10 Unique Things To Do In Taiwan: The Complete Taiwan Travel Guide [2026]

Are you heading to Taiwan soon? Let me show you how to make the most of it.

I went in expecting famous Taiwan night markets and Taipei 101, and left having chased bubble tea across 5 cities, launched a paper lantern in Shifen, and found myself genuinely gutted to leave Tainan.

Taiwan does that, it’s a small island that somehow never runs out of new places to send you. This Taiwan travel guide is everything I wish I’d known before my first trip.

I’ll walk you through the best things to do in Taiwan, the best cities to base yourself in, where to stay, how to get around, and the practical bits (visas, plugs, staying connected) that make the difference between a smooth trip and a stressful one.

Think of this as your one-stop Taiwan travel planner. Bookmark it, work through the sections that matter to you, and use the links along the way to dig deeper into specific cities, food, and things to do.

Let’s get into it.

JUMP TO:

The Ultimate Travel eSIM Guide [2026]
This 5-day Taiwan Itinerary Is Everything You Need
Taipei Food Guide: What To Eat And Where To Eat It, Taiwan

Taiwan At A Glance

Short on time? Here’s everything you need to know about Taiwan in one place

Currency	New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)
Language	Mandarin Chinese (Taiwanese Hokkien also widely spoken)
Plug type	Type A/B, 110V, 60Hz, same as the US and Canada
Visa	Most Western passport holders (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) get 90 days visa-free. A mandatory online Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) must be completed within 3 days of arrival. This replaced the old paper form in October 2025.
Time zone	Taipei Standard Time (UTC+8), no daylight saving
Best time to visit	March–May or September–November
Flight time from London	Around 13–14 hours, usually with 1 stop
Driving	On the right
Hello / Greetings	Ni hao
Thank you	Xie xie

Best Time To Visit Taiwan

Taiwan has 4 genuinely distinct seasons, and when you go changes the trip more than most people expect.

Spring (March–May)

This is one of the best windows to visit. 

Temperatures sit around 20–25°C/ 68–77°F, humidity hasn’t built up yet, and the mountain towns bring out cherry blossoms in March and April. 

Rain is possible but rarely disruptive. This is comfortable weather for walking cities and hiking alike.

Summer (June–August)

Temperatures regularly top 30°C/ 86°F, and the humidity is the real challenge; most locals plan their days around ducking in and out of air conditioning. 

This is also typhoon season. Taiwan sees around 3-4 typhoons a year on average, most landing between July and September, and they can shut down trains, flights, and entire cities for a day or two with relatively short notice. 

Not a dealbreaker, but keep your itinerary flexible if you’re travelling during this window.

Autumn (September–November)

My favourite season here, and arguably the best time to visit overall. 

Humidity drops off noticeably, skies clear up, and you’ve sidestepped peak typhoon risk by October. 

Temperatures stay comfortable, 22–28°C/ 72–82°F into October before cooling further, making it ideal for both city time and day trips into the mountains.

Winter (December–February)

Mild in the south, genuinely cold and damp in the north. Taipei can sit around 12–16°C / 54–61°F with persistent drizzle, while Kaohsiung and Tainan stay noticeably milder and drier. 

If Taipei is your main base, pack for grey, cool days rather than anything close to tropical. More on Taiwan packing tips below under Practical Tips To Know.

6 Best Places To Visit In Taiwan

Taiwan is small enough to cross in a few hours by high-speed rail, but each city has a genuinely different personality. 

If you want the complete picture beyond what’s covered below, these 18 cool, unusual things to do in Taiwan go well past the standard Taipei 101 checklist.

Here’s where to go and why.

1. Taipei — Best For First-Timers And City Culture

Taipei is where most trips start and end, and it earns the extra days. It’s the most walkable introduction to Taiwan, night markets, temples tucked between office buildings, world-class museums, and an MRT system simple enough to navigate on day one.

Daan District is worth a slow afternoon on its own, home to Daan Forest Park and a cluster of quiet, minimalist cafés and tea bars, The Oolong Project among them, a short walk from Daan Park MRT, and honestly one of the reasons I ended up chasing the best bubble teas in Taiwan well beyond just this one neighbourhood. 

