On the surface, choosing Taiwan destinations seems like an easy exercise—I know this personally. “Taiwan,” I was once fond of saying, “is just Taipei, Kaohsiung and their sisters.”
In fact, Taiwan is home to a diverse constellation of destinations and experiences. Necessarily, you’ll need to put more of the places to visit in Taiwan in contention the longer your trip lasts.
What I’m about to share with you is, for all intents and purposes, a starting point on the topic of where to go in Taiwan. As you research more deeply—and, after you arrive here, you explore more deeply—your list is going to get a lot longer, and richer.
The Structure of Your Taiwan Trip
Irrespective of the Taiwan destinations you end up choosing to visit, there are a couple assumptions you can make. The first is that unless you are arriving from within Asia, you will begin and end your trip at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei. (Travelers from within Asia may also arrive at Songshan Airport, Taiwan’s answer to Tokyo Haneda and Seoul Gimpo, or smaller international airports in Kaohsiung or Tainan.)
Irrespective of how many days in Taiwan you end up spending, you essentially have two options for structuring your trip: Heading clockwise around the island; or down the west coast and back. The first choice will likely require you to rent a car for at least a couple of days, since destinations like Taroko Gorge and East Coast Scenic Route are poorly accessible by train and bus. You can use Taiwan’s high-speed rail network, meanwhile, to explore the urban centers of the west coast.
Where to Go in Taiwan
Taipei and Environs
Whether you stay in the city and focus exclusively on things to do in Taipei, or take day trips to nearby Keelung or Jiufen, it’s impossible to avoid Taiwan’s capital on your trip. And it’s inadvisable—insane even. From the flavors and neon lights of night markets in the city center, to amazing hiking (and day-lily picking!) adventures in Yangmingshan National Park, to tourist traps like the Taipei 101 skyscraper and mall, Taipei beckons all Taiwan travelers.
Hualien and Taroko Gorge
Although not often ranked high on lists of Taiwan destinations for non-Taiwanese, I highly recommend that you visit northeastern Taiwan. Most travelers will base themselves in the rough-and-tumble city of Hualien, sleeping a night here before heading into stunning Taroko Gorge National Park for an exhilarating day of hiking. An alternative idea is to stay in Yilan, from which accessing the scenic Qingshui Cliffs is an easy excursion.
The East Coast Scenic Route
When most travelers talk about a “Taiwan road trip,” what they really mean is a straight shot down the East Coast Scenic Route. Beginning just south of Hualien (the first stop is typically Sanxiantai, or “Bridge of the Three Immortals”), this memorable drive will take you to scenic spots like the beach at Taimali, and potentially to the underrated city of Taitung, where you could spend your second beachside night.
Kaohsiung
Taiwan’s southern metropolis, industrial (but nonetheless alluring) Kaohsiung is a city of contrasts. If you get tired of attractions like the old town of Cijin, the Tiger and Dragon Pagoda or a lively spate of night markets, you can always take a day trip from Kaohsiung to scenic Fo Guang Shan Monastery. (TIP: If you haven’t yet checked out my Taipei vs Kaohsiung article, now would be a great time to do it!)
The West Coast
Although less famous than Taipei and Kaohsiung, several worthwhile cities (and natural destinations) sit between these two. Tainan used to be Taiwan’s capital, while sprawling Taichung, among its other accolades, is the birthplace of bubble milk tea. Chiayi, meanwhile, is the gateway to the dramatic tea fields of Alishan, while Sun Moon Lake is accessible from all these cities (though most directly from Taichung).
A Word About Kenting National Park
Here’s a secret: While Kenting National Park tends to top the list of Taiwan destinations for those seeking sun and surf, I am not a massive fan. The coast leading down into the park, for example, is beautiful, but I find the town itself (and its famous, but overrated, night market) to be busy and underwhelming. Many of the Taiwan beaches close to town, meanwhile, are downright underwhelming. Some offer views of a nuclear power plant!
None of this is to say Kenting isn’t worth visiting. At a minimum, you’ll probably stop here for a night if you spend 2 weeks in Taiwan; it’s a logical place to sleep after your east coast road trip, but before dropping your car off in Kaohsiung. I’m just recommending you temper your expectations. The less idea you have of what Kenting should be, the more you’ll be satisfied with what it actually is.
What About the Islands?
One of the proudest points of distinction for many Taiwanese is the fact not only that Taiwan islands (i.e. outlying territory) exist, but that they are great and worthwhile destinations. These include:
- Lanyu (Orchid Island) and Lyudao (Green Island)
- The Penghu archipelago
- Kinmen Islands
- Mazu Islands
Other FAQ About Taiwan Destinations
Which part of Taiwan is best?
Although Taipei is by far Taiwan’s largest and most cosmopolitan city, it’s not necessarily the country’s destinations. Nature lovers will probably prefer a rural, east coast county such as Yilan, Hualien or Taitung, while foodies might prefer the more off-beaten-path discoveries available in secondary cities like Taichung and Tainan.
Is Taiwan a good tourist destination?
Taiwan is an amazing tourist destination. Although the country is similar in size to the US state of Maryland, it offers amazing natural diversity, as well as at least half a dozen cities and towns that are worth exploring. You can easily spend a week or two in Taiwan, and possibly much longer, depending on your interests.
Where should I visit in Taiwan?
I’d recommend planning an eclectic Taiwan trip. After a few days in Taipei, rent a car and drive down the east coast via Yilan, Hualien and Taitung countries. Spend some time on the beach in Kenting National Park, then drop your car off in Kaohsiung and ride the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) up the west coast, stopping in cities like Tainan, Chiayi and Taichung (and potentially at gorgeous Sun Moon Lake or high-altitude Alishan) on your way back p up to the capital.
The Bottom Line
If you weren’t convinced of the breadth and depth of Taiwan destinations when you clicked on this page, consider yourself schooled. Although many travelers on short trips to Taipei will more or less divide their time between Taipei and Kaohsiung (or Kenting, or Taroko Gorge, or somewhere else), I hope you’ll spend long enough on the island to appreciate the richness of destinations and experiences here. Want to make sure your trip to Taiwan leaves no stone unturned? Consider commissioning a custom Taiwan itinerary!
