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Samantha Wu

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2-Day Taipei & Yilan Architectural Highlights Tour

Enjoy observing the rich culture and splendid architecture of Taipei & Yilan. Visit the National Palace Museum, Yehliu Geopark & Kavalan Distillery, ...

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gender: Female

• Private Tour Guide in : Taipei
• Other Guiding Areas: Hualien, Yilan, Tainan, Kaohsiung
• Languages: English , Mandarin

I will give my customers an authentic experience of the real Taiwan, to leave them with fond memories and lifelong friends from their journey.I am a country girl from a small village in central Taiwan.Growing up, the fields were my playground, instilling in me a love for nature and the outdoors.In the countryside, friends and relatives would frequently stop by our home, bearing fresh fruit and vegetables they grew themselves.In exchange, my father liked to ask them to stay for dinner with us, teaching me many valuable lessons about the joys of sharing from a young age.Both of my parents were involved in business, and they trained me to run errands for them to get supplies on my bike nearly every day.I became friends with the shopkeepers, who gained enough trust in me to let me weigh my own items.This taught me about the importance of establishing personal credibility and earning the trust of others, qualities that I have maintained throughout my working life and will carry through in my ongoing career.Love for the outdoors and nature, and the joy of riding my bike exploring the world helped make my bicycle my best friend. 

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Full-Day Private Custom Taipei City Tour

Create a custom 8-hour itinerary in and around Taipei! No matter if you are planning your own journey or a business trip, make it easier with this convenient and customized service. See the attractions that you want to see according to your own preferences with a local guide.

Full-Day Private Northern Taiwan Tour from Taipei with Pickup

Travel to northern Taiwan's most popular tourist attractions, such as Jiufen Old Street, Yehliu Geopark, or Yangmingshan National Park with your own private guide.

Private Tour to Jiufen, Yehliu Geopark, and Pingxi

Discover scenic Northern Taiwan on a private day tour from Taipei. Be amazed by the landscapes in Yehliu Geopark. Explore the beauty of historical Jiufen, which inspired Oscar-winning animations then make a wish with a sky lantern flying over Pingxi.

Private Taroko Gorge National Park Day Tour

Visit one of the seven wonders of Asia, Taroko Gorge on a day tour led by a local guide. The round transfer from Taipei to Taroko National Park is covered and you will be accompanied by your personal driver guide at most of the attractions and trails. The private tour also ensure you a more personal service due to it's flexibility.

Private Tour to Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery

Escape the city and explore Taiwan's scenic countryside on this captivating tour. Visit the renowned Kavalan Distillery for award-winning whisky, relax on Waiao Beach (summer) or soak in a hot spring park (winter), and don't miss the charming Mr. Brown Cafe at Toucheng Castle. Experience relaxation, natural beauty, and delightful flavors on this unforgettable journey.

Full-Day Private Custom Keelung Shore Excursions

Private custom taipei airport layover tour.

With just few hours to take in the treasures of Taipei, a private layover tour means you can maximize your time with a custom-made itinerary. Perhaps admire landmarks such as Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the Martyr's Shrine, and the Dalongdong Baoan Temple; enjoy the views from the Taipei 101 skyscraper; or discover the best places to eat or shop in the city.

Northern Taiwan and Taipei Countryside Full-Day Private Tour

Private yangmingshan volcano tour.

Embark on a private tour of Yangmingshan National Park, an extinct volcanic terrain and one of Taipei's most popular destinations. Take in breathtaking views of fumaroles and cityscapes while hiking scenic grassy trails. Choose the leisure route for a more relaxed experience or select the hiking route to climb to the top of Seven Star Mountain. Hotel pick-up is available for your convenience. Join us to discover the natural beauty of Yangmingshan National Park on this unforgettable tour.

Half Day Private Tour to Jiufen, Shifen Waterfall & Pingxi Sky Lantern

Half day private tour to yangmingshan national park and yehliu geopark.

Swap the bustling streets of Taipei for the scenic sights of Yehliu Geopark and Yangmingshan National Park on a private day trip. Taking a private tour gives you the flexibility to customize your itinerary, while letting someone else drive ensures that you don’t miss out on admiring the countryside along the way.

Taipei Private Car Charter Tour

Private night tour of taipei.

Explore Taipei by night on a private tour starting with hotel pickup by a local guide. Visit Dalongdong Baoan Temple, The Grand Hotel, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, and Taipei 101 before returning to your hotel.

Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience

Taipei city bike tour with elephant mountain hiking experience, full-day private custom yilan tour from taipei, 2-day private tour to sun moon lake and mount hehuan, 3-day private tour of taroko gorge & east coast scenic area, 5-day round taiwan charter car tour, contact info, [email protected], useful links.

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1. Full-Day Private Custom Taipei City Tour

2. Full-Day Private Northern Taiwan Tour from Taipei with Pickup

3. Half Day Private Tour to Jiufen, Shifen Waterfall & Pingxi Sky Lantern

4. Private Tour to Jiufen, Yehliu Geopark, and Pingxi

5. Taipei Private Custom Tours with a Local: Highlights & Hidden Gems

6. [Private Tour] Shilin Night Market Walking Tour With a Private Tour Guide (2-hr)

7. The Shiba Taipei tour

8. Private Car: 8 Hour Highly Customized Taipei City Exploration!

9. Private Custom Taipei Airport Layover Tour

10. One-Day Private Guided Tour in Taroko Gorge from Hualien

11. Private Yangmingshan Volcano Tour

12. Private Custom Kaohsiung Day Tour

13. Keelung Shore Excursion Private 8-Hour Taipei Urban Adventure!

14. Taipei Private Car Charter Tour

15. Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour

16. Private Jiufen & Pingxi Day Tour with English-Speaking Guide

17. Taipei Street Food & Night Market Tour with a Local: Private & Custom

18. Yamingshan Volcano, Beitou Thermal Valley, Danshui Private Tour

19. Yangmingshan and Beitou Day Tour with English Guide

20. Private Night Tour of Taipei

21. Full-Day Private Custom Keelung Shore Excursions

22. Full-Day Private Guided Tour in Kaohsiung Port Shore

23. Taiwan Multi-Day Classic Tour

24. Keelung Shore Excursion: Jiufen & Shifen Sky Lantern Private Tour

25. Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Taipei Private Tour

26. Taipei Touchdown: Make the Most of Your 6-Hour Layover

27. One-day private chartered car tour in Taipei: Yehliu, Jiufen, Pingxi, North Coast popular attractions with chartered car, professional Chinese/English driver

28. Private Classic Kaohsiung Day Tour

29. 2-Hour Private Dadaocheng Walking Tour

30. Keelung Shore Excursion: Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen, Houton Cat Village Private Tour

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Private Guided Taipei Tour

• • Knowledgeable English-speaking guide to introduce you to local culture and history
• • Private, chartered car to travel at your own pace
• • Recommendations for Taipei’s must-visit attractions AND local, off-the-beaten-path destinations
• • Customized and flexible itinerary based on your must-sees and can’t-miss experiences

Private Guided Taipei Tour: Let our English-speaking (or multilingual) tour guide show you Taipei in the style, comfort, and convenience of a Wifi-equipped luxury sedan. Got someplace special in mind? Let us know. Just want to lean back and enjoy Taipei’s attractions? More than just a chauffeur, our English-speaking guide can explain the history, traditions, and culture of Taiwan's capital.   Our exclusive private tour is a great way for small groups traveling for business or pleasure to get the best deal on a customized private drive around Taipei, as the tour is priced by vehicle (not by guest). Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

- US$350 / sedan, maximum 2 guests; US$500 / van, maximum 6 guests 

*Each additional hour for the 5-seater sedan: US$45 | 9-seater van: US$65 *Please note that meals are at the guest's expense. *Please contact us for special inquiries listed below: 1. Tours in languages other than English 2. Rates for private tours of 6+ guests 3. Half-day private guided Taipei tour (4 hours maximum) 4. Different tour hours 5. Tours to Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Yilan City

▴ Our English-speaking guide will introduce you to both tourist attractions and hidden gems

▴ Discover the capital’s landmarks like Taipei 101, one of the world’s largest buildings

▴ Let our guide teach you about Taiwan’s history at monuments like Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

▴ Learn about Taiwan’s local culture with a tour of Taipei’s religious sites

▴ A flexible, 8 hour schedule allows you to venture into Taipei’s mountainous villages

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• • A professional English speaking tour guide
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Excellent and special tour of taipei and surroundings

Great tour, great day of hiking, this is for real, jessie was great, taiwan experience, schöne aussicht und grandiose reiseführerin, personal, engaging and fun tour with dillian, wonderful day tour with ting, excellent tour, very efficient way to see taipei., the highlight of our time in taiwan. thank you kai, absolutely memorable, it was an amazing holiday for us, we had a really memorable tour, thanks to kelly and the very gracious driver., well worth the money you pay for., great way for long lay over, ended up being a great day, definitely engage their service again, excellent service., great guide and itinerary, very enjoyable tour., the tour guide speak english excellently, other recommendations.

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Solo travel , Taiwan

Solo travel in taiwan – a girl’s guide.

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After my solo travels in Taiwan, I have a lot to say on the matter. But the first thing I’d say to anyone on the fence is: DO IT!! In this guide, I’m going to share everything you need to know for a solo trip to Taiwan including where to go, how to get around, the perfect Taiwan itinerary , the best hostels, how to make friends and more!

TAIWAN ESSENTIALS Accommodation  – Booking.com / Hostelworld Getting around – car hire / bus / train ( 12Go ) Activities: GetYourGuide / Viator Guide book: Lonely Planet Taiwan Staying connected: Taiwan e-SIM card / Asia e-SIM (inc Taiwan)

Read next: the best places in the world for women to travel solo

Is Taiwan good for solo travel?

Yes, Taiwan is a great place for solo travel given its positive safety rating, fantastic infrastructure and countless wonderful attractions.

I felt totally safe as a woman travelling alone in Taiwan. TOTALLY. However, I would say that Taiwan’s suitability for solo travel depends on what type of solo trip you want. I did get a bit lonely at times. Unlike countries in Southeast Asia like Vietnam and Thailand where hostels are packed with solo travellers keen to explore together, the hostels in Taiwan are a little quieter and frequented more by locals. Overall, I didn’t meet THAT many other travellers in Taiwan but I expect that will change as it grows in popularity. So, if you’re looking for a party trip akin to travelling solo in Thailand , perhaps Taiwan is not the adventure for you. But as long as you’re happy doing things alone, you’ll easily keep busy. There are so many amazing places on this incredible island!

Read next: the best places to travel solo in Asia

Is Taiwan safe for solo travel?

Taiwan is ranked the 32nd safest country in the world by Population Review and even higher – 3rd in the world – by Numeo ! Although it’s hard to say which is correct, I wouldn’t dwell too much: Taiwan is incredibly safe! If the statistics aren’t enough to convince you, I can say with first-hand experience that I felt incredibly safe as a woman in Taiwan. There’s next-to-no crime and the locals are so friendly and helpful. I remember on my first day, someone coming up to ask (in English) if I was lost and needed help. So kind! Taiwan is safe for solo female travellers at all times of day and night. I never felt unsafe walking alone in the evenings.

Read next: my guide to solo female travel safety

Attitudes to women in Taiwan

This is worth mentioning! ‘Safe’ is an arbitrary term because, safe for who? Women, People of Colour, LGBT+ travellers? Well, in Taiwan, safety extends across demographics. Taiwan has a woman president and progressive attitudes to women’s rights. It’s not a conservative country and I felt comfortable wearing what I would at home. Although a lack of crime is always a positive thing, it’s even better travelling knowing that the country has genuinely great attitudes to women!

Also, Taiwan was the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage in 2019 making the country safe for LGBT+ locals and travellers.

Is Taiwan ok for first time solo travellers?

Safety-wise – yes absolutely! Logistic-wise – yes, it’s straightforward to get around with great infrastructure. Things are clean and ordered so it’s not too overwhelming. The only hurdle may be Mandarin… if you’re nervous about communicating, there are easier countries to travel solo in Europe and Asia. Social-wise: maybe not! If you’ve never travelled alone before, I’d recommend going somewhere with more of a backpacker scene so you have support and company if you need it. I’d suggest solo travel in Thailand or Vietnam .

Good things about solo travel in Taiwan

• Taiwan is safe for women travelling alone – the chances you’ll be victim to a crime are nearly nonexistent so you can relax and enjoy your trip
• It’s an affordable country – aside from accommodation which I found disproportionally spenny, most things in Taiwan are cheap from food to transport. I barely spend £500 ($600) in 3 weeks!
• It’s easy to get around – so you don’t need to worry about hiring a car alone.

Bad things about solo travel in Taiwan

• It can be a bit lonely since it’s not yet as popular with other travellers as Thailand or Vietnam
• The cost of accommodation is high meaning getting a private room for one may eat into your budget, especially if you’re not a hostel person.

Best places to travel alone in Taiwan

Here’s where I recommend solo female travellers go, plus what to do there…

Taipei (the capital)

Taipei is a fantastic city and a great introduction to Taiwan. Although there are two other cities with international airports (Kaohsiung and Taichung), I suspect 99% of travellers start their trip here. Taipei is a blend of modern and traditional. Shiny, futuristic skyscrapers neighbour colourful temples dating back centuries. Food stands serving age-old delicacies passed down through generations are just a stone’s throw from modern bubble tea cafes. I spent 10 days in Taipei and didn’t run out of things to do!

Read next: 3-5 day Taipei itinerary

Things to do in Taipei

• Taipei 101 – visit the observation deck inside or hike the Xiangshan Trail to Elephant Mountain for the best views
• Explore Ximending – this modern, vibrant neighbourhood is alive throughout the day and night with street performers, markets, shopping opportunities and bubble tea cafes. It’s safe to wander at any time
• Take a free walking tour with TourMeAway – they have free tours of the Old Town and Longshan Temple, plus food tours at a surcharge (I can highly recommend their food tours!)
• Visit important sites such as Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temple and the National Palace Museum
• Soak in bubbling thermal springs in Beitou – visit the museum, sightsee at the Thermal Valley and soak in the Public Hot Springs with the locals
• Songshan Cultural and Creative Park – this refurbished factory is a hub for art, design and events
• Eat at all the night markets – such as Shillin, Raohe, Linjiang and Huaxi.

Day trips from Taipei

Jiufen – if you take just one day trip from the capital, make it this scenic hillside town. Dating back to the Japanese gold rush, it’s an ex-mining town full of adorable tea houses (A-Mei Teahouse being one of the best) and atmospheric winding streets. It’s also a renowned foodie destination with all kinds of delicacies to discover. There’s a direct bus connecting the capital and Juifen or you can take a regular train service to Ruifang and jump on a bus the last section. It’s a safe and lovely place for solo travel in Taiwan so don’t skip it!

Read next: the perfect Juifen & Shifen day trip from Taipei

Shifen and the Pingxi Line – the touristic railway village of Shifen where people release lanterns for luck is just one stop along this train line that connects attractions in the countryside. Although Shifen is a pleasant town and Shifen Falls is worth a visit, my highlight (obviously!) was the stop before: Houtong Cat Village where feline friends rule the roost. After Shifen, the final stop on the line is Pingxi Village, a more peaceful version of Shifen. The line begins at Ruifang Station. One option for a solo day out from Taipei is to make all the stops along the Pingxi Line and save Juifen for another day. Alternatively, see Juifen and Shifen during the same day with this tour ($38) .

Yehliu Geopark – the weird and wonderful volcanic shapes caused by nature have become tourist attractions, thought to resemble common objects and people’s profiles. Make your own mind up whilst wandering this open-air gallery beside the sea. Take a bus or a day tour (using my guide to Yehliu Geopark ).

Related tour ($38) – Jiufen, Shifen & Yehlui during one day

Yangminshan National Park – the closest national park to the capital is the best place to escape the city and feel at one with nature. For some peaceful soul-searching during your solo travels in Taiwan, you can arrive by public transport, car hire or an organised day tour.

Where to stay in Taipei – easily the best-rated hotel is Star Main with 9.7 stars out of 10 based on almost 3,000 reviews! Browse all hostels on Hostelworld .

Having enjoyed all the city pleasures of the capital, I didn’t know what to expect from Kahosiung. But I loved it! Sure, it’s not as huge as Tapiei, but it may be better for those who feel overwhelmed by big megacities. It’s a creative, arty city with lots of colourful places to visit. My favourite attraction in Kaohsiung is the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas beside the peaceful Lotus Pond. These two huge statues connect the pagoda behind; enter via the dragon’s mouth and exit via the tiger for luck. Before heading back to the city centre, visit other pagodas around the lake: the Autumn & Spring Pagodas and Zuoying Yuandi Temple.  The Rainbow Church on Cijin Island is another Instagrammable attraction, and you also can’t miss Pier 2 Art Center near the harbour (where you get the boat to Cijin). If you’re feeling energetic, hike Monkey Mountain or take a trip out of town to Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum where a 108-metre Buddha statue awaits. Foodies travelling alone in Taiwan, don’t miss Liuhe Night Market or the more authentic option of Ruifeng Night Market. These are great places for cheap and informal dining, ideal if you don’t want to dine alone in a restaurant. Where to stay in Kaohsiung: the best-rated hostel in town is Ahiruyah , which is spotlessly clean with easy access to all the city’s important attractions.

Hualien and Taroko National Park

Taiwan has fantastic cities but the nature is also incredible! Especially if you’re not a big city person, a trip to Taroko Gorge is the perfect dose of nature and me-time during a solo trip to Taiwan. The best place to stay near Taroko is Hualien, a city on Taiwan’s east coast just a 2-3 hour train ride from Taipei. From here, there are a couple of ways to explore the park: hire a car, ride the hourly shuttle service that visits points of interest around the park, or take an organised day tour. Highlights for your Taroko Gorge itinerary include the Swallow’s Trail where birds swoop in the canyon above picturesque hanging bridges; Changchun Shrine (a beautiful temple cut into the hillside beside a waterfall) and Shakadang Trail, the best place to get off-grid and do some walking. Hualien is a decent base with great places to eat like Dongdamen Night Market. I stayed at On My Way which is a lovely hostel close to the station. World Inn also has great reviews.

Another suitable place for solo female travel in Taiwan is Taichung, a mid-sized city on the west coast that makes for a pleasant stop-off when travelling between Taipei and Kaohsiung. It was the Rainbow Village that used to bring lots of travellers to Taichung but sadly it was vandalised in 2022 and is now quite different. Other things to do in Taichung include:

• Visit the first bubble tea cafe – as a super fan, you can imagine how excited I was about visiting Chun Shui Tang ! It didn’t disappoint
• Zhongshe Flower Market – these gorgeous flower fields are the perfect place for a photoshoot
• Take a day trip to Sun Moon Lake – one of Taiwan’s must-visit places, easily reached from Taichung. Take a boat on the lake, ride a cable car above it, or hike around it
• Have the best ice cream of your life at Miyahara – but seriously! This place is a palace and the ice cream is phenomenal.

Being Taiwan, of course there’s plenty to eat in Taichung. I even wrote a guide to the best food in Taichung . I stayed at Getcha Hostel with cosy pod bunks, but T Life also has fantastic reviews.

Kenting National Park

Easily accessed from Kaoshiung or Hualien, this wonderful national park on the southern tip of Taiwan is a place to relax and unwind during solo travel in Taiwan. Stay overnight in Kenting or Hengchun. The only downside to visiting Kenting Nat Park alone is that the best way to get around is by hiring your own transport, either a car or scooter (an international driving license is required for either). However, there are shuttle buses travelling around the park so DIYing it is possible provided you manage your expectations about seeing everything. Highlights of Kenting include visiting Longluan Lake, Maobitou Park and lookout, watching sunsets (from Guanshan Sunset Viewing Park or Eluanbi Lighthouse) and hitting the beaches. These aren’t the quality of Southeast Asia but they make for a decent beach break when visiting Taiwan. Beaches worth visiting include Baishawan Beach, South Bay and Kenting Beach.

Although I ran out of time to visit Tainan, this is an important stop for history lovers planning a Taiwan solo travel itinerary. You can stay overnight or visit as an easy day trip from Kaohsiung (just 1 hour on the slow train and 15 minutes on the High-Speed Train). The historic Qing Dynasty capital from the 1600s-1800s is full of fortresses (such as Anping) and temples (such as Luermen Mazu Temple dedicated to the goddess of the sea). Nowadays, there are a few modern influences, too, like Blueprint Creative Park.

Best season to visit Taiwan

Although you can visit Taiwan solo year-round, it’s a destination with clear seasons. I went in May and it was VERY rainy! Although I still enjoyed my trip, I’d recommend visiting outside of rainy season if you’re on a tight schedule because you won’t be able to reschedule activities cancelled due to bad weather. Spring (March-May) – before the rainy season, the weather is still cool. This is an ideal time to visit Taiwan. However, the rain starts in May so this is not the best month. Visit in Feb or March to see the cherry blossoms! Summer (June-August) – this is the hottest and most crowded time to visit Taiwan so not optimum. There’s also the chance of typhoons. Autumn (September-November) – this is another ideal time to visit Taiwan when the rainy season has ended and the December crowds have yet to arrive. Winter (December-February) – this is the coldest time to visit Taiwan, plus the Christmas and New Year period is busy and expensive. Overall, the best times to go are April and October-November, either side of rainy season when the weather isn’t too hot or too cold.

Cost of solo Taiwan travel

Solo travellers visiting Taiwan will be relieved to know it’s generally not an expensive destination. Getting around the country is affordable if you take the TRA slow train ($10-25 a journey), and getting around cities is super affordable with the MRT underground and buses (around $1 a journey). Food in Taiwan is incredibly affordable! Eating mainly at night markets rather than restaurants isn’t a sacrifice because this is where some of the best food can be found. Dishes start from $1! And you don’t need to skip restaurants entirely if you’re on a budget because a meal with a drink costs around $5. The only thing about Taiwan is that accommodation is a little expensive in comparison to other costs like food and transport. In Taipei, you’ll struggle to find dorm beds for less than $20 a night, meaning accommodation is more than double the cost of travelling alone in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries.

If you don’t want to stay in a hostel dorm, you’ll need to up your budget as a solo traveller in Taiwan because private rooms start at $35. It’s cheaper outside of the cities so, if you decide to mix up dorms and private rooms, I suggest being tactical about where you do it.

Read next: Taiwan travel budget

Where is Taiwan?

Taiwan is an island located off the east coast of China (separated by the Taiwan Strait), north of the Philippines and southwest of South Korea and Japan.

Getting to Taiwan

Being an island, you’re pretty limited about how to arrive in Taiwan. Most travellers arrive by air into Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). Flights from other Asian countries start from $50. The cheapest flights are usually to Vietnam , China, South Korea (see my guide to solo Korea travel if you’re heading here next), Japan and Singapore . I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights. Getting from the airport to downtown Taipei is quick and easy using the MRT: ride the purple line to Taipei Main Station in 35 minutes. The bus is cheaper and slower (around 1 hour) but a reliable option outside of MRT hours (6am-11pm).

How to get around Taiwan

The train system in Taiwan is incredibly efficient, if a little confusing to understand at first. I got around Taiwan using… HSR – the high-speed train (Taiwan’s answer to Japan’s bullet train) is the quickest but most expensive way to get around. It connects Taipei to Kaohsiung in just 2 hours. Journeys can be booked up to 29 days in advance and cost up to $35. I used 12Go to book my tickets.

TRA – these trains are slower but worth it for budget travellers. Taiwan is small so the journeys never take forever. The trains are clean and reliable. They fill up quicker than HSR trains so book in advance, especially at weekends and public holidays. Note – I had problems trying to buy TRA train tickets (as opposed to HSR ones) online with a foreign bank card so I always bought them at the station a day or two in advance. Bus – although I never took buses when travelling solo in Taiwan (aside from city buses and shuttles in the national parks), there’s a wide network of comfy buses that can be even cheaper than the train. Kuo Kuang and UBus are two of the main networks.  Rental car – some travellers visiting Taiwan hire a car but I can’t see the need, really, with this many efficient and affordable public transport options (especially for solo travellers in Taiwan who’ll have to do all the driving and front the whole cost).

Read next: 25 Taiwan travel tips for a first visit

Getting around Taipei

The MRT (underground train) is a cheap, clean and efficient way to get around Taipei . There are 107 stations connected by 5 lines (brown, red, green, orange and blue). Journeys cost around 20-60 NT$ (up to $2) depending on distance. Note – there’s no eating or drinking allowed on the MRT! I even got told off once for drinking water. There’s also an expansive network of city buses that travel further afield than the MRT, connecting the city with day trip destinations like Yangmingshan National Park and Juifen. Buses are slightly cheaper than MRT journies but a little more convoluted.

Be sure to pick up an EasyCard . Not only do these save you money but you can top them up in advance, saving time on purchasing each ticket individually.

Bicycle: Unlock a bike from any YouBike station and pay using your EasyCard.

Getting around Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung also has an efficient MRT system although there are just 2 lines, connecting at Formosa Boulevard station (don’t miss the Dome of Light art installation while there). There are also LRT overground trains, city buses and the ferry connecting Cijin Island with the mainland. Your EasyCard works here, too.

Taiwan food & night markets

I loved the food in Taiwan. Not only are there many local delicacies but there’s fantastic Korean and Japanese food, too (for a fraction of the price of food in those countries). The sushi is phenomenal! During solo travel in Taiwan, I rarely ate in restaurants even though dining alone isn’t something I mind at all. The night market food was just so good I rarely needed to! Some of my favourite Taiwanese foods are:

• TFC – Taiwanese fried chicken is a popular dish, especially with young people who can be found crowded around Hot Starr in Taipei’s Ximending district
• Bubble tea – this is the birthplace of boba so it would be rude not to drink it everywhere!
• Xiao long bao – soup dumplings are best eaten at Din Tai Fung restaurant. Don’t stop with them: there are so many types of dumplings in Taiwan!
• Coffin toast – a hollowed-out hunk of bread is filled with a creamy stew. A calorific feast!
• Beef noodles – this dish in a rich soup is best eaten on Kong Kang Street in Taipei.

The only Taiwanese food I didn’t like was stinky tofu ! This may be the national dish but I couldn’t get past its overwhelming odour.

Do you need travel insurance as Taiwan is so safe?

Although Taiwan is safe for solo female travellers, I always recommend getting travel insurance. Although you’re unlikely to be victim to a violent crime, it’s possible that you could fall sick and need emergency treatment, just like you could anywhere in the world. I use  True Traveller : it costs £30 (€40) per month for world coverage for a year. When I’ve claimed, they’ve had the money in my account within days. They cover pre-existing health conditions and will cover you if you’re already travelling and/or don’t yet have your flight home booked.  Click to get a quote . True Traveller is just for European residents (including the UK) so, for other nationalities, I recommend  Hey Mundo  and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest   Safety Wing .

Getting a SIM card in Taiwan and do you need it?

One of my top solo travel tips for women is to stay connected by getting a local SIM card. You can buy these in local stores (just remember to bring your passport as they usually ask). To get connected right away, buy an e-SIM on Airalo that you can download to connect as soon as you land. Browse packages from 7-30 days from $4.50 or, if you’re visiting other countries on your trip, check out Airalo’s Asialink card covering 18 countries including Taiwan. However, you don’t absolutely NEED a SIM in Taiwan because there’s free Wi-Fi in MRT stations and 7-Eleven stores. When sightseeing, it’s easy to quickly get online to do research or load your next journey.

