedicated to the former President of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai Shek, Liberty Square is an iconic landmark in Taipei. The massive white structure of the memorial hall, along with the National Concert Hall and National Theater, creates a beautiful ensemble that attracts tourists and locals alike.

5. Presidential Office Building

An architectural marvel in the heart of Taipei, the Presidential Office Building serves as the official workplace of the President of Taiwan. Its elegant design and historical significance make it a must-see attraction.

6. Ximending

As one of Taipei’s most vibrant districts, Ximending is a tourist spot paradise for shopaholics and entertainment enthusiasts. This bustling area is filled with trendy boutiques, entertainment centers, theaters, and an array of restaurants serving delectable cuisine.

7. The Red House

Located in Ximending, the Red House is an iconic octagonal-shaped tourist spot building that hosts various cultural events, art exhibitions, and craft markets. It’s a perfect place to explore Taiwan’s creative side and purchase unique souvenirs.

8. Lungshan Temple

A symbol of Taiwanese spiritual and architectural heritage, Lungshan Temple in Taipei is a stunning temple complex dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin. The intricately designed temple offers a peaceful sanctuary for both worshippers and visitors.

9. Bopiliao Historical Block

Step back in time and explore the preserved streets of Bopiliao Historical Block in Taipei. This cultural heritage site showcases traditional Taiwanese architecture and provides insight into the island’s past.

10. Wuling Farm

Nature lovers should not miss Wuling Farm, a picturesque mountain retreat in Taichung. Throughout the year, this vast area showcases beautiful seasonal landscapes, including cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant foliage in autumn. You should not miss this Taiwan tourist spot.

11. Yehliu Geopark

Witness the wonders of erosion at Yehliu Geopark, where unique rock formations, including the famous “Queen’s Head,” tourist spot have been sculpted by wind and water over millennia.

12. Yinyang Sea

Near the geopark, you’ll find the mesmerizing Yinyang Sea, where the contrasting colors of the water create a visually stunning and memorable sight. You should definitely add this to your Taiwan tourist spots itinerary.

13. Thirteen-Story Ruins

Venture to the scenic northern coastline of Taiwan to explore the hauntingly beautiful Thirteen-Story Ruins, the remnants of an abandoned hotel that has become an intriguing Taiwan tourist spot.

14. Golden Waterfall

Located nearby the Thirteen-Story Ruins, the Golden Waterfall gets its name from the golden hue caused by the presence of heavy metals in the water. The sight against the backdrop of the green mountains is truly captivating tourist spot.

15. Jiufen Old Street

Transport yourself to a bygone era as you wander through the charming Jiufen Old Street. This quaint hillside village is famous for its narrow alleyways, teahouses, and stunning views of the coastline.

16. Shifen Waterfall and Old Street

Make a wish as you release sky lanterns in Shifen Old Street, then visit the nearby Shifen Waterfall, one of the most scenic waterfalls tourist spot in Taiwan.

17. Maokong Gondola

For a unique perspective of Taipei’s landscape tourist spots, take a ride on the Maokong Gondola, which leads to Maokong Mountain, famous for its tea plantations and tea houses.

18. Taipei Zoo

Home to a diverse range of animals, including Taiwan’s beloved Giant Pandas, the Taipei Zoo is a family-friendly tourist spot worth exploring.

19. Taipei 101 Observatory

Witness the grandeur of Taipei’s skyline from the Taipei 101 Observatory, one of the world’s tallest buildings. The view from the top is simply breathtaking, especially during sunset.

20. Ichiran

Taiwan is a food lover’s paradise, and no visit is complete without indulging in local delicacies like beef noodle soup, bubble tea, pineapple cakes, and oyster omelets.

21. Painted Animation Lane

Located in Taichung, this lively street features colorful murals and street art inspired by famous Taiwanese animations.

22. Taichung Literature Museum

For literary enthusiasts, Taichung Literature Museum is a treasure trove of Taiwanese literary history and culture.

23. Chun Shui Tang

Visit the birthplace of bubble tea at Chun Shui Tang in Taichung, where you can savor the original and authentic version of this globally beloved drink.

24. Miyahara – Taiwan

This stunning ice cream parlor in Taichung is housed in a former eye hospital and offers a delightful array of desserts and sweets.

25. Paochueh Temple

Experience spiritual tranquility at Paochueh Temple, a magnificent Buddhist temple located in Kaohsiung.

26. Taipei Fine Arts Museum

Art enthusiasts will appreciate the contemporary and traditional Taiwanese artworks displayed at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum.

27. Shilin Night Market

End your Taiwanese adventure with a visit to the bustling Shilin Night Market, where you can shop, eat, and immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture.

Taiwan’s allure lies in its perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and modern charm. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a history buff, a food lover, or an art enthusiast, Taiwan tourist spots has something extraordinary to offer. So pack your bags, set your sights on Taiwan, and embark on an unforgettable journey through this captivating island nation.

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Touropia Travel Experts

Discover the World

10 Best Places to Visit in Taiwan

Located to the southeast of China , the island nation of Taiwan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world and its bustling and vibrant cities are full of beautiful old temples, fantastic museums and lively night markets which offer up a stunning array of delicious cuisines. Away from its busy streets, many visitors enjoy exploring Taiwan’s incredible nature such as the beautiful Sun Moon Lake and spectacular Kinmen Island.

A bastion of democracy and human rights, Taiwan has long been at loggerheads with China which still lays claim to the country and the Taiwanese are friendly and welcoming people who proudly uphold their independence.

With such a vast array of diverse things to do, visitors to Taiwan will have their time cut out trying to fit everything into a memorable trip. Explore this Asian island with our list of the best places to visit in Taiwan.

10. Kaohsiung [SEE MAP]

A bustling city, full of life and energy, Kaohsiung has something for everyone to enjoy and consequently it is a favorite tourist destination with foreigners and locals alike. Acting as both the maritime and industrial hub of the country, it is the third most populous city and commerce and trade have ensured that there is a wide mix of peoples, cultures and communities, which is reflected in the delicious cuisine on offer.

With great weather all year round and beautiful scenery surrounding it, it is a fantastic place to do outdoor activities, and both hiking and cycling will take visitors to many of the best viewpoints. In addition to all of this, Kaohsiung is home to lots of historic sites, and more and more museums are sprouting up each and every year.

9. Wulai [SEE MAP]

Located in the south of New Taipei City, Wulai is home to the Atayal people and is famous throughout Taiwan for its hot springs. As such it is now a tourist town and many people come here to wallow in the warm waters, learn more about the rich indigenous culture and explore the surrounding nature.

With loads of outdoor activities on offer, you can go hiking in the forests, go fishing in the river and also camp amongst the wild while enjoying the delightful scenery. Visitors can also buy some of the indigenous arts and crafts on sale and try some of the local food.

The undoubted highlight of any visit to Wulai is wallowing in the hot springs which are so abundant and the town’s mountainous setting only makes sitting back and taking in the view all the more magical.

8. Kinmen Islands [SEE MAP]

This group of islands is located in between Taiwan and China and is famous for being the site of a battle between the Nationalists and Communists in 1949, although it is now more commonly known as a popular tourist destination.

With loads of lovely scenery to be found on the islands, it is sometimes called ‘the park in the sea’ as there are so many bright flowers, forests and nature reserves for visitors to enjoy, with Kinmen National Park being the most popular on offer.

Historic buildings abound in Kinmen. There is lots of delightful old architecture for tourists to gaze upon, and a number of wonderful beaches can be found scattered about here and there. Famed for its local products and its delicious cuisine, the Kinmen Islands are certainly worth a visit when in Taiwan.

7. Kenting National Park [SEE MAP]

Considered by many to be the oldest national park in the country, Kenting is located in the south of Taiwan on the Hengchun Peninsula, and is a very popular tourist destination. With loads of lovely scenery on offer, visitors mostly come to enjoy the wonderful beaches and the tropical climate that makes it so appealing.

Bathed in beautiful sunshine, Kenting is marvelous to explore and there is loads of fauna and flora on show. One of the must-see attractions is the huge Eluanbi Lighthouse, which towers over its surroundings. A fabulous national park to visit, Kenting also hosts the famous Spring Scream festival which attracts thousands of music lovers every year.

6. Alishan National Scenic Area [SEE MAP]

A wild and wonderful place, the Alishan National Scenic Area is very mountainous and actually contains twenty-five mountains that tower to a height of two thousand meters or more. Exploring the hills, valleys, waterfalls and forests is a magical affair, and the scenery is stupendous to behold.

There are numerous trails and paths that will take you to some of the best viewpoints. A great way to see a lot of the reserve in one go is to take the Alishan Forest Railway, which snakes its way through forests and along mountainsides before stopping off at Fenqihu, a picturesque village with the ruins of a Shinto temple.

Home to the Tsou people who are renowned for their tea making, Alishan is an absolutely gorgeous place to visit and your visit will live long in your memory.

5. Lukang [SEE MAP]

The second oldest town on the island is a mesmerising place to visit, and it is particularly renowned for its delicious local cuisine and stunning architecture.

Located in the northwest of the country, it was once an important seaport and trading center, although its standing has long since declined. Thankfully that has meant that its historic buildings remain intact and there are remarkably over two hundred temples for tourists to visit, with Longshan and Matzu being among the most popular.

There is a wide range of architectural styles on show. Among the dishes that visitors to the city just have to try are the ox tongue cakes and oyster pancakes, which are specialties in the region.

4. Tainan [SEE MAP]

Formerly the capital of imperial Taiwan, this ancient city is well worth a visit and there are loads of interesting sights and cultural landmarks for visitors to enjoy. One of the most popular parts of the city to visit is the Anping District, which is the historic heart of Tainan.

This area has lots of beautiful old temples scattered about, as well as Fort Zeelandia which was built by the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century. There are a number of great museums, such as the Chimei and Koxinga Museums, and there is loads of fantastic shopping to be had. Stop off at the night markets for some of the local cuisine.

With lots of lovely nature surrounding Tainan, you can easily take a day trip to the Nanhua or Hutoupi Reservoirs, or even head off to Taijian National Park.

3. Taroko National Park [SEE MAP]

Full of beautiful nature and incredible landscapes, this national park takes its name from that of the impressive gorge that runs through it, and as such it is well worth checking out when in Taiwan. Carved out over centuries and millennia by the winding Liwu River, it is Taroko Gorge that is the undoubted highlight of the area, along with the steep valleys, mountains and more features throughout the park.

With a number of great outdoor activities that visitors can enjoy, you can be river rafting one minute, hiking through the canyons the next and be bathing in the Baiyang Waterfalls later that same day.

The scenery on show is absolutely gorgeous wherever you go, and some of the best views are from the delightful Eternal Spring Shrine and the Swallow Grotto. A great time to visit is during the Taroko Music Festival, when you can explore and experience the culture and traditions of the people and communities that live in the area.

2. Sun Moon Lake [SEE MAP]

The delightfully named Sun Moon Lake is the largest body of water in the country and is a popular tourist destination amongst locals and foreigners alike. As such there are loads of hotels and resorts located along the lake’s shores and there are numerous restaurants, shops and bars that cater to the visitor’s every need.

With lots of outdoor activities on offer, you can go sailing on the lake, go for a delightful hike or bike ride in the hills surrounding it or relax on a boat trip across its tranquil waters and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. In addition to the stunning nature, there are some great temples for visitors to visit and there is also a cable car ride that offers up unforgettable views of the lake below.

1. Taipei [SEE MAP]

The capital of Taiwan is a marvelous place to visit, with a plethora of things for visitors to see and do. It is not only the political and economic hub of the island, but also the cultural one, as there is a lively arts and culture scene.

With an intoxicating mix of old and new to be found in the delicious food and stunning architecture, it is a captivating city to visit. Old temples are located amidst the skyscrapers, and the towering Taipei 101 actually used to be the tallest building in the world.

Fantastic restaurants, shops and bars abound in this bustling city, and there are loads of attractions on offer such as the Taipei Zoo, the Botanical Garden and the wonderful temple of Hsing Tian Kong.

For an authentic look at the local culture, head to the fun and friendly Raohe Street Night Market for some great food and entertainment, while numerous museums such as the National Palace Museum are on hand to help you delve further into the rich cultural heritage of Taiwan. After your time in Taipei, you’ll come away tired but happy at all of the amazing things that you’ve seen and done.

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A Guide to Must-Visit Tourist Attractions in Taiwan for an Experience

Posted by Shalini D | Aug 29, 2023 |

Taiwan is a beautiful island nation that boasts a diverse range of attractions encompassing nature, culture, history, and modernity. Tourist Attractions in Taiwan, a mesmerizing island nation in East Asia, beckons travelers with its unique blend of traditional heritage and urban innovation. Each corner of this picturesque island is dotted with stunning tourist spots, from age-old temples to modern shopping districts. Let’s dive into some must-visit attractions in Taiwan.

List of the Attractions in Taiwan

Taiwan is a diverse and beautiful destination with a wide range of attractions to explore. Here’s a list of some of the top tourist attractions in Taiwan across the island:

• Banka Lungshan Temple, Wanhua
• Dadaocheng Area
• Taroko Gorge – Shakadang River Trail
• Ximending, Wanhua District 
• The Yangmingshan Sulphur Springs 
• Rainbow Village 
• Keelung Zhongzheng Park
• Song of the Forest
• National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
• Shifen Waterfall
• Dragon and Tigers Pagodas in Kaohsiung

1. Banka Lungshan Temple, Wanhua

Banka Lungshan Temple, a true gem nestled in the heart of Wanhua, Taipei, beckons travelers from around the world with its vibrant history and stunning architecture. Known for its deep-rooted religious traditions and intricate design, the temple offers a captivating experience for both spiritual seekers and history buffs. If you’re planning a trip, here’s a guide on the best time to visit and the top activities to enjoy at the Banka Lungshan Temple.

Best Time to Visit Banka Lungshan Temple:

1. Lantern Festival: Falling on the 15th day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival turns the temple grounds into an enchanting spectacle of lights. With countless lanterns illuminating the surroundings, this is the perfect time to capture some awe-inspiring photos.

2. Dragon Boat Festival: This event, which occurs in the fifth lunar month, sees the area around Wanhua bustling with activity. A visit to the temple during this period allows you to combine spiritual exploration with witnessing local customs and dragon boat races.

