Things to do in Taiwan

Ride the narrow-gauge train to Zhushan before dawn and watch the sun rise above a rolling sea of clouds, with the sacred Alishan Mountain in the foreground.

Walk a cliffside path carved into the marble gorge, where river-cut arches echo with the calls of swallows and the roaring Liwu River far below.

Bite into perfectly pleated soup dumplings at the birthplace of the legendary Taiwanese chain, where steam baskets pile high and the pork-and-crab roe filling bursts with flavor.

Stand before the Jadeite Cabbage and Meat-shaped Stone in a world-class collection of imperial Chinese art, from ancient bronzes to delicate Ming porcelain.

Climb the steep stone stairs past teahouses and red lanterns in this former gold-mining mountain town that inspired Spirited Away, especially atmospheric after dusk.

Sink into steaming, mineral-rich thermal waters surrounded by misty volcanic hills, then visit the Beitou Thermal Valley (Hell Valley) for its emerald-green crater lake.

Join thousands sending glowing paper lanterns aloft over the old railway town, each flame carrying handwritten wishes into the night sky.

Climb the stone staircase to a rocky outcrop just minutes from the city center, capturing the perfect silhouette of Taipei 101 and the sprawling urban basin.

Pedal a lakeside path past mist-shrouded mountains, stopping at Wenwu Temple and Ita Thao village to soak up the serene beauty of Taiwan’s largest alpine lake.

Swim over vibrant coral gardens, then stand at Taiwan’s southernmost tip at the white Eluanbi Lighthouse, with waves crashing on the black-sand coast.

Join the queue for deep-fried fermented tofu drenched in sweet garlic sauce at Taipei’s largest night market, then browse endless stalls for oyster omelets and bubble tea.

Under the massive blue-tiled octagonal roof, witness a silent, meticulous rifle drill performed by honor guards in front of the towering bronze statue.

Clamber through the roots of ancient banyan trees that have swallowed a former warehouse next to the 17th-century Dutch fort, a living ruin in Taiwan’s oldest city.

Trek through bamboo forest and alpine scree to the 3,952 m summit of Jade Mountain for a sunrise that paints the Central Mountain Range in gold.

Walk the long avenue lined with pagodas to the colossal golden Amitabha Buddha, then explore underground galleries that blend modern architecture with Buddhist art.

Pedal along the glittering pebble beach with the azure Pacific on one side and dramatic cliffs on the other, part of the East Coast’s breathtaking cycling route.

As the evening incense coils upward, witness devotees praying to a profusion of deities in a temple that fuses Buddhist, Taoist, and folk traditions, its wooden carvings glowing under lantern light.

Paddle through a dramatic gorge with thrilling grade-2 to -3 rapids, framed by towering marble and a lush canyon, on Taiwan’s premier whitewater run.

Walk through a cluster of former military dependents’ houses that an elderly veteran saved from demolition by covering every surface with vibrant, naive murals.

Dig into a clay pot of slow-braised beef shin in a rich, herb-laced broth at this unassuming Taipei canteen, a benchmark for the island’s iconic comfort dish.

Stay in a traditional underground house, watch decorated canoes built for flying fish, and snorkel in electric-blue coral coves off this volcanic island paradise.

Soak in geothermal pools right at the ocean’s edge—one of only three saltwater hot springs in the world—as the sunrise glints over the Pacific.

Stroll past century-old Chinese baroque facades selling dried herbs, fabrics, and crafts; the street bursts with festive energy during Lunar New Year when the annual market takes over.

At low tide, the ancient fish trap emerges from the turquoise sea in the shape of two interlocked hearts, a emblem of wistful romance on Qimei Island.

Follow the flagstone path once trodden by 18th-century merchants over a misty mountain pass, with coastal vistas unfolding at every turn between Taipei and Yilan.