Quick Taiwan Travel Guide (Updated 2023)

Taiwan is one of the most underrated budget destinations in Asia. It offers a beautiful and incredibly budget friendly mix of east and west, blending the culture and cuisines of mainland China, Japan, and Hong Kong.

I, Reanna travelled around Taiwan in 2019 with a group of friends and had the most glorious time. If you’d had told me when I set out travelling that this little, fairly untraveled island would be somewhere that I am dying to come back and see more of then I would have seriously questioned you. However, Taiwan has so much to offer and is filled with such a wealth of history, unexpected scenery and crazy cities that I think it definitely deserves more credit than it currently receives.

There really is so much to see and do in Taiwan, from hiking the incredible mountains, indulging at the night markets, drinking at tea houses or even lounging on one of the many beaches.

Before coming here, like all the places which I travel to, I set myself a budget and was determined to stick to it! The budget was set, so £150 was my aim, I will say now though, had I known how much I would have liked the country then I would have allowed myself a bit extra to see a few more areas, but you live and learn.

Taiwan Travel Route

Taipei – 6 nights
Taroko National Park – 4 nights

Time spent here – 10 days
Budget – £160 for 1 person (This was during 2019 and on a tight budget or instant noodles and street food)

Best times to visit Taiwan

Taiwan has a subtropical monsoon climate, with wet, humid summers and short, relatively mild winters. Which means that depending on what you’re looking for all year round is a great time to visit Taiwan!

September, October, and November mark the peak months for general travel. If you’re a fan of tropical beaches and island hopping, summer is the perfect season to explore. For an immersion in culture and nature, consider a springtime visit. However, don’t discount winter for experiencing Taipei’s unique charm.

So, if you’re looking for the best time to visit Taiwan, then you really are spoilt for choice! Taiwan remains an enticing destination year-round, offering delectable cuisine, breathtaking natural landscapes, and a dynamic urban atmosphere whenever you choose to explore.

Taipei

My first 6 nights were spent in the capital: Taipei. Here we stayed in a wonderful hostel which I would definitely recommend called Duckstay Ximen, it had everything we needed and more and was in a great location meaning we were able to walk our way around the city and at only £6 per night, as a budget backpacker, you can’t really go wrong! This wonderful, crazy, hectic city reminded us all of what we expected Tokyo to be like just on a far smaller scale.

Places in Taipei to visit

 Ximending

The main shopping district of Taipei, Ximending, is full of colourful signs, street entertainment and eateries and is most definitely worth a visit. If you can and if you don’t mind a bit of hecticness then I would recommend visiting Ximending on a weekend. The crazy, busy atmosphere definitely makes the place come alive and only adds to the atmosphere.

Often referred to as the “Harajuku of Taipei,” Ximending is a trendy and youthful neighborhood known for its lively atmosphere and eclectic mix of entertainment options. This pedestrian-friendly area is a hub for shopping, featuring an array of boutiques, department stores, and street vendors selling everything from fashion and accessories to quirky gadgets. Beyond shopping, Ximending boasts a thriving food scene, with countless street food stalls and diverse restaurants serving up both local Taiwanese delicacies and international cuisine. It’s a hub of arts and entertainment, hosting theaters, live performances, and cinemas, making it a go-to destination for nightlife. Whether you’re into shopping, dining, or simply immersing yourself in the dynamic urban culture of Taipei, Ximending offers an unforgettable experience.

Jiufen

One of the day trips we did from Taipei was to Jiufen. Jiufen, perched high in the lush mountains of northern Taiwan, is a picturesque town that exudes old-world charm and timeless beauty.

Renowned for its winding cobblestone streets, traditional teahouses, and lantern-lit alleys, Jiufen transports visitors back in time to a bygone era. This historic mining town, is famous for its stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can savor a diverse range of local street food, including the region’s signature taro balls and fish balls, at bustling stalls. Exploring Jiufen’s narrow lanes and hidden nooks reveals its unique blend of Taiwanese and Japanese architectural influences. With its enchanting atmosphere and rich history, Jiufen is a captivating destination that offers a glimpse into Taiwan’s cultural and scenic treasures.

From Taipei, you can opt to visit Jiufen via one of the many guided tours. However, you can just as easily get public transport here (a train and then a bus) which is just as convenient and will save you a lot on your budget. You can take the train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station (by TRA train), and then the bus from Ruifang Station to Jiufen.

Shiding Thousand Island Lake

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city then one place I would definitely suggest visiting in Taiwan is Shiding Thousand Island Lake. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on our side for this trip and it definitely wasn’t as spectacular as it could have been. However, the view and the walk made it certainly worth the trip. The lakes are a beautiful secluded world on their own surrounded by greenery. They are easily accessible via Taipei and somewhere which is slightly more off the beaten track.

How to get from Taipai to Shiding Thousand Island Lake

You catch a train from Taipei to Xindian MRT station take the Green 12 bus to Shiding to the Shisangu bus stop, make sure you don’t miss your stop though like we did as the buses aren’t very regular and it’s quite a walk back! From here though you can walk down the hill and you’re greeted by the beautiful, emerald-coloured lakes. You can decide if you want to continue walking around or head back to the bus from here.

Other things to see in Taipei:

• Visit Taipei 101, the tallest building in Taipei
• Visit a night market, there are tons about so just pick one which is closest to where you are staying! We choose the Ximen night market
• Ride the cable car in Mao Kong
• Hike up Elephant Hill for an amazing view over the whole city

Taroko national park

Our time in Taiwan was split between Taipei and Taroko National Park. A beautiful national park around 3 hours South of Taipei via public train.

We stayed in the neighbouring city of Hualien, a city with a slightly desolate feel, perfect to escape the hustle and bustle of Taipei whilst being close enough to the national park and also sharing the convenience of being in a city. We purchased a 2 day hop on hop off bus ticket from Hualien main train station for around 10 NT 400 or NT150 for a single day, this allowed us to access all of the trails within the park as well as get to and from it and is well worth the money to allow you to see as much of the park as possible. From here you can explore the national park, a landmark of Taiwan often described as the ‘Taiwanese Grand Canyon.

The national park itself is full of dramatic nature, think huge boulders, leaning cliffs and gushing waters. The park offers a multitude of different hikes and trails for all levels ranging from 10-minute ones (which we all agreed weren’t really worth it) and longer ones ranging up to a whole day. We decided to combine a mixture of shorter and longer trails including seeing the famous Taroko Gorge, Eternal Spring Shrine and Tianxiang (Tienhsiang) Recreation Area. Each is an easy trail which lasts no longer than 2hrs. Overall, the park is beautiful and one of my highlights of Taiwan, unfortunately, the weather it seems wasn’t on our side for the whole of Taiwan (we visited during April, their rainy season) but the park was still beautiful and no matter the weather, worth visiting!