This small, sub-tropical nation packs a real punch. From Michelin-star food stalls in overflowing night markets and thriving arts scenes to bubbling thermal springs and 286 peaks above 3000 meters, Taiwan has something for everyone. The below posts are packed with information on planning a round-island trip, so come find out why I’ve made Taiwan my adopted home!
Sun Moon Lake is Taiwan’s largest and most famous lake. With 6 million visitors a year, also one of Taiwan’s most popular scenic attractions, along with Alishan and Taroko Gorge. Sun Moon Lake attractions such as Wenwu Temple, Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, cherry blossoms, Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, and locally grown black tea are the …
Of the many appealing hot springs in Taiwan (here are my 20 favorites), Guanziling Hot Spring is one of the most unique. Due to the clay soil in the area, the thermal hot spring water seeps out of the ground with a high concentration of silt, making it muddy in appearance, earning it the name …
Kaohsiung (高雄 or Gao Xiong), nicknamed Harbor City (港都), is Taiwan’s third largest city by population and home to the country’s largest port. Once an industrial hub, the city has grown infinitely more alluring in recent years. The city has even made one of Lonely Planet’s lists of top 10 cities to visit in the …
One of the hardest parts of planning a trip to a huge city like Taipei is choosing a hotel. This is certainly the case when trying to decide where to stay in Taipei! Unlike some other major cities in Asia, Taipei doesn’t really have a backpacker’s street or district. Taipei’s top sights are spread out, …
If you’re planning a trip to Taiwan during Chinese New Year, or you are living in Taiwan and starting to prepare for your upcoming holiday, there are some things you should know to help you have a smoother trip. Some people feel strongly that Lunar New Year is NOT the best time to visit Taiwan. …
When I first moved to Taiwan in 2008, the most recent edition of Lonely Planet Taiwan described Taichung as “hardly a must-see for the short-term visitor.” A lot has changed since then, and in recent years more and more travelers consider Taichung an absolute must in their Taiwan itinerary! Taichung (台中 or Taizhong, literally “Taiwan …
Few people visit Hualien without falling completely in love with it. The vast east coast county is beloved for its wild scenery and adventure activities like these. It is the largest county in Taiwan, though one of the least populated, and homeland of the Amis, the country’s largest Indigenous group. In the past, most visitors …
Wondering what to eat in Ximending, one of the coolest neighborhoods in Taipei? You’ve come to the right place! Ximending is considered one of the best night markets in Taipei, even though it’s not actually a night market – it’s more like a pedestrian shopping district that happens to have a lot of good food …
If you’ve never used an eSIM before, I’ll be honest: I was initially skeptical of them. I’ve now used eSIMs on multiple trips in Asia and beyond. They have some clear advantages, especially if you don’t want to line up at an airport counter or swap SIM cards every time you cross a border. But …
Tainan is the original capital of Taiwan and one of the country’s most culturally rewarding destinations. Nicknamed “Phoenix City” after its shape and its phoenix trees, Tainan is famous for its historic sights and considered the food capital of Taiwan. Some of the top things to do in Tainan city center including touring the city’s …
