Night markets, marble gorges and mountain tea
Taiwan is a mountainous island off the southeast coast of China, known for night markets, friendly people and dramatic scenery packed close to cities. Taipei offers temples, museums and Taipei 101, while the east coast has the marble gorges of Taroko and the centre has Sun Moon Lake and Alishan's tea and forests. Tainan in the south is the old capital and a food capital. It suits food lovers, hikers and easy-going first-timers to Asia.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
A deep marble canyon carved by the Liwu River, with trails, tunnels and temples. Earthquake damage in 2024 closed some trails.
A skyscraper shaped like a bamboo stalk with a high observatory and a giant wind damper. It was once the tallest building in the world.
One of the world's largest collections of Chinese imperial art, from jade to calligraphy. The jadeite cabbage is the most famous piece.
A large mountain lake with boat rides, cycle paths and temples. A cable car links it to an Indigenous culture park.
A mountain area of giant cypress forests, tea plantations and a famous forest railway. Sunrise over a sea of clouds is the classic view.
A hillside old mining town of steep lanes, teahouses and red lanterns overlooking the sea. It is busy at weekends.
Street food markets fill cities each night with snacks, games and shopping. Raohe and Shilin in Taipei and those in Tainan are favourites.
Taiwan's oldest city, with Dutch forts, hundreds of temples and a famous snack culture. It is the place to eat.
Tropical beaches, coral reefs and coastal cliffs at Taiwan's southern tip. It is busy in summer.
Volcanic hills on Taipei's edge with hot springs, fumaroles and flower fields. Hikes reach Mount Qixing.
A busy, ornate temple in the old Wanhua district, founded in the 18th century. It shows everyday faith in Taiwan.
Small railway villages known for sky lantern releases, with the Shifen Waterfall nearby. The Pingxi branch line is scenic.
A huge Buddhist complex with a giant seated Buddha and pagodas near Kaohsiung. It is open to all.
A green valley between mountain ranges and a wild Pacific coast, with Indigenous villages, rice fields and hot springs. It is ideal for a slow road or rail trip.
A short, steep stair hike to the best view of Taipei 101 and the skyline. It is popular at sunset.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
Food, temples, museums and day trips.
food, city · Open the city guideBase for Taroko Gorge.
nature · Guide comingOld capital and food city.
food, history · Guide comingHarbour city in the south.
city · Guide comingGateway to Sun Moon Lake.
gateway · Guide comingGateway to Alishan.
gateway · Guide comingEast coast and hot springs.
nature · Guide comingHillside old gold-mining town for sunsets.
scenery · Guide comingCapital, hot springs and old mining towns.
Taipei 101, Jiufen, Yangmingshan
Lakes, tea and forests.
Sun Moon Lake, Alishan
Warm cities and beaches.
Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting
Gorges, valleys and the Pacific.
Taroko Gorge, East Rift Valley
Taipei, mountains and coast within an hour of each other.
Taipei, Yangmingshan, Jiufen
Lakes and mountain tea areas with a laid-back feel.
Sun Moon Lake, Taichung, Alishan
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: October to December and March to May. Mild, drier weather suits both cities and mountains.
The north is cool and drizzly in winter, while the south stays warm and dry; typhoons can hit from July to October.
January. No season note for this month.
65°F daily high, 63°F average, 3.9 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
The US State Department rates Taiwan Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions, noting earthquakes, typhoons and extreme heat.
The high-speed rail, metros and buses are cheap, clean and easy.
Food is cheap and great, and hotels are moderately priced.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Check visa and entry rules on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website (boca.gov.tw) before you travel. |
| Plugs | Type A, B; 110 V 60 Hz |
| Tap water | not safe |
| Tipping | Tipping is not expected; hotels and restaurants may add a 10 percent service charge. |
| Payments | Cash is still common at markets; cards work in hotels and chains, and EasyCard pays at convenience stores. |
| Emergency | 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance |
| Etiquette | Do not eat or drink on the metro. Queue patiently. Avoid sticking chopsticks upright in rice. |
| What to wear | Modest clothing is appreciated at temples. |
| Driving | On the right |
| Between cities | The high-speed rail runs down the west coast from Taipei to Kaohsiung. Regular trains serve the east coast. An EasyCard covers metros, buses and some trains. |
| Main airports | TPE, TSA, KHH |
| Ride apps | Uber |
Austronesian Indigenous peoples have lived on the island for thousands of years. Dutch and Spanish traders, then Ming loyalists and the Qing dynasty, ruled parts of it before Japan took control from 1895 to 1945. After the Chinese civil war, the Republic of China government moved to Taiwan in 1949. Its status is a sensitive international issue, and Taiwan has since become a vibrant democracy with free elections.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.