Ximending, by contrast, is loud, youthful, and full of street fashion and food stalls, the best base if nightlife and energy matter more than quiet mornings.

Between the 2 ends of that spectrum, plus temples like Longshan and the National Palace Museum, it’s easy to fill 4–5 days here without repeating yourself.

I’ve mapped out a full 5-day Taiwan itinerary if you want a ready-made plan built around the capital.

2. Tainan — Best For Food And A Slower Pace

Tainan is Taiwan’s oldest city, and it’s where I’d send anyone who wants food and history over sightseeing checklists. As the island’s former capital, it has more historic temples than anywhere else in Taiwan, and a street food scene that genuinely rivals Taipei’s, just at half the pace and a fraction of the crowds.

It suits travellers who’d rather wander without a fixed itinerary than tick off major attractions, a lot of Tainan’s charm is in the alleyways and small, family-run food stalls you stumble onto rather than plan around.

3. Taichung — Best For A Central Base And Day Trips

Taichung sits in the middle of the island, which makes it the most practical base if your trip includes mountain day trips, it’s the closest major city to Sun Moon Lake, about an hour away by bus.

The city itself has a noticeably more relaxed, artsy energy than Taipei, particularly around its art district, with a growing café and minimalist tea bar scene. It suits travellers who want a quieter city base without giving up good food and things to do in the evenings.

4. Kaohsiung — Best For A Warmer, Laid-Back Alternative

Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s southern port city, warmer, more spread out, and noticeably more laid-back than the capital. It’s a good counterpoint if Taipei’s pace has worn you out, with wide waterfront promenades, a slower rhythm, and fewer crowds even at popular spots.

It also works well as a jumping-off point for day trips further south, making it a practical stop if Kaohsiung isn’t your only southern destination.

5. Hualien & Taroko Gorge — Best For Nature And Hiking

Hualien is the gateway to Taroko Gorge, marble cliffs, mountain rivers, and hiking trails that feel a world away from Taiwan’s cities.

This is the pick for travellers who want at least a couple of days focused entirely on nature rather than urban exploring, and it’s one of the best reasons to leave Taipei behind for a few days.

6. Jiaoxi — Best For Slowing Down Between Stops

Jiaoxi, in Yilan County, is Taiwan’s hot spring town, small, quiet, and built almost entirely around relaxation. It suits travellers looking for a short, deliberate pause between busier stops rather than a full standalone destination, an easy overnight add-on rather than a multi-day base.

10 Must-Do Things To Do In Taiwan

Taiwan rewards people who go looking beyond Taipei 101 and the obvious photo stops. Here’s what’s genuinely worth your time, food included, but not food alone.

1. Nightlife And Markets

Explore Taipei’s night markets properly. Shilin and Raohe are the famous names, but wandering a smaller neighbourhood market, without a specific stall in mind, is often where the better food and fewer crowds turn up.

Book a guided Taipei night market food tour here

2. Food (Because You Can’t Skip It Entirely)

Chase bubble tea beyond the chains. I tried 10 different bubble teas across the island, and it’s genuinely one of the best ways to explore a neighbourhood, one shop leads to the next.

3. Eat your way through Taipei properly

I put together a full Taipei food guide covering what to eat and exactly where to find it, from beef noodle soup institutions to the city’s best breakfast stalls.

Book a guided Taipei food tasting tour here

4. Temples And Culture

Visit Longshan Temple, Taipei. Built in 1786, this is one of the city’s most active temples, incense smoke, locals praying between errands, and genuinely striking architecture, all a short walk from Taipei’s Bangka district.

Book a guided Longshan Temple tour here

5. Explore The National Palace Museum

Home to one of the largest collections of Chinese imperial artefacts in the world, evacuated from mainland China in 1949. Give it at least half a day, it’s far bigger than it looks from outside.

Book a guided National Palace Museum tour here

6. Wander Tainan’s Temple District

Tainan has more historic temples than any other Taiwanese city, a legacy of being the island’s original capital, worth a slow half-day of temple-hopping between food stops.

