Foreigners in Taiwan - 外國人在臺灣
  • Home 首頁
  • Blog 部落格
  • Taiwan FAQ 常見問題
  • Blog Index 部落格指南
  • Maps 地圖
  • About 關於我們
  • Contact Us 聯絡我們
  • Privacy 隱私
  • Home 首頁
  • Blog 部落格
  • Taiwan FAQ 常見問題
  • Blog Index 部落格指南
  • Maps 地圖
  • About 關於我們
  • Contact Us 聯絡我們
  • Privacy 隱私

Blog Posts

Our 2023 Travel Guide to Taiwan 台灣旅遊懶人包

8/1/2023

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Taiwan is the most friendly country in the world for foreigners, and one of the best tourist destinations in the world. Many have called it the best kept secret in Asia. Taiwan is not usually known as a travel destination, mainly because of PRC China that tries to downplay its existence, and the fact that the Taiwan Tourism Bureau does not do a very good job. We will try to make up for that with this blog.
When to go:
The best time to go they say is anytime!
There is always part of Taiwan that is great to visit at any given time of year.
However, most areas are most comfortable around May when it is not too hot and there are no northeasterly winds or typhoons.

​The typhoon season lasts from around June to October. The tourist busy season is during summer break from June to August, during which time it can be hard to book a hostel or airplane ticket. Winter is the less crowded season, but the water will be colder, there will be constant wind (which could cancel transportation), and it will rain more often. 

How to get there:
By Plane:
You can book cheap flights to Taiwan on Trip.com or CheapO Air. You can also search for cheap flights in Taiwan here and here. 
You can also book discount tickets for domestic flights within Taiwan on KKday here. 
By Boat: 
There is a ferry boat between Kinmen and Xiamen, China. That is the only commercial way I know of to travel to Taiwan by boat. 

Tours:
There are many tours and activities available such as snorkeling, diving, SUPing, Surfing, Speed Boating, Glamping, River tracing, Paragliding, Kayaking, Canoeing, River Tracing, River Rafting, River Tubing, Pack Rafting, Whale Watching, ATV / 4-wheeling, Paintballing, Water Biking, Glamping, Cycling, Ziplining, Horse Riding, and many others, which you can book through Klook here or KKday here. 

Accommodation:
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands.
Booking.com, Expedia, and Hotels.com are also good choices. 

How to get around in Taiwan:
By Train:
You can take a train ride around the entire island in about 8 hours. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
By Bus: Busses leave hourly from most major cities. You can book inter-city bus on Klook here.
By Car/Scooter:
You can rent a scooter on Klook or KKday. Scooter rental is about 300 NT per day. You can check out our scooter rental guide here.
You can also rent a car for about 1500 NT per day. You can rent a car on Qeeq here or Klook here.  You can hire a driver or taxi, and you can charter a car here.
You can check out our car rental guide here.

You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.  
 
Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

Now we will get started with our list of places to visit. Please note this list is a work in progress. 

Taiwan's Outer Islands 台灣的外島
Picture
Taiwan's outer islands are some of the most beautiful and scenic places in the whole country, and each of them can be considered a secret paradise. You can find the best beaches, snorkeling, and diving on these islands. You can also find rich and important historical sites here. Transportation may be difficult, but you will never regret visiting Taiwan's outer islands, and no trip to Taiwan should be complete without doing it. 
Check out our full guide to Taiwan's outer islands here. 
​
Taiwan's East Coast 台灣東海岸
Picture
Taiwan's East Coast has the most beautiful scenery in Taiwan. From the deepest marble gorge in the world to outer islands, mountains, rivers, and huge sea cliffs, there are unmissable natural wonders for you to explore. In addition, there are endless outdoor activities and water sports that you can take part in here.
​Check out our full guide to Taiwan's East Coast here. 

​Taroko National Park 太魯閣國家公園
Picture
If you only have a few days in Taiwan and you want to go somewhere outside of Taipei, you should definitely go to Taroko National Park. On an island full of mountains, rain forests, beaches, and abounding natural beauty, Taroko might just take the top spot as the most beautiful scenic area in Taiwan. 
You can check out our full guide to 
Taroko National Park here.

