When to go to Taiwan?
→ The detailed month-by-month page, with real weather records
Best time: October to April
At a glance
Why go to Taiwan?
Taiwan is an island that surprises with the sheer density of experiences packed into such a small territory. In a few hours by train, you go from the skyscrapers of Taipei to the marble gorges of Taroko, then to tea plantations perched in the mist. Everywhere, modernity rubs shoulders with incense-wreathed temples and night markets overflowing with flavours. It is a destination still little known to most travellers, and that is precisely its charm.
Food is a true national religion here, celebrated in the night markets that liven up every town. From xiaolongbao to beef noodles by way of bubble tea, born on the island, every mouthful tells of a unique cultural blend. Taiwanese people worship good food and know how to share it. Eating is one of the great pleasures of the trip.
What strikes you most is the disarming kindness of the people, often cited as the island's greatest treasure. You feel safe everywhere, day and night, and help is offered spontaneously. Add formidably efficient transport and spectacular nature, and you have an ideal destination for a first trip to Asia. Taiwan is a digest of the best the continent has to offer.
Map of Taiwan: what is where?
The map shows the 6 places covered in this guide, to picture the distances and plan your route.
- Taipei
- Taroko Gorge
- Sun Moon Lake
- Jiufen
- Kaohsiung
- Alishan
How much does a trip to Taiwan cost?
Taiwan remains very affordable for such a developed country, thanks in particular to its cheap street food. Transport and accommodation offer excellent value for money.
| Style | Per day | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | €30-45/day | Hostels, night markets and public transport |
| Comfort | €70-110/day | 3-star hotels, restaurants and high-speed rail |
| Premium | €180+/day | Upmarket hotels, ryokans and private excursions |
The currency is the Taiwan dollar (TWD); cards are accepted in town, but keep cash for the markets.
Is Taiwan safe?
Taiwan regularly ranks among the safest destinations in the world, including for solo travellers and women. Crime is extremely low and you can walk around with peace of mind by day or night. The main risk is natural, with summer typhoons and earthquakes, as the island sits on an active seismic zone. Infrastructure is built to withstand them and the warning systems are effective. If a typhoon is forecast, simply follow local instructions and adapt your plans.
What to see and do in Taiwan
- Taipei 101 and its night markets
- Taroko Gorge
- Sun Moon Lake
- Jiufen village
- the hot springs
Taipei and Taipei 101
A frenetic capital, Taipei brilliantly blends futuristic skyscrapers and traditional lanes. The Taipei 101 tower, long the tallest in the world, offers a dizzying view over the city from its summit. Night markets such as Shilin are packed with specialities to snack on. The National Palace Museum houses one of the richest collections of Chinese art in the world. The hot springs of Beitou perfectly round off a city break.
Taroko Gorge
Taroko National Park is Taiwan's natural jewel, a marble canyon carved by the Liwu River. Dizzying roads snake above sheer cliffs and through tunnels cut into the rock. The Tunnel of Nine Turns trail and the Eternal Spring Shrine, clinging to the cliff, are its most famous sights: check which trails are open, as several have stayed closed since the 2024 earthquake. The white and green marble walls give the site an unreal look. It is one of the most beautiful canyons in Asia.
Sun Moon Lake
The island's largest lake, Sun Moon Lake charms with its calm waters fringed by green hills. You can go round it by bike, on foot or by boat, past peaceful pagodas and temples. The site is dear to the Indigenous Thao people, who keep their traditions alive here. The misty sunrises over the lake are enchanting. The Assam tea plantations nearby are worth a tasting.
Jiufen
A former mining town clinging to the mountainside, Jiufen is a maze of narrow lanes lined with teahouses and red lanterns. Its ocean views and nostalgic atmosphere are said to have inspired the world of the film Spirited Away. Old Street overflows with street food and craft stalls. When evening comes, the lanterns create a magical, poetic atmosphere. It is a timeless escape near Taipei.
