Taiwan tours & holidays

There’s not really a bad time to visit subtropical Taiwan. The weather is hot, sunny and rainy all year, though some areas and months are wetter than others. The northeasterly monsoon brings rain to the north from October to March, while the southwesterly monsoon showers the central and southern regions from May to September. Typhoons are a possibility in summer and early autumn, primarily affecting the east coast.

September, October and November are generally considered the best months to visit Taiwan's many beaches, swim and go island hopping. Spring is another popular time thanks to blooming cherry blossoms trees, while cooler weather in winter is a good excuse to explore Taipei, experience its amazing food scene and warm up with chilli-infused dishes.

Taiwan is a little like South America with its spine-like ridge of (often impassable) mountains running southwest through the centre of the island.

The beauty of this setup is that topography and environment can change very quickly. You can be cycling through low-lying rice paddies around Taitung one day, traversing the high forest passes of Yushan the next, and then finishing up on the white northern beaches around Fuguei Cape.

Generally, the central national parks and east coast are the most spectacular regions; the west coast is flat and highly developed with urban areas spreading over the river basins and flood plains that lead to the sea.

1. Sun Moon Lake

One of Asia’s best-kept secrets, Sun Moon Lake is easily the equal of any Como, Bled or Windermere. It’s a huge blue oasis hidden among the green peaks of Taiwan’s central mountain ranges. By day, it’s merely beautiful, but in the blue-gold light of dawn, with mists rolling over the water and local fishermen paddling past, it’s like something out of a fairy tale.

2. Taroko Gorge

Taroko Gorge is a winding maze of looming marble crags, huge cut-out roads tunnelling right into the mountains, rushing river gorges and looping alpine passes.

3. Qingshui Cliffs

This 21 km stretch of sheer jungle-covered cliffs plunges straight into the East China Sea, with a tiny highway clinging on about halfway up. This is not a journey for vertigo sufferers, but for fans of jaw-dropping natural wonders, it’s a must-do.

4. Taipei

An easy one to tick off since it’ll probably be your first stop in Taiwan. The northern city of Taipei is the island’s capital and offers a beating, chaotic counterpoint to the Zen-like beauty of the southern national parks. If you think it’s crazy by day, just wait until night, when a neon glow lights the sky and lantern-lit markets spring up in the Songshan district.

5. Penghu Islands

Penghu is one of Taiwan’s hidden gems, an archipelago of 90 islands between the mainland and China. They’re remote, but worth the journey, with brilliant beaches devoid of crowds, temples, towering basalt columns and old-fashioned Chinese hospitality. Penghu is also a windsurfing hot spot and a nesting ground for rare green sea turtles. Not bad for one tiny volcanic island chain.

ATMs are widely available in Taiwan, but some may carry a surcharge so ensure you check with your card company beforehand.

Most hotels and department stores in urban areas accept credit cards, with Visa and Mastercard being the most common. It's also a good idea to carry some cash for restaurants, markets and everyday purchases in smaller stores.