Taiwan is an absolute gem of a rustic to discover. It’s a very gorgeous island nation that’s obtained a bit of little bit of one thing for each sort of traveller to expertise. When you’re into cities, you’ve obtained some completely vibrant cities like Taipei and the historic capital Tainan. Not solely that, there’s a enormous swash of completely unspoilt mountain ranges, nationwide parks, and exquisite coastlines with a few of the greatest seashores within the area.
Oh, and let’s not overlook how straightforward it’s to journey round Taiwan. The high-speed rail system is wonderful. Trains are punctual, clear, and tremendous quick, and we discovered this one of the simplest ways to get between city centres whereas travelling in Taiwan.
It’s additionally tremendous straightforward to hire a automotive, even when the roads might 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 larger cities. A automotive might be extra of a trouble, and the general public transport system is a dream. Oh yeah, be sure that to recollect: completely no consuming or consuming while driving the MRT. It’s high-quality on the Excessive-Pace Railway—however not the MRT.
You’ll have the best time getting round Taiwan! So, that will help 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Tainan is the outdated capital of Taiwan and one metropolis you possibly can’t miss when visiting Taiwan.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 experience from Taipei and a foodie metropolis crammed with 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 underneath 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 will help you get essentially the most out of your time in Tainan, we’ve jotted down all of the prime locations it’s essential go to in Tainan once you go to. Tainan is wonderful! You’re going to have one of the best 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 gorgeous and located within the excessive mountains of Taiwan, which rise about 2,900 meters.
Now, if you happen to’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 last notice: lodge selections within the Alishan Forest space are extra fundamental than in Taipei. There’s a lot much less selection—lodging are clear however not at all times on the upper finish if you happen to’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 Practice
Departing from the Alishan Township space of Taiwan, the Formosensis Practice (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 a couple of stops in small cities.
We completely cherished our practice experience, and it’s up there as among the best issues to do in Taiwan that you could’t miss. Be sure to plan effectively prematurely – these tickets might be booked shortly.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Taipei
4.) Taipei
When you’re visiting Taiwan from a world vacation spot, then it’s more than likely that you’ll land within the capital metropolis of Taipei. It’s effectively value 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 unimaginable Taipei Evening Markets to a few of the greatest speakeasies and bars within the metropolis, Taipei has all the pieces you might need from a metropolis break.
So, that will help you get essentially the most out of your go to to Taipei, we’ve created a devoted put up on all one of the best issues to do in Taipei once you go to. Our put up 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 adore it.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Taipei
5.) Seashores in Taiwan
Taiwan won’t instantly come to thoughts, but it surely has a few of the greatest seashores within the area, and you may’t miss them whereas exploring the nation.
Now, for my part, a few of 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 principle 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 overlook about Dongao Seaside (Google Maps hyperlink) and Fulong (Google Maps hyperlink) seashores, too. They’re gorgeous areas to decelerate and benefit from the pristine shoreline of Taiwan itself.
As at all times, be sure that 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 title 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). Many 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 attempt choosing some tea leaves. The entire space is gorgeous, and it’s simply among the best locations in Taiwan to go to as you enterprise larger 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 effectively value visiting if you happen to’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 best way.
We at all times 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 option to discover if you happen to’re brief on time. Simply remember to 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 by the mangrove waterways that crisscross this space round Tainan.
For my part, the inexperienced tunnel itself isn’t one of the iconic spots to go to, but it surely’s very easy to incorporate on a journey to Tainan—particularly if you happen to’re within the metropolis for a good few days. Excursions aren’t costly, they usually’re fairly relaxed. One notice is that there are not 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 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 a few of the seasonal performances all year long. As at all times, make a remark that performances aren’t in English.
Additionally, be sure that to go to the Nationwide Twain Museum of High-quality Artwork and the Nationwide Museum of Pure Science, each inside Taichung. There’s a small entry price, however it’s not value it.
Within the night, head to the Yizhong Road Evening Market (Google Maps hyperlink), which is effectively value spending a couple of hours consuming, consuming, 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 simple to go to if you happen to’re already heading into the mountains or the forest round Alishan Township.
Now, you would possibly surprise what makes it among the best 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 possibly can 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 keep in mind, no performances are in English. Nonetheless, 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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