Taiwan is an absolute gem of a rustic to discover. It’s a very beautiful island nation that’s obtained a bit of little bit of one thing for each kind of traveller to expertise. If you happen to’re into cities, you’ve obtained 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 among the greatest seashores within the area.
Oh, and let’s not neglect how straightforward 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 straightforward to lease a automotive, even when the roads may be busy in cities like Taipei! Fact be instructed, I’d most likely advocate sticking to the MRT (metro system) and cabs or Uber in greater cities. A automotive may be extra of a trouble, and the general public transport system is a dream. Oh yeah, be certain that 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 simplest time getting round Taiwan! So, that can assist you get probably the most out of your go to to Taiwan, we’re sharing the perfect locations in Taiwan to go to when you arrive. This fashion, you may focus all of your power 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Tainan is the outdated capital of Taiwan and one metropolis you may’t miss when visiting Taiwan. It’s a high-speed prepare experience from Taipei and a foodie metropolis full of night time markets, eating places and funky cafes you may’t miss.
We’ve spent fairly a little bit of time in Tainan, a type of cities that will get underneath your pores and skin.
From the extremely tasty night time markets, temples and mangrove tunnels – it’s a spot you may’t miss when visiting the perfect locations in Taiwan to go to.
So, that can assist you get probably the most out of your time in Tainan, we’ve jotted down all of the prime locations it’s good to go to in Tainan once you go to. Tainan is superb! You’re going to have the perfect time.
Learn extra: Greatest 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, when 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 may comply with 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 prepare (round 20 minutes) that takes you to the dawn spot. It’s stunning on a transparent day, although all the time be ready for inclement climate within the mountains of Taiwan.
Additionally, a last be aware: lodge selections within the Alishan Forest space are extra primary than in Taipei. There may be a lot much less alternative—lodging are clear however not all the time on the upper finish when you’re used to the Grand Lodge or Regent Lodge in Taipei (as an illustration).
You may e book tickets for the prepare 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 prepare 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 just a few stops in small cities.
We completely cherished our prepare experience, and it’s up there as probably the greatest issues to do in Taiwan which you can’t miss. Ensure to plan nicely prematurely – these tickets may be booked shortly.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Taipei
4.) Taipei
If you happen to’re visiting Taiwan from a world vacation spot, then it’s most probably that you’ll land within the capital metropolis of Taipei. It’s nicely value spending at the very 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 among the greatest speakeasies and bars within the metropolis, Taipei has every little thing you can need from a metropolis break.
So, that can assist you get probably the most out of your go to to Taipei, we’ve created a devoted submit on all the perfect issues to do in Taipei once you go to. Our submit deep-dives into all of the spots you may’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: Greatest issues to do in Taipei
5.) Seashores in Taiwan
Taiwan may not instantly come to thoughts, however it has among the greatest seashores within the area, and you may’t miss them whereas exploring the nation.
Now, in my view, among the greatest are on the lesser-developed east coast of Taiwan or the island of Penghu, which is a brief aircraft experience away (or ferry experience 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 beautiful areas to decelerate and benefit from the pristine shoreline of Taiwan itself.
As all the time, be certain that 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 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 title it, Taiwan has it! Not solely is tea drunk abundantly in Taiwan, however there are additionally many tea plantations you may 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 have 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 couple of 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 obtained to strive choosing some tea leaves. The entire space is beautiful, and it’s simply probably the greatest locations in Taiwan to go to as you enterprise greater into the mountains.
7.) Jiufen Outdated Road
Round a 50-minute drive from the centre of Taipei (or a 90-minute public transport experience), Jiufen Outdated Road is nicely value visiting when you’re within the northeast of Taiwan.
As soon as right here, you may 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 way in which.
We all the time 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, 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 solution to discover when you’re brief on time. Simply you should definitely 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 experience 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, however 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 be aware 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 value 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 among the seasonal performances all year long. As all the time, make a remark that performances aren’t in English.
Additionally, be certain that to go to the Nationwide Twain Museum of Fantastic Artwork and the Nationwide Museum of Pure Science, each inside Taichung. There’s a small entry charge, however it’s not value it.
Within the night, head to the Yizhong Road Evening Market (Google Maps hyperlink), which is nicely value 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 when you’re already heading into the mountains or the forest round Alishan Township.
Now, you would possibly marvel what makes it probably the greatest 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 may 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 bear in mind, no performances are in English. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless value 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: Greatest issues to do in Taipei
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