Taiwan is an absolute gem of a rustic to discover. It’s a completely beautiful island nation that’s acquired just a little little bit of one thing for each kind of traveller to expertise. For those who’re into cities, you’ve acquired 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 delightful coastlines with a number of the greatest seashores within the area.
Oh, and let’s not overlook how simple it’s to journey round Taiwan. The high-speed rail system is wonderful. 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 could be busy in cities like Taipei! Fact be advised, I’d most likely suggest sticking to the MRT (metro system) and cabs or Uber in greater cities. A automobile could be extra of a problem, and the general public transport system is a dream. Oh yeah, make certain to recollect: completely no consuming or ingesting while driving the MRT. It’s positive on the Excessive-Velocity Railway—however not the MRT.
You’ll have the best time getting round Taiwan! So, that can assist 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 possibly can focus all of your power on having enjoyable, with out being slowed down within the planning phases when you’re there.
1.) Tainan
Tainan is the outdated capital of Taiwan and one metropolis you possibly can’t miss when visiting Taiwan.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 one of the best 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 of the high locations you should go to in Tainan if you go to. Tainan is wonderful! 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 among 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, 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 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, e book the pre-sunrise practice (round 20 minutes) that takes you to the dawn spot. It’s stunning on a transparent day, although at all times be ready for inclement climate within the mountains of Taiwan.
Additionally, a ultimate word: 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 at all times on the upper finish in the event you’re used to the Grand Resort or Regent Resort in Taipei (as an illustration).
You’ll be able to 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 a good way to discover the broader rural space, with just a few stops in small cities.
We completely cherished our practice trip, and it’s up there as top-of-the-line issues to do in Taiwan you could’t miss. Make sure that to plan properly upfront – these tickets could be booked shortly.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Taipei
4.) Taipei
For those who’re visiting Taiwan from a global vacation spot, then it’s most definitely that you’ll land within the capital metropolis of Taipei. It’s properly price spending not less than 2 days right here in Taipei, particularly as there’s a lot to see, do, and eat within the metropolis.
From the unbelievable Taipei Evening Markets to a number of the greatest speakeasies and bars within the metropolis, Taipei has all the things you might 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 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 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 find it irresistible.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Taipei
5.) Seashores in Taiwan
Taiwan may not instantly come to thoughts, nevertheless it has a number of the greatest seashores within the area, and you may’t miss them whereas exploring the nation.
Now, in my view, a number 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 untouched, and the water is so good and heat. Additionally, don’t overlook 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, make certain to pack loads of SPF. The solar could be very robust in Taiwan, particularly on a transparent day.
Oh, and don’t overlook about Yehliu Geopark, too. It’s stunning, 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 identify 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 cherished 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 acquired to attempt choosing some tea leaves. The entire space is beautiful, and it’s simply top-of-the-line locations in Taiwan to go to as you enterprise increased into the mountains.
7.) Jiufen Outdated Road
Round a 50-minute drive from the centre of Taipei (or a 90-minute public transport trip), Jiufen Outdated Road 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 at all times suggest 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, e book this Juifen tour that can take you from Taipei, proper to the guts of Jiufen.
It makes all of it really easy and is the proper approach to discover in the event you’re brief on time. Simply you’ll want to e book this tour upfront; tickets promote out quick at peak occasions.
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 way of the mangrove waterways that crisscross this space round Tainan.
In my view, the inexperienced tunnel itself isn’t one of the crucial iconic spots to go to, nevertheless it’s very easy to incorporate on a journey 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 word is that there aren’t 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 facet 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 number of the seasonal performances all year long. As at all times, make a remark that performances aren’t in English.
Additionally, make certain to go to the Nationwide Twain Museum of Superb Artwork and the Nationwide Museum of Pure Science, each inside Taichung. There’s a small entry charge, however it isn’t price it.
Within the night, head to the Yizhong Road Evening Market (Google Maps hyperlink), which is properly price spending just a few hours consuming, ingesting, and chilling! The entire vibe is so pleasant, and we cherished the shaved mango ice we had right here.
10.) Yuyupas Cultural Park
Yuyupas Cultural Park (Google Maps hyperlink) is straightforward 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 top-of-the-line 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 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. Nonetheless, 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
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