Kenting 墾丁
Picture
Yes, you should go to Kenting. Kenting has some of the best natural scenery in Taiwan, from beautiful white sand beaches that are warm year round to limestone mountains with hundreds of caves and waterfalls to explore. Although it may not be a world class beach resort destination yet, it should definitely be on your list on your trip to Taiwan. 
See our full guide to Kenting here.

Alishan 阿里山
Picture
Alishan National Scenic Area is one of the most famous mountain areas in Taiwan (aka Mount Ali, or Ali Mountain). Formerly a timber harvesting area during the Japanese Era, it still has a working rail system for park visitors to ride around the mountain. The mountain villages, ancient forests, waterfalls, hiking destinations, and tea plantations have made it a popular destination for tourists. It is also a popular destination to see the sunrise over a sea of clouds. Overall, it is one of the most iconic and well known mountain destinations in Taiwan.
Check out our full guide to Alishan here, and our full guide to the Alishan Forest Railway here. 

Sun Moon Lake 日月潭
Picture
Sun Moon Lake is a beautiful scenic area in Taiwan and a popular tourist destination. Besides the lakeside scenery, one can also enjoy boat rides, Taiwanese street food, gift shops, temples, a gondola, aborigine theme park, and more. It is for sure a must-see destination for anyone coming to vacation in Taiwan.
Read our full guide to Sun Moon Lake here. 

Tamsui 淡水
Picture
Tamsui District of New Taipei is famous for it's delicious food and historical atmosphere. It is one of the most popular and well known areas in all of Taiwan. Some local delicacies here include A-gei, iron eggs, fried squid, and other seafood. Historical places near here include Fort San Domingo, Hobe Fort, Tamsui Old Street, Bali Old Street, and the Shihsanhang archaeological site. There is plenty here to see and do for almost every kind of traveler. 
Check out our full guide to Tamsui here. 
​
Wulai 烏來
Picture
Wulai Waterfall is the highest waterfall in northern Taiwan. Here you can find a street with snacks and restaurants, and a gondola that leads to a second tier of the waterfall and an amusement park. In addition there are hikes, wildlife, and endless mountain scenery to explore.
Check out our guide to Wulai here. 

Yangmingshan National Park 陽明山國家公園
Picture
Yangmingshan National Park is a mountainous area in Taipei and New Taipei, known for its volcanic activity, hiking trails, wildlife, waterfalls, hot springs, and sulfur vents. It is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Taipei. 
Check out our full guide to Yangmingshan National Park here.

Pingxi Railway 平溪支線鐵路
Picture
The Pingxi Railway in New Taipei has some of the most popular attractions in Northern Taiwan. With a total of 7 stations (plus 2 if you count Ruifang and Houtong), there are endless places to explore, eat, hike, and enjoy Taiwan's history, culture, and natural beauty all in one place. 
Check out our full blog to the Pingxi Railway here. 

Taiwan's Northern Coast 台灣北海岸
Picture
Taiwan's northern coast is an amazing, beautiful area with unique geology and rocks, lots of sandy beaches, amazing mountain views and hikes, old streets, night markets, historical sites, and much more to discover. Don't not come here.
​Check out our full guide to Taiwan's Northern Coast here. 

Taipingshan 太平山
Picture
Taipingshan (aka Taipingshan National Forest Recreational Area 太平山國家森林游樂區) is a magical mountain paradise in Datong Township of Yilan County in Taiwan. It has an old Japanese era logging railroad track which has mostly been abandoned, but part of it has been restored with a working train. In addition there are hot springs, Taiwan's largest alpine lake, hikes, wildlife, and endless mountain scenery to explore.
​Check out our full guide to Taipingshan here. 

Maolin 茂林
Picture
Maolin District of Kaohsiung City is an amazing outdoor paradise and my favorite place in Taiwan. In this mountainous district of Kaohsiung, you can find waterfalls, streams, hot springs, butterflies, aboriginal culture, and great views, all by the roadside! Popular activities include swimming, hot spring bathing, river tracing, camping, and hiking. 
Check out our full guide to Maolin here. 

