Last Updated on February 4, 2021
Whether you are done with most of Asia or if you are just beginning to explore the continent, etch Taiwan firmly into your bucket list. Wondering why? We covered as much as we could over an enjoyable 11 days and share these 15 reasons why we feel Taiwan deserves to be your next travel destination.
When the Portugese first reached modern day Taiwan back in the mid-16th century, they couldn’t help being in awe of the “beautiful island” and aptly called it Ilha Formosa. They sure got the name bang on.
We might have visited Taiwan but the place was literally Formosa!
Taiwan’s a small island…
So, Taiwan is small, geographically. (It does have a large heart but more on that later.)
It’s 1/10th the size of Japan or Germany, roughly a quarter the size of Nepal or Greece and half that of Ireland or Sri Lanka. In short, it is just about the size of Belgium or Bhutan.
At 36193 sq. km., Taiwan makes for a really compact package. Just the place you can easily consider for an extended weekend trip (for those in Asia) and a nice week to 10 days otherwise. And super easy to plan out an itinerary.
In a week, it is possible to even catch over half of the most popular destinations on the island. And two weeks really gets you a fuller coverage and a fair idea of just how wholesome the place is.
But that’s not enough to recommend a destination highly, right? Here are the other reasons that make a strong case for having Taiwan as your next travel destination.
…that’s BIG on everything else
So, it’s a relatively small island…but big on everything. For its size, Taiwan sure packs in a punch. In just that landmass, check out what is on offer:
A bustling cosmopolitan capital city that balances a once tallest building in the world with serene temples all over. A night market scene that is a foodie’s delight and an evolved transportation scene. The blessing of great topography and lovely people.
Taiwan is such a perfectly rounded destination. Consider this – regardless of the kind of traveller you are and the theme of your trip, there’s something for everyone. More on that in the points that follow.
For an island of its dimensions, Taiwan’s landscape is both diverse and stunning. There’s plenty on offer both on sights and experiences and even a week long trip can present a visitor with options galore.
From the cultural hotspots like the ancient capital, Tainan, to cool hill stations like Alishan, spellbinding waterbodies like the Sun Moon Lake to stunning gorges like Taroko, seaside gems like Kaohsiung and the gorgeous beach destinations of Kenting and also Penghu, an island of the island – Taiwan has it all.
What’s more, if you are short on time and don’t have a Taroko Gorge lined up, take a consolation hike in Taipei itself by heading up to Xiang Shan or Elephant Mountain. It’s a very small, super easy climb but the views you get of the cityscape, including the Taipei 101, is more than worth it.
Easy to get to
Taiwan’s prominence in the world of industry and trade has meant that it’s on the global flight network. The Taiwanese capital, Taipei, is very well connected by air within Asia and to most countries around the globe.
Most international travellers fly in to Taouyuan International Airport that’s located around 40 kms from Taipei city. It’s extremely well connected by the airport MRT that will get you to the city centre in less than 40 mts. Other options include buses and taxis but the fast and comfortable MRT is really a no-brainer here.
Other cities in Taiwan that have international airports are Kaohsiung in the south west and Taichung in the west.
Taipei, Taipei, Taipei
It’s hard not to fall in love with the capital cities all over the Far East. Whether it’s Tokyo or Seoul, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or Hong Kong…they are all as vibrant and fun as they can get.
But overlook Taipei at your own peril! Here is a, relatively, less sought after gem that glitters almost as much as the bigger names.
Even with all the modernness – the skyscrapers and the overall buzz of a big city – Taipei surprises the visitor with little pockets of calm and greenery punctuated in the midst of all the urbaneness. A serere temple here, a refreshing park there…it comes across as a city that’s both vibrant and soothing, eminently visit worthy and definitely liveable.
The Taipei 101, the poster child of Taiwanese growth, ruled the skies as the tallest skyscraper in the world between 2004 and 2010. A ride up in its fast elevators and the view of Taipei and neighbouring areas is an exhilarating experience. As is the view of the Taipei 101 and the pulsating cityscape from Elephant Mountain. For a totally different visual experience, try the Maekong Gondola ride for the views en route and on top.