3. Autumn Months: Generally, the months from October to December offer pleasant weather with less rainfall. The mild temperatures make it comfortable to explore the temple grounds and indulge in prolonged meditation or prayer sessions.

What to do at Banka Lungshan Temple?

Explore the Temple Architecture: One of the hallmarks of the Banka Lungshan Temple is its magnificent architecture. Admire the intricate carvings, stunning stone and woodwork, and the incredible attention to detail in every corner. The temple is a blend of Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucian design elements, making it a unique site to explore.

Participate in a Prayer Session: The temple is not just a tourist spot; it’s an active place of worship. Join the locals during their prayer sessions, light incense, and immerse yourself in the serene ambiance.

Attend Traditional Ceremonies: Throughout the year, various ceremonies and rituals are held at the temple. These ceremonies provide a rare insight into the religious practices and traditions of Taiwan.

Delve into History: Take a guided tour or hire a local guide to dive deep into the history of the temple, learning about its establishment, renovations, and the legends that surround it.

Explore the Surroundings: Wanhua is one of Taipei’s oldest districts. After visiting the temple, stroll around to explore local markets, traditional shops, and eateries. A trip to the nearby Bopiliao Historic Block will give you a glimpse of Taipei’s history.

Meditation & Reflection : The temple, with its peaceful environment, is a great spot for personal reflection and meditation. Find a quiet corner and connect with your inner self amidst the spiritual vibes.

2. Dadaocheng Area:

A historical neighborhood, Dadaocheng whisks visitors back in time with its well-preserved buildings, traditional medicine shops, and teahouses. Don’t forget to stroll alongside the Tamsui River during sunset for a breathtaking view.

Dadaocheng is one of Taipei’s most historic and culturally rich neighborhoods. A blend of past and present, this area offers visitors a unique blend of old-world charm and modern conveniences. If you’re planning a trip to Taipei, a visit to Dadaocheng is a must. But when is the best time to go, and what can you expect to do there? Read on to find out.

Best Time to Visit Dadaocheng

While Taipei has a lot to offer year-round, the best times to visit Dadaocheng are during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). During these periods, the weather is moderate, with less rain and more comfortable temperatures.

1. Spring: The blossoming of flowers, especially during the Lunar New Year celebrations, makes this a vibrant and colorful time to visit.

2. Autumn: The cool breeze and the transformation of the foliage to a myriad of colors provide the perfect backdrop for leisurely walks.

Avoid the summer months, which tend to be hot and humid, and the occasional typhoon can make outdoor activities less enjoyable.

What to do in Dadaocheng?

Dihua Street: This historic street is the heart of Dadaocheng. Walking down its cobbled pathways, you’ll find a mix of old tea houses, traditional medicine stores, and modern boutiques. It’s particularly lively during the Lunar New Year when the street market offers an array of festive goods.

Dadaocheng Wharf: An excellent spot to unwind. You can take a riverside stroll, rent a bicycle, or even take a boat ride to appreciate the beauty of the Tamsui River.

Yongle Fabric Market: A paradise for fashion enthusiasts and crafters, this market offers a vast selection of fabrics, accessories, and bespoke tailoring services.

Temples : Visit the beautifully preserved Xiahai City God Temple and the Tianma Temple to gain insights into local religious practices and admire the intricate architecture.

Tea Tasting: The area is renowned for its tea culture. Visit one of the many traditional tea houses, where you can learn about and savor different varieties of Taiwanese teas.

Attend Festivals: Time your visit with local festivals such as the Dadaocheng Fireworks Festival or the Dadaocheng Traditional Art Festival for a unique cultural experience.

Local Cuisine: Indulge in the local delicacies and street food that Dadaocheng has to offer. From braised dishes to sweet treats, there’s a wide variety to satisfy every palate.

3. Taroko Gorge: Shakadang River Trail: Tourist Attractions in Taiwan

One of Taiwan’s top natural wonders, the Taroko Gorge is renowned for its turquoise river and marble cliffs. The Shakadang River Trail provides an idyllic path for hikers, promising beautiful sceneries and peaceful surroundings. The majestic beauty of tourist attractions in Taiwan isn’t just confined to its cities. Outside the hustle and bustle lies one of nature’s breathtaking masterpieces: Taroko Gorge.

Within this awe-inspiring National Park, you’ll find the Shakadang River Trail, an accessible path that allows visitors to get up close and personal with the wonders of Taroko. If you’re planning a visit, it’s essential to know the best time to go and the activities you can indulge in. Let’s dive in!

When is the Best Time to Visit?

1. Autumn (Late October to Early December):

Autumn offers cool, comfortable weather with minimal rainfall, making it a favorite season for many. The forests are a canvas of orange and red, offering a picturesque setting for your hikes. Temperatures range from 20°C to 28°C.

2. Spring (March to May):

Spring presents Taroko in full bloom, with vibrant flowers complementing the lush greenery. The weather is mild but be prepared for occasional showers. With temperatures fluctuating between 18°C to 25°C, it’s a pleasant time for exploration.

It’s worth noting that summer can be hot and rainy, and winters, while not extremely cold, can be a bit chilly for some visitors. Also, the region can be prone to typhoons from June to October, so always check the local forecasts before planning your visit.

What to do at Shakadang River Trail and Surroundings?

The Pristine Pathway: The Shakadang River Trail is approximately 4.5 km and is known for its crystal-clear waters and enormous marble boulders. It’s a relatively easy hike, perfect for families and those looking for a peaceful nature walk. Along the way, you can encounter small caves, overhanging cliffs, and perhaps a few local species.

Local Indigenous Villages: The trail leads you to several indigenous villages. It’s an opportunity to understand local cultures, and traditions, and perhaps buy handcrafted souvenirs.

Sample Local Delicacies: Don’t miss out on the chance to taste the local cuisine. Stalls along the trail offer snacks like mochi and mountain pork sausages, providing you with a delightful mix of flavors.

Extended Hikes: For the adventurous, you can combine your Shakadang experience with other trails such as the Zhuilu Old Trail for panoramic views of the gorge.

Photography: The combination of turquoise waters, marbled pathways, and lush vegetation offers endless opportunities for both amateur and professional photographers.

Swimming: While many areas of the river are not suitable for swimming due to strong currents, there are designated spots where you can take a refreshing dip, especially welcome after a long hike.

Camping: For those looking to immerse themselves fully, consider camping at designated sites to experience the beauty of Taroko under a starry sky.

4. Ximending, Wanhua District

Ximending, located in the historic Wanhua District of Taipei, Taiwan, is a bustling urban area known for its youth culture, vibrant street arts, and shopping. Often referred to as the “Harajuku of Taipei,” Ximending has established itself as a major cultural and shopping hub in the city. If you’re planning a visit, here’s a comprehensive guide on the best time to explore Ximending and the must-do activities while you’re there.

Best Time to Visit Ximending, Wanhua District:

1. Fall (October to December):

Weather: The fall season offers mild and pleasant temperatures, which makes it a great time for exploring the streets of Ximending.

Events: You can witness several festivals and events during this time, including the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Weather: Spring is another comfortable season to stroll around Ximending with temperatures being moderate and the beauty of cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Events: Various spring festivals light up the streets, giving visitors a taste of local culture and traditions.

While summer (June to September) brings crowds and occasional rain showers, and winter (January to February) can be a bit chilly, Ximending’s allure is year-round, ensuring there’s always something to explore.

What to do at Ximending:

1. Street Art & Performances:

Wander around the pedestrian streets and marvel at the colorful graffiti, murals, and live street performances. The artsy vibe is infectious, and you’ll find yourself snapping photos at every corner.

2. Shopping Extravaganza:

Dive into the world of fashion, electronics, and quirky finds in the myriad shops of Ximending. Whether you’re hunting for high-end brands or local crafts, the district has it all.

Taste the Street Food: Ximending is a food paradise. Relish local delicacies such as stinky tofu, beef noodles, and bubble tea at the numerous street food stalls.

Cinema Street (Wuchang Street Section 1): If you’re a movie enthusiast, the historic cinema street with its old theaters and indie film houses is a must-visit.

Red House Theater: Built in 1908, this iconic octagonal structure serves as an art space and a hub for LGBTQ+ culture. Don’t miss the weekend craft market held on its premises.

Historical Exploration: Dive deep into the rich history of Wanhua District by visiting heritage sites like Lungshan Temple, a beautiful piece of Taiwanese architecture and spirituality.

Tattoo Parlors: Given the youthful vibe, Ximending is also home to some of Taipei’s best tattoo artists. If you’re looking to get inked, this is the place.

Nightlife: As the sun sets, Ximending comes alive with its pulsating nightlife. From lively bars to chic nightclubs, there’s something for every night owl.

5. The Yangmingshan Sulphur Springs: Tourist Attractions in Taiwan

The enchanting region of Yangmingshan, located just north of Taipei, offers a myriad of natural wonders, and among them, the Sulphur Springs stand out prominently. These natural hot springs, enriched with minerals and surrounded by verdant landscapes, provide an ideal retreat for tourists and locals alike. If you’re contemplating a visit, here’s everything you need to know.

Best Time to Visit the Yangmingshan Sulphur Springs

Spring (February to April): This period stands out for its warm temperatures and vibrant cherry blossoms, setting a picturesque backdrop for the springs. Additionally, the moderate crowd sizes during these months make it an ideal time for a more intimate experience.

Fall (October to November): With the mercury dipping slightly, the warmth of the sulfur springs becomes even more enticing. The golden hues of autumn foliage further enhance the overall scenic beauty.

However, even during the off-peak times, the springs offer their unique charm. It’s always advisable to check the local weather forecast and perhaps even call ahead to inquire about the current conditions of the springs.

What to do at the Yangmingshan Sulphur Springs

Therapeutic Bathing: The mineral-rich water is known for its therapeutic qualities. From skin benefits to relaxing sore muscles, the springs are a balm for both body and soul.

Nature Walks: The region around the springs is adorned with trails that meander through lush landscapes, making it perfect for those looking to combine relaxation with a bit of nature exploration.

Photography: With mist-covered mountains, the stark contrast of the yellow sulfur deposits, and the serene water bodies, there are ample opportunities for capturing some truly mesmerizing shots.

Local Gastronomy: After a relaxing dip, it’s worth exploring the local eateries. Many dishes are prepared using fresh mountain produce, providing a unique culinary experience.

Spa Treatments : Several establishments around the springs offer spa treatments, massages, and holistic therapies. Combined with the natural goodness of the sulfur springs, it’s a complete rejuvenation package.

Cultural Exploration: Delve into the local history and traditions. Some areas around the springs have stalls and exhibits that provide insights into the cultural significance of these waters and their historical usage.

6. Rainbow Village:

An art lover’s paradise, this village is adorned with colorful murals and artworks created by its resident veteran, Huang Yung-fu. A vibrant testament to the power of art and community. This vibrant enclave, with its riot of colors and mesmerizing murals, stands as a testament to the artistic spirit and resilience of its creator, Mr. Huang. 

Best Time to Visit Rainbow Village:

1. Spring (March to May):

Rainbow Village is especially enchanting during the spring. The pleasant weather ensures comfortable wandering around the village, while the blooming flowers and crisp air only add to the enchantment of the colorful murals. Daytime temperatures hover between 20°C to 25°C, making it perfect for outdoor exploration.

2. Autumn (September to November):

If you want to avoid the summer crowds and still enjoy a temperate climate, autumn is your best bet. The golden hues of the fall foliage contrasting with the vibrant murals offer a visual treat.

What to do at Rainbow Village?

Admire the Art: Every inch of the village, from walls to pathways, is adorned with Mr. Huang’s unique doodles and paintings. These artworks narrate tales of his life, dreams, and memories. As you walk around, you’ll feel like you’re inside a living storybook.

Meet the Legend: If you’re lucky, you might just run into the artist himself, Mr. Huang (also known as Rainbow Grandpa). Hearing stories directly from him is an experience in itself.

Photo Sessions: Given its vibrant backdrop, Rainbow Village is every photographer’s dream. Whether you’re a professional or just someone looking to spice up your social media feed, you’ll find countless spots for that perfect shot.

Souvenir Shopping: There are several small stalls where you can buy souvenirs, from hand-painted postcards to tiny replicas of the houses. These make for wonderful keepsakes or gifts.

Cultural Events: Time your visit right, and you might be able to attend one of the cultural events or workshops held in the village. These can range from traditional Taiwanese performances to art workshops.

Relax and Reflect: Amidst the bustling tourism, you’ll find quiet corners in Rainbow Village. Sit down, relax, and soak in the ambiance. The mix of art, history, and tranquility makes it a perfect spot for reflection.

7. Keelung Zhongzheng Park: Tourist Attractions in Taiwan

When it comes to exploring tourist attractions in Taiwan, the island is filled with incredible gems waiting to be discovered. One such gem is Keelung Zhongzheng Park. A beautiful spot that boasts scenic beauty, rich history, and a plethora of activities to indulge in, the park is a must-visit for every traveler. In this article, we’ll guide you through the best time to visit Keelung Zhongzheng Park and the amazing activities you can undertake while you’re there.

The Best Time to Visit Keelung Zhongzheng Park:

Timing is everything, especially when you’re trying to capture the essence of a destination.

1. Spring (March to May): Spring is perhaps the best time to visit Keelung Zhongzheng Park. The weather is mild and the park blossoms with vibrant flowers and greenery. This is also a perfect time to witness and click photographs of the beautiful cherry blossoms that adorn the park.

2. Autumn (September to November): If you’re someone who enjoys the golden hues of falling leaves, then autumn is your season. The temperatures are comfortable, and the park is painted in a medley of gold, brown, and red.

While summer is bustling with tourists and winter is relatively cooler with occasional rains, they can still offer unique experiences for those willing to venture.

What to do at Keelung Zhongzheng Park?

Statue of Guanyin: One of the park’s main highlights is the massive statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. Towering over the park, this statue not only serves as a spiritual symbol but also offers panoramic views of Keelung City and its harbor. A climb up to the statue is both spiritually and visually rewarding.

Historical Exploration: The park is home to several historic sites, including old fort ruins and remnants from past conflicts. These offer a glimpse into Taiwan’s intriguing past, especially its maritime history.

Leisure Walks & Picnics: Keelung Zhongzheng Park, with its meticulously manicured gardens, pond areas, and peaceful ambiance, is ideal for leisurely strolls. Many families and couples come here for picnics, soaking in the serenity.

