Guide to Taiwan: Everything you need to know for an EPIC adventure!
Despite its intense feudal history culminating in occupation by the Dutch, the Japanese and the Chinese at various points in time, Taiwan is a testament to resilience; somehow miraculously retaining an identity that is uniquely its own. The small nation is comprised of just over a hundred or so islands, the largest of which is what most people refer to when speaking of Taiwan. Almost as prolific as China when it comes to industry, Taiwanese products, be it a motherboard or a waffle-maker, are found just about everywhere in the world leading to Taiwan’s tremendous economic success and stability. But you’re probably thinking “This is all good and well but why should I travel 15+ hours or more just to go there!?” Well, considering that Taiwan is home to incredible mountain vistas, lovely tropical beaches and the only “Grand Canyon” of Asia, we’d say it’s hard to beat as a vacation destination! If that’s not enough to entice you then let’s toss in the gorgeous temples and teeming night markets with foods, you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the world and we’re positive that we can convince you that Taiwan is where you need to go on your next travel adventure!
How to get to Taiwan?
The easiest and most direct way to get to Taiwan is by flying to Taipei city, especially if traveling from countries in the western hemisphere. There are two airports in Taipei: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA). Most flights to Taiwan arrive to TPE which is located around 30-40 minutes outside of the Taipei city center. Songshan Airport, on the other hand, is located right within Taipei City and is mostly used for intercity flights. It’s worth mentioning that most of the major cities of Taiwan have international airports however flying to those cities often involve layovers in Taipei.
Combining your visit to Taiwan with a visit to Hong Kong is a good way to explore several regions of East Asia at once. Flights from Hong Kong to Taipei are relatively cheap and take only an hour and a half!
Navigating Taoyuan Airport is easy as there is good signage with multiple different languages throughout the airport. The immigration and customs processes are generally slow, however, so be sure to leave at least an hour in your schedule to complete this process. Taiwan visas are not required for visitors from the United States, but an online arrival card must be filled out before going through immigration. Because the immigration process is often slow, filling out the arrival card can be done while you’re in line. In fact, QR codes are provided for scanning in the immigration lanes to facilitate access to the correct online form that visitors must fill out so no need to worry if you’re unable to do it ahead of time.
How to use public transportation in Taiwan?
Getting around Taiwan is very easy courtesy of the extensive public transit systems in place. Taiwan offers travelers the choice of local trains (MRT) and buses, taxis, or high-speed trains to get around the country effectively. Interestingly, most of the train system is located underground especially in Taipei City which has led to the emergence of large underground malls that fan out from the railroad tracks making a visit to any train station an adventure.
The best way to travel from Taoyuan Airport to the city is via the Express Train. The Express train departs the airport terminal and drops off at the Taipei Main Station right in the heart of the city. The train can be accessed from both Terminals 1 and 2 and tickets can be purchased just before the gates. Make sure to hop on the Purple Train as this is the Express train. The blue train that also stops at the airport is a regular commuter train and will take at least 20 minutes longer to arrive at the city center than the Purple Train.
As for how to pay to board trains in Taiwan, there are several options available to travelers including the use of cash and credit cards. If paying by either of these methods, visitors need to find the appropriate ticketing counter for the desired train in order to purchase tickets. In some instances, credit cards can be scanned directly at the turnstiles to board trains however this is not available for all trains. In addition to these payment methods there are also two other very convenient ways to pay for use of the metro system: Easy Cards or Day Passes. Day Passes and multi-day passes can be purchased at ticket counters at train stations throughout Taiwan and using them is as simple as scanning and proceeding through the gates. Easy Cards, while slightly more complex to use than day passes, are are also relatively simple to use. Easy Cards are reloadable cards that can be purchased at Taoyuan Airport, at the train stations or even at various grocery stores throughout Taiwan. The cards can only be purchased with and loaded with cash and once funded, can be used by scanning at train stations, vending machines and even some food establishments and grocery stores.
If you’re not up for the challenge of deciphering Taiwan’s public transportation system and are worried about being unable to communicate with local taxi drivers, then we’re sure you’ll be just as happy as we were to find out that Uber is available in Taiwan! Honestly speaking, we found this to be the best way to navigate the city and were shocked at how affordable rides were.
Plastic tokens are used in place of paper tickets in Taiwan. The tokens are wireless and need to be tapped at the gates to enter a platform and deposited into a coin slot before exiting the platform once you arrive to your destination.
