Things to Do in Taiwan: Experiences, Places, and Itinerary Ideas

Taiwan is an island where modern cities meet mountain forests, bustling night markets, and soothing hot springs. If you are looking for the best things to do in Taiwan, the secret is to match your trip to your personal style. You can ride high-speed trains down the western corridor in a few hours, hike through marble gorges, or sample street food in the heart of Taipei.

The Best Things to Do in Taiwan at a Glance

Planning a trip starts with knowing what experiences fit your schedule. This quick reference table highlights the top activities across the island, how much time they require, and who they suit best.

Check official local tourism notices for operating hours and seasonal trail conditions before visiting any nature reserves.

Explore Taipei’s Landmarks, Neighborhoods, and Food

Taipei is the capital city and the easiest entry point for your adventure. It offers a public transit system that makes getting around simple for travelers of any age.

See Taipei from Taipei 101 and Elephant Mountain

Taipei 101’s tiered, segmented form is widely associated with bamboo and traditional Chinese design symbolism, defining the city skyline. You can buy a ticket to ride up to the indoor and outdoor observation decks, where Taipei 101’s observatory elevator travels at about 1,010 metres per minute and reaches the 89th-floor observatory in approximately 37 seconds. Visitors should confirm current access to indoor and outdoor viewing areas before visiting.

If you prefer an outdoor view, hike up nearby Elephant Mountain instead. This short but steep set of stone stairs leads to a platform that looks directly over Taipei 101 and the city basin.

Visit Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Longshan Temple

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall features a massive white building with a blue tile roof set inside a public plaza. A guard-changing ceremony is traditionally held at regular intervals, but visitors should check the memorial hall’s current schedule before relying on it.

Longshan Temple is a spiritual heart of the city where locals pray and burn incense. Dress modestly and speak quietly when visiting active places of worship to show proper respect.

Choose a Taipei Night Market

Taiwan’s night markets generally operate in the evening, but visitors should check the specific market’s current schedule. Raohe Street Night Market is known for foods including pepper buns and herbal pork rib soup. Shilin is one of Taipei’s largest and most extensive night-market areas, offering extensive corridors of snacks, games, and shopping. Ningxia is particularly known for traditional Taiwanese snacks like fried taro balls and oyster omelettes.

Walk Ximending, Dadaocheng, and Dihua Street

Ximending is a youthful pedestrian district filled with street performers, quirky shops, and bright neon lights. A short metro ride away, Dadaocheng and Dihua Street offer a glimpse into old Taipei. Historic brick storefronts here sell dried fruits, herbal medicines, and fine teas alongside modern independent coffee shops.

Add the National Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum displays a major collection of Chinese art and artifacts, including jade, ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, and objects associated with imperial collections. Many visitors spend several hours exploring the vast galleries.

Take the Best Day Trips from Taipei

Jiufen for Tea Houses, Alleys, and Mountain Views

Jiufen is a historic mountainside village known for its narrow lantern-lit staircases and ocean views. Jiufen is often associated by visitors with the visual atmosphere of Spirited Away, although a direct official inspiration link should not be claimed, and the town is famous for its taro balls and traditional tea houses. Expect large crowds on weekends, so arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon offers a much better experience.

Shifen for Waterfalls, Rail Scenery, and Lanterns

Shifen sits in a lush valley where the Pingxi railway passes through Shifen Old Street, with shops and lantern activities located close to the tracks. Visitors can write wishes on sky lanterns and release them through licensed local operators, subject to weather and local safety rules. A short walk through nature leads you to Shifen Waterfall, one of Taiwan’s best-known waterfalls and is sometimes nicknamed “Taiwan’s Niagara.”

Yehliu Geopark for Coastal Geology

Yehliu Geopark is a coastal geological area where erosion has shaped sedimentary rock into formations such as mushroom rocks and the Queen’s Head. Waves have sculpted the rock into bizarre shapes that look like honeycombs and candles. The Queen’s Head is a popular photo point; queues and access may vary, so follow current park instructions.

Beitou, Wulai, and Yangmingshan for Hot Springs and Hiking

Beitou is a volcanic valley inside Taipei city limits known for its sulfur hot springs and public bathhouses. Wulai offers a mountain village experience with hot springs, an indigenous waterfall, and the Wulai Scenic Train. Yangmingshan has volcanic landscapes, fumaroles, hot springs, and hiking trails; access and conditions vary by site, featuring seasonal cherry blossoms.

• Checklist for Taipei Day Trips:
  • Choose Jiufen for tea and photography.
  • Choose Shifen for lantern lighting and waterfalls.
  • Choose Yehliu for ocean views and strange rock formations.
  • Choose Beitou for an easy urban hot spring bath.

Experience Taiwan’s Mountains, Lakes, and East Coast

Visit Taroko National Park Only After Checking Current Access

Taroko Gorge is a marble canyon shaped by the Liwu River, tectonic uplift, erosion, and weathering. Because earthquakes and heavy rains frequently affect the region, park access changes often. Always check official national park notices before planning a trip to see which trails, roads, and tunnels are open. Qingshui Cliffs may provide an alternative coastal viewpoint, but check current road, viewpoint, and weather conditions before travelling.

