Where to travel in Taiwan? — 21+ must-go & top places to visit in Taiwan

Taiwan Strait is an island in the Pacific Ocean. Although it is a small island of only around 36,000 square kilometers, Taiwan is rich in Chinese architecture, culture and cuisine. If you not only love the busy and dynamic aspect of one place but sometimes also want to enjoy its peacefulness and tranquility, Taiwan is a perfect place for you. Now, let’s explore 21+ impressive tourist spots in Taiwan.

Taroko National Park – 太魯閣國家公園 (#top places to visit in Taiwan)

Address: No. 291, Fu Shi, Xiulin Township, Hualien County, Taiwan 972

Taroko National Park is known as one of the largest national parks with majestic canyons and the most stunning scenery in Taiwan. The park is named after the Taroko Canyon or Marble Canyon twisting between spectacular marble mountains.

Shifen Waterfall – 十分瀑布 (#where to travel in taiwan)

Address: No. 10, Gankeng, Pingxi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 226

Shifen Waterfall is the greatest waterfall in Taiwan, a very popular destination for tourists, and from here you can easily reach nearby attractions such as the releasing sky lanterns event in the Shifen Old Street, the Cat Village and Jiufen Old Street. However, it is worth noting that the waterfall almost dries up in summer.

Sisi Nan Cun – South Villagle – 四四南村 (#best places to travel in taiwan)

Address: Songqin Street, Xinyi District, Taipei 110, Taiwan 110

Besides its massive and modern architectural structures, there still exists an ancient village nestling among the old trees in the heart of the central district of Taipei capital. It is an interesting stop for your visit to the city center. You can experience the contrast of two time flows, one is a bustling city with sky-rise buildings, and the other is an old village with tiled-roofed houses bearing the traces of time. This place is now a general entertainment area including restaurants, shops, or weekend markets selling crafts.

Alishan Mountains – 阿里山國家森林遊樂區 (#best places to go in taiwan)

Address: No.17, 2nd neighborhood, Alishan Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan 605

It is a pity if you miss Alishan Mountains when you visit Taiwan. Why? It is because this place is recognized as a tourist symbol of Taiwan.  It is famous for its magnificent mountains hidden in floating clouds, its old forest canopies, its undulating lines of tea hills, and especially the red trains winding through the old forests. Together they create a unique picture found only in Taiwan.

Jiufen Old Street – 十分老街 (#must go places in taiwan)

Address: Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224

This old street of Taipei and also a tourist attraction is hard to ignore for those who want to experience the old beauty of Taiwan. The place is located on a mountain slope facing the sea and well-known for its dense houses decorated with red lanterns, an extremely impressive and captivating scene.

Houtong Cat Village – 猴硐貓村 (#must visit places in taiwan)

Address: Fengjia Road, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224

This is the only village in Taiwan that is the kingdom of cats, a place for genuine pet lovers. Here you can play and take pictures with cats everywhere.

Shifen Old Street – 九分老街 (#must see places in taiwan)

Address: Pingxi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 226

The street located along a railway is best known for its event of sky lantern release. In this event, people set off sky lanterns wishing for peace and good luck, an amazing scene.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall – 中正紀念堂 (#best places to travel in taiwan)

Address: No. 21, Zhongshan South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan 100

The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a monument to and museum of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, a former President of the Republic of China. It is a special architecture holding cultural and historic values of Taiwanese people.

Sun Moon Lake – 日月潭國家風景區

Address: No. 599, Zhongshan Road, Yuchi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan

Sun Moon Lake is the largest and highest freshwater lake in Taiwan. If you visit Taichung, you can’t help coming here. The jade-green lake can be seen to its bottom. Apart from sitting on a yacht touring the lake, you can rent a bicycle and cycle around the lake. This is one of the most beautiful cycling routes in the world.

Brown Boulevard – 伯朗大道 金城武樹

Address: Chishang Township, Taitung County, Taiwan 958

Although Taitung tourism is characteristic of many sea tourist attractions, Brown Boulevard or green paradise road is renowned as the most beautiful and impressive rice field in this county with green paddies on one side and the mountains seen beneath a blanket of fog on the other side. What a spectacular and impressive picture! You can rent a bicycle, leisurely cycle along the rice fields and enjoy the fresh air and the smell of new rice.

Elephant Mountain Hiking Trail – 象山

Address: Alley 342, Lane 150, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110

The mountain peak is considered an ideal place to have an incredible bird-view of Taipei City and Taipei 101 skyscraper.

Yehliu Geopark – 野柳地質公園

Address: No.167-1, Gangdong Road, Wanli District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 207

Yeliu Geopark is believed to be the largest natural geology museum in Taiwan, which displays works of art made by the “Mother Nature” as time went by.

Zhengbin Fishing Harbor Colorful House – 正濱港口彩色屋

Address: Face Port, No. 545, Zhongzheng Road, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, Taiwan 202

The fishing port is known for many restaurants and cafés painted in outstanding colors, creating an extremely beautiful and impressive scene.

Keelung Maritime Plaza – 海洋廣場

Address: Zhongyi Road, Renai District, Keelung City, Taiwan 200

Keelung harbor, a popular stop for famous cruise ships, is also one of the beautiful harbors in Taiwan. Keelung Maritime Plaza is actually a square with a beautiful wooden deck offering a wonderful view of entire Keelung Bay.

Wulai Waterfall – 烏來瀑布

Address: No.16 Waterfall Road, Wulai District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 233

Wulai Waterfall is 80 meters high, making it the highest waterfall in northern Taiwan. It is a popular attraction for both local and foreign visitors.  A good time to visit this spot is in spring from February to April when you will experience the beauty of cherry blossoms everywhere.

Huashan 1914 Creative Park – 華山1914文化創意產業園區

Address: No. 1, Section 1, Bade Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan 100

Huashan 1914 Creative Park is Taipei’s primary creative arts center and a hosting ground for Taiwan’s most significant cultural activities. It is a multi-purpose park with a variety of entertainment and art display areas, a must-see for couples or creative artists.

Xianjiyuan Trail – 仙跡岩步道

Address: No. 8, Alley 176, Lane 176, Jinghua Street, Wenshan District, Taipei 116, Taiwan

The trail offers some excellent views of Taipei City, recommended for those who love to see the city from above.

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum – 佛光山佛陀紀念館

Address: No.1 Tongling Road, Dashu District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 84049

This must-see religious tourist destination of your visit to Kaohsiung is the Buddhist capital of Taiwan and best known for its complex of Buddhist monasteries with the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue.

National Taiwan University – 台灣大學

Address: No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Daan District, Taipei, Taiwan 10617

National Taiwan University is the most prestigious and oldest university in Taiwan. It was the school for rich people in the 2001 TV series Meteor Garden that dominated TV channels for a while.

Lisong Hot Spring – 栗松溫泉Address: Transit Highway in the South of Haiduan Township, Taitung County, Taiwan 957

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Lisong Hot Spring is Taiwan’s most beautiful natural hot spring because it has a rare beauty compared to other springs. The jade-green water is a special feature of the spring. However, it is a bit challenging to access the spring, so you should be carefully prepared to explore it.

Hopefully, this post will give you some great ideas for your next visit to Taiwan.

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Are you finding more top things to do in Taipei: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Taipei travel blog — The fullest Taipei city guide for a wonderful trip to Taipei for the first-timers.