Should you drive in Taiwan?
Whether you should drive in Taiwan is dependent on your confidence level as well as your intended destination. Although the high-speed rail or intercity train can easily take you to any of the major cities in Taiwan, there are some areas of the country that are best reached by car such as Yehliu Geopark. Driving in Taiwan is done on the right-hand side of the road and although not explicitly required, it’s a good idea to have an international driver’s permit on hand should your rental car company require one. There are well-maintained highways throughout Taiwan and tolls are too common on these roadways. Taiwan’s toll system is well developed, and many rental cars are equipped with electronic toll plates making driving a more pleasant experience overall. We do want to point out that although driving in Taiwan is a very doable, you may find driving in cities like Taipei and Tainan to be more challenging due to the heavy traffic, sparse parking, dodgy scooters, and oblivious pedestrians.
When to visit Taiwan?
Being a country known for its subtropical climate, Taiwan primarily has two seasons: a hot season extending from May to October and a cooler season lasting from November to April. During the long summer, temperatures and humidity tend to be quite high and typhoons are just a way of life. The “winter” months, on the other hand, are much milder with temperatures of 60-80 ºF and with some higher elevations areas even experiencing snow! The monsoon season of Taiwan is from January to March each year and mainly affects the northern regions such as Taipei. Unless you love temperatures that make you want to rip off your clothes and plunge into an ice bath, we recommend visiting Taiwan in the cooler months. Specifically speaking, November is perhaps one of the best months to travel through the country as the incidence of typhoons is less overall, temperatures are ideal, and the rainfall is lower through the country.
What currency is used in Taiwan?
The New Taiwan Dollar or NTD is the official currency of Taiwan. Although credit cards and multiple other forms of electronic payments are accepted at larger merchants, cash is still required especially at many of the local food stalls, restaurants, and night markets. We suggest obtaining NTD from a secure ATM at the airport or the train stations.
Currency exchange counters charge higher fees than international ATMs so using a no-fee ATM to withdraw NDT is a more cost-effective way to get cash in Taiwan.
In researching your trip to Taiwan, you may notice that contactless payments are widely accepted however, while this is true, contactless payments are not reliable for visitors for several reasons. First, almost every imaginable mobile payment app is available for use in Taiwan including Apple Pay, GooglePay, WeChat, Alipay and so on however not all vendors accepts them and many vendors tend to accept only one of these apps. This means that you’ll have to download ALL these payments apps if you want to rely on contactless payments only in Taiwan. And secondly, although all these Apps are available for use, the main payment app accepted in Taiwan is something completely different called LinePay. Sadly, LinePay is not available to travelers as it requires a local bank account and phone number. Don’t be too disappointed though because although it’s the most popular app, many vendors still don’t accept LinePay in Taiwan. All this to say, make sure you have cash on hand. Taiwan!
What Language is spoken in Taiwan?
The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin or Taiwanese Mandarin. Being a topnotch international city, English is common in Taipei and many people speak it quite well. Road signs, building signage and so forth are illustrated in both Mandarin and English making navigation easy. For those moments when you encounter someone that only speaks Mandarin, we suggest getting the Google Translate App and downloading both Mandarin and simplified Chinese!
How to stay connected in Taiwan?
Good phone service and access to data is a must in Taiwan. Without it, necessary tasks like navigating the city and metro, finding great food spots, or even communicating can become insurmountable challenges. Although WiFi was available at our hotel, we noticed that there was virtually no public WiFi anywhere in Taipei. Fortunately for us, we were able to use our T-Mobile plan everywhere we went in Taiwan and did not require any special equipment such as a WiFi hotspot. If you don’t have an international phone plan, we suggest picking up a sim card at the airport or purchasing an e-sim from either Nomad or Klook. If you prefer a physical sim card over an e-sim we suggest going with the “Ideal Card” from Chunghwa Telecom as it is visitor friendly and offers a variety of plans to keep you connected.
How’s the food and water in Taiwan?
Well, we’ll start with simplest of these two things: do not drink the tap water in Taiwan! Taiwan’s tap water generally requires boiling before drinking and we’re confident you’re not interested in spending any of your valuable vacation time boiling water! Don’t despair though as this doesn’t mean that you must purchase tons of bottled water. Most places in Taiwan, including hotels, provide bottle fillers where visitors can fill up for free. Just make sure to bring a refillable water bottle or two and you’re good to go. We did not buy water in Taiwan, not even once!
