16 Best Things To Do in Taiwan in 2022

Taiwan may be small, but it sure packs a punch when it comes to delicious food, natural wonders, and rich culture. Taiwan, known for its extravagant night markets, Michelin-starred restaurants, beautiful landscapes, stunning temples, and much more, makes it a top destination for all kinds of travelers.

With so many great things to see and experience in Taiwan, it can be difficult deciding what to do and how to make the most of your time here, therefore to make your lives a little easier I’ve narrowed down some of the best things that I believe are worthwhile.

1. Eat at a night market

What better way to get a taste of Taiwanese culture than eating at one of Taiwan’s many night markets. There are night markets all around the island that can be found in major cities and also in smaller townships. There are many similarities among night markets in Taiwan with what they serve however each offers its own uniqueness in taste and atmosphere.

Some of my favorite foods at night markets are the infamous stinky tofu (臭豆腐 chòu dòufu), fried chicken steak cutlet (雞排 jī pái), and Taiwanese sausage in a rice sausage (dàcháng bāo xiǎocháng 大腸包小腸).

If you’re staying in Taipei be sure to check out Raohe st. Night Market, Shilin Night Market, Huaxi Night Market, and Tonghua Night Market.

Also, as a reminder be sure to bring cash as cash is king at any night market in Taiwan. Vendors will only accept cash so stop at an ATM before going!

For a list of great night markets around Taiwan, check out this blog post (insert link here). And if you’re wondering what foods you should try check out this post!

2. Visit Taroko National Park

Taroko Gorge is by far one of my favorite places I’ve visited in Taiwan. I’ve never seen a place so beautiful in my life. If you’re a nature lover like me, then Taroko is a must-see.

There are three different buses that will take you to the Taroko Gorge: 1133, 1126, and 1141. rom the bright orange Hualien Bus Station which is right outside the Hualien Train Station, or alternatively you can rent a scooter near the station as well. If you plan to take the bus, you can use your EasyCard which I highly recommend or you can purchase a ticket at the bus station.

Note: I’ve noticed that the timetables change every so often so it’s important that you grab a copy of time table at the station. Also, be sure you take note of the last bus returning back to Hualien Bus Station. Don’t want you to get stuck out there!

The best hike that I recommend going on is the Yehliu Trail. In order to access the Yehliu Trail, you must be accompanied by a tour guide or purchase a permit beforehand.

3. Visit National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

This majestic monument was built in honor of Taiwan’s former authoritarian leader Chiang Kai-Shek and also houses a small museum. In order to get to the entrance of the hall, you must climb 89 steps (Chiang’s age when he died). Once here, be sure to catch the hourly changing of honor guards and the small museum inside to learn more about Chiang’s life.

Also, check out the beautiful classical Chinese-styled National Theater and National Concert Hall next door to CKS Memorial hall sits in Liberty Square. These halls are worthwhile to check out as they have some great exhibitions.

4. Head east to Hualien

Hualien is home to unique aboriginal culture, stunning coastal scenery, and most popularly Taroko National Park. Some other notable places to visit in Hualien are Qixingtan beach, Pine Garden which was once a Japanese military office for Kamikaze pilots, and Dongdamen Night Market where you’ll find lots of delicious food, games, and live performances!

If you’re a history fanatic then Pine Garden is the place for you. Pine Garden was once a Japanese Military Office for Kamikaze pilots. Finally, a great way to end the night and to eat delicious food is Dongdamen Night Market. Dongdamen is a large and lively market with lots of delicious food choices, games, and live performances!

5. Have a drink at one of Asia’s 50 best bars

If you enjoy a good cocktail, well you’re in luck because some of Asia’s 50 Best Bars are located right here in Taiwan! Taiwan bars that made it onto the 2021’s list are Indulge Experimental Bistro placing at number 4, Bar Mood at number 17, Le Kief at number 19, and Aha Saloon at number 24.

One of my favorite bars that didn’t make it onto 2021’s list but was in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 is Draftland. Draftland serves delicious cocktails on tap and has a more casual atmosphere than the others. Regardless of which bar you decide to go to, you’ll be sure to have a great drink.

6. Hike Elephant Mountain

Elephant Mountain or in Chinese, 象山 (Xiàngshān), is the most popular viewpoint in Taipei to get a spectacular view of Taipei 101 and the city skyline. It’s about a 1.1km hike to the top with an elevation gain of about 140m.

If you’re someone like me who enjoys good sunset, I recommend going 45-60 minutes before sunset on a sunny day, if possible. This will give you enough time to hike to the top and secure a good viewing spot among the crowds.

Although this is a relatively easy to moderate hike, I always recommend you bring some water. I’ve hiked this trail several times and do get a little sweaty on my way to the top because of the humidity. So be sure to stay hydrated!

To get to the trailhead, take the Red MRT Train to the very last stop Xiangshan Station, and take Exit 2. Next, follow the signs to Xiangshan Hiking Trail which will take you roughly 10 minutes to get there.

7. Head to the top of Taipei 101

Being the tallest building in Taipei and in fact the tallest building in Taiwan, Taipei 101 can easily be spotted almost anywhere in the city. This beautifully designed skyscraper resembles an enormous bamboo stalk and has 101 stories, hence the name Taipei 101.

At the top you will get an amazing 360 bird’s eye view of the city. The best time to go is a little before sunset. This will give you time to experience the city views during the day and also at night.

Tip: If you want to save money and time by buying your tickets online, or you can purchase a ‘priority pass’ in-person to skip the long lines.

