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.
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!
Taipei 臺北
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.
Things to do in Taipei
48 Hours in taipei for first-time visitors
Itinerary
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
Itinerary
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
Recs
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
Recs
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
Recs
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!
Where to stay in Taipei
I’ve stayed in a variety of districts when it comes to Taipei and generally as long as you are close to a subway station, getting around is not an issue. I like to stay in Datong or Ximen which are close to hip districts like Dadaocheng, Zhongshan and Ximending. I also like being close to Taipei Main Station in Zhongshan if I plan to venture outside of Taipei as it is the most convenient to commute from the airport and trains/buses around Taiwan.
New Taipei City 新北市
Great day trip options for those visiting Taipei and wanting to explore outside the city
Jinshan 金山
North Coast
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.
Wanli 萬里
North Coast
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.
Keelung 基隆
North Coast
Port town Keelung has a nice sea town vibe with scenic coastal parks for some hiking, delicious seafood and a great night market. (City guide coming soon)
Shiding 石碇 / Thousand Island Lake 千島湖
Ruifang
An artificial reservoir created in the mountains, this scenic hike south of Taipei is for mountain lovers. Nearby Shiding old town is a decent pit stop as well.
Sandiaoling Waterfalls 三貂嶺瀑布
Ruifang
Everyone and their mother has been to Shifen train street to set off lanterns and see that famous waterfall. Sandiaoling is a nearby option that’s much less crowded and a lovely hike to 3 falls!
Yilan 宜蘭
The northeastern coast of Taiwan is a quick day trip from Taipei and has a nice relaxing vibe
Yilan North: Yilan City, Toucheng, Jiaoxi, Yuanshan
Travel guide
Covering the Yilan region north of the Lanyang River with Yilan City as the main hub, check out all things Jimmy Liao, a hot spring town, Taiwan’s best whisky distillery and an island shaped like a turtle.
YIlan South: Luodong, Wujie, Dongshan, Su’ao
Travel guide
This guide covers areas south of the Lanyang River with Luodong as the main hub. Highlights include Yilan’s best night market, a cool traditional arts centre and some nifty cold springs.
Nanfang’ao 南方澳
Su’ao (Yilan South)
This charming fishing town has some great views of the northeast coast and a market to selling super fresh seafood.
Su’ao 蘇澳
Su’ao (Yilan South)
You’ve heard of hot springs, but what about natural cold springs with water you can drink? Check them out in Su’ao.
Guishandao 龜山島
Toucheng (Yilan North)
This turtle shaped island requires special permission to land – I climbed to its 401m high peak and explored its abandoned village.
Hualien 花蓮
The start of the mountainous scenic east coast of Taiwan and home to Taroko Gorge
coming soon
Taitung 臺東
The rural eastern region of Taiwan has lots of greenery, mountains and sea views for real relaxation
Luye 鹿野
Anecdotes
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
Guide
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.
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
Offshore island
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.
Taichung 臺中
Taiwan’s next busiest city after Taipei is a short HSR ride down the west coast
Taichung & Sun Moon Lake
Travel Guide
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Divecube Hotel
Attraction
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Tainan 台南
A favourite for those who love Taiwanese Xiaochi, there’s a lot to see in this sprawling district
Vanaheim Glamping
Beimen
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
Guanziling
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
Rende
A former industrial space repurposed into a cultural arts area and practice space for a drumming troupe.
Tainan City guide coming soon…
Kaohsiung 高雄
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
Lingya
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
Yancheng
Former dock area converted into an arts and culture area and one of my favourite places to stroll around in Kaohsiung.
Taiwan’s Offshore Islands
You can take a ferry or fly to some of Taiwan’s offshore islands to escape the mainland for a bit
Kinmen 金門
Northwest (Kinmen)
Closer to Xiamen than mainland Taiwan, Kinmen has plenty of military remains and history worth exploring courtesy of its long-drawn battles with China.
Turtle Island / Guishandao 龜山島
Northeast (Yilan)
A short ferry ride away from Toucheng in Yilan, special permits are needed if you plan to land on this urtle shaped volcanic island.
Green Island / Lyudao 綠島
East (Taitung)
An hour-long ferry ride or a 10-minute flight from Taitung, this island is the perfect little getaway but worth staying over in for at least a night to truly appreciate its natural beauty.
Orchid Island / Lanyu 蘭嶼
East (Taitung)
Three hours by ferry can be daunting to many, but taking the effort to get to this pristine island will reward you with fewer crowds and beautiful nature to behold.
Taiwan Travel Tips
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?
For Skyscanner
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.
Other Taiwan Resources
- 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.