Visit the Keelung Lighthouse: Situated within the park’s boundaries, this lighthouse is a significant landmark. While it’s operational, visitors can still admire it from a distance.

Attend Local Festivals: If you time your visit right, you might witness some of the local festivals or events that occasionally take place in the park. These offer a firsthand experience of Taiwanese culture and traditions.

Nighttime Strolls : As evening approaches, the park is adorned with beautiful lights, making nighttime strolls magical. This is especially true during festivals when the park is illuminated with various colorful lights and beaches in Taiwan has a variety of beautiful beaches along its coastline, offering visitors opportunities for swimming, water sports, and relaxation.

8. Song of the Forest

Immerse yourself in nature’s serenade at the Song of the Forest. Whether you’re a passionate nature lover, an avid photographer, or a casual traveler, this places to visit in taiwan promises an enchanting experience for everyone. In this guide, we delve into the best times to visit and the myriad of activities you can enjoy there.

1. Spring (March to May) : Spring in Song of the Forest is a canvas of vivid colors. With blossoming flowers, chirping birds, and gentle weather, it is an ideal time for those who wish to experience nature’s rebirth.

2. Autumn (September to November) : If you’re a fan of amber hues, cooler temperatures, and the rustling of leaves, then autumn is your season. The forest radiates a unique charm with trees showcasing a palette of reds, oranges, and yellows.

3. Early Summer (June to mid-July) : Before the heat fully sets in, early summer offers a balanced climate – not too cold, not too hot. This time of the year, the forest is full of life with active fauna and vibrant flora.

What to do at Song of the Forest?

Nature Walks: The forest trails guide visitors through an ever-changing landscape of trees, plants, and wildlife. Each step is an invitation to connect with nature.

Bird Watching: Home to various species, Song of the Forest is a haven for bird enthusiasts. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars!

Photography: With its dynamic sceneries and rich biodiversity, this forest offers endless photography opportunities. From macro shots of dew-kissed leaves to wider landscape shots, there’s something for every photographer.

Meditation & Yoga: Seek inner peace in the forest’s tranquil surroundings. Many travelers find a spot to meditate or practice yoga amidst the serene sounds of nature.

Camp Under the Stars: For a truly immersive experience, consider camping. The forest’s night symphony accompanied by a blanket of stars promises an unforgettable night.

Guided Tours: To truly understand the forest’s ecosystem and history, join a guided tour. Local experts share fascinating tales and insights that enrich your experience.

9. National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall: Tourist Attractions in Taiwan

The National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is not just an iconic monument in Taiwan; it’s a deep dive into the country’s modern history and a testament to its past struggles and triumphs. Situated in the heart of Taipei, this sprawling edifice with its lush gardens and awe-inspiring architecture is a must-visit for every traveler.

Best Time to Visit National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall:

1. Weather Wise: Tourist Attractions in Taiwan

Taipei has a subtropical climate, which means it experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters. For comfortable sightseeing, consider visiting during the fall (October to December). During these months, the weather is cooler and rainfall is relatively less. Spring, from March to May, is also a pleasant time though it can be a bit rainier.

2. Cultural Events:

If you want to witness the hall in its full glory, plan your visit around October 10th, which is the National Day of Tourist Attractions in Taiwan. Not only is the weather great, but you’ll also get to experience various cultural events, parades, and performances.

What to do at National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall?

Witness the Changing of the Guard: One of the major attractions of the Memorial Hall is the hourly Changing of the Guard ceremony. It’s a meticulously choreographed event that showcases the discipline and dedication of the soldiers. Make sure to get there a bit early to grab a good spot for viewing.

Explore the Main Hall: The octagonal roof of the main hall, symbolizing good fortune, is a sight to behold. Inside, you’ll find a statue of Chiang Kai-Shek, with inscriptions translated as “Ethics”, “Democracy”, and “Science” on the walls – representing his ideals for the nation.

Delve into History at the Exhibition Hall: The lower levels of the monument house an exhibition space detailing the life and times of Chiang Kai-Shek. Through photographs, personal belongings, and documents, get a detailed understanding of Taiwan’s history and the leader’s role in it.

Relax in the Garden: The surrounding gardens are not only beautifully maintained, but they also offer a serene environment. Here, you can find ponds filled with koi, picturesque bridges, and a myriad of local flora.

Attend Cultural Performances: The National Theater and Concert Hall, located within the Memorial Hall complex, often hosts cultural performances, concerts, and theater shows. Check the schedule and book in advance if something catches your eye.

Shop for Souvenirs: There are several souvenir shops in the vicinity where you can purchase mementos and gifts, ranging from postcards to handicrafts and books about Taiwanese history.

10. Shifen Waterfall

Often referred to as ‘Taiwan’s Niagara Falls’, Shifen is a majestic sight, cascading down amidst lush green surroundings. Located in the Pingxi District of New Taipei City, Shifen Waterfall stands as one of the most breathtaking natural tourist attractions in Taiwan. Often referred to as the “Little Niagara of Taiwan,” this cascade draws innumerable visitors each year, all eager to witness its grandeur. 

Best Time to Visit Shifen Waterfall: Tourist Attractions in Taiwan

1. The Spring (March to May):

Spring is arguably the best time to visit Shifen Waterfall. The landscape is adorned with fresh blooms, painting a vivid backdrop against the roaring cascade. Temperatures are pleasant, and the refreshing spray from the waterfall is especially invigorating during this time.

2. The Autumn (September to November):

Autumn offers a different, yet equally enchanting perspective. The foliage turns a fiery shade of red and orange, providing a stark contrast to the glistening blue water. The weather is also comfortable, making it ideal for exploration.

While summer sees a spike in visitors due to vacation season, the high rainfall can sometimes lead to muddy paths. Winters, on the other hand, are chilly, but the reduced number of tourists means you get a more serene experience.

What to do at Shifen Waterfall?

Sightseeing & Photography: The vast expanse of the waterfall surrounded by lush greenery offers a picturesque setting. Whether you’re a professional photographer or someone looking to capture memories on a smartphone, Shifen Waterfall won’t disappoint.

Shifen Old Street: After soaking in the views of the waterfall, head to Shifen Old Street. This historic street, with its traditional shops and stalls, offers an array of local delicacies and souvenirs. Here, you can also partake in the age-old tradition of releasing sky lanterns.

Nature Trails: There are several nature trails around the waterfall. These paths are great for leisurely strolls, allowing you to immerse yourself in the surrounding flora and fauna.

Picnics: There are designated picnic areas near the waterfall. Pack a meal, and enjoy it with the melodious sound of cascading water in the background.

Visit the Suspension Bridge: For those looking for a panoramic view of the waterfall, the nearby suspension bridge is a must-visit. From here, you can get an unobstructed view of the waterfall and its surrounding beauty.

11. Dragon and Tigers Pagodas in Kaohsiung: Tourist Attractions in Taiwan

Steeped in rich history and teeming with architectural elegance, the Dragon and Tigers Pagodas in Kaohsiung stand as significant landmarks in tourist attractions in Taiwan. These pagodas not only offer a glimpse into Chinese traditions but are also a testament to the confluence of art and culture. If you’re planning a visit, this article will guide you on when is the best time to embark on this journey and what activities await you.

Best Time to Visit the Dragon and Tigers Pagodas:

1. Autumn (October to December): Fall is arguably the most favored season to visit Kaohsiung. The weather is pleasant with minimal rainfall, offering clear skies that illuminate the pagodas in all their glory. The slightly crisp air complements the serene surroundings.

2. Winter (January to March): Kaohsiung’s winter is mild. The cooler temperatures make for comfortable exploration. However, be wary of the Chinese New Year crowds if you choose to visit during late January or early February.

3. Spring (April to June) : This period brings with it blossoming flowers, making the vicinity of the pagodas even more picturesque. While the weather is warmer, it’s still pleasant enough for sightseeing.

Summer (July to September) is usually hot and humid, accompanied by occasional typhoons, making it a less preferred time. If you’re not a fan of sultry conditions, it’s best to avoid these months.

What Can You Do at the Dragon and Tigers Pagodas?

Enter Through the Dragon and Exit Through the Tiger: Tradition has it that entering the dragon’s mouth and exiting from the tiger’s mouth turns bad luck into good fortune. It’s a ritual many visitors partake in, symbolizing turning away from fear and moving towards courage.

Marvel at the Art and Sculptures: Inside the pagodas, you’re greeted with paintings and sculptures depicting various Chinese legends, including scenes from the 24 Filial Exemplars.

Climb to the Top: Each pagoda stands seven stories high. Climbing to the top not only provides an up-close view of the pagoda’s detailed design but also offers panoramic vistas of Kaohsiung, especially the Lotus Pond.

Attend the Lantern Festival: If you happen to visit during the Chinese New Year, you can witness the splendid Lantern Festival around the Lotus Pond. The entire area, including the pagodas, is adorned with glowing lanterns, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.

Stroll Around Lotus Pond: Surrounding the Dragon and Tigers Pagodas is the Lotus Pond, dotted with temples and pavilions. It’s a tranquil place to take a leisurely stroll, with reflections of the pagodas shimmering in the water.

Explore Nearby Attractions: After exploring the pagodas, visit other attractions around the Lotus Pond, such as the Spring and Autumn Pavilions or the Confucius Temple, to make the most of your day in the area.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Taiwan, with its diverse attractions ranging from natural wonders to bustling urban centers, promises an enriching experience for all. Its unique blend of the ancient and modern, intertwined with the warmth of its people, ensures that Tourist Attractions in Taiwan remain an irresistible attraction in the heart of Asia.

Taiwan, with its rich tapestry of modernity and tradition, bustling cities, and serene landscapes, presents a multifaceted experience to travelers. This expert guide touches upon just a few of its wonders. Dive deep into Taiwan’s attractions to truly grasp the heart and soul of this remarkable island nation. For more Articles visit  Journey Index .

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Tourist Places in Taiwan

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National Palace Museum

Rainbow Village

Taroko Gorge

Sun Moon Lake

Yangmingshan National Park

Beitou Hot Springs

Best of Philippines

Dragon Tiger Tower

Xinshe Sea of Flowers

The Lin Family Mansion and Garden

Zushi Temple

Wusheng Night Market

Chimei Museum

The Pier-2 Art Centre

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Places to Visit in Taipei

Shilin night market.

Tao-Yuan-Street Beef Noodle Shop

Longshan Temple

Huaxi Street Night Market

Raohe Street Night Market

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Miramar Entertainment Park

Nangang District Hiking Trail

Places to Visit in Taichung

Carton king creativity park.

Chungbuk Fall Pine

Gaomei Wetland

Lihpao Land

FengJia Night Market

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PaoChueh Temple

National Museum of Natural Science

Art Stock 20

Donghai night market.

Dakeng Scenic Area

921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan

Places to visit in xinbei, tian yuen temple.

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Lao Mei Green Reef

Shifen Waterfall

Jiufen Old Street

Wulai Falls

Juming Museum

Wulai Hot Spring

Places to Visit in Kaohsiung

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The Dome of Light

Fo Guang Shan

Lianchi (Lotus) Lake

Cijin Island

Places to Visit in Tainan

Anping tree house.

Chihkan Tower

Anping Fort

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Guanziling Hot Spring

Other Places to Visit in Taiwan

Wanli ufo village.

Grand Matsu Temple

Lotus Lake Taoist Complex

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18 Best Places to Visit in Taiwan in 2024! Taiwan Tourist Spots!

Categories Asia , Taiwan

Taiwan may be a small island but it is full of incredible places to visit in Taiwan! Taiwan Tourist Spots include  cultural-historic cities , port cities,   modern cities , National Parks and Islands , Taiwan really has it all!

Best of all, it’s easy to travel around Taiwan by train and bus and thanks to the size of Taiwan island, it’s possible to see a lot of Taiwan in 1 week or 2 weeks . Although if you have 1 month in Taiwan to spare, I’d say to go for it as you won’t regret visiting Taiwan!

Best Places to Visit in Taiwan

Related Posts:  2 Week Taiwan Itinerary!  / 1 Week Taiwan Itinerary! / How Much I Spent in Taiwan!

FIRST TIMERS GUIDE TO TAIWAN

I’ve been to Taiwan twice. I love the country so much! I have written lots of posts to help you visit Taiwan, start with my 8 Helpful Tips For Planning a Trip to Taiwan from Start to Finish and the Best Places to Visit in Taiwan !

TAIWAN SIM CARD The best way to stay connected in Taiwan is to buy this EasyCard & Sim Card package deal in advance . You’ll need an EasyCard to get around on transport in Taiwan anyway and at the same time you can get a Taiwan Sim Card with 4G and pick them up at Taipei Taoyuan Airport when you land!

GETTING AROUND TAIWAN

The Metro within cities in Taiwan is really great, easy to use and so safe. You’ll need an EasyCard which you top up with credit to use the metro and buses. To get around Taiwan, I loved travelling by train . As a tourist, we can’t use the direct Taiwan train booking system. Instead you can go to a train station a few days before and purchase your ticket, or book online in advance using 12GO Asia !

Taipei is the capital city of Taiwan and in all honesty, although Taiwan has so much to offer as you’ll see below, spending just 2-3 days in Taipei will give you a really good insight into what Taiwan is like and if you happen to decide to spend longer in Taipei, like 5 days in Taipei, you’ll have plenty of things to do in Taipei as it’s the biggest out of the Taiwan Tourist Spots!

I think Taipei is one of the most underrated cities in Asia and one of the best places to visit in Taiwan !

Related Post:  12 Taipei Travel Tips and Things To Know about Taipei!

I love Taipei because it’s a really easy city to get around. There are plenty of Taipei attractions and things to do in Taipei to keep you busy but because it’s not a super popular city and apart from the Taipei 101, which you must visit, there are no other super iconic places which make sightseeing in Taipei pretty relaxed.

If you’re interested in what to do in Taipei you can sightsee at places like the Taipei 101 and Chiang Kai-Shek Monument Hall which is probably the second most iconic place in Taipei . But you can also visit the themed cafes of Taipei like a toilet restaurant and the Friends cafe. Hit up a night market in Taipei like Shilin Night Market and Raohe Night Market which Taiwan is very famous for, and go hiking up Elephant Mountain.

