I've visited Taiwan a few times now for work, so I've had the unique opportunity to enjoy slower travel here since I'm usually visiting for weeks at a time. I recommend traveling to Taiwan while you can because you never know what will happen politically, so it's best to go while you still can.
Exploring a new country can spark excitement like no other, especially when you can discover hidden gems away from the usual tourist spots. Taiwan is packed with stunning landscapes, rich culture, and delightful cuisine waiting to be explored. This two-week itinerary will guide you through an unforgettable journey full of unique experiences and memorable sights.
Arriving in Taipei
Most people fly into TPE airport, but the TSA airport is directly in Taipei. It's about a 45 minute (affordable, $35-$40) uber ride (yes uber works here!) from the airport. I use uber everywhere in Taipei because it's convenient and easy to get around if i'm in a rush. Otherwise you can get your public transportation pass (T-Pass) and that is also a great option! You can buy your card with a credit card, but have to load your transport card with cash, so withdraw some money at an ATM first.
I would say Taiwan is more like Japan and Korea, and while overstimulating, it's less overwhelming than my experience Vietnam. I love traveling back to Taiwan because it's low-key and easy. It feels extremely safe and everyone pretty much leaves you alone (unless you start a convo) because they have better things to do be doing and seem happy.
Where to Stay
I've traveled to taiwan a few times for work and stayed in different areas and each has their advantages, but it really depends on what you want to do and where you'll be going. I've stayed at the Courtyard by Marriot downtown taipei which was very safe and clean and more affordable; this downtown location was more central and also more immersed in the city which meant a little less clean (you can't avoid the roaches on the street at night) and the subway line was sort of a far walk for me given it was rainy season, I wouldn't have minded this spot during the winter when I visited since it didn't rain then. I also stayed at the the Taipei Marriot Hotel which is a 5-star hotel and located in a more upscale neighborhood was even nicer/cleaner, and the amenities of the hotel were top notch. The taiwanese guys we worked with said this is the "tech companies area" so lots of money and people mostly commute to work there. I found there to be less restaurants overall, but the metro stop was just across the street and there was a huge shopping mall if I wanted food without venturing far. I rally liked this area because I prefer nicer, quieter neighborhoods, and closer proximity to the mountains.
when to go
Visit in December, this was by far my favorite experience. There are christmas markets which are different from the germanic euriopean style markets that we're so used to in the US and Europe. They decorate Christmas lights everywhere and it's a great place to bring back gifts for friends and family. The weather is perfect this time of year too, hardly any rainfall and it's not super humid. This helped me feel less sick since heat can worsen dehyratation when you're traveling. I previously went a few months before in September and I really struggled with getting sick and feeling dehydrated, so if you're not used to that climate, then go during the winter. There is also WAY less rain.. it rained every single day at all random times of the day when I went in September and it only rained briefly one day in early December when I was there. It realy changed my experience with visiting the country and I found myself needed to do laundry less since my clothes weren't drenched with sweat or rainwater.
getting around on subway, uber and high speed train
You can get the taipei transit card but you must bring cash to load it (this is normal for almost everywhere in Asia i've been, so bring a debit card or cash to convert to local currency). I usually took ubers when I was lazy and it was raining, but the public transit is just as quick most of the time, especially during rush hour because the traffic can be busy. However, get ready to stand because the subways by popular stations are almost always packed. I felt really safe in taiwan, so I didn't even worry about pickpocketers which was a relief compared to European travel. They have CCTV (survellience cameras) literally everywhere you go, so crime is super low and almost non-existent it seems.
We took the high-speed train down to Taichung ($50ish total round trip) for the afternoon The unfortunate part was we didn't book our return ticket fast enough so the reserved seating sold out and we ended up having to stand for the entire 50-minute train ride back, along with many others... don't make the same mistake we did and book a reserved seating even if it means you can't sit together. This was like 9pm on a sunday night back to taiepi which is apparently very popular route for people returning from their weekend trip home back to the city, and Taichung is one of the last stops towards Taipei, so whoever boarded in a more southern city, like Tainan, is going to get a seat before you if it's unreserved.
Shop until you literally drop...
This seems to be a national pastime and i'm here for it. You can shop until you're too tired because there are sure to be others who'll last longer than you out there. The boutiques and thrift shops stay open at least to around 9:30/10pm. I really love the thrifting scene in Taipei too. I got some great deals on shoes and longer skirts. One of the chain thrift stores is "2nd street" and I found used designer ferragamo heels for $40. The sizing was smaller than usual, but as Celine dion says "I walk the shoe, the shoe doesn't walk me". I decided to apply that same logic and buy a size 6 when i'm usually a size 7 and it worked! I usually headed out after work in the evening, but there are still crowds at night! It can be really overstimulating as a sensitive person. There are SO many stores and so many people and everyones walking in all kinds of directions.
