22 Awesome Places to Visit in Taiwan
Taiwan is located in Eastern Asia, off the Southeast coast of China. There are many places to visit in Taiwan, beautiful tourist attractions, festivals to enjoy all year round and Taiwan has the best friendly people, too. Traveling to Taiwan is a budget-friendly trip and also a great country to take pictures in Taiwan!
Read here Taiwan itinerary and things to know before visiting Taiwan!
Taiwan isn’t a popular destination like Thailand and is rarely visited by Western tourists. However, those who visit Taiwan can have fun as well because there are many Taiwan tourist spots to visit- from the beautiful architecture, to unexplored beaches and awesome national parks.
Taiwan is a country like no other – with spending metropolises, and hidden forests competing for your attention, each treating you to stunning scenes and adventures. Read here Kaohsiung tourist spots.
Taiwan is a unique island in Eastern Asia, off the Southeast coast of China. It is known as the “heart of Asia”, since it is packed with thrilling things to do, instagrammable places in Taiwan, beautiful tourist attractions, festivals to enjoy all year round and Taiwan has the best friendly people, too. Traveling to Taiwan is a budget-friendly trip!
Taiwan is a travel destination that is rarely visited by Western tourists. Those who visit Taiwan can have so much fun – from beautiful Taiwanese architecture to unexplored beaches and awesome national parks. Taiwan is a country like no other – with spending metropolises, and hidden forests competing for your attention, each treating you to stunning scenes and adventures.
Read here budget travel in Taiwan and how much do you need per day!
WHERE TO STAY IN KAOHSIUNG
You can find accommodation prices starting from $20-30 USD depending on how much you want to stretch your budget. Luxury hotels in Kaohsiung can cost $100-300 USD for a room if you wish more comfort when visiting Kaohsiung.
Click here to get the best deals via Booking and Agoda
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review
You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included
Best Places to visit Taiwan
1. Taroko National Park
It’s a must-visit Taroko National Park. You can see amazing landscapes and waterfalls and it was one of my favorite of places to visit in Taiwan.
How to visit Taroko National Park? It’s easy and it’s actually for free. You can rent a motorbike and drive you around Taroko National Park.
You will enjoy spending your day in Taroko National Park. If you don’t like riding a motorbike, you can join guided tours around Taroko National Park.
Click here to get your discount booking your tour in Taroko National Park!
2. Kaoshiung
It’s a modern city in Taiwan and from all the places that I visited in Taiwan, it was one of my favorites beside Tainan and Taitung. I liked the vibe in Kaohsiung, modern and not so crowded and cold as Taipei. It’s also a bicycle-friendly city and has a perfect system of transportation to move around.
Also, night markets were really awesome in Kaohsiung. There are a few places that you can visit outside Kaohsiung and we will mention them below, keep reading!
Click here to get a discount booking activities with Klook in Kaohsiung!
3. Wulai
Image from Flickr
Wulai is a mountainous district on the southern part of New Taipei City. This is a must-visit Taiwan Tourist Spot because you can do a lot of things here with enjoyment.
You have to visit The Wulai Atayal Museum which traces the history of indigenous Atayal people, ride the cable car that runs up to the majestic Wulai Waterfall, swim in its hot springs and pools by the Nanshi River, and appreciate nature at Neidong Forest Recreation Area.
Click here to book your tour in Taiwan
4. Kenting National Park
Image from Flickr
Kenting National Park is located in Pingtung County and is Taiwan’s oldest and southernmost national park.
It is one of the famous places to visit in Taiwan because of its tropical climate and sunshine, scenic views on the mountain and the beach, and the Spring Scream rock-band festival held here every March.
Click here to get a discount booking a tour in Kenting with Klook!
Read here how to get from Kaohsiung to Kenting.
5. Lukang
Lukang is a township in Taiwan located in northwestern Changhua County. In 2012, it was one of the Top 10 Small Tourist Towns in Taiwan because of the number of tourists visiting the area.
There are a lot of activities to do in Lukang and this includes visiting temples like Longshan Temple and Matzu Temple, along with other 200 temples in the area.
Tasting their unique cakes is also a must-try. Some of their cake specialties are Lukang Ox Tongue Cakes and Oyster Cakes.
6. Hot Air Balloon Festival
This is one of Taiwan’s fun festivals, which is celebrated for more than a full month! I assisted in Luye Highlands, Taitung. There were 39 unique hot air balloons during the festival such as Christ the Redeemer, Noah’s Ark, Stuart the Minion balloon, and the house from the film “Up.” Taiwan Hot Air Balloon Festivals not just feature the amazing hot air balloons but also some 3D light shows, and live music concerts.
