Taiwan at a Glance
Most people picture Taiwan through the lens of high-tech booms and rapid economic growth. Look past the high-energy sprawl of Taipei, however, and you will find sweeping green mountain jungles. The Portuguese sailors who once called this former Chinese province Ilha Formosa did not exaggerate when they named it the island of beauty.
Vibrant and Spiritual Cities
Taiwan packs plenty of character into its urban centers. The capital, Taipei, moves fast, with close to seven million people in its metropolitan area and streets that stay gridlocked. While it is hardly a quiet retreat, you need to visit for landmarks like the Longshan Temple and the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. The food scene is exceptional, and grabbing dinner at the night markets is a must-do.
For a slower pace, head to Hualien, a coastal town known for its laid-back lifestyle, marble architecture, and scenic shoreline. Tainan serves up a heavy dose of culture, holding the highest density of temples on the island. You will find a distinct spiritual atmosphere at the Eastern Mountain, a Taoist temple where pilgrims come to clear their heads. Countless Buddhist celebrations take place year-round across Tainan and its hundreds of places of worship. Standouts include the Chuhsi Temple, the Kaiyuan Temple, and the Mito Temple, which houses a striking thousand-armed goddess statue.
National Parks and Remote Islands
Roughly seventy percent of Taiwan is covered in rugged jungle and protected wilderness. Taroko National Park showcases some of the most dramatic terrain on the island, featuring hiking trails cut into marble gorges where waterfalls plunge down sheer cliffs into the river below. You can unwind afterward in the natural hot springs. Yangmingshan National Park offers another landscape of mountain slopes, terraced rice paddies, lakes, and volcanic craters.
To truly get away from it all, make your way out to the Penghu Islands. This isolated archipelago of sixty-four islands features quiet fishing villages, pristine beaches, and outstanding seafood.
When to go
The best time to visit Taiwan runs from late October through early March. Summers bring intense heat and humidity. As a general rule, steer clear of major local holidays and Chinese New Year, when hotels book up fast and prices spike.
How to get there
You will likely fly into Taoyuan International Airport, located just outside the capital, though Kaohsiung International Airport handles international flights as well. Nonstop flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver reach Taipei in about 13 to 14 hours. You can also catch a ferry over from Okinawa, Japan.
