Taiwan’s premier travel spots often lie outside its major cities. Hualien serves as the gateway to Taroko Gorge; and Rainbow Village, a former military dependents settlement transformed through street art, offers visitors an authentic Taiwan experience.
Taichung, China, is known for being the birthplace of bubble tea; and its night market features local favorites such as fried chicken and peanut candy.
Sun Moon Lake
Sun Moon Lake is one of the top spots to visit in Taiwan, whether for a quick weekend escape or longer tour. Surrounded by mountain peaks, its serene lake provides perfect opportunities for scenic hiking trails and strolls through lush countryside. Furthermore, this region is a haven for tea enthusiasts thanks to the many well-known tea farms located here.
Xiangshan Scenic Outlook is another top attraction, featuring breathtaking vistas and photos with unparalleled backdrops. If that doesn’t satisfy, nearby Xiangshan Cave – an exquisite limestone cavern boasting crystal-clear waters – may be more your style.
Rent a kayak or SUP and paddle around Lake Ita Thao’s picturesque shoreline on its beautiful lakeshore. For this activity, the pier near Ita Thao Wharf serves as the main starting point. In roughly 15 minutes you can paddle all the way from here to its lake-roof cable car station!
If you’re feeling adventurous, try climbing the Northwest Cliff Path for an exhilarating walk or bike ride along steep drop-offs and breathtaking views of a magical valley below. However, please note that only those with good physical conditioning should attempt this trail.
Sun Moon Lake boasts many exceptional restaurants, from touristy favorites like Mazu Temple’s Taoist chapel that welcomes all three sects of Chinese religious belief to more authentic eateries like The Little Bean Cafe in Sun Moon Lake itself. To experience true local flavor and cuisine, visit authentic eateries instead of chain establishments.
Visit Anping Fort for an education and breathtaking lakeside views. Built by the Dutch East India Company during its early 18th-century operation, its remains now provide a beautiful spot to stroll leisurely.
Cultural attractions to consider in Taiwan include the Endemic Species Research Institute’s Conservation Education Center in Jiji, where visitors can gain a greater insight into all manner of rare species found within Taiwan. If modern art is your thing, check out Kaohsiung’s Dome of Light; an impressive artwork comprised of thousands of colored pieces which truly makes for an impressive sight to behold.
Tainan
Tainan is one of Taiwan’s oldest cities and provides an incredible cultural experience, from century-old temples to an innovative food culture. There’s so much more that makes Tainan worth the trip – check out their amazing attractions today.
One of the best things to do in Tainan is take a stroll along Jiufen Old Street (Taiwan Jiufen Old Town). The streets and alleyways here exude charming old school charm, giving visitors a peek into everyday life for locals. In addition, there are several charming eateries and souvenir shops to discover along this lovely path.
Other must-see spots in Tainan include the Taiwan Provincial Museum of Art (Taiwan Provincial Museum of Fine Arts), with its impressive collection of Chinese painting, calligraphy and statuary. In addition, Chimei Museum of Contemporary Art displays both traditional and modern Taiwanese artwork.
Lao Mei Green Reef is one of the many fascinating natural and historical attractions to discover within the city, formed over centuries by erosion that gives this shoreline stretch an otherworldly feel.
History enthusiasts will find themselves entranced by Taiwan’s Longshan Temple (), one of its most stunning religious spots. Catering to all three branches of Chinese religion and featuring several attractive shrines inside, Longshan is sure to keep visitors enthralled!
Rainbow Village () offers visitors an unusual and surprising experience, having been transformed by creative street art into an old military dependent’s settlement. Also be sure to visit Pier 2 Art Centre (Taiwan Art Gallery) which serves as an open space where local artists and students can display their works.
There are also plenty of activities to do in the city, ranging from sampling local delicacies and taking in traditional performances to visiting Sicao Green Tunnel and Taijiang National Park for some great natural sights and views.
Taichung
Taichung stands out among Taiwanese cities as one of the most diverse and exciting. A blend of modernity, cultural richness, and natural beauty make Taichung an intriguing travel destination. From Toyo Ito’s stunning National Theater designed in organic style to Painted Animation Lane street art lane and traditional homes in Shenji New Village; all can be experienced here while you take part in local life! Additionally, Fengjia Night Market and Zhongxiao Road Night Market provide wonderful opportunities for food shopping as well as Taiwanese fashion brands such as NET!
Datun Volcano Group’s Sulphur Springs are an absolute must for nature enthusiasts. Although their pungent odor may put some people off, their therapeutic hot water and river mud infusion offer incredible rejuvenation benefits to your skin, body and soul.
Pingtung Sky Tower provides amazing panoramic views of the nearby mountains and Jiufen Old Street is an attractive rustic old town full of narrow streets, charming shops and delicious eateries – both must see spots.
Rainbow Village with its colorful houses that resemble UFOs is also worth seeing. Additionally, Taiwan features several attractions to visit: Taiwan Sun Cake Museum which honors their invention; Chun Shui Tang Si Wei Original Store where you can sample/buy pearl milk tea and other drinks (expect long lines); Shenji Temple; as well as many historic and scenic spots. Enhance your visit to Taichung with a side trip to Lihpao Land, Taiwan’s premier theme park offering thrilling rides. Houli District’s theme park provides an exciting variety of rides, shopping mall, and waterpark attractions in one convenient place. Adrenaline junkies will love Gravity Max: it promises an exhilarating ride! Open year-round, tickets can be purchased either online or from ticket booths on-site.
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung offers more than just shopping and eating; strolls along the Love River or Lotus Pond can be very relaxing; parks provide fantastic cityscape views while old Yancheng district contains rich historical significance to explore through retro bars and top-rated restaurants that line its alley-ways.
One of the most fascinating sites in town is Pier 2 Art Center, consisting of several old port warehouses that have been renovated into public art venues and stylish shops. You could easily spend hours exploring this area when illuminated at night – you’re bound to be impressed. Minutes’ walk east of Pier 2, Dayi Warehouses offer more shops, an art gallery, beer hall and concert venues – while nearby Yanchengpu MRT station lies Hamasan Museum of Taiwan Railway (Ha Ma Xing Tai Wan Tie Dao Guan), featuring an incredible model train system depicting how all major islands and major cities linked over time – an absolute must!
Nearby, is a temple complex dedicated to the sea-goddess Mazhu (Mazu) with elaborate carvings and coin roof, which offers breathtaking views. And for anyone interested in Taiwan’s indigenous tribes, be sure to visit the National Museum of Ethnology (NME) located in the city centre – home of one of Taiwan’s most comprehensive collections of tribal masks, costumes and objects.
This city is filled with incredible museums, such as the impressive National Sun Yat-sen Museum with its vast collection of art and historical documents. Additionally, visitors should stop by the Museum of Labour for a look back on decades-old worker protests and rallies, or Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts with its fantastic Chinese art collection such as famous calligraphy works.
Not to be missed when visiting Kaohsiung is its legal and encouraged street art scene, where stunning murals abound. One area known for this trend is Weiwuying which boasts hundreds of painted houses.