Aside from the must-see places in Taipei , other reasons I love Taipei is because the Taipei Metro (MRT) is incredibly efficient and easy to use, it’s a safe city, the people in Taipei are lovely and there’s so much accommodation making it the best welcome to Taiwan that you can have!

Recommended days to spend in Taipei: 2-5 days.

Day Trips from Taipei

What’s really great about Taipei is how many places to visit near Taipei there are! Here are some of the most popular day trips from Taipei and places near Taipei that can be visited in just a few hours and are also best places to visit in Taiwan :

To learn about the Japanese colonisation to modern-day Taiwan and eat some amazing street food, visiting Juifen from Taipei is a good idea as it’s one of the biggest Taiwan tourist spots.

Explore the Northeast Coast of Taipei and stroll through Jiufen Village. Learn about Taiwan’s mining history and enjoy a scenic tour along the Northeast Coast.

If you’ve seen photos of an old street with street lanterns near Taipei, this is Shifen, definitely one of the most popular and best places to visit in Taiwan!

4. Yehliu Geopark

You’ll be mistaken for even being in Taiwan here! Here is my friends guide on h ow to get to Yehliu Geopark from Taipei !

It’s very possible to see Juifen, Shifen and Yehliu in one day on a day tour , in fact, this is the best way to do it so keep this day tour from Taipei in mind when planning your Taipei itinerary.

Join a group tour from Taipei to North Taiwan, where you’ll discover Yehliu Geopark’s rock formations, Jiufen’s mountain village, and launch sky lanterns in Pingxi.

5. Beitou Hot Springs

Closer to Taipei than you’d think, this slice of nature with actual hot springs is a good half-day trip from Taipei.

Explore the volcanic terrains of Yangmingshan National Park, visiting numerous historically and culturally important sites like the Beitou Hot Spring Museum.

6. Yangmingshan National Park

To go hiking in Taipei and for another one of the best places to visit in Taiwan , head to this National Park near Taipei!

7. Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is a port city in Southern Taiwan and if you don’t fly into Taipei you’ll probably fly into Kaohsiung or out of Kaohsiung as it has the second biggest airport in Taiwan. 

Kaohsiung’s tourism is increasing a lot, it used to be a city that tourists didn’t go to, but not anymore. This is now one of the  best places to visit in Taiwan!

Related Post: Best things to do in Kaohsiung & 2-3 Day Kaohsiung itinerary

For things to do in Kaohsiung, if you like temples, there are plenty of temples in Kaohsiung to visit, especially around Lotus Pond which used to have the perfect Feng Shui, plus there’s an incredibly huge and impressive Buddhist Monastery near Kaohsiung.

There are 3 brilliant night markets to visit, a unique and cool creativity park called Pier 2 , and you can catch a ferry over to Cijin Island which will make you feel like you’re on holiday!

Kaohsiung is easy to get around thanks to its MRT system and although many of the Kaohsiung attractions may seem far apart, by MRT they are all really easy to get to.

Recommended days to spend in Kaohsiung: 2-3 days.

To help you plan your trip around Taiwan, have a look at all of my Taiwan Blog Posts here!

8. Taichung

To be honest, Taichung is pretty hard work to visit but I have to include it in this list of best places to visit in Taiwan because the best reason to go to Taichung is for its day trips!

Related Posts: 1-3 Day Itinerary for Taichung &  How To Do a Day Trip from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake.

As a city, there are not many tourist attractions in Taichung and it’s hard to get around as everything is very spread out and there’s no metro system, not like in Taipei or Kaohsiung.

Things to do in Taichung include visiting the Rainbow Village which is really nice to visit although very small so it takes an hour max, and it takes about 30 minutes by taxi from Taichung city to the Rainbow Village or a lot longer by bus.

Taichung has a few night markets and Fengjia Night Market is the largest one in Taiwan, and that’s saying a lot so this is worth visiting.

Another thing Taichung is popular for is its fame for being the creator of Bubble Tea. Chun Shiu Tang on Siwei Street is the original Bubble Tea store in Taichung and a popular place to visit in Taichung. In all honesty, though, Chun Shiu Tang is a chain of Bubble Tea stores in Taiwan and the tea you’ll get in here will be the same and there’s nothing particularly special about the Chun Shiu Original Store in Taichung, and it gets busy!

Recommended days to spend in Taichung: 1 or 2-3 if you want to take day trips.

9. Sun Moon Lake

It’s really easy to get a bus from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake and do a day trip to Sun Moon Lake from Taichung.

At the bus stop, they sell Sun Moon Lake passes which include bus travel, a boat ticket, a ropeway ticket and they can include bike hire too. It takes 1.5-2 hours to travel from Taichung City to Sun Moon Lake and once you’re there you need about 4-5 hours to see the lake and head over to Ita Thao Village. Even though you don’t need long, based on my trip, its still one of the best places to visit in Taiwan and a big Taiwan tourist spot!

Related Post:  How To Do a Sun Moon Lake Day Trip from Taichung!

10. Dakeng Hiking Trails

From Taichung you can also get a bus to Dakeng Hiking Trails.

There are a number of hiking trails and they are numbered, note that some of them are harder than others and the Dakeng trails in Taichung can get very busy on weekends so it’s the best time to go hiking in Taichung is on a weekday if you can. The easier trails get particularly busier than the harder trails too.

11. Hualien  

Hualien is a city along the East Coast of Taiwan, the city itself doesn’t offer much in terms of Taiwan tourism but it is a great base to see more of Taiwan’s impressive East Coast from which one of the big attractions in Taiwan!

If you are confident in riding a scooter/moped, this is the best way to get out from Hualien and explore the coast. Places to visit near Hualien on Taiwan’s East Coast include Beibin Park,   Nanbin Park  and Four-Eight Highland .

In addition to this, for things to do in Hualien, I found the Hualien Night Market to be good so make sure you make time to eat there one evening.

If you don’t want to hire a scooter or a car, I found the bus system is a pretty good way of how to get around Hualien and I used the public bus to go to Taroko National Park .

Recommended days to spend in Taichung: 2-3 including Taroko National Park

12. Taroko National Park

I visited Taroko National Park as a day trip from Hualien and it’s one of the best places to visit in Taiwan if you want to go hiking in Taiwan !

Related Post:  How to Do a Day Trip to Taroko National Park via Bus from Hualien!

To hike some of trails in Taroko National Park you need to get a permit which can be tricky to get, however it is possible to hike many of the trails in Taroko Park without a permit, including the famous Taroko Gorge , and there’s even a regular bus service throughout the park if walking isn’t for you or you want to walk and get the bus (which is what I did, you can read about this here).

The centre of Taiwan is full of nature and hiking in Taiwan is one of the popular things to do in Taiwan for tourists and for locals.  Taroko National Park is one of the most visited National Parks’s in Taiwan due to its ease so I think this should be on your Taiwan itinerary to show you another side of the Island to the big cities.

Tour Taroko Gorge, an Asian wonder, in a day from Taipei, guided by your personal driver. Experience striking attractions and scenic trails.

Note that Taroko, like all of Taiwan’s hiking trails and National Parks, gets very busy on weekends as lots of Taiwanese like to venture out hiking too so if you have the flexibility I’d recommend that the best time to visit Taroko National Park is during the week.

Recommended days to spend at Taroko National Park: 1 day.

Tainan used to be the capital of Taiwan back in 1683–1887 but it’s still the cultural capital of Taiwan now and therefore a good place to visit in Taiwan. Although initially, the city seems pretty similar to Taichung in architecture once you reach the centre you’ll start to see the history.

Tainan has a big Dutch influence thanks to the Dutch occupying the South of Taiwan for a number of years and this can be best seen at Fort Provincia and Chihkan Tower which used to be a Dutch outpost and are popular things to do in Tainan. Shennong Street tucked between the many normal streets of Tainan is a pleasant surprise filled with little shops and restaurants and many Chinese lanterns. This may be the Taiwan you have been thinking of.

More things to do in Tainan include visiting  Anping where you can visit Fort Zeelandia and Anping Tree House for fairly unique places to see in Taiwan as no other city I’ve seen has these kinds of attractions. Finally, Tainan isn’t short of night markets and the most popular night market in Tainan is the Flower Night Market .

The only downside to Tainan, in my opinion, is its lack of metro like Taichung and the fact that Uber doesn’t currently work in Tainan so you have to use the buses (which can be tricky to work out in Taiwan I’ve found) or get a taxi by the meter so keep this in mind when planning your best places to visit in Taiwan!

Recommended days to spend in Tainan: 1-2 days.

• Related Posts:
• 2 Week Taiwan Itinerary!
•   1 Week Taiwan Itinerary!
• How Much I Spent in Taiwan!

14. Taitung

Taitung is much less visited than other cities in Taiwan but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go and if you are not a ‘city person’, Taitung will be a good place to visit because you can hire a scooter and be in Taitung county seeing nature and more of the East Coast of Taiwan in a short amount of time.

One of the popular Taitung attractions is the aboriginal tribes and people, in Taitung you’ll be able to learn about them and taste some of the local aboriginal food, one of the big reasons it’s one of the best places to visit in Taiwan!

Recommended days to spend in Taitung: 1-2 days.

15. Kenting National Park

Kenting is in the very Southern tip of Taiwan and closest to Kaohsiung. Some blog posts recommend that you can visit Kenting National Park on a day trip from Kaohsiung but the bus takes a few hours so it will be a long day.

The best way to see Kenting is to hire a car or get the bus to Kenting from Kaohsiung and hire scooters but do be sure to look into the situation around driving licences. 

Kenting does look beautiful online with incredible white beaches and Kenting Town is full of restaurants and bars, but I heard from 2 different travellers that they didn’t enjoy it that much which is what made me decide not to go.

I don’t think Kenting is a good place for solo travellers to visit in Taiwan due to how to get around, but it does seem good for families or a group.

Recommended days to spend in Kenting National Park: 2-3 days.

16. Green Island

Taiwan is not just about the mainland, there are islands in Taiwan to visit too! Green Island Taiwan is a volcanic island located on the south-east coast of Taiwan and is accessible by boat from Taitung or by plane from Taipei or Taitung airports.

The best way to get around Green Island is by electric scooter, you can explore the island in just a few hours due to its size and explore the beaches on Green island, its local villages and its history at places like the Human Rights Memorial.

Recommended days to spend on Green Island: 2-3 days.

17. Penghu Islands

Located on the western side of Taiwan are the  Penghu Islands which are one of Taiwan’s best-kept secrets! The Penghu Islands are made up of 90 islands, although a number of these are uninhabited. Things to do in Penghu Island include surfing and windsurfing in its awesome waves. Penghu also has the world’s first submarine postbox you can dive or underwater helmet-walk to send a waterproof postcard.

Recommended days to spend in Penghu Islands: 2-3 days.

18. Keelung

Keelung is in the very North of Taiwan and is another Taiwanese port city. I docked here for a day on a cruise trip around Japan.

There are a few things to do in Keelung like visiting Temples , Chung Cheng Park , an abandoned building and it’s night market but in all honesty, there are not many tourist attractions in Keelung so if you are on a tight itinerary for Taiwan , I’d recommend leaving Keelung or going on a day trip from Taipei to Keelung as there are much better cities in Taiwan to visit.

Experience Keelung on foot with a local, savoring Taiwanese street food at the Night Market, featuring delicacies like herbal tea and curry noodles.

Recommended days to spend in Keelung: 0.5-1 day.

How to Get Around Taiwan?

Trains in taiwan.

Now you know the best places to visit in Taiwan, how easy is it to get around Taiwan?

It’s actually very easy! Taiwan is connected by train the whole way around the island . There are train lines that loop of the outer edge of the island. Trains in Taiwan are fairly inexpensive (not like Japan!), and for most train journeys in Taiwan, you can choose from the TRA which is a local train but is still very quick and comfy, or HSR which is the high-speed rail train. The high-speed trains in Taiwan are extremely fast and they do cost more than the TRA. However, due to the small size of Taiwan, all trains will take between 1-4 hours.

For tourists in Taiwan you can buy train packages like this which give you unlimited train travel in Taiwan for a certain amount of days:

3 Day Tourist Rail Pass for Taiwan’s High-Speed Trains.

5 Day Tourist Rail Pass for Taiwan’s Local and High-Speed Trains.

You can also buy train tickets online via Klook for Taiwan’s trains for example:

High-Speed Train from Taipei to Taichung.

High-Speed Train from Taipei to Tainan.

12GO Asia is another way you can book trains in Taiwan and check the running schedule. 12GO Asia is the biggest transport booking platform in Asia, so book your Taiwan train here !

Buses are another way to get around Taiwan and buses connect all of the major cities . For example, Taipei to Taichung is a popular bus route in Taiwan.

TAIWAN ITINERARY HELP

Here are my top Taiwan itinerary posts to help your plan your trip:

• 1 week Taiwan Itinerary!
• 18 Best Places to Visit in Taiwan!
• How to Plan a Trip to Taiwan!

TAIWAN ON A BUDGET

Taiwan isn’t the cheapest country but it’s not the most expensive either and can be travelled on a reasonable budget. Here’s my post on the cost of travel in Taiwan and how to travel Taiwan on a budget !

Car Hire in Taiwan

Hiring a car in Taiwan is very popular, the roads and driving in Taiwan is extremely good, not like many other Asian countries which foreigners can find hard to drive in. I met a few people who had hired a car in Taiwan so I recommend looking into this to give yourself total freedom.

When it comes to getting around Taiwan cities, as mentioned above, Taipei and Kaohsiung have the MRT metro which is easy and reliant to use. Other cities without a metro have a bus system, Uber also works in most places in Taiwan.

To get around on public transport in Taiwan you’ll need an EasyCard which can be used throughout the country.

If you are flying into Taoyuan Taipei Airport you can buy an EasyCard and Sim Card package deal at the airport to save you time and hassle!

Best Time of Year to Visit Taiwan

I have visited Taiwan in March and early November which are both great times to visit Taiwan as the weather was good, not wet and not too hot.

In the summer months, Taiwan gets extremely hot and sweaty as well as bringing rainy season with it so summer in Taiwan is not a good time of year to travel to Taiwan. In winter in Taiwan, the country cools down, especially in Taipei in the North however it doesn’t get too cold.