...and dont let sizes get you down when you size up
I noticed way less tourists in Taiwan than the other asian countries i've visited, so people stare, and sometimes the service people can be a little bit judgemental of none-size XXXS people. I am an XS in shirts and size 4 in pants back in the US, and there was an instance where i reached for a cute skirt in size small and the lady at the store looked at me and told me they dont carry larger sizes and literally took it out of my hands and put it back on the shelf (I have no idea if she thought she was helping me, but it was extremely off-putting and uncomfortable. So be prepared to be humbled, some may just be trying to help and not know a lot of English, but i know i felt a little self-conscious being larger (pear shaped) than the other women in Asia. Also people in Asia tend to sweat less (or look like they sweat less), so pack lots of linen and conservative style clothing so you can more easily adapt and fit in.
Zhongzheng is a great place for shopping, it's where I spent the majority of my time after work! All the stores are so cutesy and fun, even the fitting rooms (the first picture below is a random fitting room that was so well-decorated with flowers!) It's a good place to shop for glasses too. I went to the department store in Zhongzheng to JINS glasses store (japanese brand in Japan and Taiwan). Their english was great and they offerred free eye exams, but i just told them my prescription number for each eye and they cut the glass for my new frames in 20 minutes.. MINUTES! this process takes weeks in the US. They also have tax free and the prices were cheaper than online, it was around $100 for the titanium frame, glass, and then I added on the bluelight protection for another $25.
I recognize fast fasion isn't great, but I really like the styles at NET store, it's a chain you can find in and around taipei. I got a really cute cheap cableknit sweater and the colors are much more in my color palette since they're lighter and softer. The long skirts and dresses are great for layering and styling with other staples back home. You can't really find these more conservative and feminine styles back in the states, so be sure to find some while you're there.
There's also a good selection of petite or asian fit lines at stores like Lululemon; lululemon taipei carries official asian fit which is an increased neckline and underarm coverage, narrower waistbands, shorter inseams. It's a great way to get clothes that fit you without having to do the free hemming (which in my experience hasn't been always worked out well with my lululemon gear). I'm petite and short, so this was helpful for my sizing.
food
Food in Taiwan can be all over the place, but they actually have quite a bit of michelin guide and starred places. Do some research before you go based on your meal and diet preferences.
If your schedule allows, make sure to visit nearby night markets like Shilin Night Market or Rahoe Night Market, where the air is filled with the tempting aroma of street food. Indulge in local favorites such as stinky tofu (it's not that stinky and it tastes pretty good, start with fried tofu over the soft one for a gradual stink increase) or cool down with bubble tea. Did you know that Taiwan consumes around 1 billion cups of bubble tea every year? It's so cheap here (even from US favorites like Kung fu tea).
Must try foods: Don't miss traditional favorites like boba, salty soy milk (below from Fuhan soy milk), beef noodle soup (my bf raved about it), crispy scallion pancake. Chinese egg tarts are also wonderful here. Another fun thing to try is the black sesame lattes; black sesame is a popular nutty flavor in taiwan, almost like peanut butter. You can find it in lots of the desserts too. I pretty much ate egg pancakes and egg sandwiches everyday! They are the easiest thing to find vegetarian in Taipei. I also found the tomato-based cheese ramen super flavorful and delicious, it had some spice to it and was a great vegetarian meal to have while there; i got mine at a foodcourt at the mall.
I highly recommend stopping by sunny hills cafe for pineapple cakes too, you get a free cake and tea just for stopping by and the line moves fast. They had limited flavors when we went and we got to try the apple cake! They have lots of options for gift buying and they stay good for up to 1 month after purchase, so these were a really fun gift to bring back to the states. I like how the outer layer of the cake is shortbread, it's super unique and not overly sweet. If you like fluffy sihhoufle pancakes then you have plenty of places here, we went to flippers (there's a wait but you can just shop inside the department store while you wait). For sushi chains i like Kura sushi.
One of the breweries our friends in Taiwan took us to was called SPORTS NATION. What other way to scream Republic of China more than an ”electronic alcohol exchange“ concept where the prices are dynamic and change based off the popularity throughout the night? It was a super fun place to go with a larger group.
We took the high speed train south to Taichung for an afternoon to dine at a 3 -Michelin star restaurant (only about ~$200 per person which is a great deal!) called JL Studio. The experience was so fancy and fun and they brought out so many courses that we were stuffed. It was a really cute date night for my partner and I; make a reservation a few weeks to a month in advance. Speaking of Taichung..did you know bubble tea was invented in Taichung Taiwan?