It is celebrated yearly to attract more tourists in the country. If you have the chance to join them, you will love the experience. Plus it’s free walking around and but you will have to pay extra in case you want to ride the hot air balloon and enjoy the views from the top.
Click here to book your tour in Taiwan
7. Tainan
Image from Flickr
For sure, Tainan was one of my favorite places to visit in Taiwan and I had so much fun exploring around here with locals. It’s a bicycle friendly city, with nice restaurants where you can try delicious Taiwanese food. There are also cool bars where you can have have tea and ice cream.
Plus, the beaches were so beautiful and of course you can’t leave Tainan without visiting the night markets.
Read here how to get to Tainan!
Click here to get a discount booking your tour in Tainan with Klook!
8. Hualien
If you visit Taroko National Park, we recommend you to stay a couple of nights in Hualien to explore around and experience the local vibes. It’s only an hour away from Taroko National park. You can visit the beaches and you can even do dolphin and whale watching.
At night, you have to go to Dongdamen night market where you can buy most things for affordable prices and enjoy delicious local food. Read here how to get from Taipei to Hualien.
Click here to get a discount booking your tour in Hualien with Klook!
9. Sun Moon Lake
Image from Flickr
It is considered to be the largest body of water in Taiwan found in Nantou County. The area surrounding Sun Moon Lake is where the Thao Tribe lives, one of the aboriginal tribes in Taiwan. This lake surrounds the tiny island Lalu. It is known that the east side of the lake resembles a sun while the west resembles a moon.
That is why it’s called Sun Moon Lake. Take note that swimming in Sun Moon Lake is prohibited, except during the annual 3-km race called the Swimming Carnival of Sun Moon Lake celebrated around the Mid-Autumn Festival annually.
Read here how to get to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei!
More Places to Visit in Taiwan
10. Taipei 101
Taipei 101 was the world’s tallest building from 2004 to 2010. It is an iconic tower which has ravishing architecture in the center of Taipei. It even has the fastest elevator so you should try that, it goes 90+ stories in just 35 seconds! It is such a beautiful building that allows you to see the nice landscape of Taipei City from the top.
There is Galleria mall in lower levels selling fine products. They simply have bunch of famous shops and store brands which attract millions of tourists each year! Plus, don’t forget to take a selfie from the bottom of the building since it is also a popular thing to do! Read here our Taipei 101 experience!
Click here to get your discount to go to the top of Taipei 101 with klook!
11. Elephant Mountain
Elephant Mountain is the perfect place to see the best views of Taipei. The hike to get to the top will take you 15-20 minutes and everything is indicated properly with signs. Just expect a big crowd since many people visit Elephant Mountain since is one of the most popular spots in Taipei. Read here best Taiwan tourist sim card.
Click here to get a discount booking your activities in Taipei with Klook!
12. National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
One of our favorite places to visit in Taiwan. It’s located in the heart of Taipei City and has become a popular landmark since then. It’s a great place to visit to understand about the history of Taiwan.
World famous musicians have already performed at the National Theater and National Concert Hall which is also one of the purposes of the great building.
Click here to get a discount booking your activities in Taipei with Klook!
13. Jiufen Old Street
Image from Flickr
This is one of the many places in Taiwan where you can try local food, buying souvenirs. Jiufen Old Street is the most prosperous shopping district so if you love shopping like Rachel does, you have to stay for a day or two here to enjoy the experience!
Read here how to get to Jiufen!
Click here to get your discount booking your tour to Jiufen with Klook!
14. Shilin Night Market
Image from Flickr
This market is one of the largest and most popular night markets in Taiwan. If you are like Rachel who loves shopping, you’ll enjoy this place!
There are a lot of things to buy here, from food, clothes, shoes, and many other stuff. These things are either local or international. It’s just 70 meters away from MRT Jiantan Station so it’s accessible.
Click here to get a discount booking your activities in Taipei with Klook!
15. Yushan National Park
image from Flickr
The highest peak of this national park is at Yushan Mountain, thus the name. You can trek in Yushan Mountain and at the peak, you’ll witness a breathtaking view!
Trekking this mountain can be done in a few hours and you’ll definitely fall in love with what’s waiting for you at the top! Just remember to bring your own snacks and drinks as there are no stores around.
16. Alishan Mountain View
Alishan National Park is located in Chiayi County in Taiwan. It is a magical place because of the activities you can do here such as watching the beautiful sunset and sunrise, relax, trek, or just reconnecting with nature. The entrance fee to this national park is around $5 USD.
