Taiwan is an absolute gem of a rustic to discover. It’s a very gorgeous island nation that’s received just a little little bit of one thing for each sort of traveller to expertise. Should you’re into cities, you’ve received some completely vibrant cities like Taipei and the historic capital Tainan. Not solely that, there’s a enormous swash of completely unspoilt mountain ranges, nationwide parks, and delightful coastlines with among the finest seashores within the area.
Oh, and let’s not neglect how straightforward it’s to journey round Taiwan. The high-speed rail system is superb. Trains are punctual, clear, and tremendous quick, and we discovered this the easiest way to get between city centres whereas travelling in Taiwan.
It’s additionally tremendous straightforward to hire a automobile, even when the roads may be busy in cities like Taipei! Reality be informed, I’d most likely advocate sticking to the MRT (metro system) and cabs or Uber in larger cities. A automobile may be extra of a problem, and the general public transport system is a dream. Oh yeah, ensure to recollect: completely no consuming or consuming while driving the MRT. It’s fantastic on the Excessive-Velocity Railway—however not the MRT.
You’ll have the best time getting round Taiwan! So, that can assist you get essentially the most out of your go to to Taiwan, we’re sharing the very best locations in Taiwan to go to when you arrive. This fashion, you possibly can focus all of your vitality on having enjoyable, with out being slowed down within the planning levels when you’re there.
1.) Tainan
Tainan is the previous capital of Taiwan and one metropolis you possibly can’t miss when visiting Taiwan. It’s a high-speed practice journey from Taipei and a foodie metropolis stuffed with evening markets, eating places and funky cafes you possibly can’t miss.
We’ve spent fairly a little bit of time in Tainan, a type of cities that will get below your pores and skin.
From the extremely tasty evening markets, temples and mangrove tunnels – it’s a spot you possibly can’t miss when visiting the very best locations in Taiwan to go to.
So, that can assist you get essentially the most out of your time in Tainan, we’ve jotted down all of the high locations it’s worthwhile to go to in Tainan while you go to. Tainan is superb! You’re going to have the very best time.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Tainan
2.) Alishan Forest
The Alishan forest is one among my favorite (and unspoilt) areas of Taiwan to go to. It’s gorgeous and located within the excessive mountains of Taiwan, which rise about 2,900 meters.
Now, should you’re planning on going, guide a switch or tour that can drop you off close to or across the Alishan Township. From right here, you possibly can comply with a heap of various trails, discover the boardwalk or watch the dawn with the ocean of clouds under you.
If the latter is your jam, guide the pre-sunrise practice (round 20 minutes) that takes you to the dawn spot. It’s lovely on a transparent day, although all the time be ready for inclement climate within the mountains of Taiwan.
Additionally, a ultimate notice: lodge selections within the Alishan Forest space are extra primary than in Taipei. There may be a lot much less alternative—lodging are clear however not all the time on the upper finish should you’re used to the Grand Lodge or Regent Lodge in Taipei (as an example).
You’ll be able to guide tickets for the practice right here.
3.) Formosensis Practice
Departing from the Alishan Township space of Taiwan, the Formosensis Practice (bookable right here) is a newly renovated cedar-clad practice that takes you across the Alishan forest on a half-day journey. The journey is beautiful and an effective way to discover the broader rural space, with a couple of stops in small cities.
We completely cherished our practice journey, and it’s up there as the most effective issues to do in Taiwan that you may’t miss. Ensure to plan properly upfront – these tickets may be booked shortly.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Taipei
4.) Taipei
Should you’re visiting Taiwan from a world vacation spot, then it’s most probably that you’ll land within the capital metropolis of Taipei. It’s properly price spending no less than 2 days right here in Taipei, particularly as there may be a lot to see, do, and eat within the metropolis.
From the unbelievable Taipei Evening Markets to among the finest speakeasies and bars within the metropolis, Taipei has the whole lot you may need from a metropolis break.
So, that can assist you get essentially the most out of your go to to Taipei, we’ve created a devoted submit on all the very best issues to do in Taipei while you go to. Our submit deep-dives into all of the spots you possibly can’t miss in your go to and provides you a full run-down of the place to see and expertise throughout your keep.
Taipei is such an thrilling metropolis in Taiwan. You’ll adore it.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Taipei
5.) Seashores in Taiwan
Taiwan may not instantly come to thoughts, however it has among the finest seashores within the area, and you may’t miss them whereas exploring the nation.
Now, for my part, among the finest are on the lesser-developed east coast of Taiwan or the island of Penghu, which is a brief airplane journey away (or ferry journey from Kaohsiung) on the principle island of Taiwan.
