
Taiwan
What you need to know before you go
Taiwan may be a fairly small island, but it’s packed with an incredible degree of diversity. It’s one of the most densely populated areas in the world, yet has huge tracts of beautiful wilderness. At the same time as being a fantastic destination for fashion and shopping, it’s just as popular for its hiking trails and outdoor pursuits.
The different cities and counties of Taiwan each have their own unique character and culture. Taipei is naturally the most lively and cosmopolitan, while Nantou has the most interesting history, Yilan has the friendliest people and Hsinchu is the most artistic. With the help of an ultra-modern public transport system, getting from one of the island to the other is very easy and affordable, so you can enjoy all of these different destinations and more within a single trip.
Top destinations in Taiwan
Where will you go next?Taipei boasts famous attractions, bustling nightlife, excellent restaurants and extensive shopping opportunities, as well as a heady mix of history and culture with modern and progressive thinking. It has something for almost any interest and every kind of traveller, whether you’re on a budget or looking for luxury. With a name that literally translates as “North of Taiwan”, the city...
Read moreKaohsiung
Kaohsiung is one of the biggest and busiest areas of Taiwan, and a hub of the island’s economy. Built around...
Tainan
Tainan is one of the older cities in Taiwan, located in the southern portion of the island, and is a...Taichung
Taichung takes its position on Taiwan’s west coast, boasting ever-balmy weather. A thriving cosmopolitan city, it offers something for...Hsinchu
Hsinchu is the oldest city in Northern Taiwan, yet is a hub of scientific and technological innovation. The area was...Pingtung
Pingtung is one of Taiwan’s hidden gems, offering miles of beaches, parks, historic landmarks and awe-inspiring natural beauty. The...Taitung
Taitung offers a heady blend of Japanese, Chinese and aboriginal influences, making it something of a bohemian oasis amid the...
What to see & do in Taiwan
Featured stories & fun stuffThe choice of things to do in Taiwan is excellent, and includes a surprising amount of outdoor activities. Despite being one of the most densely populated places in the world, large areas of the island are still delightfully untouched, especially around Nantou and Yilin counties. You’ll find great hiking trails, fishing spots and even some excellent surfing beaches on the coast. However, Taiwan is perhaps more famous for the cityscapes... Read more
19 Best Things to Do in Taipei
Among the best things to do in Taipei are words like “biggest”, “best” and “first” – the city is a world-leader in many ways. There’s also a lot of variety, ensuring that most types of tourist will find something to...10 Best Things to Do in Kaohsiung
The best things to do in Kaohsiung showcase the city's extraordinary history and vibrant future. Founded during the Ming Dynasty...10 Best Places Where Locals Love to Go in Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung, formerly known as Takao, is a prosperous port city and a modern international metropolis with fully-fledged infrastructure and...10 Best Places Where Locals Love to Go in Hualien
Located in the eastern part of Taiwan, Hualien is nestled between the sea and the mountains. It boasts superb mountain...14 Best Things to Do in Tainan
The best things to do in Tainan show why this relatively small city has become such a popular historic tourist...11 Best Places Where Locals Love to Go in Taichung
Taichung is densely populated and is the second most populous city in Taiwan after Taipei. Taichung was developed into a...10 Places Where Locals Love to Go in New Taipei
The charm of New Taipei City lies in its modern shopping districts, historic mountain towns and stunning landscapes, all well...17 Best Things to Do in Nantou
Nantou County is renowned for its tea plantations, which stretch as far as the eye can see. However, the real...10 Best Things to Do with Kids in Hualien
The extensive range of things to do in Hualien has made it a popular holiday destination for travellers with little...
Where & what to eat in Taiwan
Taiwan’s restaurant and dining scene is growing in popularity across Asia as tiny back-alley outfits grow to become international franchises. On the island itself, virtually every corner restaurant offers a mouth-watering selection of noodles or rice dishes, and will tempt you into trying a morsel of the hot soupy noodles made in every way possible. Notable noodle dishes include the steaming hot Hsinchu rice noodles, Nantou slender noodles... Read more
15 Best Taiwanese Foods & Dishes
Taiwanese cuisine features some really stand-out dishes which have gained global popularity, carrying simple back-alley vendors to international acclaim. To say that noodle dishes are popular in Taiwan is an understatement – there are countless types of noodle dishes...10 Best Tainan Foods Everyone Should Try
Many visitors come to Tainan just to taste all kinds of food from morning until night at restaurants and snack...12 Best Restaurants in Taipei
Our list of the best restaurants in Taipei showcases the finest among some very stiff competition. The cuisine of Taiwan...
Where to shop & what to buy in Taiwan
Taiwan is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Asia. With its incredible amount of shopping malls, Taipei is a great place to find clothes, fashion accessories, footwear, electronic products and virtually everything available under the sun. Except that you don’t have to be under the sun while you shop – you can enjoy the air-conditioned coolness and modern conveniences. At the other end of the spectrum, Taiwan is... Read more
14 Taiwanese Souvenirs Your Family Actually Want
When it comes to buying souvenirs in Taiwan, it’s very easy to be overwhelmed by the variety of things you can buy. With numerous shopping malls, commercial outlets and night markets in Taiwan, you will quickly find yourself spoiled for...20 Best Places to Go Shopping in Taipei
Our list of the best shopping in Taipei picks out the best of a wide selection of outlets from across...10 Best Shopping Streets in Taipei
Indulge yourself with a shopping spree in the best shopping districts in Taipei. Looking for the latest 3C products? Guanghua...
Where to go & what to do at night in Taiwan
Taiwan’s nightlife scene is mostly concentrated in Taipei. The array of things you can see and do after dark there will be more than enough to keep you entertained. The pubs and clubs here are of a world-beating standard, and there’s the added entertainment of karaoke lounges, which are especially popular with locals. Taiwan is also famous for its night markets, and these are just as good in the... Read more
17 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Taipei
Nightlife in Taipei is so busy and bustling that the city is almost livelier after dark than during the day! There's a lot to choose from, ensuring that most tastes are accommodated and most visitors will find something entertaining to...5 Best Night Markets in Taipei
The best night markets in Taipei are extremely popular for their great range of local street food, to the point...8 Best Bars & Pubs in Taipei
The best bars in Taipei are often friendly, social places, graced by the city’s extensive expatriate community as well as...
Useful information
Taiwan is undoubtedly one of the most famous islands in Asia, thanks to its remarkable people, culture and natural landscapes. While heavily westernised, it helps to know a little Mandarin, Hokkien or Cantonese to make your travels easier. Otherwise, you can stick to English because most of its locals in major cities are well-versed in this language. The best time to visit Taiwan is during the months between October... Read more
Taipei Airport Information
There are 2 Taipei airports, with 1 serving most of the international arrivals while the other is primarily for domestic travel around Taiwan. As is often the case, the city centre airport – Taipei Songshan Airport – is the older of the...Weather in Taipei
The weather in Taipei features hot, wet summers and cold, dry winters due to Taiwan’s subtropical climate and Pacific Ocean...Getting Around Taipei
Getting around Taipei is extremely simple. The roads and public transport networks are universally efficient and simple to understand and...