Things to Do in Taiwan

Quick facts: From the observation deck you can feel a subtle sway as a 660-ton tuned mass damper cushions wind and quake forces, the massive sphere visible through the glass adding a surprising industrial drama. Riding the elevators is a giddy thrill; they climb at about 60 km/h and reach the observation level in roughly 37 seconds, leaving the city rushing away beneath the windows.

Highlights: Behind a wall of glass on the 88th floor, a 660-ton tuned mass damper, a polished 5.5-meter steel sphere suspended by 41 cables, rocks like a slow metronome during typhoons and earthquakes, and you can hear the faint creak and see the room drift. Step into the glass elevator and you surge from the 5th to the 89th floor in about 37 seconds at 60.6 km/h, your ears pop and the skyline melts into a streak of lights.

Quick facts: Step into hushed galleries where over 600,000 jade, porcelain, and ink treasures shimmer under soft lights, their tiny brushstrokes and kiln marks rewarding close, patient viewing. A rotating exhibit schedule means you might stumble on imperial seals, miniature carvings, or scrolls that rarely travel, so every visit can feel like uncovering a secret.

Highlights: Walk up to the tiny, pale-green 'Jadeite Cabbage' and you'll spot a miniature locust and katydid tucked into the carved veins, the leaves standing about 18 centimeters tall yet carved with insect legs so fine they catch the light. Nearby the 'Meat-shaped Stone' shines like a lacquered slice of braised pork, its layered bands and glossy surface tricking your eyes and making many visitors laugh out loud.

Quick facts: Towering marble cliffs rise dramatically from turquoise rivers carving one of Asia's deepest gorges. Narrow trails snake through tunnels and suspension bridges, offering jaw-dropping views at every turn.

Highlights: Rainbow-colored marble walls shimmer under sunlight with hues shifting between emerald, ivory, and gold, creating a natural kaleidoscope. Echoes of the flowing Liwu River blend with birdsong and the rumbling of waterfalls in a symphony of natural sound.

Quick facts: This lake is the largest body of water in Taiwan and spans nearly 8 square kilometers. It is famous for its precise halving into a sun side and a moon side, inspired by its mountainous surroundings.

Highlights: Glide across the water on boats emblazoned with the patterns of the local Thao tribe, adding culture and color to your journey. When sunrise hits, the reflection of nearby Xiangshan Mountain creates a breathtaking mirror effect that changes colors throughout the day.

Quick facts: Sunrises here light up the sky with a palette of vibrant colors that change by the minute. Towering ancient cypress trees stand sentinel, some over two thousand years old.

Highlights: The early morning mist weaves through the forest, making the trails feel like walking through a dreamscape bathed in soft light. A famous train route snakes through the park, offering breathtaking views of cloud seas and mountain peaks.

Quick facts: A thunderous hourly changing of the guard draws crowds, the precise choreography and imposing bronze statue create a surprisingly cinematic moment. Visitors remark on the vast marble plaza and striking white-and-blue color scheme, where the echoing vaulted hall and manicured gardens make the space feel both monumental and unexpectedly peaceful.

Highlights: Every hour on the hour a perfectly timed guard change plays out beneath the cobalt roof, boots snapping and drums punctuating the air so sharply that tourists fall into silence and children press their noses to the balustrade. At sunset the marble hall blazes a warm ochre while the reflecting pool flips the whole scene into mirror-image, the smell of frying scallion pancakes drifting across the plaza and making the place feel alive rather than solemn.

Quick facts: Neon signs and sizzling woks guide you through a maze of hundreds of stalls, where the smell of stinky tofu and the rattle of arcade games hit every sense at once. Vendors push giant fried chicken cutlets and scallion pancakes that sometimes draw lines over a hundred people, turning midnight snacking into a full-on local pastime.

Highlights: Follow the smell of five-spice and frying oil and you'll find a Hot-Star stall where the signature fried chicken is pounded paper-thin, fried until the crust crackles, and served on a paper bag roughly 15 centimeters across. After midnight veteran vendors still gather under red lanterns to trade NT$100 palm readings, a quirky ritual where readers scribble tiny characters on slips of paper and gossip about exam results like old friends.

Quick facts: Misty trails release a mineral tang as steaming fumaroles and bubbling hot springs punctuate fields of bright cherry and azalea blooms. Hikers can loop short crater trails to find panoramic ridgelines and rare volcanic landscapes, where cool forests sit alongside warm geothermal vents.

Highlights: Steam hisses from fumaroles at Xiaoyoukeng, where mineral-streaked rocks and a sulfur tang make the air taste metallic, a raw reminder that you're standing 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 paint the slopes in pinks and whites.

Quick facts: The park is home to Taiwan's southernmost point, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Taiwan Strait in a dramatic coastline. You can spot rare coral reefs and more than 200 bird species within its diverse ecosystems.

Highlights: A natural spectacle unfolds at the Eluanbi Lighthouse area where you can watch fishermen unloading their catch against the backdrop of turquoise waters. Night snorkeling lets you witness glowing plankton illuminating the sea, creating a magical underwater light show.

Quick facts: Narrow alleys meander past over 200 well-preserved shops showcasing traditional Taiwanese crafts and snacks. The street buzzes with locals and tourists alike, drawn by its lively markets and old-time charm.

Highlights: Spot intricately carved wooden doors that tell stories of the town's past, and savor the aroma of freshly made peanut candy wafting through the air. Watch artisans delicately molding plaster gods in a centuries-old craft that captivates all ages.