Can you drink tap water in Taiwan? The tap water is technically safe to drink but many travellers choose to play it safe by buying bottled water or bringing a reusable water bottle and filling up from filtered units at their accommodation. This is what I did. What is Taiwan like for vegetarians? The typical food isn’t the best as there’s lots of pork (and the national dish of stinky tofu tends to revolt foreign travellers), however it’s easy to find buffet restaurants where you can fill up a lunchbox with ingredients of your choice. Opt for all the veggies. Should you tip in Taiwan? No, Taiwan does not have a big tipping culture so it’s not something you need to factor into your budget.

Thanks for reading!

More solo travel guides…

Guides to solo travel in Europe :

• Solo female travel in Europe
• The perfect solo trip to Lisbon
• Solo travel in Albania – is it safe?
• Complete guide to solo female travel in Croatia
• Solo travel in Italy
• Is it safe to travel to Romania solo?

Solo travel in the Americas:

• Solo female travel in New York
• Is Cuba good for solo travel?
• Mexico solo travel guide
• How to stay safe as a solo female traveller in Mexico City
• Solo travel in Belize
• Guatemala solo travel guide

Guides to solo female travel in Southeast Asia :

• Solo travel in South Korea
• Solo female travel in Bali
• Where to travel solo in Vietnam as a woman
• What to know about solo Malaysia travel
• Thailand solo travel guide
• How to stay safe as a solo traveller in India

For more content, follow me on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

TAIWAN QUICK LINKS Getting there – it’s easy to arrive by flight. I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. To stay connected, buy an e-SIM with Airalo and use data as normal. Browse their Korea SIM packages . In my opinion, Lonely Planet offer the best guidebooks. Get the latest Lonely Planet Taiwan . Car hire – I recommend RentalCars.com for car hire in Taiwan and around the world. For Taiwan High Speed Trains , use 12Go . The search feature allows you to compare prices and durations. I use Booking.com for accommodation. They have the best range of hotels and self-catering apartments, plus you can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld . To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters , a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets. For activities, I use GetYourGuide and Viator as they both have a huge range of affordable tours. e-SIM: Stay connected with an Airalo e-SIM data plan: they have a Taiwan SIM card or an Asialink card covering 18 countries that you can download in advance of your trip. Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and tips!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

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Fully Guided Tours & Trips in Taiwan

Find the right fully guided tour for you in Taiwan. There are 30 trips to choose from, that range from 2 days in length, up to 16 days. The month with the most departures is October, making it the most popular time to visit Taiwan.

30 Fully Guided tour packages in Taiwan with 62 reviews

• Sightseeing

Explore Taiwan

I was in Taiwan on my solo trip. After checking out of my hotel at 11.30 am, I got a message that my flight was delayed by 5 hours. I was elated as I got a few more hours to roam around the beautiful city of Taipei, but I had to keep my luggage somewhere. There, among the many boons and banes, technology became a savior for travelers like us. Suddenly, my experience in Europe flashed in mind that I realized there must be luggage storage rental services in Asia as well. Well, luckily I got to know about Lalalocker, my savior. It was cheap as well and they operate out of salons, restaurants, cafes and many other common locations along the metro. I kept it in Ludique creme. However, these services recommend you not to keep expensive items in your luggage, just in case. So, keep a small backpack handy to carry your expensive stuff with you before ditching your luggage. This service of Lalalocker in Taiwan made my day! Nice service.

• In-depth Cultural
• Christmas & New Year

Taiwan Express

We have a wonderful time at Taiwan, we enjoyed good food, excellent hotel , special Taiwan is very safe place for visiting .

• Coach / Bus

Around Formosa Taiwan

Tourradar provided me a very smooth 10 days trip.

A Taste of Taiwan by Train

Everything was perfectly organized, hotels were good, train was fun, guide was good, group was a bit bland, buses chilly, but all in all it was a good experience.

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Mountain Hikes
• Hiking & Trekking

5-day Classic Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake & Alishan (Private)

Some longer days driving but this tour went to three top sites. Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake and Alishan National Forest area. Our guide, Jett, was very informative about Taiwan culture and current affairs.

Taiwan Island - 9 Days

We took this tour based on friend's recommendations. The entire tour was well organized. Accommodations were fine, and the included meals were generally very good. A few observations: a few hotels with large local clienteles were difficult for us to deal with. The huge crowd during meal time and the extreme high volume noise level made it impossible to enjoy the food. We were simply pushed aside many times waiting to get our food. A couple lunches and dinners were also "too local", making it hard to experience the true intend of those dishes. Otherwise, this is almost a perfect trip for anyone interested in getting closer to the island, its people, and the culture.

Around Taiwan 8 day Private Tour (Premium)

We had a slightly rocky start. After paying for the tour, I had to write back to check that our tour was confirmed. This was 48 hours after booking. After it was agreed to be confirmed we then received an email a couple of days later saying that two of the hotels were booked out and would we upgrade, costing another 50% on top of the entirety of the tour. After disagreeing I personally had to email examples of hotels that I could find that had availability and were similar in quality. This was agreed but interestingly when on the tour, one of the original hotels we stayed in anyway. We were also booked in a king side bed on the first two nights and strangely found that every hotel was then twin singles. Originally we thought this was the availability issue but this became the norm for all the hotels even those that had no capacity issues. The positive however was our driver and tour guide, Bill. He was polite, insightful and very professional. He genuinely felt like part of the family at the end of the tour. The quality of the hotels were good. Alishan is tougher but there really isn't another option. Language can be a real challenge so having Bill was very important in the Southern and Eastern parts of Taiwan. It's also hard to get to some of the best places like Alishan, Taroko Gorge etc by public transport. Overall Id give the booking experience 2 stars. But the tour itself and Bill 5 stars. Taiwan is a beautiful and very safe place. A great place to visit.

Tailor-Made Best Taiwan Tour with Daily Departure & Private Guide

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

Customized Private Taiwan Tour with Daily Departure

• Photography
• Festival & Events

Abandoned Taiwan

excellent, highly recommendable, versatile, not the general kind of tourism one receives mostly everywhere with large groups of boring people. This was not everything spoon fed but for the person who has an interest in a country and doesn't mind the unusual, the different, the out -of-the way experience. We would like to see more but due to the Earth quake we were unable to travel the East Coast of Taiwan but will keep it in mind. Good food, inexpensive, great markets (not just night markets but the artistic markets), good hotels, good driver and tour guide, in short summary, highly recommendable for the person who wants to have an experience outside the famous box. There are plenty of those tours for the boxed-in travelers elsewhere.

Private 3-Day Tour to Sun Moon Lake and Alishan

Such a magical experience! Our driver was really friendly as well as our guide, with great recommendations for local-fare for the time away from the tour. Mr. Chang made sure to introduce us to a special Taiwanese tea ceremony since the museum from the tour did not have such an exhibit. He was also really friendly with the locals that made our group feel really welcomed to the environment. He expertly lead the way through the Alishan terrain and knew the best places to take photos. He not only kept up with but outpaced an entire flock of 20-somethings!

Bike Taiwan

Land of Jade & Tea – Taiwan

• Intl. Flights Included

Taiwan Tea Culture & Monastic Life

We really enjoyed our vacation in Taiwan with Moskito Adventures. The tour was excellently organized. We saw a lot and the hikes in the Taroko Gorge and the bike tours were our personal highlights. Our guide was very caring and always made sure we were comfortable. Thank you very much, dear Chris ???? We will definitely book again, as Korea is still on our list. Best regards Jonathan and Petra

• Flights included

Ilha Formosa - Between Confucius and Jade Mountain

What people love about fully guided tours in taiwan.

Logan was a great tour guide and helpful in any moment.You’ll learn so much about local culture, Current events and helpful ideas to make you stay better.

Excellent tour. Great accommodations and sites visited.

This was an excellent tour!!! Alan Chou was a fantastic tour guide -- knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, and funny to boot. The sights were amazing and so were the hotels we stayed in. The itinerary was very well designed. Didn't realize Taiwan was so beautiful! I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to explore Taiwan.

Travel Styles

• Fully Guided
• Taiwan Travel Guide

The Ultimate Taiwan Itinerary (2023)

This post may contain compensated links. Find more info in our disclosure policy

Having completed our own amazing two week Taiwan itinerary exploring the cities, mountains and scenic areas of Taiwan we’ve put together our recommended Taiwan itinerary. From chaotic Taipei to the beauty of Taroko Gorge to the natural wonder of Alishan, Taiwan is breathtaking and one of our favorite places to visit in Asia.  For those of you planning your own Taiwan itinerary, we wanted to share our Taiwan travel guide including the best things to do and what to see in Taiwan. 

Table of Contents

Taiwan Itinerary and Route

Most visitors touring around Taiwan either pick up a rental car and self-drive or use a mix of high-speed trains, tourist shuttles and taxis/private drivers to explore the country.

By rental car: With its excellent roads and good driving standards, Taiwan is the perfect country for a road trip. We followed a circular route starting and ending in Taipei, Taiwan’s capital city and the point of arrival and departure for most Taiwan travellers – check prices now!

By public transport:  this Taiwan itinerary can also be completed by a mix of trains and buses. On the west coast of Taiwan, the major cities are serviced by High-Speed Rail – check prices here!

  Click here to reserve Taiwan Rail tickets!

Taiwan Route and Map

Here is a map of the route we recommend taking around Taiwan.

The Route:  Taipei – Taichung – Alishan – Kaohsiung – Kenting – Taitung – Taroko Gorge – Taipei

Click here for the Google map

How to Use This Google Map:  Click on the grey star at the top of the map and this map will be added to your Google Maps account. You can then view it on your phone or computer in Google Maps by clicking on the menu button, going to “Your Places” and selecting this map. We use these maps all the time as you can set out your itinerary ahead of time and quickly reference the saved maps.

Renting a car in Taiwan

Navigating Taiwan by rental car is relatively easy and we highly recommend renting a car in Taiwan if you are comfortable driving. The roads are high-quality, driving standards are generally good and fuel is extremely cheap (compared to the UK and Ireland).

We’re huge fans of road trips and have driven rental cars in over 40 countries so we have a lot of experience renting cars in foreign countries. Klook.com is a great option as it includes international rental car companies as well as some local options. Book your car now with Klook.com  where you will find the best rental car prices.

Taiwan itinerary tip: An International Driving Permit is mandatory when renting a car in Taiwan so make sure to get an IDP in your home country before departure if you are planning on driving a rental car.

Book your rental car with Klook!

Taiwan itinerary tip: Taipei is extremely well serviced by public transport and its subway is easy to navigate. As such, a rental car isn’t necessary in the city. If you are starting your Taiwan itinerary in Taipei, we recommend only picking up a car after you’ve explored Taipei rather than reserving at the airport on arrival. We picked up our rental car on our last morning in Taipei and left the city immediately for Taichung.  

Sim Card & Internet

As with most countries, having mobile data during a trip is invaluable for navigation and research. There are lots of options on arrival at Taipei’s Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) – we reserved a Chunghwa Telecom 4g sim through Klook who offer a slightly discounted rate on the airport price – click here for prices!

Taiwan itinerary tip: the Chunghwa desk only opens at 8am so make sure your flight times will work if you reserve in advance.

  Click here to reserve a SIM card!

How long to spend in Taiwan

From the chaotic Taipei to the magnificent sunrises in Alishan, the peaceful Taroko Gorge and the colourful Taichung there’s a lot to squeeze into a Taiwan itinerary. We recommend budgeting around 14 nights to explore Taiwan at a leisurely pace. This will allow you enough time to visit all the major sights and explore each destination fully.  You might wish to cut some things out if you have less time.

Best Time To Visit Taiwan

Depending on your tolerance to high temperatures, you may want to plan your visit to coincide with the cooler months! During the summer, temperatures are consistently over 30° and typhoon season is in full force. Spring and Autumn are a great time to visit Taiwan and its mild winters also mean the winter months are a good option.

Taiwan itinerary tip:  We visited Taiwan at the end of September and we managed to experience a heatwave as well as some typhoons which luckily changed direction at the last minute! The temperatures in Taipei were stifling and we had to retreat to air-conditioned buildings until late in the afternoon.

Daily Taiwan Itinerary

We’ve outlined our day to day Taiwan itinerary as a starting point for planning your own Taiwan experience.

Days 1 to 4: Taipei

Taiwan’s capital city really surprised us with the wide variety of things to see and do. After arriving at Taipei’s Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport we recommend spending the next three or four nights in Taipei. This will allow you to explore the main sights and to enjoy everything that this fun and chaotic city has to offer. We took the train from Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Taipei Main Station – click here for tickets

Click here for MRT tickets to Taipei

An EasyCard makes travel around Taipei and Kaohsiung incredibly easy. The EasyCard is a travel card that you can pre-order in advance and pick up in Taoyuan International Airport. You can preload the card with credit and use it on the metro and buses in Taipei. You can also bundle it with a sim card option that you can pick up at the same time – check prices now!

Buy your EasyCard now

From toilet-themed restaurants to colourful temples, stunning nature and awesome day trips, there’s plenty to squeeze into 4 days in Taipei. Check out our round-up of the best things to do in Taipei for more detailed information and photos of each of the attractions. Also check out our detailed Taipei itinerary to help you plan your time in the city. If you are travelling with kids make sure to check out our guide to the best things to do in Taipei with kids .

Where to Stay in Taipei

There are many great accommodation options in Taipei.

• CityInn Hotel Plus Ximending Branch–  we stayed in the CityInn Ximending branch and highly recommend both the location and the hotel. Rooms are compact but fantastic value, service is excellent and the hotel is just a few moments walk from the MRT, a Taipei essential  –  check prices now!
• Taipei Garden Hotel – another great option located close to Longshan Temple and Ximending –  check prices now!
• Dandy Hotel, Daan Park – clean, comfortable and located across the street from Taipei’s biggest park, Daan Forest Park –  check prices now!            

Click here for the best Taipei hotel prices

Day 1: Taipei 101, Maokong Gondola and Shilin Night Market

Start the day with a trip to the observation deck of Taipei 101, Taipei’s most iconic building. The 101 story building resembles a giant bamboo stick and the 91st-floor outdoor observation deck offers amazing 360-degree views of the city.

We booked our tickets for Taipei 101 via Klook and highly recommend it. You can reserve your timeslot in advance and for the best price using the Klook app. It’s super simple and avoids waiting in extra lines when Taipei 101 gets busy.  Taiwan activities were mostly discounted when we booked in advance –  check prices now!

Click here to book your Taipei 101 ticket

From Taipei 101 make your way to the Taipei Zoo MRT Station where the scenic Maokong Gondola cable car departs. The 30minute glass-bottomed cable car stops at the colourful Zhinan Temple before continuing to the quaint mountaintop village of Maokong known for its tea plantations and tea shops.

Taiwan Itinerary tip:  We purchased combo tickets for the Maokong Gondola and an evening double decker sightseeing tour from Klook in advance and it was awesome value. The gondola is closed most Monday’s so make sure to plan your trip around the gondola’s opening hours – click here to purchase the gondola and night tour combo tickets!

Click here to purchase Gondola tickets

Finish the day with a visit to Shilin Night Market, Taipei’s largest night market with over 500 stalls. There are some incredible Bid Gourmand stalls serving dishes such as Hai You Pork Ribs and Bin Small Sausage in Large Sausage, where the sausage wrapped in sticky rice is a huge hit. There’s a lot more to Shilin than just food and you can do everything from playing arcade games to praying in the temple located in the centre of the market.

Day 2: Elephant Mountain, CKS Memorial Hall, Ximending and Raohe night market

Start the day with a short but steep sunrise hike up Elephant Mountain which rewards with some of the best views of Taipei. The trail is well maintained with plenty of rest stops and some awesome viewing platforms.

After admiring Taipei from Elephant Mountain it’s time to explore the history of Taiwan with a visit to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. The CKS Memorial is an important Taiwanese landmark erected in honour of the first president of Taiwan.

A themed cafe is a Taipei staple and a trip to the Modern Toilet Restaurant in Ximending is as novelty as they come. The entire restaurant is toilet themed. Meals are served in toilets, drinks in bedpans and the seats are full-sized toilets! Having filled up on poo themed dishes take a stroll around Ximending, one of Taipei’s quirkiest neighbourhoods.

If you prefer a serious foodie treat, eat at the Fuhung Noodle Restaurant. The shop is located just north of Ximending and is home to some of the best noodles we’ve ever had.

Longshan Temple is next on the agenda. Longshan is Taiwan’s most famous and well-loved temple and is located in the historic neighbourhood of Wanhua.

If you still have some energy, the Raohe Night Market is a short MRT ride away and is perfect for an early evening walk through.

Taiwan itinerary tip: our favourite dish in Raohe was the Fuzhou Shizu Black Pepper Buns. They are not to be missed!

Day 3: A Taipei park, the world’s highest Starbucks and Beitou Hot Springs

Start the morning with a visit to one of Taipei’s parks. Our favourites are Daan Forest Park, Taipei’s largest park, the Huashan 1914 Creative Park, a repurposed art, design and cultural venue and 228 Peace Memorial Park, a poignant tribute to the thousands of Taiwanese who died in the February 28, 1947, massacre.

Visit the world’s highest Starbucks which is located on the 35th floor at Taipei 101 and offers spectacular views of Taipei. A visit to Starbucks at Taipei 101 requires a reservation and the coffee shop has a minimum spend for visitors.

Taiwan itinerary tip:  The Starbucks at Taipei 101 requires a telephone reservation. Ask you hotel desk to make the reservation as you will likely need to speak Mandarin.

Spend the afternoon at the Beitou Hot Springs which are just 30 minutes outside Taipei and accessible via the MRT. There is a wide range of options for bathing in the hot springs: there are less expensive public hot springs as well as private baths and upscale hotels and resorts. As well as bathing, the scenic Beitou Hot Spring Park is beautiful to explore together with the Hot Spring Museum and Library which are located within the park.

Day 4: Jiufen, Shifen and Yehliu Geopark

Taipei is surrounded by amazing natural beauty and a day trip outside the city is an essential addition to any Taipei itinerary. Shifen, Jiufen and the Yehliu Geopark are a great combination to discover a taste of Northern Taiwan.

The Yehliu Geopark contains a fascinating collection of unique geological formations in an otherworldly landscape created by sea erosion. It’s a beautiful coastal walk and a very popular stop outside Taipei.

The old street in the charming town of Jiufen is a tourist magnet with visitors indulging in local specialities such as glutinous rice cakes, peanut ice cream and fish balls in between souvenir shopping. The A-Mei Tea House is one of the most prominent landmarks in Jiufen and offers both great tea and great views!

Shifen is famous for both its old street and its scenic waterfall. The old streets of Shifen, located around the railway track, are where visitors congregate to release colourful lanterns bearing their wishes in life.

Taiwan itinerary tip : we visited Jiufen, Shiefen and Yeuhliu Geo Park using our rental car. If you prefer to use a tour, Klook offers a great shuttle bus options which ferries passengers between the key sights of Jiufen, Shifen and the Yehliu Geo Park on the North East coast of Taiwan –  click here to reserve shuttle bus tickets!

Click here to reserve shuttle bus tickets

Days 5 and 6: Taichung

After a few days of exploring Taipei, it’s time to head south to Taichung, Taiwan’s second-largest city. Taichung is busy and colourful and was a surprise hit in our Taiwan itinerary! There are lots of things to do Taichung and it is also the gateway for the immensely popular Sun Moon Lake, one of Taiwan’s most popular tourist attractions.

Where to Stay in Taichung

Taichung is a surprisingly large city and choosing where to stay can be tricky. We recommend:

• CityInn Hotel Plus – Taichung Station Branch – we loved the CityInn brand in Taiwan. Located in east Taichung beside Taichung’s main train station, the CityInn Hotel Plus is a great option. Rooms are clean and modern and the extra facilities like free common areas with coffee/refreshments and on-site laundry are invaluable –  click here to book now!
• La Vida Hotel – Regularly rated as one of the best hotels in Taichung, La Vida Hotel is a great option for those who want easy access to the Feng Chia Night Market. With European designed rooms the hotel is super comfortable and great for a stay in Taichung –    click here to book now!
• The Hung’s Mansion – where we chose to stay in Taichung and it’s a great option if you are driving like we were. With free parking, large comfortable rooms and great food, Hungs Mansion is also a short walk to the incredible Feng Chia Night Market – click here to book now!

Click here for the best Taichung hotel prices

How to get to Taichung

I t took us around 2 hours to drive between Taipei and Taichung .  I t takes one hour to travel by High-Speed Rail between Taipei and Taichung –  click here to buy rail tickets!

Click here to buy tickets to Taichung

Things to do in Taichung

Taichung deserves at least one full day to explore and, if we were to return, we’d allow two days! Start the morning at Rainbow Village , Taiwan’s most colourful neighbourhood before heading north of the city to the beautiful Zhongshe Flower Market. As well as a sea of flowers, props such as pianos, swings, and tractors make for great fun and great photo opportunities.

Taiwan itinerary tip:  tour buses arrive at Rainbow Village shortly after its 8am opening so we recommend arriving as close to 8am as possible. Zhongshe Flower Market tends to get busy in the afternoon when families congregate for barbeques.

Animation Alley is a great pit stop with its cartoon and Magna themed street art.

The 921 Earthquake Museum is a poignant place to visit: it is located on the site of a former junior high school and crosses the fault on which the earthquake occurred. The exterior remains as it did after the earthquake on Tuesday, 21 September 1999.

There are endless food and drink options in Taichung: our three favourites are Chung Shiu Tang, the touted home of Taiwan’s famous bubble tea, Miyahara for its Pineapple Cakes and I’m Talato, an ice cream shop with an ice cream floatie filled pool.

Round up the day with a trip to Feng Chia Night Market where the food is good and the clothing unique.

Day 7: Sun Moon Lake

How to get to Sun Moon Lake: Sun Moon Lake is a 1hour 15-minute drive from Taichung and is easily accessible by bus from both Taichung (approximately 2 hours) or Alishan (up to 3.5hours).

The cycle path surrounding the turquoise blue waters of Sun Moon Lake is one of the most popular ways to explore the Sun Moon Lake area. There’s also a scenic gondola cable car that offers beautiful views of the lake and connects it with the Formosa Aboriginal Cultural Village.

Our other favourite stops were the Ci-En Pagoda and the Wen-Wu Temple . The 8 story Ci-En Pagoda requires a short uphill hike and is renowned for its views over the lake while the Chinese style Wen-Wu is vibrant and loud and there are lovely views of the lake over the burnt orange rooftops.

Finish the day with some street food at Ita Thao before returning to Taichung for the night.

Taiwan itinerary tip: the drive between Taichung and Sun Moon Lake takes about 75 minutes so we preferred to base ourselves in Taichung. Sun Moon Lake accommodation tends to be more expensive given its tourist draw and we were happy to drive.

Where to stay in Sun Moon Lake

If you wish to stay in the Sun Moon Lake area, some good options are:

• Fleur de Chine Hotel Sun Moon Lake: expensive but excellent with beautiful views over the lake – check prices now!
• Mei Jen House: homestay with great rooms, a vegan breakfast and an awesome sunrise tour. A great small but budget-friendly option in Sun Moon Lake – check prices now!

Click here for the best Sun Moon Lake Hotel prices

Day 8: Alishan

A mix of wilderness and tea plantations characterize the mountainous Alishan National Scenic Area. The Alishan sunrises are legendary in Taiwan and our time in Alishan was a highlight of our trip. From chasing the ‘Yun Hai’, the coveted sea cloud sunrise, to the historic railway and the stunning hiking trails Alishan is an excellent addition to any Taiwan itinerary.

Where to Stay in Alishan

• Alishan House/Alishan Hotel – the best hotel in the Alishan National Scenic Area and where we spent our night in Alishan. Rooms are expensive but the location is outstanding. It is worth the extra for the upgrade from the dated standard room in the old building to a superior room in the new building. Guests are not allowed to drive into the Scenic Area but the hotel runs a regular shuttle bus between the car park and the hotel – check prices now!
• Wankou Hotel: 5 minutes walk from the train station, Wankou Hotel is a good less expensive option to Alishan House. Nice views, clean rooms and good value accommodation – check prices now!
• Cing Shan Hotel : basic option located close to the train station, rooms are compact – check prices now!

Click here for the best Alishan Hotel prices

How to get to Alishan

The High-Speed Railway takes less than 40 minutes between Taichung and Chiayi Station and, from Chiayi, the bus takes 2 hours. Direct buses from Sun Moon Lake take up to 3.5hours. The drive from Taichung took around 3 hours in total.

Things to do in Alishan

There are 5 Wonders of Alishan and, although luck and weather dependent, most visitors strive to see them all. The 5 Wonders of Alishan are:

• Alishan Forest Railway
• The forest trails
• The sea of clouds

Taiwan itinerary tip: With some planning it’s possible to see Alishan’s Wonders during a one-night stay. If you wish to explore more extensively or at a more leisurely pace then extend the stay to two nights.

Aim to arrive in Alishan in the afternoon and take advantage of some of the stunning hiking trails in the area. Our favourite hike was to the Sacred Tree, estimated to be 3,000 years old before it collapsed in 1997. It’s located at the Sacred Tree (Shenmu) Railway and the trails pass giant red cypress trees which are over 1,000 years old.

After exploring the Alishan trails make sure to catch a famous Alishan sunset – we watched it from the amazingly located observation deck at the Alishan House Hotel , one of the best sunset spots in the Alishan Scenic Area.

Click here to reserve the Alishan House Hotel

It’s an early start in order to catch the legendary Alishan sunrise. We arranged our shuttle bus to the train station through the Alishan House Hotel on arrival the previous afternoon. After a 4:30 am wake-up call, we boarded the train to Chusan and watched the sunrise from the viewing platform.

After checking out we stopped by the Alishan Post Office and posted a traditional Alishan wooded postcard before leaving for Kaohsiung.

Day 9: Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is a large port city in Southern Taiwan. Although we used it as a stopover between Alishan and Kaohsiung, we soon discovered it is vibrant and charming in its own right.

Where to stay in Kaohsiung 

• Grand Hi La –  one of the best hotels in Kaohsiung. With a perfect location in the centre of the Sanduo shopping district, Hotel Cozzi has luxurious rooms and high-end furnishings which make for a truly amazing stay – check prices now!
• Hotel Cozzi  – this large luxury hotel is conveniently located above a shopping mall right in the centre of Kaohsiung and is a great option for exploring the city. There are lots of restaurants close to the hotel –  check prices now!
• Hotel Dua –  g reat transport connections via the adjacent MRT station the Hotel Dua is a great location for exploring the city  –  check prices now!

Click here for the best Kaohsiung Hotel prices

How to get to Kaohsiung

Take the bus from Alishan to Chiayi Station (journey time is around 2 hours 10 minutes) and, from there, take the train to Kaohsiung, a further 2 hours 10 minutes. Our drive time was around 3 hours in total.

Things to do in Kaohsiung

We only had a half day to explore Kaohsiung as we used the city as a stopover on our journey between Alishan and Kenting. The city deserves at least to days to see properly and if you are staying in the city, some of the best things to do in Kaohsiung are:

• Kaohsiung Night Markets: the Ruifeng Night Market is considered one of the best night food markets in Taiwan and its stalls serve up a mouth-watering array of local delicacies.
• Lotus Pond and the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas: visitors to Kaohsiung are encouraged run into the mouth of the dragon and out of the tiger’s jaws at the 7-story twin Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. The reward is a reversal in fortune and a turn from bad luck to good.
• Cycle Cijn Island: Cijn Island is a black sand beach on a narrow strip of island in the city. The island, accessible by ferry or bridge, is a popular day excursion in Kaohsiung.
• Dream Mall: Kaohsiung’s Dream Mall is the largest in Taiwan and East Asia and even boasts an amusement park with a Ferris Wheel on its rooftop!
• Pier 2: once an abandoned warehouse site, Pier 2 now houses a large scale open air public art display. The quirky sculptures and artworks are a real treat and the area is vibrant and lively and one of the best places to visit in Kaohsiung.

