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Things to Do in Taiwan
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Plan language: EnglishMost popular attractions in Taiwan
Things to do in Taiwan include visiting Taipei 101, which was once the tallest building in the world at 508 meters. You can also admire ancient Chinese art at the National Palace Museum, home to more than 600,000 artifacts. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the stunning marble cliffs of Taroko Gorge, an ideal spot for hiking and photography.
1. Taipei 101
Taipei
Quick facts: From the observation deck you can notice a gentle sway as a 660-ton tuned mass damper absorbs wind and earthquake forces. The large sphere visible through the glass adds an unexpected industrial flair. Riding the elevators offers an exhilarating experience; they travel at around 60 km/h and reach the observation platform in about 37 seconds, with the cityscape racing past the windows below.
Highlights: On the 88th floor behind a glass wall, a 660-ton tuned mass damper, a polished 5.5-meter steel sphere hanging by 41 cables, moves like a slow metronome during typhoons and earthquakes. You can hear the faint creaking and see the room shift. Step into the glass elevator and you ascend from the 5th to the 89th floor in roughly 37 seconds at 60.6 km/h, your ears pop and the skyline blurs into streams of light.
2. National Palace Museum
Taipei
Quick facts: Enter quiet galleries where over 600,000 jade, porcelain, and ink artifacts glow under soft lighting. Their tiny brush strokes and kiln marks reward detailed, patient inspection. A rotating exhibit schedule means you might come across imperial seals, miniature carvings, or scrolls that rarely travel, making each visit feel like uncovering a secret.
Highlights: Approach the small pale-green 'Jadeite Cabbage' to see a tiny locust and katydid tucked into the carved veins, with leaves about 18 centimeters tall but carved with insect legs so delicate they catch the light. Nearby, the 'Meat-shaped Stone' gleams like a lacquered slice of braised pork, its layered bands and glossy surface tricking your eyes and making many visitors laugh aloud.
3. Taroko Gorge
Hualien
Discover towering marble cliffs and vivid river colors. Follow picturesque trails featuring tunnels and suspension bridges for incredible views.
Quick facts: Towering marble cliffs rise dramatically from turquoise rivers carving one of Asia's deepest gorges. Narrow paths wind through tunnels and suspension bridges, offering stunning views at every turn.
Highlights: Rainbow-colored marble walls gleam under sunlight, their hues shifting among emerald, ivory, and gold to create a natural kaleidoscope. The sounds of the flowing Liwu River blend with birdsong and roaring waterfalls in a natural symphony.
Have you heard of free walking tours?
After traveling to 30+ countries, there's one thing I wish someone had told me from day one, and it completely changed how I experience new cities.
Free walking tours. Yes, actually free. No credit card needed. No catch.
Local guide, 2-3 hours
Major sights, hidden gems, local stories
100% tip-based
Guides earn only tips, so they give their absolute best
You tip what feels right
At the end, just tip whatever you feel is right
I've done these in dozens of cities and they've been the highlight of almost every trip. If you're visiting Taiwan, do this on your first day. You'll thank me later.
4. Sun Moon Lake
Nantou
Enjoy peaceful beauty where sun meets moon on sparkling waters. Take boat rides, admire mountain vistas, and encounter local culture.
Quick facts: This lake is Taiwan's largest body of water, covering nearly 8 square kilometers. It is known for being almost perfectly divided into a sun side and a moon side, inspired by the shape of the surrounding mountains.
Highlights: Glide across the water on boats decorated with patterns from the local Thao tribe, adding cultural richness and color to your trip. At sunrise, the reflection of nearby Xiangshan Mountain creates a stunning mirror effect that changes colors throughout the day.
5. Alishan Forest Recreation Area
Chiayi
Witness stunning mountain sunrises and mist-covered paths. Stroll among ancient trees and travel on a scenic forest train through tranquil clouds.
Quick facts: Sunrises here paint the sky with vibrant colors that shift by the minute. Towering ancient cypress trees stand guard, some more than two thousand years old.
Highlights: Morning mist weaves through the forest, making the trails feel like walking through a dream bathed in soft light. A famous train route winds through the park, offering breathtaking views of sea-like clouds and mountain peaks.
6. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Taipei
Quick facts: An hourly thunderous changing of the guard draws crowds. The precise choreography and imposing bronze statue create a surprisingly cinematic moment. Visitors admire the vast marble plaza and bold white-and-blue color scheme, where the vaulted hall’s echoes and manicured gardens make the space monumental yet peaceful.