17. Ba Yan Wild Hotsprings in Yangmingshan National Park
Image from Flickr
It is one of the 9 national parks in Taiwan, located between Taipei and New Taipei City. There are mountains here, as well as volcanic geography and hot springs, making it a summer destination for both locals and tourists. It’s truly a beautiful urban garden that you can go to if you want to experience nature even in the city!
One of the hot spring here is the Ba Yan Ye Xi Hot Spring, a hidden wild hot spring in Yangmingshan National Park. You can take a dip here and relax. Just wear proper swimming attire and expect it to be busy especially on the weekends. So we recommend you to visit during weekdays!
Click here to get a discount booking your tour with Klook!
18. Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in Kaoshiung
Like what we said earlier, Kaohsiung has a lot to offer, and one of which is the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. This pair of connected temples is built in 1976, and it got the name because of the two temples resembling a tiger and a dragon.
This 7-story tower with colorful exterior is a great place to visit in Kaohsiung and is said to reflect the traditional Kaohsiung culture. Read here how to get to Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung.
Read here how to get from Kaohsiung airport to city center!
19. Rainbow Village
It is a village in Nantun District, Taichung City that is unique because of the colorful houses here, thus, the name. All of the paintings in this village are painted by Grandpa Rainbow, Mr. Huang Yung-Fu. Tourists come and visit this to take pictures because of its fun, vibrant vibes. Have you ever been in Rainbow Village?
20. Formosa Boulevard MRT Station in Kaohsiung
Image from Flickr
Formosa Boulevard Station was remodeled and it became one of the most popular places in Kaohsiung. This station is known for the “Dome of Light”, which is the largest glasswork in the world designed by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata.
The Dome of Light is just a beautiful sight to see because it’s made from individual pieces of colored glass that really look awesome in pictures!
Click here to get a discount booking a tour in Kaohsiung with Klook!
21. Penghu
Penghu is the second smallest county in Taiwan and is also called Pescadores Islands. It is an archipelago with 90 islands and islets that amaze tourists. Swimming and diving are not the only things to do here.
You can visit a lot of Taiwan tourist spots in Penghu such as Central Street, Mazu Temple, South Penghu Marine National Park Penghu Chang Yu-sheng Memorial Museum, Qimei Lighthouse, Siyu Eastern Fort, Jinguitou Fortress, Chuwan Crab Museum, Ocean Resources Museum and Siyu Western Fort.
Click here to get your discount booking a tour in Penghu with Klook!
22. Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Image from Wikimedia
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum is famous because the 108-meter high Fo Guang Big Buddha, or the tallest sitting bronze Buddha statue in the world, is situated here. There are also other attractions like the children’s gallery and pagodas. There’s also a prayer service, and Tea Chan at the Twin Pavilions, and religious relics. It’s a few kilometers outside Kaohsiung!
Read here how to get to Fo Guang Shan Monastery!
Which of these places to visit in Taiwan you love the most? Please share this guide with your friends so you can enjoy Taiwan together and it will help us a lot. 🙂
Thanks for supporting us and happy travels!
Best Places to visit Taiwan
1. Taroko National Park
It’s a must-visit Taroko National Park. You can see amazing landscapes and waterfalls and it was one of my favorite of places to visit in Taiwan.
How to visit Taroko National Park? It’s easy and it’s actually for free. You can rent a motorbike and drive you around Taroko National Park.
You will enjoy spending your day in Taroko National Park. If you don’t like riding a motorbike, you can join guided tours around Taroko National Park.
Click here to get your discount booking your tour in Taroko National Park!
2. Kaoshiung
It’s a modern city in Taiwan and from all the places that I visited in Taiwan, it was one of my favorites beside Tainan and Taitung. I liked the vibe in Kaohsiung, modern and not so crowded and cold as Taipei. It’s also a bicycle-friendly city and has a perfect system of transportation to move around.
Also, night markets were really awesome in Kaohsiung. There are a few places that you can visit outside Kaohsiung and we will mention them below, keep reading!
Click here to get a discount booking activities with Klook in Kaohsiung!
3. Wulai
Image from Flickr
Wulai is a mountainous district on the southern part of New Taipei City. This is a must-visit Taiwan Tourist Spot because you can do a lot of things here with enjoyment.
You have to visit The Wulai Atayal Museum which traces the history of indigenous Atayal people, ride the cable car that runs up to the majestic Wulai Waterfall, swim in its hot springs and pools by the Nanshi River, and appreciate nature at Neidong Forest Recreation Area.