Day 10 and 11: Kenting

The seaside town of Kenting is located at the southern tip of Taiwan and is famous for its picturesque beaches and lush green national park.

Where to stay in Kenting

Accommodation in Kenting is a mix of resort-style beachside hotels and smaller, boutique-style options.

• Caesar Park Hotel – resort hotel with direct beach access and an abundance of kids activities including a kids recreation centre in the basement –  check prices now!
• Chateau Beach Resort – located by the beach, just 5 to 10 minutes from Kenting Main Street. The hotel has stunning ocean views and a nice pool area – check prices now!
• Amanda Kenting – we opted for the smaller Amanda Kenting Hotel. The Moroccan themed hotel has great rooms, a lovely indoor pool and free exotic costume rental for photos! – check prices now!

Click here for the best Kenting Hotel prices

How to get to Kenting:

take the Kenting Express Bus from Kaohsiung’s Zuoying HSR station to Kenting. The journey time varies between 2 and 3 hours. The drive time is less than 2 hours.

Things to do in Kenting

Kenting is the perfect spot for some rest and relaxation. While we didn’t follow a strict itinerary, our favourite activities included:

• a ride on the Kenting Hai World Semi Submarine with its glass-bottomed panoramic views of the Kenting coral reefs
• paddling in the tidepools and shallow swimming spots
• visiting Baisha White Sand Bay, a beautiful beach which featured in the movie The Life of Pi
• exploring Kenting National Park and its lighthouse
• standing at the southernmost point in Taiwan which is marked by an observation station
• indulging in the street food, clothes and carnival games at the Kenting Night Market
• Snorkeling in Wanlitong Beach

Day 12: Taitung

Taitung is a sprawling, coastal town and a popular stopover between Kenting and Taroko Gorge. It is home to the Beinan Cultural Park, one of the largest and most important cultural sites in Taiwan. Taitung also acts as a gateway to the volcanic islands of Green Island and Orchid Island.

Where to stay in Taitung

• Kindness Hotel – clean and comfortable option with good breakfast and evening night snacks in Taitung city –  check prices now!
• Papago International Resort – although one hour outside Taitung it is a great location for a stopover between Kenting and Taroko Gorge. Lovely outdoor pool, hot tub and hot springs with a children’s playground – check prices now!
• Inn by the Village – located close to the railway, rooms are modern and spacious and the breakfast decent – check prices now!

Click here for the best Taitung hotel prices

How to get to Taitung:

take the bus from Kenting to Fanglaio (journey time 1 hour). From there, take the train between Fanglaio and Taitung (90 minutes). The drive time is 2 hours 30 minutes.

Things to do in Taitung

If you have time to explore Taitung some of the best things to do are:

• Beinan Cultural Park: the largest and most important cultural site in Taiwan. It was excavated in the 1980s when thousands of slate coffins were unearthed together with jewellery, pottery and tools.
• Brown Road: home to the famous Mr Brown Taiwanese Coffee and surrounded by rice fields and mountains.
• Orchid Island and Green Island: volcanic islands off the coast of Taitung famous for snorkelling, hot springs, coastal scenery and strong Aboriginal culture.

Day 13 and 14: Taroko Gorge

Taroko Gorge is another stunning stop in Taiwan. Taroko means magnificent and splendid and the mesmerizing scenery makes it more than deserving of the name. The steep mountains are covered in thick forest and a deep gorge carved out by the Liwu River, winds through the forest floor.

Where to stay in Taroko Gorge

Visitors to Taroko Gorge can stay in the Taroko National Park, close to the entrance to the park or in nearby Hualien where the trains from Taipei arrive and depart. We recommend staying in the park for both the close to nature experience and the convenience for sightseeing.

• Silks Place Taroko: we treated ourselves to a gorge view room in the luxury Silks Place Taroko which is located in the heart of the Taroko National Park. The facilities are amazing: there’s a rooftop outdoor pool (where we enjoyed a movie screening in the evening) and hot tubs, an indoor pool and tennis courts – check prices now!
• Taroko Village Hotel: located less than 1km from Swallow Grotto, the Taroko Village Hotel is a less expensive option to Silks Place for guests wanting to stay inside the Taroko National Park – check prices now!
• Chateau de Chine Hotel Hualien: if you opt for Hualien the Chateau de Chine Hotel is a good choice with its colourful exterior and spacious themed rooms– check prices now!

Click here for the best Taroko Gorge Hotel prices

How to get to Taroko Gorge:

we drove from Taitung to the Taroko National Park (around 4 hours). Public transport services the nearby city of Hualien, a 4-hour bus journey from Taitung. If you are arriving from Alishan you can take the bus to Taroko Gorge. If you are arriving from Taipei, an express train serves Hualien.

How to get around Taroko Gorge: there are a few options for navigating Taroko National Park. We used our rental car to explore. Many guests use a taxi/private car or rent a motorbike. If you are based in Hualien, it’s easy to join a tour – reserve a Taroko Gorge tour here!

Things to do in Taroko Gorge

Taroko Gorge is all about nature and most visitors spend the day hopping between its best short trails, bridges and viewpoints!

Begin the day with a hike through the relatively easy 4km Baiyang Trail which rewards with a stunning water curtain as well as magnificent views of the gorge along the way. Start early to avoid the crowds, bring a flashlight to navigate the tunnels and beware of the monkeys! Due to loose rock visitors are only allowed to the entrance of the first Water Curtain.

The next stop is the ever-popular Swallow Grotto, one of the best places from which to view the gorge. It is a short and flat footpath in the middle of the park and the surrounding river walls are lined with swallow nests

The Taroko Eternal Spring Changchun Shrine is one of the most popular sites in the park. The stunning temple sits atop a natural spring and was built in honour of the many who lost their lives building the highway through Taroko National Park.

We also loved the Chingxi Suspension Bridge and the Cimu Bridge. On the way out of the park make sure to stop at the stunning Qinghui Cliffs where visitors have the opportunity to admire the three distinct color tones that make up the Pacific Ocean

Taiwan itinerary tip: some of the trails in Taroko Gorge are closed due to weather damage so make sure to check the official website for the latest trail availability. There is a Visitor’s Centre at the entrance to the park which also provides trail information.

Day 15: Depart Taipei

Day 15 is a day of leisure until it’s time for your flight from Taipei.

How to get to Taipei: take the bus from Taroko Gorge to Hualien or Xincheng Station and then hop on the train to Taipei. The drive took around 3 hours.

For more on Taiwan

• Check out our round up of the best things to do in Taipei!

16 thoughts on “The Ultimate Taiwan Itinerary (2023)”

My husband and I are planning a trip to Hong Kong & Taiwan in December. The plan was 7 days each; however, after reading your itinerary it is beginning to look like I’m going to have to wrangle more days in Taiwan. The experience looks amazing!! Also, I really like the layout of your page. It gives me what I’m looking for without having to hunt through the fluff. Thanks!!

Thanks Amy, so happy you liked the post. Taiwan is amazing, Hong Kong too!

Have an awesome trip!

My husband and I are also going to HK & Taiwan at the end of November into mid-December. We are spending 8 days each that’s because we have friends and relatives in HK so we planned 3-4 days meeting people. However, I think 8 days in Taiwan is still too short to explore and enjoy, every where we go is going to be a rush. We are skipping the east side of the island. If you have not finalize your trip, I would suggest to spend less time in HK since it’s a much smaller city, and allocate more days in Taiwan. Enjoy your trip!

How did you find travel with the little one, was it mostly pram friendly or did you use a carrier?

We used a mix of carrier and stroller. Sometimes on the subway it was easier to carry him than search for an elevator!

Overall, it was a really baby friendly trip! We cover our family travels on Show Them the Globe , there’s some Taiwan articles over there too!

Hi Elaine – great blog post! We are thinking of traveling to Taiwan, possibly next Dec and would like to hire a car for convenience, rather than use public transport. Are hotels with cheap/free parking easy to find outside Taipei? How about parking in general at tourist sites (esp. at Taroko Gorge)? Are tourist sites/viewpoints signposted at Taroko Gorge? Many thanks for any info you could supply!

Hi Elizabeth

Parking was included in places like Alishan (the public car park where the hotel shuttles pick up from), Taroko Gorge, Kenting. It was only included in a few hotels in Taichung but i guess that’s to be expected in a city. In Taroko Gorge, parking was easy to find at some viewpoints but there are only a few spaces at the smaller view points so you might have to wait. We did some of our sightseeing before breakfast and had the viewpoints almost to ourselves!

Have a great trip Elaine

Hi Elaine, Great blog. Thanks for sharing all this information on Taiwan. Can you please share something else? Did you book all your accomodation in advance or were you able to just drive into a place and find accom when you got there? I look forward to your reply as we are headed to Taiwan at the end of December this year. Thanks Janie

It was really busy when we were there in September. I’m sure you get accommodation as you go but, for the more popular places, I’d probably reserve in advance.

Great post. A question: what is the best season to tour Taiwan based on your research or experience? Many thanks. I probably will have more question as we go deeper into our planning. Many thanks.

Spring or Autumn. Winter is fine if you don’t mind low temperatures. Summer is hot and humid and avoid typhoon season. We got caught in the tail end of the season in late September but it was ok.

Did you every drive in the taipei city area? Is it easy to drive and to find parking?

Planning to rent car over there since we have elderly with us. Thank you

Hi Nabihah, yes we drove in and around Taipei City during our time in Taiwan. Driving was surprisingly easy and while parking was tricky if you plan it in advance there are parking spaces in most places. Have fun

We are thinking of going with our little one when she turns one in Sept/Oct (hopefully that is okay time,probably Oct though is better?). Since you have 3 little ones, do you have recommendations with traveling with a little one? She is currently 4 months old and we just booked our flight from Canada to Hong Kong. We plan to add Taiwan in there as well. It’s great to hear that your trip was baby friendly!

Oh one more question, is it better to fly with little ones during the day or night!?

I much prefer night flights so the kids can sleep through most of it. We just flew 10 hours from Dublin to LA and back over Christmas and the daytime flight was so hard trying to entertain our one year old! She just wants to be free to run around and explore! The night flight was so much easier as she slept for 90% of it. I’ve always been really lucky with night flights but you do run the risk that they won’t sleep at all – if you think there’s a good chance they won’t sleep I’d probably stick to a daytime flight.

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Girl about the Globe

Making solo travel easier.

Solo Travel in Taiwan

Types of Girl about the Globe (GatG) – Active, Foodie, Nature, Spiritual & Wellness

When you solo travel in Asia , Taiwan is such an under-rated country and a hidden gem in Asia. It doesn’t have the crowds of tourists that you find in Japan and it’s incredibly safe. Plus there is bubble tea everywhere! This article is an overview of Taiwan. I spent a week here and share my travel tips, the best places to see the country, how to get around and places to stay to inspire you to visit Taiwan.  

Taiwan is ranked as the second safest country in the world behind Japan. In Taipei you’ll find some people speaking English. The Taiwanese are so accommodating and will even make a u-turn in the street to help you if you look lost and escort you where you are supposed to go. From my own personal experience, being in Taiwan feels comfortable because no one stares at you here. There is also an expat community as there are a lot of women teaching English.

Taipei is a foodie heaven with its numerous night markets offering all sorts of cheap but delicious local food. It’s also vegetarian friendly with amazing vegetarian cuisine. Make sure to try the beef noodle soup and smelly tofu that the country is known for. 

As well as outdoor adventure and good hiking, Taiwan offers museums, monuments, water parks, hot springs, and also smaller islands with gorgeous beaches and great scuba diving.

Wellness solos will be in their element here as the locals are into their spas and the country has hot springs too. But, check before you go in as some of them don’t allow swimwear but it’s definitely a liberating experience. You also need a swimming cap too!

Taiwan has so much nature and nature solos will love Sun Moon Lake and Taroko Gorge. For cultural solos, there is also a Buddhist monastery which hosts retreats for foreigners to teach them more about Buddhism.

If you're unsure where to go in Taiwan, I have included my favourite places in Taiwan below to help you to plan your solo trip.

Taipei is the capital of Taiwan. This city is really cool and a good place to base yourself for a few nights if you don’t have time to travel around the rest of the country. You can do plenty of day trips from here.  

One landmark that you have to see here is Taipei 101. This is the city’s tallest building (it used to be the Grand Hotel before). This 508-meter-tall skyscraper was once the world's tallest building, boasting a unique design inspired by traditional Asian pagodas. Head up to its observatory to enjoy panoramic views of the city.

My tip – If you're on a day tour, the company may drop you at Taipei 101 after the tour so check with them before. When you leave, if you order an Uber from Taipei 101, they only pick up from a certain area so make sure to exit from the East gate for your pick up. 

In the modern Xinyi district, you'll find upscale shopping malls, nightlife, and a dynamic dining scene. And if you're interested in history and culture, make sure to explore the indigenous cultures of Taiwan at the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines.

The National Palace Museum in Taiwan is a treasure trove of ancient Chinese artefacts that takes you on a journey through Chinese history and culture. Its extensive exhibits include priceless artworks, ceramics, calligraphy, and historical treasures. Nearby, the serene Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall stands as a tribute to the country's former leader.

Nature solos can venture to Yangmingshan National Park , where you’ll find hiking trails amongst lush landscapes and sulfur hot springs. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the changing of the guard ceremony at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, a tribute to the founding father of the Republic of China.

Songshan Cultural and Creative Park is a beautifully restored tobacco factory turned creative hub in Taipei. It hosts a range of exhibitions, events, and cultural activities, making it a hotspot for art and design enthusiasts. Stroll through its historic architecture, art galleries, and craft shops, and immerse yourself in Taipei's vibrant creative scene. It’s super nice and arty.

Taipei is also ideal to explore solo at night and the city is renowned for its bustling night markets; Shilin Night Market being one of the best. Here, you can taste a wide array of Taiwanese street food, shop for local goods, and immerse yourself in the city's vibrant street culture.

But if you don’t get a chance to see that night market, you can explore the Huaxi Street Night market instead. As the Huaxi Tourist Street Market is located near one of city's beautiful temples, Longsham Temple.

Longsham Temple is a historic Buddhist temple renowned for its beautiful architecture and cultural significance. Built in 1738, it features beautiful carvings and decorations and is even more stunning at night with a really serene atmosphere.

It’s really safe wandering through the lit streets and when you’re here, you can also indulge in some of Taiwan’s wellness. The night market has plenty of massage parlours for 400 TWD (New Taiwan dollar) which include a 20 minute free shoulder massage too!

Day Tours from Taipei

Yehliu, jiufen & pingxi.

From Taipei it’s easy to take day tours to explore the north and east of the island. The most reachable day trips are Yehliu, Juifen and Pingxi all located in the new Taipei area that you can combine in one full day tour.

Yehliu is stunning. This coastal gem in northern Taiwan is a Geopark of natural rock formations shaped by erosion. It’s a really unique place to visit with a surreal landscape and formations such as a sandstone turtle and large mushroom.   The most famous formations here are the “Princess’ and the “Queen’s Head” which sadly is eroding away. Tip – if you visit during the summer months there is no shade here so take a hat or umbrella to protect you from the sun.

One of my favourite places in Taiwan is Jifeun Village. This former gold-mining town has a chaotic charm to it where you can lose yourself in the assortment of shops as wander through its passageway. And don’t worry as you won’t get lost here either.  

The street is full of local stores and sellers passing you free oolong tea and local food to try such as their famous pineapple cake. Make sure to try the ice cream and peanut spring roll. They even produce their own coffee too! It’s a great place to buy presents and souvenirs whether it’s just for yourself or others to take back home.  

One of the most iconic and popular tea houses here is the A-Mei Teahouse, perched on a hillside, that offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the coast. Nearby is the Daoist temple known as Jiufen Wangyou Temple (also known as the Wangyou Shrine). This temple is famous for its unique dragon sculpture that coils around the temple's pillars (a symbol of power, protection and good fortune in Chinese culture).

Taiwan even has its own ‘Little Niagara Falls'. Shifen Falls is also located in New Taipei and seeing its cascades from the several viewing platforms is definitely impressive. It's a really lovely area to sit and enjoy a snack or drink too. 

If you do go on a tour that combines all of these areas, you'll also get to visit Pinxi. This small village nestled in a valley with a Taiwanese charm is known for its annual Sky Lantern Festival. You'll see air lanterns as they are let off into the sky, each one with a handwritten message of the sender’s wishes for the future. 

Pinxi is a working train track so make sure to listen out for the tooting of a passing train as everyone steps of the tracks and out of its way.  

The Maokong Gondola is a scenic cable car system in Taipei that takes you on a breathtaking journey through lush tea plantations, offering stunning views of the city and mountains. It's a unique opportunity to savor Taiwan's tea culture, explore traditional teahouses, and take in the serene atmosphere of the Maokong area.

Taichung City

Head south of Taipei to Taichung city, the Silicon Valley of Taiwan. This city has the most skyscrapers in the whole of the country and is where modernity is said to meet tradition. 

Arty and Museum solos can explore art and culture at the National Museum of Fine Arts or check out a performance at the National Taichung Theatre with its own unique funky design. You can learn about the region's history at the 921 Earthquake Museum or get artsy at Rainbow Village, renowned for its colourful murals.

The vibrant artwork of a retired soldier featuring diverse scenes and characters, saved the village from demolition and instead turned it into a popular tourist spot. It’s worth visiting just for the story and impact of one man’s creativity to preserve his home.  

Kaohsiung is the largest port in Taiwan with the best river name. The Love River is the heart of the city where you can walk along the river or take a scenic boat ride. See vibrant temples, including the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas at the Lotus Pond, or visit Cijin Island for its sandy beaches and fresh seafood. Get creative at the Pier-2 Art Center which hold cultural events or see panoramic view of the city at 85 Sky Tower. 

But my favourite place here is the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum. There are so many Buddhas here; it's an amazing place. This huge complex is home to the world’s tallest bronze sitting Buddha statue which is stunning. The Great Buddha Land is one of Fo Guang Shan Temple’s oldest landmarks. It features 480 statues of Buddha which surround a forty meter-tall Great Buddha. If you don't get a chance to see any other place in Taiwan, make sure you visit this amazing, peaceful place. 

Sun Moon Lake

Not far from Taichung is one of my favourite places in Taiwan. Sun Moon Lake is stunning and is called so because of its sun and moon shaped resemblance, this giant lake has so many beautiful places to visit and is really tranquil. It’s also ideal for the active solo as you can kayak across it or take a boat trip. There are also hiking and cycling trails around the lake such as the Shuishe Bikeway.

As well as its temples, you can also learn about the indigenous Thao tribe at the Thao Village on the east side of the lake and see their traditional houses and handicrafts. There’s a pier here and many local stalls selling their local cuisine. Make sure to try the rice chicken wings (which is chicken stuffed with rice), Gao bao – Taiwanese hamburger made of boar, and millet on a bamboo stick which is a tribal snack. (You can find all these stores near the 7/11 shop).

Tainan, Taiwan's oldest city, is a tapestry of history and culture. Explore the ancient Chihkan Tower and Koxinga Shrine, both steeped in history that showcase the city's heritage. The Anping Old Fort provides a good insight into Taiwan's colonial past and there's the Confucius Temple, one of Taiwan's oldest. 

The Chihkan Tower and Koxinga Shrine, steeped in history, showcase the city's cultural heritage. Anping Old Fort sheds light on Taiwan's colonial past. The Confucius Temple, one of Taiwan's oldest, exudes tranquility and tradition.

The city's vibrant street food scene is a delight for foodies and make sure to visit the Flower night Market when you're here too. 

Kenting National Park

Located in southern Taiwan, Kenting National Park is another must-see when you solo travel Taiwan. This natural wonderland has coastline and lush grasslands. You can go hiking at stunning Longpan Park, or see the Eluanbi Lighthouse, that stands tall on Taiwan's southernmost tip, surrounded by unique geological formations. The Maobitou coastal area is another gem, famous for its breathtaking sea-carved terrain and picturesque scenery.

The White Sand Bay and Xiaowan Beaches are perfect for sunbathing and water sports. and if you love exploring underwater, Kenting's coral reefs are another must-see, teeming with colorful marine life. As with the rest of the country, Kenting also has a vibrant night market where you can sample even more Taiwanese street food. 

Taroko Gorge

Taroko Gorge is a natural wonder with marble cliffs and waterfalls, temples and bridges. If you love nature this is a definite must-see. And there are hiking trails such as the Zhuilu Old Trail, and the Shakadang Trail for the active solo.  

The Eternal Spring Shrine is a 200m trail which offers stunning views of the marble gorge. The trail leads to the shrine that was built of memory of the workers who died building the Central Cross Island highway.  

The Swallow Grotto Trail gives you fantastic views of the marble canyons carved by the Liwu River. The Tunnel of Nine Turns is like a winding rollercoaster road through the gorge, and the Baiyang Waterfall Trail takes you to a picturesque waterfall. Taroko Gorge is a must-visit for anyone into nature and culture.

Tours in Taiwan

I spent time solo in Taipei and booked a 5-day tour for the rest of the country for the ease of getting around. I recommend Edison Travel as the guide was amazing. I met some great people and stayed in 5-star hotels that I wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise. The tour visits the most popular and most important places in the country so it’s a great way to explore Taiwan.  

Edison tour also offer day tours from Taipei to the north. I used them again for Yehliu, Jiufen & Pingxi. * Check rates and availability for Ediison Travel tours

Accommodation in Taiwan

Taiwan has a range of accommodation from the capsule hotels in Taipei to luxury 5 star hotels with their own hot springs in your room. The room sizes for budget accommodation can be quite small but if you're travelling solo then it's more than enough space for one person. 

I’ve listed below all the accommodation that I personally stayed in as well as recommended accommodation from our solo female community. * Check rates and availability for all Taiwan accommodation

Taipei  

• $ – Star Hostel Taipei Main Station – I love this place so much that I stayed here twice! The staff are really helpful and you can choose from a dorm bed or private room. Breakfast is delicious and there is a lovely common space too. 
• $$ –   Citizen Hotel – This 3-star hotel is near the subway and walking distance to restaurants. They also offer an airport shuttle and laundry and you can store your luggage with them  too. 
• $$$ –  Inhouse Hotel Taipei – This 4-star hotel is a great area, just a 5 minute walk from the train station. The staff are really welcoming and helpful. 

Sun Moon Lake – Fleur De Chine – This 5-star hotel is just gorgeous. Situated near the lake, it has a pool, sauna and hot springs and even had hot springs in my room! 

Kaohsiung – Grand Hi Lai Hotel – This 5-star hotel is one of the tallest skyscrapers in Kaohsiung. It even has its own mall on the ground level with a fantastic food court. 

Taitung –   Royal Hotel Chihpen – I loved the hot springs in this hotel (and in my room). They even had lavender and green tea springs. Breakfast at this 5-star hotel was amazing and they also host cultural performances every evening. My room even came with its own coffee machine and snacks!

Taroko –  Silks Place Taroko Hotel – This hotel is just gorgeous. There's a rooftop pool with hot tubs and even an outdoor cinema. Plus They hold weekly yoga classes and have cultural singers in the evenings. It's located in such a peaceful place in the gorge. 

Best Time To Go To Taiwan

March to May and sept to nov are best times to visit Taiwan. The summer months can get humid and sweaty. I travelled around the country during September as it was still very hot especially in the south where apparently it’s always summer. Below is an annual weather chart for Taipei to help you decide when to go.

FAQs  

• Can I drink the water? Yes the tap water is safe to drink.  
• Is tipping expected? In restaurants, there is usually a service fee added so you don’t need to tip. It’s expected to tip your tour guide and driver (separately).  
• Fixed price or barter? Fixed price.
• Any ATMs? Yes and you can find ATMS in the 7-Eleven shops .  
• Which side of the road do they drive? On the right-hand side
• Good for vegetarians? Yes. There are lots of places that are good for vegetarians and vegans . 
• Any Seven Wonders of the World? No.

Plan a Trip to Taiwan

Capital –   Taipei City

Population – 23.57 million

Language spoken – Mandarin Chinese. Some people speak a little English  

Local Currency – New Taiwan dollar  

Do I need a visa? For British Citizens you don’t need a visa for Taiwan. You can stay up 90 days.  

Vaccinations Required  

Useful Info

Airlines to Taipei

Which Plug Do I Need?  

Events and Festivals in Taiwan  

Local Cost Guide  

Local Customs & Etiquette  

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A 2024 Taiwan Travel Guide for Planning Your Trip

Last updated on Apr. 10, 2024 by Nick Kembel

Taiwan is a small island nation that packs a serious punch. At only 36,193 km², it is about the size of Vancouver Island in my native Canada, but home to a staggering 23.9 million people.

Do not be fooled by its compact size, however. There are many reasons to visit Taiwan : the tallest mountains in Northeast Asia, rich history & culture, welcoming locals, some of the best night markets and street food in the world – the list goes on. To get a better idea, see my ever-growing list of things to do in Taiwan .

I’ve lived in Taiwan for over 10 years. I’m married to a Taiwanese, and my two kids were born and raised in Taiwan. I’ve written articles about Taiwan for CNN, National Geographic Traveller, Discover Taipei, and Taiwan Travel Magazine, as well as my book, Taiwan in the Eyes of a Foreigner , which has sold more than 7000 copies.

This Taiwan travel guide links out to all of my most useful articles for planning a Taiwan trip. Here on my Taiwan travel blog, Spiritual Travels, you’ll find some of the most comprehensive Taiwan travel information Taiwan tourism details available in English online, all based on years of on-the-ground research. 

Let the below be your personal guide to traveling in Taiwan. I’ll be covering a wide variety of topics below, so use the table of contents to jump to the info you need! If you prefer Q&A format, you can find all the same info in these FAQs about Taiwan .

Table of Contents

Travel restrictions and visas.

As of October 13, 2022, Taiwan is totally open for travel. All COVID-related  travel restrictions  are finished.  That brought to an end the 938 days total that Taiwan’s borders were closed to some or all international tourists!

Currently, you just need to find out if your country is eligible for visa-free entry  (most are), and for how many days. If you need a visa for Taiwan, or want to stay for longer than the visa-free period, you’ll need to apply at the Taiwan office in your country before coming. 

Besides the visa, there are no special forms, tests, vaccines (these were never needed) for entering Taiwan. You just need to fill in the normal arrival card when you arrive, or do it online before you come. Note that some people have reported not receiving an email confirmation after filling in the online form, so you may want to just do it when you arrive in Taiwan. You can stay in any hotel or accommodation you want, including hostels (these weren’t allowed until March 20, 2023). 

The outdoor mask mandate ended in late 2022 and the indoor mask mandate ended in early 2023. Now, you only need to wear masks in medical facilities in Taiwan. However, many locals are still wearing them in public.

Following the April 2024 Hualien Earthquake , Taroko Gorge in Hualien is totally closed to visitors for an estimated 6 months to 1 year. Everywhere else in Taiwan is open as normal and fine to visit. Here’s my list of things you can still do in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge .

If you ever have any questions about anything related to traveling in Taiwan, you can call the 24-hour English tourist hotline at 0800-011765 (from outside Taiwan dial 886-800-011765). For COVID-specific questions, dial 1922 (from outside Taiwan dial 886-800-001922). 

A Guide to Taiwan’s Quarantine Hotels and COVID Travel Restrictions

Taiwan travel planning group.