At Kenting Baishawan (Google Maps hyperlink), you’ll discover how clear and pristine the shoreline is. Like, it appears to be like untouched, and the water is so good and heat. Additionally, don’t neglect about Dongao Seashore (Google Maps hyperlink) and Fulong (Google Maps hyperlink) seashores, too. They’re gorgeous areas to decelerate and benefit from the pristine shoreline of Taiwan itself.
As all the time, ensure to pack loads of SPF. The solar may be very robust in Taiwan, particularly on a transparent day.
Oh, and don’t neglect about Yehliu Geopark, too. It’s lovely, particularly round Oyster Rock, Queen’s Head and Fairy’s Shoe.
6.) Taiwan tea plantation
Tea is king in Taiwan! Black tea, oolong tea, you identify it, Taiwan has it! Not solely is tea drunk abundantly in Taiwan, however there are additionally many tea plantations you possibly can go to throughout the nation.
We discovered it best to go to some tea plantations on the drive as much as the Alishan Forest space (excessive within the mountains). Many of the tea plantations we visited have been away from the shoreline and on elevated floor with barely much less intense temperatures.
We cherished visiting the Lin Yuan Tea Manufacturing unit (Google Maps hyperlink), a few 45-minute drive west of Alishan Township.
Right here, we participated in a tea ceremony, the place we tried some native black tea and even received to strive selecting some tea leaves. The entire space is gorgeous, and it’s simply the most effective locations in Taiwan to go to as you enterprise greater into the mountains.
7.) Jiufen Previous Avenue
Round a 50-minute drive from the centre of Taipei (or a 90-minute public transport journey), Jiufen Previous Avenue is properly price visiting should you’re within the northeast of Taiwan.
As soon as right here, you possibly can discover the tiny streets and alleyways that make the hilly Jiufen space particular. As you discover on foot, you’ll go to so many little foodie stalls, outlets and cafes alongside the way in which.
We all the time advocate visiting within the late afternoon. This fashion, you’ll get to Jiufen remodel from day to nighttime and see the long-lasting neon lights that make this space so iconic.
To make issues simpler, guide this Juifen tour that can take you from Taipei, proper to the center of Jiufen. It makes all of it really easy and is the right method to discover should you’re quick on time. Simply you should definitely guide this tour upfront; tickets promote out quick at peak instances.
8.) Sicao Inexperienced Tunnel and Sicao Dazhong Temple
Whereas in Tainan, we took a brief journey to the close by Sicao Inexperienced Tunnel and Sicao Dashing Temple. The Sicao Inexperienced Tunnel is a brief, 25-minute journey by means of the mangrove waterways that crisscross this space round Tainan.
In my view, the inexperienced tunnel itself isn’t some of the iconic spots to go to, however it’s very easy to incorporate on a journey to Tainan—particularly should you’re within the metropolis for a good few days. Excursions aren’t costly, and so they’re fairly relaxed. One notice is that there are not any excursions in English.
Afterwards, go to the Sicao Dazhong Temple, which is a one-minute stroll from the Sicao Inexperienced Tunnel.
Visits take round 45 minutes and are simply included (however not important) when visiting the broader Tainan space of Taiwan.
9.) Taichung
Nearly halfway down the west facet of Taiwan, Taihchung is one other metropolis to go to whereas exploring the island. Though it doesn’t have the draw of Tainan or Taipei, it’s nonetheless price visiting for a day journey or perhaps a chilled half-day journey down the west coast of Taiwan.
As soon as right here, pop into the Nationwide Taichung Theatre for among the seasonal performances all year long. As all the time, make an observation that performances aren’t in English.
Additionally, ensure to go to the Nationwide Twain Museum of High-quality Artwork and the Nationwide Museum of Pure Science, each inside Taichung. There’s a small entry price, however it’s not price it.
Within the night, head to the Yizhong Avenue Evening Market (Google Maps hyperlink), which is properly price spending a couple of hours consuming, consuming, and chilling! The entire vibe is so pleasant, and we cherished the shaved mango ice we had right here.
10.) Yuyupas Cultural Park
Yuyupas Cultural Park (Google Maps hyperlink) is simple to go to should you’re already heading into the mountains or the forest round Alishan Township.
Now, you would possibly marvel what makes it the most effective locations in Taiwan to go to? Effectively, Taiwan isn’t only one unified tradition. Many ethnic teams make up this island nation, and the Yuyupas Cultural Park is the place you possibly can be taught extra about their historical past and tradition in Taiwan.
As soon as right here, you’ll see performances by various cultural teams that showcase Taiwan’s lengthy historical past and heritage.
Simply bear in mind, no performances are in English. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless price visiting as a part of a guided tour or to be taught extra about Taiwan’s deep cultural heritage. Visits take round 90 minutes.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Taipei
Verify Out The Very Finest Of Nice Britain!
