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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.
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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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Amanda @ Adventures All Around says
This is one of those places I have yet to travel to, and you’ve certainly helped to inspire me! I look forward to hearing more about it when you head back again for more adventures 🙂
Becki says
I hope more people go and experience the beauty of Taiwan!
D Haldar says
Wow, Taiwan looks like a really cool place to visit….its well within my budget, next time I plan a trip Taiwan is going to on the top of my list 🙂
Becki says
I’m glad you think that because it really is! And it’s not an expensive place to travel on either. Hope you make it there soon!
Kasha says
Taiwan sounds and looks like a beautiful place! I know what you mean about unfinished business; there are some countries that I NEED to go back to, as I feel like I barely scratched the surface of discovering them.
Your photos are gorgeous 🙂
Becki says
I’m half trapped between thinking the ‘unfinished business’ feeling is frustrating and also exciting. But Taiwan has so much drawing me back! Where do you want to return to? Hope Taiwan is now on your list? 🙂
Jessica Wray says
I LOVED Taiwan myself. It was such a great country to visit. I was only there 10 days, and there were a few spots I missed. I loved the gorge, and we visited after a typhoon as well. There were a few landslides making a few areas inaccessible and the water in the river was muddy from the sediments shifting rather than the bright blue. Regardless, I loved it and had so much fun scootering around the curvy roads!
I hope to go back as too!
Becki says
I need to get back on a scooter. I had a small accident in Cambodia and haven’t got on one since. Although, it’s a good good Taiwan has amazing cycling routes! There’s so much more to explore – very exciting – will be like stepping back into a new country again.
Gary says
Interesting read.
When you go back make sure you spend some time in the centre as well. The typhoon wiped out roads, bridges and the railway up to ALiShan
As soon as they get the rail line going we’ll be back as well.
Becki says
The centre is certainly on the list, as mentioned in my conclusion – I can’t wait to get back and explore more! 🙂 How long did you spend there?
Gary says
Not long enough. A few weeks to travel a full lap of the island with stops at a few of the major spots. Taroko Gorge was a highlight as was Ali Shan. Waiting on the narrow gauge rail way up to Ali Shan and will be back again then. Also stayed at the Sleepy Boot hostel. Recommend it as well.