It only takes a few blocks to find a park or garden. Even our Airbnb in Taipei overlooked a small local park with a coffee shop to enjoy the beautiful weather outdoors in November.

I don’t think Taipei feels whitewashed, though, because they’re still alive with Taiwan’s unique culture. During rush hour, it’s an onslaught of motorbikes, easily the most popular form of transportation, to remind you that you’re still in Asia. It’s interesting, eclectic, and full of fantastic food finds and things to do!

The Best Things to do in Taipei

Raohe Night Market

This is the perfect night out for any traveler looking for an authentic (but still exciting) Taiwanese city experience, especially if street food is on your agenda. Located right by Ciyou Temple, Raohe Night Market is central and easily accessible.

The market has the most extensive variety of Taiwanese street foods – oyster omelets, deep-fried mushrooms, boba tea, you name it. We really loved the massive mushrooms and black pepper pork buns!

The Raohe Market is a busy place on any night, but that only adds to the experience; it’s the perfect outing for anyone wanting to sample some local delicacies.

• Location: Raohe Street, Songshan District
• Insider Tip: Don’t miss out on the black pepper pork bun.

National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

This memorial hall was erected in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, the first president of the Republic of China, who died in 1975. The exterior colors represent the Republic’s flag, while the interiors are filled with vaulted ceilings and bronze busts. It’s not just a tourist attraction; democratic assemblies regularly occur here.

It has its own station for those arriving by rail, so it’s easy to access.

• Location: No. 21號, Zhongshan South Road, Zhongzheng District
• Insider Tip: Don’t miss changing the guard every hour on the hour. 

Lungshan Temple

Arguably one of the country’s most famous temples, this should definitely be on your list of things to do in Taipei. Dating from the mid-1700s, it was built as a community center of sorts for Chinese immigrants. The stunning and detailed architecture is a sight to behold and definitely worth a visit.

The temple was bombed during the Second World War but quickly repaired following the attacks.

• Location: No. 211, Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District
• Insider Tip: There is no entrance fee, but donations are accepted to help maintain the grounds.

Beitou Hot Springs Museum

Though the Victorian exterior is unassuming, the inside of this museum is rich with history and has a fascinating story to tell. It was built in the early 1900s by the Japanese during their rule of Taiwan and was inspired by a specific bathhouse in Japan.

There are two levels to the museum. One contains the main bathhouse (no longer in service), and the second features a mix of history lessons, a tatami room, and a balcony.

• Location: No. 2, Zhongshan Road, Beitou District
• Insider Tip: This is a great precursor to visiting the Thermal Valley for a soak.

Mao Kong 

Mao Kong is technically a city of its own, located atop a mountain overlooking Taipei city. It’s widely considered the best region for Oolong tea in the country, and there are teahouses scattered throughout the area where you can sit and sip on locally-grown teas. 

The easiest way to ascend is via gondola (NT$120 each way for adults). The cars have been fitted with glass bottoms so you can see the sprawling natural scenes below as you climb higher. I hope you’re not afraid of heights!

• Location: Four stops: you catch it from the Taipei Zoo.
• Insider Tip: The gondola won’t run in poor weather.

Keelung: Miaokou Night Market

Keeling is located east of Taipei, along the country’s coastline. It was established by Taiwanese aboriginals and morphed into a critical location for military operations as the city was under the rule of varying countries throughout its history.

The Miaokou Night Market is its most popular attraction; it’s the best spot for traditional street food and national dishes served street-style. It’s especially known for seafood (being a port city), so don’t miss out on things like thick crab soup and oyster omelets. 

• Location: No. 20, Aisi Road, Ren’ai District, Keelung City
• Insider Tip: Trains from Taipei Main Station to Keelung are fast and frequent.

Hsing Tian Kong

Hsing Tian Kong is a popular temple in Zhongshan District. Visiting this temple is a must fo while in Temple as it is stunning on the inside and out. This temple is devoted to Guan Yu, the patron god of businessmen, and is relatively recent in origin. If you come here during the day, you’ll find plenty of people praying.

Xiangshan Trail

Also known as the Elephant Mountain Hike, Xiangshan Trail is a relatively low-exertion hike (if you really wanted to, you could probably do it in flip flops), with an incredibly rewarding view from the top. It takes only around 20 minutes to complete, and three viewpoints along the way are great for photo stops (especially the ones with boulders you can sit on).

This is ticket-free and pretty much something you can do whenever—they even do night hikes!

• Location: Alley 342, Lane 150, Section 5, Xinyi Road
• Insider Tip: There are turn-offs along the trail, but keep to the right to stay on Xiangsheng and appreciate the three viewpoints.

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

Fun fact; though it’s now a park, this used to be a winery! It’s now the site of all kinds of creative gatherings – from theater productions and artwork installations to cultural events. Thanks to original buildings from its days as a winery, the entire place has a retro-chic vibe, with events taking place inside modernized converted warehouses and the like.

Bring your camera; the combo of crawling greenery and concrete architecture makes for great photos.

• Location: No. 1, Section 1, Bade Road, Zhongzheng District
• Insider Tip: If you have kids, check out the child-friendly activities like making your own music box.

National Palace Museum

If you’re looking for a museum detailing Chinese history, look no further. The National Palace Museum is unchallenged in its collection of imperial Chinese historical artifacts; it contains over 700,000 individual pieces that span all of history, from the Neolithic Age to the present.

Many of the pieces are from the personal collections of the Chinese emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The sheer volume makes this museum one of the best places for this period of history.

