
Taiwan Travel Guide
My travel guide for Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, covers my insights on the top places to visit, what to expect, how to get around, safety, scams, logistics, and more to help you plan your visit.
Top Attractions In Taiwan
Taipei
Taipei is Tawian’s capital. Nestled between the sea and the mountains, it offers a unique blend of modernity and traditional Taiwanese culture. From the iconic Taipei 101, a symbol of national pride in its skyline, to the more the traditional architecture and brilliant colors of its best temples, like Longshan and Baoan Temple, and exploring one of its oldest streets, Dihua Old Street, lined with well-preserved mansions-turned ancient Chinese herb stores and souvenir shops, there’s a lot to discover here.

Taipei is also renowned for its many bustling night markets, where you can try a variety of Taiwanese treats, like the Fuzhou black pepper buns (below right), Good Friend cold noodles, or stinky tofu. Make sure to visit at least one market, if not several.



Also make sure to learn its history at the National Palace Museum, see a historical home at the Lin An Tai Historical House and Museum, or see a changing of the guard at National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine or Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.



Taipei is all this and so much more, including the fact that it’s very easy to navigate with public transportation and that the people here are incredibly friendly and helpful. I felt welcomed here immediately and definitely plan to return.
For full details, see my post on the Best Things To Do In Taipei.
Jiufen
Jiufen Old Street is one of the most popular day trips in Taiwan. It’s known for its charming old streets lined with traditional architecture, traditional teahouses (like A-Mei Teahouse below) and brilliant temples, built on a steep slope overlooking a stunning coastal view. Adding to its charm, the streets are full of red lanterns and many food and souvenir shops.



Jiufen is located in northeastern Taiwan, about 45-minutes away by car and easy to access with public transportation. Because this trip is popular, it’s best to arrive early to beat the crowds. Even better, make this an overnight trip to see the town without the crowds.
For more details, see my post on A Day Trip To Jiufen Old Street.
Shifen Old Street And Shifen Waterfall
Shifen Old Street is another very popular day trip from Taipei. This small town was built around a railroad track that runs through its center, that dates back to when coal was delivered here. Now the tracks of the main thoroughfare are used by visitors to send Asian lanterns to the sky as wishes for health, prosperity, and love between trains.



Shifen waterfall, one of the best waterfalls in Taiwan is also located here, as well as many food stalls, to try some tempting Taiwanese foods, and souvenir shops to explore.
Shifen is also located about 45-minutes northwest of Taipei and also easily reached with public transportation. As with Jiufen, arrive in Shifen early as it can be very crowded.
For more details, see my post on Magical Shifen Old Street, Its Lanterns, & Its Waterfall.
Hot Springs
Taiwan sits over an area where tectonic plates collide, which generates heat in the form of hot springs in several areas around the country. A few of the best, in, or near Taipei, are noted below.
Beitou Hot Springs are sulfur based hot springs located in northern part of Taipei. This one of the easiest hot springs to access as you can visit via the MRT and a short walk.
Jiaoxi Hot Springs Park has carbonate hot springs, which means they are odorless and colorless. This park is in northeastern Taiwan, about an hour from Taipei. It offers a free foot bath or a more relaxing onsen-style hot spring dip in the woods. It takes about an hour to get here by car or bus.

Wualai is a third location. It also offers bicarbonate hot springs, but in a more mountainous, more remote part of Taiwan. It’s located about an hour south of Taipei by car or by mix of MRT and bus.
All three can be visited as a day trip, or you can book a room at one of their resorts or spas for an even more relaxing experience.
Hiking Teapot Mountain
There are many incredible hikes in Taiwan, but my favorite is hiking Teapot Mountain. It’s called Teapot Mountain as the rock formation at the top looks like a teapot. Steps wind up the hill and it’s dotted with little red pagodas which offer stunning views of the area and coastline beyond.