Now, for the food: where do we even begin!? Over the past few years Taiwanese food has become something of a global sensation thanks to the portable yet delicious and creative nature of the dishes being made. If you’ve ever taken a bite of Taiwanese popcorn chicken or a sip of Bubble Tea, then you know what we’re talking about! Interestingly, other than the mouthwatering Beef Noodle Soup, Taiwan isn’t really known for any particular dishes, and this is likely due to the fact that much of the food is similar to typical Chinese dishes like fried rice and dim sum. This doesn’t mean that Taiwan lacks culinary verve which becomes particularly apparent in the famous night markets across the country.
If you’d like to truly eat like a local, then the night markets are where you need to be. The most famous of Taipei’s night markets are the Shilin and Raohe markets, both of which offer unique creations like sweet grilled pork sausages, chewy sweet potato balls and savory pepper buns baked on the spot. Flitting from stall to stall, we found ourselves full and without need of a restaurant! That being said though, Taiwan does have some must-try restaurants and we plan to tell you all about them PLUS which street foods you absolutely can’t miss HERE.
Taiwan’s street foods are some of the safest to try in the world. Stall owners take pride in the freshness and cleanliness of their food hence they follow standard hygienic food handling procedures, and everything is served hot! Just remember, as long as the food is hot and steaming, you have nothing to worry about!
Taipei
While every city in Taiwan has its own claim to fame like the temples and fortress of Tainan or the beaches of Kaohsiung, Taipei sets itself apart by being the political and economical center of the country. Continuing to hold its position as the capital of Taiwan, Taipei City is located on the north end of the island and has a recognizable city-scape courtesy of the bamboo-inspired skyscraper named the Taipei 101. Interestingly, Taipei City is not the largest city in Taiwan. This honor currently goes to New Taipei City which is an enormous city that surrounds Taipei City but that is an entirely separate entity. Confusing right? Well luckily for us, as visitors to Taipei, we don’t need to know the boundaries of Taipei and New Taipei, but it does help to recognize that they are actually different cities. Anyway, both Taipei and New Taipei are served by the metro and are easy to explore from the Taipei Main Station. With so much to do and see from the massive shopping malls and night markets to the misty coasts and old-world streets of Jiufen, there’s plenty to keep travelers happy in Taipei!
Where to stay in Taipei?
There are lots of great districts to choose from when it’s comes to deciding where to stay in Taipei but, to save you a lot of time and trouble, we suggest selecting a hotel around the Taipei Main Station. Taipei Main Station is central and bustling and there are several attractions within walking distance. While the area is typically lined with street vendors, it is surprisingly not overcrowded or overwhelming. Shops and restaurants are easy to access as is other public transportation such as Taxis and Ubers. Although not as upscale as the neighborhoods around the Taipei 101, we found the area to be bright, vibrant, and safe.
The AirPort Express train drops off at Taipei Main Station and there are hotels with 5 minutes walking of the station. There are even some hotels and Airbnbs located directly above the Taipei Main Station!
For our stay in Taipei City, we chose the Brown House Hotel which was located a short 5-minute walk away from Taipei Main Station. Finding the Brown House Hotel was interesting as, unlike typical hotels that are stand-alone buildings that are usually easy to spot, this hotel is located on the 26th floor of a skyscraper called the Asia Plaza Tower. Occupying just the 26th floor of the tower, the Brown House hotel only has a handful of rooms but is comfortably appointed and incredibly clean with excellent air conditioning. Although the view could be improved by occasional window washing, the hotel provided all the necessary amenities including water and even offered a sitting area with great views of Taipei’s skyline. Entrance to the subway station and underground mall is conveniently located immediately in front of the hotel making getting around much easier. Overall, we felt that the location, value, convenience, and comfort of the Brown House Hotel could not be beat and will stay here again the next time we visit Taipei!