The best months to visit Taiwan are during Spring and Autumn I say

• More of my Taiwan Posts:
•   2 Week Taiwan Itinerary!
• 1 Week Taiwan Itinerary!
• ALL TAIWAN POSTS

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Friday 27th of December 2019

Dear Ellie, I just found your amazing blogs and vlogs! I will be going to Taiwan in April and I will be definitely sourcing from your precious articles. Also, you gave me lot of courage to travel solo since all my family is scared about it. I love your style of travelling. Thank you so much! I would have one question.. do you recommend any site for searching the train/ bus timetable? I will not rent a car and would like to round the island clockwise :) Have a great travels and thank you for inspiring! Simona (Prague)

TheWanderingQuinn

Tuesday 7th of January 2020

Hello, this is so nice to hear and thank you for letting me know. Taiwan is so incredibly safe and the people are really nice so you will be fine. To be honest, I have always found it hard to find train times online, I don't think people book them online there. The best thing to do is to go to the station when you arrive and ask then and book a ticket for a few days time. It seems like everyone does it and I have never had a problem with trains or buses being fully booked in advance. :)

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

17 Things to See and Do in Taiwan

I lived in Taiwan for a few months as an English teacher. I loved my time there and have always felt the country was really under-appreciated. Carrie Kellenberger is an expat who has been living in Taiwan for ten years. She runs My Several Worlds and in this guest post she lists out all the amazing things you should see and do there!

Every country in Asia is beautiful, but Taiwan is special for many reasons. The people are warm and hospitable, it’s incredibly budget-friendly , and, according to the UN’s yearly World Happiness Report, Taiwan consistently ranks as one of the happiest places in East Asia .

While it might be a small island, you would be amazed at the never-ending variety of sights and fun things to do here. With over a hundred mountain peaks above 3,000 meters (9,800 feet), over a hundred hot springs scattered around the island, both golden and black-sand beaches, nine national parks, world-class museums, glittering skyscrapers, stunning temples, and a huge number of night markets that are second to none, Taiwan has something that everyone can enjoy.

Here’s my list of the best things to do Taiwan to help you plan your trip and make the most of your visit!

Table of Contents

1. Eat, Eat Eat (Especially at the Night Markets)!

2. experience taiwanese tea culture, 3. check out the northern coastline, 4. hit the beaches, 5. soak in the hot springs, 6. go island hopping, 7. visit tainan, taiwan’s oldest city, 8. see old taiwan, 9. get off the beaten track on orchid island and green island, 10. explore the mountains, 11. go hiking in taroko national park, 12. head east, 13. witness some chaos, 14. see tianhou temple, 15. explore fo guang shan monastery, 16. visit a taiwanese aboriginal village, 17. take part in the pingxi lantern festival.

There are over 30 night markets in Taipei , New Taipei, and Keelung (and over 70 night markets across Taiwan). My personal favorites are Shilin, Keelung, and Raohe Street in Taipei.

Don’t miss eating xiao long bao, also known as soup dumplings, a favorite staple food here. They are made out of a thin pastry folded into a type of bag that is then stuffed full with a meat-and-vegetable mixture and a tiny amount of soup, then garnished with raw ginger and soy sauce. Biting into one of these is a flavor explosion in your mouth.

If you’d like to really dive deep into the different sides of Taiwanese cuisine, take a guided food tour . On this food tour, you’ll first dine at the Michelin-starred Din Tai Fung (famous for their xiao long bao) and then experience the Raohe Street night market, all with a local guide.  

The Taiwanese also have their own type of tea ceremony that takes elements from both Chinese and Japanese tea ceremonies while adding their own cultural flair. Here, tea ceremonies are less focused on the rules and more about bringing people together.

Jiufen, Jwu Jiu Teahouse, and Pinglin are some of the best places to visit if you want to sample tea and learn more about how it’s made. You can also ride the Maokong Gondola up a mountain to a secluded teahouse where you can take in the amazing views while enjoying some tea.  

Guided tours are also available . The benefit to these tours is that you’ll have someone explain what you’re seeing. Signage isn’t great. If you can, I would definitely recommend a guided tour.  

Beaches may not be the first thing that you think of when Taiwan comes to mind. But with almost 1,000 miles of coastline (it is an island after all!), a great beach is never that far away.

Each region of the country offers something different. For example, the north is best known for its golden and black-sand beaches, while Kenting on the southern tip of the island offers a lively beachside nightlife. White Sand Bay is the most popular and a great place to soak up the sun, swim, snorkel, or even go diving (just keep an eye out for jellyfish!). Other great beaches are South Bay and Little Bali Bay.  

As part of the Taipei metro area, Beitou is easily reachable by metro. Prices start at 60 TWD per person for a soak in Beitou Public Hot Spring, making it a very affordable choice for anyone looking for some R&R. If you’d like to splash out, there are plenty of more upscale hotels and resorts too.  

The beautiful islands of Penghu just off Taiwan’s western coastline comprise the biggest archipelago and are especially well known for their golden beaches. All of the islands are distinct, and you can take a boat that will drop you off at one island for a few hours and then take you to the next one, so you can literally go from snorkeling to observing sea turtles to wandering through traditional villages made out of coral in a single day.  

This is Taiwan’s oldest urban area, established by the Dutch East India Company in 1624. Located in the south near Kaohsiung, Tainan was the capital of Taiwan from 1683-1887. There are all kinds of temples to visit here (don’t miss the Confucius Temple), several night markets, a historic old town, and a massive department store reminiscent of the Ginza district in Tokyo. There is also a nearby mangrove and wildlife reserve (it’s part of Taijiang National Park) just 30 minutes away by car.  

Additionally, you’ll be able to see historical military sites like underground tunnels and bunkers hidden in the countryside, and visit insightful museums to learn more about the unique history of the islands. The region is also known as being the producer of Taiwan’s famous gaoliang (kaoliang) grain alcohol, made from fermented sorghum.  

Located just off the southeastern coast, these lush islands are a treat to visit. Here you’ll find hiking, swimming, and diving. The best way to explore these islands is by renting a scooter so that you can get further off the beaten path and have an adventure exploring at your own pace.

Green Island has amazing saltwater hot springs — one of only three such hot springs in the world! Orchid Island is home to the indigenous Tao people, Taiwan’s most isolated indigenous tribe. They’re best-known for their traditional hand-carved wooden canoes and underground homes.  

If you want to stretch your legs, climb to the summit of beautiful Jade Mountain and watch the sunrise (it takes two days to hike). This beautiful peak is almost 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level, giving it sweeping views in every direction.

Wuling Peak on Hehuan Mountain, around 3,275 meters (10,745 feet) above sea level, is another good hike for anyone looking to spend more time outdoors. But what really makes this place special is that the peak is so high, you can look down into a sea of clouds below!  

Ready for another city break? This national park covers 92,000 hectares (360 square miles) and offers visitors a chance to hike the numerous trails through mountainous terrain and dramatic gorges. You can stop to dip your feet in swiftly flowing mountain rivers and to marvel at the shrines and temples.

You can visit the park solo (which, if you’re staying in the nearby town, is easy to do) or as part of a full-day tour from Taipei . If you’re tight on time, the guided tour is the best option because it comes with transportation and a guide. Admission to the park is free.  

To really enjoy Taiwan’s majestic beauty, don’t forget Taiwan’s eastern coastline like most international visitors do! The east coast highway has some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the world, from plunging sea cliffs and splashing surf to beaches, nature reserves, and rural towns a world away from the big city.

For maximum flexibility, Taiwan’s East Coast is best explored on a road trip, though there are buses that go down the coast. There is also a train line that hugs the coast a bit when heading south from Taipei, though it then veers inland.  

The center of the neighborhood is the Red House, a well-known cultural landmark and marketplace where local artisans sell their wares. The massive outdoor plaza behind it is the epicenter of the city’s LGBTQ scene and is surrounded by many different welcoming bars and shops.

Give yourself bonus points for checking out all the super cool street art; you won’t find it on the main thoroughfares, but if you venture onto some of the smaller side streets, you’ll soon find yourself in a world of brightly decorated alleys and lanes.  

While you’re in Ximending, it’s worth stopping by one of the oldest temples in the city, Tianhou (also known as the Ximending Mazu Temple, after the in-house deity Mazu, goddess of the sea). Around since 1746, it’s one of three major temples in Taiwan from the Qing period. It’s located on a main thoroughfare but it’s very easy to miss the entrance.

Stepping through the entrance to this beautiful Taoist temple filled with mythological creatures, smoky incense, lucky goldfish, and people paying respect to the gods is truly a surreal experience. You’d never know this quiet oasis is in one of the busiest areas of Taipei !  

One of the central features of the complex is the Buddha Museum, which houses tooth relics of the Buddha himself along with various shrines, galleries, exhibitions, vegetarian restaurants, and even a Starbucks (really). Behind the museum lies the Great Path of Buddhahood, a broad pathway flanked by eight identical pagodas, leading up to the 108-meter-high golden Big Buddha.

I’ve been to many temples and monasteries in my lifetime, but this one takes the cake.  

If you can’t make it to Orchid Island (see above), there are plenty of other places to learn about indigenous Taiwanese tribes. The Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village near Sun Moon Lake is the most popular destination. It’s the largest outdoor museum in the country and is half cultural village, half amusement park. Each of the nine small villages in the park represent and are run by a different tribe. In each, you can watch cultural performances and see how a variety of traditional crafts are made.  

One of the coolest events in Taiwan, the Pingxi Lantern Festival involves releasing hundreds of paper lanterns into the sky. (Many newlyweds also include this meaningful tradition as a part of their wedding celebration.) If you don’t want to brave the crowds, you can easily purchase a lantern and light one on any of Taiwan’s beaches. This is one of the biggest events in all of Taiwan so be sure to get tickets in advance to avoid the ticket lines.

Taiwan is very environmentally friendly, so make sure you go with the eco-friendly paper lantern options that disintegrate, leaving no residue, and don’t cause fires. The company My Taiwan Tour also currently offers biodegradable paper lantern tours in Shifen.

There are many things about Taiwan that make it an incredible place to live; it’s easy to take some of those things for granted once you’ve been here for a while. I frequently hear that people think Taiwan is very Westernized, and while I agree that it is to some extent, there are still plenty of authentic Taiwanese experiences to be had!

Taiwan is and continues to be an unexpected travel destination that continues to delight visitors to this day. There is no place like it!

Canadian expat Carrie Kellenberger has been living in Asia since 2003. She moved to Taiwan in 2006 and became a permanent resident in 2012. She loves entertaining guests and travelers to Taiwan. You can read about her adventures and life there at her blog, My Several Worlds .

Book Your Trip to Taiwan: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner . They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Two of my favorite places to stay are:

• Formosa 101
• Meander Taipei

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Taiwan? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Taiwan for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Where to go in taiwan — 19+ must-see & best places to visit in taiwan.

Taiwan is a small island nicknamed Formosa – a beautiful island with a population of 23 million people. Although it is an island nation, most of Taiwan’s territory is covered with green forests and mountains. The perfect natural scenery has created captivating landscapes, attracting a large number of tourists from all over the world. So, where should I go in Taiwan, where to go in Taiwan and where to visit in Taiwan? Let’s check out our suggested top places to visit in Taiwan and best places to go in Taiwan, best places to see in Taiwan, best places to travel in Taiwan, best places to visit in Taiwan which including 10 best places to visit in Taiwan, must go places in Taiwan, must see places in Taiwan, must visit places in Taiwan, top 10 places to visit in Taiwan, beautiful places to visit in Taiwan as follows!

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Join us to discover some of Taiwan’s tourist attractions that impress visitors with their dynamic and futuristic vibes. On top of that are majestic natural landscapes of long picturesque coastlines, overlapping mountains, vast forests, and calm rivers and lakes.

Tourist attractions in Taipei (#best places to visit in taiwan)

Taipei 101 tower is the pride of the Taiwanese people and one of the symbols of Taipei City. After 5 years of construction at a cost of up to 1.76 billion USD, this was once the tallest tower in the world.

With the height of a skyscraper and unique architecture, it is one of the world’s architectural landmarks and a tourist destination in Taiwan that you cannot miss. In addition to admiring the building’s grandeur, visitors can experience the high-class services inside the tower.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (#best places to visit in taiwan)

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a monumental destination that marks the ups and downs of history. Along with it is the distinctive traditional Chinese architecture that invites visitors to learn about its story and great design.

Located in a large square, the memorial site is a white-walled building with blue tiles, and inside is a statue of Chiang Kai-shek. Coming here, you will be able to admire and take pictures of the vast amazing landscape as well as have the opportunity to learn more about Taiwan’s history.

Ximending Night Market (#where to visit in taiwan)

If you want to enjoy the crowded and bustling atmosphere while shopping and trying delicious street foods, Ximending Night Market will be your promised land. Ximending Night Market is a bustling tourist destination in Taiwan, attracting millions of travelers to visit and shop. Especially, this is also home to various specialties that you can purchase as gifts for your family and friends.

Yangmingshan (#top places to visit in taiwan)

Conquering Yangmingshan is the dream of many travel nomads who love exploration and adventure. During the journey to conquer the mountain, you will have to walk along a small path on the mountainside. The landscape on the road features reed meadows and poetic lily fields, which will make your trip more memorable.

Moreover, when reaching the top of Yangmingshan, beautiful nature scenery opens up in front of you with an immense and astonishing observation point. Challenge yourself once with a trekking tour to conquer Yangmingshan.

Jiufen Village

One of the famous attractions in Taiwan that draw millions of visitors every year is Jiufen Village in the Taipei metropolitan area. It is an ancient tiny village located halfway up the mountain with only one small entrance path. Along the road, unique scenery and many snacks and souvenirs for sale will make you fascinated.

In addition to sightseeing and taking photos at nostalgic corners, don’t forget to enjoy the famous specialties here such as Yuyuan, Cao Zhi Gao, Hei Tang Gao, Yuwan, and so on.

Fulong Beach (#must visit places in taiwan)

Since it is an island, the beautiful beaches are the top-notch places in Taiwan that visitors cannot miss. During your trip to Taipei, you should visit the impressive Fulong Beach with its long stretch of white sand and clear blue sea.

Particularly, Fulong Beach has pale yellow quartz sand, which creates a sense of pleasure at the touch. Moreover, you can visit the occasional festival here to build sand statues in large and small scales with vivid shapes.

At Fulong Beach, there are many interesting activities that you should participate in such as sailing, surfing, and water sports. The ticket price to the amusement park is about NT$100.

