Read this guide to discover some of Taiwan’s most beautiful and well-known places. You’ll also find activities for solo travelers, families, and more.
I’ve lived in Taiwan for almost 5 years and visited many places. I want to compile recommendations from myself and others to help you plan your trip.
Is Taiwan Worth Visiting? An Unbiased View
It depends on the kind of traveler you are. If you’re into beaches, Thailand is a better option. For affordability, consider Thailand, the Philippines, or Vietnam. If you want easy access to Western fast food, try Singapore, Japan, or the Philippines.
Taiwan is affordable in many ways and is one of the safest countries in the world. That’s why I prefer it over Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Plus, it’s much more affordable and has more to offer than Singapore.
It’s cheaper than Japan, but it doesn’t offer as much to do.
However, Taiwan is unique in its blend of Japanese, Taiwanese, and Chinese culture, with some indigenous influences.
I could write a whole blog post about this, but that’s for another time.
If you’re thinking about visiting Taiwan, keep reading.
What to Do in Taiwan That You Can’t Do Elsewhere
This section will cover activities that are mostly unique to Taiwan.
Check out my Taiwan travel guide for more details on:
- Best month to visit
- Is it safe to travel
- Where to stay
- Souvenirs worth buying
- What’s famous
- Currency
- How much pocket money to bring
You can also find more info in my trip planning guides.
Let’s begin with the first thing to do.
1. Taiwan’s Many Night Markets
Taiwan has over 65 night markets, with 30 in the greater Taipei area (New Taipei, Keelung, and Taipei cities).
These markets are a great way to experience Taiwanese culture.
Many of them will have the following:
- Food stalls
- Carnival-style games
- Souvenir shops
- Clothing stores
Most markets have vendors that provide specialty foods, making that particular market famous for that food. Moreover, vendors don’t charge much for their dishes.
Many Taiwanese night markets will have foods they specialize in.
In general, I recommend trying these dishes:
| Beef Noodles | Oyster Omelets | Oyster Vermicelli | Soup Dumplings |
| Stinky Tofu | Fried Rice | Fruit Juice | Bubble Tea |
| Tofu Pudding | Fried Chicken | Famous Local Dishes |
Don’t know what half of these foods are? Read this guide.
Some night markets feature stalls or restaurants that have earned Michelin Bib Gourmand awards, meaning they offer good food at reasonable prices.
I’ve tried many Michelin restaurants in Taiwan. And yeah, they’re great.
For more in-depth knowledge about each market, consider joining a night market tour.
Depending on where you are, some stall owners will speak English. If not, you can point at what you want or use a translation app.
Many locals prefer eating at night markets instead of dining at restaurants or cooking at home. It’s a quick, inexpensive way to grab food after a busy day.
You’ll find night markets in almost every city. There’s always one nearby.
The following buildings are also everywhere (literally).
2. Their 15,000 Temples
If you thought 65 night markets were a lot, Taiwan has over 15,000 temples.
Visiting these temples is a great way to learn about different folk heroes, gods, and traditions.
You may even stumble upon a ceremony. Be sure to research the deity each temple honors to avoid bad luck.
Taiwan’s most famous temple is Longshan Temple (艋舺龍山寺). It’s located in Taipei’s Wanhua District, next to the Ximending Pedestrian area. You could easily spend a day here.
I wrote a guide on a million things to do in Ximen (not literally). Use it for inspiration.
At night, you can head to one of the many nearby bars.
Or you could exercise.
3. Ride a Bike Around the Island
If you have 5 – 12 days of stamina, a sturdy bike, and a thirst for adventure, consider biking around Taiwan’s main island. A detailed PDF guide shows the ideal route, fitness tips, tools, and everything you need to complete this journey.
You can do this trip solo, but it’s wise to find a partner for safety. Taiwan is very safe, but anything can happen.
Many people will rent YouBikes. So long as the city you’re in supports it. You’d have to register to use them first, though. I cover how to do this in a separate guide.
Or you might want to relax at the beach.
4. Spend a Day at the Beach
‘Tai’wan, unlike ‘Thai’land, isn’t known for its beaches. It does have some great areas for surfing, sunbathing, and burning in the sun with your family.
5. Gaze at Cherry Blossoms
From mid-February to March, cherry blossoms will blossom throughout Taiwan. While many will see these trees outside Taiwan, it’s an excellent opportunity to explore nearby tourist attractions.
To make the most out of your trip, I recommend checking out cherry blossoms in Taiwan throughout these areas:
- Yangmingshan National Park: also, hike or view the sulfur valley while you’re here
- Sun Moon Lake: also visit the Taiwan indigenous people’s village
- Tianyuan Temple: it’s out of the way but also has a beautiful temple
I mentioned hiking. Let’s talk about that again.
6. Hike on One of the Many Trails
Taiwan has more than 849 hiking trails with various levels of difficulty, environments, and views.
Most trails aren’t as well maintained as those in the US. Many paths are unclear, but they’re still worth exploring.
Be prepared for snakes, wild dogs, giant hornets, and mosquitoes. These are the biggest threats I’ve encountered.
To stay safe, wear high-top boots and use insect repellant.
Avoid scented products like perfume or cologne to prevent attracting wasps.
I’m not a hiking expert or frequent hiker. I recommend checking hiking sites for trail information.
Some paths will require permits. Check ahead of time to see whether that’s the case.
Hikes I’ve tried and recommend include:
- Yangmingshan National Park: Offers great views, but the long grass gives snakes many hiding places.
- Elephant Mountain: Mostly stairs, but rewards you with an amazing view of Taipei City.
- Teapot Mountain: Provides a stunning view of the Yin Yang Sea.
You might want to enjoy nature without hiking. Have you considered birding?
7. Birdwatch
As of 2021, Taiwan is home to over 674 bird species. Making it perfect for birdwatchers seeking unique species.
Here’s a resource (PDF) to help you find “important bird areas.”
I’m not a birder yet, but I’m considering it as a hobby. So, I’ll leave the expert advice to others.
If birdwatching is already your passion, Taiwan is a fantastic place for it.
That’s all for activities and broad recommendations. Let’s now explore specific attractions by city.
Popular Cities in Taiwan & The Best Things to Do
1. Taipei City
I won’t dive deep into each spot to avoid repeating myself. Follow the links to each post for detailed information.
Here’s a list of general things to do in Taipei and indoor activities.
Let’s dive in.
2. New Taipei City
Same situation with New Taipei City as with Taipei. However, I don’t have a guide for New Taipei yet.
It’s next to Taipei, but with more mountainous areas, making access a bit harder.
3. Kaohsiung
You know what I’m going to say.
Check this guide for things to do in Kaohsiung.
4. Taichung
I’ve visited Taichung many times, but I can’t strongly recommend it.
I’ll let you decide for yourself.
Here’s a piece on things to do in Taichung.
1. Original Chung Shui Tang
2. Miyahara Ice Cream
3. Animation Alley
4. National Taichung Theater