Book a guided Tainan city walking tour here

7. Bar-hop In Taichung’s Art District

A newer, quieter scene compared to Taipei, worth an evening if you’re already based here for the tea bars.

Book a Taichung nightlife and bar tour here

8. Explore Jiufen & Shifen

Walk through the atmospheric mountain village of Jiufen, its lantern-lit streets and narrow staircases partly inspired by Spirited Away, then head to Shifen to launch a paper sky lantern on the old railway tracks. 

It’s an easy day trip from Taipei and one of the most photographed experiences in the country for good reason.

Book a guided Jiufen and Shifen day trip here

9. Sun Moon Lake

Rent a bicycle and ride around the gorgeous blue waters, ringed by green hills and aboriginal villages. It sits at 748 metres above sea level and is Taiwan’s largest lake, an easy overnight from Taichung.

Book a Sun Moon Lake day tour with bike rental here

10. Alishan

Ride the scenic forest train through ancient cypress trees and, if you time it right, catch a genuinely breathtaking sunrise above the clouds. 

This is mountain Taiwan at its best: cooler air, dense forest, and a completely different pace from the cities.

Book a guided Alishan sunrise and forest train tour here

Find things beyond Taipei 101. I’ve rounded up 8 things to do in Taipei that go past the standard checklist.

Book Taipei 101 observatory skip-the-line tickets here

Souvenirs Worth Bringing Home

Skip the pineapple cakes everyone else is buying, or at least don’t stop there. I’ve rounded up 10 must-visit Taiwan souvenir stops that go beyond the airport gift shop staples. Among the top 3 Taiwan souvenirs are:

1. Handcrafted trinkets from Mama Handmade, Taipei
2. Bread from Wu Pao Chun Bakery, Kaohsiung
3. Original Soy Sauce from Yunlin

Where To Stay In Taiwan

Where you base yourself changes city to city. Here’s the breakdown, with links to my full hotel reviews plus a few extra picks across each budget.

Taipei

• My pick: Regent Taipei — a genuine five-star base right in the middle of the city’s shopping and dining district, ideal if you want comfort within walking distance of everything – read my review here.
• Boutique alternative: WESTGATE Hotel Taipei — sits near Ximending, a great pick if nightlife and street food are the priority – read my review here.
• Budget: CityInn Hotel Plus Ximending — 3 minutes from Ximen MRT, with free laundry and streaming included in every room
• Mid-Range: MGH Mitsui Garden Hotel, Da’an — skyline views, MRT right outside
• Luxury (alternative): The Okura Prestige — warm Japanese-style hospitality and a rooftop pool, without the price tag of a typical Western five-star

Tainan

• My pick: Silks Place Tainan — sleek, five-star, centrally located near the Confucius Temple, an easy, comfortable base for a food-focused stay – read my review here.
• Budget: Happy Holiday Homestay — well-reviewed guesthouse with free parking, handy if you’re picking up a rental car for day trips
• Luxury (alternative): Shangri-La Far Eastern Tainan — known for excellent, attentive service if the Silks Place is booked out

Taichung

• As a central base for day trips to Sun Moon Lake, look toward hotels near the Art Museum district for the easiest access to the city’s tea bar and café scene

Kaohsiung

• My pick: Silks Club Kaohsiung — a genuinely polished stay in the south, a good base for exploring the city and its day-trip options without needing to switch hotels  – read my review here.
• Budget/Mid-Range: Kindness Hotel Kaohsiung Station — reliable, well-located chain option right by the station
• Luxury (alternative): Grand Hi-Lai Hotel — well-regarded, city-centre, known for its polished, sophisticated atmosphere
• Quieter alternative area: Pier 2 Art Center district in Yancheng — popular for its slower pace and proximity to the waterfront

Hualien & Taroko Gorge

• My pick: Silks Place Taroko, Xiulin — about as close as you can get to sleeping inside the gorge itself, mountain views right from the property, the best base for exploring Taroko without a long daily drive in and out  – read my review here.
  Note: road closures within the gorge mean cars and shuttles can only pass through a limited number of times per day, factor that into your plans.
• Alternative: Le Méridien Hualien Resort — a well-regarded option if you’d rather avoid navigating those road closures altogether

Jiaoxi

• My pick: Wellspring by Silks, Jiaoxi — leans into the town’s hot spring culture properly, a genuinely relaxing stop if you’re breaking up a longer trip  – read my review here.