8. Visit the National Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum is home to one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese Artifacts secured during the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. If you’re a history fanatic, this is the place for you. The museum is open Tuesday – Sunday from 9AM – 5PM and the cost of a regular ticket is 350NTD.

Next to the museum is Zhishan Garden which is a large traditional Chinese-style garden with free entrance if you have purchased a museum ticket or you can pay a small entrance fee of 20NTD.

The National Palace Museum also has a southern branch located in Talibao City, Chiayi County which was established to bring cultural equity between Northern and Southern Taiwan.

9. Explore Taiwan’s oldest city Tainan

Tainan is Taiwan’s oldest city and was once the capital of Taiwan. Tainan served as a major trading and political center up until the late nineteenth century. As a result, Tainan is home to many famous historical sites. Some popular places to see and visit are Anping Old Fort, a fortress built by the Dutch, Tainan Confucious Temple, the first Confucious Temple established in Taiwan, and Chihkan Tower, another fort established by the Dutch.

In addition to historical sites, Tainan is also known for its deep-rooted food culture. Some may even call Tainan the culinary capital of Taiwan. Their food differs from northern Taiwanese cuisine in that many dishes often have a sweeter taste. A local told me that Tainan is known for having sugar in the air because of how sweet the dishes are in comparison to the rest of Taiwan.

10. Go swimming at a beach

Taiwan may not be a top beach destination in comparison to its South East Asia neighbors, but there are several beaches with soft sand that are great if you’re looking to relax under the sun, swim, or even go snorkeling and diving.

On the northern coast be sure to check out Baishawan Beach, Dawulun Beach, and Fulong Beach. And on the southern coast of Taiwan in Kenting, the top beaches are White Sand Bay and Nanwan Beach.

If you’re willing to go the extra mile, take a ferry over to Penghu Island which is known as the Hawaii of Taiwan for its pristine, white-sand beaches and stunning coral reefs.

11. Take a gondola ride to Maokong Tea Houses

The Maokong Gondola takes you up into the foothills surrounding Taipei, where light, fruity Baozhong oolong tea is grown. To ride in a glass floor gondola, make sure to get in the line marked “Crystal Cabins.” There are several stops along the way including Zhinan Temple station where you will find city views from an extraordinary temple, or continue to the final stop Maokong station, from where you can explore numerous tea houses overlooking tea farms. Don’t forget to try the tea-flavored soft serve ice cream!

When I visited Maokong, I also found many cats wandering around the area. They seemed like they were no stranger to humans and were friendly enough to let me take their pictures. Here are some photos I captured of cats in Maokong.

12. Explore Sun Moon Lake by ferry, gondola, scooter, or bike.

Located at the heart of Taiwan is Sun Moon Lake, whose name is inspired by its shape. Sun Moon Lake is a beautiful alpine lake with temples, rich aboriginal culture, and scenic views.

Most people arrive at Shuishe, on the lake’s northwest shore. There are lots of great paths and lake views in Shuishe but I recommend taking a boat across the lake to the village of Ita Thao which is inhabited by the Thao Aboriginals.

The Thao, one of Taiwan’s smallest indigenous societies, have lived on the shores of Sun Moon Lake dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Here in Ita Thao, you can find a day/night market, food stalls, and restaurants. Be sure to try some aboriginal specialties such as boar meat and millet wine.

If you want to get the best views of Sun Moon Lake, I recommend taking the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway which is a walk away from Ita Thao or climbing up the spiraling steps of Ci En Pagoda which is just a short drive away from Ita Thao.

13. Visit one of the islands off the coast of Taiwan

If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the major cities in mainland Taiwan, try visiting one of several picturesque islands off the coast of Taiwan. The main islands include Penghu, Green Island, Kinmen, Lanyu (Orchid Island), and Matsu. Each of these islands differs in geographical and physical characteristics, as well as culture and history, which in turn offer its own unique beauty.

14. Visit the mountain town of Jiufen

Jiufen is on top of the list of Taiwan tourist destinations for its seaside mountain tea houses, scenic views, rich history, and for its similarities to a town in Hayao Miyazaki’s film: Spirited Away. Here at Jiufen there are lots of shopping opportunities, delicious food to choose from, and great photo ops. I highly recommend that you come here on a weekday to avoid the busy weekend crowds.

15. Check out the natural geologic rock formations at Yehliu Geo Park

Here at Yehliu Geo Park, you will find unique-looking rocks that have been formed over thousands of years from sea erosion, weathering, and other natural conditions. Some of these rocks have been labeled based on the shapes they resemble such as Queen’s Head, Honeycomb Rock, and Ice Cream Rock. Be sure to check the weather before going just to make sure you don’t get stuck out in the rain.

16. Visit Fo Guang Shan and see Taiwan’s largest statue

Fo Guang Shan is Taiwan’s largest monastery and is home to Taiwan’s largest statue. Fo Guang Shan was founded by the Buddhist monk Hsing Yun, in 1967. Soon after establishing the organization, Yun purchased 30 hectares of land in Dashu District (大樹區). Later in 1998, Hsing Yun was gifted Buddha’s tooth relic which prompted the development of the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum where the relic is now housed.

Entrance to Fo Guang Shan Monastery and Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum is free however, donations are welcome and can be made at any donation box found throughout the monastery and museum. These donations help keep the place up and running and free for visitors like you and me!

Conclusion

Thank you so much for reading my post on the Best Things to do in Taiwan! We hope that this helps you on your Taiwan trip planning or perhaps inspires you to visit Taiwan. If you have been to Taiwan and have any other suggestions of awesome things to do in Taiwan, be sure to leave a comment! We would love to hear from you all. Thanks again!