Cycle or Cruise Around Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is a calm body of water nestled in the central mountains; the lake’s traditional name refers to the different shapes associated with its northern and southern sections, commonly compared with the sun and a crescent moon. You can rent a bicycle to ride along parts of the lakeside path, as the Sun Moon Lake cycling route has received international tourism and cycling recognition. Scheduled sightseeing boats connect several piers around the lake, including areas near major temples and viewpoints. Confirm current routes and operating times.

Watch Sunrise and Explore the Forests of Alishan

Alishan is a high-altitude mountain resort famous for its ancient cypress trees and misty mornings. Visitors can sometimes take the Alishan Forest Railway’s Zhushan line toward sunrise viewpoints, subject to the current timetable, weather, and railway operations to watch the sunrise break over a sea of clouds. An overnight stay is often more comfortable and gives visitors a better chance of seeing sunrise, especially when travelling from Taipei or other distant cities.

Explore Hualien, Taitung, and the East Rift Valley

The eastern side of Taiwan offers a slower pace of life, wide valleys, and deep indigenous roots. Hualien and Taitung include many Indigenous communities and cultural sites; seek community-led experiences and identify the specific community or cultural organization involved. Taitung and the East Rift Valley feature hot springs, organic rice fields, and quiet coastal roads for travelers who want to escape the crowded cities and enjoy wide-open rural scenery.

Discover Taiwan’s Food, Tea, and Temple Culture

Eat Beyond the Famous Night Markets

Taiwanese food culture goes far beyond evening street snacks. Start your morning with a traditional breakfast of flaky egg pancakes, savory soy milk, and steamed pork buns. Try a steaming bowl of beef noodle soup for lunch at a local neighborhood shop. In southern cities like Tainan, try regional favorites like sweet shrimp rice and milkfish soup. Vegetarian travelers will find choices at local vegetarian buffet restaurants and temple-run eateries.

Visit Tea-Growing Areas and Tea Houses

Taiwan is internationally known for high-quality oolong teas, including high-mountain oolong, Dong Ding, Baozhong, and Oriental Beauty. You can ride a gondola cable car up to the Maokong hills right outside Taipei to sip tea while looking down at the city lights. Alishan and Pinglin are well-known tea-growing areas with mountain tea farms; harvesting and processing methods vary by producer.

Learn Temple Etiquette

Temples in Taiwan are active places of worship that welcome respectful visitors. Wear modest clothing, follow posted instructions, avoid interrupting worship, and do not step directly on temple thresholds where local etiquette advises against it. When burning incense, hold the sticks with both hands and bow slightly toward the altars.

Seek Local and Indigenous Cultural Experiences Responsibly

Taiwan officially recognizes 16 Indigenous peoples with unique languages, weaving traditions, and music. Support community-led cultural centers and museums that share authentic history rather than treating indigenous traditions as mere tourist shows.

Travel South for Historic Cities, Art, and Beaches

Explore Tainan’s Historic Streets and Food Culture

Tainan is widely regarded as Taiwan’s oldest city and served as an important historical capital, packed with hundreds of ornate temples and hidden alleyways. Tainan is widely celebrated for its historic food culture and regional specialties. Spend a day exploring the Anping Fort area, old merchant houses, and tree-roots tangled around abandoned brick walls at the Anping Tree House.

Experience Taichung’s Cafés, Markets, and Cultural Spaces

Taichung is a bustling central city known for its creative art districts, wide boulevards, and independent coffee shops. Many travelers stop here to visit the National Taichung Theater or take a short trip out to the colorful Rainbow Village.

Visit Kaohsiung’s Harbor and Creative Districts

Kaohsiung is a sunny southern port city featuring a massive modern waterfront and public art spaces. The Pier-2 Art Center transforms old brick shipping warehouses into galleries, workshops, and massive outdoor murals. Take a short ferry ride across the harbor to Cijin for beaches, coastal views, seafood, cycling, and harbor scenery.

Relax in Kenting or Visit Taiwan’s Offshore Islands

Kenting National Park has tropical coastal scenery, beaches, marine environments, and coral-reef-related landscapes; conditions vary by season and weather. If you want to visit offshore islands like Green Island, Xiaoliuqiu, or Penghu, these islands are popular for diving, snorkeling, and marine-life encounters, but visibility and conditions vary.

Choose Things to Do by Traveler Type

Every traveler has different goals, energy levels, and companions. This comparison guide helps you pick the right activities for your group.

Match Taiwan Activities to Your Trip Length

Three Days in Taiwan

Three days is short, so stay entirely in Taipei. Spend your first day exploring Ximending, Longshan Temple, and Raohe Street Night Market. Dedicate your second day to a day trip to Jiufen and Shifen. Use your final day to visit Taipei 101 and the National Palace Museum before heading home.