Top things to do in Taipei
Yehliu Geopark
Located along the coast in north New Taipei City, Yehliu Geopark is situated on the Yehliu Cape and is know for its unique honeycomb sandstone rock formations. The park can be reached by bus or by taking a tour from Taipei and, although small in size, takes about an hour to fully explore. The park is divided into three sections, each featuring special rock formations and many fun photo opportunities. The main attraction of Yehliu Geopark is currently the Queen’s Head which can be found in the first section. Tickets are required and can be purchased at the entrance with cash or credit cards. The park features paved and well-groomed pathways however the sections containing the various rock formations are strewn with holes and generally uneven to walk on so be sure to wear good shoes for your visit. Oh, and as the cape tends to be rainy, we suggest bringing a good umbrella or a poncho to keep dry on your visit!
Visit the Queen’s Head first when you enter the park as there is always a line to take pictures with this structure! Getting to the park before the tour buses and prioritizing the Queen’s Head will definitely save you time!
Explore Shifen Waterfall
Known as the Niagara Falls of Taiwan, Shifen Waterfall is also located in New Taipei City and is adjacent to Shifen Old Street, another famous attraction in the area. There are several waterfalls in the area with Shifen being the largest. The Siguangtan Suspension Bridge crosses a gorge in which the emerald-green waters of the Keelung River and a small waterfall known as Yankingdong Waterfall can be seen. The bridge terminates at the Shifen Visitor Center from where visitors can head to then Shifen Trail leading down to a viewpoint of the majestic Shifen Waterfall. Although much smaller than Niagra Falls, Shifen Waterfall is nevertheless powerful, with rushing waters plunging into a deep pool. On sunny days, the mist created by the waterfall refracts light to create a beautiful rainbow that only a lucky handful of visitors have been able to see!
There are a lot of stairs and inclines along the trail so make sure to wear good footwear and be prepared for a short but real hike!
Launch a sky-lantern from Shifen Old Street
Located 5 minutes away by car from the Shifen Waterfall, Shifen Old Street is lined by a mix of traditional and modern shops and eateries and is rather picturesque. The bustling street is recognizable thanks to the railroad tracks running down the center of it and has secured its place as a tourist favorite due to the giant sky-lanterns that can be launched right from those railroad tracks! There are many vendors selling lanterns along Shifen Old Street giving visitors many options when choosing a lantern. Although it may not seem important in the moment, try to be mindful of the colors of the lantern you pick as each color represents a different type of blessing and we suspect you may want to get the best bang for your buck if you’re traveling hundreds of miles to launch a lantern! Vendors are incredibly helpful and do assist with setting up and launching the lanterns and will even take cool pictures and videos to commemorate your launch. Admittedly, launching a lantern into the sky amidst a large group of other tourists can seem a little gimmicky, the experience itself is fun and unique and why miss an opportunity to take a little of the local luck with you when you leave right?
Vendors along Shifen Old Street generally accept cash only so make sure to have some on hand while you explore.
Jiufen Old Street
Nestled in the mountains of New Taipei City in the old mountain village of Jiufen, Jiufen Old Street is arguably one of the most beautiful historic areas of Taiwan. Narrow alleys bedecked with glowing lanterns, traditional Chinese architecture, centuries-old tea houses and unrivaled sea views are hallmarks of Jiufen Old Street. And if that’s not enough to entice you, then did we mention that Jiufen Old Street is one of the best places to try both traditional and new Taiwanese cuisines? Because of its many offerings and spectacular views, Jiufen Old Street is a popular tourist destination, and the narrow street is often packed shoulder-to-shoulder with visitors. To avoid some of this foot traffic we recommend planning your visit in the morning, this way you can get there before the tour buses!
Be sure sample the peanut brittle crepe with vanilla ice-cream and cilantro and the pineapple cake here at Jiufen! You won’t find better versions of these anywhere else in Taipei!
Visit the Giant Guan Yu Statue
Being huge Three Kingdoms fans, we were stoked to find out about a semi-secret giant Guan Yu statue located nearby to Jiufen from our guide who was as equally thrilled that we even knew about this warrior-turned-deity! Found atop Cuan ji temple, a lovely albeit small temple in the mountains of New Taipei City, the bronze statue set amidst the foggy mountains is a spectacular site to behold. We suggest adding this stop to your itinerary even if you’re not sure what the Three Kingdoms is all about as both the temple and mountain vistas there are more than worth a visit!
