Taiwan
What you need to know before you go
Taiwan may be a fairly small island, but it’s packed with an incredible degree of diversity. It’s one of the most densely populated areas in the world, yet has huge tracts of beautiful wilderness. At the same time as being a fantastic destination for fashion and shopping, it’s just as popular for its hiking trails and outdoor pursuits.
The different cities and counties of Taiwan each have their own unique character and culture. Taipei is naturally the most lively and cosmopolitan, while Nantou has the most interesting history, Yilan has the friendliest people and Hsinchu is the most artistic. With the help of an ultra-modern public transportation system, getting from one of the island to the other is very easy and affordable, so you can enjoy all of these different destinations and more within a single trip.
Top destinations in Taiwan
Where will you go next?Taipei boasts famous attractions, bustling nightlife, excellent restaurants and extensive shopping opportunities, as well as a heady mix of history and culture with modern and progressive thinking. It has something for almost any interest and every kind of traveler, whether you’re on a budget or looking for luxury. With a name that literally translates as “North of Taiwan”, the city...
Read moreKaohsiung
Kaohsiung is one of the biggest and busiest areas of Taiwan, and a hub of the island’s economy. Built around...
Tainan
Tainan is one of the older cities in Taiwan, located in the southern portion of the island, and is a...Hsinchu
Hsinchu is the oldest city in Northern Taiwan, yet is a hub of scientific and technological innovation. The area was...New Taipei City
New Taipei is a massive region that surrounds the neon lights, skyscrapers and night markets of thriving Taipei City, and...Yilan
Yilan is a destination of many facets; a true mix of the medieval and the modern. The county on the...Taichung
Taichung takes its position on Taiwan’s west coast, boasting ever-balmy weather. A thriving cosmopolitan city, it offers something for...
What to see & do in Taiwan
Featured stories & fun stuffThe choice of things to do in Taiwan is excellent, and includes a surprising amount of outdoor activities. Despite being one of the most densely populated places in the world, large areas of the island are still delightfully untouched, especially around Nantou and Yilin counties. You’ll find great hiking trails, fishing spots and even some excellent surfing beaches on the coast. However, Taiwan is perhaps more famous for the cityscapes... Read more
19 Best Things to Do in Taipei
Among the best things to do in Taipei are words like “biggest”, “best” and “first” – the city is a world-leader in many ways. There’s also a lot of variety, ensuring that most types of tourist will find something to...12 Best Things to do in Hsinchu
Hsinchu has a certain charm that many travelers find simply bewitching. Life is neither as fast-paced nor hectic as...10 Best Budget Things to Do in Pingtung
Who says travel has to cost a lot of money? There are plenty of interesting places to explore that won't...10 Best Places Locals Love to Go in Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung, formerly known as Takao, is a prosperous port city and a modern international metropolis with fully-fledged infrastructure and...10 Things to Do in Hualien on a Small Budget
Buy yourself a train ticket and experience the priceless beauty of Hualien. During harvest season, enjoy the beauty of Paterungan’s...10 Things to Do in Taipei on a Small Budget
There are many things to do in Taipei on a small budget, so you don't need to worry about money...10 Things to Do in Kaohsiung on a Small Budget
Holidays in Kaohsiung can be very affordable, as the city's many natural spaces and historical landmarks are free to explore...10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Taitung
If you're a couple that likes the great outdoors, look no further than Taitung. Enjoy a bike ride through Wuling...10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Hualien
Whatever the season, Hualien’s stunning views always inspire romance. You'll find couples reading poems at Pine Garden while gazing out...
Where & what to eat in Taiwan
Taiwan’s restaurant and dining scene is growing in popularity across Asia as tiny back-alley outfits grow to become international franchises. On the island itself, virtually every corner restaurant offers a mouth-watering selection of noodles or rice dishes, and will tempt you into trying a morsel of the hot soupy noodles made in every way possible. Notable noodle dishes include the steaming hot Hsinchu rice noodles, Nantou slender noodles... Read more
10 Best Yilan Foods Everyone Should Try
To say that Yilan is the hometown of fine food is not an exaggeration. You can enjoy a lot of tasty food here at any given time. Street foods such as spring onion pancake (cong you bing), thick rice noodle...10 Best Taipei Foods Everyone Should Try
You can experience the irresistible charm of Taipei as a gastronomic capital by tasting its best local dishes. Must-tries...10 Best Restaurants in Taipei
Taipei is a gourmet city where Chinese, Japanese, western, Cantonese, Thai and many other cuisines are waiting to satisfy your...
Where to shop & what to buy in Taiwan
Taiwan is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Asia. With its incredible amount of shopping malls, Taipei is a great place to find clothes, fashion accessories, footwear, electronic products and virtually everything available under the sun. Except that you don’t have to be under the sun while you shop – you can enjoy the air-conditioned coolness and modern conveniences. At the other end of the spectrum, Taiwan is... Read more
10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Tainan
Tainan has many shopping districts which are well worth a visit if you want to take a break from sightseeing. The Confucius Temple, Haian Road, Guohua Street and Zhongzheng Road areas have distinctive local features as well as a wide...10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Hualien
In addition to the beautiful mountains and waters, Hualien also has plenty of interesting shopping districts and markets for you...14 Taiwanese Souvenirs Your Family Actually Want
When it comes to buying souvenirs in Taiwan, it’s very easy to be overwhelmed by the variety of things you...
Where to go & what to do at night in Taiwan
Taiwan’s nightlife scene is mostly concentrated in Taipei. The array of things you can see and do after dark there will be more than enough to keep you entertained. The pubs and clubs here are of a world-beating standard, and there’s the added entertainment of karaoke lounges, which are especially popular with locals. Taiwan is also famous for its night markets, and these are just as good in the... Read more
10 Local Nightlife Experiences in Taipei
The wonderful city of Taipei has a lot to offer at night, from enjoying unique craft beers at a local bar to joining the cheering fans at a sports bar. Take the Maokong Gondola for tea, go to Yongchungang Park...3 Best Nightclubs in Taipei
The best nightclubs in Taipei prove that, while the city may not be well-known as a party destination, it...5 Best Nightlife in Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung has a wide variety of pubs, discotheques, and nightclubs to offer to the fun loving and hardcore party-going...
Useful information
Taiwan is undoubtedly one of the most famous islands in Asia, thanks to its remarkable people, culture and natural landscapes. While heavily westernised, it helps to know a little Mandarin, Hokkien or Cantonese to make your travels easier. Otherwise, you can stick to English because most of its locals in major cities are well-versed in this language. The best time to visit Taiwan is during the months between October... Read more
Weather in Taipei
The weather in Taipei features hot, wet summers and cold, dry winters due to Taiwan’s subtropical climate and Pacific Ocean location. As the island is hit with both monsoon cycles, it is known for its frequent rainy days, with Pacific...Yilan Information
Yilan is located on the east coast of Taiwan and is famous for its annual summer Children's Folklore Festival and...Hsinchu Information
Hsinchu is modest in size, but possess a certain charm that makes city dwellers content with life and visitors captivated...