Five Days in Taiwan

Five days lets you add a second destination outside the capital. Spend three days exploring Taipei and its northern coast. Take the High Speed Rail to Taichung, then transfer onward to Sun Moon Lake or visit the historic streets of Tainan for an overnight stay.

Seven Days in Taiwan

A seven-day trip allows for a west-and-central Taiwan highlights route.

• First-Time Highlights Route: Taipei (3 days) $\rightarrow$ Sun Moon Lake (1 day) $\rightarrow$ Alishan (1 day) $\rightarrow$ Kaohsiung (2 days).
• Slower Food-and-Culture Route: Taipei (3 days) $\rightarrow$ Taichung (1 day) $\rightarrow$ Tainan (2 days) $\rightarrow$ Kaohsiung (1 day).

Ten to Fourteen Days in Taiwan

Two weeks can allow a broad island itinerary, but a full circuit may still feel rushed if it includes the east coast, mountains, islands, and southern Taiwan. Travel from Taipei down the east coast to Hualien and Taitung, cross through the southern landscapes of Kenting, explore Tainan and Kaohsiung on the west coast, and finish with a mountain retreat in Alishan.

Practical Taiwan Travel Tips Before You Go

• Public Transport: EasyCards are available at many MRT stations, convenience stores, and designated sales points; confirm the specific card type and purchase location. EasyCard works on Taipei Metro and many buses, and it can be used at participating transport services and stores. Check current acceptance rules for regional rail services.
• Trains: THSR provides fast service between major western-corridor cities; journey times vary by station pair and service. Use regular Taiwan Railways (TRA) trains for local stops and east-coast travel.
• Money: While major hotels and chain stores accept credit cards, carry some New Taiwan dollars because some small vendors and markets may not accept international cards or mobile payments.
• Weather and Safety: Summer months bring high heat, heavy rain, and occasional typhoons. Always check official sources, such as Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration and relevant park, road, or transport notices, before heading into mountain regions or national parks.
• Connectivity: Pick up a tourist SIM card or portable Wi-Fi device at the airport so you can use navigation apps and translation tools anywhere on the island.

Common Taiwan Travel Mistakes to Avoid

• Overloading a short itinerary: Trying to visit Taipei, Hualien, Alishan, and Kenting in a single week leaves you spending all your time on trains. Pick two or three regions max.
• Treating east-coast travel as a quick side trip: Mountain ranges separate Taiwan’s east and west coasts, meaning travel between them takes longer than expected.
• Assuming Taroko access is unchanged: Always verify current park openings online before planning a trip to Hualien.
• Visiting Jiufen at peak midday: Arrive early in the morning or near sunset to avoid overwhelming crowds in the narrow alleyways.
• Forgetting cash for small vendors: Many of the best street food stalls and night market vendors do not accept credit cards or digital payments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Taiwan

What are the best things to do in Taiwan for first-time visitors?

First-time visitors should start by exploring Taipei’s neon-lit night markets, riding the elevator up Taipei 101, and taking a day trip to the historic mountain village of Jiufen. Mixing urban sightseeing with a currently accessible nature destination provides a well-rounded introduction to the island.

How many days do you need in Taiwan?

Seven days is enough for a focused first trip, but the best route depends on whether you prioritize Taipei, food, mountains, the east coast, or the south. This gives you enough time to experience Taipei, visit a scenic mountain or lake destination, and explore southern cultural hubs like Tainan.

What are the best things to do in Taipei?

Top activities in Taipei include shopping in Ximending, admiring ancient artifacts at the National Palace Museum, praying at Longshan Temple, and sampling pepper buns at Raohe Street Night Market. You can also hike up Elephant Mountain for free panoramic views of the city skyline.

What are the best day trips from Taipei?

Commonly recommended day trips from Taipei include Jiufen for its tea houses and mountain views, Shifen for waterfall walks and lantern releases, and Yehliu Geopark for coastal rock formations. Beitou is also an easy choice if you want to experience natural hot springs.

Is Taroko Gorge open?

Taroko Gorge experiences frequent trail closures and road restrictions due to seismic activity and weather conditions. You must check the official Taroko National Park website for current access updates and safety alerts before planning your visit.

Can you travel around Taiwan by train?

Taiwan has an extensive railway network that includes THSR, Taiwan Railway, metro systems, and local rail lines. THSR serves the western corridor, while Taiwan Railway and road transport serve many east-coast and regional destinations.

What food should you try in Taiwan?

Must-try foods include beef noodle soup, xiao long bao soup dumplings, scallion egg pancakes, and crispy fried chicken cutlets. Do not miss local night-market snacks like oyster omelettes and bubble tea.

Is Taiwan good for families with children?

Taiwan is often considered convenient for family travel because of its urban transit, family attractions, and extensive convenience-store and healthcare infrastructure. Kids love the interactive exhibits at science museums, the easy gondola rides up to Maokong, the sprawling Taipei Zoo, and the pedestrian spaces found throughout the cities.

Official Sources and Current-Status Links

• Taiwan Tourism Administration
• Taroko National Park
• Taiwan High Speed Rail
• Taiwan Railway Corporation
• Taipei Metro

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