Cities In Taiwan To Go to In 2023

As a small island nation within the Pacific Ocean, it’s simple and handy to go to lots of Taiwan’s cities and cities. Past its capital metropolis of Taipei, Taiwan is a particular place stuffed with superb surroundings, folks and meals. There are lots of different cities in Taiwan price exploring, and the excellent news is it’s simple to journey round this small island nation. Regardless of the place you go in Taiwan, you’re assured to have an incredible time and be taught so much in regards to the tradition and historical past of this stunning island nation.

To journey to cities reminiscent of Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Hualien or Kaohsiung, use public buses or the MRT metro (solely in Taipei and Taichung) to sight-see inside these cities. Renting a scooter or automotive is advisable in the event you go to smaller cities reminiscent of Taitung and Pingtung. You have to have a global driver’s licence to hire a scooter or automotive. Though smaller cities and cities should not have the handy public transit as bigger cities, they’re nonetheless price visiting for superb meals, tradition and beautiful scenic locations, particularly on the east coast (suppose big mountains with cliffsides dropping into the Pacific Ocean). 

Getting Round Taiwan

Taiwan’s public transportation will take you anyplace you wish to go to, with the Excessive-Pace Rail (HSR) on the west coast and Taiwan Railways (TRA) on each the east and west coasts.

• The HSR solely operates on the west coast as a result of the east coast of Taiwan is just too mountainous to have a high-speed prepare, and the TRA on the east coast travels considerably slower than the HSR, making it a protected mode of transportation on the east coast.
• The TRA can also be extra inexpensive than the HSR, so if you wish to lower your expenses, you possibly can nonetheless take the TRA on the west coast.
• HSR spherical journey tickets can attain as much as 3000 NTD, whereas TRA ticket costs differ on vacation spot however are inexpensive than HSR tickets.
• You can too take long-distance buses in the event you’re on a good price range, however the trains are sooner and extra handy.

Cities in Taiwan

20 Taiwanese Cities And Cities To Go to In 2023

1- Taipei

Within the north, Taipei metropolis is the capital of Taiwan.

This metropolis has unbelievable and cheap public transportation, nice climbing trails within the mountains surrounding the town, artwork and historical past museums, a enjoyable nightlife with many golf equipment and bars to select from, and naturally, nice buying areas for souvenirs or anything you might want.

Notable locations embrace the Nationwide Palace Museum, that includes artwork items and artefacts from historical China, Taipei 101, the tallest constructing in Taiwan and an exquisite function within the metropolis’s skyline.

Dihua Road is without doubt one of the oldest streets in Taiwan and is stuffed with souvenirs and conventional items.

Elephant mountain is a hike with glorious views of Taipei 101 and the town.

There are additionally many night time markets, reminiscent of Roahe, Shilin and Ningxia.

Beneficial tour: Final Taipei Sightseeing Tour

2- Kaohsiung

In southern Taiwan, Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s largest industrial centre.

Kaohsiung has quite a few vacationer sights, reminiscent of renting a ship and having fun with a pleasant trip on the Love River, climbing at Shoushan (Mt. Shou), visiting the Xiziwan Bay, taking footage on the scenic Lotus Pond, and exploring the Outdated Metropolis of Zuoying.

At nighttime, go to the Dome of Mild, the world’s largest public artwork set up produced from particular person items of colored glass created by famend artist Narcissus Quagliata.

Scooter or taxi to the Fo Guang Mountain Monastery, which contains a golden big Buddha and lots of Buddha statues.

Beneficial tour: Non-public Customized Kaohsiung Day Tour

3- Taichung

Taichung was dwelling to the Atayal aborigines and a number of other Taiwanese Plains Aboriginal tribes (together with the Taokas, Papora, Pazeh, Hoanya and Babuzas), hunter-gatherers who later lived by cultivating millet and taro.

Well-known locations embrace the serene Solar Moon Lake, the Gaomei Wetlands (go at sundown!) and the Nationwide Museum of Science.

Beneficial tour: 1-Day Tour Taichung and Gaomaei

4- Tainan

On Taiwan’s southwest coast, Tainan was the capital of Taiwan from 1683 to 1887 underneath the Qing Dynasty and was additionally the principle port throughout Japanese colonisation.

Tainan is a wealthy historic metropolis with centuries-old fortresses, temples, and landmarks like Chihkan Tower.

Chihkan Tower is an 18th-century Chinese language complicated with gardens, intricately carved towers and a temple erected on the foundations of Fort Provintia, a Dutch outpost from their colonisation interval within the 1600s.

