Taiwan is an absolute gem of a rustic to discover. It’s a very gorgeous island nation that’s received just a little 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 large swash of completely unspoilt mountain ranges, nationwide parks, and delightful coastlines with a few of the greatest seashores within the area.
Oh, and let’s not neglect how simple it’s to journey round Taiwan. The high-speed rail system is superb. Trains are punctual, clear, and tremendous quick, and we discovered this the easiest way to get between city centres whereas travelling in Taiwan.
It’s additionally tremendous simple to lease a automobile, even when the roads might be busy in cities like Taipei! Fact be informed, I’d in all probability advocate sticking to the MRT (metro system) and cabs or Uber in greater cities. A automobile might be extra of a trouble, and the general public transport system is a dream. Oh yeah, make sure that to recollect: completely no consuming or consuming while driving the MRT. It’s fantastic on the Excessive-Pace Railway—however not the MRT.
You’ll have the simplest time getting round Taiwan! So, that can assist you get essentially the most out of your go to to Taiwan, we’re sharing the most effective locations in Taiwan to go to when you arrive. This manner, you possibly can 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 possibly can’t miss when visiting Taiwan. It’s a high-speed practice trip from Taipei and a foodie metropolis full of evening markets, eating places and funky cafes you possibly can’t miss.
We’ve spent fairly a little bit of time in Tainan, a kind of cities that will get beneath your pores and skin.
From the extremely tasty evening markets, temples and mangrove tunnels – it’s a spot you possibly can’t miss when visiting the most effective locations in Taiwan to go to.
So, that can assist you get essentially the most out of your time in Tainan, we’ve jotted down all the highest locations it’s worthwhile to go to in Tainan if you go to. Tainan is superb! You’re going to have the most effective time.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Tainan
2.) Alishan Forest
The Alishan forest is one in every 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, e-book a switch or tour that can drop you off close to or across the Alishan Township. From right here, you possibly can observe a heap of various trails, discover the boardwalk or watch the dawn with the ocean of clouds under you.
If the latter is your jam, e-book 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 ultimate observe: resort selections within the Alishan Forest space are extra primary than in Taipei. There’s 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 may e-book tickets for the practice right here.
3.) Formosensis Prepare
Departing from the Alishan Township space of Taiwan, the Formosensis Prepare (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 an effective way to discover the broader rural space, with a number of stops in small cities.
We completely beloved our practice trip, and it’s up there as among the finest issues to do in Taiwan which you could’t miss. Make certain to plan properly prematurely – these tickets might be booked rapidly.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Taipei
4.) Taipei
In the event you’re visiting Taiwan from a global vacation spot, then it’s almost definitely that you’ll land within the capital metropolis of Taipei. It’s properly price spending at the least 2 days right here in Taipei, particularly as there’s a lot to see, do, and eat within the metropolis.
From the unimaginable Taipei Night time Markets to a few of the greatest speakeasies and bars within the metropolis, Taipei has every thing you could possibly need from a metropolis break.
So, that can assist you get essentially the most out of your go to to Taipei, we’ve created a devoted put up on all the most effective issues to do in Taipei if you go to. Our put up deep-dives into all of the spots you possibly can’t miss in your go to and provides 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: Finest issues to do in Taipei
5.) Seashores in Taiwan
Taiwan won’t instantly come to thoughts, but it surely has a few of the greatest seashores within the area, and you may’t miss them whereas exploring the nation.
Now, for my part, a few of the greatest are on the lesser-developed east coast of Taiwan or the island of Penghu, which is a brief airplane trip away (or ferry trip 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 neglect about Dongao Seashore (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, make sure that to pack loads of SPF. The solar may be very sturdy in Taiwan, particularly on a transparent day.
Oh, and don’t neglect 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 title it, Taiwan has it! Not solely is tea drunk abundantly in Taiwan, however there are additionally many tea plantations you possibly can 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 had been away from the shoreline and on elevated floor with barely much less intense temperatures.
We beloved visiting the Lin Yuan Tea Manufacturing unit (Google Maps hyperlink), a few 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 selecting 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 trip), Jiufen Previous Avenue is properly price visiting in the event you’re within the northeast of Taiwan.
As soon as right here, you possibly can 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, outlets and cafes alongside the way in which.
We all the time advocate visiting within the late afternoon. This manner, you’ll get to Jiufen reworked from day to nighttime and see the long-lasting neon lights that make this space so iconic.
To make issues simpler, e-book this Juifen tour that can take you from Taipei, proper to the center of Jiufen.
It makes all of it really easy and is the proper technique to discover in the event you’re brief on time. Simply make sure you e-book this tour prematurely; 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 trip by the mangrove waterways that crisscross this space round Tainan.
For my part, the inexperienced tunnel itself isn’t probably the most iconic spots to go to, but it surely’s very easy to incorporate on a visit to Tainan—particularly in the event you’re within the metropolis for a good few days. Excursions aren’t costly, and so they’re fairly relaxed. One observe is that there are not 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 an observation that performances aren’t in English.
Additionally, make sure that to go to the Nationwide Twain Museum of Positive Artwork and the Nationwide Museum of Pure Science, each inside Taichung. There’s a small entry payment, however it isn’t price it.
Within the night, head to the Yizhong Avenue Night time Market (Google Maps hyperlink), which is properly price spending a number of 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 surprise 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 possibly can study 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 bear in mind, no performances are in English. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless price visiting as a part of a guided tour or to study extra about Taiwan’s deep cultural heritage. Visits take round 90 minutes.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Taipei
12 Absolute Finest Issues To Do in Taipei, Taiwan
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