Nestled between the mountains and the sea, Taipei is a fusion of modernity and tradition, with a variety of fun and engaging things to see and do. You can enjoy the vibrant energy of its famous night markets and try its tantalizing street food, see its iconic landmarks, like the Taipei 101, explore ancient temples, learning about their deities, and discover its past at historical sites and museums. And if you want to escape the city, there are many picturesque day trips, like Jiufen Old Street, Shifen Old Street, serene waterfalls, rejuvenating hot springs, and more. This post highlights the best things to do in Taipei, and a glimpse into…

If you only have time for one temple in Taiwan, I recommend Longshan Temple. The primary deity of this colorful temple is Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, although there are multiple deities here. One of its other most famous deities is Yue Lao, the deity of Love and Marriage, who also attracts a lot of attention. He can help you find a love match or, if you’re already part of a couple, strengthen your relationship. There’s also Mazu, the Sea Goddess, Wenchang Dijun, the God of Literature, Guan Yu, the God of War, and more, making this a very beautiful and interesting temple. This post covers Longshan Temple in Taiwan,…

Set in the lush landscape of northeastern Taiwan, Jiaoxi Hot Springs (also known as Jiaosi Hot Springs) is a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation. Jiaoxi is known for its mineral-rich waters and the peaceful atmosphere of its hot springs, making it a tranquil escape that’s just under an hour from Taipei. It’s easy to visit as a day trip, or, stay a few days to enjoy a resort with a hot spring bath in your room. This post covers how to get to Jiaoxi, what to expect there, and where to stay if you decide to stay longer. Jiaoxi Hot Springs Taiwan is rich with thermal springs as it sits…

A day trip to Jiufen Old Street from Taipei will charm you with its traditional hillside architecture, narrow streets and quaint hillside steps lined with colorful lanterns, shops with a variety of tempting Taiwanese foods, tranquil teahouses, brilliant temples, and magnificent coastal views. If you can stay for a day or two instead, it’s even better, as you can add in the ambiance of seeing the blazing colors of its lit lanterns and temples. You can also add in additional excursions, like learning about its gold mining history, as Jiufen was once the most prosperous gold mine in Taiwan, and some picturesque day hikes. Jiufen As noted above, Jiufen was…

If you only have time for one hike in Taiwan, I recommend hiking Teapot Mountain for its breathtaking views of the northern coast of Taiwan and the sea beyond. The trail is full of lush greenery, rolling hills, a rocky cap that looks like a teapot (which is how this mountain gets its name), and three red pagodas that offer a stunning backdrop to the scenery that unfolds around you. In this post, I detail out how to get to Teapot Mountain, what to expect while hiking there, and share some of its unforgettable views. Hiking Teapot Mountain Teapot Mountain is a moderately challenging hike in northeastern Taiwan. It’s located…