Tainan is an exquisite metropolis to stroll by means of, with temples in every single place and superb eating places.

It’s additionally well-known in Taiwan for its yummy meals, snacks, and night time markets.

Beneficial tour: Non-public 3-Day Southern Taiwan Tour.

5- New Taipei

New Taipei metropolis surrounds Taipei metropolis and is comparatively newer in growth.

New Taipei Metropolis has nice climbing locations, reminiscent of Yangming Mountain, which crosses over each Taipei and New Taipei.

Yangming Mountain Nationwide Park is considered one of Taiwan’s 9 nationwide parks in and can also be an energetic volcanic web site.

The mountain can also be the residence of a water buffalo herd.

You may take footage with them and watch them graze. One other vacation spot in New Taipei metropolis is Tamsui, the final MRT cease on the purple line.

Tamsui has great sundown views as it’s the place the Tamsui River meets the Pacific Ocean.

You may even take boat rides throughout the river to go to Dali, a small city with conventional snacks and a small seaside.

New Taipei metropolis may be very near Taipei metropolis, so it’s simple to go to each locations on the identical day.

Beneficial tour: Northern Taiwan 3-Day Tour.

6- Hsin Chu

Hsin Chu is to the southwest of Taipei and will be visited from Taipei for a day journey.

Hsin Chu metropolis has an incredible Glass Museum, which you shouldn’t miss.

This museum homes totally different glassworks, interactive shows, and a enjoyable glass-blowing DIY workshop.

The Glass Museum is in Hsin Chu park, essentially the most stunning park within the metropolis, and throughout the spring, this park can also be an incredible cherry blossom viewing spot.

One other good space to discover is Hsin Chu Moat park, particularly at night time to see fairly lights, stroll alongside the river financial institution, hearken to dwell music and discover totally different meals cubicles.

7- Taoyuan

Taoyuan is east of Taipei and has the one worldwide airport in Taiwan (so you’ll be in Taoyuan while you land).

Earlier than you make your approach to Taipei, ensure to go to some notable websites on this metropolis, reminiscent of Longtan lake and its stunning Buddhist Temple within the centre.

For those who get pleasure from artwork, then go to the Daxi Wooden Artwork Ecomuseum, dwelling to the Craftsman Story Home, inbuilt 1941, and homes many various cultural objects.

Carmine Gallery is one other must-visit place that introduces Chinese language artists to the worldwide artwork scene and advocates for the coexistence of latest life and artwork tradition.

For those who desire to see extra conventional locations, go to Daxi Outdated Road on Heping Street.

This avenue was created throughout Japanese colonisation and has Japanese baroque-style carvings within the retailers, the place you should buy wooden carvings and different conventional souvenirs.

8- Keelung

Sitting on the northeastern coast of Taiwan, Keelung not solely has enjoyable metropolis vibes but in addition nice seashores and surroundings.

Keelung metropolis has northern Taiwan’s largest port and is the second-largest in all of Taiwan after the port in Kaohsiung.

At night time, after you go to the Miaoku night time market and check out Keelung’s well-known paopaobing (an exquisite dessert that resembles ice cream however is made out of finely shaved ice).

Take a facet detour to see the Khóo Tsú-song Outdated Mansion (the ruins of a 1913 home that’s overgrown with vegetation) and ensure to go to the port sq. to see the ship lights and likewise the “Keelung” neon signal on the facet of the mountain to the precise facet of the port.

Beneficial tour: Yehliu Geopark and Keelung Harbor Guided Tour.

9- Hualien

Hualien metropolis sits between the Central Mountain Vary and the Pacific Ocean to the east of Taipei, making it a surprising metropolis with plenty of nature and climbing.

Hualien is legendary for Taroko Gorge, the most important marble canyon on the earth.

Hike all through the gorge and see towering marble cliffs, waterfalls, the turquoise Liwu River, and mountain-to-mountain suspension bridges.

For those who love swimming in crystal clear water, you must also try the Mugua River Gorge, with its stunning forest, waterfalls and blue waters.

Afterwards, go for a stroll alongside Coastal Freeway 11 on the seaside after which go to Hualien’s night time marketplace for dinner.

Beneficial tour: Non-public Taroko Gorge Day Tour from Hualien.

10- Yilan

Yilan is a metropolis south of Taipei and to the east, proper on the Pacific Ocean.

Yilan has all of it: stunning seashores reminiscent of WaiAo Seashore, nice trails in Taipingshan Nationwide Forest, and scrumptious meals reminiscent of rooster thigh skewers on the Luodong night time market.

