Taiwan Attractions

Chosen by Alex Robinson, travel journalist and our Taiwan specialist · Updated November 2026

The Best Things to Do in Taiwan

For a small island, Taiwan has an extraordinary range of sights: world-class museums and temples in Taipei, a marble gorge on the east coast, misty tea mountains in the centre and historic towns in the south, all linked by fast trains and scenic roads. Below are the places we think are most worth your time, with tips on how long to allow.

Any of these can be part of a tailor-made Taiwan holiday with private guides. For visas, weather and practical tips, see our Taiwan travel guide.

Taipei and the North

1. National Palace Museum

One of the world’s great museums of Chinese art, with hundreds of thousands of objects from the old imperial collections, including jade, bronzes, ceramics, paintings and calligraphy. Only a small part is on display at any time, so a guide helps you find the highlights. Allow at least half a day.

2. Taipei’s Temples and Night Markets

Longshan Temple, founded in the 18th century, is one of Taipei’s oldest and busiest, filled with incense and worshippers from morning to night. After dark, head to a night market such as Raohe or Shilin to try pepper buns, oyster omelettes, grilled squid and bubble tea.

3. Taipei 101

Once the world’s tallest building, Taipei 101 has an observatory with views across the city to the mountains, and a giant tuned mass damper that keeps the tower steady in typhoons and earthquakes. For a free view of the tower itself, walk up Elephant Mountain at sunset.

4. Beitou Hot Springs and Yangmingshan

On the edge of the city, Beitou has public and private hot spring baths and a lovely old bathhouse museum. Above it, Yangmingshan National Park has volcanic steam vents, walking trails and, in early spring, cherry blossom and calla lilies.

5. Jiufen and the Pingxi Line

Jiufen, an old gold-mining town on a steep hillside above the sea, is known for its lantern-lit lanes and teahouses. Nearby, the little Pingxi railway line runs through the mountains to Shifen, where visitors write wishes on paper sky lanterns and release them over the tracks, and to Shifen Waterfall.

The East Coast

6. Taroko Gorge

Taroko National Park is Taiwan’s most famous natural sight, a deep gorge of marble cliffs carved by the Liwu River, with temples, suspension bridges and trails. Some trails and roads have been closed since the earthquake of April 2024, so we check what is open and plan your visit around it.

7. Qingshui Cliffs and the East Coast Road

North of Taroko, the Qingshui Cliffs drop straight into the Pacific. Driving south from Hualien to Taitung, the coast road and the inland East Rift Valley pass rice fields, Indigenous Amis villages, hot springs and the footbridge to the islets of Sanxiantai.

Central Taiwan

8. Sun Moon Lake

Taiwan’s largest lake sits among forested mountains in the centre of the island. Cycle the lakeside paths, take a boat between the piers, visit Wenwu Temple and ride the cable car to the hills above. It is at its most peaceful early in the morning.

9. Alishan

The Alishan National Scenic Area is famous for its forest railway, giant cypress trees more than a thousand years old, high-mountain oolong tea and sunrises over a “sea of clouds”. Staying overnight in the mountains lets you see the sunrise and walk the forest trails before the day visitors arrive.

10. Yushan (Jade Mountain)

At 3,952 m, Yushan is the highest mountain in Taiwan, and higher than any peak in Japan or Korea. Climbing to the summit needs a permit, booked well ahead, and a mountain hut stay. Easier walks in Yushan National Park give a taste of the high mountains without the climb.

The South

11. Tainan

Tainan was Taiwan’s capital for more than two centuries and is its oldest city. It has hundreds of temples, the Confucius Temple, the Dutch-era Anping Fort and Chihkan Tower, and is widely considered the best place in Taiwan for traditional food, from milkfish soup to danzai noodles.

12. Kaohsiung

Taiwan’s southern port city has a relaxed waterfront, the Pier-2 Art Center in old harbour warehouses, and the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas on Lotus Pond. It is an easy base for the Buddhist monastery and museum at Fo Guang Shan.

13. Kenting National Park

At Taiwan’s southern tip, Kenting has warm-water beaches, coral reefs, coastal forest and the lighthouse at Eluanbi. It is the island’s main beach area and is at its best outside the busy summer weekends.

Taiwan’s Top Attractions at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best night market in Taipei?

Raohe is compact and great for food, while Shilin is the biggest and busiest. Ningxia is smaller and loved by locals. A guided food walk lets you try more dishes without guessing what to order.

How do you see the sunrise at Alishan?

Stay overnight in the Alishan area, then take the early sunrise train or a short drive up to the viewpoint, usually well before dawn. Clouds can hide the view, so a second night gives you a better chance.

Can you still release sky lanterns in Shifen?

Yes. Lanterns are released from the old railway line in Shifen, on the Pingxi line. You write your wishes on the paper sides before letting it go.

Can I climb Yushan, Taiwan’s highest mountain?

Yes, with a climbing permit, which is limited and must be applied for well in advance, and a night in a mountain hut. It’s a demanding but non-technical climb for fit, experienced walkers.

How long should I spend in Taipei?

Three or four nights is ideal. It gives you time for the National Palace Museum, temples, night markets and day trips to Beitou, Jiufen and the Pingxi line.

Is Tainan worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you love history and food. It’s Taiwan’s oldest city, with hundreds of temples, and is an easy stop on the high-speed train between Taipei and Kaohsiung.

Plan Your Taiwan Holiday

Tell us which of these appeal and Alex will put them together into a route that works with the seasons. Explore our Taiwan holidays, read our Taiwan travel guide or request a video call.