My husband and I spent 9 days in Taiwan in December 2019. We explored Taipei on our own for four days, and joined a five-day tour of the entire island. While the tour involved more driving than we preferred, it did take us to many places that would’ve been hard to reach on our own. The guide also kept us entertained on the bus, so we had fun overall. These were our favorite things to do from our trip to Taiwan:
1. Taipei 101 Observatory
Why Visit:
Taipei 101 is Taiwan’s tallest skyscraper and once held the title of the world’s tallest building. The observatory offers sweeping 360° views and is one of the most iconic things to do in the city.
Highlights:
- See fireworks erupt from the building’s exterior for New Year’s Eve! We watched from National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall and had nice views of the fireworks.
- Ride one of the world’s fastest elevators to the top in under a minute.
- See the massive 660-ton sphere that stabilizes the tower during typhoons and earthquakes.
How to Go:
Book tickets online if you’re visiting during sunset or holidays, or if you want the new reservation-only Skyline460 experience.
2. Taroko National Park (Hualian)
Why Visit:
Taroko Gorge is one of the world’s few marble canyons and easily one of Taiwan’s most stunning landscapes, with dramatic cliffs, turquoise streams, and narrow tunnels.
Highlights:
- Shakadang Trail → easy riverside walk with crystal-blue water and marble boulders.
- Yanzihkou Trail → cliffside viewpoints where you look straight down into the gorge.
- Changchun Shrine→ a picturesque shrine with waterfalls flowing out of the cliffside.
How to Go:
The roads to the park are windy and narrow, so I recommend joining a tour or hiring a driver (we visited as part of our five-day island tour). The park was heavily impacted by the April 2024 earthquake, so check official updates for closures. Entry is free except for Zhuilu Old Road, which requires a permit and fee.
3. Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum (Kaohsiung)
Why Visit:
This massive Buddhist complex is one of Taiwan’s most impressive religious sites and features an enormous 108-meter seated Buddha.
Highlights:
- Walk the grand boulevard lined with eight symmetrical pagodas.
- See the world’s largest copper-cast Buddha statue at the end of the complex.
- Explore the peaceful courtyards and museum halls.
How to Go:
The museum is free and about 30 minutes from Kaohsiung. We visited as part of the same five-day tour, but you can go yourself via public transit or car. Wear comfortable shoes and modest clothing since the grounds are large and it’s an active religious site.
4. Visit a Night Market
Why Visit:
Night markets are a quintessential part of Taiwanese culture, offering incredible street food, cheap shopping, games, and a lively atmosphere.
Highlights:
- Raohe Street Night Market (Taipei) → one of the oldest, known for its traditional snacks like pepper buns (one of our favorite foods from the trip!).
- Shilin Night Market (Taipei) → the largest and most famous. Popular things to try are the XXL fried chicken, douhua (tofu pudding) and bubble tea.
- Liuhe (Kaohsiung) → wide street with lots of seafood stalls and tourist-friendly.
How to Go:
Bring cash since most stalls don’t take cards, and go early if you want to avoid the crowds.
5. National Palace Museum (Taipei)
Why Visit:
The National Palace Museum houses one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese imperial artifacts. Many treasures were moved from Beijing’s Forbidden City during the Chinese Civil War.
Highlights:
- See the museum’s big three treasures: Jadeite Cabbage, Meat-Shaped Stone, and Mao Gong Ding. These occasionally rotate to other galleries, so unfortunately I didn’t get to see the braised pork belly stone. The cabbage was still cool though!
How to Go:
The museum is closed on Mondays. You can buy tickets onsite and go when it opens for a quieter visit.
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