Yehliu Geopark

Yehliu Geopark receives a lot of positive feedback from tourists as an ideal tourist destination in Taiwan if you are interested in learning about nature and geology. Here, you will have the opportunity to admire the artistic masterpiece of nature such as boulders eroded by the sea wind, creating unique and interesting shapes.

To arrive at Yehliu, you should visit Taipei first then take a taxi or bus to travel a distance of about 41 km.

The name Yehliu came from the Spanish abbreviation “Punto Diablos” which means Devil’s Nose. Yehliu Geopark has a length of 1.7 kilometers and the widest part of the mainland reaches more than 300 meters.

Tourist attractions in Taichung (#best places to go in taiwan)

Sun moon lake.

A well-known sightseeing place in Taichung is Sun Moon Lake. This is the largest freshwater lake in Taiwan, located at an altitude of over 760 meters. The scenery here is really lyrical and you can enjoy a truly relaxing vacation.

In addition, you can try other activities at Sun Moon Lake such as mount climbing, cycling, and kayaking, or check out some Taiwan tours for more interesting experiences.

Taroko National Park (#best places to go in taiwan)

Taroko National Park is located in the gorge of Mount Taroko, extending from Taichung through Nantou to Hualian with an area of almost 1 million square kilometers. Coming here, you will be overwhelmed by the majestic beauty of the mountains when enjoying the sense of harmony with nature.

This famous Taiwan tourist destination possesses craggy mountains, evergreen forests, majestic waterfalls, and wild pristine sceneries. The place best suits travelers who love to explore the primal natural beauty.

Wen Wu Temple (#where to go in taiwan)

Wen Wu Temple, which worships Guan Gong and Confucius, is located in Taichung near Sun Moon Lake. This temple was built according to the typical architecture of temples in Northern China.

With a massive scale, the ornaments and sculptures here will take visitors’ breaths away. Coming here, you will feel like you are lost in a fairyland. Everything is so light and pure, helping you get rid of all your sorrow and worries about life.

Cingjing Farm (#where should i go in taiwan)

Cingjing Farm in Taichung is also one of the best attractions in Taiwan which welcomes a lot of tourists annually. Cingjing Farm is located on a large steppe, highlighted by long stretches of green lawns. Just coming up here to breathe in the air will definitely make you feel at peace. Besides, you will have the opportunity to admire the lovely sheep running around in the meadow, which is an image that visitors never forget.

Not only that but Cingjing Farm is also considered “Switzerland in Taiwan” because of its height of over 1,700 meters above sea level. This makes the climate of Cingjing Farm fresh, cool, and pleasant. More specifically, you can see the sheep shearing show performed by the staff at this farm. If you have time to stay longer, you can enjoy the delicious fresh cabbage and bamboo shoot soup.

Tourist attractions in Tainan (#where to go in taiwan)

Qigu salt mountain (#where should i go in taiwan).

The next Taiwan tourist destination is located in Tainan metropolitan area. Qigu Salt Mountain is a popular place that provides more than 60% of total salt production in Taiwan. Although it is a bit far from the town which takes you about two hours for two bus lines, Qigu is a place worth your experience.

With an area of ​​more than two hectares, the entire place is covered with a white color of salt that looks like snow. There are stairs for visitors to easily climb to the top of the salt mountain to have the best view and take photos of this unique mountain.

Confucius Temple – Fuzhong Ancient Street (#beautiful places to visit in taiwan)

Confucius Temple is a place for the altar and worship of Confucius and his sages. On the left side of the temple is the national school of literature while on the east and west sides are the halls called “Daoli” and “Dacheng”. Though situated in the busy downtown street, you will feel the sanctuary and serenity here as you step through the temple gate.

Fort Zeelandia – Anping Old Fort

Fort Zeelandia, also known as Anping Old Fort, is a construction built by the Dutch in the 17th century. The exterior of the fortress was made from ancient red bricks that look really solid. Above it is an observation tower, but currently, visitors are not allowed to enter this area.

On the premises, there stands a statue of General Zheng Chenggong, who reclaimed Tainan from the Dutch. Inside the fortress displays many ancient artifacts and provides information on the history of Tainan. This is an ideal place to visit in Taiwan for those who would love to learn about history.

Cijin Island (#beautiful places to visit in taiwan)

In Kaohsiung, Cijin Island is a destination that attracts many foreign and local tourists. This place is known for the impressive landscape of the ocean and the fresh seafood dishes.

Here, visitors can also participate in activities such as kite flying and visiting the windmill farm, the Cihou lighthouse, or the fortress nearby.

Fo Guang Shan

This is one of the top spiritual tourist destinations in Kaohsiung known as the “Buddhist capital”, which welcomes a large number of tourists. Fo Guang Shan is home to hundreds of statues of all sizes and many massive temples in an area of more than a hundred hectares.

Right from the gate, you can see the massiveness and magnificence of this construction with many exotic penjing. Eight stupas of 88 meters high stretch on both sides of the gravel road, shaded by green trees and flowers. The most significant artifact here is the bronze Buddha statue “Fo Guang Big Buddha” – the world’s tallest Buddha statue reaching 108 meters high.

The tourist attraction Lotus Pond, also known as Lianchihtan, will take you to a fairyland like the one you see in an incredible watercolor painting. This is a grand artificial lake surrounded by twenty temples with majestic dragon and tiger statues in front of the gates.

Spring and Autumn Pavilions

Spring and Autumn Pavilions, or Chunqiu Ge, are prominent Taiwanese tourist destinations located right in Kaohsiung City. This complex is about 700 meters from the dragon and tiger pagodas of Lotus Pond. The pavilions were constructed in 1953 with the purpose of building a place to worship Guan Gong in Taoism.

Spring and Autumn Pavilions are famous for their unique design and the beauty of this building is still preserved to this day. Besides, their location on the open lake is also an attractive feature for many tourists. After visiting Lotus Pond, you can easily go to Spring and Autumn Pavilions.

The island of Taiwan has many attractive and interesting destinations, from the natural scenery and culture to cuisine and people. With the above list of 18 tourist destinations in Taiwan, this post will help you find the best options for a trip full of fun experiences and memories.

Check out more information for your next journey to explore a new land. If you need to book cheap flights, hotels, and tours to Taiwan, don’t forget to search for great activities and offers in advance.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Taipei you can refer to

• [SALE] Taoyuan Airport MRT Ticket & Exclusive Shopping Coupon
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• Jiufen Shuttle Bus from Ximen
• Yehliu, Shifen, and Jiufen Day Tour with Korean and English Speaking Guides
• [10% Off + 1 Extra Free Day] 4G SIM Card (TW Airport Pick Up) for Taiwan from Chunghwa Telecom
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• [Sale – Taiwan Food Promo] Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Discounted Ticket from Taipei
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• Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Discounted Ticket from Taoyuan
• THSR Exclusive Discount One Way Ticket from Taoyuan (Two Tickets for the Price of One)

Are you looking for more Jiufen travel guide and top things to do in Jiufen: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Jiufen day trip from Taipei — How to spend 1 perfect day in Jiufen? and  Jiufen Shifen itinerary: Jiufen Shifen day trip — How to visit Jiufen and Shifen in one day from Taipei ?

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Home » Asia » Taiwan » Taipei

19 BEST Places to Visit in Taipei (2024 • MUST-SEE SIGHTS)

Taipei is the modern capital of Taiwan. The diverse city has a great infrastructure and it’s easy to explore the key places of interest in Taipei as well as travel to nearby cities and towns. From one of the tallest towers in the world and a globally renowned zoo to places of natural interest and terrific shopping, Taipei offers plenty for everyone.

Taipei doesn’t feature on many travellers’ radars, particularly people from outside of Asia, and is often overlooked in favour of other East Asian cities. It can be difficult to find information on what to see and do if you are planning a trip to Taipei, especially if you want to hit up more offbeat attractions and head off the beaten path.

With this ultimate list of the best places to visit in Taipei, you’ll be able to make sure to cover all the top attractions. No matter your age or travelling style you’ll find plenty of reasons to add Taipei to your travel wish list.

Warning: some of these best places to visit in Taipei are sure to surprise you!

Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighbourhood in Taipei:

These are the best places to visit in taipei, faq on the best places to visit in taipei, final thoughts on the best places to visit in taipei.

Datong is the perfect place to stay if you are travelling on a shoestring budget. It is located just north of Zhongzheng and remains very central to explore Taipei’s many destinations.

• Take a look at the humble features of the Confucius Temple
• On the contrary, marvel at Bao’an Temple, one of Taipei’s most ornate temples
• Try some local delicacies at the Ningxia Night Market

And now onto the fun stuff … here are the best places to visit in Taipei:

Ready for the breakdown of Taipei’s must-see places? Don’t miss these gems. These are the top things to see for crafting the ultimate Taipei itinerary!

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#1 – Taipei 101 – One of the most amazing places in Taipei

• Eco-friendly structure
• Among the world’s tallest towers
• Rich symbolism
• Sweeping views

Why it’s awesome: This is top of the Taipei places to visit list for good reason. Up there, you feel top of the world! Shaped like a traditional pagoda and standing at 508 meters (1,667 feet) tall, the soaring Taipei 101 was once the world’s tallest tower. It’s is still said to be the biggest green building in the world, both because of the coloured glass on its facades and due to its many environmentally friendly features.

Steeped in symbolism, the impressive tower has 101 floors. One hundred is usually viewed as perfection, so this gleaming modern tower goes one step beyond being perfect! There’s a large and luxurious shopping mall next to the tower and inside there are various offices, an observation level, displays, a conference centre, and a VIP Club.

What to do there: Ride in the super-fast elevators to reach the observation levels, with both indoor and outdoor viewing areas to enjoy. Feast your eyes on the sweeping city views and see interesting displays related to the tower’s construction, use, and symbolism. Spot various symbolic features around the tower and see many of the best places in Taipei from a completely different perspective.

#2 – Taipei Zoo – Awesome place to visit in Taipei with kids

• Beautiful landscaping
• Home to diverse creatures
• Educational exhibits

Why it’s awesome: The largest zoo in Asia and one of the biggest zoos in the world, the modern and well-kept Taipei Zoo is often said to be among the best zoos on the planet. Spread over a large area, the zoo is home to an abundance of interesting species from across the globe.

Admission costs are low and it’s a fantastic place to spend a fun-filled day with the kids. Indeed, it’s one of the best places in Taipei for a family outing. There are various places to eat and drink throughout the zoo and the terrain is stroller friendly. Lush gardens, wide, open spaces, and educational displays add to the appeal.

What to do there: Plan to spend at least half a day (if not a whole day) exploring the large zoo. Seeing the cute pandas is often a highlight for many visitors, though don’t be disappointed if they are resting in the air conditioning! The children’s theatre, insectarium, and nocturnal animal house are also often popular with younger visitors.

#3 – Shilin Night Market – A must-see in Taipei for foodies!

• Array of items
• Lively vibe
• Lots of street food
• Popular with locals and tourists

Why it’s awesome: Large and lively, Shilin Night Market draws many locals and tourists alike every day of the week. Stalls spread through a maze of streets, and you’ll find a great selection of local goods and international brands, usually at discount prices.

Some places have fixed prices and there are somewhere you can haggle so make sure you perfect your haggling skills . It’s especially worth asking for discounts if you’re buying in bulk. It’s not only a great place for shopping, though; Shilin Night Market is also one of the top spots in Taipei for delicious street food. It’s veritable foodie heaven!

What to do there: Stroll along the streets, letting your senses guide you as you sample a huge selection of local cuisine. Inhale the rich aromas, watch as vendors cook up dishes on the spot, and see an exciting array of delicacies set out to tempt the hungry.

Sink your teeth into things like fried buns, dim sum, stinky tofu, tempura, grilled meats, oyster omelet, and much, much more. Once you think it couldn’t get any better, pop into the underground Shilin Night Market Food Court for even more mouth-watering treats! It really is one of the best places to eat in Taipei.

Another famous night market in Taipei if you liked the Shilin Night Market is the Ningxia Night Market which is another great place to try some street food.

#4 – Longshan Temple – One of the most religious places to see in Taipei

• Long history
• Gorgeous architecture
• Spiritual ambience
• Ornate statues

Why it’s awesome: Built in the late 1730s by people from Fujian, Taipei’s Longshan Temple became a major spiritual and community centre for settlers from mainland China; it was built in honour of an ancient temple in their home province.

Still an active place of worship today, it is also one of the most significant religious landmarks in Taipei. The Longshan Temple features ornate and colourful details and the vibe is tranquil and serene. It’s a place to go in Taipei to have a breather from the city.

What to do there: Admire the striking building from the outside, feasting your eyes on the decorative pillars and roof, statues, and grand doorways. Step inside, where you’ll likely see people praying and making merit, inhale the sweet smells of incense, and see even more spiritual statues and artwork.

Wander through the grand halls and pause to take in the details of the various altars. There are shrines to various Chinese gods and goddesses as well as to the Lord Buddha. As far as cultural places in Taipei go, this is one of the best.

#5 – Danshui River Mangrove Nature Reserve – One of the most underrated places to see in Taipei

• Interesting wildlife
• Pretty views
• Free attraction

Why it’s awesome: A short train ride from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Danshui River Mangrove Nature Reserve is an interesting and peaceful outdoor spot.

One of the coolest lesser-visited attractions in Taipei, there is no charge to explore the nature reserve. Also known as Tamsui River Mangrove Nature Reserve, the area protects the large Hongshulin mangrove swamp as well as all the creatures that call the salty swamp home.

What to do there: Step into the small but informative education centre to learn more about the swamp and its eco-diversity before wandering along the boardwalk. Peer into the mangroves to spot an array of flora and fauna. Some of the most unusual creatures to look out for are the curious mudskippers – fish that can walk on land.

You’re also likely to see crabs and many types of birds. The ambiance is calm and there are great views of city life in the distance.

#6 – Jiufen – A very cool place in Taipei to go for a day

• Great shopping
• Plenty of photo opportunities
• Stunning vistas
• Historical vibe

Why it’s awesome: Jiufen is an old gold mining town in the wider Taipei area. Built by the Japanese, it is perched on the craggy mountainside near the coast. Easy to reach by road and rail from the heart of the city, it’s one of the most picturesque places of interest in Taipei.