But Taipei is much more than its big concrete boys and the modern urbanscape.
The heritage side of the city is just as compelling and a visit to the many temples – old and new but all equally serene and atmospheric – proves this. Longshan, Confucius, Dalangdong Baoan, Xingtian, Qingshui are some of the unmissable temples in Taipei.
Equally worthy of your time in the city are the icons of a resurgent Taiwan that can be witnessed in such impressive structures as the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Martyr’s Shrine, besides others.
But just when you think that Taipei is a cultural hotspot and that’s the overriding character of the city, the modern side screams for attention.
Head out to hip and edgy Ximending – we loved the neon lit vibes there, the combination of swanky stores and the many eating options, the life of the streets and random performers and more. Xinyi is another district for those wanting to size up Taipei’s nightlife and for those many bars and clubs.
And almost every attraction in Taipei is just a metro ride away. To keep the modernness of this dynamic city going is a world class transportation system that is led by the impeccably run Metro, spanning the entire city.
Plenty of short trips from Taipei
If you are short on time and plan to be only in and around Taipei, you still can make most of your Taiwan trip without going all over the island.. Of course, it would help very much if you spent at least 5 days to a week to do justice to the Taiwanese capital and the worthy destinations around.
But here’s a glimpse of some of the day trips from Taipei, and even some night stays, that can be done.
Remember the animation classic, Spirited Away? The charming hill town of Jiufen, though mistakenly considered, will remind you of the setting for the movie. The winding alleys are a treasure of eateries on both sides if you don’t mind the jostling crowds around. As for the mountainside on which the town is perched, it sure paints a pretty picture.
The theme of street food and night markets is a common theme and Jiufen and Keelung can be great destinations to gorge on for anyone looking for options outside Taipei.
Shifen is another nice little stop to check out and you don’t even need to leave the quaint train station there to feel the place. We stood on the rail tracks watching people ready their paper lanterns, complete with their name and message, and release them up into the sky. The walk to the nearby waterfall is also a good way to see the surroundings.
Then there are the sulphur springs and hot springs in Beitou and Wulai to indulge in. For something more active and outdoorsy, there are hiking options in Yangmingshan National Park or at the Teapot Mountain Trail or even snorkelling and cliff jumping in Longdong (Dragon cave).
Of course, there are many ways to experience a less urban feel of Taipei. Hang out at Tamsui’s fisherman wharf or go on a river cruise. Hike up Elephant Mountain to take in spectacular views of the Taipei skyline that includes the Taipei 101, of course. Or lose yourself in the expansive Da’an Forest Park right in the middle of the city.
High on mountains
For an island, Taiwan can stun you with its wealth of mountains. For the number of peaks to overall area proportion, not many countries can boast of a staggering 286 summits greater than 3000 metres! The highest point in the island is Yushan or the Jade Mountain that towers at 3952 m.
Obviously, there are plenty of hiking options on offer in Taiwan. Taipei itself has the Elephant Mountain, an easy walk up. Further north there is the Yangmingshan National Park where you could do the hikes up to the peaks of Qixing, Miantan and Datun. The delightfully named Teapot Mountain is another popular day hike north of Taipei.
But for the casual traveller or a tourist short on time, there still are a great couple of options to be in the hills in Taiwan. In fact, we would even pick two such destinations as an absolute must-do in your Taiwanese itinerary for the varied hill holiday, nature and outdoor experiences they offer.
The first is Alishan, the scenic and almost unspoilt mountain destination, nestled in the centre of the island. The deep, thick woods can be explored on foot and also by the quaint forest train that chugs along its scenic heart.
The second is also a must-do for those seeking an adventure or outdoors experience in Taiwan. Taroko Gorge, near Hualien on the North East coast is one such place that is even more unspoilt than Alishan and no less spectacular.