Spend a day relaxing at Beitou Hot Springs
A part of the Beitou district of Taipei City, Beitou Hot Springs is one of only a handful of green hot springs in the world making it a natural phenomenon and, subsequently, a draw for locals and tourists alike. Beitou is easily accessible from Taipei City via the MRT and is home to several other attractions as well such as the Beitou Hot Spring Museum and Xinbeitou Historic Station. There are public hot springs in Beitou where bathers are separated by gender and expected to soak in the nude. If this is not your cup of tea though, you can always wander the extensive thermal valley and hot springs park, visiting the various hot springs and soaking your feet in one of the many special “feet hot springs” along your way. Regardless of how you choose to spend it, a day in Beitou is a wonderful moment of serenity as it is the best way to escape a little from the hustle and bustle of Taipei.
Be sure to check hours for the hot springs before you go as some attractions close on certain days of the week and you don’t want to miss out on anything you may have your heart set on!
Explore the National Palace Museum
Home to the world’s largest collection of Chinese Art, the National Palace Museum, a.k.a Taipei Palace Museum is a must-visit when in Taiwan. The museum is open every day, except for Mondays, from 9 am to 5pm and tickets can be purchased on-site. With so much to see, make sure to leave 2-3 hours in your itinerary to explore to your heart’s content.
Take a stroll in the Taipei 228 Peace Park
Established by the Qing Dynasty, the Taipei 228 Peace Park is the oldest park in the city and serves as a memorial for those who died during civil unrest in Taipei in 1947. The park features beautiful landscaping with meandering pathways, a pagoda, and a playground and is connected to the National Taiwan Museum. The park is easily accessible as it is within a 10-minute walk of the Taipei Main Station and is nearby to the Presidential Office Building which is currently the seat of government of Taiwan.
Visit the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Erected in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, a prior President of the Republic of China, the Chiang Kai-shek memorial is another must-see landmark in Taipei. The memorial complex features extensive manicured gardens, cobbled walkways and even a traditional opera house. The main attraction of the area however is the spectacular white memorial building with its iconic blue proof that stands majestically at the center of the complex. The memorial is free to visit and is open to the public daily.
Wander through Taipei 101
Formerly known as the Taipei World Financial center, the Taipei 101 is the crowning jewel of Taipei’s skyline. The bamboo-inspired skyscraper is easily the most recognizable building in Taipei and is home to businesses, restaurants and a plethora of shops and malls. The building is free to enter and peruse and if you happen to have some extra time, the 89th floor observation deck is a fantastic place from which to view Taipei’s cityscape. We should also mention that Taipei 101 is a fantastic place to try out Taiwan’s most famous restaurant, Din Tai Fung, as you can pass time shopping the many floors while you wait for your number to be called!
Hike Elephant Mountain
Elephant Mountain, also known as Xiangshan, is Taipei’s most popular hike thanks to the bird’s eye views of the city that can be seen at many points throughout the hike. The trail is in an affluent-appearing area of eastern Taipei city and is within a twenty-minute walk of the Taipei 101 building. To find the Elephant Mountain Trailhead simply set GoogleMaps to it and keep an eye out for stairs that climb steeply into the trees. The climb to the first observation deck is entirely comprised of uphill stairs and is moderately intense, taking hikers anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to complete depending on fitness levels. There are numerous trails connecting to each other in this area however the hike to the observation deck is straightforward and getting lost would take some effort as simply taking the stairs up and back down is all that is required to get to one of the best views of Taipei. The trail is generally safe and remains somewhat busy even in the late hours of the evening. There is no fee to climb Elephant Mountain and the trails remain open 24/7 barring any natural disasters. We suggest beginning your hike in the twilight hours that way you can enjoy the cooler temperatures and the epic views of Taipei when the lights come on.
Browse the Ximending Pedestrian Area
One of the most popular areas of Taipei, Ximending is known for its eclectic collection of shops, eateries and entertainment. The lively district with its vibrant displays and electric atmosphere is a draw for tourists and locals looking for a little excitement. Ximending Pedestrian area is easy to get to as it’s only a 10-minute ride away from Taipei Main Station via MRT. Come prepared to spend 2-3 hours shopping and eating as literally anything you can think of can be found in Ximending! You may find it difficult to keep your bearings as you navigate the streets because Ximending is not on a “block system” but no need to worry too much about getting lost. Simply drop a pin or save your location before you take off into the heart of the Ximending to make it easier to find your way back to where you started.