The absolute best place you can go for any questions about planning your Taiwan trip is my free Facebook group, Taiwan Travel Planning .

Literally any question you have about traveling in Taiwan or planning your Taiwan trip will be answered within 1-2 days by me or other members of the group. I’m also happy to look over your itinerary and give you suggestions. Because I do spend a lot of time every day in the group answering questions, I’ve created this Buy Me a Coffee account for anyone who wants to say thanks (my readers requested this!)

Take a Tour or DIY Travel?

The main purpose of this page, my website, and my Facebook group is to help you plan a DIY trip to Taiwan. Taiwan is an incredibly safe and easy country to travel around. However, this does require some advance planning, especially as trains and hotels in popular destinations in Taiwan often sell out. Generally, Taiwan is not a very suitable country for just showing up and figuring it out once you get there. Even more so since COVID, advance bookings for almost everything are the norm. 

If you’re looking for a luxury, fully customized tour of Taiwan, I recommend Life of Taiwan . Their team of experts are some of the most knowledgeable in the industry. They provide personalized tea, food, cultural, or family tours of Taiwan and put you up in some of the country’s most exquisite hotels. If you contact them, please let them know that Nick sent you over!

If you’re in a rush and just want to see the best of Taiwan in a short period, I recommend this Taiwan 5-day tour . It doesn’t include Taipei, which is best visited in a day or two on your own before or after the tour.

What most visitors to Taiwan do, however, is plan their trip on their own. The country’s amazing TRA train (round-island) and High Speed Rail (down the west coast from Taipei to Kaohsiung) systems are actually faster than driving. 

Then, when you get to your destination city, you can hire drivers for the day or go on guided day trips only when necessary. This is a very common approach, and there are numerous popular day trips and drivers available on Klook (sign up with this link for a TWD 100 credit in your account). You’ll find that I recommend Klook tours, drivers, car/scooter rentals, discounted attraction tickets, train tickets, and more throughout my Taiwan articles. There are many good deals on there, so you can save a lot of money by using the platform for planning your Taiwan trip.

And for truly DIY or budget travelers, you can certainly do it all on your own, especially with all the articles you’ll find on my website, covering how to visit almost every corner of Taiwan.

Renting a car is also a great option – read my tips for driving in Taiwan here and why I rented my car with Klook .

One good idea is to try one of these free Taipei waking tours on Day 1, then take it on your own from there!

Before Your Trip: Flights, Insurance, Apps, Guidebooks

If you’re coming from a country in Asia, there are numerous budget flights to Taiwan. I’ve prepared this list of the cheapest budget flights to Taiwan .

I’ve tried many different flight websites for finding long haul flights to Taiwan (I live in Canada). My two favorites are Kiwi.com and WayAway . I usually try both these sites when booking my Taiwan flights. They are often (but not alway) cheaper than booking directly with the airlines.

What I like about Kiwi.com is special features like searching not only your departure point but other cities nearby and being able to enter “anywhere” as a destination, and “anytime” as a flying time. For flexible travelers, this allows you to find the cheapest possible flights and dates without searching a million times. Unlike other aggregate flight sites, Kiwi includes budget airlines (many of which fly to Taipei!) and routes combining multiple airlines that are not affiliated.

WayAway is an even newer site and is now my favorite. Like Kiwi, it includes budget airlines, plus it displays awesome calendars showing the price of flights on every day. But the really special feature on WayAway, which will appeal to frequent travelers, is WayAway Plus. Basically, for a small annual fee, you can get cashback (like real cash, deposited to your account) not just for your flights but also any hotels you book through their system. Sign up with this link and you’ll get 10% off WayAway Plus !

Having said that, there are benefits to going with the airline directly, such as being able to easily contact them when needed. rather than going through a third party. China Airlines and Eva Airlines (the one with the Hello Kitty planes!) are two of Taiwan’s largest carriers.

For travel insurance , it’s pretty much a must nowadays. I recommend SafetyWing  or Insubuy . Find more details about why in my guide to choosing travel insurance for Taiwan .

Which apps should you download for Taiwan? I’ve got you covered in this guide to the best Taiwan apps for travelers.

Last but not least, I may be old school, but I still love using travel guidebooks for planning my Taiwan trips. My favorite is and always has been the Taiwan Lonely Planet (I have about 5 different issues of it). I also recommend the Bradt Taiwan , written by long-term Taiwan resident Steven Crook. He also co-authored this amazing book covering the history of Taiwanese food, which I highly recommend.

Moving to Taiwan?

If you’re planning on moving to Taiwan for work, family reasons, or simply because Taiwan is an awesome place to live, then you should head over to my novella-sized guide to living in Taiwan . 

In that article, I focus more on visa issues, getting a job in Taiwan, finding an apartment, making friends, and all other aspects of daily life in Taiwan, whereas below, I’ll stick mainly to things you need to know for traveling around Taiwan.

Taiwanese History & Culture

How much do you know about Taiwan? Having lived in Taiwan for many years and married a Taiwanese, I know for a fact that many people around the world know little to nothing about Taiwan. Even some of my friends and family members back home think it is the same as Thailand. For this reasons, I’ve even written this article to explain the differences between Taiwan and Thailand  as this one to share some fun and interesting facts about Taiwan .

Taiwan is a small island nation in East Asia. Culturally, it is usually considered part of Northeast Asia, but geographically, some argue that it is closer to Southeast Asia. Taiwan was the original homeland of the Austronesian people, who went on to populate many islands of the Pacific in canoes. Today, their descendants include the 16 recognized aboriginal tribes of Taiwan .

Taiwan was briefly colonized by the Dutch and Spanish, while the Portuguese famously called it “Formosa”, or “beautiful island”, a name which stuck for centuries. Over the last 500 years, millions of people have migrated to Taiwan from China, especially Fujian province in the southeast. That’s why the local language of Taiwan, “Taiwanese” , is also called Minnan; it is the same as the Chinese dialect spoken in the Minnan region of Fujian. Taiwan remained on the fringe of Chinese imperial influence for centuries, then fell to Japanese occupation from 1895 to 1945.

In the Chinese Civil War, the nationalist KMT party of the Republic of China lost to the Communist Party in 1949 and fled to Taiwan, along with millions of Chinese soldiers and refugees from all over China, bringing their language (Mandarin), food, and culture. They thought they’d take back China someday, but they never did. That’s why Taiwan is still officially (and confusingly) called Republic of China, but their passports now finally say “Taiwan” in bigger letters . In 2000, the DPP were the first non-KMT party to win an election in Taiwan. Current President Tsai Ing-wen belongs to the independence-leaning DPP party.

The relationship between Taiwan and China remains complex and is the source of much tension. China claims that Taiwan is a province of China and bullies Taiwan from entering the UN and WHO, and from using the word “Taiwan” in international events like the Olympics (they have to call their team “Chinese Taipei”. But most Taiwanese consider Taiwan independent, and anyone who has been to both countries knows just how different they are. Few countries officially recognize Taiwan, but it acts as an independent country in virtually every way.

Today Taiwan is a modern, vibrant democracy with a free press. It is known for its welcoming people, efficiency, safety, and incredible street food. It has been chosen as the top country in the world for expats . It was also the first country in Asia to legalize equal (gay) marriage rights. Taiwan was one of the success stories in its handling of the COVID pandemic. Also read about some of the most famous people from Taiwan here .

Should you tip in Taiwan? Most often the answer is no. Learn all about Taiwan’s money and currency here .

Thailand vs. Taiwan: What’s the Difference?

Taiwanese food.

One of the great pleasures of visiting Taiwan is enjoying the country’s incredible food. Indeed, may travelers from Asian country’s come to Taiwan JUST for the food. Taiwanese is especially known for its incredible variety of cheap and delicious street food .

The best place to try Taiwanese street food is in night markets. Every city in the country has a night market (here are the best night markets across Taiwan ), while Taipei has more than 50. Here I introduce the best night markets in Taipei , night markets in Taichung ,  night markets in Tainan , and night markets in Kaohsiung . Also don’t miss my favorite night market in the country, Keelung Night Market !

Besides street food, some restaurant experiences you may want to enjoy in Taiwan are DIY barbecue joints, all-you-can-eat hot pot, quick fry (a kind of local eatery suitable for groups, and with lots of cheap dishes meant for sharing, with lots of beer), and Din Tai Fung, the country’s most famous restaurant, which specializes in xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). In this article, I recommend 80+ of my favorite restaurants in Taipei , arranged by style, and the best restaurants open all night in Taipei here !

Seafood lovers should also visit Addiction Aquatic Development , an upscale gourmet seafood market in Taipei, or consider visiting one of the country’s many port markets.

For vegetarians and vegans, you’ll be happy to know you’ll be spoiled for choices in Taiwan. See the vegetarian section of my street foods article, or keep an eye out for the character for vegetarian 素 displayed on Buddhist vegetarian restaurants; many of them are buffet style and you pay by weight. You can also say “I am vegetarian” (wo chi su/我吃素), “Do you have anything vegetarian” (you sude ma?/有素的嗎？) or “Is this vegetarian” (zhe shi sude ma?/這是素的嗎？)

Besides all the articles before, I’ve got several newer  food and night markets guides here  on my other website, TaiwanObsessed.

The Top 9 Night Markets in Kaohsiung (& what to eat at each one!)

A Guide to Feasting at Fengchia Night Market in Taichung

Ximending Food Guide: What to Eat & Best Restaurants (2024 updated)

20 Best Night Markets in Taipei (+ What To Eat at Each One!)

The 80 Best Restaurants in Taipei (by food type!)

The “Big 5” Night Markets in Taichung (+ What to Eat at Each One!)

How to Binge Eat Your Way Through Keelung Night Market

What to Eat at Addiction Aquatic Development, Taipei’s Seafood Mecca

Anping Old Street (& other things to do in Anping, Tainan)

The “Big Five” Night Markets in Tainan & What to Eat at Each One

Shenkeng Old Street: A Food Tour of Taipei’s Stinky Tofu Village

Yongkang Street, Taipei for Foodies: Best Teahouses, Mango Ice, and More

Taiwan Street Food Bucket List: 101 Taiwanese Foods To Try

A Food Tour of Burma Street in Zhonghe, New Taipei City

When to visit taiwan.

Deciding on a season or month for your trip to Taiwan is the first step to planning your Taiwan travels, and thus the first topic to cover in this Taiwan traveling guide. To make things easier, I’ve written this dedicated guide to the best time to visit Taiwan . In it, you’ll find a description of every season and month of the year in Taiwan, and links to my 12 individual guides for visiting Taiwan in every month of the year. I update these articles constantly to add upcoming events and Taiwan travel news.

To summarize that article for you here, there’s no real “high” or “low” season for travel to Taiwan; each season of the year comes with some ups and downs. Summer is extremely hot and humid and comes with the chance of typhoons, but it’s also the best time for Taiwan’s beaches , outlying islands , and water-based activities.

Meanwhile, winter can be gray and chilly, but is the best time for hot springs and seeing cherry blossoms. Be careful if planning a trip around Chinese New Year , as many things will close (see my list of attractions and what days they close ), and it can be really difficult to travel around when half the country is on the road. Spring has warm weather but also a mini rain season, while autumn is my personal favorite for these reasons .

Below you’ll also find my individual guides to each season in Taiwan. But don’t fret too much about it; if you can only visit at a certain time of the year, there’s really no bad time to be in Taiwan!

The Best Time to Visit Taiwan: A Month-by-Month Guide

2024 Chinese New Year in Taiwan: Tips for Visiting & Things to Do

Summer in Taiwan: Everything You Need to Know

Winter in Taiwan (Xmas, NYE, LNY & Where to See Snow!)

Spring in Taiwan: Everything You Need to Know

Autumn in Taiwan: Everything You Need to Know

Best taiwan travel deal.

Who doesn’t want to find a good deal when traveling to Taiwan? Here are some of the websites and services I regularly use for planning my Taiwan travels:

• Klook : Get big discounts on everything from High Speed Rail & attraction tickets to restaurant vouchers and guided tours. Sign up with this link to get a free TWD100 credit !
• KKday : While Klook is a Hong Kong compared, KKday is the Taiwan version of it. Some activities are the same as Klook, while some are unique. I prefer Klook because KKday sometimes has poor English, but I still sometimes use KKday for things that Klook doesn’t have. 
• Booking : My preferred site for finding the best hotel deals in Taiwan.
• Agoda : Some users say they find cheaper prices on Agoda for Asian destinations, including Taiwan.
• Cookly : Find the best cooking courses in Taiwan.

These are some examples of great travel deals you can find on Klook:

Taiwan Travel Passes

One way to save money on travel around the world nowadays is by using city travel passes. Taiwan has a few available, but in order for them to actually save you money, you have to understand how they work, and get the right one for your needs.

Here are some travel passes in Taiwan that you may consider getting:

Taiwan Fun Passes

These 1 to 3-day passes include all transportation in and around Taipei, entrance fees to a long list of attractions, and some tourist shuttle buses for day trips out of Taipei. The most popular one is the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass , which you can buy here .

Read my detailed review of all the Taipei Fun Passes to see how they work and determine if any of them will be worth it for your Taiwan trip. It only makes sense to get one if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing and MRT riding in Taipei in 1-3 days. Otherwise, I recommend just getting an EasyCard.

You’ll get a TWD 100 credit toward your Fun Pass if you sign up for Klook with this link first before booking!

I haven’t reviewed it yet, but there is a new Klook Taipei Pass . This one is for attractions only, but you have more time to use it, so it’s better for people who will have more time in the city.

Don’t confuse Taipei Fun Passes with the EasyCard , which is what everyone in Taipei uses to swipe onto the MRT and city buses. Read my detailed EasyCard guide for more info than I’ll provide here.

Taipei Fun Passes are designed for tourists, while the EasyCard is a reloadable card used by everyone else, including tourists who don’t get a Taipei Fun Pass. They cost TWD 100 (you can no longer get this deposit back), plus whatever money you load onto them. You can swipe them to ride the MRT in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, all city buses in Taiwan, some ferries, and to pay for taxis, items in convenience stores, and more. 

You can get an EasyCard from any MRT station, including the Taoyuan Airport MRT station, and load money onto it.  You can also order an EasyCard for pickup when you arrive in Taiwan . 

Sun Moon Lake Passes

The other place you will find travel passes in Taiwan is at Sun Moon Lake , one of the country’s most popular attractions (we’ll get to those below). There are numerous Sun Moon Lake passes to choose from, and you can buy them from 7-Eleven iBon machines or from train stations in Taichung, the nearest major city.

Like the Taipei Fun Passes, these only save you money if you use them for enough avtivities. Most also include transportation to and from Taichung.

Learn all about the passes and how to use them in my Sun Moon Lake Pass review . Note that these pass prices and what they include are often changing.

Taipei Fun Pass: Is it Worth the Money?

Sun Moon Lake Pass: Is it Worth the Money? (updated 2024)

Best sim card and wifi device.

There’s no doubt that having an Internet connection while traveling in Taiwan is super convenient. You can check GoogleMaps to find the way, communicate with hotels, find bus times, etc. Nowadays, it’s pretty much essential. 

A SIM card is the best idea in my opinion, but some people also go for an eSIM like this or pocket Wifi device . I compare all three in my guides to SIMs for Taiwan and eSIMs for Taiwan . 

I recommend pre-ordering your SIM card for pickup when you arrive at Taoyuan International Airport. If you go with a WiFi device, then I recommend this one . Note the pick up times – if you arrive in the middle of the night, you may have to pick one up in the city.

You’ll get a TWD 100 credit toward your Taiwan SIM card or WiFi device if you  sign up for Klook with this link  first before booking it.

Another option that I have yet to fully understand myself is  eSIMs for Taiwan  – especially considering that the newest iPhones don’t even have SIM card slots anymore. If you are tech-savvy, check them out!

Taipei: The Tantalizing Capital of Taiwan

In some countries, you want to get out of the capital as soon as you arrive. This is not the case with Taipei . For most visitors to Taiwan, I recommend budgeting at least two full days for Taipei City alone, plus add 1-2 more days for day trips from Taipei (even more if you can!)

Taipei is always buzzing with activity; by day, you’ve got atmospheric historical neighborhoods to explore, towering Taipei 101, landmark Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Beitou Hot Springs, Maokong Gondola, Longshan Temple , and hikes in the hills (and volcanoes!) surrounding the city. After the sun goes down, it’s time to eat ’til you drop in the city’s famed night markets : the most famous ones are Shilin, Raohe, Ningxia, Tonghua, Nanjichang, and Huaxi Night Market .

As if that weren’t enough, Taipei is incredibly safe, and getting around is a breeze on the MRT, one of the best metro systems in the world.

Things to Do & Taipei Itineraries

Here is the most popular article on my website: 50+ awesome things to do in Taipei . For the less famous spots, see my off-the-beaten-track guide to Taipei . Below I’ve also linked to all my Taipei articles.

Besides the below articles, I’ve also got guides to spending one day in Taipei and how to plan a Taipei layover on my other website, TaiwanObsessed.

50 Unmissable Things to Do in Taipei in 2024

How to Spend 2 Awesome Days in Taipei

How to Spend 3 Awesome Days in Taipei

How to Spend 4 Awesome Days in Taipei

The above itineraries will make things easier for those will little time for planning. But my recommendations for Taipei don’t stop there.

For people who want to dig a little deeper and further customize the Taipei portion of their Taiwan trip, here some useful resources that further explore how much Taipei has to offer, including its best temples , night markets , hikes , and beaches .

Also see the my post below for the best times of the year to visit Taipei; the weather of Taipei is quite different to that of other parts of Taiwan, so if your trip to Taiwan is mainly focused on Taipei, you’ll find this article more useful than my “Best time to visit Taiwan” article I linked to above.

The Best Time to Visit Taipei City: An Insider’s Guide

Hiking in Taipei: My 21 Favorite Taipei Hikes

The Best Cat Cafes in Taipei, the Birthplace of Cat Cafe Culture

30 Jaw-Dropping Temples in Taipei and New Taipei City

7 Beaches around Taipei You Can’t Miss

Coolest neighborhoods & where to stay.

Deciding where to stay in Taipei can be rather intimidating, as there are so many cool neighborhoods to choose from.

Let me make life easier for you by breaking it down to the best neighborhoods to stay in Taipei , with my hotel recommendations for each one. For each area of Taipei, I’ve included hotel recommendations for budget, mid-range, and luxury travelers, also pointing out which ones are suitable for travelers with kids. I’ve also got specific guides to the best hostels and luxury hotels in Taipei.

Besides my “where to stay in Taipei” article below, I’ve got detailed guides to some of my personal favorite neighborhoods in Taipei: Beitou for hot springs, historic Dadaocheng , and funky, gay-friendly Ximending . Start planning your walking tours with these guides!

If you have a very early or late flight, here are my recommended hotels in and around Taoyuan Airport .

Where to Stay in Taipei in 2024 (by area & budget)

The Ultimate Beitou Hot Spring Guide (2024 info!)

A Guide to Dihua Street in Dadaocheng, Taipei’s Oldest Street

30 Fun (& WEIRD) Things to Do in Ximending, Taipei

Day trips from taipei.

When deciding how long to stay in Taipei, you have to factor in that there some really incredible day trips from the city!

I normally recommend that, if you can, dedicate two full days to exploring Taipei, then another one or two days for day trips. If you only have one day in your Taiwan travel plan to do a day trip from Taipei, I would suggest that you plan it carefully. This way, you’ll be able to squeeze in several of my recommended 40 day trip ideas into one day.

The following five stops are some of the most popular day trips from Taipei, and since they are all fairly close together, you can combine them into one killer day trip from Taipei. There are even some shuttle buses deals like this that can make this even easier to accomplish.

• Jiufen : A former gold mining town on top of a mountain, famous for its atmospheric staircases and teahouses
• Shifen Waterfall : The widest in Taiwan, accessed from a cute train station where people set off sky lanterns
• Houtong : The “Cat Village”, literally a village full of cats
• Keelung : A harbor city with the best night market in Taiwan, forts, beach, and more
• Yehliu Geopark : Odd, wind-blown rock formations on the coast
• Tamsui : A popular riverside promenade with unique foods, beaches, and picturesque colonial forts

If you don’t want to drive or figure out public transportation, there’s an awesome English service called Parkbus Taiwan , which takes guests on day trips from the city for hiking and other activities. Use my discount code “ Spiritual10 ” at checkout to get 10% (may not be available for some events). 

There are practically unlimited day trip possibilities from Taipei. This is why myself and so many other expats love living in Taipei; you get the excitement of the city, but you can go somewhere different every weekend. Because Taiwan is so small, and thanks to its amazing transportation system and the High Speed Rail, you can go almost anywhere in Taiwan in a day or weekend trip. 

20+ Fun Things to Do in Keelung, Northern Taiwan’s Port City

40 Day Trips from Taipei You Can’t Miss

Getting from Taipei to Jiufen and Shifen (with pictures and times)

Jiufen Old Street: A 2024 Guide to this Classic Taipei Day Trip

Tamsui, Taiwan: Fishermen’s Wharf, Old Street, & other Things to Do

Wulai Hot Spring & Old Street: A 2024 Guide

Planning your trip around taiwan.

One of the hardest parts of planning a Taiwan trip is mapping out the perfect Taiwan travel itinerary .

What a lot of people do is book their trip first, and then realize they didn’t budget enough time for everything they want to see. Moreover, some of the best things to do in Taiwan are on opposite coasts, with 3000-meter mountains between them!

For example, many people only schedule around one week for their Taiwan trip. Then they decide they want to visit Taipei, Taroko Gorge on the east coast, and Sun Moon Lake and/or Alishan , which are in Central Taiwan but accessed from the west coast. On the map, these three top scenic attractions in Taiwan look fairly close together. But guess what? There are no buses that cross the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan. You can do it in a car, but the road is super winding and takes a long time.

So what I see a lot of visitors doing is going from Taipei to Taroko Gorge first (2.5 to 4 hours on the train, one way). Then they have to return to Taipei, and then travel a similar amount of time down the west coast to reach Sun Moon Lake and/or Alishan. It’s certainly possible, but it means you have to use up an entire day of your trip on the road.

How can you resolve this common Taiwan travel dilemma? I feel the answer is in planning your trip better before you book it, so that you can budget enough days to travel all the way around Taiwan and see everything that you want to without rushing. Which leads to the next important question: 

How Long Do I Need to Visit Taiwan?

With a week or less, you will probably only have time to visit Taipei, including some day trips, and perhaps do a 1 or 2-night trip to Taroko Gorge on the East Coast, or Taichung, Sun Moon Lake, and/or Alishan in Central Taiwan (and this would be really rushed).

If you want to do a full circle around Taiwan, these are the most obvious destinations along the way, going in a clockwise direction around Taiwan by riding the train: Taipei, Hualien (Taroko Gorge), Taitung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, Taichung, and back to Taipei.

To do this, you are going to need two weeks or more . With exactly two weeks, you may even have to cut out one or two of the above stops, otherwise you’ll just be checking in and out of hotels every day or two.

With even more time, you can be less rushed, and potentially add more stops, such as the beaches of Kenting on the southern tip of the island (as a side trip from Kaohsiung), Lukang, spend more time in laid-back Taitung, or visit some of the offshore islands, like Green Island, Orchid Island, or Penghu. This is why I think 3 weeks is a great amount of time for visiting Taiwan, and if you can go even longer, all the better!

Taiwan Travel Itineraries

Here are my recommend itineraries for traveling around Taiwan.

The five-day itinerary is for a very short visit, while the second article provides Taiwan itineraries for 1, 2, or 3 weeks. These are tried-and-tested itineraries that I have done in some form or another several times, including with my kids (see more on that below)!

The itineraries for 2 weeks and up involve doing a full circle around Taiwan mostly by train, with a few buses as well. See the end of this article for more information on transportation options for getting around Taiwan.

A Taiwan Itinerary for 1, 2, or 3 weeks (Slow & Fast Options!)

A Simple Taipei & Taiwan 5 Day Itinerary

Visiting taiwan with kids.

My kids Sage and Lavender were born and spent the first handful of years of their life in Taiwan. They’ve seen more of the country than most visitors ever will!

Below are my super detailed guides to visiting Taipei with kids and how to plan a complete circle around Taiwan with kids . The latter article is very similar to my above Taiwan itinerary for 1-3 weeks, but with tweaks along the way to focus on sights that my kids loved the most, as well as recommendations for kid-friendly hotels in each stop along the way.

You may also be interested in the best amusement parks in Taiwan , where to see capybaras in Taiwan , and my guide to Yilan, the “kid-friendly county” .

Taiwan with Kids: How to Plan a Round-Island Trip

Taipei with Kids in 2024: Ideas from a Local Family

Best attractions around taiwan.

When trying to decide which destinations in Taiwan to include on your itinerary, it will be useful to take a deeper look at each of them to decide which ones are for you.

I’ll start with a list of some of the top scenic attractions. These five are the most common stops that people include on their Taiwan itineraries. I’ll follow that up with the best cities in Taiwan besides Taipei, best hot springs in Taiwan, best off-the-beaten track places to visit, and finally the  offshore islands of Taiwan . Again, these are described in clockwise order going around Taiwan.

Top Scenic Attractions in Taiwan

• Taroko Gorge : dramatic canyon in beautiful Hualien County  (currently closed indefinitely due to April 2024 earthquake)
• Taitung : Laid-back, rural corner of Taiwan, including the famous Brown Boulevard Cycling Path
• Kenting : Beaches on the southern tip of Taiwan
• Alishan : Mountain resort in Nantou famous for huge trees, high mountain tea, and sunrises above seas of clouds
• Cingjing (Qingjing) Farm : A high mountain farm and resort village that looks like a slice of Europe in Taiwan
• Hehuanshan : The best place to see snow in Taiwan (usually possible in January to March)
• Yushan : Tallest mountain in Taiwan and Northeast Asia, requires permits and planning to climb
• Sun Moon Lake : Beautiful lake surrounded by mountains

Here are my extremely detailed guides to the ones that almost all visitors try to include on their Taiwan travel itinerary:

A 2024 Guide to Taroko Gorge and Taroko National Park

Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan: A 2024 Visitors’ Guide

A Guide to Chishang, Taitung and Cycling Brown Boulevard

Alishan, Taiwan: A Super Detailed 2024 Guide

40 Unmissable Things to Do in Hualien, Taiwan

30 Incredible Things to Do in Taitung, Southeastern Taiwan

Best cities in taiwan.

Besides Taipei, which is a given, city lovers are going to find there are a few other cities they may want to include on their Taiwan travel itinerary. You can see my above-linked Taiwan travel itineraries to see how to fit these cities into your schedule.

Since there is one only train line around Taiwan, you’ll have to pass through all of them anyway if doing a full circuit around Taiwan. Since most cities in Taiwan are located on the developed west coast, the below are in counter-clockwise order. The varying time to reach them depends on whether you take the regular train/bus or the much faster High Speed Rail.

