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Travel to Taiwan is underrated, and the island in the East China Sea is relatively unknown. Here are the best places to visit in Taiwan to see it differently.
Underrated and rarely spoken about, travelling in Taiwan was put on the radar after I met a woman called Marie during my travels in India five years ago. Born and raised in the capital city of Taipei before moving to the USA with her family in her teens, she’s spent years telling me incredible stories of her home town, the culture she left behind and (like many of my Asian friends) the food.
Her plethora of memories brought to life the little known island south of Japan and Korea, east of Hong Kong and north of the Philippines.
While there is huge debate surrounding independence from China vs. China ‘controlling’ Taiwan, Taiwanese people (despite many being hereditary Chinese mainlanders) shout of their independence and their difference. Laid back yet open, proud but approachable, there is a distinct beauty in their nature that certainly marks them apart in their culture in comparison to what I experienced in China.
I spent two weeks in the country, but that wasn’t enough. A stunning mountainous plain, filled with thick forests, national parks and turquoise blue streamlined hiking trails, and surrounded by a multitude of towns and cities, each with their own unique offering, Taiwan is an outdoor lover’s paradise as well as a culture enthusiast’s playground. Here’s where to visit in Taiwan on a loop around the country’s most scenic spots.
Places to Visit in Taiwan – The Little Known Island with Big Attraction.
Contents
Travel to Taiwan – Start in Taipei
While there’s more to Taiwan than just its capital city, many only give the spreading metropolis a couple of days of exploration, and it needs more.
Taipei Heritage Sites – City Centre
Much of the main heritage sites include the Longshan Temple, National Taiwan Museum, 2-28 Peace Park, National Concert Hall, and the incredible Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, with the Liberty Square Arch in the west of the central city.
The art and temple area is north of Taipei Main train station and the Taipei 101 viewing tower and cable car in the east.
Every evening, I navigated a new night market across this central area, the biggest and most well-known, Shilin, much further north on the metro line.
Taiwan National Palace Museum, Taipei.
Taipei’s Chiang Kai shek Memorial Hall
Liberty Square Arch.
Taipei 101 Building.
City views from the Taipei 101 Building.
Ningxia Night Market, Taipei.
Shilin Night Market, Taipei.
Tamsui District – New Taipei
For those wanting to explore further, my two favourite places in the city exist right at both ends of the Metro line. I stayed in the northernmost area of Taipei, on the red metro line, 45 minutes from the centre in an area called Tamsui (formally Tamshui /Danshui) – a once-bustling port town occupied at various times by the Spanish, Dutch, Japanese and Han Chinese.
It’s a hilly town full of stunning renovated colonial buildings and former residences, the site of the Spanish Fort San Domingo, beautifully landscaped Alethia University and narrow streets brimming with street food and market stalls.
I grabbed a map that outlined all the historical buildings, hired a bike for the day, leisurely perused the town, and then hopped on a ferry over to the seacoast town of Bali.
Tamsui Old Street, Taipei.
Stilt houses along the Tamsui River in New Taipei.
Former Oxford College of Alethia University in Tamsui.
Grand Chapel Aletheia Universit, Tamsui.
Ferry from Tamsui to Bali.
View from the seacoast town of Bali to Tamsui.
Bali Park New in New Taipei.
Sundown in Bali district, Taipei.
Xindian District – South If you have time to get to further reaches of the outer city, take the last stop on the metro line, south of the city, to Xindian station. Here, you’ll find Bitan Park, another walking and cycling route that lines the Xindian River, flanked by green encased mountains and a huge cable suspension bridge.
Visit Tainan – Taiwan’s Oldest City
If you have limited time in Taiwan and want to combine another city with Taipei, then the southwestern coastal city of Tainan is where you should head. The oldest city and the first capital of Taiwan melds a 400-year-old historical timeline from Dutch colony to Imperial Chinese rule, found amongst its cluster of shrines, temples and colonial-era buildings in Tainan city and with the beautiful, cobbled stone district of Anping with its harbour front, old set-stone streets and banyan tree root ‘Tree House’.
READ MORE: Things to Do in Tainan – See Taiwan’s Oldest City Differently
Fort Zeelandia Museum, Anping.
Visiting the Anping Tree House.
Taichung – For the Iconic Sun Moon Lake
North of Tainan is the huge yet nondescript industrial city of Taichung. With little to do here aside from the science museum, many bypass the city, using it only as a stopping point to reach Sun Moon Lake without rushing or leaving on early transport links.
The misty sky-lined Sun Moon Lake is the largest body of fresh water in the whole of Taiwan and a government-controlled National Scenic Area. Spend a full day here a nature-bound trip filled with scenic boat trips, mini-hikes, long walks and cycle routes encased by more mountains. When you see past the crowds, the views from up high are incredible. This i
READ MORE: Visiting Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan
Hualien – The Gateway to Taroko Gorge
Hualien is think with vegetation and low-lying mountains, a teaser gateway to the famed Taroko National Park. One of the most popular and scenic treks is the Shakadong Trail—a rock-cut path that follows a bubbling blue river dotted with smooth boulders in a spectrum of grey and silver, flowing alongside marbled canyons that mirror the trail route.
Hualien city coastline.
Lush landscapes of Hualien.
Shakadong Trail, Taroko Gorge.
Visiting Taiwan’s famed Taroko National Park.
Gorge valley landscapes of Taroko National Park.
Is Taiwan Worth Visiting?
Absolutely, but while two weeks in Taiwan is ample time to see the major cities and natural attractions, to get a wider sense of the country’s offering, I don’t think it’s long enough. Especially if you want to spend more than two days in Taipei. With a central island route that takes you through mountainous hikes, historical trails, Recreation Areas and winding highways, in addition to other coastal towns calling for exploration including Lukang, Kaohsiung, Sanyi, Mataian and Yuli, this is a small country with a lot of highlights, that warrants more than a quick visit.
Where To Stay in Taiwan
My top picks for budget stays and local experiences in Taiwan.
Taipei Hostels and Guesthouses
Alex’s Oceanview Stay – A homely family-run guesthouse in the northern and historical district of Tamsui.
Banana Hostel – A small, cosy apartment-turned-hostel right in the heart of the city.
Tainan Homestay
At Home – A Taiwanese homestay in a modern apartment, close to the historical hotspots of Tainan.
Taichung Hostels
Joy – A simple, friendly, budget hostel and homestay offering with bike rental and group bike trips.
Hualien Hostels
Sleeping Boot Hostel – A small, funky and colourful offering right in the middle of town and near key transport links.
Stay in locally run guesthouses and meet Taiwanese locals.
Lawrence says
Visit some of the Islands, like Green Island, Xiao LiuQiu Island, Penghu Islands etc. They are not overcrowded and you can see colorful fish and giant turtles if you go snorkelling.
chris says
I am planning a Taiwan trip in the future (with a bike and surfboard) and your piece here is appreciated. If you added prices for common costs it would really give people a sense of budget and expectations. just a suggestion…otherwise, great stuff – thanks!