​Keelung 基隆
Picture
Keelung is a vibrant and interesting harbor town on the northernmost tip of Taiwan. It is full of historical treasures, delicious food, and amazing natural beauty. It should definitely be on your list on your next trip to Taipei. 
Our guide to Keelung is still under construction, but you can see our latest blogs about Keelung on this tab here. 

​Taipei City 台北市
Picture
Taipei City is the capital of Taiwan and its most vibrant city. You will find amazing food, convenient public transportation, amazing historical sights, and beautiful mountain scenery here.
Our guide to Taipei is still under construction, but you can see our latest blogs about Taipei on 
this tab here. 
​
New Taipei 新北市
Picture
New Taipei is the area surrounding Taipei City and Keelung, and includes one of Taiwan's most amazing coastlines and beautiful natural scenery including mountains, waterfalls, and hot springs. It also includes Taiwan's largest population.
Our guide to New Taipei is still under construction, but you can see our latest blogs about New Taipei on this tab here. ​

Yilan County 宜蘭縣
Picture
Yilan is a gem on Taiwan's northeast coast. It has rugged mountains, waterfalls, a flat coastal plain, a volcanic island, hot springs, and some of the best beaches in Taiwan. In addition you can find night markets, seafood markets, museums, and much more to explore here. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taiwan. 
Check out our full guide to Yilan here.

Hualien 花蓮
Picture
Hualien is the largest county in Taiwan and is considered by many to be the most beautiful. It includes a breathtaking coastline along the Pacific Ocean, including cliffs thousands of meters high, marble gorges, fertile valleys, and a large section of Taiwan's central mountain range. Hualien is simply a must-stop location on your trip to Taiwan.
Check out our full guide to Hualien here.

Taitung 台東
Picture
Taitung has some of the most beautiful scenery in Taiwan, two amazing offshore islands, a striking coastline, deep mountains, and most of all it is bursting with unique aboriginal culture, with indigenous people making up over one-third of the population. It is an unmissable stop on your next trip to Taiwan. Here we have compiled our full guide to Taitung County. 
Check out our full guide to Taitung here.

Pingtung 屏東
Picture
Pingtung is Taiwan's southernmost county, and includes Kenting and Xiaoliuqiu. But it also includes vast rural landscapes, and impressive mountains and waterfalls. It is definitely worth exploring. 
Our guide to Pingtung is still under construction, but you can see our latest blogs about Keelung on 
this tab here. 
​
Kaohsiung 高雄
Picture
People often don’t realize that Kaohsiung has a lot to offer to tourists. There are many amazing historical and natural sites to see, as well as amazing food, shopping, and  interesting culture. Many of the places down south aren’t represented as well in English as other sites in Taipei, which is why we want to help everyone realize what a great place it is. I lived in Kaohsiung for three years and it was like living in paradise every day (I wish I still lived there).
See our full guide to Kaohsiung here. 
​
Tainan 臺南
Picture
Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan and was the capital of Taiwan for over 200 years. It is also said to be the culinary capital of Taiwan, with many traditional Taiwanese snacks that originated here. Surrounded by historical sites, from the Dutch, Koxinga, and Qing Dynasty, it is a great place to enjoy Taiwan's interesting history and its delicious cuisine.
You can check out our full guide to Tainan here. 

Chiayi 嘉義
Picture
Chiayi is a mostly rural county in south-central Taiwan. Despite its relatively small population compared to other counties in Taiwan, it has some of the most beautiful scenery, delicious local food, and interesting history. Come for Alishan, and stay for everything else you find along the way.
​Check out our full guide to Chiayi here. 

Yunlin 雲林
Picture
Yunlin is a mostly rural county in central Taiwan, but is full of vibrant cultural and historic sites.
Our guide to Yunlin is still under construction, but you can see our latest blogs about Yunlin on 
this tab here. 
​​
Changhua 彰化
Picture
For you expats or foreigners who have never left Taipei, Changhua is a large mostly rural county in central Taiwan. For years I myself never visited, because I didn't know what was there and had no reason to go. It turns out there are quite a few attractions here in this secret paradise.
Below I will list some of the best places in Changhua that I have visited. I will be sure to update this blog as I visit more places later. 
​Check out our full guide to Changua here. 
​
Nantou 南投
Picture
Nantou lies at the heart of Taiwan and is it's only landlocked county. It is known for its rugged natural landscapes and mountains, and includes the highest mountain in East Asia. If you come to Taiwan you should definitely pass through this place and stop by at some of the sights we will mention below.
Check out our full guide to Nantou here. 

