Taiwan is an absolute gem of a rustic to discover. It’s a very beautiful island nation that’s bought somewhat little bit of one thing for each sort of traveller to expertise. Should you’re into cities, you’ve bought some completely vibrant cities like Taipei and the historic capital Tainan. Not solely that, there’s a big swash of completely unspoilt mountain ranges, nationwide parks, and exquisite 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 one of the best ways to get between city centres whereas travelling in Taiwan.
It’s additionally tremendous simple to hire a automobile, even when the roads may be busy in cities like Taipei! Fact be instructed, I’d in all probability advocate 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 sure to recollect: completely no consuming or ingesting while using the MRT. It’s tremendous on the Excessive-Pace Railway—however not the MRT.
You’ll have the simplest time getting round Taiwan! So, that will help you get essentially the most out of your go to to Taiwan, we’re sharing one of the best locations in Taiwan to go to when you arrive. This fashion, you’ll be able to focus all of your vitality on having enjoyable, with out being slowed down within the planning levels when you’re there.
1.) Tainan
Tainan is the outdated capital of Taiwan and one metropolis you’ll be able to’t miss when visiting Taiwan. It’s a high-speed practice trip from Taipei and a foodie metropolis crammed with evening 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 kind of cities that will get below your pores and skin.
From the extremely tasty evening markets, temples and mangrove tunnels – it’s a spot you’ll be able to’t miss when visiting one of the 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 that you must go to in Tainan if you go to. Tainan is superb! You’re going to have one of the best time.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Tainan
2.) Alishan Forest
The Alishan forest is one in all my favorite (and unspoilt) areas of Taiwan to go to. It’s beautiful and located within the excessive mountains of Taiwan, which rise about 2,900 meters.
Now, when 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 at all times be ready for inclement climate within the mountains of Taiwan.
Additionally, a last observe: resort decisions within the Alishan Forest space are extra primary than in Taipei. There’s a lot much less alternative—lodging are clear however not at all times on the upper finish when you’re used to the Grand Resort or Regent Resort 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 attractive and a good 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 best issues to do in Taiwan which you can’t miss. Be sure to plan properly upfront – these tickets may be booked rapidly.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Taipei
4.) Taipei
Should you’re visiting Taiwan from a global vacation spot, then it’s more than likely 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 may be a lot to see, do, and eat within the metropolis.
From the unimaginable Taipei Evening Markets to a few of the greatest speakeasies and bars within the metropolis, Taipei has all the things you would 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 publish on all one of the best issues to do in Taipei if you go to. Our publish deep-dives into all of the spots you’ll be able to’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, nevertheless it has a few of the greatest seashores within the area, and you’ll’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 aircraft 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 appears to be like 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 beautiful areas to decelerate and benefit from the pristine shoreline of Taiwan itself.
As at all times, be sure to pack loads of SPF. The solar may be very robust 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’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). Many 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 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 bought to strive selecting some tea leaves. The entire space is beautiful, and it’s simply among the best 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 when 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 best way.
We at all times advocate visiting within the late afternoon. This fashion, 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 guts of Jiufen.
It makes all of it really easy and is the proper technique to discover when you’re brief 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 trip via the mangrove waterways that crisscross this space round Tainan.
In my view, the inexperienced tunnel itself isn’t one of the vital iconic spots to go to, nevertheless it’s very easy to incorporate on a journey to Tainan—particularly when 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 at all times, make a remark that performances aren’t in English.
Additionally, be sure to go to the Nationwide Twain Museum of Tremendous 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 properly price spending a number of hours consuming, ingesting, 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 straightforward to go to when you’re already heading into the mountains or the forest round Alishan Township.
Now, you would possibly marvel what makes it among the best locations in Taiwan to go to? Effectively, 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: Finest issues to do in Taipei
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