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 transport 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 traveller, 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...Taichung
Taichung takes its position on Taiwan’s west coast, boasting ever-balmy weather. A thriving cosmopolitan city, it offers something for...Yilan
Yilan is a destination of many facets; a true mix of the medieval and the modern. The county on the...Taitung
Taitung offers a heady blend of Japanese, Chinese and aboriginal influences, making it something of a bohemian oasis amid the...Nantou
Nantou County is a mountainous region set in beautiful surroundings and home to many diverse cultures. Found right in 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
11 Best Places Where Locals Love to Go in Taichung
Taichung is densely populated and is the second most populous city in Taiwan after Taipei. Taichung was developed into a beautiful city during the Japanese occupation. Taichung Park, which is over a hundred years old, remains a beautiful urban oasis...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 Best Things to Do in Kaohsiung
The best things to do in Kaohsiung showcase the city's extraordinary history and vibrant future. Founded during the Ming Dynasty...10 Places Where 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...10 Best Family Things to Do in Taipei
There are plenty of family things to do in Taipei, whether you want to run and play outdoors, take in...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...12 Best Things to do in Hsinchu
Hsinchu has a certain charm that many travellers find simply bewitching. Life is neither as fast-paced nor hectic as...14 Best Things to Do in Tainan
The best things to do in Tainan show why this relatively small city has become such a popular historic tourist...10 Best Places Where Locals Love to Go in Hualien
Located in the eastern part of Taiwan, Hualien is nestled between the sea and the mountains. It boasts superb mountain...
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 Hualien Foods Everyone Should Try
The best Hualien foods everyone should try include both delicious seafood and fresh agricultural products. With local chefs and shopkeepers offering delicacies made from the finest local ingredients, Hualien has been called a food paradise on the east coast of...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...10 Best Real Local Food in Kaohsiung
Local dishes in Kaohsiung are generous, tasteful and fair in price, reflecting the generous and straightforward temperament of Kaohsiung's inhabitants...
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
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 the city. Being a fashion-conscious and business-oriented place, the number of high quality malls, markets and stores in...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...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...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...10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Hualien
Come to Hualien for its charming mountains, seas and amazing night views. Hualien doesn't have towering skyscrapers, so rather than...
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 transport networks are universally efficient and simple to understand and...