​Taichung 台中
Picture
Taichung is Taiwan's second most populous city, nestled in between the hills of central Taiwan. Here you can find all kinds of food options, as well as some amazing coastline, hikes, and high mountain scenery. 
Our guide to Taichung is still under construction, but you can see our latest blogs about Taichung on 
this tab here. 
​
Miaoli 苗栗
Picture
For you expats or foreigners who have never left Taipei, Miaoli is a large rural county in central Taiwan. For years I myself never visited, because I didn't know what was there and had no reason to go. It turns out there are quite a few attractions here in this secret paradise.
Check out our full guide to Miaoli here. 

Hsinchu 新竹
Picture
Hsinchu is not only Taiwan's technological hub, but is also rich with historical sights, Hakka culture, and natural beauty. It has numerous old streets, preserved Japanese-era and Qing-era buildings, zoos, mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, and much more to explore. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taiwan.
Check out our full guide to Hsinchu here. 

​Taoyuan
Picture
Taoyuan is a populous and large county south of Taipei, home to lots of factories and rural land, but also some amazing coastline, interesting culture, delicious food, and beautiful scenery. 
Our guide to Taoyuan is still under construction, but you can see our latest blogs about Taoyuan on this tab here. 

You can discover endless tours and activities in Taiwan through Klook here or KKday here. 
​
For more information about Taiwan, check out our FAQ section here. 
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

     Author 作家

    We are US Expats that have extensive experience living, working, and travelling in Taiwan. In our day, we had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But we have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. ​Our blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. We are just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country.

    ​​我們是在台灣的外國人!我們透過額部落格想要幫助外國人了解台灣生活,旅遊,和商業的環境!我們不代表所有在台灣的外國人, 我們只是想要幫助世界各地的人了解台灣美好的一切! (美國人在管理)

    Archives 檔案

    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    October 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    Categories
    ​類目