• New Taipei City : Taiwan’s largest city literally surrounds Taipei and is home to many of the most popular day trips from Taipei .
• Taoyuan : Best known for the international airport, consider stopping here to visit the impressive Xpark Aquarium on the way to/from the airport.
• Taichung : 1 – 2 hours south of Taipei on the west coast and the largest city in central Taiwan. Known for its artistic attractions like Rainbow Village , Gaomei Wetland , and as the birthplace of pearl milk tea.
• Lukang : 2-3 hours south of Taipei. Historic city famous for its traditional culture, food, and Old Street, and home to one of the most important temples in the country.
• Tainan : 1.75 – 5 hours south of Taipei on the west coast of southern Taiwan. Former capital of Taiwan famous for its temples , night markets , and considered by locals as the food capital of Taiwan.
• Kaohsiung : 2 – 6 hours south of Taipei in the southwest of Taiwan and end of the High Speed Rail line. Port city known for its revitalized harbor front, night markets , street art and Pier 2 Art Center , and the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan, Foguangshan . Here are my recommended hotels in Kaohsiung .
• Hualien : 2.5 – 4 hours from Taipei, only major city on the wild, scenic east coast of Taiwan. Mostly people stay in the city to visit nearby Taroko Gorge, but the city has a good night market and opportunities to experience Taiwanese aboriginal culture, such as this aboriginal cooking course .
• Taitung : 3.5 – 6 hours from Taipei, small city known for its aboriginal culture and end-point of most road trips down the east coast of Taiwan

Lukang Old Street (& other Things to Do in Lukang, Taiwan)

Gaomei Wetlands in Taichung: A Detailed Visitor’s Guide

A Detailed Hualien Itinerary for 1-4 Days

Fo Guang Shan, Kaohsiung: How to Visit and Stay at Taiwan’s Biggest Monastery

70 Things to Do in Tainan, Taiwan’s Ancient Capital

Our Visit to Rainbow Village Taichung (before it was destroyed)

50+ Things to Do in Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan

A Guide to Pier 2 Art Center in Kaohsiung City’s Harbor

25 Unique Things to Do in Taichung, Taiwan

20+ Awe-Inspiring Temples in Tainan, Taiwan

Best hot springs in taiwan.

I happen to be a hot spring lover. Because Taiwan sits on the meeting point of two major tectonic plates, the island is geologically active, with dormant volcanoes and over 100 major hot springs! The most famous is surely Beitou Hot Spring in Taipei , while Wulai , Jiaoxi , and Jinshan can be visited as day trips from Taipei.

Here is my detailed guide to the 20 best hot springs in Taiwan , including information on hot spring etiquette.

The 20 Best Hot Springs in Taiwan for a Blissful Winter Soak

Jiaoxi Hot Spring: A Guide to My Favorite Spa Village in Taiwan

Lovely Tai’an Hot Spring in Miaoli, Taiwan

Wenshan Hot Spring: Taroko Gorge’s Spectacular Secret

Off-the-beaten-track places to visit in taiwan.

Just to make things more difficult for you, besides the many must-see places to visit in Taiwan I mentioned above, which already require at least two weeks to visit, there are loads of off-the-beaten-path destinations that are just as worthwhile.

Serious off-the-beaten track travelers should head to my other site, where I’ve got guides to relatively unexplored cities and counties like Taoyuan , Hsinchu , Yilan , Miaoli , Changhua , Yunlin , and Pingtung . I’ve also got this guide to  off-the-beaten-track things to do in Taipei .

The below are articles cover some of the more remote or less visited (by foreign tourists) places in Taiwan. These are just the tip of the iceberg, but they are some of my personal favorites.

Depending on what kind of traveler you are, these may appeal to you more than the “must see” attractions I covered above!

The Stunning East Coast of Taiwan Part 1: Yilan to Hualien and Taroko Gorge

Is Sicao Green Tunnel in Tainan Worth the Trip?

Strawberry Picking at a Strawberry Farm in Dahu, Taiwan

The Stunning Qigu Salt Mountain and Jingzijiao Wapan Salt Fields in Tainan

50+ Fun Things to Do in Yilan, Taiwan (2024 Updated!)

Quirky Xitou Monster Village in Nantou, Taiwan

A Guide to Luye & the Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival 2024

A Guide to Dulan, Taitung: Taiwan’s Coolest Beach Hangout

The Stunning East Coast of Taiwan Part 2: Hualien to Taitung and Kenting

Anping Tree House: How to Visit this Must-See Tainan Attraction

The offshore islands of taiwan.

Yet another list of places you’ll want to visit during your Taiwan travels is the offshore islands. However, a visit to any of the offshore islands is like a trip within a Taiwan trip; visiting most of them involves a little more planning and time. 

There are about half a dozen main ones to choose from. Also, the offshore islands are best visited in spring, summer (high season due to domestic tourists, but can be very hot), and early fall. In winter, they become very windy (especially Penghu) and/or many traveler’s services totally shut down (especially Orchid Island ).

The first four below are most commonly reached by ferry, with Xiao Liuqiu being the closest to the Taiwan mainland. Orchid Island also has the option of flights in very small airplanes from Taitung, while Penghu has regular flights from Taipei and other cities in Taiwan. Kinmen and Matsu are much closer to China than Taiwan (they are so close to it that you can see China from their shores), so they require flights.

Here are the small islands of Taiwan that you may want to visit someday.

• Green Island : Off Taitung’s coast, best for scenery and snorkeling or scuba diving, and a saltwater hot spring.
• Orchid Island : Harder to reach/plan, and home to Taiwan’s most remote aboriginal tribe.
• Xiao Liuqiu : Snorkeling with sea turtles, and easily done as a day trip from Kaohsiung. 
• Cijin : A long, skinny island protecting Kaohsiung’s huge harbor.
• Penghu : Best for beaches, sailing, island hopping and a fireworks festival.
• Kinmen : Much closer to China than Taiwan, known for military history and Kaohliang, a strong liquor.
• Matsu : Also very close to China, known for its tunnels and forts.

Orchid Island, Taiwan: A Detailed 2024 Guide

How to Visit Cijin Island in Kaohsiung City’s Port

A 2024 Guide to Xiaoliuqiu Island, a Turtle Spotting Hot Spot

A 2024 Guide to Penghu Islands, Taiwan’s Offshore Paradise

Transportation: how to get around taiwan.

Taiwan has an amazing transportation system, and getting around the country is a breeze thanks to its extremely reliable metros, buses, and railway systems.

It is still important to understand some things about getting around Taiwan, though, in order to avoid disruptions on your trip (like finding out all the trains to your next stop are sold out!)

If you follow my Taiwan itineraries, you’ll mostly be taking trains around Taiwan, with some exceptions. Getting to Alishan is more complicated, as it can involve a train, bus, or combination of the two. Sun Moon Lake and Kenting are also only accessed by bus. Luckily, you don’t need to book any of these bus rides in advance.

See here if you’d like to find a private driver in Taiwan .

Getting Around Taipei

Upon arriving at Taoyuan International Airport, you can takes a bus (TWD135, 1 hour), the new Airport MRT (TWD 165, 35-50 min), or a taxi (TWD1000-1500, 45 min to 1 hr) to Taipei.

I recommended  pre-booking a private transfer to your hotel , which is usually a little cheaper than taking a taxi. Also see my more detailed guide to getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei . If your flight is very early or late, stay in one of these airport hotels .

The MRT is the lifeline and pride of Taipei. It is considered one of the best metro systems in the world. You’ll love it, and use it to get almost everywhere you go in Taipei.

In order to ride the MRT, it’s best to get an EasyCard from any station (or order it before your trip ) and load some money onto it. This makes it easy to swipe in & out. You have to pay a TWD non-refundable deposit plus however much you want to load onto the card.

The EasyCard also works for buses and taxis in Taipei, ferries in Tamsui, and local buses in cities across the country. It can also be used on the Taichung and Kaohsiung MRT, and regular/local train tickets between cities that don’t require seat reservations. Note that for most long distance buses or trains, you won’t be able to use it.

Taxis are also cheap and plentiful in Taipei. Taipei has Uber, too, but it often isn’t any cheaper than taxis. Taxi drivers speak varying levels of English, and some not at all, so it’s a good idea to have your destination written in Mandarin when taking local taxis. Taxi drivers in Taiwan are honest and won’t try to scam you or rip you off.

Taking the Regular Train (TRA) around Taiwan

The regular (TRA) train does a full circle around Taiwan. Tickets can be booked online  up to exactly 28 days in advance (or 29 days for Saturday trips and 30 days for Sunday trips). See details and screenshots for how to book train tickets online or on the app .

Trains sell out in Taiwan very often, especially on weekends and holidays. Sometimes they even sell out minutes after they go on sale, such as for long weekends, or for very popular rides (like the express train from Taipei to Hualien/Taroko Gorge).

For this reason, it’s very important to book your tickets in advance. Note that 28 days in advance means the tickets go on sale at precisely 12:00 a.m. (midnight). For example, if you want to travel on September 28, you should try to book your ticket at 12:00 a.m. on September 1, which is actually the night of August 31, Taiwan time of course.

If your train sells out, don’t freak out. You can always buy standing tickets on most trains. A lot of people do this, and just stand in the aisle or sit on the floor between train cars (see which ones below). It’s not comfortable for a long ride, but at least you’ll get there. Another option is to try a different time, or take a bus (but beware that there are very few buses running down the east coast).

Note that you are allowed to eat and drink on trains in Taiwan, and they all have toilets on board. You can even discreetly drink a beer on Taiwan trains, although most train station 7-Elevens no longer sell them. But be warned that Taiwanese people tend to be very quiet (and often sleep) on buses and trains, and they don’t appreciate noisy passengers. To be respectful, keep talking to a whisper, or just don’t talk at all. I can’t say how many times we have been “shhed” just for having a conversation at a reasonable volume on buses or trains in Taiwan.

There are different types of TRA trains in Taiwan, and it’s useful to know the names of them when searching for train times. Here they are:

• Local Train (區間車): Slowest, stops at every small stop, cheapest, least comfortable, and you can sit or stand anywhere. Buy ticket at station or swipe with EasyCard.
• Chu Kuang Express (莒光號): Regular trains that circle around Taiwan. Reserved seats, but you can always buy standing tickets from the train station ticket window.
• Tze-Chiang (Express / 自強號 ): Same as the above, but faster and fewer stops. Standing tickets also possible.
• Taroko / Puyuma Express (太魯閣號): Super express train from Taipei to Taroko Gorge/Hualien. Reserved seats only, and always sells out very quickly.
• Tze Chiang Lmt. Express 3000 ( 自強EMU3000 ): A new express train that is also reserved seats only.

The High Speed Rail (HSR)

Taiwan has a Japanese-made high speed rail (HSR) sytem. The single line has 12 stops along the highly developed west coast of Taiwan, from Taipei city in the north to Kaohsiung city (called Zuoying Station) in the south. 

The first station in Taipei is Nangang, while Taipei Main Station is the most useful, and connects to the Taipei City MRT, regular (TRA) trains, and Airport MRT. Banqiao is located in New Taipei City (the large city that surrounds Taipei City), and Taoyuan is close to the Taoyuan International Airport. To get to Taoyuan HSR station from the airport, you have to ride the Airport MRT a few stops in the opposite direction from Taipei.

Generally speaking, HSR tickets costs about twice as much as the regular train, but get you there twice as fast.

It’s important to note, however, that in most cities, the HSR station is located outside of the city center, just like airports tend to be, so you have to factor in time (and money) to get to the city center once you arrive. This is the case for every stop except for Taipei.

In some cases, though, the location of the HSR station can be more useful. For example, in Taichung, the HSR station is closer to Rainbow Village, and has direct buses to Sun Moon Lake. Similarly, in Chiayi, you can catch a bus directly from the HSR station to Alishan, and thus avoid going into Chiayi City. In Kaohsiung, the HSR station is right beside Lotus Lake, one of the city’s top attractions. To get to the Kaohsiung City center, you just have to hop onto the KMRT.

You can buy HSR tickets online up to 28 days in advance, and buying them early usually gets you an early bird price. 

You can also buy discounted HSR tickets on Klook  – buying them here allows you to get the early bird discount even when you’ve missed it on the official site. Note that if you buy your tickets on Klook, you have to follow the instructions provided to actually book your seat after you receive the voucher. You can do this online or in person at the station. You’ll need to show your passport. Note that this Klook deal is for short term tourists only; residents/ARC-holders aren’t supposed to buy them.

Unlike TRA trains, the HSR has three cars (#10-12) of unreserved seats. This means you can show up at an HSR station anytime and buy an unreserved ticket at full price from one of the machines. These never sell out.

You aren’t guaranteed a seat, but you can often get one. The only time when demand is crazy high is Lunar New Year and on long weekends, and even then, we’ve always managed to get on without waiting too long.

Special Trains in Taiwan

Besides MRTs (city metros), TRA trains, and the HSR, there are a few special small-gauge train lines in Taiwan. Mostly these are restored old trains that run along former logging lines, built by the Japanese when they were logging during their colonial rule of Taiwan. They tend to be fun and highly scenic rides for tourists.

Here are some of these special small train lines that you may encounter or seek out on your trip:

• Pingxi Line : this small train line provides access to some of the most popular day trips from Taipei, including Houtong, Shifen, and Pingxi. Most people board it at Ruifang, which has direct connections to Taipei by bus or TRA train.
• Alishan Forest Railway : This is the most interesting way to get from the city of Chiayi to the mountain resort of Alishan. However, the final section was destroyed in a typhoon, so you have to take a bus for the final leg. There are also parts of the train line running to scenic spots within Alishan National Scenic Area. You can find all the relevant information in my guide to getting to Alishan .
• Neiwan, Jiji, and Bong Bong Lines : These are three more scenic small train lines that far few foreign tourists ever make it to. They are in Hsinchu, Changhua, and Yilan (on top of Taipingshan Mountain), respectively. 

Buses in Taiwan

There are some cases where you will need to take buses in Taiwan. Here are a few common routes that many visitors take: 

• In Taipei City, you’ll need to take buses for getting to Yangmingshan National Park or to National Palace Museum
• You’ll also need to ride buses to popular day trip places in New Taipei City, like for getting to Jiufen or Yehliu Geopark. You can swipe EasyCard for all of the above.
• Buses are the only direct way for getting from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake , Sun Moon Lake to Alishan , and Chiayi to Alishan . Click these links to find out how to book them.
• You’ll also need to ride the Kenting Express bus from Kaohsiung to Kenting National Park .
• Buses also run between all major cities on the west coast of Taiwan. They are cheaper but usually a little slower than the train. There are no buses from Taipei to Hualien on the east coast.

Final Thoughts on Planning a Taiwan Trip

Well, I hope you’ve found more than enough information in my Taiwan travel blog for planning your trip. Taiwan remains largely closed to international visitors for the time being, but hopefully big changes are on the horizon.

Please feel free to check back again, as I’m constantly updating my Taiwan travel content to reflect the current situation. And if you’ve got any questions, please join my Taiwan Travel Planning group and I’ll answer them there!

Girl Eat World

A girl's adventure in food and travel around the world, taipei itinerary: complete travel guide and things to do in taipei.

So, I’ve been pretty lucky to have been able to visit Taipei multiple times in the past decade. In total, I’ve visited Taipei three times: Once when I was a newbie traveler in 2011, then once more in 2018 when I got to go on a food marathon , and then most recently after COVID restrictions were lifted in 2023.

From the fact that I kept coming back, you could tell that I really enjoyed my time in Taipei. After all.. what’s not to like? The city is easy to travel in, you can find affordable and delicious food anywhere, and the people are friendly and polite. Taiwan is definitely one of my favorite countries to visit, so I’m here to impart my knowledge to make your trip to Taipei easier!

Taipei Travel Tips for First-time Visitors

How many days should i spend in taipei, when is the best time to visit taipei, how to get to taipei city from the airport, how to get around taipei, where to stay in taipei, what to eat in taipei.

• Taipei Itinerary Example

What to do in Taipei

Recommended trips from taipei.

One of the reasons why I kept coming back is because Taipei is a very safe and tourist-friendly city. I saw it as a combination of Japan, Shanghai, and Singapore. When you don’t have to worry about safety, things are cool and dandy. I was not concerned to go by myself, even as a solo female traveler.

Here are some tips that would make your trip even easier:

1. Buy a prepaid SIM Card – I cannot stress how important it is to have an internet connection during your visit to Taiwan, especially if you don’t speak the language. With an internet connection, you can easily find directions, research on the go, and translate what you need to say into the local language.

You can get your prepaid SIM card here and pick it up when you are at the airport. The pickup counter is located right where you exit the immigration section.

I find that the validity of the SIM card excludes the day of activation. For example, I bought a 5-day SIM card – I landed on April 19 in the afternoon and activated the SIM card right away, and the SIM card worked until April 24 at 23:59.

2. Buy an EasyCard – EasyCard is the transport card used across Taiwan. It works on the local trains as well as buses. You’ll definitely want to get the card so that you can use public transport easily while you’re in Taiwan.

You can get your EasyCard here and pick it up when you are at the airport.

I recommend preloading it with around NT$ 400 of balance, depending on how long you’re going to be in Taiwan. A train/bus ride usually costs NT$ 15-18 per way and the airport MRT costs NT$ 160 one way. Don’t worry about putting in too much money – you can return the balance of the EasyCard later at the end of the trip, minus NT$ 100 for the cost of the card.

3. Buy Taipei attractions tickets via Klook – During my time in Taiwan, I bought all of the ticket attractions from Klook. It was super easy as Klook provides direct entry for most attractions, meaning you don’t need to redeem another ticket – just show the QR code from your voucher!

What is Klook? Klook is the leading travel and experiences booking website in Asia. And yes, they are legit! I personally always book my activities through them whenever I am traveling. See my review of Klook here .

4. Download Google Maps – This is my tip for pretty much every destination. Pre-download Google Maps so that you can use it when you don’t have the internet on your phone. Not only that, it will help you keep your data usage down! Here is how to download maps offline .

5. Download the traditional Chinese language pack from Google Translate – Taiwan uses traditional Chinese, so download the traditional Chinese language pack from Google Translate! You can then use this to take a picture of any text you need to be translated and Google will provide a translation for it. It doesn’t always work perfectly, but it’s better than nothing.

6. Download Uber – Uber basically owns this city. From food delivery to ride-sharing, you can get it easily via Uber. I’m pretty sure I don’t need to explain what Uber is to you, just make sure you have the app downloaded on your phone. I find that the Uber rate in this city is very reasonable, and might be cheaper than taxis.

7. Luggage storage at the train station – If you need to check out of your accommodation and your flight is not til night time, there are plenty of lockers at the station, especially major stations like Taipei Main Station. Also, don’t be deceived by the size of the locker from the outside – each locker can fit a lot! We managed to fit 2 of our carry-on luggage and 3 backpacks inside. Just make sure you remember which lockers you’ve put your stuff into because the main station is huge and you don’t want to lose your luggage later on.

8. Monitor the weather – If you happen to visit during rainy or colder months, you can monitor the weather forecast here or see the rain weather radar here . That said, on my recent visit it was forecasted to rain a lot, but in the end, it only rained on the first day. I also find that the rain is not too bad – usually just a drizzle.

9. Go on a free walking tour in Taipei – This is a great way to get yourself familiarized with Taipei, while learning the history and culture of Taipei. The tour is free, but tips are encouraged!

Taipei is a large city. You won’t run out of things to do here. If this is your first time visiting Taipei and you want to see most of the must-do things, I recommend spending at least 2 days in Taipei, maybe 3 days if you want to take things slow or if you want to take day trips outside of Taipei.

I would recommend visiting Taipei from March to April when the weather is still somewhat cooler and there is not much rain. Starting from mid-May, it might get hot and a little bit rainy in Taiwan. There is also a possibility of typhoons in the region around September or October. November to December might also be a good time to visit when it’s not yet too cold.

I personally visited Taiwan in April, May, and November. Out of those times, I feel April was the best for me personally. In April, the weather in Taipei is still cool, but not too cold. There could be some rain but in my experience, it was only minimal, barely a drizzle.

Getting to Taipei City, where you’d likely be staying, is easy from the Taoyuan Airport. Here are some ways you can get there:

1. Take the Airport MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) from Taoyuan Airport

Taking the MRT to Taipei City is really easy from Taoyuan International Airport. From Terminal 1 or 2, once you’ve exited the immigration area, just look for the sign that says “MRT”. The train will take you to Taipei Main Station, and from there you can resume your journey via the Taipei Metro train to the closest station to your destination.

The MRT journey from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station will cost NT$ 160 , while the metro will cost NT$ 18 per ride.

Use Easy Card – All of the train journeys, including the airport MRT, can be paid for by just tapping the EasyCard at the gantry, which is why I recommend buying the EasyCard and pick up at the airport !

When taking the MRT from Taoyuan Airport, make sure you take the express train and not the commuter train! It will be about 15 minutes faster because there are fewer stops. You can check the train schedule on Google Maps.

2. Private Car from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei City

If you’re traveling with a lot of luggage, you might want to book your own private car to take you from the airport .

A quick search seems to say this is cheaper or comparable to taking Uber or Taxi. It cost us NT$ 1,200 to take Uber to our hotel in the Zhongxiao Fuxing / Da’an area, but only NT$ 1,080 using the link above to the same destination.

3. Take an Uber or Yellow Taxi

If all else fails, Taxi and Uber are plenty in Taipei. For a quick price reference, it cost us NT$ 1,200 to take Uber to our hotel in the Zhongxiao Fuxing / Da’an area from the Taoyuan International Airport.

As I said before, Taipei is a really tourist-friendly city. And part of the reason why that’s so is because it’s easy to get around in Taipei! Here are your options:

By Train (Taipei Metro) – This is my favorite option to explore Taipei. Taking the train is the most convenient method: it’s safe, clean, and most of the instructions will be in English. The train comes every 5 minutes and there are plenty of stations close to most tourist attractions. A ride on the train costs NT$ 18 per ride.

By Bus – The bus in Taipei is not a terrible way to travel. Most bus stops in Taipei will even have a display sign that tells you when the next bus will arrive. However, the frequency of the bus is way less than the train. Some buses might even only come once every 30 minutes. A ride on the bus costs NT$ 18 per ride.

Ride-sharing via Uber – I’m pretty sure I don’t need to explain what Uber is to you. I find that the Uber rate in this city is very reasonable. I took Uber many times when I was in Taipei when I don’t feel like walking or dealing with public transport.

Yellow Taxi – The yellow taxi can be easily hailed in the city and other touristy spots. They are a good alternative if you don’t want to use Uber.

Any location close to a metro station would be good, but I would recommend staying near the following stations specifically:

• Taipei Main Station – This will be convenient if you plan to travel to other parts of Taiwan that might require inter-city travel by train. Most of the journey will begin at Taipei Main Station. It’s also close to other locations like Ximending and Zhongshan station.
• Ximen Station / Ximending – This area is great for shopping with tons of food nearby. It’s fairly close to Taipei Main Station.
• Zhongxiao Fuxing station – on the blue and brown line, easy to reach from Taipei Main Station and takes you from central to west or east (Sun yat sen memorial hall) easily. Zhongxiao Fuxing is a convenient area with lots of shops and restaurants.
• Da’an station – on the red and brown line, easy to reach from Taipei Main Station and takes you from central to west or east (Taipei 101) easily. The Da’an area is very nice and quiet but still has a lot of eateries around.

Here are some of my recommended hotels:

• Kimpton Da An Hotel – Located within a few minutes walk to Zhongxiao Fuxing Station. One of the most convenient locations in the city!
• Star Hostel Taipei Main Station – If you’re looking for a budget dorm near the main station, this is it! The hostel is clean and modern. Their amenities are really nice and the staff speaks English. They also give you a good breakfast for free with each stay. Towels can be rented for NT$ 30. The location is only a 5-minute walk from Taipei Main Station (Y13 exit). A stay at one of the 6-bed female dorms cost me only NT$ 936.

• Hotel Howard Plaza Taipei – This is an older hotel located strategically between Zhongxiao Fuxing and Da’an station. Even though the hotel is a bit dated, their rooms are very spacious. There are tons of buses that stop directly outside of the hotel, and you have the option to walk 7-8 minutes to either Zhongxiao Fuxing or Da’an station.

There is so much good food in Taipei, that I’ve dedicated a separate post for food in Taipei.

For more ideas on what to eat in Taipei, check out my must-eats in Taipei !

3-Day Taipei Itinerary Example

In order to make your trip more efficient, here are my recommended way to group the spots to see in Taipei so that you don’t have to travel back and forth. You don’t need to do them in the exact same order as below, just take note of the grouping!

Day 1: West Taipei

• Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
• Walk around Zhongshan District
• Ximending in the afternoon or nighttime
• Ningxia Night Market for dinner

Day 2: East Taipei

Songshan cultural and creative park.

• National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall
• Taipei 101 Observatory
• Elephant Mountain trek
• Raohe Night Market

Day 3: Central Taipei and everything else

• National Palace Museum

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

• Shida Night Market or Shilin Night Market

Day 4: Trips outside of Taipei

There are plenty of quick day trips or short 1-2 day trips you can do from Taipei. I’ll elaborate more in the “ Recommended trips from Taipei ” section below. However, if this is your first time in Taiwan, I recommend visiting Jiufen for a quick day trip!

Taipei is a large metropolitan city, and there are lots to do here! In no particular order, here are some things you can do when you’re in the city.

1. Taipei 101 Observatory

As the name suggests, this building stands at 101 floors. It is currently the tallest building in Taiwan. At the time of its completion in 2004, Taipei 101 was even the tallest building in the world, standing at 508m, until Burj Khalifa in Dubai took the throne five years later.

Entry to Taipei 101 is timed, so I definitely recommend pre-booking Taipei 101 tickets online via Klook to guarantee entry at the time you want. Plus, it could be cheaper via Klook sometimes!

The regular ticket gets you access to the observatory on the 88th and 89th floors. There are some photo props up there you’d want to take photos with, but the most exciting part for me is that you’ll get to see the tuned mass damper . This is the technology that is responsible for the stability of Taipei 101 during the event of a strong wind or earthquake.

The mass damper is stationary most of the time (and really, you would want it to be stationary while you’re up there) but you will be able to see a video of it in action during the 2015 earthquake, as well as scientific explanations on how and why it works. Super cool!

You can buy an extra ticket that lets you go up to the 101st floor, but as someone who has been there before… I think the 88th and 89th floors will do just fine. The 101st floor is definitely more quiet, so it could be a good option if you’re after some exclusivity, but it is a lot smaller than the observatory and the view is more or less the same as the 88th and 89th floor.

➡️ Pre-book your Taipei 101 ticket here to ensure you can go at the time slot you want!

2. Stroll around Ximending

Ximending is a popular shopping and eating district in the eastern part of Taipei. The concept is similar to a night market, but the shops are located in actual shophouses inside a building. The area is for pedestrians only, and closed to all cars, making it really easy to walk around in. If you’ve been to Seoul – it’s kind of like the Myeongdong area.

Ximending is a lot more alive on weekends and at night. So if you’re looking for that hustle-bustle atmosphere, consider visiting it on a Saturday or Sunday night. Even if you’re not into shopping, it’s fun to visit so that you can people-watch or see the street performers.

To get to Ximending, take the blue or green metro line to Ximen station , and take Exit 1 or 6. This will drop you to the crossing where you can start your journey into Ximending.

Don’t miss the rainbow street at the entrance for a really cool photo op! This street is right off Exit 6 of Ximen station.

3. Eat your heart out at the night markets

Taiwan Night markets are, to put it in one word, AMAZING! They are the ultimate definition of what a night market should be: bustling atmosphere, great shopping, and most importantly:  a large variety of street food with an affordable price tag!

The most popular night in Taipei food markets are:

• Shilin Night Market  – Shilin needs no introduction. This is Taiwan’s biggest and most popular night market. For most tourists, this is the ultimate night market since it has both: food and shopping!
• Shida Night Market  – I would say Shida is more about fashion than food. I was told this is where Taiwanese students go to find cheap yet fashionable and good-quality clothes. Most of the styles I found were inspired by Korean fashion, which is all the rage across Asia these days. I found some cute earrings for a reasonable price here. That said, you can still find solid food options at Shida too, such as Shi Yun fried chicken and Hsu Ji Shen Jiang Bao.
• Raohe Night Market  – Raohe spans across a narrow street called Raohe Street. While the two rows of temporary stalls in the middle of the street consist mostly of snacky street food and drinks, you can find some night market goodies in the shophouses that line up the street. This night market is extremely popular so expect it to be very crowded over weekends and peak tourist seasons . My favorite food here is the Fuzhou pepper bun.

