Taiwan Things to Do: Top Attractions and Experiences

Quick answer

Focus your trip on the West Coast rail corridor and the East Coast nature reserves. Spend three days in Taipei for the National Palace Museum and night markets, two days in Hualien for Taroko Gorge, and two days in Tainan for historical temples and street food. Use the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) for long-distance travel and an EasyCard for all local buses and MRT trains.

Taiwan itinerary highlights

Taipei and Northern Taiwan

Taipei 101

Located in the Xinyi District, this was the world’s tallest building until 2010. The 89th-floor observatory provides a view of the massive 660-tonne tuned mass damper that protects the tower from typhoons and earthquakes. Purchase tickets at the 5th-floor counter or online to skip the queue. Check the official site for visibility reports before purchasing.

• Best time: One hour before sunset for day and night views.
• Worth it? Yes, for the engineering and layout of the city.
• Skippable? If the weather is foggy or you prefer the free hike up Elephant Mountain.

National Palace Museum

This museum houses over 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artefacts and artworks. Most of the collection was moved from the Forbidden City in Beijing during the Chinese Civil War. Key items include the Jadeite Cabbage and the Meat-shaped Stone. Take the Red Line MRT to Shilin Station, then bus R30.

• Best time: 09:00 at opening to avoid tour groups.
• Worth it? Essential for history enthusiasts.
• Skippable? If you have no interest in ceramics, calligraphy, or imperial history.

Raohe Night Market

Raohe is one of the oldest night markets in Taipei, located near Songshan Station. The entrance is marked by the Ciyou Temple. The primary draw is the Black Pepper Bun (Hujiao Bing), which usually has a long queue at the entrance. Unlike Shilin Market, Raohe follows a single straight path, making it easier to navigate.

• Best time: 18:00 to 20:00.
• Worth it? Best food-to-walking ratio of all Taipei markets.
• Skippable? No, this is a core cultural experience.

Jiufen Old Street

A former gold mining town built into the hills of Ruifang. It is famous for its narrow alleys, tea houses, and views of the Pacific Ocean. Take the 965 or 1062 bus from Taipei. The A-MEI Tea House is the most photographed spot. Note that the stairs are steep and can be slippery in the frequent rain.

• Best time: Late afternoon to see the lanterns lit at dusk.
• Worth it? The architecture and atmosphere are distinct from the city.
• Skippable? Yes, if you dislike heavy crowds in narrow spaces.

Eastern Taiwan

Taroko National Park

Accessible from Hualien via the Taroko Tourist Shuttle Bus or private taxi. The park features marble-walled canyons, the Shakadang Trail, and the Swallow Grotto. The Eternal Spring Shrine is a primary landmark. Wear a helmet in designated areas due to potential rockfalls. Check the park’s official website for trail closures before departing Hualien.

• Best time: Start at 08:00 to complete the main trails before the afternoon rain.
• Worth it? The premier natural attraction in Taiwan.
• Skippable? No.

Central Taiwan and Alishan

Sun Moon Lake

Located in Nantou County, this is the largest body of water in Taiwan. The area is divided into Shuishe and Itashao piers. Rent a bicycle to ride the lakeside path, which is often cited as one of the most beautiful in the world. Use the Shuishe-Itashao ferry to cross the lake for NT$300 for a day pass.

• Best time: Early morning for the mist over the water.
• Worth it? Good for a slower pace and photography.
• Skippable? Yes, if you are short on time as transport from Taichung takes 2 hours.

Alishan National Forest Recreation Area

Famous for the Alishan Forest Railway, ancient cypress trees, and the 'sea of clouds'. To see the sunrise, you must take the early morning train from Alishan Station to Chushan Station. Tickets for the sunrise train should be booked the afternoon before at the station.

• Best time: Overnight stay to catch the 04:30 or 05:00 sunrise train.
• Worth it? For the historic narrow-gauge railway.
• Skippable? If you cannot commit to an overnight stay; a day trip is too rushed.

Southern Taiwan

Tainan Historic Core

Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan. Visit Fort Zeelandia (Anping Fort) and the Chihkan Tower. The city is best known for 'snack food' (Xiao Chi). Visit the Anping District for bean jelly (Douhua) and shrimp rolls, or the Guohua Street area for beef soup and eel noodles.

• Best time: 11:00 to 14:00 for lunch exploration.
• Worth it? Best culinary destination on the island.
• Skippable? No.

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

A massive Buddhist complex in Kaohsiung featuring an 108-metre tall bronze sitting Buddha. The site includes eight Chinese-style pagodas and a main shrine. Entry is free. Take the E02 Harvard Express bus from Zuoying HSR Station; the journey takes 45 minutes.

• Best time: 10:00 to allow time for the vegetarian buffet lunch.
• Worth it? The scale of the architecture is impressive.
• Skippable? If you are not interested in religious sites or modern monuments.

Pier-2 Art Center

A series of abandoned warehouses by the Kaohsiung port converted into art galleries, boutiques, and large-scale outdoor installations. It is accessible via the Kaohsiung Light Rail. The area is flat and walkable, connecting to the Hamasen Railway Cultural Park.

• Best time: Late afternoon for a walk along the harbour.
• Worth it? Showcases Taiwan’s modern creative scene.
• Skippable? Yes, if you prefer traditional sites over contemporary art.

Common mistakes

• Forgetting an EasyCard: You need this for all public transport. Purchase it at any 7-Eleven or FamilyMart for NT$100 and top it up with cash. It works on buses in every city, even those without an MRT.
• Tipping: Tipping is not expected in Taiwan. A 10% service charge is often added to the bill in sit-down restaurants, but no further gratuity is required.
• Buying HSR tickets late: The High Speed Rail offers 'Early Bird' discounts of up to 35% if booked 5-28 days in advance via the official T-EX app.
• Eating on the MRT: Consuming food or water on the Taipei and Kaohsiung MRT systems is strictly prohibited and carries a fine of up to NT$7,500.
• Ignoring the receipt lottery: Every official receipt (Uniform Invoice) is a lottery ticket. Keep them or donate them to the boxes at store exits.

Plan your trip

Journey Planner simplifies your Taiwan logistics by generating a day-by-day itinerary based on your arrival at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). It calculates the exact travel times between the Taipei MRT and the High Speed Rail, provides real-time weather alerts for mountain regions like Alishan, and estimates daily costs for night market dining versus sit-down meals. You will receive a customised packing list that accounts for the humid northern winters and the tropical southern sun.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need cash in Taiwan? Yes. While department stores and the HSR take cards, night markets, small eateries, and temple stalls are cash-only. Always carry at least NT$1,000 to NT$2,000 in physical currency.

Is the tap water safe to drink? Most locals do not drink tap water directly. Use the filtered water dispensers found in all MRT stations, hotels, and temples, or boil tap water first.

How do I get from Taipei to Taroko Gorge? Take the TRA (Taiwan Railways) express train (Puyuma or Taroko Express) from Taipei Main Station to Hualien Station. The journey takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. Book tickets 14 days in advance as they sell out quickly.