Getting Around Taiwan

High-Speed Rail (THSR)

The easiest way to move between cities. THSR connects Taipei to Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung in under 2 hours each, with frequent departures throughout the day. 

Tickets can be booked online or at the station, and it’s worth booking ahead around major Taiwanese holidays (Lunar New Year especially), when trains sell out.

Check the THSR timetable here

Taiwan Railway (TRA)

The slower, conventional rail network covers routes THSR doesn’t reach, including the full east coast to Hualien. It’s a genuinely scenic ride along the coastline, worth taking for the views alone even though it takes longer than flying or driving.

Check the TRA timetable here

Domestic Buses

Buses fill the gaps rail doesn’t cover, particularly useful for reaching Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, and smaller mountain towns not directly served by THSR or TRA. 

Long-distance coaches are comfortable and inexpensive, though schedules thin out on less popular routes.

Check the bus timetable here

City Transport: MRT, Buses & YouBike

Within Taipei specifically, the MRT is fast, clean, and covers almost everywhere you’ll want to go, an EasyCard (a rechargeable transit card) works across MRT, city buses, and even convenience stores, and is worth picking up on arrival. 

YouBike, the city’s public bike-share system, is a genuinely good way to cover shorter distances or explore riverside paths.

Renting A Scooter Or Car

This makes the most sense once you’re outside the major cities, particularly around Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, and Taroko Gorge, where public transport thins out and having your own wheels means you’re not tied to a tour schedule. 

International driving permits are required for foreign visitors renting a scooter or car.

Book a scooter rental for Taiwan here

Practical Tips To Know Before Visiting Taiwan 

Staying Connected

One practical thing worth sorting before you land: a Taiwan eSIM. 

Mobile coverage is excellent across the cities, but having data ready the moment you land makes navigating night markets, booking THSR tickets on the fly, and ordering bubble tea in Mandarin-only shops a lot easier. 

I’ve compared the best options in my full Best eSIM For Taiwan guide.

Power & Adaptors

Taiwan uses the same Type A/B plugs and 110V as the US, so US and Canadian travellers won’t need an adapter. 

Everyone else (UK, EU, Australia) should pack a Type A/B adaptor before landing. They’re pricier and harder to find once you’re on the island.

What To Wear

A light rain layer is worth having year-round given how often afternoon showers roll through, even outside typhoon season. 

Comfortable walking shoes matter more here than almost anywhere else on this list. Between night markets, temple-hopping, and mountain day trips, you’ll be on your feet more than you expect. 

If you’re travelling between spring/autumn and summer, pack layers. Air-conditioned MRT carriages and restaurants run noticeably colder than the humid streets outside.

I keep a reusable packing list for my travels, you’ll find the essentials there.

Cash Vs Card

Taiwan is increasingly card-friendly in cities, but night markets and smaller tea shops are frequently cash-only. 

Keep a reasonable amount of TWD on hand. 

ATMs are widely available, and your EasyCard can also double as a way to pay for small convenience store purchases.

How Much Does Visiting Taiwan Cost?

Taiwan is genuinely good value compared to much of East Asia’s more expensive destinations, roughly half the cost of Tokyo, Singapore, or Hong Kong for equivalent quality. Though it sits a notch above Southeast Asian capitals like Bangkok or Hanoi.