If you prefer smaller markets that aren’t as crowded, you can try these markets:

• Ningxia Night Market  – In comparison to the other night markets, Ningxia is very small. However, I think they’re great to visit, especially if you are trying to avoid crowds. They still have at least one stall for each famous night market meal. My favorite here is the peanut ice cream stall.
• Nanjichang Night Market  – I have not been to Nanjichang, but I expect it to be similar to Ningxia Market, where it’s slightly smaller and more subdued compared to other markets.

Except for Nanjichang, I have been to all of the above markets. Shida and Ningxia are probably my favorites, simply because I get overwhelmed easily and those markets were on the quieter side. Shilin and Raohe were too big and too crowded for me with way too many options. However, Ningxia and Shida might be too quiet if you’re looking for a bustling night market vibe.

4. Visit Taipei’s Creative Parks

A “creative park” is a concept that exists all over Taiwan. It’s a place designated for modern arts and culture. At these creative parks, you can usually find shops with products made by local designers, art exhibitions, trendy coffeehouses or restaurants, and a space where people can hang out or for live performances. Furthermore, the creative parks in Taiwan are usually located in abandoned old buildings from the Japanese colonial era that have been renovated and repurposed to their current state.

Creative parks are great to visit on Saturday or Sunday, especially if you’re visiting during Spring time in April or May. There might even be some live music, open-air markets, and other activities.

Here are the creative parks you can visit in Taipei:

A former sake factory during Japanese colonial time, located in the center of Taipei. My favorite brand here is Wooderful Life , where they sell kids’ toys and everyday goods all made from wood.

A former tobacco factory in the 1930s. There are plenty of locally-made accessories, clothes, and everyday goods. On the other wing, you can find the Taiwan Design Museum and library space.

16 Creative Boutique

Located at The Red House in Ximending, a former public market, bookstore, cinema, and most recently a theatre. This boutique is much smaller than the creative parks, but it houses similar brands as the two creative parks mentioned above.

5. National Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum is located in the northern part of Taipei, in Shilin. It’s a bit out of the way from everything else, but it’s worth a visit. The museum houses thousands of Chinese artifacts from the mainland.

You can buy tickets to the museum here via Klook . The museum is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm.

One of the most notable items on exhibit at the National Palace Museum is the Jadeite cabbage , a piece of green and white jade that has been carved into the shape of a very realistic miniature of a cabbage. If you go to the museum to see this item, you might find a line of people waiting for their turn to view the jadeite cabbage up close.

However, my personal favorite is actually the item behind it, the meat-shaped stone , which is a piece of jasper stone that has been carved into the shape of a very realistic braised pork belly. Yes, you’ve got to see it to believe it.

6. Hike up Elephant Peak

The hike to elephant peak is very close to the city and can be done easily. It involves a 1.5 km long set of stairs and takes only about 20 minutes to complete. I recommend doing this in the late afternoon, almost at sunset time when the weather is good and visibility is fair.

To get here, simply take the train to Xiangshan station and take Exit 3. From there, the start of the trail is easy to find by just following the Google Maps instructions.

The Elephant Peak trail is a very popular and easily accessible trail, so don’t expect to be the only one here! In fact, when I was there it was very crowded at the peak.

7. Sip on world-famous coffee at Simple Kaffa

If you’re a fan of coffee, you must stop by Simple Kaffa. They rose to prominence when the owner of the cafe, Berg Wu, won the 2016 World Barista Championship.

Simple Kaffa has a few branches around Taipei:

• Simple Kaffa Flagship near Huashan 1914 Creative Park
• Simple Kaffa Sola on the 88th floor of Taipei 101 (Requires reservations and has a minimum spend)
• Simple Kaffa Super Kiosk on Jinshan Rd
• Simple Kaffa The Coffee One on Jinshan Rd
• Simple Kaffa at Taoyuan T2 Terminal Public Area (newly opened!)

The one I would recommend is the Simple Kaffa Flagship store, because of its convenient location. Takeaway coffee is pretty easy – but if you’re thinking of getting a table here, be prepared to wait! The good thing is you can put your name down and then walk around Huashan 1914 Creative Park nearby.

You can also purchase some beans here to take home for about NT$ 450-500. They’ll provide an instruction card on how to enjoy the beans (best enjoyed 10 days after the date printed on the bag, to let the coffee beans age), as well as give you a sticker to cover the slits on the bean bags if you are planning to take it on a flight.

8. Go on a food marathon!

A visit to Taipei is not complete unless you eat until you’re full. There is so much good food in Taipei, that I’ve dedicated a separate post for food in Taipei.

For ideas on what to eat in Taipei, check out my must-eats in Taipei !

With Taipei being the capital city of Taiwan, it’s really easy to travel in and out to the rest of Taiwan. Below are some ideas for trips that you can do easily from Taipei:

1. Jiufen (Day trip)

You can easily visit Jiufen from Taipei as a day trip, or you can extend your trip and include other activities such as hiking up the Teapot mountain.

I’ve written all about visiting Jiufen from Taipei in this post , including all the transportation modes you can take to get to Jiufen!

2. Tainan (1-2 Days)

Tainan is located in the south of Taiwan, and is the oldest city in Taiwan. I recommend setting aside at least 2 days to visit Tainan.

I’ve also written a separate post about Tainan, so be sure to check it out here .

3. Beitou (Day trip)

If you’re a fan of the Japanese onsen (hot spring) experience, you’ve got to come to Beitou.

4. Taichung and Sun Moon Lake (2 days)

Taichung is the second most populous city in Taiwan. Sun Moon Lake is the largest body of water in Taiwan and one of the most popular places to visit in the country. Sun Moon Lake can be visited on a day trip from Taichung.

5. Alishan (1 day)

Alishan is a mountainous region in Taiwan. It’s great for hiking trails, sacred trees, and beautiful sunrises.

And that’s all I know about visiting Taipei! Please leave a comment below if you have any questions or comments about this post. See you in the next post 👋🏻

• April 18, 2024

Thanks for providing such a valuable information 👍.

• January 30, 2024

What’s the weather for in between and end of April? Is it raining often? What to wear also?

Hey there, when I went in April the weather was pretty good. There were some rain but only a drizzle and passed by quick. There was one day when a hurricane passed but it was ok after. It was not very cold too. I only need a light hoodie in Taipei.

• January 3, 2024

Your blog is so helpful! We are planning to go to Taipei in March, and it’s my first time to travel outside the Philippines so I’m really anxious about how to plan the trip. I appreciate the complete details. Thank you so much. All the best! ✨

• February 7, 2024

Hi Sang Hyoon! I don’t know if you’re reading this and I’m planning to go to Taipei too in March! It’s my first time too and I’m very anxious. I hope I don’t mess up and most importantly don’t get too lonely during the trip. I’m visiting from 4-11 March. Maybe we can meet somehow? Good luck with your trip!! ✨

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Taiwan travel guide for solo travellers

Last Updated on 9 January, 2024

This is where you’ll find all my Taiwan guides, articles about Taiwan and basically everything I know about visiting Taiwan solo. Taiwan is one of my all-time favourite destinations and a place I keep coming back to.

I’ve mostly travelled all around Taiwan solo and independently but occasionally with friends. It was where I went for my grad trip , solo career break and I explored Taipei and its surroundings throughly for an epic content project with Scoot finding hidden gems. (New collaboration with Income Insurance coming soon!)

There’s a lot that I’ve experienced in Taiwan that hasn’t made it to blog form, so feel free to drop me a question and I’ll help you if I can!

New Taipei City

Taiwan offshore islands, taiwan travel tips, other taiwan resources.

台北

Capital of Taiwan, Taipei is the main transport hub and starting point for most people visiting Taiwan for the first time. There’s lots to see in the city which is easy to navigate by public transport, and nature is not very far away either. It’s the best base to explore Northern Taiwan.

How long to spend in Taipei

My recommendation for first time visitors to Taiwan is to spend 2-3 nights here, which should be enough to see Taipei’s main attractions. You could easily spend a longer time here if you want a more relaxing pace or plan to do several day trips around Taipei.

Read: 48 Hours in Taipei for first-time visitors

How to get around Taipei

Taipei has a very well connected public transport network. Get an EasyCard and use it take public transport around the city.

Taipei Metro/MRT and buses are clean, efficient and have good signage. Google maps is fairly accurate in terms of bus stop locations and timings. Shared bicycle service YouBike is also easy to use.

Uber and taxis are easy to hail or call if you are in a group.

Where to stay in Taipei

I like to stay in the Datong and Ximen districts which are quite central and close to Dadaocheng, Zhongshan and Ximending.

Anywhere close to an MRT Station is usually best for getting around, and I like staying near Taipei Main Station which is best for commuting from Taoyuan Airport and day trips around Taipei by bus/train.

Read: My favourite posh hostels in Taiwan

Things to do in Taipei

48 hours in taipei for first-time visitors.

What I’d recommend for people who have never visited Taiwan before is a short trip to Taipei that covers what I consider are the main sights to see in 2 days.

Weekend in Taipei for the design lover

For people looking to explore a bit more of what Taipei has to offer, this 2-day itinerary has a bit more of a hipster design lover angle.

How to experience Taipei like the locals do

I tried out a bunch of experiences with Taipei’s locals and got their recommendations on fun ways to experience the city.

Underrated local Taipei Night markets

Night markets are a quintessential Taiwanese experience and while stalwarts Shilin, Raohe and Ningxia are good for first timers, I enjoyed lesser known local favourites like Nanjichang and Gongguan as well.

Taipei’s National Palace Museum

Attractions

Gugong aka the National Palace Museum is home of the Jadeite cabbage and one-stop shop for Taiwan’s history and artefacts. It’s impossible to take in with just one visit. It may be crowded but is worth stopping in just for a bit.

Cycling Taipei’s Riverside Parks

Cycling is actually a pretty fun way to explore Taipei. Head to its bicycle-friendly riverside parks with your Youbike and explore the city along its green waterways!

新北

Great day trip options for those visiting Taipei and wanting to explore outside the city

Taipei day trip or stay overnight in New Taipei City?

Most of these places are fairly near to Taipei City and can be done as a day trip. Of course if you want a more immersive experience, an overnight’s stay is better. These districts tend to be less crowded and can be cheaper compared to Taipei. Ultimately it depends on how much time you have to spare.

More: New Taipei City Tourism Site

How to get to New Taipei City

Intercity buses are your best way to get to places around New Taipei City. Most leave from Taipei Main Station or Taipei City Hall.

Taiwan Tourist Shuttles (Haoxing buses) by the tourism bureau to special tourist attractions are also good options.

TRA trains are only convenient if you are going to Keelung or along the Pingxi Line (Shifen, Sandiaoling)

Getting around New Taipei City

Driving will give you the most flexibility especially if you are planning to visit some more remote locations within the area. Booking private car transfers with a driver/guide for a day is common and not too expensive if you have a group to cater to.

Give yourself more time if you are planning to rely on the local bus network to get around.

Taiwan North Coast 台灣北海岸

Take a day trip along Taiwan’s North Coast with a 1-day bus pass, or spend a night of two exploring some of its more popular coastal towns.

Keelung 基隆

Port town Keelung has a nice sea town vibe with scenic coastal parks for some hiking, delicious seafood and a great night market. One of my favourite Taipei day trips.

Wanli 萬里

Home to the famous Yehliu geopark and its unusual coastal rock formations, come here to eat Wanli crabs, go paragliding and even explore a UFO village.

Jinshan 金山

This quiet town on the North Coast has a nice old street with lots of food options, lovely coastal scenery and the Juming Museum with its beautiful sculptures.

Shimen 石門

The northernmost of Taiwan’s mainland can be found here at Fugui Cape, along with a beautiful stretch of mossy green coastal rocks called Laomei Green Reef.

Pingxi 平溪 / Ruifang 瑞芳

Buy a 1-day pass for the Pingxi Railway Line to explore the smaller stations in between Ruifang and Jingtong. Shifen is by far the most popular stop along this line.

Sandiaoling Waterfalls 三貂嶺瀑布

Relatively unknown compared to the famous train street with sky lanterns and large waterfall at Shifen, Sandiaoling is a little further along the same Pingxi train line where you get not 1, not 2, but 3 waterfalls when hiking this trail!

Shiding 石碇 / Pinglin 坪林

Do a day trip south of Taipei City and visit both Shiding and Pingling along with a hike at Thousand Island Lake.

Thousand Island Lake 千島湖

An artificial reservoir created in the mountains south of Taipei, this is a nice quiet place to hike. Stop by the quaint old streets in the towns of Shiding 石碇 (famous for houses hanging over the water) and Pinglin 坪林 (famous for tea)

The northeastern coast of Taiwan is a quick day trip from Taipei and has a nice relaxing vibe

Taipei day trip or stay overnight in Yilan?

Yilan is about an hour away from Taipei by bus or train so you can easily do a day trip from Taipei, but it’s actually a fairly large area and I recommend spending a night (or more!) if you can to better explore Yilan.

How to get to Yilan

Intercity buses from Taipei are the cheapest option and will bring you to either Yilan City (North Yilan) or Luodong (South Yilan) and take 50 minutes.

TRA trains take around 60-75 minutes from Taipei and stop at towns like Jiaoxi and Toucheng.

Driving takes about the same time as the bus, but taking a taxi can be expensive if you go long distances. Consider hiring a driver for the day.

Getting around Yilan

Yilan north: yilan city, toucheng, jiaoxi, yuanshan.

Covering the Yilan region north of the Lanyang River with Yilan City as the main hub, check out all things Jimmy Liao, Jiaoxi hot spring town, Taiwan’s best whisky distillery in Yuanshan head to an island shaped like a turtle from Toucheng .

Yilan South: Luodong, Wujie, Dongshan, Su’ao

This guide covers areas south of the Lanyang River with the main hub Luodong and its famous night market, a cool traditional arts centre in Wujie , picturesque lakes and roads in Dongshan , the cute fishing village of Nanfang’ao and some nifty cold springs in Su’ao .

The start of the mountainous scenic east coast of Taiwan and home to Taroko Gorge

East Coast 東海岸 (Highway 11)

Hualien east coast shuttle bus 花蓮台灣好行304.

I took this Taiwan Tourism Shuttle also known as the Huilan East Coast Bus 304 to explore 9 of Hualien’s coastal sights in the Fengbin Township in a day tour.

Taroko Gorge 太魯閣

Of course I had to check out the magnificent Taroko Gorge. Here are some of my favourite sights that we saw in a day trip that brought us to Tianxiang and back.

East Rift Valley 花東縱谷 (Highway 9)

Liyu lake 鯉魚潭.

Chilling out at this picturesque lake and eating live jumping prawns, oh my.

Fenglin 鳳林

A whirlwind tour through this small town known for Hakka culture and doing a little wood crafting and trying out indigenous tribal cuisine!

Guangfu 光復

Stay in an old sugar factory or spend some time cycling around its forest parks, lots of greenery here!

Ruisui 瑞穗

Soak in its iron and mineral rich hot springs and indulge in its fresh dairy products.

Yuli 玉里

Paddy fields surrounded by mountains and a bridge that crosses over 2 tectonic plates.

The rural eastern region of Taiwan has lots of greenery, mountains and sea views for real relaxation

Luye 鹿野

I visited Luye completely by chance on my grad trip but I’ve never forgotten the hospitality and natural beauty this rural village has to offer.

Chishang 池上

This town famous for its high quality rice and fanbao is perfect for a little cycling amid its picturesque paddy fields surrounded by the mountains of the East Rift Valley.

Taitung Islands

Green island / lyudao 綠島.

Offshore island

My favourite tiny island off the coast of Taitung that you can navigate on electric scooter. Lots of interesting coastal rock formations and one of my favourite hot springs – saltwater pools by the sea!

Orchid Island / Lanyu 蘭嶼

This island is further and larger than Lyudao and fiercely proud of their tribal Yami culture. I stayed with a lovely older couple by chance and had a really interesting experience exploring this rural island.

CENTRAL (WEST)

Taiwan’s next busiest city after Taipei is a short HSR ride down the west coast

Taichung City

Travel Guide

Taichung’s 2nd biggest city is more spread out but there’s lots of cool sights in and around Taichung worth checking out.

Divecube Hotel

A hotel that you can scuba dive in without even being close to the coast? Check out the DiveCube Hotel where I explored their in-house caves and even learned a bit of free diving.

A favourite for those who love Taiwanese Xiaochi, there’s a lot to see in this sprawling district

Vanaheim Glamping

Glamping in a mangrove swamp along the coast, it’s the perfect retreat from the bustle of city life.

Guanziling Mud Hot Springs 關子嶺溫泉

Taiwan’s only mud hot springs is in a little town on the northern edge of Tainan.

Ten-Drum Cultural Village 十鼓仁糖文創園區

A former industrial space repurposed into a cultural arts area and practice space for a drumming troupe.

The main hub of Southern Taiwan and conveniently connects to Taipei in less than 2 hours by high speed rail

Weiwuying Street Art Village 衛武營

A district close to the new National Kaohsiung Centre for the Arts that has been transformed by street art and murals on all the buildings.

Pier 2 Art Centre 駁二藝術特區

Former dock area converted into an arts and culture area and one of my favourite places to stroll around in Kaohsiung.

You can take a ferry or fly to some of Taiwan’s offshore islands to escape the mainland for a bit

Matsu Islands 马祖

Once the frontline of China-Taiwan conflicts, this remote island cluster has remnants of its military history littered throughout its islands along with some cool natural phenomena like the glowing Blue Tears bioluminesence 蓝眼泪. I visited its two main islands Beigan 北竿 and Nangan 南竿 solo.

Penghu Islands 澎湖

Taiwan’s largest island cluster west of Chiayi is home to many cool natural sights that are worth checking out like volcanic rock formations and ancient fishing techniques. I visited its main island Magong solo during the famous annual fireworks festival and took a day trip to southern islands Wang’an and Qimei.

Xiaoliuqiu 小琉球

This tiny coral island off Taiwan’s southern coast is the perfect weekend getaway spot to discover abundant sea turtles, splendid sunsets and relaxing tropical island life.

Turtle Island / Guishandao 龜山島

A short ferry ride away from Toucheng in Yilan, this turtle shaped volcanic island is now uninhabited and requires special permits to visit. I took a boat tour over solo to explore the remains of its old village and climbed its 401 peak.

Kinmen 金門

Closer to Xiamen than mainland Taiwan, Kinmen has plenty of military remains and history worth exploring courtesy of its long-drawn battles with China. I explored this enigmatic island solo.

My first Taiwan offshore island encounter, the lovely Green Island off the east coast has plenty of beautiful coastal views and rock formations, including a rare saltwater hot spring by the sea. I visited with friends and solo on a separate trip.

Take the time to get to Taiwan’s wildest island and be rewarded with pristine nature, amazingly blue coasts and get to know about the unique Yami aboriginal culture. I spent a few memorable days here solo.

How to travel in and around Taiwan

The ultimate guide to adventures in Taiwan

For Skyscanner

Thinking about Taiwan as a holiday destination? Here’s a quick overview that I wrote for Skyscanner to give you an idea about what a trip to Taiwan can be like.

When is the best time to visit Taiwan?

Taiwan is great anytime of the year, and the short answer is: it depends on where you go. Mountain, coast, city… many of these factors affect the weather. My personal suggestion would be visiting in Spring from March to May – while it’s still relatively cooler and before school holidays.

Best hot springs in Taiwan

I love Taiwan’s hot springs and have tried all different sorts around the country. Mud hot springs, saltwater hot springs and even cold springs – here’s a collection of all my Taiwan hot spring experiences to date.

Best Taiwan hostels for a stylish stay

As a solo traveller who’s getting older, I’ve tried to find nice accommodation options that still have a nice communal vibe or great design. Here are some of my personal recommendations.

• Taiwan Tourism Bureau – The official Taiwan Tourism website
• Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Service – useful if you’re looking for shuttle bus services to popular tourist sights
• Why Wendy Writes – Wendy is a fellow blogger and lover of Taiwan that I met through TTBSG activities. She’s got some great guides to northeast and eastern Taiwan and more.
• Luomujie Travel The World – the layout of his site drives me a bit batty but he studied and lived in Taiwan and has been to some pretty interesting and out of the way places in Taiwan worth checking out.
• Nick Kembel – Nick has lived in Taiwan for a long time and is married to a local and has lots of great Taiwan guides on his site.

Solo Travel In Taiwan: How To Have An Amazing Trip On Your Own

By Mariza Lange. This post on planning a solo trip to Taiwan contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Looking to experience solo travel in Taiwan ?

Then you’re in the right place!

Taiwan is a melting pot of history, food, culture, and stunning natural scenery. As a solo traveler, you’ll get to enjoy all of Taiwan’s best bits because the country is easy to get around, extremely safe, and affordable. 

While Taiwan has many beautiful spots off the main tourist track, these can be hard to reach for non-Chinese speakers.

Therefore, if this is your first visit to  Ilha Formosa , it’s wise to stick to bigger cities and major tourist spots for a stress-free trip.

Below, you’ll find a mix of the best places to add to your solo female travel in Taiwan bucket list. As a Taiwan local, I’m excited to share some of the unforgettable experiences you can have in this incredible country!

⏳Short on time? Here are some quick tips for traveling solo in Taiwan: ✈️ Airport Transfer: Book here ☔ Safety: Whether you’re traveling alone in Taiwan or elsewhere, it’s smart to pack travel safety essentials . One top pick is the She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm , which is TSA-approved and can help scare away potential attackers. Other recommendations include Clever Travel Companion Pickpocket-Proof Garments and Speakeasy Travel Supply Hidden Pocket Scarves . 🏨  Accommodation: This map  can help you pinpoint top-rated and budget-friendly accommodation in the Taiwanese cities you’re visiting solo. It’s currently set to the Taipei, but you can easily change it to your intended destination in Taiwan. 💸 Save Money: Klook Pass , which helps you save big while getting access to numerous activities with one pass 🎉 Experiences: Klook (very popular in Asia), GetYourGuide , and Viator 🥘 Culinary Experiences: EatWith (cooking classes, food tours & dining in local homes) 🏥  Travel Insurance:  SafetyWing 📞  Staying Connected:  Airalo eSIM

Table of Contents

Travel Solo In Taiwan With Confidence (Free Course!)

Now, before we dive into our solo travel to Taiwan guide, I invite you to grab a seat in Jessie’s  free Savvy Solo Traveler E-Course .

The six-day ecourse is designed to help you feel confident about booking your first solo trip and exploring the world alone.

Lessons include:

• Common solo travel fears and how to overcome them
• How to choose your perfect solo trip
• How to tell loved ones you’re hitting the road solo
• Mentally preparing for your solo journey without losing your mind
• Essential steps for staying safe on a solo trip
• How to take amazing solo selfies

Once you’ve  grabbed your seat , read on for our Taiwan travel guide sharing how to plan an unforgettable trip on your own.

Where Is Taiwan

The first part of traveling solo successfully involves having a lay of the land. So let’s start with a little geography lesson.

As you can see on the Google map above , Taiwan is an island located in the Pacific Ocean about 100 miles (160 kilometers) off the coast of southeastern China. It is seperated from China by the Taiwan Strait.

According to the BBC , China considers Taiwan a breakaway province it wants to retake; however, Taiwan — which has its own constitution, elected leaders, and military — believes it is its own sovereign state.

Solo Travel In Taiwan: Where To Go

One of the biggest benefits of solo travel is having ultimate freedom over your schedule.

Luckily, Taiwan is a multi-faceted island with loads to do and see. If you’re not sure where to start your solo adventure, here are the best places to go.  

Taipei (Taiwan’s capital city!)

No Taiwan solo travel itinerary would be complete without Taipei, the country’s bustling capital. It’s the perfect place to kickstart your trip and is often touted as one of the best places for solo travel in Asia .

Taipei is a city with many layers that definitely needs at least three or four days worth of exploring. The city has everything — landmarks, museums, temples, nightlife, and some of  Taiwan’s best night markets . 

Looking for fun things to do in Taipei alone? There are a few places you absolutely must explore.

Chaing Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a must-visit attraction and a great place to catch a glimpse into the country’s history.

The main hall houses a huge bronze statue of Chiang, Taiwan’s founding father, and every day on the hour, you can watch the changing of the guards here.

Make sure also to browse the main exhibition hall. Here you’ll find an interesting collection of memorabilia on Chiang’s life and Taiwan’s freedom struggles. 

Another must-visit attraction for history buffs is the National Palace Museum .

Located in the Shilin District, the National Palace Museum houses the world’s largest collection of Chinese artifacts spanning over 5000 years, with some 700,000 items on display.

It’s truly an unforgettable part of solo travel to Taipei, as one could easily spend hours admiring the ancient treasures.

Visit in the evening if you want to skip the hordes of tour groups. That way, you can also grab a bite at Shilin Night Market afterward. 

For the best view over the city, head to Taipei 101 — the world’s former tallest building. The tower is 1,667 feet (508 meters) high and sits right in the city’s financial hub, Xinyi.

The observation deck on the 89th floor offers a panoramic view of the entire city. Since it’s one of the most popular attractions in Taipei, be sure you grab a fast pass ticket to skip the long queues.

After admiring the views, refuel on some delicious  xiao long bao  (soup dumplings) at  Ding Tai Fung , Taiwan’s most famous Michelin Star Restaurant.

Finally, walk off those calories with a relatively easy — but steep — hike up Elephant Mountain . 

This will likely be a highlight of your Taipei solo travel experience as it awards an incredible vista over the city. Seeing the skyline combined with nature is a treat.

Be sure also to visit the districts of Daan and Ximending.

Yong Kang Street in Daan is a great spot for foodies, and you’ll find a myriad of cozy eateries and Instagrammable cafes here.

Ximending is Taipei’s hippest neighborhood boasting everything from colorful murals to cheap accommodation to Chinese knife massages, nightlife, and great shopping.

Just a few blocks from here, you can also slip into Longshan Temple — the oldest temple in the city. 

While there is plenty to keep solo travelers busy in Taipei, the city’s outskirts are just as stunning.

In Beitou , you can soak in steamy hot springs (both private and public) and visit the famous Hell Valley — a thermal springs pool with water temperatures reaching as high as 212°F (100℃)!

More adventurous solo travelers can hop on a train at Taipei Main Station to Ruifang District . The area is home to a whole host of cute villages, scenic hikes, and gorgeous waterfalls. Some of the best places to visit here include Houtong Cat Village , Shifen , and Jiufen . 

Taipei is truly a must-visit destination when traveling Asia ! And as you can see, solo travel in Taipei offers many fun experiences.

Taipei Tours: Click here for a full list of fun tours in Taipei .

Taipei Hotels: Click here for a full list of hotels in Taipei .

Taiwan’s second-largest city, Taichung, is another great place for solo travelers. The city is hip, trendy, and full of museums, beautiful parks, and quirky sites to explore. 

While Taichung is huge, the rapid bus transport system is a cheap and easy way for solo travelers to access all of the city’s best attractions.

The subway is still under construction, and to date, only the Green Line is in operation. The line runs from the Taichung HSR Station to Beitun, offering easy access to a couple of Taichung’s best attractions. These include the Taichung National Theatre , Taichung City Hall , and the Dakeng hiking trails . 