This hike can be challenging, as it’s steep, but it’s not difficult until you get to the very top where the teapot formation is. This path to this formation requires ropes to pull yourself up to the very summit (this last part is currently closed). You can still, however, enjoy the beauty of this hike without this last challenging bit, so don’t let that stop you from seeing the view above.
Teapot Mountain is located about an hour northeast of Taipei and can be reached by car or with public transportation.
For more details, see my post on Hiking Teapot Mountain.
Alishan
Alishan National Forest Recreation Area is another very popular area to visit, located in the lower half of Taiwan. This mountainous area is known for its mountains shrouded in mist, Alishan High Mountain Tea, its network of hiking trails with viewpoints, and spectacular sunrises and sunsets above the clouds. Plus, because of its elevation, it’s usually cooler than Taipei, making it a great getaway when it’s hot.
See ali.nsa.net for details on how to visit from Taipei.
Sun Moon Lake
This picturesque lake in the heart of Taiwan resembles a sun on one side and the moon on the other. It’s surrounded by a lush landscape of forest and mountains and has a series of trails popular with hikers and cyclists.
For more details on how to visit from Taipei, see sunmoonlake.gov.tw.
Yehliu Geopark
Yehliu Geopark offers unique seaside geological formations etched by wind and water in northern Taiwan. One of its most famous rock formations is known as “Queen’s Head”, which looks like a female profile. There’s also a lot of diverse marine life here and stunning coastal views.
The Yehliu Geopark is located about an hour north of Taipei, on the coast. It can be easily be visited by car or with local transportation.
Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park is in eastern Tawian and features high mountains and sheer gorges with a network of trails to explore its beauty. This park is vast, at over 920 square km.
Unfortunately, there were damaging earthquakes here in the past and some areas are still closed. Because of this, and heavy rains when I was here, I was not able to visit. To learn more, see taroko.gov.tw for more detail, suggestions for visiting, and trail closures.
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s second-largest city and also a popular place to visit. It’s located in southern Taiwan and known to be a little more laid-back than Taipei.
There are temples, night markets, hiking trails, and a harbor to explore. I did not make it here, so unfortunately do not have much detail to provide, but have heard great things about it.
Hopefully I will visit Taiwan again soon and can add more information.
Taiwan Travel Guide: Best Time To Visit
It can be very hot and humid in summer and rainy season (and typhoon season) which is typically June through September. May and October/November are generally good months. That said, I visited in late October/early November and still had almost two weeks of rain and a nasty typhoon. Rains can also arrive early in May.
When it rains in Taiwan, it really rains. It rains so often, you can even rent umbrellas from the MRT stations like you would a rent a bicycle. Most hotels will have umbrellas for use to borrow as well. The trick is recognizing yours when you want to pick it back up after being in a shop or restaurant.
You can also expeirence cherry blossom season in Taiwan. It runs from January to April, although can vary annually and varies by location. Areas close to the sea and further south are often warmer and bloom earlier.
The cherry blossoms in Taiwan are not as spectacular, or abundant as it in Japan, but can still be beautiful.
Taiwan Travel Guide: Languages
Taiwan has three official languages: Mandarin, Hakka, and Taiwanese Hokkien. The latter is originally the language of the Fujian Provence of Southern China, where many Taiwanese immigrated from. I have read that about 28% of Taiwanese can speak English, but the percentage will be higher in Taipei and touristy areas.
To use Google translate in those moments that you need to communicate with someone that does not speak English, use Simplified Chinese. It is the best option on Google Translate.

Taiwan Travel Guide: Money Matters
Currency: The currency of Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar, TWD. The following conversation rates are from of January 1, 2025.
- USD (1)=$32.75 TWD
- Euro (1)=$33.906 TWD
- CNY (1)=$4.488
Credit Cards & ATMs: Credit and Debit Cards are accepted, especially MasterCard and Visa, but I found many places to be cash only, so make sure to have some. American Express may only be accepted by larger establishments. It’s best to get cash at ATM’s, preferably using a fee free card like the Charles Schwab debit card. With this card, you get rebates for fees.
Tipping: Tipping is not standard in Taiwan, but is accepted if you think someone did a great job.
Taiwan Travel Guide: Safety
I felt incredibly safe in Taiwan, safer than I have felt in most other countries in the world. In fact, Taiwan has some of the lowest crime rates in the world. This said, it’s still always a good idea to exercise caution and be aware of your belongings and surroundings. Especially in touristy areas. Don’t carry too much cash or dress in flashy clothes. Keep a close eye on your wallet and a firm grip on your phone, or a purse if you carry one.
With current tensions between China and Taiwan, it’s a good idea to review the latest situation on your government website or sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), or similar in your country. This program updates you via email if an issue does arise.
Taiwan Travel Guide: Scams
Generally Taiwan is considered safe, but there are always a few people trying to take advantage of tourists. Here are some things to watch out for.
Pickpockets
Don’t carry a lot of cash or wear expensive items when planning to visit touristic or busy areas, like the night markets, which can be densely crowded.
Taxis
Taxi drivers tend to be known as scammers everywhere, and that can happen in Taiwan too. Don’t get in an unmarked taxi. It’s best to use ride hailing apps like Uber or 55688. Ask your hotel to call a taxi for you if you do not have access to the apps.
Some taxi drivers may not speak English, so if you are not using an app, have your address written down or use Google translate with Simplified Chinese.
ATMs
Try to use ATMs that are attached to banks as they are less likely to have been tampered with. Always evaluate the card reader, to make sure nothing has been added to the machine that could steal your information, and always cover your hand when you enter your pin.
Spiked Drinks
Althiugh Taiwan is safe, I have read where some women have commented in chats that their drink was spiked. Always watch your drink being made and never leave it unattended. It’s best to stick to bottles or cans that you can open yourself and keep a close eye on it.
Overcharging Tourists
Stick to ordering food where the price is printed on a menu or sign, or ask in advance to avoid being overcharged as a foreigner.

