Taiwan is an absolute gem of a rustic to discover. It’s a very gorgeous island nation that’s received slightly little bit of one thing for each kind of traveller to expertise. In the event you’re into cities, you’ve received some completely vibrant cities like Taipei and the historic capital Tainan. Not solely that, there’s a enormous swash of completely unspoilt mountain ranges, nationwide parks, and delightful coastlines with a few of the finest seashores within the area.
Oh, and let’s not overlook how straightforward it’s to journey round Taiwan. The high-speed rail system is wonderful. Trains are punctual, clear, and tremendous quick, and we discovered this one of the best ways to get between city centres whereas travelling in Taiwan.
It’s additionally tremendous straightforward to lease a automobile, even when the roads may be busy in cities like Taipei! Fact be advised, I’d most likely suggest sticking to the MRT (metro system) and cabs or Uber in greater cities. A automobile may be extra of a trouble, and the general public transport system is a dream. Oh yeah, be certain that to recollect: completely no consuming or consuming while using the MRT. It’s high-quality on the Excessive-Velocity Railway—however not the MRT.
You’ll have the best time getting round Taiwan! So, that will help you get essentially the most out of your go to to Taiwan, we’re sharing the very best locations in Taiwan to go to when you arrive. This manner, you’ll be able to focus all of your vitality on having enjoyable, with out being slowed down within the planning phases when you’re there.
1.) Tainan
Tainan is the previous capital of Taiwan and one metropolis you’ll be able to’t miss when visiting Taiwan. It’s a high-speed practice journey from Taipei and a foodie metropolis stuffed with night time markets, eating places and funky cafes you’ll be able to’t miss.
We’ve spent fairly a little bit of time in Tainan, a type of cities that will get underneath your pores and skin.
From the extremely tasty night time markets, temples and mangrove tunnels – it’s a spot you’ll be able to’t miss when visiting the very best locations in Taiwan to go to.
So, that will help you get essentially the most out of your time in Tainan, we’ve jotted down all of the high locations it’s worthwhile to go to in Tainan if you go to. Tainan is wonderful! You’re going to have the very best time.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Tainan
2.) Alishan Forest
The Alishan forest is certainly one of my favorite (and unspoilt) areas of Taiwan to go to. It’s gorgeous and located within the excessive mountains of Taiwan, which rise about 2,900 meters.
Now, in the event you’re planning on going, guide a switch or tour that may drop you off close to or across the Alishan Township. From right here, you’ll be able to comply with a heap of various trails, discover the boardwalk or watch the dawn with the ocean of clouds beneath you.
If the latter is your jam, guide the pre-sunrise practice (round 20 minutes) that takes you to the dawn spot. It’s lovely on a transparent day, although all the time be ready for inclement climate within the mountains of Taiwan.
Additionally, a closing be aware: lodge selections within the Alishan Forest space are extra fundamental than in Taipei. There may be a lot much less alternative—lodging are clear however not all the time on the upper finish in the event you’re used to the Grand Lodge or Regent Lodge in Taipei (for example).
You’ll be able to guide tickets for the practice right here.
3.) Formosensis Practice
Departing from the Alishan Township space of Taiwan, the Formosensis Practice (bookable right here) is a newly renovated cedar-clad practice that takes you across the Alishan forest on a half-day journey. The journey is beautiful and a good way to discover the broader rural space, with just a few stops in small cities.
We completely beloved our practice journey, and it’s up there as among the finest issues to do in Taiwan which you can’t miss. Be sure that to plan nicely upfront – these tickets may be booked rapidly.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Taipei
4.) Taipei
In the event you’re visiting Taiwan from a global vacation spot, then it’s most probably that you’ll land within the capital metropolis of Taipei. It’s nicely price spending at the very least 2 days right here in Taipei, particularly as there may be a lot to see, do, and eat within the metropolis.
From the unbelievable Taipei Evening Markets to a few of the finest speakeasies and bars within the metropolis, Taipei has every thing you may need from a metropolis break.
So, that will help you get essentially the most out of your go to to Taipei, we’ve created a devoted submit on all the very best issues to do in Taipei if you go to. Our submit deep-dives into all of the spots you’ll be able to’t miss in your go to and offers you a full run-down of the place to see and expertise throughout your keep.
Taipei is such an thrilling metropolis in Taiwan. You’ll like it.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Taipei
5.) Seashores in Taiwan
Taiwan won’t instantly come to thoughts, but it surely has a few of the finest seashores within the area, and you may’t miss them whereas exploring the nation.
Now, in my view, a few of the finest are on the lesser-developed east coast of Taiwan or the island of Penghu, which is a brief airplane journey away (or ferry journey from Kaohsiung) on the primary island of Taiwan.