With that said, the first place that deserves a spot on your list of things to do is Rainbow Village — a former military dependents’ village turned Instagram hotspot. The village is entirely covered in colorful murals and is free to visit. 

Make sure to spend at least one full day in the city’s West District , a trendy neighborhood full of museums, art parks, and a great selection of cafes and eateries.

Visit the Natural Art Museum , Calligraphy Greenway , Shenji New Village , and the uber-cute Painted Animation Alley .

At night, snack your way through Taiwan’s biggest night market, Fengjia Night Market . 

In contrast, the Central District is a great place to experience authentic Taichung and explore a more historical side of the city.

Slip into Taichung Second Market for a local Taiwanese breakfast.

Afterward, be sure to browse the displays at the Taiwan Sun Cake Museum . The museum is housed in a beautiful red-brick building built during the Japanese occupation. 

Miyahara , a former eye clinic with Harry Potter-like interiors and delicious gourmet sweets and ice cream, is another place not to miss within the city center. 

If you get tired of the city, hop on a bus to Taiwan’s largest natural lake, Sun Moon Lake .

Boasting gorgeous alpine scenery and heaps of bike trails, it’s a perfect choice for nature-loving solo travelers. Cycling Sun Moon Lake also offers the opportunity to really take in the relaxing vibe of the area.

The best part is that the bus ride from Taichung takes just under two hours!

Snag the Sun Moon Lake Pass if you’re planning on visiting lots of attractions and want to save a bit of money. 

Taichung Tours: Click here for a full list of fun tours in Taichung .

Taichung Hotels: Click here for a full list of hotels in Taichung .

The next stop on your solo travel in Taiwan list should be Tainan. 

Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan, with a long history dating back to the Qing Dynasty. As a result, Tainan is a treasure trove for culture seekers.

The city is home to more than 1000 temples worshipping various deities, and you’ll find some of Taiwan’s most important historical landmarks within its borders. Some highlights include Chihkan Tower , Anping Old Fort , Chimei Museum , the Salt Museum , and the National Museum of Taiwan History . 

If history isn’t your thing, head over to Shennong Street — the city’s most Instagrammable lane. Here you’ll find an interesting mix of quirky shops, cozy cafes, and plenty of photo opportunities.

On the city’s outskirts, nature-loving solo travelers can also take a boat ride through the picturesque Sicao Green Tunnel or enjoy a mud bath at Guanziling Hot Spring . 

Tainan is also a haven for gourmands.

In fact, along the historic Anping Old Street , you can sample some of the city’s best local specialties, which several cultures have influenced. Don’t miss the almond tofu pudding, Danzai noodles, and coffin toast. 

Tainan Tours: Click here for a full list of fun tours in Tainan .

Tainan Hotels: Click here for a full list of hotels in Tainan .

Next up on your Taiwan solo trip itinerary is Kaohsiung — the island’s largest port. It lies in the southwestern part of the island and is easily accessed via high-speed rail, train, or bus. 

Kaohsiung is perfect for solo travelers as it has a well-planned metro system connecting you to all corners of the city.

Food and accommodation are also much cheaper in the south of Taiwan, making it a great destination for those traveling on a tighter budget . 

If you’ve arrived via high-speed rail, the very first stop on your must-see list is Lotus Pond .

This sprawling park houses several ancient temples. It’s also here where you’ll find one of Kaohsiung’s most iconic landmarks — the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. Legend has it that entering the site through the dragon’s mouth and exiting via the tiger’s mouth will reverse any bad luck. 

Spend at least half a day exploring the beautiful seaside park at Pier 2 Art Centre . Here you’ll find a collection of old warehouses that have been revamped into a vibrant artist hub.

There’s also a great deal to see and do in this area, from exhibitions and gigantic colorful murals to quirky outdoor art installations.

Pier 2 Art Center is quite big and while you could explore it on foot, renting a bike is a fun way to see all its best bits. 

Other must-dos include visiting the colorful Dome of Light — the world’s largest public art installation made from individual pieces of colored glass — and taking a romantic cruise on the Love River for picturesque views over the cityscape at night.

If you prefer to see the skyline from above, head to 85 Tower , the largest skyscraper in the city. 

Further afield, take a bus to Fo Guang Shan Monastery , the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan.

The sprawling grounds feature an enormous bronze Buddha statue and an eclectic mix of treasures within its exhibition halls.

The journey only takes about 40 minutes from Kaohsiung. If your solo itinerary is flexible, opt to stay overnight at the monastery to experience an authentic temple stay. 

Kaohsiung Tours: Click here for a full list of fun tours in Kaohsiung .

Kaohsiung Hotels: Click here for a full list of hotels in Kaohsiung .

Kenting National Park

If you want to spend a few days lounging on dreamy beaches or discovering the underwater world, Kenting is the place for you. It’s the perfect place for a solo beach trip .

Kenting is a beautiful, laid-back seaside village roughly two hours from Kaohsiung. The town is easily accessible by Express Bus, and a return ticket only costs NTD 600 (about $21.57 USD).

Kenting is extremely tourist-friendly, making it a great solo travel destination in Taiwan.

As a solo traveler, you’ll want to base yourself along the main tourist street. Here you’ll find some of the  best places to stay in Kenting , with shops, restaurants, and a bustling night market right on your doorstep. 

Spend your days lounging on the beaches of White Sand Bay , Little Bay , or South Bay .

If you’re up to it, you can also join a snorkeling or scuba diving excursion to explore Kenting National Park’s diverse underwater world. 

Beyond the gorgeous beaches, there is plenty to do in Kenting. Some iconic spots not to miss include Sail Rock , Maobitou Park , Longtan Park , and the southernmost tip of Taiwan .

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also drive all the way to Jialeshui , a hip surfing village located about 30 minutes from the park. Several surf shops offer surfboards rentals and lessons for inexperienced surfers.

To get around Kenting, consider renting a scooter. You’ll find a bunch of scooter rental shops dotted along Kenting Street, where you can rent a scooter for as little as NTD 450 (about $16.18 USD) a day. Make sure to bring a valid International Driving Permit (IDP). 

Kenting National Park Hotels: Click here for a full list of hotels in Kenting National Park .

Taroko National Park

Taroko Gorge is a stunning 12-mile (19-kilometer) canyon in the east of Taiwan.

This beautiful natural marvel is arguably the top tourist attraction in Taiwan and a firm favorite among hikers and nature lovers. In fact, if you enjoy the outdoors, it’s home to some of the best hiking trails in Taiwan .

The main attraction at Taroko Gorge is the scenery, and one can easily spend several days here soaking up its beauty and trekking its many trails.

Most of the trails are relatively easy to complete, and since the park is always full of tourists, you’re almost guaranteed to spot other travelers on any hike. 

Some of the must-do hikes include the Swallow Grotto Trail , the Eternal Spring Shrine Trail , and the Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail .

However, one of the most scenic walks is the Shakadang Trail . This 5-mile (8-kilometer) round-trip trail runs along the lowest offshoot of the Liwu River, taking you past azure-colored pools and lush jungle scenery.

If you’re looking for something a bit more challenging, tackle the Zhuilu Old Trail .

This is the most intensive hike in the park and follows a narrow path carved along a cliff. Completing this trail also requires a permit, so make sure to apply months in advance.

Alternatively, join a guided hike so that you can save the headache and stress. 

As a solo traveler, the best place to base yourself is within the park or near its entrance. That way, you can easily explore the park at your own pace.

There is not a whole lot of choice when it comes to accommodation here. So if you need more options, consider staying in Hualien , the closest city to Taroko Gorge. 

The fastest way to access Hualien is by train from Taipei. Book a ride on the Taroko Express Train to get into Hualien in less than three hours. 

Taroko National Park Tours: Click here for a full list of fun tours in Taroko National Park .

Taroko National Park Hotels: Click here for a full list of hotels in Taroko National Park .

How To Travel Around Taiwan

Taiwan has a great transport network which makes it extremely easy to get around as a solo traveler. While Taiwan is a relatively small island, travel times can be long, so plan your stops well in advance. 

The fastest way to travel along the island’s west coast is with the THSR, Taiwan’s bullet train. The rail runs from Taipei to Kaohsiung and connects the two cities within two hours. Tickets can be ordered up to 28 days in advance via the THSR website or in person at any HSR station. 

In Taiwan’s three biggest hubs — Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung — you’ll have access to an extensive metro system connecting you to all edges of the cities. Grab an Easy Card so that you can tap and go on the MRT, buses, and most trains. 

• Trains 

The regular train (TRA) runs all along the coast of Taiwan with multiple extensions inland. Taking the train is considerably cheaper than the HSR, but they fill up quickly. So if you plan to travel on weekends or special holidays, book tickets in advance. You can book tickets 14 days in advance online or buy them in person at any train station.

Taiwan Solo Travel Costs (In USD)

Taiwan is a relatively cheap travel destination if you know where to eat and stay. With that said, your daily budget will vary greatly depending on your travel style and needs. 

Here are some breakdowns to give you an idea of what to expect on your solo trip to Taiwan :

Accommodation:  $20-$30 for a night in a hostel, $60-$75 for a double room in a mid-range hotel. 

Food:  Less than $5 for a basic meal at a local eatery, $3-10 for several snacks at a night market, $10-15 for a meal in a western-style restaurant. 

Transport:  $3-$5 bike rental a day, $18 scooter rental per day, $60 car hire per day, $140-$150 car hire with a driver per day. 

Activities:  Many of the activities in Taiwan are free, and you can easily explore all of the places above independently. If you prefer to join an organized tour, expect prices to start at around $60. 

Safety Tips For Traveling Alone In Taiwan

Wondering if Taiwan is safe for solo female travelers? Let me answer:

Taiwan is an extremely safe travel destination, even for solo female travelers. Crime is practically non-existent, and it’s safe to walk around at night.

With that said, please use the same caution you would anywhere else in the world. Always keep your valuables locked up in your hotel room’s safe. It’s also wise to invest in pickpocket-proof clothing to totally avoid pickpockets.

Moreover, don’t carry large amounts of money, and make use of public transport or Uber late at night. 

Insurance For Taiwan Solo Travel

When visiting Taiwan — or anywhere else in the world — it’s wise to get travel insurance.

One of the  best travel medical insurance for travelers  is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

Click here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

What tips would you add to this guide to solo travel in Taiwan?

About The Author

Mariza is a South African travel blogger based in Taiwan. On her blog,  Hoponworld , you’ll find in-depth destination guides and stacks of travel tips to help you travel in Taiwan and Asia. Follow her travels on  Instagram  or  Facebook . 

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Although I won’t visit Taiwan alone but thank you for sharing such an informative and detailed post! We are planning a trip to Taiwan this summer, and both my husband and I are very excited about it.

I’m planning to go Taiwan this summer and I have my doubts to pursue it because it is my first time to travel abroad.

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Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Taiwan Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 23, 2023

Taiwan is one of the most underrated budget destinations in Asia. It offers a beautiful — and super affordable — mix of east and west, blending the culture and cuisines of mainland China , Japan , and Hong Kong . And all with a fraction of the crowds.

I don’t think enough people visit Taiwan. I spent time here as an English teacher and have revisited the country since. There is a lot to do there: hiking the mountains, eating at night markets, drinking at tea houses, lounging on beaches, and enjoying the country’s amazing nightlife. No matter your interests, Taiwan won’t disappoint — especially if you’re a foodie. The food here is some of the best in the region!

This travel guide to Taiwan can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit to this underrated island!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Taiwan

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Taiwan

1. Visit Jiufen

Jiufen is one of Taiwan’s most popular tourist destinations. Founded during the Qing dynasty, Jiufen boomed as a gold mining town in the 1890s. Here, you can find all kinds of historic tea houses built into the hillside. The center of the city and its historic streets and buildings are all preserved and look as they did 100 years ago. Try the snacks on offer, visit one of the many tea houses, and do some hiking if you have time. It’s a pretty easy day trip from Taipei but you should aim to come early to beat the crowds. If your itinerary allows for it, consider spending a night here so you can experience it without the daytripper crowds.

2. Soak in the Hot Springs

Especially fun to visit in winter, the Beitou Hot Springs are just 30 minutes from downtown Taipei and you can get there on the MRT (you need to go to Xinbeitou station). There are lots of resorts, spas, and inns in the area which, with a vast array of wildlife and fauna, really feel like you’ve traveled much further afield. Visit the Hot Springs Museum, the Xinbeitou Historic Station, and Thermal Valley (a sulfurous lake nearby that has walking trails) while you’re here. There are also some really cool temples here, including the tiny wooden Puji Temple.

3. Explore Taroko National Park

Located southeast of Taipei, this national park offers visitors a chance to hike through beautiful mountainous terrain and gorges. It spans almost 250,000 acres and is one of only nine national parks in Taiwan. With loads of cliffs and waterfalls to explore, it’s a really stunning place to visit. Head to the Zhuilu Suspension Bridge for some amazing views and to the Eternal Spring Shrine or to the Changing Temple for a bit of culture and history. Some suggested walking trails include Shakadang, Changchun, Swallow Grotto, and Lushui-Heliu. Entrance to the park is free.

4. Visit Taipei 101

Formerly known as Taipei World Trade Center, this was the tallest building in the world from when it opened in 2004 until 2010 (when the Burj Khalifa took its place). Standing 508-meters (1,667-feet) tall, it towers over Taipei. There is an observation platform on the 89th floor (at 382-meters high). You can also go up to the 91st floor for an outdoor platform. If you’re needing some retail therapy (and can fit anything else in your bags), there’s a shopping mall at the bottom.

5. Explore the night markets

Taipei is home to dozens of night markets. Shulin Night Market, Raohe Night Market, Tonghua Night Market, Snake Alley, and Ningxia Night Market are all worth spending some time exploring but there are over 30 to choose from in Taipei alone. The food at these markets is the best (and cheapest) in the city. So much so that a few have even been given Michelin Bib Gourmands!

Other Things to See and Do in Taiwan

1. visit taipei.

Taipei is the epicenter of the country. Here there are sprawling food markets, a wild nightlife, spacious parks, and all kinds of interesting and quirky museums. Plus, the nearby mountains are full of easy and accessible hikes. Be sure to take a free walking tour, visit the National Palace Museum, see some temples (especially Confucius Temple and Bao-an Temple), and visit the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. I can’t sing the praises of this city highly enough (I lived here when I taught English). For even more on the city, here’s my full list of things to do in Taipei!

2. Go island hopping

The Pescadores Islands (known locally as Penghu) is an archipelago off the west coast between Taiwan and China. There are 90 islands in the region, perfect for exploring on a day trip. You can take a boat tour that visits several islands in the region, allowing you to snorkel, see sea turtles, and wander through traditional aboriginal villages and explore temples galore. Expect to pay around 1,500 TWD for a one-day multi-island tour.

3. See Tianhou Temple

Located in Taipei, this is one of the oldest temples in the city. Tianhou (also known as Mazu Temple, after the deity Mazu, goddess of the sea) was built in 1746 and is one of three major temples in Taiwan from the Qing period. It’s a beautiful Taoist temple filled with mythological creatures, incense, lucky goldfish, and people paying respect to the gods. Admission is free.

4. Hit the beach

The beaches of Kenting on the southern tip of the island are the best place to enjoy the summer weather. White Sand Bay is the most popular beach and a great place to swim, snorkel, and soak up the sun. Other beaches worth checking out are Fulong Beach, South Bay, Dawan Beach, Laomei Beach, and Little Bali Bay.

5. See the Lantern Festival

The famous Taiwan Lantern Festival is held every February/March and involves releasing hundreds of paper lanterns into the sky. There’s also a huge parade with floats, most of which relate to the year’s animal (from the Chinese zodiac). Thousands of people gather to watch and take part. To ensure the environment is protected, make sure you use a biodegradable eco-friendly lantern.

6. Hike Jade Mountain

Jade Mountain (also known as Yushan), the highest peak in Taiwan and East Asia with its peak at almost 4,000 meters above sea level, is a popular hike. If you don’t hike, there’s a special train that takes you to the peak before dawn (150 TWD). Most people do the hike over a couple of days, however, you can do it in a single day if you wake up super early and hike but that will mean over 10 hours of hiking. You’ll also need permits in advance so talk to your hotel or hostel staff as they can help you arrange those.

7. Tour Fo Guang Shan Monastery

This Zen monastery in Kaohsiung is a massive complex with eight towering pagodas that flank the monastery’s Big Buddha (which, at 36-meters tall, is the highest seated bronze Buddha in the world). Built in 1967 and spanning over 74 acres, the complex has a spacious outdoor walkway lined by manicured gardens as well as the huge pagodas. There are also over 14,000 statues of the Buddha here. Admission is free (donations are welcome) and there’s a delicious vegetarian restaurant inside with a huge buffet.

8. Visit the National Palace Museum

This museum, located in Taipei, has a collection of over 70,000 artifacts from Imperial China. Most of the collection was brought to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War (1929–1947). In addition to their permanent exhibits, there are also rotating exhibits throughout the year as well as a section for children. There are free daily tours in English as well as a detailed audio guide if you’d rather explore yourself. Admission is 350 TWD.

9. See the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Officially known as Liberty Square, this national monument was built in 1976 in honor of Chiang Kai-shek, former president of the Republic of China. He ruled mainland China from 1928 to 1949, and then in Taiwan from 1949 until his death in 1975. The memorial also houses a library and a museum that documents Chiang Kai-shek’s life and career. Tours in English are available daily but must be booked in advance. Admission is free.

10. Take a cooking class

Taiwan is a foodie’s dream and I always overindulge while I’m here. Noodle soups, incredible rice dishes, amazing buns, dumplings, and scallion pancakes are just some of the tasty local offerings. While cooking classes here are a little pricey, I think they are worth it if you really want to learn about the food. The cooking skills (and recipes) make a great souvenir to take home too. Expect to pay around 2,000 TWD for a class.

11. Go hiking

Taipei has plenty of hiking trails just outside town that are easily accessible. There are easy, moderate, and challenging trails, as well as both short and full-day hikes. Some suggested trails to check out are Xiangshan (easy, 45minutes), Bitoujiao (moderate, 2-3 hours), Jinmianshan (easy, 1.5 hours), Huang Didian (hard, 5 hours), and Pingxi Crag (moderate, 2-3 hours).

12. Visit Orchid Island

Located 64 kilometers (40 miles) off the southeastern coast, this lush, volcanic island offers hiking, swimming, diving, and amazing hot springs. There are also underground houses here, built to avoid the numerous typhoons that ravage the region. The island is home to only 5,000 people too. Visit the Lanyu Flying Fish Cultural Museum to learn about local culture. Flights from Taipei take just over an hour and cost around 4,500 TWD.

13. Hike Wuling Peak

For more hiking, head to Wuling Peak on Hehuan Mountain. Located in Central Taiwan, it stands 3,275 meters (10,744 feet) above sea level and makes for a good day trip for anyone looking to spend more time outdoors. The peak here is so high you can actually look down into a sea of clouds below. A round-trip hike takes around 2-3 hours. Be sure to bring a raincoat as well as water and sunscreen.

14. Explore the Northern Coastline

Head to the coast to see the otherworldly lunar-like landscapes at Yehliu Geopark. There are all kinds of unique rock formations here, including one that looks like Queen Elizabeth (which took over 4,000 years to form). It’s a popular tourist attraction so try to get here early to beat the crowds. Admission is 120 TWD.

15. Visit Tainan

This is Taiwan’s oldest urban area, established by the Dutch East India Company in 1624. Located in the south near Kaohsiung, Tainan was the capital of Taiwan from 1683-1887. There are all kinds of temples to visit here (don’t miss the Confucius Temple), several night markets, a historic old town, and a massive department store reminiscent of the Ginza district in Tokyo. There is also a nearby mangrove and wildlife reserve (it’s part of Taijiang National Park) just 30 minutes away by car.

16. Explore Taichung

Taichung is located in west-central Taiwan and is the second-largest city in the country. Spend some time walking the Parkway (a corridor of greenery perfect for walking and exploring), visit the Feng Chia Night Market, see the botanical garden, and explore the massive National Museum of Natural Science. If you’re a history buff, don’t miss the Taichung Folklore Park which is home to several traditional Taiwanese homes and buildings that showcase the country’s history.

Taiwan Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostels dorms with 6-8-bed cost between 300-700 TWD per night. A private room costs anything from 1,000-3,000 TWD. Every place has free Wi-Fi and most hostels have self-catering facilities and include free breakfast.

Budget hotels start at 950 TWD for a small room with a double bed. Most rooms have AC but free breakfast is rarely included.

Airbnb is available around the country with private rooms starting at 650 TWD per night, though they average at least triple that. For an entire home or apartment, expect to pay at least 1,000 TWD (though prices average triple that). Book early to find the best deals.

Wild camping is generally prohibited but there are lots of campgrounds around the country. Expect to pay at least 300 TWD for a basic plot without electricity.

Food – Taiwanese cuisine is a mix of influences, from Chinese, Japanese (owing to the Japanese occupation), and Western traditions. Seafood is a huge staple, with squid, crab, and shellfish being especially popular. Braised pork, oyster omelets, fish balls, and stinky tofu are just some of the many dishes you can find around the country.

Food at the outdoor markets costs around 35-100 TWD depending on what you get. An order of dumplings costs around 100 TWD. Noodle soup or a basic rice dish costs around 70 TWD.

A meal at a simple sit-down restaurant serving local cuisine costs around 120 TWD.

Western food costs between 100-400 TWD. Burgers (often made with pork rather than beef) are on the lower end while pizza is on the higher end.

Fast food is pretty popular here. MosBurger (the best fast food joint in the country) costs around 165 TWD for a combo meal. Sushi, one of the most popular food options, costs 300–450 TWD for a meal. (Plates at the conveyor belt places are around 30 TWD each.

A three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant costs 500 TWD. A beer or a latte/cappuccino costs around 80 TWD while a bottle of water costs 21 TWD.

For a week’s worth of groceries including staples like rice, seasonal produce, and seafood, expect to pay 2,000-2,500 TWD.

Backpacking Taiwan Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of 1,050 TWD per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, eat some street food, cook some meals, limit your drinking, do free walking tours, and take public transportation to get around.

On a mid-range budget of 2,700 TWD per day, you can stay in an Airbnb, enjoy some Western food, drink more, take the bus between cities, and do more paid activities like museum visits and cooking classes.

On a “luxury” budget of 5,600 TWD per day, you can stay in a hotel, rent a car or take the train between cities, take guided tours to the islands, go diving, eat out at any restaurant you want, and visit as many attractions as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in TWD.

Taiwan Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Taiwan is an affordable country so you don’t need to worry about breaking the bank here. As long as you stick to local cuisine and limit your drinking, it’s hard to spend a lot of money. Here are a few tips to keep your spending in check:

• Skip the high-speed trains – The high-speed trains in Taiwan are super convenient but expensive. Stick to the slower local trains, which are about 50% cheaper than the HSR.
• Eat at the food markets – The food in Taiwan is world-class and the best food is at the night markets that dot all the cities.
• Avoid Western food – Western food is twice the price of Taiwanese food. It’s also not amazing so stick to the local cuisine to save money.
• Take free walking tours – Taipei, Jiufen, Tainan, and Kaohsiung all have free walking tours from companies like Like It Formosa . They’re my favorite walking tour company in Taiwan. Their tours are fun, informative, and free. Just remember to tip your guide at the end.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here needs to be boiled before drinking so bring a bottle with a filter to ensure you have safe drinking water. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a built-in filter to you can be sure you water is safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Taiwan

Taiwan has plenty of fun and affordable hostels. Here are my suggested places to stay:

• Formosa 101 (Taipei)
• Star Hostel (Taipei)
• T-Life Hostel (Taichung)
• Fuqi Hostel-Heping (Tainan)

How to Get Around Taiwan

Public transportation – All of the major cities have public transportation that is fast, safe, and reliable. Fares start at 15 TWD and go up depending on how far you travel. Taipei and Kaohsiung both have metro systems with tickets costing between 20-65 TWD. A single-day pass in Taipei costs 150 TWD, while a day pass in Kaohsiung costs 180 TWD.

Bus – The bus is the cheapest way to get around Taiwan. Intercity coach buses are available to all major cities around Taiwan, including Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. They are comfortable, modern, safe, and have air conditioning (too much, usually, so bring a sweater). The two main intercity bus companies are Ubus and Kuo-Kuang Bus. For fares and timetable information, visit taiwanbus.tw.

A bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung takes around five hours and costs 600-1,000 TWD while the three-hour trip from Taipei to Taichung costs as little as 90 TWD.

Train – The high-speed trains (HSR) in Taiwan are super convenient, however, they only go down the west side of the island and are very expensive. For example, a ticket from Taipei to Kaohsiung costs around 1,500 TWD.

The “local” trains are much more affordable, often 50% cheaper. The trip from Taipei to Kaohsiung on a local train costs just 845 TWD. It’s also just 515-800 TWD from Taipei to Tainan and 675-800 TWD from Taipei to Taichung via the local train.

The HSR line doesn’t pass through city centers, so you either need to take a bus or train from the HSR station, which also costs more time and money.

Flying – Domestic flights are relatively affordable, however, they are much more expensive than the bus or train. The two-hour flight from Taipei to Kaohsiung costs more than 4,000 TWD.

Flights to neighboring Hong Kong start at 3,600 TWD and take five hours (they can be as much as 6,500 TWD so it’s best if you’re flexible with your dates) while flights to Singapore take five hours and cost around 3,500 TWD.

Car Rental – Driving here is safe, however, car rentals here are expensive, usually costing at least 1,500 TWD per day. You need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a vehicle here. For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Taiwan

July and August are the hottest months in the country and the most popular time to visit. Temperatures often hit 35°C (95°F) and prices are a little higher as well. It’s a great time to visit if you want to hit the beach.

The shoulder months of May-June and September-October offer the best balance of crowds, weather, and price. It’s still warm enough to enjoy the outdoors and do some hiking without getting rained out.

Winters in Taiwan are a little rainy but still warm, with daily highs around 18–20°C (65-68°F). Prices are a bit lower and it’s the perfect time to visit the relaxing (and relatively empty) hot springs. Expect big crowds in Taipei in December-January for the Chinese New Year.

How to Stay Safe in Taiwan

Taiwan is very safe, consistently ranking well on the Global Peace Index as one of the safest destinations in the world. Crimes against tourists are super rare. Overall, you are unlikely to encounter any problems in Taiwan and I never felt unsafe in the country. There are no scams here, everyone is super nice, and crime is super rare. It’s a great place to visit. My friends who live here also never have problems.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here for all those reasons. However, the standard precautions you take anywhere apply here too (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). There are numerous solo female travel blogs that can provide more specific tips.

Earthquakes are common in the region so make sure you’re familiar with your accommodation’s emergency exits. Between July and November, typhoons can occur so make sure you stay up to date on the latest weather — especially if you’re near the coast or out hiking.

110 is the emergency number for police while 119 is the emergency number for fire and ambulance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Taiwan Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Taiwan Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on China travel and continue planning your trip:

The 23 Best Things to Do in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Itinerary: What to Do in 4 (or More) Days

My Favorite Restaurants in Hong Kong

What Hitchhiking Solo as a Female in China Taught Me

7 Lessons Learned from 3 Months in China

How to Travel the Trans-Siberian Railway

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Guide To Traveling in Taiwan

Last Updated: 12/18/2023

Published: 02/18/2021

I may make commissions from purchases made through links.  Read here for more information. And as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This is an overview of everything you should know when visiting Taiwan.

I’ve lived in Taiwan for more than 5 years and want to help you have an optimal experience when traveling. The following sections will briefly cover important information. Follow links attached to each point to learn more.

