What to See in Taiwan

last edited Dec 11, 2019

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Location Map of Taiwan

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Taiwan has no sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

West Coast

Fulong Beach
Located in the Taipei area, this is the most popular beach among locals for swimming and surfing.

Hsinchu
One of the country's oldest cities, though it draws more visitors for its university and scientific activity than its tourist appeal. Hiking opportunities in the nearby mountains.

Jinguashi
One of the two or three villages on the north coast that benefited from the gold rush. Nestled among hills and coastlines, it features numerous remnants of its mining era as well as several temples.

Jiufen
This former gold-rush village, now part of the distant outskirts of the capital, attracts visitors looking for the atmosphere of that bygone era. A few short hikes in the surrounding area.

Kaohsiung
This major port is Taiwan's second-largest city. It is far better known for its economic activity than its tourist appeal, despite a few interesting old and modern buildings.

Keelung
A port city near Taipei with several 19th-century forts and remnants of the 1884–85 Franco-Chinese War.

Lukang
This historic town boasts a charming traditional heritage, including over 200 temples.

Miaoli
A large city on the northwest coast with various trekking opportunities in the surrounding mountains and beaches along the coast. Miaoli is also at the heart of Hakka culture.

Nantou
The city at the center of the island, near the vast Sun Moon Lake, is surrounded by beautiful mountains perfect for hiking.

Taichung
Taiwan's third-largest city. A few museums, temples, and trekking opportunities in the surrounding area.

Tainan
The former imperial capital and Taiwan's oldest city is a must-visit for its historic center, with its many temples and historic buildings.

Taipei
Taiwan’s capital (along with its neighbor New Taipei) blends old and modern architecture. You’ll find one of the world’s tallest buildings alongside numerous temples and historic districts. The city is also home to several museums and the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. Nearby, the scenic Yangmingshan National Park offers great hiking opportunities.

Wulai
A small town not far from Taipei, Wulai is renowned for its hot springs, Aboriginal culture, and, incidentally, its waterfall. You can also hike, fish, or go birdwatching here.

East Coast

Hualien
This coastal city in eastern Taiwan is one of the country’s most beautiful in terms of scenery, surrounded by the ocean, forests, and mountains. Nearby, the Taroko Gorge offers great opportunities for hiking, rafting, and canyoning.

Jiaoxi
Close to the capital, Jiaoxi is known for its hot springs, which draw quite a crowd on weekends. You can also go hiking here.

Nanao
This is the main indigenous community on the island. You can hike in the surrounding mountains.

Taitung
A large city on the southeast coast where various ethnic minorities live with their own cultures and traditions.

Toucheng
This small town on the northeast coast is renowned for surfing. You can also see whales and dolphins there.

The Islands

Kinmen
This long-forbidden place is less than 5 km from the Chinese coast. Here you’ll find small villages with traditional Fujian architecture and peaceful beaches.

Lanyu
This volcanic island southeast of Taiwan—also known as Orchid Island—is home to a small Da'o community with a vibrant culture and strong traditions. However, Lanyu also serves as a nuclear waste storage site.

Green Island
Also known as Green Island, it's a popular diving spot.

Matsu
A small archipelago 20 km off the Chinese coast, featuring beautiful landscapes and a few historical attractions (fort, tunnel, traditional architecture).

Penghu
This is an archipelago also known as the Pescadores Islands, consisting of around a hundred small islands and islets between Taiwan and China. It offers beautiful landscapes, beaches, temples, and villages, as well as boat trips between the islands.

Natural Heritage

Alishan
This is a small mountainous area in the heart of Taiwan. It’s highly popular and visited for its landscapes, hiking, and the scenic Alishan to Monkey Rock tourist train.

Chungyang Mountains
This mountain range, with numerous peaks exceeding 3,000 metres, runs north to south through the central part of the island. It offers stunning landscapes and countless trekking opportunities.

Sun Moon Lake
Taiwan’s largest lake and a major tourist destination in this region, home to the Thao, one of the island’s 14 indigenous groups. Visitors can explore attractions such as Wen Wu Temple and the "Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village," an eco-museum dedicated to indigenous culture.

Kenting National Park
At the southernmost tip, this nature reserve, where beaches, cliffs, caves, and mountains meet, is quite touristy. It’s popular for water activities (surfing, jet-skiing, diving, etc.).

Shei-Pa National Park
Located near Hsinchu, this is a mountainous park with hiking opportunities.

Taroko National Park
Near Hualien, the site is home to the stunning Taroko Gorge, where you can go hiking, rafting, and canyoning.

Yangmingshan National Park
On the doorstep of Taipei, this mountainous park with hot sulfur springs, lakes, and small waterfalls is a favorite with the capital's residents for its hiking opportunities.

Yushan National Park
In the southern part of the island, this high-altitude park is home to many towering peaks, including Yushan, the highest point in Taiwan at 3,952 m. It’s a great place for trekking through stunning landscapes where valleys, cliffs, peaks, and canyons come together.