There’s an olde-worlde vibe and plenty to see and do. The covered shopping area is especially popular and the views are beautiful. The town has featured in a number of movies and TV shows and if you’re backpacking Taiwan , be sure to include Jiufen on your itinerary.

What to do there: Visit the ornate Chinese temple and soak up the sense of spirituality and stand at the nearby observation point to enjoy beautiful views out over the water. Explore the two main hillside pedestrian streets of Shuchi Street and Jishan Street, pausing to look in the assortment of shops filled with an array of goods.

Stop for refreshments in a charming tea house and refuel in one of the traditional restaurants.

Although no longer open to visitors, you can see the outside of the historic Taiyang Co. Ruifang mining Operation Office and the now-derelict Jiufen Shingpeng Theatre, which was one of the earliest theatres in Taiwan. Feeling active? Go hiking up Mount Jilong and enjoy the terrific vistas!

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#7 – National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall – Possibly one of the most important places to visit in Taipei

• Magnificent building
• Interesting and educational displays
• Traditional guards
• Beautiful grounds

Why it’s awesome: Among the most famous places in Taiwan, the National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall is a well-known city landmark and a popular tourist attraction. Located at one end of the large Liberty Square, the iconic blue and white building is an attractive sight.

Open since 1980, it was constructed to honour the memory of the late president. Inside there is a large bronze statue of Chiang Kai Shek, guarded by solemn-looking soldiers in ceremonial uniforms, as well as educational displays and a library.

What to do there: Climb the 89 steps that lead to the upper level of the memorial hall, noting that the number of steps represents the age at which the former leader died. See the large statue of the late leader and snap some pictures of the smartly dressed guards. Descend back to ground level to learn more about the leader and Taiwan’s history in the museum.

There are many interesting objects and artifacts and comprehensive information is provided in English as well as Chinese languages. It’s one of the best places to visit in Taipei to get more of a sense of the culture and history of Taiwan.

#8 – Fort San Domingo – One of Taipei’s coolest historical sites

• One of Taiwan’s oldest buildings
• Controlled by various powers throughout history
• Informative displays
• Pleasant gardens

Why it’s awesome: Located in Tamsui, the striking red-colored fortress of San Domingo stands on the site of an earlier wooden fort. The original fortress was built by the Spanish, while the present building was constructed in the 1640s by the Dutch. It was later expanded and fortified further by the Qing regime and served as the British consulate from 1868.

It was occupied by the Japanese during the Pacific War, then later passed back to British control. One of the oldest buildings in Taiwan, today it is a National Historic Site and among the most popular tourist attractions in Taipei’s district of Tamsui.

What to do there: Pay the reasonable admission fee and climb the shaded steps to reach the entrance to the historic fortress. See the flag flying proudly above before following the sightseeing route through the fortress’s diverse areas.

In addition to the red fort, the site also has the original gate that was constructed during the Qing era, leafy gardens, and the English-style former residence of the British Consul. You can learn more about Taiwan’s history and see varied displays, period furnishings, and artifacts.

#9 – Houtong – Quite the quirky place to visit in Taipei!

• Former mining town
• Home to many cats
• Unusual features

Why it’s awesome: A short train ride from the heart of Taipei brings you to Houtong, an old coal-mining town built by the Japanese that is now known for its many felines. The hillside town was abandoned when the mines dried up, leaving cats to roam free, multiply, and claim the space as their own.

Today, Houtong is a Taipei must-see for any animal lover, particularly those with a penchant for cats. Volunteers care for the animals and have created many cool and quirky cat-themed attractions. I dunno about you, but this is my personal best place to visit in Taipei!

What to do there: Get up close and personal with the friendly cats that call Houtong home. You can buy food to pamper the kitties, but don’t feed them human treats as it can make them sick.

See the feline-themed artworks that adorn many walls, spot the small houses built to afford shelter to the strays, and enjoy snacks and drinks in one of the quaint cafes. There are plenty of great photo opportunities and you can purchase a range of cat-themed memorabilia.

Cat town: top sight in Taipei!

#10 – Beitou – Great place to visit in Taipei for couples

• Unusual sights
• Diverse museums
• Places of natural interest in Taipei

Why it’s awesome: Although soaking in hot springs may not be the most obvious choice of things to do when experiencing hot and humid conditions, taking a dip is surprisingly relaxing and soothing. Beitou Hot Springs has a number of well-maintained and clean hot springs, with private changing areas and lockers.

Signs clearly state the temperature of each pool. It’s one of the best public hot springs around the city, though you will also find some private hot springs if you want a more exclusive experience. Beitou also boasts stunning geothermal features and several interesting attractions.

What to do there: Melt your problems away! If you’re looking for things to do in Taipei to take your mind off all those measly problems you left back home, this is the place to go!

Marvel at the milky blue steaming waters of Beitou Thermal Valley, also known as Hell Valley (closed on Mondays), set in beautiful natural surroundings. Discover more about the area at Beitou Hot Spring Museum, Ketagalan Culture Center, and Beitou Library. Stroll through the scenic Beitou Hot Spring Park and Plum Garden, visit the small and secluded Puji Temple, and soothe away any aches and pains in the hot springs.

#11 – Ximending – A great place in Taipei if you love to shop!

• Youthful vibe
• Energetic at night time
• Japanese influence

Why it’s awesome: Ximending is one of the best places to visit in Taipei if you’re looking for cool shopping with a trendy and youthful vibe. Lively by day and by night, it has a wealth of recreational and leisure options too. Made popular when there was a heavy Japanese presence in Taiwan , it has gone from strength to strength since the 1980s.

It’s easy to spot the Japanese influences still today, though there is also a strong local feeling too. Brimming with clothes shops and accessory stores, the area also has cool karaoke joints, cinemas, and eateries.

What to do there: Spend hours browsing in a large variety of stores in Ximending, trying not to get swept away in the exuberant crowds. It’s an especially great place to shop in Taipei for alternative styles and items generally associated with various sub-cultures. Try out new fashions and perhaps add some funky pieces to your wardrobe. Stop for a bite to eat in one of the local restaurants and, as night falls, sing your heart out in one of the KTVs.

#12 – Ghost Mask Museum – One of the more unique places to visit in Taipei

• Quirky attraction
• Cultural and spiritual insights
• Hand-made items
• Lesser-visited museum

Why it’s awesome: The Ghost Mask Museum started life as one man’s private collection of hand-made ghostly masks. Nestled down a quiet alley, visitors can peer at some 1,500 unusual masks, with some that are rather grotesque and others that border on the comedic. Seeing the creepy collection of masks is definitely among the most unusual things to do in Taipei!

What to do there: Gaze in curiosity at the large collection of masks created by sculptor Wu Jyh Chyang and appreciate the effort and passion that must have gone into painstakingly creating each item by hand. Some masks are embellished with various items, including animal hair, cigarette butts, and scraps of cloth.

The museum provides insights into local ghost beliefs and some seek to teach valuable life lessons and warn of punishments that await one in the afterlife if people fail to live a righteous life. This may not be the top must-see in Taipei for those with a deep-seated fear of their own mortality… but I think it’s awesome!

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#13 – Taipei Botanical Garden – One of the nicer places in Taipei to sightsee!

• Centre for botanical research
• Pleasant walking trails
• Various gardens
• Wide selection of plants

Why it’s awesome:   Switching gears from Taipei’s more morbid attractions, the Taipei Botanical Garden is home to some 1,500 species of plants… and super pretty! Established as a botanical garden by the Japanese in the early 1920s, there has been a garden at the same place for many decades. The pretty and peaceful garden is split between 17 different areas, with historical buildings, sparkling ponds, and well-maintained footpaths too.

What to do there: Take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque botanical garden, admiring a wide range of plants and flowers from different parts of the world. There are species native to the island of Taiwan, as well as those from neighbouring nations and farther afield. Some species are rare and there’s good information provided about the various flora.

#14 – Taipei Fine Arts Museum – A great place to visit in Taipei if you are alone/traveling solo

• Lovely building
• Interesting art works
• Activities for kids
• Learning opportunities

Why it’s awesome: The Fine Arts Museum is a Taipei must-do for anyone interested in art. A great place for solo travellers to immerse themselves in visual creativity, the museum has been capturing people’s interest since 1983. It was Taiwan’s first art museum to focus on contemporary and modern art. Now located at Taipei Expo Park, it’s a cool place to go in Taipei to escape the heat and enjoy a few hours in air-conditioned comfort.

The building has interesting architectural elements and there are many thought-provoking and stimulating art pieces to enjoy. There are regularly changing temporary displays in addition to the permanent exhibits, and the museum often hosts a range of special events.

What to do there: Wander along the tube-like suspended corridors, soaking up the Chinese influences, peer out through the gigantic windows to see nearby landmarks and open spaces, and, of course, feast your eyes on an abundance of fascinating art. Pieces span from the start of the twentieth century to the present day and there are works by both local and international artists.

Aiming to take visitors through the history of art in Taiwan, the museum also houses a number of antiques alongside modern works. If you’re visiting Taipei with children, don’t miss popping into the Children’s Art Education Centre too because kids love museums of fine art!

If you want to visit some more sites in the area, the Taipei Confucius Temple is just a ten-minute walk away and is a really stunning Chinese temple that doesn’t take too long to see.

#15 – Yehliu Geopark – A beautiful outdoor place to visit in Taipei

• Natural attraction
• Splendid views
• Brilliant photo opportunities
• Coastal setting

Why it’s awesome: Yehliu Geopark is a fascinating natural attraction to add to your bucket list when you travel to Taipei. Although fairly remote, it is easy to reach by bus, making it an ideal day trip from Taipei. There are many interesting geological formations, created by the mighty powers of Mother Nature over thousands of years. The unusual landscapes are photogenic and there are amazing views out over the ocean so make sure you bring your camera !

What to do there: Walk along the coast, soaking up the views and marvelling at the unusual rocky landscapes. The cape runs for around 1,700 metres (5,577 feet), and highlights include features named the Kissing Rock, Sea Candles, Ice Cream Rock, Elephant Rock, Fairy Shoe, and Ginger Rocks. Take plenty of pictures of the stunning Queen’s Head. You can also pay a visit to the nearby Yehliu Ocean World where you can observe an interesting selection of aquatic creatures.

#16 – Dahu Park – A cool place to see in Taipei with friends

• Enjoy being outdoors
• Lake and mountain vistas
• Varied activities
• Home to local wildlife

Why it’s awesome: Located in the Neihu District of Taipei, Dahu Park was established in 1979. One of the city’s prettiest parks, it is known for its large and scenic lake. The park sits in the shadow of Mt. Bailushi. There are various leisure options and it’s one of the best Taipei vacation ideas for families and groups of friends looking for somewhere to unwind in nature.

Combining natural and man-made features, there’s plenty to keep you occupied for several hours and it’s also one of the best places to stay in Taipei . If you visit Taipei on the weekend you’ll likely find the park teeming with local families, but if you go on a weekday you can enjoy a quieter ambiance.

What to do there: Cross the pretty Jindai Bridge that spans the large Egret Lake and enjoy the views of the lake and the surrounding nature.

Follow nature trails through the park and spot diverse flora and fauna, relax in the traditional Chinese-style pagoda next to the water’s edge, have a go at fishing, unwind in the heated swimming pool, and enjoy a little TLC in the sauna and steam room. If you’re feeling active, climb Mt. Bailushi for terrific views over the area.

#17 – Taipei City Mall – The Underground Mall in Taipei

• A great place to shop for boutique clothing and souveniers
• Easily connected to Taipei Main Station
• The oldest market in Taipei
• A cool place to pass the time

Why it’s awesome: Taipei City Mall is an underground mall between the Daan and Zhongzheng districts in Taipei City. It was the first underground market to open in Taipei City though it’s had its share of history. In the 90s, the government decided to knock down the original market and build a new one. It opened in the year 2000, eight years later, and provided shops for the 810 market stalls that originally stood there.

Now, the 825-meter long underground mall is composed of modern shops, filled with boutique brands and traditional stalls intertwined. It connects to Taipei Main Station and the metro, which is right underneath the mall. So it’s pretty easy to get to.

What to do there: shop until you drop! It’s a mall, so of course, it’s the place to be to buy clothing and souvenirs. You can find contemporary brands or something a little more traditional, or you can find a cafe or restaurant to relax in and enjoy some good food.

#18 – Yangmingshan National Park – The Most Beautiful National Park in Taipei

• One of the 9 National Parks in Taiwan
• A great place to enjoy nature and being outdoors
• Hiking and wildlife activities available
• A quiet place to escape the busy city center

Why it’s awesome: The Yangmingshan National Park is one of nine national parks in Taiwan and is conveniently located between Taipei and New Taipei City. 

Historically referred to as Caoshan (which means Green Mountain in English) the national park is a breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are some nice scenic spots in the park to enjoy a nice picnic or you can just enjoy being out in nature.

You’ll find hiking trails that take you through stunning gardens, over rolling landscapes and past the hot springs. If you are staying in Taipei City for more than a week I would definitely recommend taking the trip up here.

If you don’t have a lot of time and you want to see some nature, consider checking out the Elephant Mountain hike. The Elephant Mountain is located within the city close to the Xiangshan MRT Station.

What to do there: As it’s a national park, the best thing to do here is to unwind in nature and just stroll around the hills and gardens. 

If you’re visiting on a weekend, you can only get to the national park by bus. From Taipei Main Station, take the 260 bus or the Red 30/208 from Jiantan MRT Station. These buses will drop you off at Yangmingshan bus station where it’s just a 700 meter walk to the park entrance.

#19 – National Palace Museum – The Largest Collection of Chinese Artifacts in The World

• Largest collection of Chinese artefacts in the world
• In a gorgeous building that’s worthy of Instagram photos
• Located in the Shilin district, perfect for those who want street food after
• A nice, quiet indoor activity to do when it rains

Why it’s awesome: The National Palace Museum is known for its permanent collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of Chinese artwork, relics, and artifacts. This is the largest collection of its type in the world. 

Spanning 8,000 years of Chinese history, mostly from the Ming and Qing dynasty, but also dating as far back as the neolithic age. The collection of high-quality pieces was usually collected by Chinese emperors, and they are now on display for public viewing. 

Many of the artifacts used to be housed in the Forbidden City in Beijing, but during the Civil War in China, many items were moved to Taipei to protect them from getting destroyed in the conflict.