One for beach lovers
It’s no wonder that Taiwan has some of the most stunning coastlines you could hope to see. After all, it is an island and a great beach experience is a given. But just the sight of the various hues of blue and white of the Pacific Ocean next to the lofty Qingshui cliffs near Hualien is mesmerising.
If you want to make Taipei your base or even will be spending more time in the north, check out the beaches that are a day trip from the Taiwanese capital.
Fulong, Baishawan, Chishingtan and Jici near Hualien, Kenting in the southernmost tip of Taiwan has White Sand Bay, Dawan, Nanwan, Sand Island and Little Bay, Waiao in Yilan.
And if you prefer hopping over to the island’s own island, Penghu, off the west coast, you will be rewarded with awesome sandy beaches with those stunning sunsets. Don’t miss Shan Shui beach that’s tranquil and less crowded than the beaches on the mainland. If you still want to hop over to yet another island, Jibei Sand Beach on Bird Island offers a lovely and more isolated feel.
If you are on the east coast and near Taitung in the south east, check out Lanyu or Orchid Island, home to the Yami tribe. This is one outing that will offer both a beach and a window to the local island life.
Cultural extravaganza everywhere
For a place of its size, Taiwan has many riches but its the wealth of its culture and heritage that is best explained by the fact that there are, reportedly, around 15000 temples on the island. Besides Buddhist, there are numerous temples devoted to Taoism and Confucianism.
Visiting Taiwan is also akin to visiting many countries, really! Of course, there is the Chinese connection that the centuries of being next door to China has had on the island. But you see glimpses of Portugese, Dutch and Japanese in many things concerning the architecture, culture, food et al. Of late, there has been the American influence as well. What we really did notice is the strong shades of Japan that shows up.
And going back in history before any of the settlers and foreigners came in, there were the indigenous tribes. The Formosan Aboriginal Culture village near Sun Moon Lake offers a glimpse into their world. We were lucky to also sample a traditional spread of their food during our trip to Taroko Gorge.
Complimenting the rich legacy of its places of worship, Taiwan also has various festivals that display its cultural prowess and entertain the visitor. The Lantern festival also called the Pingxi Sky in February, the Dragon Boat, Moon festival, the Mazu festival at Taichung in March-April, to name a few of the standout events are great to sample.
Food, food, food
Say cheese to tofu, a rather stinky one actually! But worry not if we tell you that the national dish is one that you might recoil at when you get to within a few metres of it. The stink apart, the texture apart, it does taste pretty good.
But that’s not what Taiwanese cuisine is in a nutshell. Food here is an extravaganza and no foodie who visits Taiwan would take long to fall in love with the incredible, delicious range of eats around.
The other iconic food items that are associated with the country are also unmissable when you are visiting Taiwan.
The delightful bubble tea that comes in many flavours is a standout. Whether you drink the milk laced version or any other flavour, the one constant is the bubbly and chewy balls made of tapioca. Slurping it through those large straws can be quite a treat.
And it is possible you have heard of Din Tai Fung, the celebrated chain that is best known for the delectable xiao long bao or dumplings. The melt in the mouth classics don’t come easy if the serpentine queues outside their outlets are any indication. But what you get elsewhere, especially in night markets, is no less.
But the real food heaven in almost every city, every town on the island has to be the incredibly good night markets. On every evening of our 11 day stay, we found ourselves gorging on the incredible range of food in Taiwan’s famous night markets. That’s not to say the restaurants aren’t worth visiting – quite the contrary! But such is the variety, the taste, the hygiene levels and the overall colourful experience of the street food on offer, it’s unmissable.
Taipei itself has such iconic night markets like Shilin, Raohe, Ningxia, Huaxi and Linjiang, to name the most popular. Outside Taipei too, night markets are the place to go once the sun goes down and you are ready to gorge. Ruifeng and Liuhe in Kaohsiung, Flower Night Market in Tainan, Feng Chia in Taichung are some stand-outs in the other cities.
But what we found really impressive about Taiwan’s ability to satiate your hunger pangs without having you step into a restaurant or walk the night markets is the astounding number of convenience stores.