Click here to book your tour in Taiwan
4. Kenting National Park
Image from Flickr
Kenting National Park is located in Pingtung County and is Taiwan’s oldest and southernmost national park.
It is one of the famous places to visit in Taiwan because of its tropical climate and sunshine, scenic views on the mountain and the beach, and the Spring Scream rock-band festival held here every March.
Click here to get a discount booking a tour in Kenting with Klook!
Read here how to get from Kaohsiung to Kenting.
5. Lukang
Lukang is a township in Taiwan located in northwestern Changhua County. In 2012, it was one of the Top 10 Small Tourist Towns in Taiwan because of the number of tourists visiting the area.
There are a lot of activities to do in Lukang and this includes visiting temples like Longshan Temple and Matzu Temple, along with other 200 temples in the area.
Tasting their unique cakes is also a must-try. Some of their cake specialties are Lukang Ox Tongue Cakes and Oyster Cakes.
6. Hot Air Balloon Festival
This is one of Taiwan’s fun festivals, which is celebrated for more than a full month! I assisted in Luye Highlands, Taitung. There were 39 unique hot air balloons during the festival such as Christ the Redeemer, Noah’s Ark, Stuart the Minion balloon, and the house from the film “Up.” Taiwan Hot Air Balloon Festivals not just feature the amazing hot air balloons but also some 3D light shows, and live music concerts.
It is celebrated yearly to attract more tourists in the country. If you have the chance to join them, you will love the experience. Plus it’s free walking around and but you will have to pay extra in case you want to ride the hot air balloon and enjoy the views from the top.
Click here to book your tour in Taiwan
7. Tainan
Image from Flickr
For sure, Tainan was one of my favorite places to visit in Taiwan and I had so much fun exploring around here with locals. It’s a bicycle friendly city, with nice restaurants where you can try delicious Taiwanese food. There are also cool bars where you can have have tea and ice cream.
Plus, the beaches were so beautiful and of course you can’t leave Tainan without visiting the night markets.
Read here how to get to Tainan!
Click here to get a discount booking your tour in Tainan with Klook!
8. Hualien
If you visit Taroko National Park, we recommend you to stay a couple of nights in Hualien to explore around and experience the local vibes. It’s only an hour away from Taroko National park. You can visit the beaches and you can even do dolphin and whale watching.
At night, you have to go to Dongdamen night market where you can buy most things for affordable prices and enjoy delicious local food. Read here how to get from Taipei to Hualien.
Click here to get a discount booking your tour in Hualien with Klook!
9. Sun Moon Lake
Image from Flickr
It is considered to be the largest body of water in Taiwan found in Nantou County. The area surrounding Sun Moon Lake is where the Thao Tribe lives, one of the aboriginal tribes in Taiwan. This lake surrounds the tiny island Lalu. It is known that the east side of the lake resembles a sun while the west resembles a moon.
That is why it’s called Sun Moon Lake. Take note that swimming in Sun Moon Lake is prohibited, except during the annual 3-km race called the Swimming Carnival of Sun Moon Lake celebrated around the Mid-Autumn Festival annually.
Read here how to get to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei!
More Places to Visit in Taiwan
10. Taipei 101
Taipei 101 was the world’s tallest building from 2004 to 2010. It is an iconic tower which has ravishing architecture in the center of Taipei. It even has the fastest elevator so you should try that, it goes 90+ stories in just 35 seconds! It is such a beautiful building that allows you to see the nice landscape of Taipei City from the top.
There is Galleria mall in lower levels selling fine products. They simply have bunch of famous shops and store brands which attract millions of tourists each year! Plus, don’t forget to take a selfie from the bottom of the building since it is also a popular thing to do! Read here our Taipei 101 experience!
Click here to get your discount to go to the top of Taipei 101 with klook!
11. Elephant Mountain
Elephant Mountain is the perfect place to see the best views of Taipei. The hike to get to the top will take you 15-20 minutes and everything is indicated properly with signs. Just expect a big crowd since many people visit Elephant Mountain since is one of the most popular spots in Taipei. Read here best Taiwan tourist sim card.
Click here to get a discount booking your activities in Taipei with Klook!
12. National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
One of our favorite places to visit in Taiwan. It’s located in the heart of Taipei City and has become a popular landmark since then. It’s a great place to visit to understand about the history of Taiwan.
World famous musicians have already performed at the National Theater and National Concert Hall which is also one of the purposes of the great building.
