Taiwan was probably my biggest surprise of the year. I hadn’t even planned on traveling there at all, I just sort of ended up going by chance, and I absolutely loved it. That doesn’t happen too often anymore, that I kind of stumble into a country and it turns out to be a new favorite, but that’s exactly what happened here.

Taiwan is a beautiful country, with super friendly people, such an interesting and rich culture, and some of the best food I’ve ever had.

I spent almost three weeks traveling all over Taiwan from top to bottom, trying to do, experience, and eat as much as possible.

So if you’re still on the fence about visiting Taiwan or you already have your flights booked and are now wondering what there is to do, I put together this little travel guide on the best things to do in Taiwan.

As always, it’s based on my personal experience, so take it with a grain of salt. Let’s get into it.

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The 12 Best Things to Do in Taiwan: Here Are My Favorite Activities Taiwan

Things to Do in Taiwan – My Experience

I spent around three weeks in Taiwan recently, and while all my memories are still fresh, I decided to put together this little guide on what to do in Taiwan.

Just so you know, I traveled from Taipei to Jiufen, Taichung, Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Alishan. So this list is obviously based on my experience in those places, which I think pretty much covers the main spots most tourists would check out.

For me, though, Taiwan didn’t feel like a super “sightseeing-heavy” country. You know how in places like Thailand, Italy, Peru, or Egypt you feel like you’re on a sightseeing marathon, hopping from temple to museum to monument nonstop?

Taiwan didn’t feel like that at all. For me, it was more about wandering through neighborhoods, finding hidden alleyways with little restaurants and cafes, eating where the locals eat, and just kind of blending in. It sounds cheesy, but Taiwan felt more about immersing yourself in the daily life and atmosphere, and I think that’s really where the country shines.

Of course, that doesn’t mean there aren’t amazing things to do. There are still stunning temples, museums, hikes, beaches, night markets, and monuments, and they’re all worth seeing. I just wanted to say that if you don’t check off every single thing on this list, it really doesn’t matter.

My 12 Favorite Activities in Taiwan

Just a very quick disclaimer this list is not a ranking at all, all of those things were fun and i would recommend to you.

1. Visit Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall (Taipei)

For number one on this list I thought I’d start with visiting the famous Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. It’s a huge complex in Taipei with a massive square, the main memorial building in the center, and then on the sides the National Theater and the National Concert Hall. In front, there’s a big ceremonial gate where you enter.

I really enjoyed visiting here, even though it was mostly to take some cool photos, it actually reminded me a bit of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

The Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall is dedicated to Chiang Kai-shek, who was the former President of the Republic of China. It’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Taipei and a symbol of Taiwan’s modern history.

Getting here was also super easy since the red MRT line stops right at its own station, Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall Station, where I got off. Super easy!

2. Explore the Night Markets in Taipei

Potentially my favorite things to do in Taipei, and honestly, probably in Taiwan in general, was visiting the night markets. I made sure to check out at least a couple in every city I went to. Night markets are just the best. It’s where you grab dinner, wander around, try different foods, and just hang out and enjoy the chaos.

My favorite night market in Taipei was Raohe Night Market because (in my opinion) it has the best food. I was totally obsessed with the pepper pork buns you can get there. The stall is right at the entrance in the center, and there’s usually a huge line (I think it’s even mentioned in the Michelin Guide). But honestly, those buns were so good, I went back like three times.

Alternatively, there’s also Shilin Night Market in Taipei, which is the biggest night market in all of Taiwan. Definitely worth checking out too, though I personally think the food at Raohe is better.

3. Take a Day Trip to Jiufen & Teapot Mountain

The best day trip I took from Taipei was to Jiufen you might’ve already heard of this place.

Jiufen is a small mountain town about an hour outside of Taipei. It used to be an old gold mining town, but that’s not really what it’s famous for nowadays. It’s popular because of its old street and tiny alleyways, all covered in red lanterns, with beautiful old teahouses clinging to the side of the mountain and amazing views over the hills and the ocean.

