Taiwan is an absolute gem of a rustic to discover. It’s a very beautiful island nation that’s obtained slightly little bit of one thing for each kind of traveller to expertise. In the event you’re into cities, you’ve obtained some completely vibrant cities like Taipei and the historic capital Tainan. Not solely that, there’s a large swash of completely unspoilt mountain ranges, nationwide parks, and delightful coastlines with among the finest seashores within the area.
Oh, and let’s not overlook 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 automotive, even when the roads may be busy in cities like Taipei! Reality be informed, I’d most likely advocate sticking to the MRT (metro system) and cabs or Uber in larger 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 using the MRT. It’s high quality on the Excessive-Pace Railway—however not the MRT.
You’ll have the simplest time getting round Taiwan! So, that can assist you get essentially the most out of your go to to Taiwan, we’re sharing the most effective 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Tainan is the outdated capital of Taiwan and one metropolis you may’t miss when visiting Taiwan.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 trip from Taipei and a foodie metropolis crammed with evening markets, eating places and funky cafes you may’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 may’t miss when visiting the most effective 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 top places you need to visit in Tainan while you go to. Tainan is superb! You’re going to have the most effective time.
Read more: Best things 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, for those who’re planning on going, e book a switch or tour that may 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 beneath 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 lovely on a transparent day, although all the time be ready for inclement climate within the mountains of Taiwan.
Additionally, a closing notice: lodge decisions within the Alishan Forest space are extra fundamental than in Taipei. There may be a lot much less alternative—lodging are clear however not all the time on the upper finish for those who’re used to the Grand Lodge or Regent Lodge in Taipei (as an illustration).
You possibly can e book tickets for the prepare here.
3.) Formosensis Practice
Departing from the Alishan Township space of Taiwan, the Formosensis Practice (bookable 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 an effective way to discover the broader rural space, with a number of stops in small cities.
We completely liked our prepare trip, and it’s up there as top-of-the-line issues to do in Taiwan that you would be able to’t miss. Ensure to plan effectively upfront – these tickets may be booked rapidly.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
4.) Taipei
In the event you’re visiting Taiwan from a global vacation spot, then it’s most probably that you’ll land within the capital metropolis of Taipei. It’s effectively price spending at the least 2 days here in Taipei, particularly as there’s a lot to see, do, and eat in the city.
From the unimaginable Taipei Night Markets to among the finest speakeasies and bars within the metropolis, Taipei has every thing you possibly can need from a metropolis break.
So, that can assist you get essentially the most out of your visit to Taipei, we’ve created a dedicated post on all the best things to do in Taipei while you go to. Our post deep-dives into all of the spots you may’t miss in your go to and offers 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 adore it.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
5.) Seashores in Taiwan
Taiwan may not instantly come to thoughts, nevertheless it has among the finest seashores within the area, and you may’t miss them whereas exploring the nation.
Now, for my part, among the finest 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 principle island of Taiwan.
At Kenting Baishawan (Google Maps link), 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 overlook about Dongao Seashore (Google Maps link) and Fulong (Google Maps link) 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 overlook 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 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). Many of the tea plantations we visited had been away from the shoreline and on elevated floor with barely much less intense temperatures.
We liked visiting the Lin Yuan Tea Manufacturing facility (Google Maps link), 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 obtained to attempt selecting 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 Previous Road
Round a 50-minute drive from the centre of Taipei (or a 90-minute public transport trip), Jiufen Previous Road is effectively price visiting for those who’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, book 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 right approach to discover for those who’re brief on time. Simply remember to book this tour in advance; 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 Green 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 some of the iconic spots to go to, nevertheless it’s very easy to incorporate on a trip to Tainan—particularly for those who’re within the metropolis for a good few days. Excursions aren’t costly, they usually’re fairly relaxed. One notice 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
Nearly 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 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 Nice 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 Night time Market (Google Maps link), which is effectively price spending a number of hours consuming, ingesting, and chilling! The entire vibe is so pleasant, and we liked the shaved mango ice we had right here.
10.) Yuyupas Cultural Park
Yuyupas Cultural Park (Google Maps link) is simple to go to for those who’re already heading into the mountains or the forest round Alishan Township.
Now, you may marvel what makes it top-of-the-line 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. Nonetheless, 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.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
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