Taiwan

Taiwan is the destination that travelers discover and immediately want to tell everyone about. This small island off the southeast coast of China has one of the best food cultures in Asia, natural scenery that ranges from marble gorges to misty mountains to tropical coastline, some of the friendliest people you will encounter anywhere, and a safety level so high that you could leave your wallet on a park bench and find it untouched an hour later. It is affordable, easy to navigate, and consistently exceeds expectations.

The night markets are the headline act. Every city in Taiwan has them, and they are not tourist attractions but genuine daily gathering places where locals eat dinner, shop, play carnival games, and socialize. The food at these markets is extraordinary: dozens of unique dishes, many found nowhere else in the world, served from stalls that have been perfecting one recipe for generations.

Where to Go

Taipei is a modern, energetic capital with excellent public transportation, world class museums, and a food scene that rivals Tokyo at a fraction of the cost. The National Palace Museum has the world’s largest collection of Chinese art and artifacts, including pieces that span 8,000 years of civilization. Taipei 101, once the tallest building in the world, has an observation deck with views across the basin to surrounding mountains. Longshan Temple in the Wanhua district is a beautifully ornate Buddhist temple where locals come to pray, have their fortunes read, and burn incense.

The night markets are essential. Shilin Night Market is the most famous, with hundreds of stalls serving everything from crispy fried chicken cutlets (bigger than your head) to stinky tofu to oyster omelettes. Raohe Street Night Market is smaller and more manageable, with the legendary black pepper bun stall at the entrance drawing a constant line. Ningxia Night Market is the best for serious food with less chaos.

Taroko Gorge on the east coast is one of the most dramatic natural landscapes in Asia. A marble walled canyon carved by the Liwu River, with hiking trails that cross suspension bridges, pass through tunnels, and cling to cliff faces above the turquoise water far below. The Shakadang Trail and Zhuilu Old Trail are the standout hikes. Allow two full days.

Sun Moon Lake in the central mountains is Taiwan’s largest lake and one of its most scenic spots. A cycling path circles the lake, temples dot the shoreline, and the surrounding tea plantations produce some of the finest high mountain oolong in the world. Alishan (Ali Mountain) nearby is famous for its sunrise sea of clouds, ancient cypress forests, and a narrow gauge heritage railway.

Jiufen, a hilltop former gold mining town about an hour from Taipei, has narrow lantern lit streets, tea houses overlooking the Pacific, and an atmosphere that is said to have inspired the town in Hayao Miyazaki’s animated film Spirited Away. It is beautiful at dusk when the red lanterns glow and the crowd thins.

Where to Stay

Mandarin Oriental Taipei is the city’s top luxury hotel with impeccable service and a central location. The Eslite Hotel, connected to the famous Eslite Bookstore, appeals to design and culture enthusiasts. In Taroko Gorge, Silks Place Taroko is the only luxury hotel inside the national park. At Sun Moon Lake, The Lalu is a minimalist luxury resort with stunning lake views. For something uniquely Taiwanese, a night at a traditional hot spring ryokan in Beitou (a district of Taipei) combines Japanese soaking culture with Taiwanese hospitality.

Food and Drink

Taiwanese food is a highlight of any Asian trip. Beef noodle soup is the national obsession, with restaurants competing fiercely for the title of best bowl in the city. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings) from Din Tai Fung, which started in Taipei, have become globally famous but remain best at the original locations. Bubble tea (boba) was invented in Taiwan in the 1980s and is available in hundreds of variations from shops on every block.

High mountain oolong tea from the Alishan and Lishan regions is some of the finest tea produced anywhere. Tea shops and tea houses throughout the country offer tastings and ceremonies. Taiwanese whisky from Kavalan Distillery has won international blind tastings against Scottish single malts, shocking the whisky world.

Let Us Plan Your Taiwan Trip

Taiwan is one of the most rewarding and underappreciated destinations in Asia. It is safe, affordable, delicious, and beautiful, and it remains largely off the radar for American travelers. We will help you build an itinerary that captures the food, the nature, and the culture, and we guarantee you will come home wondering why you did not go sooner.