TAIWAN TRAVEL GUIDE
Despite its relatively modest size Taiwan offers everything from super modernity to carefully guarded history, everything from mountains to beaches and an amazing mix of cultures and food. This Taiwan travel guide aims to neatly summarize everything you need to know to explore this fabulous destination. It is all based on our first hand experience traveling around Taiwan.
When To Visit Taiwan
Taiwan has a subtropical climate. That means that it never experiences extreme cold but summer can bring heat and humidity. June to August can see maximum temperatures of 38C (100F). The southern end of the island is generally a few degrees warmer than the north.
June to October is typhoon season while May and June typically see the most rainfall. If visiting during this time an umbrella can be handy. November to April is typically the best time of year to visit Taiwan.
We were in Taiwan during July, August and September (ie typhoon season) and had no major issues. We actually experienced a typhoon while in Taipei. The electricity and Internet stayed on the whole time but it did rain heavily for a day or two. For a longer trip spending a day inside is fine. If you are planning a shorter trip you may want to avoid typhoon season.
Despite occasional rain during our stay there was still plenty of sunshine and we wore t-shirts every day.
Getting To Taiwan
Taiwan is not yet as popular a destination as Japan, China or the various countries of south east Asia so flights to Taiwan are not quite as abundant. There are however plenty of airlines that fly there from all over the world. It may however be necessary to stop at a hub along the way. For example you will likely need to stop at either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur if you are coming from either south east Asia or Australia.
Check Expedia to start looking for flights. They do a lot of the legwork for you including pointing out cheap flights on airlines you might not have thought to check.
Eating In Taiwan
There are plenty of fantastic, distinctively Taiwanese ways to eat your fill in Taiwan. Probably the most famous is Taiwan’s many night markets. These bustling open air markets are jammed with food vendors. Look for ones that seem popular with the locals if you are not sure what to get. Pointing and smiling can help with the language barrier. In the end they are in the business of selling food and you want to buy food so you will muddle through.
Steamed dumplings are a very common and very delicious option day or night. Look for restaurants with stacks of large bamboo steamers out the front. The dumplings come with an assortment of fillings and both meat and vegetarian options are available. You make up your own dipping sauce by combining soy sauce, vinegar, chili and sesame oil in whatever proportions you desire.
Often there is a menu on the wall near the front in both English and Chinese. You specify your order by putting numbers in boxes on a piece of paper that will usually only have Chinese on it. We worked out which box to mark by comparing the characters on the paper to those on the board at the front. Awkward but the food more than made up for any minor inconvenience.
A sushi chain called Sushi Express provides extremely cheap yet surprisingly good sushi. Sushi Express was a great option for when we needed a cheap, delicious and healthy meal while we were out exploring Taipei. For approximately $1 a plate from the sushi train we happily filled our bellies before going on our way.
You may not know this but bubble tea actually originates in Taiwan. Make sure to try it if you have not had it before. As a starting point we recommend a “milk tea with bubbles, less sugar, less ice.” Be warned that “normal sugar” is like drinking candy floss.
Do not worried about being limited in your food choices. Particularly in Taipei there is food available from all over the world if you want to branch out from the local fare. Taipei has lots of food options.
Although much of the food in Taiwan is fairly meat-centric there are vegetarian food vendors and restaurants around. Look for this character 素 prominently displayed. A swastika may also be displayed as the swastika is associated with religion, a common reason for being vegetarian in region.
Taiwan Attractions
A view of Taipei from the Xiazhulin hiking trail
Taipei
We spent six weeks house sitting in Taipei. That gave us plenty of time to find our way around.
If you will be in town for more than a couple of days get an EasyCard. You can get one from Metro stations and some 7-11s and FamilyMarts. They allow you to quickly and easily pay for the subway, buses, and even some supermarkets and department stores.
While in Taipei check what concerts will be on. We were able to see Radiohead in Taipei and it was an incredibly memorable experience.
There is an abundance of interesting food available in Taipei. For cheap but surprisingly good sushi try a chain called Sushi Express. Steamed dumpling places are very common around Taipei. Look for stacks of steamers near the front. We never had a bad experience with dumplings in Taipei. There are also plenty of international food options as well as fine dining establishments.
Day Trips From Taipei
One of the nice surprises about Taipei was how easy it was to take a day trip. Thanks to the excellent train system there are quite a few places easily accessible from Taipei, either on the outskirts of the city or nearby.
Walking to the Shifen waterfall
Yangmingshan National Park
Yangmingshan is a mountainous national park just outside of Taipei. It offers spectacular views, abundant greenery and the chance to work up a sweat climbing some of the many peaks in the area. Read more about Yangmingshan national park
Keelung
Keelung is build around its port. There is abundant seafood, a wonderful night market and a curious clone of the statue of liberty. Read more about Keelung
A steaming hot stream in Beitou
Beitou
Technically within Taipei Beitou is home to some hot springs that are easily accessible via the Taipei MRT system. You do not need to head out into the wilderness to experience an authentic Taiwanese hot spring, you can get there on the subway. Read more about Beitou
Hsinchu
The oldest city in northern Taiwan and home to the oldest zoo in Taiwan. It is a comfortable one hour train trip from Taipei. Read more about taking a day trip to Hsinchu
The Maokong gondola overlooking Taipei
The Maokong Gondola
Right next to the Taipei Zoo MRT station is the bottom station for the Maokong gondola, a cable car which takes you up into the mountains overlooking Taipei. The cablecar ride is really spectacular and the mountain tops are occupied by an assortment of tea houses where you can take in the view. Read more about the Maokong Gondola
Things get a bit arty in Tamsui
Tamsui
Tamsui (or Damsui) has the feeling of a seaside vacation yet it is easily accessible from central Taipei. Get yourself an ice cream, stroll along the waterfront, maybe check out Fort San Domingo if you want some history. Read more about Tamsui
Things To Do In Taipei
Of course you do not have to travel from Taipei to be entertained. There are plenty of things to do in Taipei and Taipei Tourist Attractions for you to experience.
The Xiazhulin Hiking Trail
Located in the Taipei suburb of Tienmu the Xiazhulin hiking trail involves a rather steep stair climb up to a level track that winds its way through the trees. In only a few minutes you transition from being in the city to being far away from it all. Do not be surprised if you get overtaken on the stair climb by some very fit elderly Taiwanese people. Read more about the Xiazhulin hiking trail
Street Art In Ximen
Ximen is a popular area for young people. Its streets are crowded with teenagers and young adults hanging out with their friends. This youthful demographic has affected the area and led to some practices that might not be acceptable elsewhere, like allowing graffiti artists to decorate previously blank walls. Read more about street art in Ximen
Someone lurking in the background at the Miniatures Museum of Taiwan
The Miniatures Museum of Taiwan
You might not think that a museum full of doll houses and tiny statues sounds all that appealing but this stuff is genuinely amazing. Go in with an open mind and remember your glasses because some of the stuff in here is tiny. Read more about the Miniatures Museum of Taiwan
Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Taipei plays hosts to unusual art exhibits. When we visited there was an array of artwork inspired by the life of King Hu, a film director based in Hong Kong and Taiwan in the 1960s and 70s. Read more about the Taipei Museum of Contemporary Art
[……]