City skyline with Taipei 101 skyscraper, other high-rise buildings, and mountains in the background, with foliage in the foreground.

Taiwan

Taiwan means everything to me.

Not just because of my Taiwanese roots, but because I once lived in Kaohsiung for two years to study Chinese — and my family still has deep ties to Taipei.

Even though Taiwan is a small island, it offers a huge variety of experiences. One day you could be devouring mouthwatering street food at a night market, and the next, hiking misty mountain trails or discovering Japanese-era architecture in a quiet town.

Museums, art, temples, tea houses, cities on the west coast, peaceful mountains, and stunning seas on the east — it’s all here.

Taiwan blends rich cultural history with the ease of modern travel. It’s one of the few places where you can hop on a high-speed train, explore coastal villages, and still be back in the city by dinnertime.

In this ultimate guide, I’ll show you what makes Taiwan so special — from city-by-city breakdowns to transportation tips, itinerary ideas, and personal recommendations from my own travels as a Taiwanese-American. Whether you’re planning your very first trip or coming back for more, you’ll find everything you need to explore Taiwan deeply and meaningfully.

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City guides

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Popular destinations

View of boats docked on a lake or river with mountains in the background and a partly cloudy sky.

SUN MOON LAKE

Night scene of a multi-story building decorated with red lanterns and string lights, with people shopping and walking below, some holding umbrellas.

JIUFEN

A serene scene of a lake surrounded by lush green trees, with a thatched-roof hut on stilts near the water, and a small wooden bridge in the background. Reflection of the trees and sky can be seen on the calm water surface.

阿里山
ALISHAN

A woman with tattoos on her back, wearing a strapless top and a long skirt, stands in front of a colorful flower garden surrounded by lush green trees and mountains in the background.

LAVENDER COTTAGE

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Weather in Taiwan 台灣天氣

Best weather Good value Cooler → Hotter

High / Low · Monthly averages

Know before you go 出發前須知

Time zone

UTC +8

No daylight saving, so the time never changes.

Language

Mandarin

The official language, plus Taiwanese (台語), Hakka (客家話), and Japanese among older generations. English is common in cities, rarer in rural areas.

Currency

NT Dollar

New Taiwan Dollar (NT / NTD / TWD), and prices include all taxes. You can bring up to NTD 100,000 (~USD 3,000) in cash without declaring it. Learn more

Tipping

Not expected

Fine dining may add a 10–15% service charge. Hotel cleaners love a little extra.

Visa

Check first

Rules vary by passport. Check the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Driving

Drive on the right

Bring your passport, home license, and an International Driving Permit. US travelers can get one through AAA.

Plan your trip 計劃你的旅程

Safety

Very safe, even solo

Just keep an eye on your things like you would anywhere else.

110Police 119Ambulance + Fire

SIM cards + WiFi

Getting connected is easy

eSIM: grab one through Airalo before you fly. It works the moment you land.
Physical SIM: Chunghwa, Taiwan Mobile, or FarEasTone counters at Taoyuan Airport (TPE).
Free WiFi: cafés, malls, MRT stations, and convenience stores.
Your plan: check roaming first. AT&T charges $12/day.

Plugs

Type A + B · 110V

Same as the US, so leave the adapter at home.

Taiwan Travel Planner

Everything in one place

Itinerary builder, packing list, and budget tracker. Close those 37 browser tabs.

Get the planner

Taiwan Must-Visit Spots

My Google Maps list

Temples, cafés, night markets, and hidden gems, pre-saved. Just tap, save, and go.

Save the map