You can too plan a tour and boat trip to Turtle Island within the north.

Yilan can also be recognized for its plentiful and plush tea farms, the place you possibly can spend a morning choosing tea and studying in regards to the totally different rising strategies, varieties and flavour profiles.

Many tea farms even have B&B, so you possibly can chill out close to the mountains.

Beneficial tour: Northern Taiwan (Taipei, New Taipei Metropolis, Yilan County) 3-Day Tour.

11- Chiayi

Situated in southwestern Taiwan, Chiayi is the gateway to Alishan, an exquisite mountain vary that could be a prime attraction.

Earlier than going to Alishan, try some cool locations in Chiayi metropolis, reminiscent of Hinoki Village, which have been dormitories for the Forest Division Taiwan throughout the Japanese Colonial period.

Immediately, these dorms have been remodeled right into a enjoyable forest, cultural and artistic park that includes tea homes constructed from Taiwanese cypress bushes and lots of retail boutiques, cafes, and eating places.

One other notable vacation spot and an awesome place for images is the Track of the Forest, a large-scale landmark made with native supplies made by Chiayi artist Wang Wen-Shi.

Earlier than you allow Chiayi, be sure you attempt their scrumptious turkey rice.

12- Pingtung

Pingtung Metropolis is south of Taitung in Pingtung county, dwelling to essentially the most southern level in Taiwan.

Pingtung is near stunning white sand seashores, the place you possibly can go online, snorkelling and scuba diving.

Drive or scooter from the town to Kenting Nationwide Park, Taiwan’s first Nationwide Park, and hike alongside stunning forest paths with waterfalls.

From Pingtung, a surprising place to go to is the attractive Xiaoliuqiu Island, a haven for the endangered inexperienced sea turtle.

You may snorkel and scuba dive with these peaceable animals, however touching them is prohibited, so be sure you respect the turtles’ area.

You may hire electrical bicycles, or trip a scooter round Xiaoliuqiu, or Little Xiaoliu or Lumbai Island, which additionally has glorious seafood eating places and superb mango shaved ice.

Pingtung can also be recognized for culinary specialties, reminiscent of Linbian Township’s candy black pearl wax apple, Wanluan’s tasty chewy pig’s toes, and Donggang’s savoury bluefin tuna.

13- Taitung

Taitung is a must-visit metropolis on the scenic east coast, which sits between an exquisite mountain vary and the Pacific Ocean.

It’s handy and straightforward to do typical metropolis actions reminiscent of stress-free in cafes or tea retailers and enjoyable out of doors actions like climbing, swimming or soaking in scorching springs.

Taitung metropolis is understood for its Tiehua Music/Tradition Village, a cute space subsequent to the Taitung stadium and outdated prepare observe.

Tiehua is barely open within the evenings, Thursday to Sunday, however some bars and eating places in Tiehua have totally different opening instances.

Tiehua options dwell music, artisan crafts, nice handmade souvenirs, little snacks and the Tiehua scorching air balloon lanterns that line all the space.

Taitung can also be dwelling to 5 Indigenous teams, making it an awesome place to find out about Indigenous tradition.

Lease a automotive or scooter when visiting Taitung, as there’s not a lot public transportation on this small metropolis.

There are coral reefs off the coast of Taitung, so carry your snorkel.

Taitung can also be the gateway to a few of Taiwan’s hidden gems: 

Dulan

Not removed from the town to the north is Dulan, the browsing capital of Taiwan. 

There are lots of hostels which have browsing instructors, classes and gear to hire. And while you’re drained from browsing, chill out on gentle black sand seashores.

Tip: Keep on the hostel the place you’re getting your classes, so that you don’t have to fret about transportation earlier than your morning classes.

Chulu Pasture

Additionally to the north of Taitung, Chulu Pasture is a enjoyable attraction for households, the place you possibly can feed horses and cows peacefully grazing within the inexperienced fields.

Inexperienced Island

Inexperienced Island is a small island off the coast of Taitung and will be reached by boat from Fugang Harbor in Taitung.

You will have to bike, scooter, or hire a taxi as soon as on the island as a result of it doesn’t have public transportation.

Inexperienced Island is understood for its stunning surroundings and crystal-clear waters, making it an incredible scuba diving and snorkelling vacation spot.

The coral reef at Inexperienced Island is part of the identical coral reef chain that creates the Nice Barrier Reef.

Inexperienced Island does have a darkish previous, because it was once the place prisoners have been despatched throughout the White Terror.