Most people just take a day trip here, but I actually did it myself by taking the public train and bus which was super straightforward. Then I decided to stay the night in Jiufen so I could do a fun little hike called Teapot Mountain the next morning. That’s definitely something I recommend: stay overnight to see the lanterns after sunset (way less crowded and super pretty), then tackle the hike in the morning. It was such a fun way to do it

4. Ride the Alishan Forest Railway & Watch Sunrise

Ugh, actually one of the saddest moments of my travels! The Alishan Forest is a beautiful mountain area full of huge cedar trees, thick mist drifting between them, and incredible sunrise views.

It’s a super popular spot to visit in Taiwan. Even more popular is the scenic train ride you can take from Chiayi to Alishan, it’s famous for winding through the forest and mountains.

Getting tickets for that scenic train is nearly impossible since they sell out insanely fast. I actually managed to get a ticket, just to realize too late that you have to stay at least one night in Alishan if you take the train since you arrive pretty late in the day. Hotels up there also book out super fast, and I couldn’t get one, so I ended up having to return my train ticket and take the bus instead which was super heart-breaking.

Still, hiking and exploring Alishan Forest was amazing. But I definitely recommend planning ahead: book a hotel in advance, try to get a scenic train ticket, and stay at least one night. Then you can tell me how that sunrise from the train was!

5. Eat Your Way Through Tainan’s Street Food

Tainan was my second favorite city I visited in Taiwan, right behind Taipei. Tainan used to be the capital of Taiwan, and you can really feel that, the city has a more traditional vibe, older architecture, and overall felt less modern and more historic to me.

But the main reason I loved Tainan so much is because it’s known as the culinary capital of Taiwan (at least that’s what the locals will tell you). And honestly… they’re kinda right. The food in Tainan is incredible. There are so many markets to check out, like the Tainan Garden Night Market (which is amazing) and the Yongle Market, a daytime market where I had everything from beef noodle soup to grilled squid and fried dumplings.

My absolute favorite place, though, was Ding Fu Fa, a Taiwanese brunch and lunch spot famous for their pork lard mixed rice. Wow. I had to wait in line for a bit, but it was so worth it.

6. Head to the Top of Taipei 101

Taipei 101 is a famous skyscraper in Taipei that you’ve probably seen in photos, it looks kinda like a giant pagoda stacked up into the sky. It used to be the tallest building in the world until 2010 (now it’s still one of the tallest in Asia).

At the base of Taipei 101, there’s a huge shopping mall with a great food court. This is also where you’ll find one of the Din Tai Fung branches in Taipei which was actually my favorite one. Definitely worth going for their xiao long bao (soup dumplings), but just be ready to wait in line.

Up on the 89th floor, there’s an observation deck with amazing views over Taipei. Totally worth it, especially if you go around sunset to see the city light up.

7. See the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas (Kaohsiung)

One of my favorite temple/monument/religious sites (not really sure what to call it exactly) in Taiwan is the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in Kaohsiung. They’re located at Lotus Pond, which actually has a bunch of other huge temples, statues, and shrines around, definitely fun to walk around and explore.

But the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are the most popular ones here. When I went, it was insanely hot (like melting-level hot), so if you’re visiting in spring or summer, I’d recommend coming early in the day because there’s basically no shade.

And of course, make sure to do it properly: you enter through the dragon and exit through the tiger for good luck. Don’t mess it up!

8. Visit Sunfong Temple (Kaohsiung)

I think the best temple I visited in Taiwan was probably Sunfong Temple in Kaohsiung. The place is just stunning, the courtyard is covered in red lanterns, and the architecture is that classic, super-detailed traditional Chinese style (at least I think so). Overall, it just looks so impressive.

You know how Asian tourists in Europe get obsessed with all the churches? Well, I totally get it now, I felt the same way about every single temple in Taiwan.

Sunfong Temple is an active temple, so you’ll see lots of locals coming to light incense and pray. Just be respectful, of course. Tourists are totally welcome, and you can take photos, just make sure you’re doing it in a respectful way.

9. Relax at Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is probably the most famous lake in Taiwan, and honestly, I get the hype. It’s a super beautiful spot. The whole area is surrounded by mountains, and there’s a nice bike path going all around the lake if you’re feeling sporty (I rented a bike for a few hours and loved it).