What we particularly loved is the widespread prevalence of convenience stores all over Taiwan, especially the big cities. For anyone who has visited Japan and Thailand, the 7/11s and their ilk are a blessing when you want to pick up something quick, cheap and of excellent quality and variety.
Apart from picking up anything of general use and interest, it is the amazing array of well packed, hygienic and delicious food and drinks that make it a parallel eating out option. The food here is affordable and the outlets (like 7/11, Family Mart, OK Mart et al) allow for eating in the store.
Easy to get around
Getting around Taiwan is super easy, really. Trains are comfortable, fast and frequent for travels between most cities on the island. But it’s the High Speed Rail (HSR) bullet trains running on the West Coast that makes train travel such a breeze in Taiwan. The route run from Taipei in the north to Kaohsiung in the south, covering 345 kms in just 90 mts, connecting Taichung, Changuang, Chiayi and Tainan among the main cities en route.
The big cities, including Taipei and Kaohsiung, have world class metro networks. We even got to ride in their comfortable and punctual buses in Tainan and on our trips from Lukang to Sun Moon Lake to Alishan to Tainan.
As for long distance transport, Taiwan has an HSR (High Speed Train) on the Taipei-Kaohsiung route on the east coast that does the Japanese Shinkansen proud. As an option, there are slower (relatively!) trains as well which is just as well. In a smallish island, even a trip from Taipei in the north to Kaohsiung in the South takes only 4 to 6 hours as against the 2 hours by HSR, for just half the price. There are flights within Taiwan but with train travel of such levels, airlines needn’t really be used.
To simplify things and make it easy to get around, the EasyCard is a handy tool to be picked up. It pretty much covers most of a visitor’s (local’s also, surely!) requirements – paying for all forms of transportation on the island including all metros, while parking, in convenience stores, at many attractions and even to rent a bike through the YouBike network. Bikes, incidentally, are very popular in Taiwan and can be seen all over.
But getting around in Taiwan need not be all high tech and cutting edge. Those pining for some good old railway experience only need to visit Alishan to savour that idyllic, scenic ride in the Alishan Forest Railway network. Spanning 86 kms, this World Heritage Status bestowed classic holds out all the bells and whistles of a vintage train ride with wooden bridges, tunnels and switchbacks.
Eco Friendly
Taiwan is one of the tidiest and most ecologically conscious nations on the planet. The cleanliness standards that we witnessed in every place we went bear that out. The statistics too hold out this impression when we learnt that the country has a appreciable 55% recycling rate.
Biking is big in Taiwan and the country is a paradise for cycling enthusiasts. The entire east coast is scenic with good roads. There is reportedly over 3000 kms of dedicated cycle tracks all over the island. Cycling is possible in the cities too and it’s a common sight to see in Taipei and the bigger towns.
For us, Taiwan offered us an endearing, enduring travel memory that counts as a unique reminder of their eco-friendly lifestyle. The sight and sound of the garbage collection trucks that play music as they roll down the streets of Hualien won both our amusement and respect.
Lovely, friendly folks
For many of us, the warmth of the welcome we receive in a foreign country can make or break our trip. Taiwan’s reputation of topping the Expat Insider list of the friendliest country for expats can’t be a surprise to many. It’s been in the top 5 friendliest nations in this list for 5 years running.
When we read up about Taiwanese people being some of the friendliest and most polite anywhere on the planet, we weren’t ready for what we encountered there. Suffice to say that not once did we have any encounter with locals, retailers, travel related officials, people at places we stayed or ate or shopped, or anyone at all.
There were random people sharing their food with us, locals helping us at the train stations while we kept fumbling at the ticket slot machines, sometimes going out of their way to point out directions when we looked lost. One person even went as far as stopping and checking directions on his phone.
The first thing that struck us (and that still remains appreciable long after we returned) was the fact that not one person there stared at us in the whole trip. This was in spite of our being one of the handful of foreigners anywhere we went, including the much smaller towns and villages. Forget making us feel uncomfortable, we were not even made to feel like we did not belong there and were visiting.