Taiwan does not currently have any travel restrictions.

The small island country is famous for many items, brands, and services you may have heard of:

• It’s the birthplace of bubble tea (pearl milk tea)
• Vegetarian-friendliness: Taiwan has the third-highest rate of vegetarianism, leading to many vegetarian and vegan businesses [ 1 ]
• Low-cost and efficient healthcare
• Betel nut beauties. They’re young women who sell betel nuts from enclosures while wearing revealing clothing.
• Home to various night markets—areas lined with street food stands.
• Home to major brands such as ASUS, Acer, HTC, and MSI.
• Beef noodle soup.

Taiwan Visas & Travel Restrictions

Countries that are a part of Taiwan’s visa exemption program can enter Taiwan for 15–90 days without a visa for the purpose of visiting family/friends, tourism, and business .

I list all these countries in a separate guide.

And if you don’t have a passport for those countries, you’ll need one of these visas:

Airlines That Fly to Taiwan

Popular airlines that fly to Taiwan include:

Don’t forget to see if you’re eligible for cashback rewards or airline mileage when browsing for flights. If you’ve built up enough points, you could fly for free.

Use a reward program management app like Awardwallet to keep track of all your memberships.

Power Outlet Type Used in Taiwan

Taiwan’s power outlets run on 110V supply voltage and 60Hz .

The same as the United States uses.

If you come from Australia, Europe, or Southeast Asia, you should consider investing in and bringing a universal power adapter.

What Cities Should I Visit in Taiwan?

Here are all the different cities you should visit in Taiwan:

What To Do When Traveling in Taiwan

Your plane’s landed, you’re past immigration, and you’re free to roam the airport. Snag your SIM card or pocket WiFi from their counters.

Convert your currency.

Pick up your luggage.

Then head to one of Taiwan’s many 7-11s for a NT$10 ($0.36) egg bathed in tea.

Finally, go to your accommodation and unpack—or store your luggage—and explore.

Here are things to do throughout various cities in Taiwan:

And you can’t visit Taiwan without indulging in a Taiwanese night market. Here’s a list of markets spread throughout Taiwan:

Taiwan Travel Costs & Best Souvenirs

Here are some common costs of traveling to Taipei (Taiwan’s most expensive city):

† Varies depending on the restaurant chosen.

How Much Should I Budget for a Trip to Taiwan?

Budget at least $500 on the lower end for a 7-day trip to Taiwan . However, that’s if you want to save the most money possible. It’s extreme budgeting, but still enjoy your time in Taiwan while saving money.

You could pay around $30 a night with a hostel or low-cost hotel for decent accommodation. A ballpark estimate of close to $210 once done.

A SIM card will cost under $10 for 7 days of unlimited 4G data. If you want to live off Wi-Fi instead, cut costs here. Don’t forget to explore Taiwan’s free public Wi-Fi, iTaiwan.

Taking the slow train to another city usually costs $12.55–$28.40 per trip. If you’re riding the subway, it will likely cost more than $9.00 a day. 

The total of your spending depends on how much you want to take public transportation.

On average, meals often cost between $1.40–$4.00 per person , whether you go to restaurants or night market stalls. Possibly a little more than $5.00 a day if you’re frugal.

If you eat at 7-Eleven for every meal, you’ll probably spend nearly the same amount per meal (food and drink).

Speaking of food, coffee.

If you want to opt for a coffee chain, Taiwan-based Louisa Coffee’s prices average around $3.05 per cup. Are you staying for a while? Sign up for the Louisa membership program through LINE or Facebook Messenger to potentially save a little money. Also, bringing a water bottle from home could probably knock off a couple of cents.

Otherwise, find cheap coffee at any convenience store if you need a fix.

Cigarettes usually cost around $4 a pack if you’re a smoker. A lot of Taiwanese cigarettes come from Japan. Moreover, finding brands like Camel and American Spirit is rare, possibly impossible. However, you will find plenty of Marlboro and Lucky Strike.

You could experience much of Taiwan without paying for any attractions, minus the transportation costs. However, even entry to Taiwanese attractions offers affordable pricing.

For instance, you’ll pay $6.80 for admission to the Taipei 101 Observatory.

I wrote a more thorough guide on typical Taiwan costs . Check it out.

Best Taiwan Souvenirs

Here are all the souvenirs I recommend getting while in Taiwan :

Here are some clarifications on some items in the above table. You’ll need to visit a separate guide I wrote on the subject for further clarification on each item, though.

P.Seven Perfume is tea-scented perfume. 3D smart cards are limited edition EasyCards, iPass, or icash 2.0 cards. Name stamps (chops) are what Taiwanese use to add “signatures” to official documents.

Taiwan Tourist Tax Refund

Taiwan offers tourists and visitors a 5% VAT refund on goods more than NT$2,000 . But they’ll charge you a 14% handling fee. If you buy stuff from the shopping center, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, your total purchases must sit at more than NT$3,000.

To claim your refund, you’ll need:

• Travel documents : plane tickets, etc.
• Entry stamp : for those who entered without a visa
• Passport of your home country
• Visa : if that’s how you entered Taiwan

I’ve covered shopping centers and buildings where to claim tourist tax refunds in a separate guide. It would take me too long to explain it here.

Is Traveling in Taiwan Safe?

Other than some typhoons and frequent earthquakes, Taiwan’s one of the safest countries for tourists . Crime rates have remained low over the years.

However, you may encounter rare cases of pickpocketing in crowded tourist zones. Just keep an eye on your stuff, and don’t put belongings in your back pockets.

Is Taiwan Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Taiwan is safe for solo female travelers. Taiwan is also a safe country for LGBTQ+ travelers to visit.

Even though it’s safe, don’t get drunk alone, and make sure to exercise caution whenever roaming the streets alone in the middle of the night [ 2 ].

What Currency Is Used in Taiwan?

The New Taiwan Dollar (TWD or NT$) is Taiwan’s official currency . Their currency uses a mix of paper banknotes and metal coins. Moreover, the general word for money in Mandarin Chinese is 元 (yuán).

Here’s a list of New Taiwan Dollar denominations you’ll find:

Where Do You Exchange Currency in Taiwan?

Exchange your country’s currency at the following locations in Taiwan:

• Department stores
• Currency exchange kiosks

The following dives deeper into each currency-conversion method and what one triumphs over the rest.

Compared to other airports, Taoyuan at least offers live exchange rates [ 3 airport guide]. However, they might charge you a transaction fee.

ATMs offer some of the best rates. Make sure that your bank will reimburse some or all your fees. Going this route will also save you from waiting at the bank. Furthermore, to avoid a NT$100 fee, use the Bank of Taiwan’s ATMs.

Banks. As of now, if you want to exchange your money without fees at the best rates, I recommend going to the Bank of Taiwan (government-owned). Check this bank’s exchange rate before withdrawing for the best conversion rates.

If Taiwanese friends need your currency, look up the going rate and trade your cash. It’s mutually beneficial. Be sure to stay up-to-date with peer-to-peer currency exchange laws.

Taiwan’s department stores offer currency exchange services as well. In addition, malls are an excellent alternative to banks since they’re open longer.

Exchanging currency in Taiwan isn’t like in other cities in Asia. The government strictly regulates it. Therefore, you can only exchange money at banks or authorized establishments.

Taiwan has one ATM per 826 residents [ 4 ]. That means they have the highest ATM density in the world. Don’t worry; you can’t go far without an ATM nearby to exchange currency.

Formosa Fun fact: If you love crisp bills, withdraw money around the Lunar New Year. You will encounter a pleasant surprise.

How to Differentiate Real & Fake New Taiwan Dollars

It’s rare to find fake banknotes in Taiwan . But you should know how to prevent yourself from accidentally giving one to a cashier.

Here’s how to identify real New Taiwan Dollar bills:

• The lower left corner number should change colors when viewed at different angles
• You’ll see a number: e.g. the number “100” on a NT$100 bill
• You should see a watermark that’s invisible otherwise: e.g. flower on the NT$100 bill

And here are visuals:

Can I Use Cryptocurrency in Taiwan?

You can use cryptocurrency in Taiwan . The island country has no laws or regulations that prohibit purchasing, mining, or holding cryptocurrency. However, the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) does not label crypto as legitimate currencies.

Instead, the government labels them as virtual commodities.

As far as I’ve seen, Taiwanese vendors and shops don’t allow crypto as payment. 

Best Month to Visit Taiwan

October is the best month to visit Taiwan . During this time, the average highs sit around 27°C (81°F), while the lows at 22°C (72°F). Therefore, October’s also an ideal month to visit for you who don’t mind the heat or want to visit Taiwan’s outlying islands.

It’s also great because the typhoon season’s over, so you don’t have to worry about that.

If you want to avoid holiday tourists, adhere to the following tip. Keep the date October 10th in mind because that’s Taiwan’s National Day.

You will have dodged most of Taiwan’s holidays, school, and college classes will have started.

Best of all, when flying in October, you’ll avoid flying during the peak summer season. You’ll also dodge the holiday season (November and December), giving you the best deal on your tickets.

I cover more details about what Taiwan would be like each month. That way, you’ll make the best decision possible

Which Month Is Typhoon Season in Taiwan?

July through September is the time frame of Taiwan’s typhoon season .

If you travel to this island country during that time, come prepared with rain gear, proper footwear, and a cover for your backpack.

Prepaid SIM Cards

If you need a phone number, I recommend purchasing a SIM card in Taiwan if you stay for less than a month. Pre-order a SIM card from a vacation package website, or sign up for a provider once you arrive.

Taiwan has a few significant contenders who offer SIM cards:

• ChungHwa Telecom (largest telecom)
• Far Eastone
• Taiwan Mobile

I’ve covered all the pricing and data more in-depth in a separate guide.

If you’re traveling to multiple countries and use an eSIM phone , I recommend using Airalo . They provide affordable and multi-regional eSIM cards that make it so you don’t need to sign up for multiple providers

And sometimes they cost less than what travel deal websites charge.

If you intend on staying in Taiwan for more than a month, I recommend Google Fi . It’s a somewhat affordable cell phone plan that’s amazing for traveling. With the starter plan, you get 10 GB of data. However, you’ll want the unlimited plan if you’re a data hog.

You’ll have to activate Google Fi while you’re in the US.

Portable Wi-Fi: Is it Worth Getting?

Get portable Wi-Fi to connect multiple devices to a private internet connection . And I’d recommend a private internet connection if you want to access banking websites.

DON’T do this over guest Wi-Fi networks. Unless you love living on the edge and risking your information getting hacked.

If you want pocket Wi-Fi in multiple countries, I recommend Skyroam Solis. The global hotspot provides an excellent tool for those who are venturing through various countries in Asia. Because you’ll just update your data plans online.

No having to pick up and drop off pocket routers.

What if you don’t care about using public networks?

If you’re in Taipei, register your passport and have free Wi-Fi throughout the city. The same applies to other parts of the country. You may also find free Wi-Fi in malls, convenience stores (if you’re a member), and other establishments like Starbucks .

How to Get Around & Rent Vehicles in Taiwan

Here are all the different ways to get around Taiwan:

You won’t need cars unless you intend on road tripping through Taiwan’s main island or traversing the countryside. Since you can’t rent motorbikes easily.

To rent a car, you must be aged 20 years or older and have an international driving permit . How you’ll get this permit depends on the country you’re from. I cover general steps of renting a car in Taiwan in a separate guide.

But if you want to compare car rental prices, here are some of the most popular providers:

What Should I Pack When Traveling in Taiwan?

Here’s what you should pack when traveling to Taiwan :

I have tested and frequently use all of these products except for the travel adapter and the backpack cover. I do have the travel adapter on my list of things to buy, though. I do thorough research on the products I recommend. As I always want to use the “best” of whatever I buy.

In short, what you need to pack for Taiwan depends on your itinerary. For instance, if you plan to hike, I recommend hiking boots. I stress the importance of boots due to potentially poisonous snakes that slither through hiking paths.

However, the two most essential items I recommend packing are moisture-absorbing packets and vacuum bags.

Because Taiwan’s humid. And the humidity will ruin your items if you don’t take precautions. I’ve lost a lot of items to humidity, don’t let your stuff suffer the same fate.

Regarding smaller items like sunscreen, you can buy what you need once you get to Taiwan. You’ll find most items at supermarkets like Carrefour and PX Mart or in traditional markets.

How Can I Store My Luggage in Taiwan?

Store your luggage in Taiwan using the various lockers available nationwide or mobile applications.

If you’re out and about and don’t want to carry any baggage , most trains and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations offer affordable storage options. In addition, specific shopping centers like IKEA also provide lockers for you to store your luggage.

If you’d rather know what’s available ahead of time, consider using a service such as Lalalocker . You book online, drop off your luggage, and use a “reclaim ticket,” along with your identification, to pick it up.

They also offer unique fridge storage along with long-term storage. In addition, Lalalocker gives NT$10,000 ($359) in compensation per bag if you find your luggage damaged or lost.

Dos & Don’ts in Taiwan

• Take off your shoes when entering someone’s home
• Stand on the right side of escalators; walk on the left
• Avoid dark blue seats (in Taipei) unless you’re pregnant, old, or disabled
• Learn a few Mandarin phrases
• Mention death or the number four
• Open a gift in front of the gifter
• Leave your chopsticks upright in a bowl

I cover a lot more information on etiquette in Taiwan in a separate piece. Check it out to learn more.

Resources & Tools for Traveling in Taiwan

The following are free and paid resources that’ll help you through Taiwan, prevent bad situations, and mitigate unpredictable scenarios.

If you have any questions about Taiwan, the following sources can provide additional information:

• Taiwan Reddit
• Forumosa : Taiwan-orientated community
• A local Taiwanese representative office
• Taiwanese locals

1. Useful Phone Numbers in Taiwan:

2. best mobile applications to use in taiwan.

I recommend downloading the following apps before visiting Taiwan:

Goods that aren’t refundable include duty-free items, hotel stays, restaurant bills, and items that you can’t take on planes.

Keep reading to find frequently asked questions about traveling to Taiwan.

What Do They Wear in Taiwan?

What Taiwanese wear depends on the time of the year. If you’re in the city, you’ll mostly see Taiwanese people dressed for work—suit, tie, dress shirt, skirts, and other business attire. Otherwise, people will dress for the weather.

Is It Easy To Get Around Taiwan With English?

While many people don’t speak English, if you have a translation app or a friend, you’ll have an easy time getting around Taiwan with only knowing English .

More Guides for Visitors

• TPASS Transportation Card Guide 07/10/2023
• Taiwan Packing List 03/01/2023
• Taiwan Hot Springs: An Overview 01/26/2023
• Taiwan Travel Costs 12/10/2022
• Taiwan Winter Packing List 10/28/2022
• How to Rent a Car in Taiwan 10/27/2022
• Is Taiwan Safe to Visit? 10/21/2022

Even More Guides

Taiwan Delicacies to Bring Home

What to Buy in Taiwan Supermarkets

Things to Buy in Taipei for Souvenirs

Sing Ren Garden Night Market – A Visitors Guide

TPASS Transportation Card Guide

Taiwan Packing List

Keelung Night Market – Visitors Guide

Tonghua Night Market – Visitors Guide

Theodore began first experienced the wonders of traveling when visiting Vietnam. Afterward, he went crazy and ventured to at least… More about Theo

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How to Find a Private Driver or Guide in Taiwan

I didn’t realize just how many people are looking for private drivers and private tour guides in Taiwan until I started my Taiwan Travel Planning group . It is definitely one of the most common FAQs about Taiwan . People in the group are constantly asking for private driver, car charter, and private guide recommendations.

However, hiring a private driver in Taiwan that you found in a Facebook group or a recommendation from other travelers has some potential legal and insurance issues.

I’ve put together this article to clarify these issues, and to give some Taiwan driver and private guide recommendations that I have personally vetted.

Also consider to just rent a car and drive by yourself . It will be MUCH cheaper!

Table of Contents

Legal Concerns about Hiring Drivers/Guides in Taiwan

Here is an important fact about Taiwan : In order for a driver in Taiwan to take you around, they legally must have a commercial driver’s license . Driving anyone besides your friends/family for pay without a commercial driver’s license is illegal.  

Second, even with a commercial driving license, these drivers are not allowed to introduce places to you (i.e. be a guide) unless they ALSO have a tour guide license . Last but not least, among those guides in Taiwan with a tour guide license, only a very small percentage of them have an English tour guide license .

Besides this legal concern, going with an unlicensed driver or guide could cause you major insurance problems if something bad happens on your Taiwan trip.

Licensed guides and drivers usually work through a travel agency, which provides additional insurance besides whatever travel insurance you may or may not happen.

In other words, if something bad happens while touring with an unlicensed guide, it could cost you a lot of money, even if you have your own travel insurance for Taiwan .

Taiwan Private Driver/Guide Recommendations

Best English Speaking Tour Guides

The following are fully licensed commercial drivers AND certified English speaking tour guides . This means that their rates will be higher, but they will communicate in excellent English and be able to provide guide services to you and your group.

• Henry Chen ( Facebook link ) is a very popular certified driver and English-speaking tour guide. Everyone who takes a trip with him raves about how knowledgeable and friendly he is, with several people saying he really made their Taiwan trip. However, Henry is often fully booked for weeks or months in advance and may not be able to respond to all inquiries. You can also add him on LINE at 073643875 or WhatsApp at 886935429061.
• Island Life Taiwan ( website ): This Hualien based tour company can also provide private English-speaking drivers and guides for Hualien and the whole east coast of Taiwan. Here are the places you can still visit in Hualien post-earthquake .
• I used to have more, but they have opted out. If you are a certified English-speaking tour guide in Taiwan , feel free to get in touch !

Best Drivers

The following are certified commercial drivers or travel agencies but NOT certified English-speaking tour guides .

This means they will be able to drive you from point A to point B, or drive you around for multiple days, but their English ability will vary. Because they are not licensed guides, you cannot expect them to introduce places do you – legally, they aren’t even supposed to.

• Chris R.C Tseng ( Facebook page ) has a commercial driving license and speaks excellent English. He received great reviews from members of my Facebook group. You can also add him on LINE/What’sAPP/WeChat at +886 935130298.
• Steven Hsieh of ArTrip also has a commercial driving license and can take you anywhere in Taiwan. Even when he’s booked, he may be able to help you find another driver. His travel agency can also provide car rentals. He is well reviewed in my group and can speak some English. You can also add him on LINE at 0980 668 588.
• Anda Travel ( Facebook page ) is another travel agency that can arrange private drivers all over Taiwan. Because they work with multiple drivers, the English ability of individual drivers may vary.

Klook Drivers

You can also find single-day drivers for various locations in Taiwan on Klook.

All of these are licensed and insured . The ones that say “ private driver ” (or “car charter” on Klook) means that can take you around to multiple spots, with a customized schedule.

The ones that say “ private transfer ” means that just take you from Point A to Point B. Shared transfer means that it will be in a van or minibus with other travelers.

• Private Driver for Taipei (half-day and full-day available, can do Taipei city only or day trips from Taipei )
• Private Driver for Yangmingshan National Park (read my guide to Yangmingshan and suggested Yangmingshan driving itinerary )
• Private Driver for Jiufen and Shifen area (see my guide to Shifen )
• Private Driver for Yilan (see my Yilan guide )
• Private Driver for East Coast (see my guides to Hualien and Taitung )
• Private Driver for Taroko Gorge (see my Taroko Gorge guide , note: Taroko is currently closed)
• Shared Transfer from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake (see my Sun Moon Lake guide )
• Private or Shared Transfer from Taichung to Cingjing Farm (see my guide to getting to Cingjing )
• Private or shared transfer from Sun Moon Lake to Cingjing Farm
• Private Driver for visiting Sun Moon Lake and Cingjing Farm in one day
• Private driver for Alishan or shared transfer to Alishan from Chiayi (see my Alishan guide )
• Private Driver for Tainan (see my Tainan guide )
• Private Driver for Kaohsiung (see my Kaohsiung guide )
• Private transfer from Kaohsiung to Kenting (see my Kaohsiung guide and Kenting guide )
• 3-Day Driver from Taipei to Cingjing Farm, Sun Moon Lake, and Alishan

You can also get licensed private drivers on the Tripool app . These can be booked for point-to-point trips anywhere in Taiwan or for an hourly rate. For point-to-point service, there is a surcharge for making stops on the way.

There may also be a surcharge for going to high-elevation places like Alishan. Any questions you have about it are likely answered on their FAQ page .

Finally, you can find contact information for some private drivers if you do a search in my Facebook group . However, unless I was the one recommending them, I can’t guarantee that they are licensed and/or legit.

Guided Tour Recommendations

If you want someone to drive you around and also introduce places to you (i.e. be a tour guide), then I again recommend David M. Liaw of My Taiwan Journey or Henry Chen .

If you’re looking for a private guide for a single day or destination in Taiwan, a lot of them can be found on Klook .

Klook is a platform that lists guided tours from a variety of local providers. These are small group tours with English speaking guides. Most of them drop you at the destinations and give you some space to explore by yourself. They are high in value , because you can see more in one day than you could by public transportation, and for a relatively decent price.

Here are some examples of popular guided tours available on Klook :

• Guided day tour of Taipei’s mot popular sights (learn more in Taipei guide )
• Guided day tour to Beitou and Yangmingshan
• Guided day tour to Shifen, Jiufen, and Yehliu (including Golden Waterfall in photo above!)
• Guided day tour to Heping Island in Keelung, Jiufen, and Shifen (see my Keelung guide )
• Guided day tour to Taipingshan from Taipei (see my Taipingshan guide )
• Guided day tour Taroko Gorge from Taipei or from Hualien on Klook (note: Taroko Gorge is currently closed)
• Guided day tour to Sun Moon Lake (read about all my recommended Sun Moon lake guided tours here )
• Guided day tour in Taichung (see my Taichung guide )
• Guided day tour from Chiayi to Alishan or Taichung to Alishan
• Guided day tour of Kenting from Kaohsiung
• Guided Tainan tour from Kaohsiung
• Guided Kaohsiung day tour (including Fo Guang Shan Monastery )
• Guided East Rift Valley tour from Taitung

Luxury Guided Tours in Taiwan

For multi-day fully personalized luxury tours of Taiwan, I recommend Life of Taiwan . They can do all the planning for you, prepare intimate cultural experiences, and they stay at some of the best hotels in Taiwan. They have family, tea, and culture-focused tours. They aren’t cheap, so please only make serious inquiries, and let them know that Nick sent you over.

Here are some other guided tours of Taiwan:

• This 5-day tour of Taiwan is a large tour English bus tour that visits several of Taiwan’s most famous attractions in a short period of time. It is only available on certain days and does not include Taipei, so you should include a few days of exploring Taipei on your own before or after your trip.
• This 3-Day Alishan and Sun Moon Lake tour departs from Taipei, allowing you to see these two famous attractions without figuring out the complicated public transportation to them.

If the above don’t match what you are looking for, then I suggest you consult a travel agent in your country to see what they have for Taiwan. I don’t recommend find guides in Facebook groups because you have no way to know who they really are and whether they are licensed or not.

I hope this clears up any questions you had about hiring a private guide or private driver in Taiwan. I hope you have an amazing Taiwan trip!

Taiwanese Language: History, Examples, and More

Tipping in taiwan: should you (a local perspective), 4 thoughts on “how to find a private driver or guide in taiwan”.

Hi Nick, I just booked a 5 day, 4 night tour of Tatung and Hualien with Mark Pemberton at Life of Taiwan for my mom, my husband and me, and you’re right. It’s pricey, but we hope it’ll a wonderful experience be worth it. I did tell Mark that you recommended his company. We’re coming back Taiwan 2024 with our teenage children and will probably do a private guided tour with Life of Taiwan if this trip goes well.

That’s great, I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful experience. Let me know how it goes!

Hi Nick. I like your informative articles on travelling in Taiwan. I have booked a driver for an upcoming trip to Taiwan. He asked for my passport details (as a passenger) which he said he needs to submit to the authority to purchase travel insurance for me. He said it’s a legal requirement for commercial drivers to buy travel insurance for their passengers (foreign tourists). Is that true?

I think that yes, this is a normal requirement.

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Hotel NH Collection Milano CityLife's exterior lounge and reception area

The gleaming all-white structure’s original facade, arches, and soaring columns were carefully restored to nod to Chiesa del Cristo Re’s previous life. The design ethos flows indoors to the main lobby, where seven-meter-high bronze elements resembling organ pipes make the mundane act of checking in a grand one.

Religion, however, isn’t the only source of inspiration for Hotel NH Collection Milano CityLife. The city’s fashion legacy is woven into the property’s signature restaurant and lounge Tailors. Lovely for an aperitivo—which in true Italian style arrive with salty nibbles like Taralli and potato chips—a sophisticated dinner of housemade duck ragu paccheri drizzled with Vacche Rosse Parmigiano Reggiano bechamel, or the daily breakfast spread, Tailors celebrates craftsmanship in the kitchen. When the sun’s out, zip up to the roof, where one of only two hotel rooftop pools in Milan and chic al fresco bar await.

NH Collection Milano Citylife has ten duplex suites outfitted with private terraces and hot tubs.

Though the guest rooms skew snug (as do many European hotels), they’re smartly laid out. On top of that: the low-slung beds are dreamy; the branded NH bathroom amenities incorporate sustainable packaging and formulas; and the ceiling-to-floor windows bathe the space in natural light for a more open feel. In the mood to splurge? Then reserve one of the hotel’s ten duplex suites . Cloaked in calming earth tones, they sport one-of-a-kind configurations and come with private terraces and hot tubs.

Federico Vaccari leads personalized tours of his hometown Milan in a beautiful restored vintage ... [+] Fiat 500.

If you’ve been to Milan before, and want to discover a lesser-known side of the city, book a private tour with Federico Vaccari . Over the course of three hours, Vaccari will scoot you around in a beautiful restored vintage Fiat 500 and reveal spots travelers rarely get to see, like Via Abramo Lincoln’s candy-colored houses. Since the car can only carry two passengers, it’s especially well-suited for solo female travelers.

For first-timers: no visit would be complete without seeing the Duomo, Milan's most famous cathedral, and enjoying expansive city views from the rooftop. Teatro alla Scala and Santa Maria delle Grazie, home of Leonardo Da Vinci's famous Last Supper painting, are other cultural landmarks worth scoping out. For retail therapy, head to Milan’s legendary fashion district Milan's Quadrilatero and Via della Spiga. Reserved for pedestrians, this glamorous strip showcases Italy’s biggest fashion houses such as Prada and Moschino. (Bring your passport to enjoy tax-free shopping.)

Where to Eat

A traditional Puglian snack of fried dough stuffed with cheese and tomatoes, Panzerotti is one of ... [+] Milan's most popular street snacks.

Despite being frequently overshadowed by Naples, Rome, and Bologna, Milan is a worthy dining destination in its own right. As of 2023, it’s home to 17 Michelin-starred restaurants like Rome, which run the gamut from Enrico Bartolini ’s innovating tasting menus to IYO , where modern Japanese fare with European flourishes take center stage.

Bice remains a city stalwart for classic Tuscan fare (Ossobuco alla Milanese, Ribollita) and Federico Delrosso’s timeless design, while Peck has attracted discriminating palates since 1883 with an extensive (and immaculately presented) selection of gourmet meats, prepared foods, cheese, sweets, and wines. Ciacco turns out high-quality, small-batch gelato in classic and experimental flavors like the Robiola-infused “Almost Cheesecake.” For a quick bite to go, Panzo has you covered with made-to-order panzerotti, a traditional Puglian snack of fried dough stuffed with melty cheese and tomatoes.

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