There isn’t a ton of “must-see” stuff here, it’s really more about just taking it easy, walking or cycling, maybe grabbing a tea or some noodles with a view. I stayed one night and thought that was perfect. After bouncing around busy cities and stuffing my face at night markets, it was nice to slow down for a bit.

10. Hike in Taroko Gorge National Park

Taroko Gorge is probably the most insane nature spot I visited in Taiwan. It’s basically a giant marble canyon with cliffs, tunnels, rivers, it just looks crazy.

I did a couple of the shorter hikes because, honestly, I didn’t feel like doing a full-day proper hike in that heat and quite a few trails were closed due to the Typhoon in 2024. But even just walking through some of the easier trails was so worth it. The views are amazing and it’s super quiet, way different from the rest of the country.

Most people base themselves in Hualien and do day trips from there, which worked out perfectly for me. Just check ahead of time if the trails are open as the National Park is just now starting to open back up in mid 2025.

11. Discover Anping Old Street (Tainan)

Anping Old Street was probably my favorite little area in Tainan. It’s one of the oldest streets in Taiwan, and it’s basically a maze of food stalls, random shops, and old buildings.

I went there mainly to eat (of course). There’s so much good stuff: shrimp rolls, tofu pudding, fried fish cakes, just grab whatever looks interesting. The area gets super packed on weekends, so if you can, try to go on a weekday to avoid the crowds.

There’s also Anping Fort nearby, which you can check out if you’re into historic stuff. But for me, it was all about wandering around and snacking non-stop.

12. Visit the National Palace Museum (Taipei)

One of the most popular museums (and overall attractions) in Taipei is the National Palace Museum. From the outside, it looks like a huge palace and is super impressive and beautiful.

Inside, the museum displays over 600,000 artifacts from Chinese and Taiwanese history, so if you’re into history and culture, you’ll probably love it. It’s massive, and you could easily spend hours walking through all the different exhibits.

Now, I’m gonna be honest here (it’s my blog after all, so I get to say what I want haha). I spent about two hours there, and I actually found it pretty boring. I kept looking at vases, plates, furniture, jewelry… all important artifacts, but I just wasn’t feeling it. So if you’re not big on museums, you might end up feeling the same way I did.

FAQs About the Best Things to Do in Taiwan

What are unique places to visit in Taiwan?

If you want something a bit different, check out Jiufen (the Spirited Away village), Alishan Forest for a cool misty mountain vibe, or Taroko Gorge if you’re into super unique nature.

What to do in Taiwan for 5 days?

Honestly, 5 days isn’t that long but you can still get a good taste. I’d do Taipei (night markets, Chiang Kai Shek, Taipei 101), a day trip to Jiufen, maybe a quick stop at Taroko Gorge or Tainan if you want to squeeze in a second city.

Is Taiwan worth visiting?

Big yes. For me, it was one of the most exciting and surprising places I’ve been to. The food is incredible, it’s super safe, locals are so friendly, and there’s this great mix of city life and nature.

What is the best Taiwan itinerary?

Well that really depends on how much time you have. If you scroll down below, you’ll see that I have a few Travel itineraries for Taiwan that might be helpful!

Do you need travel insurance for Taiwan?

I definitely recommend it. Taiwan is super safe, but you never know, accidents, lost bags, or suddenly getting sick from eating 10 too many dumplings. I use and recommend SafetyWing since it’s super flexible, affordable, and basically made for travelers.

Final Thoughts on Taiwan Activities

As I’ve probably said about 10 times in this article already, I absolutely love Taiwan, but I don’t think it’s the most sightseeing-heavy or intense country to visit. I definitely recommend doing all the activities on this list, but if you don’t get to them all, that’s totally fine. Don’t feel like you need to tick every single thing off just to “do it right.”

I was honest earlier too: there are a few things I wouldn’t have been sad to skip if I’d run out of time. Sun Moon Lake and the National Palace Museum are probably the two biggest ones I’d say you can easily skip if you’re short on time.

I hope this quick guide on the best things to do in Taiwan helps give you a rough idea of what’s out there. Enjoy your trip, and eat as much as you can while you’re at it!