Just for the reassuring and feel-good time we had there on account of its people, Taiwan tops the list of destinations we have visited so far.
Reassuringly safe!
Linked to the earlier point is this one. In all our 11 days in Taiwan, there was not a single moment we ever felt uncomfortable or unsafe.
If you still would like the reassurance of a stamp of approval, take it on good authority from nothing short of the FBI that records Taiwan as the second safest country, just behind Japan.
This was the one country, other than Bhutan, that we were left to ourselves for the entire duration of the trip. Not once were we approached by anyone and we did stick out as tourists everywhere we went. At no night market, no tourist attraction, transportation hubs, anywhere at all.
Far less tourists and touristy
This is something that stood out during our entire visit. Nowhere in Taiwan, including Taipei, did we get the feeling of being in touristy surroundings with congested sightseeing points, soliciting touts, jostling with other travellers and so on.
Amidst much more travelled destinations like Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Bali in the South East and Japan and South Korea further north east, Taiwan gets far lesser attention and international tourists. In our 12 days, we spotted just a few Western tourists and no Indians whatsoever.
And all this means getting a place pretty much to oneself! This is, of course, a relative thing when compared to the more touristy destinations. Taiwan too would have its peak seasons, especially festivals, the Chinese New Year and so on. But, from experience, we were pleasantly surprised at what we saw during our visit.
Mostly affordable
Well, most of Asia can be affordable in relation to travelling in other continents, especially Europe. Combined with the irresistible travel experiences, the lower cost of travelling in many Asian countries is a great draw. India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Nepal and Myanmar, to name a few, lead this list. Of course, there are exceptions like Japan and Singapore that are, comparatively, more expensive but totally worth it too.
So where does Taiwan stand on budget friendly travel?
We sure found Taiwan to be budget friendly. Travelling within Taiwan, especially in the cities, worked out really well on the pocket. We liked it that there was an option of a faster HSR and a relatively slower train and even buses. The class leading metro system in the larger cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung was such a blessing!
The wide network of convenience stores and the terrific night markets offer great options for eating out. Accommodation is not as cheap as Thailand or Vietnam but also not as costly as Japan or Singapore. We found plenty of moderately priced hotels and Airbnbs as also hostels.
Caveats
So is Taiwan that perfect that we don’t even need to tell you about anything to be prepared for?
Well, there’s very little in terms of a caveat, let alone a warning. But here are a few things you should be prepared for while visiting Taiwan.
– English is not widely spoken in Taiwan, especially outside of Taipei. Even within the Taipei or other larger cities like Kaohsiung or Taichung, the majority do not speak English. Be prepared for a Plan B. Ours was to just remember the life saver phrases like Ni hao (Hello) and She-she (Thank you). In most situations, these work and will endear you to the locals, as with any other language and country.
But there are plenty of English signs that make up for the language barrier. Also, if you have access to the internet and (especially) to Google Maps, you will be fine.
In any case, we just chose to go with flow. We used gestures, translation apps and images to communicate. And because the Taiwanese are so friendly, courteous and helpful, we had really no problems anywhere whatsoever.
– Vegetarians, your choices might get somewhat narrowed down (as it happens elsewhere in the Far East) but it certainly is not impossible to find good vegetarian food. Malini will vouch for that. Contrary to expectations, vegetarianism is practiced in Taiwan though the large majority do consume meat and seafood.
– If you are travelling from India, do note that airfares to Taipei are not among the cheapest, especially compared to fares to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. But if you are flying in from China or Singapore or Hong Kong and other hubs in South East Asia, you could get great deals.
– The one and only real challenge that did get us worked up before even getting there was the whole visa process. That, and that alone, was what we felt should have been more tourist friendly. (Of course, this is only for Indian tourists travelling from India). There again, if you hold a US, Shengen etc. visa, you are fine.
So, there’s our 15 reasons we loved Taiwan and hope you find these observations useful.
We are looking forward to our second visit already…
Should you have any questions or observations and a point of agreement or disagreement from your trip, drop in a comment below.