Things to do Around Taipei: zoo, hiking, maokong gondol, cultural
If you're sick of shopping and eating, then you should check out all the other city things Taipei has to offer. The taipei zoo is directly next to the Maokong gondola which is nice when it's not raining. The zoo is totally worth it though; they have the black/white pandas, red pandas and pangolins! We somehow also ended up getting the popularized capybara iced americano without trying. The gondola is a really cool experience, but if it storms (which is often and random in taipei) then they close down the gondola due to lightning and safety concerns. We stopped at Red Wood House for some tea to wait it out. Don't forget your umbrella and sunscreen, always!
To further enrich your experience, explore Taiwan's cultural side at the National Palace Museum. Home to an extensive collection of Chinese imperial artifacts, it offers a beautifully curated insight into Taiwan's heritage. Consider taking a day hike to the Flower Clock, known for its colorful arrangements. Afterward, unwind in the public hot springs at Beitou hot springs, which are rich in minerals that relax your muscles. I also enjoyed a sunny easy-access hike to Jiantanshan Hiking trail; you can take the MRT station directly there. It also lights up at night, but there was plenty of shade for a sunny day when we went.
At night, you can obviously find night markets for snacks, and you can spend an entire evening just walking around and trying different foods; my boyfriend even got his brows at Raohe threaded for super cheap. Raohe street night market has the really pretty lights and is a good spot for photos too. There's a few michelin rated stands like the mochi stand and pepper bun stand that are there, you'll know which ones they are because they'll have michelin signs and usually a line. Bring cash of course. Taipei 101 was worth it because they have the mass damper weight which you can walk around and see (this helps prevent the building from swaying from wind or earthquakes due to its height). Korean karaoke is also very popular in almost all of Asia, with no exception in Taiwan; we went to KTV a few times and they even had Chappell Roan and Noah Kahan's Stick Season as artists and songs, so it's pretty up-to-date.
Day Trip to Shifen and Jiufen for lanterns and views
Now tours can be overwhelming sometimes, but it felt nice to turn our brains off, put our headphones in and be driven around for a day. We did this tour on viator to see the Geopark, the short hike to the waterfall, Shifen to paint and launch our wishes on the lanterns, and Jiufen to shop, eat, and explore the famously beautiful town that inspired spirited away!
Next, travel to Jiufen, a charming mountainside village that was once a thriving gold mining town. Its cobbled streets and traditional teahouses offer breathtaking ocean and mountain views. A-Mei Teahouse overlooks the sea and has the classic beautiful golden wood-framed windows. The line moves quickly and the tea is delicious!
Wander through narrow alleys filled with shops selling handicrafts and local snacks. Don't miss the opportunity to sample sweet potato balls and visit a teahouse for a cup of traditional oolong tea. The sweeping vistas make it the perfect spot for relaxation and reflection.
Sun Moon Lake
Located in Nantou County, Sun Moon Lake is Taiwan's largest lake and a breathtaking scenic destination. Rent a bike and explore the trails, or take a boat tour to soak in the tranquility of the water surrounded by mountains.
The lake's indigenous culture adds depth to your visit, with opportunities to meet local tribes and learn about their customs. Make sure to catch a sunset over the lake—statistics show that sunsets here are among the most photographed in Taiwan!
Yushan Peak aka Jade Mountain
Yushan, known as Jade mountain, main trail is the highest peak in western Pacific Asia; it reaches just below 13,000ft in altitude. I would compare that to many of the hikes I did while living in Colorado, which means you should follow the same things you do back in the US. Hydrate, eat carbs the day before, bring sugar/gels to replenish through the hike, and advil for headaches. I use an inhaler for high altitude exercise too. I unfotunately wasn't lucky enough to get a permit on my last few trips to Taiwan; i didn't plan properly, but you can apply before you go and try to do it! Plan to apply 30-60 days out from your trip and check out this blog for help.
TIPS
You might get an upset stomach with the food here. My coworkers and I all felt jet-lagged and had upset stomachs while visiting. Also I literally thought I had parasite at one point because I was having red you know what.. and my coworker's family friend who is a doctor in Taiwan's first question for me was if I had dragon fruit and alas a few days before i had like 5 pieces of dragon fruit and i quickly felt like an idiot.
Be aware that this is an island and with island life comes tropical things like crawling bugs (yes you will see cockroaches on the streets at night and some seem to have learned how to fly), spiders the size of your entire palm on hikes, and other little bugs. The hotels were clean thankfully. I noticed this way more during the monsoon season and less during the winter months when i visited.
Take liquid IV the first week at least while you arrive so you can recover from jetlag and bloating from the long plane ride. Stick to just 1-2 miles each day on the treadmill to keep your body regulated.
They dont sell tampons as much here, pack ahead if your time of month is during the trip.
Cash is common but so is apple pay. If you're there for a week, take out like $150 in cash and use apple pay everywhere else.
If you're having a difficult time finding a very specific/niche place on google maps for food or items (e.g., searching for a knives store), then make sure to translate the english word to traditional chinese and search those Chinese characters in google maps and you'll get way more authentic and better results.