Click here to get a discount booking your activities in Taipei with Klook!
13. Jiufen Old Street
Image from Flickr
This is one of the many places in Taiwan where you can try local food, buying souvenirs. Jiufen Old Street is the most prosperous shopping district so if you love shopping like Rachel does, you have to stay for a day or two here to enjoy the experience!
Read here how to get to Jiufen!
Click here to get your discount booking your tour to Jiufen with Klook!
14. Shilin Night Market
Image from Flickr
This market is one of the largest and most popular night markets in Taiwan. If you are like Rachel who loves shopping, you’ll enjoy this place!
There are a lot of things to buy here, from food, clothes, shoes, and many other stuff. These things are either local or international. It’s just 70 meters away from MRT Jiantan Station so it’s accessible.
Click here to get a discount booking your activities in Taipei with Klook!
15. Yushan National Park
image from Flickr
The highest peak of this national park is at Yushan Mountain, thus the name. You can trek in Yushan Mountain and at the peak, you’ll witness a breathtaking view!
Trekking this mountain can be done in a few hours and you’ll definitely fall in love with what’s waiting for you at the top! Just remember to bring your own snacks and drinks as there are no stores around.
16. Alishan Mountain View
Alishan National Park is located in Chiayi County in Taiwan. It is a magical place because of the activities you can do here such as watching the beautiful sunset and sunrise, relax, trek, or just reconnecting with nature. The entrance fee to this national park is around $5 USD.
17. Ba Yan Wild Hotsprings in Yangmingshan National Park
Image from Flickr
It is one of the 9 national parks in Taiwan, located between Taipei and New Taipei City. There are mountains here, as well as volcanic geography and hot springs, making it a summer destination for both locals and tourists. It’s truly a beautiful urban garden that you can go to if you want to experience nature even in the city!
One of the hot spring here is the Ba Yan Ye Xi Hot Spring, a hidden wild hot spring in Yangmingshan National Park. You can take a dip here and relax. Just wear proper swimming attire and expect it to be busy especially on the weekends. So we recommend you to visit during weekdays!
Click here to get a discount booking your tour with Klook!
18. Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in Kaoshiung
Like what we said earlier, Kaohsiung has a lot to offer, and one of which is the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. This pair of connected temples is built in 1976, and it got the name because of the two temples resembling a tiger and a dragon.
This 7-story tower with colorful exterior is a great place to visit in Kaohsiung and is said to reflect the traditional Kaohsiung culture. Read here how to get to Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung.
Read here how to get from Kaohsiung airport to city center!
19. Rainbow Village
It is a village in Nantun District, Taichung City that is unique because of the colorful houses here, thus, the name. All of the paintings in this village are painted by Grandpa Rainbow, Mr. Huang Yung-Fu. Tourists come and visit this to take pictures because of its fun, vibrant vibes. Have you ever been in Rainbow Village?
20. Formosa Boulevard MRT Station in Kaohsiung
Image from Flickr
Formosa Boulevard Station was remodeled and it became one of the most popular places in Kaohsiung. This station is known for the “Dome of Light”, which is the largest glasswork in the world designed by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata.
The Dome of Light is just a beautiful sight to see because it’s made from individual pieces of colored glass that really look awesome in pictures!
Click here to get a discount booking a tour in Kaohsiung with Klook!
21. Penghu
Penghu is the second smallest county in Taiwan and is also called Pescadores Islands. It is an archipelago with 90 islands and islets that amaze tourists. Swimming and diving are not the only things to do here.
You can visit a lot of Taiwan tourist spots in Penghu such as Central Street, Mazu Temple, South Penghu Marine National Park Penghu Chang Yu-sheng Memorial Museum, Qimei Lighthouse, Siyu Eastern Fort, Jinguitou Fortress, Chuwan Crab Museum, Ocean Resources Museum and Siyu Western Fort.
Click here to get your discount booking a tour in Penghu with Klook!
22. Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Image from Wikimedia
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum is famous because the 108-meter high Fo Guang Big Buddha, or the tallest sitting bronze Buddha statue in the world, is situated here. There are also other attractions like the children’s gallery and pagodas. There’s also a prayer service, and Tea Chan at the Twin Pavilions, and religious relics. It’s a few kilometers outside Kaohsiung!
Read here how to get to Fo Guang Shan Monastery!
Which of these places to visit in Taiwan you love the most? Please share this guide with your friends so you can enjoy Taiwan together and it will help us a lot. 🙂
Thanks for supporting us and happy travels!
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.
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