Spend a day or two at Sun Moon Lake
Recognized as one of eight must-see sites in Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake is a gorgeous, jade-colored alpine lake nestled at the foot of the central mountains of Taiwan. The lake gets its name from its partially crescent shape that resembles a crescent moon on one side and its round shape similar to that of the sun on the other side. Along with the beautiful water and mountain vistas, Sun Moon Lake is also known for the Thao aboriginal people that live alongside it and who welcomingly sharing their incredible culture, food and crafts with visitors.
Sun Moon Lake is located approximately three hours away from Taipei and can be visited by high-speed rail, bus, self-driving or by tours. There’s much to do in the area and visitors can expect to spend an entire day or more exploring. Because of this it is perhaps a great idea to stay a night in one of the many waterfront resorts in order to fully enjoy everything on offer around the lake. There are two main villages on the banks of the lake: Shuishe Village and Ita Thao Village. Shuishe Village is where the Sun Moon Lake visitor center can be found and where most people first arrive to when visiting the lake while Ita Thao is the aboriginal village.
Visit early in the day to catch clear views of the lake! The lake tends to be cloudy and misty later in the afternoons.
As far as what to do at Sun Moon Lake: there’s tons to choose from! We began our tour of the area by buying a ferry ticket to sail to various points of the lake and aimed to make our first stop the Xuanguang Temple. Arriving to Xuanguang Pier, we followed the steps to the left up to the Xuanguang Temple. The Buddhist temple, which is dedicated to Master Xuanzang who made many strides in forwarding Buddhist beliefs in China, was an excellent viewpoint from which we were able to catch our first views of both the Sun and the Moon sides of the lake.
On the way back down from the temple, buy a tea egg or two from the shop at the base of the stairs and enjoy it while you listen to the live aboriginal music that is often performed on the pier. We guarantee you won’t want to miss these tea eggs as they’re the best in Taiwan!
Continuing from Xuanguang, we next stopped at Ita Thao village to sample aboriginal foods and wares then made our way to the Ci En Pagoda. The Pagoda, which can be seen from Sun Moon Lake, sits atop a hill and is approximately 20 minutes away by car from the lakeshore. Because of its location, we could not drive to the Pagoda but had to hike up the hill on which it was built. Arriving to the beginning of the trail, we were hastily deposited at the steps by our guide who left us without a backward glance after asserting that she needed to conserve energy for the drive back to Taipei and therefore had no intention of making the climb! We weren’t daunted at all though as the hike was only moderately intense and involved zero wayfinding. As we climbed, we did not appreciate much in the way of views however the lush forest was beautiful. When we reached the summit and the base of the Pagoda we were further perplexed as we still could not see Sun Moon Lake. It wasn’t until we entered the Pagoda and climbed to the very top that we were rewarded with breathtaking, panoramic views of Sun Moon Lake.
Leaving Ci En Pagoda, we embarked on another 20-minute drive to the impressive Sun Moon Lake Wen Wu Temple. The magnificent temple, built in the style of Northern China, is home to gods related to marriage and civil affairs and is perfectly situated to provide views of the gorgeous sunsets on Sun Moon Lake. The temple was free to enter, and blessings and matchmaker services were available for those interested. While exploring the temple, we came across the carved wall with zigzag staircases and pools at the base. Our guide urged us to climb to the top of the wall and make a wish before trying to drop a coin into the pool below. Apparently, if your coin lands in the pool then local legend has it that your wish will come true! If you don’t land a coin in the pool yourself, don’t worry because we did and if ice cream suddenly becomes a health food, then you’ll know this legend is not just some tomfoolery!
Now, we’ve listed here just a handful of the things to do in Sun Moon Lake however there’s so much more that we couldn’t get to ourselves but want to mention so you don’t miss out. For instance, if you’ve got the time, don’t miss the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, a cable car providing elevated views of the lake, and the Sun Moon Lake Bike path that was named one of the top 10 most beautiful bike paths in the world!
Taroko National Park
Named for the famous Taroko Gorge which is often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Asia”, Taroko National Park is a hiker’s paradise with lush green mountains that fall away into bold, turquoise waters. The park, with its stunning marble cliffs, is located near Hualien City and is accessible via mountain roads. Unfortunately, the tunnels and roads serving Taroko National Park have recently been damaged by a major earthquake and restoration is planned for several years into the foreseeable future. Although you may not be able to visit Taroko National Park now, make sure to keep it on your shortlist as you won’t want to miss it does reopen!
