The Best Places to Visit in Taiwan
Off the coast of China is the little island nation of Taiwan, a place with a somewhat sensitive international complex at the moment. However, that doesn’t discredit the immense beauty all across the country. On the west coast is where most of Taiwan’s major cities are located, and east of them is where mountainous regions meet the Pacific Ocean. ~23 million people squeeze onto this little island which is roughly the size of Moldova, and it makes the cities appear very energetic and lively, perhaps a bit chaotic even. It’s an amazing place for a diverse trip, as you can head straight from a large city out into a region that feels like New Zealand.
Capital: Taipei
Currency: New Taiwan Dollar
Language: Taiwanese Mandarin
When to visit: October to November, March to May
1) Taipei
Taipei is Taiwan’s massive capital city, sitting at the northern end of the country surrounded by green mountains. It’s mainly modern across the city, which you can clearly see as all the skyscrapers and high rise buildings get framed by the hills. Of course, you can find plenty of traditional neighborhoods and buildings amongst it all. It really is an efficient and high-tech city with life all over.
Things to do:
Take one look at the skyline and you’ll see the standout building, Taipei 101. You can ride the high speed elevator to the observation deck for panoramic views over the city which is truly incredible to look out over. Hike up Elephant Mountain for sick views of it, too. It is found in the Taipei City area, which includes a lot of the skyscrapers, plus places like National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall and a bunch of museums. Over to the west in the Wanhua District is the famous traditional spot of Taiwan, Lungshan Temple. What’s awesome is that between all of this is the incredible Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, which is a few streets down from the National Taiwan Museum also! There is basically a load of different important cultural sites in many different neighborhoods. In terms of Taipei’s buzzing markets, try both Shilin Night Market (the largest), and Raohe Street Night Market (a smaller one).
How to get there:
Fly into one of Taipei’s two airports, TPE or TSA. The former handles mainly international flights, and the latter is mainly domestic.
You can also take a high speed train or bus to other main cities like Taichung, Taoyuan, or Kaohsiung.
2) Yangmingshan National Park
The awesome thing about Taipei is that just a little further north of it is Yangmingshan National Park, a beautiful volcanic plateau with geothermal activity amongst the mountain scenery. It’s an amazing place to hike and simply just get away from the crowds of Taipei, and one of Taiwan’s best regions for nature full stop.
Things to do:
The most common thing to do is to hike to the peak of Qixing Mountain. It isn’t even that hard, taking literally less than 4 hours to the top depending on where you start. Pick from either Xiaoyoukeng Trailhead, Lengshuikeng Trailhead, or Miaopu Trailhead as your start point. After you’re all done hiking, take the time to actually visit Xiaoyoukeng which is where you can see the geothermic activity live and in action. There is paths and trails going around it. The most scenic and peaceful thing to do in my opinion is to walk to the Qingtiangang Grasslands via the Qingtaingang Circular Trail which takes under 2hrs. It’s basically the beautiful wide open grassy area of the national park, and the countryside scenery is always lovely.
How to get there:
There are frequent buses to Yangmingshan daily, with some being combined with the MRT further into the park.
3) Tainan
Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan and is often considered the cultural capital of the island. Located in southern Taiwan, it was the capital during various historical periods, including under Dutch rule in the 17th century and later during the Qing dynasty. Because of this, Tainan has a deeper historical feel compared to the modern energy of Taipei and this attracts a lot of visitors.
Things to do:
Starting all the way out in the west, the Anping District is home to the classic Anping Fort which is one of Tainan’s most important landmarks. You can climb the tower for views over Anping and learn about Taiwan’s early colonial history. Whilst you’re here, visit Anping Old Street, as well as the 19th century Eternal Golden Castle which flies over a lot of peoples radars. Now, we can start with the central area of the city. The Tainan Confucius Temple dates back to 1665 and is a good place to see traditional Taiwanese architecture. You can also find Chihkan Tower, the Tainan City Museum, and the iconic Shennong Street all in this central part of the city too. Most of the buildings were built by Dutch colonists during the 17th century. Tainan in general is a cool city to explore with great food.
How to get there:
Take a high speed train from Taipei, or a regular train from Taichung, Kaohsiung, etc.
4) Taroko National Park
Now, we go back over to Taiwan’s unexpected beauty with the popular Taroko National Park. It’s found close to the northeast of the country, and is mainly known for the Taroko Gorge which cuts deep through the valleys and mountains. Beyond the gorge, the park features waterfalls and cliffside shrines making for an
Things to do:
The most common thing to do is explore the main section of Taroko Gorge itself. The easiest and most accessible walk is the Shakadang Trail, which follows the bright blue river through marble rock formations. It’s mostly flat and you can just walk as far as you feel like before turning back. Another short but dramatic option is the Swallow Grotto trail, which is equally as beautiful with the cliffs overhead. If you want the classic viewpoint, head to the Tunnel of Nine Turns. The path hugs the cliffside and gives you close-up views of the marble walls and the rushing Liwu River below. If you’re after something more intense, the Zhuilu Old Trail is the big one. It’s a narrow cliff path carved high above the gorge with sheer drops beside you. You need a permit, and it’s only recommended if you’re comfortable with heights, but the views are unreal. Taroko is such a gem for hiking, so you have a load of options.
How to get there:
First get to Hualien, either by train, bus or through Hualien Airport (HUN).
From Hualien take a bus into one of the trailheads in the national park. There also often shuttle buses to get between places.
5) Alishan
Alishan, or Alishan National Scenic Area to give it its full name is a truly incredible region in the center of the country, containing so much mountains and ancient trees. Like, the area is literally covered in trees and you even have mountain trains running straight through creating such a stunning scene. The wooden boardwalks and trails make it easy to explore.
Things to do:
The must do, iconic experience is to the ride the famous Alishan Forest Railway (which dates back to the Japanese Era) up to Zhushan at sunrise. The sunrise from the Zhushan Observation Deck is so beautiful especially when the clouds make layers over the mountains. It runs from Alishan Station all day long too. You should also walk the Giant Tree Cluster Trail, which is like a movie style walk through the covered forest where some of the trees are 1000+ years old. You’ll probably be able to see the picturesque Sister Ponds, and the Xianglin Giant Tree on your walk as well. If you have mutliple days here, consider going to a different spot for sunrise. Along the path there are plenty of spots both sides of Zhushan, such as Xiaoliyuanshan Lookout or Duigaoyue Sunrise Viewing Platform.
How to get there:
Take a train from Taipei to Chiayi, then swap to a bus to Alishan.
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