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Best Things to Do in Taiwan: A Complete Guide

10 Best Things to Do in Taiwan

Looking for what to do in Taiwan? This island blends modern cities, night markets and high-speed trains with cloud-wreathed mountains, hot springs, gorges and small coastal towns. Taipei’s towers and temples give way to tea-growing hills, Pacific cliffs and tropical beaches, all linked by efficient transport that makes it easy to mix urban and outdoor experiences in one trip.

From slurping noodles in buzzing night markets and riding scenic railways to hiking through marble gorges, soaking in hot springs and wandering old streets lined with lanterns, Taiwan rewards both quick visits and slower, loop-the-island journeys. Here are the 10 best things to do in Taiwan to help you plan your itinerary.

1. Explore Taipei’s Neighborhoods, Temples and Viewpoints

Start in Taipei, Taiwan’s capital, where modern towers sit alongside old temples and low-rise lanes. Visit Longshan Temple in Wanhua, one of the city’s most atmospheric temples, with incense curling around ornate roofs and carvings. Nearby historic streets and herb shops reveal older layers of the city.

For views, ride the Maokong Gondola up into the tea-growing hills or hike Elephant Mountain near Xinyi, where short but steep steps lead to rocky viewpoints over Taipei 101 and the surrounding skyline. In between, explore districts like Zhongshan and Da’an for cafés, small boutiques and leafy parks that locals use every day.

2. Eat Your Way Through Night Markets

Night markets are a defining part of life in Taiwan, offering cheap, varied street food under bright lights and awnings. In Taipei, Shilin Night Market, Raohe Street Night Market and Ningxia Night Market are among the best known, each with its own layout and specialties.

Look for favorites like stinky tofu, scallion pancakes, pepper buns baked in tandoor-style ovens, fried chicken steaks, oyster omelettes, bubble tea, shaved ice and endless skewers and snacks. Outside Taipei, cities like Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Hualien have their own night markets where you can graze on local specialties and people-watch for hours.

3. Visit Jiufen, Shifen and the Old Streets of Northern Taiwan

North of Taipei, old mining towns and hillside villages cling to steep slopes overlooking the sea. Jiufen’s narrow lanes are lined with teahouses, snack stalls and red lanterns, with stairways climbing between viewpoints, small temples and houses that look out over the coast.

Nearby, Shifen and Pingxi are known for old railway lines, waterfalls and sky lanterns that visitors release with handwritten wishes. Wandering cobbled streets, crossing old bridges and ducking into teahouses offers a nostalgic look at Taiwan’s past, especially outside the busiest weekend hours.

4. Ride the High-Speed Rail and Discover Central Taiwan

Taiwan’s High-Speed Rail (HSR) runs down the west side of the island, linking Taipei with cities like Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan and Kaohsiung in a matter of hours. Using the HSR makes it easy to base yourself in one or two cities and explore nearby sights with local trains and buses.

In Taichung, you’ll find museums, parks and creative hubs like Rainbow Village and art districts converted from old factories. Tainan, Taiwan’s oldest city, is full of temples, alleyways and food stalls, while Chiayi is the gateway to Alishan’s forests and sunrise viewpoints accessible via mountain roads and trains.

5. Hike, Cycle and Boat Around Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake, in central Taiwan, is a scenic highland lake surrounded by hills, temples and villages. A cycling path and quiet roads loop around the water, passing lookout points, suspension bridges and small harbors, making biking one of the best ways to see the area.

Boat shuttles connect key points such as Ita Thao and Shuishe, where you can hop off to explore temples, markets and viewpoints. Short walks lead to pagodas and hilltop platforms with panoramic views over the water, especially beautiful in early morning or late afternoon light.

6. Experience Alishan’s Forest Railway and Sunrise Views

Alishan, a mountain resort area in central Taiwan, is famous for its cypress forests, cloud seas and narrow-gauge railway built during the Japanese era. Trains and buses carry visitors up into the cool highlands, where boardwalks weave through giant trees and mossy undergrowth.

Before dawn, many people take a short train ride or shuttle to sunrise viewpoints, where you can watch the sun rise over layers of ridges and, on clear days, catch glimpses of distant mountains glowing pink and gold. After sunrise, stroll through forest trails, visit small temples and enjoy the scent of timber and mist in the air.

7. Explore Taroko Gorge and Taiwan’s East Coast

On the island’s less-developed east side, Taroko National Park protects a dramatic marble gorge where tunnels, cliffside roads and footpaths follow a turquoise river cutting through steep canyon walls. Short walks like the Shakadang, Swallow Grotto and Baiyang trails bring you close to rock formations, suspension bridges and waterfalls.

Base yourself in Hualien or nearby villages, then combine Taroko with drives or train rides down the coast, where mountains drop to the Pacific and small towns sit between pebble beaches, rice paddies and headlands. The east coast feels wilder and more open than the west, rewarding slower travel and unhurried stops.

8. Soak in Hot Springs Across the Island

Taiwan’s volcanic geology means hot springs bubble up in many regions, from the easy-to-reach Beitou area of Taipei to mountain valleys and coastal towns. Public bathhouses, hotels and rustic outdoor pools offer everything from simple soak-and-go facilities to full hot spring resorts.

Beitou combines museums, green parks and hot spring streets within a short ride of central Taipei, while places like Wulai, Jiaoxi, Guanziling and Ruisui provide more rural settings. After a day of hiking or cycling, slipping into a steaming pool under cool night air is one of Taiwan’s great simple pleasures.

9. Discover Kaohsiung’s Harbourfront and Art Districts

In the south, Kaohsiung mixes port industry with new waterfront parks, art spaces and relaxed neighborhoods. The Pier-2 Art Center has converted old warehouses into galleries, studios and public art installations, with murals and sculptures scattered between cafés and shops.

Walk or cycle along the Love River and harbor promenades, visit temples like Lotus Pond’s lakeside pavilions and hop on light rail or ferries to nearby islands and districts. Kaohsiung’s slower pace and warm climate make it a pleasant contrast to Taipei while still offering city comforts and easy transport.

10. Enjoy Taiwan’s Coastal Towns and Islands

Beyond the main island, offshore destinations such as Penghu, Green Island and Orchid Island offer beaches, coral reefs, volcanic landscapes and traditional villages. On the main coastline, towns like Kenting at the southern tip combine national park trails, beaches and a lively main street with night market-style food.

Whether you’re snorkeling off coral beaches, exploring old fishing ports, walking along wind-swept headlands or sampling seafood in small harbors, Taiwan’s coasts and islands show a more laid-back, nature-focused side of the country that pairs perfectly with its cities and mountains.