Orchid Island

One other beautiful island off the coast of Taiwan, Orchid Island, is bigger than Inexperienced Island and is the house of the Tao Aboriginal tribe.

Orchid Island is understood for having one of the best preserved Indigenous tradition in Taiwan, with its stunning Tao-made handcrafted and painted canoes, which aren’t allowed to be taken off the island.

Orchid Island is volcanic, with huge mountain peaks and exquisite cliffs dropping into the ocean.

Snorkelling is a should right here, whereas scuba diving is pricier than on different islands reminiscent of Inexperienced Island and Xiaoliuqiu.

Beneficial tour: 5-Day Better of Taiwan.

14- Jiufen

Jiufen is a small city within the north that may be reached by public bus from Taipei metropolis for a day journey.

Jiufen Outdated Road is an atmospheric slender alley stuffed with tea homes, meals stands, memento and pottery shops.

Crimson lanterns dangle all through the alleyway from the traditional-style buildings, making Jiufen appear like a ghost village.

Followers of the anime movie Spirited Away by Japanese director Miyazaki ought to go to (many retailers have cute Spirited Away paraphernalia).

It additionally has superb views of the Pacific Ocean and northern Taiwan’s mountains, making the numerous totally different tea or dessert retailers the right locations to attempt Taiwanese treats whereas having fun with the view.

Beneficial tour: Jiufen Village and Northeast Coast Tour.

15- Chenggong

Chengong is on the east coast and is a couple of two-hour scooter drive to the north of Taitung metropolis.

The drive from Taitung to Chenggong is a scenic one alongside the Pacific Ocean.

Chenggong is the city subsequent to Sanxiantai, or the well-known Dragon Bridge, an exquisite bridge resembling the curved physique of conventional Chinese language dragons between the mainland and a small islet that may be hiked.

Put on good strolling footwear in the event you plan on doing the brief hike as a result of though it’s brief, it’s steep in some areas, and also you additionally should stroll over sharp volcanic rock.

For those who go to the Dragon Bridge within the morning, you possibly can get pleasure from considered one of Chenggong’s many seafood eating places for lunch.

The seafood in Chenggong is extremely contemporary and inexpensive, nevertheless it ought to be famous that the majority eating places are family-style, so ensure to go along with a bigger group so you possibly can order extra dishes.

16- Ruisui

Ruisui in southern Hualien County and is especially populated by Taiwanese Aboriginal teams, the most important of which is the Amis.

Ruisui is a superb place to find out about Amis tradition and sustainable agricultural and fishing practices.

Agriculture is a serious trade in Ruisui, and you’ll scooter across the rice fields and fruit orchards.

Throughout March and April, pomelo flowers bloom and the air is aromatic. 

You can too purchase agricultural merchandise that Indigenous farmers develop, reminiscent of alcohol and snacks produced from millet.

Ruisui can also be recognized for its stunning scorching springs and the Siouguluan River Basin, the place you possibly can kayak or tube down the river. 

17- Magong Metropolis, Penghu Islands

Penghu is an island group of 90 islands on the western facet of Taiwan and may solely be accessed by airplane or ferry.

Penghu is stuffed with historical past, tradition, and enjoyable out of doors actions, making it an awesome place to go to throughout your journey to Taiwan.

Penghu has many temples price visiting, such because the Magong Metropolis God Temple, Tianhou Temple (essentially the most well-known in Penghu), and marvel at their stunning colors and structure.

Round Tianhou Temple, you could find some fascinating artwork and relics on show from the Ming Dynasty.

At Magong Metropolis (the place Magong Metropolis Temple is), you possibly can stroll round in little alleyways lined with conventional purple lanterns and store at numerous artisanal shops.

Afterwards, go to Shanshui Seashore to swim and chill out. 

18- Nangan, Matsu Islands

Matsu is a gaggle of islands between Taiwan and China and has traditionally been a navy put up for Taiwan.

Hundreds of years in the past, stone age peoples lived on these islands, and after they disappeared have been later inhabited by Chinese language fishermen from 900 to 1200 AD throughout the Track Dynasty.

Matsu is understood for its contemporary and savoury seafood and for the bioluminescence organisms within the Ocean (peak time is April).

Nangan is the capital however you’ll wish to go to Qinbi Village in Beigan, referred to as the “Mediterranean Village” due to the structure of the buildings and their location on the facet of a mountain.

Most homes have been constructed utilizing Fujian and Fuzhou conventional model with native granite and sandstone discovered on the islands.