Highlights: Every hour on the hour, a perfectly timed guard change unfolds beneath the cobalt roof, with snapping boots and sharp drumbeats silencing tourists and drawing children to press their noses against the balustrade. At sunset, the marble hall glows warm ochre while the reflecting pool mirrors the entire scene, and the smell of frying scallion pancakes drifts across the plaza, making the place feel lively rather than solemn.
7. Shilin Night Market
Taipei
Quick facts: Neon signs and sizzling woks lead you through a maze of hundreds of stalls, where the smell of stinky tofu and the clatter of arcade games assault all the senses. Vendors sell giant fried chicken cutlets and scallion pancakes that sometimes draw lines over a hundred people, turning midnight snacking into a local ritual.
Highlights: Follow the scent of five-spice and frying oil to a Hot-Star stall where the signature fried chicken is hammered paper-thin, fried till the crust crackles, and served on a paper bag about 15 centimeters wide. After midnight, veteran vendors still gather under red lanterns for NT$100 palm readings, a quirky custom where readers scribble tiny characters on slips of paper and gossip about exam results like old friends.
8. Yangmingshan National Park
Taipei
Quick facts: Misty trails emit a mineral scent as steaming fumaroles and bubbling hot springs interrupt fields of bright cherry and azalea blossoms. Hikers can circle short crater trails to discover panoramic ridge lines and rare volcanic landscapes, where cool forests sit beside warm geothermal vents.
Highlights: Steam hisses from fumaroles at Xiaoyoukeng, where mineral-streaked rocks and a sulfur tang give the air a metallic taste, a vivid reminder that you stand on one of the seven volcanoes of the Datun range. On sunny weekends, families spread checkered blankets on Qingtiangang’s windswept grassland, nibbling warm 'hot-spring eggs' bought from vendors near Lengshuikeng, while chrysanthemums and azaleas color the slopes in pinks and whites.
9. Kenting National Park
Pingtung
Take in amazing coastal sights and colorful marine life. See glowing plankton and coral reefs in a beautiful tropical setting.
Quick facts: The park is home to Taiwan's southernmost point, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Taiwan Strait along a dramatic coastline. You can see rare coral reefs and over 200 bird species in its diverse ecosystems.
Highlights: A natural show takes place at the Eluanbi Lighthouse area where you can watch fishermen unloading their catch against turquoise waters. Night snorkeling lets you see glowing plankton lighting up the sea, creating a magical underwater light display.
10. Lukang Old Street
Changhua
Explore lively streets filled with traditional crafts and delicious treats. Experience bustling markets, rich history, and genuine local culture on one walk.
Quick facts: Narrow alleys wind past over 200 well-preserved shops displaying traditional Taiwanese crafts and snacks. The street buzzes with locals and tourists drawn by lively markets and old-world charm.
Highlights: See intricately carved wooden doors that tell stories of the town’s history, and enjoy the smell of freshly made peanut candy in the air. Watch artisans carefully mold plaster gods in a centuries-old craft that fascinates all ages.
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Most popular day trips
Jiufen
Historic mountain town with teahouses and gold-mine history.
Yangmingshan National Park
Hot springs, hiking trails and spring flower displays.
Pingxi & Shifen
Old railway towns, sky lanterns and scenic waterfalls.
Tamsui (Danshui)
Riverside sunsets, street food and historic forts.
Getting there
Airports
Train stations
TRA (conventional rail), Taipei Metro, THSR (Taipei) access
THSR (high-speed), TRA (conventional rail)
Use the Taoyuan Airport MRT to Taipei; Songshan is a short taxi/MRT ride; HSR links Zuoying to Kaohsiung.
Click to get eSim for Taiwan
The easiest and most affordable way to get mobile internet wherever you travel.
Visa & entry
Many EU countries, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia
Nationals from some countries (e.g., mainland China, India) and others not listed above typically need a visa or prior approval
Check Taiwan's eVisa/entry rules and passport validity; some stays differ by nationality.
Comments (10)
Weather was mostly hot and humid, so pack light clothes. I'd say a week is good to cover Taipei and a couple day trips.
I was a bit underwhelmed by the temples, they all start looking similar after a while. But the local friendliness more than made up for it.
If you want cheaper dinner, eat at small local joints away from tourist areas; usually no English menus but staff is nice enough to help.
Food-wise, try the street snacks but skip the bubble tea chains, local shops taste way better and cheaper. Overall a vibrant city!
Three days here felt rushed if you want to enjoy the food and get out of the city. Maybe five days to really soak in the vibe.