    All
    Aboriginal Culture 原住民文化
    Alishan 阿里山
    Amusement Parks 娛樂園
    Aquariums 海洋館
    Art 藝術
    Basic Info 基本資訊
    Beaches 海灘
    Blogroll 部落格名單
    Bridges 橋梁
    Buddhism 佛教
    Buddhism 佛教
    Business 商業
    Business 商業
    Camping 露營
    Car Driving Test 考汽車駕照
    Car Rental 租氣車
    Caves 山洞
    Changhua 彰化
    Chiayi 嘉義
    Children Activities 小孩活動
    Chinese Film 中文電影
    Chinese Language 中文
    Chinese Language 中文
    Chinese Literature 中文文學
    Chinese Literature 中文文學
    Chinese Pollution 中國污染
    City Parks 都市公園
    Click Bait 點擊誘餌
    Coal Mining 煤礦
    Confucius Temples 孔廟
    Cycling 騎腳踏車
    Cycling 騎腳踏車
    Daily Life 日常生活
    Daoism 道教
    Disaster Tourism 災害旅遊
    Diving 潛水
    Driving In Taiwan 開車
    Drone Flying 飛空拍機
    East Rift Valley 花東縱谷
    East Taiwan 東部
    Ershui 二水
    Events 活動
    Festivals 節日
    Fish Foot Massage 溫泉魚
    Floral Sea 花海
    Food
    Food 食物
    Forts 堡壘
    Fruit 水果
    Geography 地理
    Geology 地質
    Golf 高爾夫球
    Green Energy 綠色能源
    Growing Bananas 種香蕉日記
    Guest Blog Posts 客人部落格
    Hakka Culture 客家文化
    Hiking
    Hiking 爬山
    Historical Buildings 歷史建築
    Historical Buildings 歷史建築
    Hot Springs 溫泉
    Hot Springs 溫泉
    Hsinchu 新竹
    Hualien 花蓮
    Immigration/Visa 移民/簽證
    Japanese Era 日治時期
    Jiaoxi 礁溪
    Kaohsiung 高雄
    Keelung 基隆
    Kenting 墾丁
    Kinmen 金門
    Lakes And Reservoirs 湖及水庫
    Lighthouses 燈塔
    Longdong 龍洞
    Lukang 鹿港
    Luodong Night Market 羅東夜市
    Maolin 茂林
    Matsu Islands 馬祖列島
    Mazuism 媽祖
    Miaoli 苗栗
    Migrant Workers 外籍勞動
    Monkeys 猴子
    Monkeys 猴子
    Mountain Biking 越野
    Mountain Biking 越野
    Museums 博物館
    Nangang 南港
    Nantou 南投
    National Forest Recreation Areas 國家森林游樂區
    National Palace Museum 故宮
    National Parks 國家公園
    Natural Scenery 自然風景
    New Taipei 新北市
    Night Market 夜市
    Northern Coast 北海岸
    Not Taiwan 台灣以外的地方
    Nuclear Power 核能
    Nuclear Power 核能
    Offroading 越野
    Old City Gates 古城門
    Old Streets 老街
    Old Trails 古道
    Orchid Island (Lanyu 蘭嶼)
    Outer Islands 外島
    Paragliding 跳傘
    Pathos And Logos 情與理
    Penghu Islands 澎湖群島
    Pingtung 屏東
    Pingxi Railway 平息火車綫
    Politics 政治
    Politics 政治
    Qing Dynasty Era 清朝時代
    Railways 鐵路
    Recreational Farms 休閑農場
    River Tracing 朔溪
    Rock Climbing 攀岩
    Sailing 帆船
    Sand Dunes 沙丘
    Sanxia 三峽
    Scooter Driving Test 考機車駕照
    Scooter Rental 租機車
    Seafood Markets 海鮮市場
    Shiding 石碇
    Shilin Night Market 士林夜市
    Shopping 購物
    Sicao Green Tunnel 四草綠色隧道
    Smokestacks 烟囪
    Snorkeling 浮潛
    Snorkeling 浮潛
    Sports 運動
    Starting A Taiwan Business 創業
    Starting A Taiwan Business 創業
    Sun Moon Lake 日月潭
    Sun Moon Lake 日月潭
    Surfing 3490928010
    Surfing 冲浪
    Taichung 臺中
    Tainan 台南
    Taipei 101
    Taipei Zoo 台北動物園
    Taipei 臺北
    Taitung 臺東
    Taiwanese Spouse 台灣配偶
    Taiwan FAQ 臺灣常見問題
    Taiwan History 台灣的歷史
    Taiwan History 台灣的歷史
    Taiwan's Economy 台灣經濟
    Taiwan's Economy 台灣經濟
    Taiwan Temples 臺灣的廟
    Tamsui 淡水
    Taoyuan 桃園
    Taroko Gorge 太魯閣
    Tax 稅
    Thailand 泰國
    Top 10 前十名
    Top 10 前十名
    Top 5 前5名
    Transportation 交通
    Tsai Yingwen 蔡英文
    Turtle Island 龜山島
    Typhoons 颱風
    Ultimate Guide 極限指南
    Urbex 城市探險
    Waterfalls 瀑布
    Weather 天氣
    White Terror 白色恐怖
    Wildlife 野生動物
    Women In Chinese Society 女士們在中國社會
    Working In Taiwan 在台灣工作
    Working In Taiwan 在台灣工作
    Wulai Hot Springs 烏來溫泉
    Xiaoliuqiu 小琉球
    Xitou 溪頭
    Xitou 溪頭
    Xizhi 汐止
    Yangmingshan 陽明山
    Yilan 宜蘭
    Yonghe 永和
    Yunlin 雲林
    Yushan (Jade Mt.) 玉山
    Zhonghe 中和
    Zhongtaishan 中台山
    Zoos 動物園

    RSS Feed

Klook.com



Save on your hotel - hotelscombined.com

Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Follow us on social media:


Follow @foreignersinTW