At Kenting Baishawan (Google Maps hyperlink), you’ll discover how clear and pristine the shoreline is. Like, it seems untouched, and the water is so good and heat. Additionally, don’t overlook about Dongao Seaside (Google Maps hyperlink) and Fulong (Google Maps hyperlink) seashores, too. They’re gorgeous areas to decelerate and benefit from the pristine shoreline of Taiwan itself.
As all the time, be certain that to pack loads of SPF. The solar could be very robust in Taiwan, particularly on a transparent day.
Oh, and don’t overlook about Yehliu Geopark, too. It’s lovely, particularly round Oyster Rock, Queen’s Head and Fairy’s Shoe.
6.) Taiwan tea plantation
Tea is king in Taiwan! Black tea, oolong tea, you identify it, Taiwan has it! Not solely is tea drunk abundantly in Taiwan, however there are additionally many tea plantations you’ll be able to go to throughout the nation.
We discovered it best to go to some tea plantations on the drive as much as the Alishan Forest space (excessive within the mountains). A lot of the tea plantations we visited have been away from the shoreline and on elevated floor with barely much less intense temperatures.
We beloved visiting the Lin Yuan Tea Manufacturing facility (Google Maps hyperlink), a couple of 45-minute drive west of Alishan Township.
Right here, we participated in a tea ceremony, the place we tried some native black tea and even received to attempt choosing some tea leaves. The entire space is gorgeous, and it’s simply among the finest locations in Taiwan to go to as you enterprise larger into the mountains.
7.) Jiufen Previous Avenue
Round a 50-minute drive from the centre of Taipei (or a 90-minute public transport journey), Jiufen Previous Avenue is nicely price visiting in the event you’re within the northeast of Taiwan.
As soon as right here, you’ll be able to discover the tiny streets and alleyways that make the hilly Jiufen space particular. As you discover on foot, you’ll go to so many little foodie stalls, retailers and cafes alongside the way in which.
We all the time suggest visiting within the late afternoon. This manner, you’ll get to Jiufen remodeled from day to nighttime and see the long-lasting neon lights that make this space so iconic.
To make issues simpler, guide this Juifen tour that may take you from Taipei, proper to the center of Jiufen.
It makes all of it really easy and is the right strategy to discover in the event you’re quick on time. Simply you should definitely guide this tour upfront; tickets promote out quick at peak instances.
8.) Sicao Inexperienced Tunnel and Sicao Dazhong Temple
Whereas in Tainan, we took a brief journey to the close by Sicao Inexperienced Tunnel and Sicao Dashing Temple. The Sicao Inexperienced Tunnel is a brief, 25-minute journey via the mangrove waterways that crisscross this space round Tainan.
For my part, the inexperienced tunnel itself isn’t some of the iconic spots to go to, but it surely’s very easy to incorporate on a journey to Tainan—particularly in the event you’re within the metropolis for a good few days. Excursions aren’t costly, they usually’re fairly relaxed. One be aware is that there aren’t any excursions in English.
Afterwards, go to the Sicao Dazhong Temple, which is a one-minute stroll from the Sicao Inexperienced Tunnel.
Visits take round 45 minutes and are simply included (however not important) when visiting the broader Tainan space of Taiwan.
9.) Taichung
Virtually halfway down the west aspect of Taiwan, Taihchung is one other metropolis to go to whereas exploring the island. Though it doesn’t have the draw of Tainan or Taipei, it’s nonetheless price visiting for a day journey or perhaps a chilled half-day journey down the west coast of Taiwan.
As soon as right here, pop into the Nationwide Taichung Theatre for a few of the seasonal performances all year long. As all the time, make a remark that performances aren’t in English.
Additionally, be certain that to go to the Nationwide Twain Museum of High quality Artwork and the Nationwide Museum of Pure Science, each inside Taichung. There’s a small entry charge, however it’s not price it.
Within the night, head to the Yizhong Avenue Evening Market (Google Maps hyperlink), which is nicely price spending just a few hours consuming, consuming, and chilling! The entire vibe is so pleasant, and we beloved the shaved mango ice we had right here.
10.) Yuyupas Cultural Park
Yuyupas Cultural Park (Google Maps hyperlink) is simple to go to in the event you’re already heading into the mountains or the forest round Alishan Township.
Now, you would possibly marvel what makes it among the finest locations in Taiwan to go to? Properly, Taiwan isn’t only one unified tradition. Many ethnic teams make up this island nation, and the Yuyupas Cultural Park is the place you’ll be able to be taught extra about their historical past and tradition in Taiwan.
As soon as right here, you’ll see performances by various cultural teams that showcase Taiwan’s lengthy historical past and heritage.
Simply keep in mind, no performances are in English. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless price visiting as a part of a guided tour or to be taught extra about Taiwan’s deep cultural heritage. Visits take round 90 minutes.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Taipei
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