A total of 2,972 crates of artifacts were moved from the Forbidden City, which was only 22% of the original number of crates due to be sent here, but it is said that the pieces that made it to the National Palace Museum represented some of the very best of the collection.

What to do there: Walk around and enjoy the incredible artifacts, from pottery and ceramics, weapons, paintings, clothing, and tools. There’s so much to see here, it could easily take you a whole day. 

The exterior is also one of the most beautiful buildings in Taipei City. You should take your time to admire the outside as well as inside. It’s also located in the Shilin District, so if you go in the afternoon, you can head to the night market for some food after.

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Find out what people want to know about the best places to visit in Taipei

What is a free place to visit in Taipei?

The Danshui River Mangrove Nature Reserve is free to visit and a beautiful area in Taipei.

How many days should I spend in Taipei?

Taipei is a city you can see in a long weekend. 2 or 3 days is enough to see all the main highlights, but you might want to hang around longer if you want to do the hikes too.

What is Taipei famous for?

Taipei is famous for being the capital of Taiwan and the birthplace to bubble tea.

Is Taipei an expensive place to visit?

Yes, Taipei is generally quite expensive. However, it is still cheaper than Japan.

So, Taiwan is awesome and so is the capital; Taipei is filled with beautiful places to see indulging in rich culture and vibrant history.

I’d even say that Taiwan is criminally unexplored when compared to its other East Asian neighbours.

There’s no shortage of secrets in the city if you’re aching to break away from Taipei’s tourist attractions. Even if you stick to visiting Taipei’s popular places, you’re still going to have an awesome time!

Taiwan is a fantastic little island and another gem of East Asia with its own unique history.

When you get there, make sure you soak it up. Go to some places, hit up Taipei’s best destinations, and, most of all, eat yourself into that mother of all food comas at one of the incredible night markets, because there are so many. Whether you go to the Shilin Night Markets, Raohe Night Markets or Ningxia Night Market, don’t be afraid to try some BBQ.

And, most of all, have a blast!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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I want to buy a large paper map of Taipei that has the street names written in pinyin. Do you know where I can buy this kind of map?

I’m curious but I’ve read that the Ghost Mask Museum now has been closed. Do you know anything about this?

We haven’t heard about this. We don’t have anybody on the ground to go and check so if you find anything, please do let us know!

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Entertainment

Singaporean actors living in Taiwan, Yvonne Lim and Andie Chen, describe their earthquake experience

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Actors Andie Chen and Yvonne Lim have been living in Taiwan for three and nine years, respectively.

Andie Chen (left) and Yvonne Lim (right). (Photos: Instagram/@andiechen, Instagram/@yvonnelim928)

This audio is AI-generated.

Taiwan was hit with its strongest earthquake in 25 years on Wednesday (Apr 3). Singaporean actor Andie Chen , who's based there, was home alone when the 7.4-magnitude quake struck. 

Andie's wife, Taiwanese actress Kate Pang, was on her way home after dropping their two children off at school.

"I received an alert on my phone saying that there's an earthquake in Hualien. Before I could finish reading the message, the quake hit," the 38-year-old actor told 8days over the phone.

"The house was shaking rather violently and I watched as everything fell off the shelves," he said, recalling how he knelt at the archway between the living room and kitchen. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kate Pang (@katepang311)

Andie, who has experienced minor quakes over the three years he has lived in Taiwan, explained: “What you're supposed to do is to wait at a place where nothing's going to fall on your head. 

“I chose the archway between my living room and kitchen because the wall there is more solid. And if the house collapsed, I'd be near my kitchen where there's food and water.”

Once the first quake was over, Andie grabbed his phone and wallet before heading downstairs to contact his wife and children. 

While his children’s teacher confirmed the kids were fine and gathered at the field, he could not contact his wife as she had left her phone at home. So he went back to his home to wait for her.

He shared that it was only after he saw his neighbour looking pale that he realised how severe the earthquake was.

"You see, Singaporeans don't know," he chuckled. "It's the same for me, I didn't know how bad the situation was. In my mind, I thought, 'Okay, just stay safe first'."

"If even the Taiwanese are freaking out, you know this is not normal," he said. 

As for the damages to his home, he shared he had lost many crystals on his Asian Television Awards trophy, and that Kate’s Star Awards trophy was chipped. But the “most heartbreaking” damage was to his iMac as its screen was “completely smashed”.

Meanwhile, Mediacorp actress Yvonne Lim  shared that she was about to take a nap after sending her kids off to school when the earthquake hit. 

She told CNA’s Singapore Tonight on Wednesday (Apr 3): “I ran downstairs to my living room. I forgot my handphone. I just forgot everything. It was so shaky and you could even barely walk in (a) straight line. It was like a scene from the movies that we watch."

And even though she lives in a new anti-earthquake building and the building remained strong following the tremors, Yvonne, who has lived in Taipei with her Taiwanese businessman husband and their two children for nine years, said her home still sustained some damage. 

“Water was splashing out from the stove … And I have things falling down. Drawers were coming in and out, and the doors were also swaying. It was scary in the sense that you're all alone and everything is just crashing down on you. But thankfully, we did not have any major damage,” she said. 

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Friendly travel policies push inbound tourism surge

Visitors from around the world welcomed, visa-free entry helps boost sector.

Convenience key

To ensure the recovery continues, tourism officials will launch a series of targeted measures to remedy existing problems in the market.

On March 29, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said at a news conference it will make it easier for payments at various places such as tourist attractions, cultural and performance venues and star-rated hotels. Inbound tourism products and services will also be stepped up, along with overseas promotions, to better meet inbound travelers' needs.

Wu Kefeng, deputy head of the ministry's Department of Resource Development, said special emphasis was being placed on improving the convenience of payments at key tourist destinations.

This includes promoting the establishment of software and hardware facilities for accepting mobile payments, bank cards, and cash at all national 5A and 4A tourist attractions, national and provincial tourist resorts, and national-level tourist leisure districts, Wu said.

The ministry said it will cooperate with the relevant departments to promote the establishment of foreign-currency exchange service points at tourist resorts and national-level tourist leisure districts with a high number of inbound tourists. It will also encourage nearby bank branches to provide foreign-currency cash exchange services to meet the needs of inbound tourists.

All tourist attractions will retain staffed windows to offer ticket services for inbound travelers, while English-language online reservations will also be available.

"For reservations requiring real-name authentication, foreign passports, permanent residence identity cards, and travel permits for residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan to the Chinese mainland will be included in the recognized identification documents," Wu said.

Key tourist attractions will also be encouraged to improve multilingual signage and guide facilities, and to continue improving their foreign-language services.

A fine legacy forged in friendship

Visitors to benefit from payments revamp

Qingming Festival holiday in numbers

More potential for Sino-French biz ties

Overseas hanfu clubs serve as cultural ambassadors

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Helicopter rescues Taiwan miners, stranded hotel guests confirmed safe

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TERRIFYING AFTERSHOCKS

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Reporting by Yimou Lee and Fabian Hamacher; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Alexandra Hudson

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Thomson Reuters

Yimou Lee is a Senior Correspondent for Reuters covering everything from Taiwan, including sensitive Taiwan-China relations, China's military aggression and Taiwan's key role as a global semiconductor powerhouse. A three-time SOPA award winner, his reporting from Hong Kong, China, Myanmar and Taiwan over the past decade includes Myanmar's crackdown on Rohingya Muslims, Hong Kong protests and Taiwan's battle against China's multifront campaigns to absorb the island.

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Haiti decrees long-awaited transition council, but questions remain

Haiti's government on Friday issued a decree formalizing the creation of a nine-member transitional presidential council, a long-delayed move intended as the first step in restoring security to the gang-ravaged Caribbean country.

Mexican public health officials are sounding an alarm after a study discovered the presence of animal tranquilizer Xylazine in opioids in cities on the country's northwest border with the United States.

How Taiwanese authorities pieced together the moments before disaster in their search for two missing Australians

The grainy CCTV footage shows a couple dressed for a day wandering Taiwan's so-called Mysterious Valley Trail.

Sim Hwee Kok is wearing hiking boots and cargo shorts, while his wife Neo Siew Choo has a cross-body bag slung over her shoulder.

The security video taken from a sightseeing bus on April 3 suggests the Singaporean-Australian couple got off for a hike through Taroko National Park in eastern Taiwan.

Home to the Shakadang Trail — known to some as Mysterious Valley Trail — it's a place of unimaginable natural beauty.

Hikers squeeze themselves along imposing marble cliffs to marvel at the clear blue river below.

But 38 minutes after Sim Hwee Kok and Neo Siew Choo got off the bus, another, harsher force of nature took hold of Taiwan.

The island's east coast sits on top of two converging tectonic plates, and at 7:58am these two gargantuan slabs of rock slid against each other.

It produced the largest quake to strike Taiwan in a quarter of a century, leaving 13 people dead and more than 1,100 injured.

Built to withstand the angry rumblings of the tectonic plates below, Taipei fared relatively well through the seismic shock.

But out in the wilderness, chaos reigned.

Massive landslides of boulders and dirt toppled down Taroko National Park's famously rugged mountain terrain.

The disaster trapped hundreds of people inside the park, with roads and tunnels sealed off by huge piles of rubble.

Rescuers are now in a race against time to free those stranded in the park.

But two hikers, Sim Hwee Kok and Neo Siew Choo, appear to have vanished without a trace.

The desperate search for those missing in the quake

A 10-storey red brick building left leaning precariously after last week's earthquake has become a global symbol of the damage wrought by the tremor.

The Ministry of Agriculture said Taiwan has recorded 779 aftershocks , including two above magnitude-6, in the period between when the quake first struck and April 9.

The partially collapsed tower loomed large over a street in Hualien City, which is widely considered to be the epicentre of the quake.

But it was the image of men and women dressed in yellow and red jumpsuits along with their canine coworkers that came to define the aftermath of the tragedy and the desperate search for survivors.

Roger the Labrador made headlines as part of the city-wide endeavour  after locating the body of the quake's 13th victim.

The dog detective had failed in his first career as a drug sniffer due to his playful temperament but helped to lift the mood of a nation as he tore apart a soft toy at a press conference on the quake this week.

When the quake struck during morning rush hour, it sent schoolchildren, commuters and families scrambling for shelter.

Others who were travelling at the time weren't so lucky and soon found themselves trapped within Hualien's road tunnels.

A group of about 50 hotel employees from Silks Place Taroko Hotel were making their way through one of these routes on four minibuses when the quake hit.

An employee recounted anxiously waiting for help to arrive after giant rocks had crashed down and blocked their entry and exit points.

"We didn't have any food, but some of our employees had brought their own breakfast, and we had some bottled water in the bus," David Chen  told The Associated Press.

"I handed it out and told them to be sparing, you can't die from hunger, but you can die from thirst."

They were eventually freed from the blocked passage thanks to the help of workers using heavy machinery.

Taiwan's rescue efforts initially focused on people trapped under rubble and collapsed buildings in the city.

But the search area was soon broadened out to include surrounding regions and popular tourist hiking spots, where earthquakes triggered landslides.

At first, authorities hoped to zero in on missing travellers by using phone signals but were largely cut off from accessing the area due to road blockages.

The bodies of five hikers who were on the Shakadang trail were recovered on April 10, but Sim Hwee Kok and Neo Siew Choo are still unaccounted-for.

With little more than the CCTV footage of their last moments to go off, rescue teams have pieced together a picture of where the couple might be trapped .

What do we know about the place they were last seen?

Taiwan is situated in one of the most seismically active regions in the world. In Eastern Taiwan, the earth is lifting upwards as the Philippine Sea plate and the Eurasian plate come together.

While this region has a history of strong earthquakes, the most recent rupture is believed to have occurred on what's called a "reverse fault".

"This is where the quake lifts up one side of the Earth's crust relative to the other," Dee Ninis wrote in The Conversation .

The United States Geological Survey said the Philippine Sea plate was moving north-west and "subducting below the Eurasian plate".

The April 3 rupture was the strongest Taiwan has felt in 25 years — a period of time that becomes insignificant when considering the geological history of the region.

For millions of years, seismic activity has pushed marble and rock upwards while the Liwu River has carved a path between them. What can be seen today are the steep walls of the Taroko Gorge — a location considered one of the main attractions inside the national park.

But the seismic activity that created the picturesque landscape tourists come to see also puts them at risk of disaster.

The bus to Taroko National Park is believed to have dropped Sim Hwee Kok and Neo Siew Choo off at the Shakadang — or Mysterious Valley — Trail.

The time stamp on the vision of them arriving puts them on the ground at 7:20am.

A popular option for tourists is the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Service, which stops just near the Shakadang trail head about 1.3 kilometres inside the national park.

The track is a flat walk considered appropriate for even novice hikers, but it's not a loop circuit.

Hikers travel 4.1 kilometres one way before turning around and heading back and it's estimated the full return trip would take 3 to 4 hours.

A video taken by a German tourist and shared with the Guardian appears to have shed further light on their whereabouts, showing the couple beginning their hike on the Shakadang trail a mere 25 minutes before the quake hit.

It's believed that for those 25 minutes, Sim Hwee Kok and Neo Siew Choo were making their way along the Mysterious Valley Track, moving further into Taroko National Park.

The 'golden period' has passed

Rescuers refer to the 72 hours after a natural disaster as "the golden period".

If someone is trapped with limited access to food, water and medical attention, their best chance of survival is being found within three days.

It has now been 10 days since the quake triggered landslides in the Mysterious Valley Track.

Search and rescue personnel believe that Sim Hwee Kok and Neo Siew Choo were last seen near a large water pipe about 1.8km from the trail's entrance.

Local media reported six rescue workers and three dogs were dispatched to search the area on April 10 , but no trace of the pair was discovered.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to the couple's families.

"The Australian office in Taipei is liaising with local authorities, whose search for the missing Australians is ongoing," a spokesperson said in a statement to the ABC.

Search operations have been hindered by aftershocks, rockfalls and bad weather, which has forced excavation attempts to be delayed or called off.

"It’s like the entire mountains of Taroko collapsed, trapping so many people inside the mountain," firefighter Wen Zong Hao told Al Jazeera.

"This is very different and much more challenging than an ordinary urban search and rescue mission."

While the search continues for the missing Australian hikers, there has been some good news for rescuers digging in the dirt and rubble.

A family of five who were hiking along the Shakadang Trails when the quake hit were found alive by members of Taiwan’s Red Cross after four days.

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