Kaohsiung
The country's second city, Kaohsiung is a big southern port with a relaxed, sunny atmosphere. Lotus Pond and its Dragon and Tiger Pagodas provide a colourful setting. The Pier-2 arts district has turned old warehouses into galleries and trendy cafés. Liuhe Night Market is renowned for its seafood. The city is also the gateway to the island's tropical south.
Alishan
Perched in the central mountains, the Alishan area is famous for its forests of giant, thousand-year-old cedars and its seas of cloud. The little historic forest railway climbs through lush vegetation to the summits. Watching the sun rise over the sea of clouds, facing Yushan, is an unforgettable experience. The plantations produce some of the finest high-mountain teas in the world. The cool air and mist give the place a mystical aura.
How many days, and which itinerary?
Allow 10 to 14 days to go round the island by train, alternating cities, mountains and coastline.
🗺️ Day-by-day itinerary · 📓 Free printable Taiwan guide (PDF)
Discovering the island (7 days)
Three days in and around Taipei, including Jiufen, then down to Taroko and Sun Moon Lake. A digest of the highlights of the north and centre, easy to string together by train.
Round Taiwan (12 days)
A grand rail circuit linking Taipei, Taroko on the east coast, Kaohsiung in the south, and Alishan and Sun Moon Lake in the centre. You savour the island's full diversity, from the coast to the high mountains.
Nature and tea (10 days)
From Taipei, head for the spectacular landscapes of Taroko, the forests of Alishan and the plantations of Sun Moon Lake. A route for lovers of hiking, mist and fine teas.
Getting there and getting around
The high-speed rail (THSR) whisks you down the west of the island in a flash, from Taipei to Kaohsiung in under two hours.
The conventional rail network (TRA) serves the east coast and smaller towns, with superb views.
The Taipei and Kaohsiung metros are modern, clean and exemplary in their punctuality.
The rechargeable EasyCard simplifies every journey by metro and bus, and even works in some shops.
Where to stay in Taiwan?
Youth hostels and capsule hotels in Taipei, clean and well located, from €15-25 a night.
Business hotels and charming guesthouses: allow €50-90 for a comfortable double room.
Taiwanese-style ryokans with hot springs in Beitou, around €100-180 for a restorative night.
Mountain hotels at Alishan or Sun Moon Lake, €70-150 depending on the view and the season.
Our places to stay, stop by stop, at three budgets →
What to eat in Taiwan?
Night markets are the heart of culinary life, from giant fried chicken to skewers of every kind.
Beef noodle soup (niurou mian) is an emblematic comfort dish of the local cuisine.
Xiaolongbao, steamed dumplings filled with broth, reach perfection at Din Tai Fung.
Bubble tea, invented in Taiwan, comes in a thousand flavours on every street corner.
Entry requirements
Visa-free for 90 days for EU, UK, US, Canadian and Australian passports, valid for at least six months on arrival, with an onward or return ticket. Fill in the online Taiwan Arrival Card in the three days before you land.
Rules change: check your own government's travel advice before you go.
Cities and regions to discover
Frequently asked questions about Taiwan
When is the best time to visit?
Autumn, from October to December, and spring, from March to May, offer a mild, dry climate, ideal for travelling. Avoid summer, which is hot, humid and typhoon-prone. Winter stays mild in the south of the island.
What daily budget should I plan for?
Allow around €35 a day as a backpacker, €90 for a comfortable trip and more than €180 at the upper end. Street food lets you eat very well for a few euros.
How do I get around Taiwan?
High-speed rail efficiently links the west of the island, while conventional trains serve the east coast. In town, the metro and buses are excellent. The EasyCard makes every journey easier.
Is English spoken in Taiwan?
English is taught at school but little used in everyday life, especially outside the big cities. Taiwanese people are, however, very helpful, and translation apps are a great help. Transport information is displayed bilingually.
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