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...Pingtung
Pingtung is one of Taiwan’s hidden gems, offering miles of beaches, parks, historic landmarks and awe-inspiring natural beauty. The...Hualien City
Hualien is a frequent stop for travelers planning a trip to nearby Taroko National Park or embarking on a picturesque...Taitung
Taitung offers a heady blend of Japanese, Chinese and aboriginal influences, making it something of a bohemian oasis amid the...
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
9 Best Things to Do in Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung is the second largest city of Taiwan and has both an extraordinary history and a vibrant future. Founded at a time in history when the Ming Dynasty, it’s among the island’s oldest cities, so expect plenty of historical attractions...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...14 Best Things to Do in Tainan
Tainan has become a very popular historic tourist destination, in spite of its small size. The oldest city on the...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...10 Places Locals Love to Go in New Taipei
The charm of New Taipei City lies in its modern shopping districts, historic mountain towns and stunning landscapes, all well...13 Best Things to Do in Yilan
Many of the best things to do in Yilan stem from the region’s wonderful natural diversity. The county is known...10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Taipei
The best things to do for couples in Taipei offer a surprising range of ways to create unforgettable memories of...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 Best Places Locals Love to Go in Taitung
Taitung, the unspoiled jewel in eastern Taiwan's crown, is a region of diverse natural landscapes, bordered by the blue Pacific...
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
15 Best Taiwanese Foods & Dishes
Taiwanese cuisine features some really stand-out dishes which have gained global popularity, carrying simple back-alley vendors to international acclaim. To say that noodle dishes are popular in Taiwan is an understatement – there are countless types of noodle dishes...12 Best Restaurants in Taipei
Our list of the best restaurants in Taipei showcases the finest among some very stiff competition. The cuisine of Taiwan...10 Best Tainan Foods Everyone Should Try
Many visitors come to Tainan just to taste all kinds of food from morning until night at restaurants and snack...
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
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 can buy. With numerous shopping malls, commercial outlets and night markets in Taiwan, you will quickly find yourself spoiled for...20 Best Places to Go Shopping in Taipei
Our list of the best shopping in Taipei picks out the best of a wide selection of outlets from across...10 Best Shopping Malls in Taipei
Taipei is something of a shopper’s paradise, with endless markets, boutique stores, shopping districts and, of course, first-class malls...
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
17 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Taipei
Nightlife in Taipei is so busy and bustling that the city is almost livelier after dark than during the day! There's a lot to choose from, ensuring that most tastes are accommodated and most visitors will find something entertaining to...8 Best Bars & Pubs in Taipei
The best bars in Taipei are often friendly, social places, graced by the city’s extensive expatriate community as well as...5 Best Night Markets in Taipei
The best night markets in Taipei are extremely popular for their great range of local street food, to the point...
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...Taipei Airport Information
There are 2 Taipei airports, with 1 serving most of the international arrivals while the other is primarily for domestic...Getting Around Taipei
Getting around Taipei is extremely simple. The roads and public transportation networks are universally efficient and simple to understand and...