Travel Style	Per Person / Day	What It Covers
Backpacker	USD 45–65	Hostel dorms, night market meals, MRT and local trains, 1 paid attraction
Mid-Range	USD 80–140	Private hotel room, mix of restaurants and food halls, HSR day trips, 1–2 attractions
Luxury	USD 250–450+	4–5 star hotels, fine dining, private drivers, premium experiences

Based on how long you’re staying:

Trip Length	Backpacker	Mid-Range	Luxury
1 week	USD 315–455	USD 560–980	USD 1,750–3,150+
10 days	USD 450–650	USD 800–1,400	USD 2,500–4,500+
2 weeks	USD 630–910	USD 1,120–1,960	USD 3,500–6,300+

• Local food: A bowl of beef noodle soup or braised pork rice at a neighbourhood spot runs TWD 100–180 / USD 3–6
• Budget accommodation: A hostel dorm bed in Taipei comes to TWD 500–800 / USD 15–25 a night
• City transport: MRT-only travel costs as little as TWD 100–150 / USD 3–5 a day with an EasyCard, cheaper still if you’re mixing in YouBike rides

Taipei vs everywhere else: Taipei runs pricier than the rest of the country on both hotels and food. If your trip includes Tainan, Taichung, or Kaohsiung, budget those days lower than your Taipei days, the same mid-range hotel or meal typically costs 15–25% less outside the capital.

Tipping: Not expected anywhere in Taiwan, restaurants, hotels, and tours all included. One less line item to plan for compared to most other destinations in this guide.

Is Visiting Taiwan Safe?

Taiwan is genuinely one of the safest countries I’ve travelled through, full stop. It ranks 9th on the Global Peace Index, safer on that measure than Japan or Germany, and violent crime against tourists is close to nonexistent.

Petty theft barely registers here. You can leave your bag on a chair while you order noodles at a night market table and it’ll almost certainly still be there when you get back. Locals do exactly that constantly. 

Standard precautions still apply in crowded spots like Shilin Night Market or busy MRT stations. Bag zipped, phone not left face-up on a café table, but the baseline level of trust genuinely surprises visitors coming from higher-crime countries.

The scams that exist are minor and easy to spot once you know them. Watch for the “fake monk” or “friendly art student” approach in busy areas like Ximending. Someone hands you a bracelet or amulet uninvited, then aggressively demands a donation once you’ve taken it. Just say no and keep walking. 

Tea ceremony overcharging shows up in tourist-heavy spots like Jiufen and Taipei’s Wanhua and Datong districts. You’re invited in for a “free” tasting that ends with a bill for TWD 3,000+ / USD 95. Always confirm the price before you sit down. 

At Jiufen and Elephant Mountain, unlicensed “guides” sometimes offer to lead you to a viewpoint for a fee, then demand more once you’re at the top.

RFID card skimming is a genuine, rising concern. Tap-to-pay skimming near MRT ticket machines, night markets, and crowded temple districts increased noticeably in 2025. An RFID-blocking wallet or a neck pouch for your cards is a cheap, easy precaution worth packing.

Traffic is the real everyday risk, not crime. 

Taiwan has one of the highest motorbike densities in the world, and pedestrian awareness of scooter traffic is the biggest adjustment for most first-time visitors. Look both ways properly before crossing, even on quieter streets, and if you’re renting a scooter yourself, wear a helmet regardless of whether it’s enforced.

Natural disasters are taken seriously and planned for well. Taiwan’s earthquake and typhoon response systems are among the most advanced in the world. Buildings are engineered for seismic activity, and foreign visitors receive automatic emergency alerts through the Public Warning System on their phones. 

Typhoon season (roughly July–September) is the one time I’d leave a little wiggle room in your plans. Flights and trains can be disrupted at short notice, but it’s usually more of a change-of-plans situation than something to worry about for your safety. Keep your itinerary flexible, and you’ll be fine.

Solo or travelling with the family, Taiwan is an easy place to feel comfortable. It’s considered very safe for solo female travellers, and the public transport is so reliable that even getting around late at night doesn’t feel particularly stressful.

FAQs About Things To Do In Taiwan

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Chasing bubble tea from Taipei to Chiayi, launching a lantern in Shifen, and losing an afternoon to Tainan’s street food left me with a genuinely different picture of Taiwan than the one I landed with, a country that rewards wandering far more than it rewards a checklist.

Whatever mix of things to do in Taiwan you go for- food, night markets, mountain day trips, or all three- I hope this guide makes planning your trip a little easier.