Best 10 Places to Visit in Taiwan

Although Taiwan is a small semi-tropical island in East Asia, it has a renowned reputation for travellers. In 2021, Taiwan was selected as the best place for living and expats worldwide. Taiwan is densely populated, and its people are hospitable and warm. Nonetheless, exotic cultures thrive throughout the island, and tourists can find breathtakingly unspoiled scenery in its mountainous interior. Due to the above reasons, Taiwan is becoming a popular destination for international tourists.

Pray for Luck at Long-Shan Temple

This magnificent temple has existed for more than 280 years. In Taiwanese culture, religion is an integral part of daily life. Whether people have bad luck, have an upcoming exam, or are looking for a relationship, they go to temples for God’s help. The worshipers hold incense sticks when praying to God at the temple.

 Also, you will surely see someone Bua Buay, as one particular rite is called in the Taiwanese language. These are used to ask deities questions.

It doesn’t matter if visitors don’t know how to draw a fortune stick. The volunteers in the temple and the older generations will be happy to teach you these old traditions.

Instead of Going to Night Markets, Try a Typical Taiwanese Breakfast!

To name the most representative thing in Taiwan, it must be food. The variety of cultures in Taiwan makes our delicacies more astonishing. Most people would recommend night market food to travellers. However, that’s not what the Taiwanese eat every day. There are tons of choices on the menu.

Here are some commonly recommended options that you should give a try.

• Chinese Omelette: a dish made from beaten eggs fried with oil in a frying pan and usually folded around fillings such as cheese, ham, hash browns, etc.
• Radish Cake is made of rice flour and turnips and is usually cut into slices. After pan-frying, it will be crispy outside yet tender inside, almost melting in your mouth.
• Taiwanese rice balls: They are made from rice and usually come with fried breadsticks, pickled radish, pickled mustard greens, and braised eggs.

There is an old saying that breakfast is the best way to start. With a sumptuous breakfast, your trip to Taiwan will have a great start.

Jiu Fun Old Street – The Mining History in Taiwan

Jiu Fun was initially a gold mining town that was once on the verge of being abandoned due to the mining halt. As you walk through Jiu Fun’s old street, you’ll see the mountain and ocean scenery of Shen Au fishing port, and Keelung’s port comes into view. This narrow old street has plenty of Taiwanese Snacks and souvenir shops, such as the Lai A-po Taro Ball, which is famous for its unique texture and lack of artificial fillings. The film” The City of Sadness” took place here. Some of them say Jiu Fun inspired the movie “Spirited Away.”

Soaking in Hot Springs in Beitou

Beitou is located at the foot of Yangming Mountain in Taipei. Since there is an active volcano in this area, there are many hot springs in Beitou. When winter arrives, visitors come here to soak in hot springs to escape the cold. You can relax and bathe in its healthy waters at an affordable price. There are various kinds of hot springs. Those not used to public pools can also choose private ones—many of the Onsen-style hot springs date from the Japanese colonial era (1895-1945). What’s great for travellers is that the convenient transportation to Beitou can be reached by MRT.

Visit a Taiwanese Aboriginal Tribe: Smangus-God’s Tribe

Smangus is located on a high mountain above 1,500 meters above sea level in Hsinchu County. This is a remote village populated by the Atayal tribe. Due to its remote location, many traditional Atayal lifestyles have been preserved in this area.

As people enter the tribe, most of the buildings are made from wood, and the area is populated with many wood carvings. Setting out from the village, there is a mountain trail. You can first go through a green bamboo forest and then finally reach a group of giant trees that are 3,500 years old. If you visit here in February or March, there will be cherry blossoms along some pathways. 

However, many parts of the road are like this: a steep mountain on one side, a cliff on the other, and a deep valley on the other. Despite the inconvenience, it’s still worth it for visitors to come to Smangus Village to see its incredible beauty.

Watch the Sunrise in Alishan

The Alishan National Scenic Area is in Chiayi County in central Taiwan. It is well known for its sunrise over a sea of clouds, the small gauge Alishan Forest Railway, cherry blossom viewing, and its unique favour, Alishan High Mountain Tea. 

The forests on Alishan are regularly shrouded in mist, presenting mysterious scenes reminiscent of Chinese classical paintings. You can also enjoy the green shower in the woods. Due to its altitude, it’s the best spot to watch the sunrise. It’s essential to buy tickets for the sunrise the day before. Therefore, it’s recommended to stay at least two days in Alishan.

The Spectacular Taroko National Park

It is considered a must-see attraction in eastern Taiwan. Taroko Gorge is a combination of marble rocks and rushing rivers, with the erosive power of the Liwu River forming the gorge valley. When you walk through the 19 km-long gorge, you can’t stop seeing the cliffs high above you. Then, you can gaze down at the Liwu River, filled with boulders. Remember to wear comfortable and durable shoes for a long walk as you enter here. It takes a whole day to visit all the sights in Taroko. 

Explore in Taitung

Several recommended activities are available there, such as trekking and biking. You can also go paragliding or arrange a hot-air balloon ride during the summer. Going on a hot-air balloon ride overlooking the area is one of the best things to do in Taitung. 

This Festival takes place around the end of June. It is most active at sunrise and sunset and lasts about six weeks. Tons of hot air balloons take off, and you can ride some of them. It’s a unique experience and worth visiting.

Best Spot for Sea-Lovers: Green Island

Green Island was mainly used to detain political prisoners in the past, but now it’s a renowned tourist attraction for water activities. It is the only coral reef island in Taiwan, located off the east coast of Taitung. Due to the influence of the Kuroshio tributaries, the seawater temperature is maintained above 25 degrees all year round. Therefore, it’s even possible to go underwater in winter, which makes this a superb snorkelling environment. Moreover, there are thousands of different coral reefs that breed various marine species. The must-see marine animal is the sea turtle. They are protected species in Taiwan, so remember not to touch them and preserve their natural environment.

Penghu Islands

Most international travellers aren’t familiar with the islands near Taiwan’s mainland. Visiting the Penghu Islands is a must for anyone’s travel bucket list. Penghu is an archipelago of 90 islands and islets in the Taiwan Strait. This gorgeous archipelago offers fantastic ocean views decked in saturated turquoise colour and with white coral sand on the shores. When you come to Penghu, you must see the spectacular basalt. In addition, Qimei Island has a Twin-Hearts Stone Weir, which is a romantic love spot. Moses parts the sea at Kuibi mountain. Will you admire the power of Mother Nature? In Penghu, you can feast on the freshest seafood and try cactus ice!

Although Taiwan is a small island, it has astonishing geographic scenery. There are many mountains to explore and countless delicacies to savour. Taiwan is your best choice among all Asia countries, and you’ll have an unforgettable journey here!

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