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Taiwan Travel Guide: Getting Around
Flying In
The major international airport is Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). If you are flying from another destination in Asia, Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) may also be an option, which is much closer to Taipei. If visiting southern Taiwan, Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) is another option.
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
The easiest way to get to Taipei from TPE, is to take the Mass Rapid Tranist, or MRT . The MRT a takes about 35 minutes from Taoyuan Airport Terminal 1 to Taipei Main Station on the express, or the purple train. The blue train is the commuter train (which makes more stops and takes about 50 minutes). Both take a little longer from terminal 2. From Taipei Main Station, you can connect to local MRT lines for your destination.
As of January 2025, the fare to Taipei Main Station is $150 TWD, which is about $4.50. See the Taoyuan Airport MRT page for more details and hours of operation.
Once in Taipei, it’s easy to use the MRT or buses to get around. I highly recommend getting an EasyCard, which is reloadable. With this card (or the app), you only need to tap it when you enter or leave an MRT station and most buses. It’s an efficient way to determine the exact cost (even if you change your mind on a stop mid trip) and you have the added bonus of not having to travel with a bunch of coins. It can even be used to pay the entrance fee at some tourist places.
EasyCard can be purchased, or topped up via cash, at the airport, MRT stations, 7-Eleven, Family Mart stores, and more.
Taxi
A taxi from TPE to the city will take a similar amount of time, depending on traffic. The cost will range from $30-50, depending on traffic and final location.
Uber is available in Taiwan. The app will show you prices for a standard taxi or an Uber, both at a range of prices. I often found the Uber price to be the most expensive, but this is not always true. 55688 and Line Taxi are alternative ride hailing apps. Check them for price differences. 55688 is known to be more common, but requires a local number for use.
Some taxi rides will require cash or credit card payment in the vehicle, rather than paying in advance, so have cash with you. Some may be able to send a link to your phone for payment.
Drive
Driving in Taiwan is on the right side of the road, the same as it is in the USA. To rent a car at the airport, see the Taoyuan Airport Car Rental Page. Most foreigners will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Taiwan. This should be obtained in your home country before arrival. Most car rental companies have a minimum age of 20. There may also be an extra fee for those under 25.
Note that roads within Taipei can be very congested with many motorbikes. Parking is also very limited. I recommend using the MRT and/or buses within Taipei, only renting a car if you plan to travel outside the reach of public transportation. Many popular day trips have frequent buses.
Taiwan Travel Guide: Visa Information
European and US citizens do not need a visa for stays in Taiwan less than 90 days. See boca.gov.tw for more information and details on other countries.
Taiwan Travel Guide: Where To Stay
Taipei
- I stayed in the Songshan area, near the Raohe Night Market in a private room on the 15th floor at NK Hostel. I had a beautiful view of the skyline, the room was very plush, it was close to the metro, and the staff was amazing. I even had a fancy bidet toilet in my room. If you want a more budget option, they also offer dorm rooms. A buffet breakfast is included with all rooms, making a great place to meet other travelers.
- MGH Mitsui Garden Hotel Taipei Zhongxiao is a plush hotel in the Da’an District that gets very good reviews. Most rooms feature city views and some offer a free breakfast. There is also a pool.
- If you want to be closer to the Taipei Main Station, I recommend K Hotel Tianjin in the Zhongshan District. Most rooms feature city views, some also have a balcony. Breakfast is free with many rooms.
- If you want a room with a view of nature, rather than the city, stay at Renaissance Taipei Shihlin, in the Shilin District. This plush hotel offers beautiful views, with an option of either mountain or city views. There is a fitness center and an outdoor pool. It’s a 10 to 15 minute walk to the Shilin Night Market.
Jiufen
Although many people visit Jiufen as a day trip, I highly recommend staying at least one night.
- I stayed at Old Street Seaview Homestay in the deluxe room with a sea view. It was a much larger room than I needed, but I wanted the coastal view. It was nice and quiet and the view was great. Nothing spectacular but the view and location. It’s just a few steps from the Jiufen Old Street bus stop. I would stay here again.
- Kao Mama B&B is also located just a few steps from Jiufen Old Street and gets very good reviews. Look for the rooms with a sea view.
Chunt Dint B&B is also close to Jiufen Old Street. Look for the King Room with sea view which also reportedly has balcony space. I think this room books up quickly, so book in advance. This accommodation was once a store that sold coal in the gold reserve era. - Yun Cheng Homestay is about a 3 minute walk to Jiufen Old Street. This place has parking available on site if you have a car, which is rare (check to see if there’s a fee). Breakfast is included. Look for the rooms that offer sea views.
- Old Song’s Home offers some large spacious rooms with great sea views. It’s on Qingbian Road, which sits below Jiufen Old Street. It’s still not far from the bus stop, but does require some walking and taking a series of steps down to arrive.
Taiwan Travel Guide: Top Destination Details
Click the images below for more detailed information on the some of the key sites in Taiwan.
Safe Travels!
Julie
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2 Comments
Paula Cullison
Great guide. I look forward to traveling there., especially since Taipei is a Phoenix Sister City.
Julie
Thanks, I hope to go back and see more of it!