• Location: No. 221, Sec 2, Zhi Shan Rd, Shilin District
• Insider Tip: Look for the Jadeite Cabbage while you’re there. 

Shifen Waterfall

If you’re the kind of person who prefers the scenic route, don’t miss out on the Shifen Waterfall. Standing at around 40m tall, the pouring water creates a stunning rainbow as it empties into the lake below.

The region was originally developed for mining coal; remnants of this historical time in Taiwan’s history remain in the form of the old railway station and more traditional-style housing and economic communities.

• Location: 45 minutes east of Taipei’s city center
• Insider Tip: Visiting during the Lunar New Year (mid-February)? Don’t miss the Sky Lantern Festival in nearby Pingxi.

Wuji Tianyuan Temple

Wuji Tianyuan Temple is a very interesting temple in Taipei because it is a round temple. A Taoism temple worshipping Yu Huang Dadi is a sight to see, especially during cherry blossom season.

If you’re looking for romantic things to do in Taipei, try coming here as it’s one of the more unique things to do in the city.

Huaxi Street Night Market

You might also see this one called Snake Alley. Historically, until the 1990s, it was Taipei’s (legal!) Red Light District. Today, it’s primarily an evening street market selling some seriously excellent cuisine.

From standing food shacks to sit-down restaurants, there’s a ton of food you can sample here, including bizarre delicacies you won’t find anywhere else, like a turtle and snake blood and wine made from the… ahem… nether regions of a male deer.

• Location: Huaxi Street, Wanhua District
• Insider Tip: Interested in spa treatments? This is a good place for affordable foot massages and pedicures.

Taipei 101

This is probably one of Taipei’s top attractions, so add it to your list of things to do in Taipei. Formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Centre, it was previously the world’s tallest building (a skyscraper) until another was superseded by another in the UAE. The tip of the needle stands at 509m, and the building is designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes (common in this part of the world).

Inside, you’ll find a shopping mall, restaurants, offices, and indoor and outdoor observatories—with some of the city’s best views.

• Location: No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District
• Insider Tip: The elevator to the top is one of the world’s fastest.

Enjoy a Bubble Tea

Did you know that Taiwan is where the bubble tea craze began? It won’t take long to figure that out either, as bubble tea stands are on almost every block in Taipei.

The traditional tea is an iced oolong tea with tapioca bubbles. Now they have every flavor imaginable, from watermelon to taro and green tea to brown sugar. Lucky for us, most places had a menu in English that we could point to even if the counter clerks could not speak English. Get a reusable bubble tea straw before you go!

Qingtiangang Grassland

If you’ve been dying to get out of the city, this one’s for you. The Qingtiangang Grassland are a flat expanse of grass in the heart of the Datun Mountains, developed from solidified lava that became a flat terrace. The area is surrounded by towering mountains, and with its rolling meadows, refreshing misty air, and stunning greenery, it’s a perfect daytime escape from the busy Taipei streets.

• Location: No. 246號, Lane 101, Jingshan Road, Shilin District
• Insider Tip: Guided tours are available, but if you choose to go it alone, be warned that there are several different routes with varied endpoints.

Shilin Night Market

Though Taipei has quite a few night markets, the Shilin Night Market is probably one of the largest and better known. While it has an incredible selection of street food (like most Asian night markets), it is unique because it’s also a hotspot for some of the city’s best nightlife. 

While you can sample similar delicacies as with other night markets (like fried buns and stinky tofu), this market also has a merchandise section where you can shop for souvenirs if you’re so inclined.

• Location: 111, No. 65, Section 5, Zhongshan North Road
• Insider Tip: There’s also a carnival aspect with game stalls.

Taipei Botanical Garden

Taipei Botanical Garden sits on eight hectares right in the city’s center. It used to be an important site for studying plants during the Japanese rule; therefore, many different plant species were introduced here.

Now it’s a fantastic thing to do in Taipei if you’re looking to chill out by the Lotus Pond or the Chinese Zodiac Garden.

Wulai Old Street

Still, wondering what to do in Taipei? Wulai Old Street has a slightly more orderly style than your average street market: the stalls are arranged in tidy rows giving an impression of neatness and order. You can still buy Taiwanese treats here, like sticky rice balls and millet wine (great for gifts), but the area is also known for catering to travelers with regular aboriginal song and dance performances.

• Location: No. 12號, Wulai Street, Wulai District
• Insider Tip: Check out the colorful WuLai bridge nearby, which leads to a little-known swimming hole used by locals.

Yangmingshan National Park

This national park packs a bigger punch than your average outdoor venture. It’s a pretty quick bus ride from the city center (if you’re driving, you’ll have to pay for parking), and you’ll be treated to sights like natural hot springs, sulfur crystals, lush, rolling hillsides, and valleys as far as you can see. Catch your breath at the little ponds scattered throughout the region (and keep an eye out for dragonflies).

• Location: North of Taipei City
• Insider Tip: Soak your feet at the Lengshuikeng hot spring to relax before heading back to town.

Daan Forest Park

This is sometimes called the Central Park of Taipei, and for good reason: it’s nearly 64 hectares and sits right smack in the middle of the city. You’ll find pavilions, ponds, an amphitheater, playgrounds, and sporting grounds like courts and a skating rink within this vast expanse. 

It has its own MRT station, which in itself is beautiful: the entrance/exit point is a stunning atrium that is a good spot to hang out.

• Location: No. 1號, Section 2, Xinsheng South Road, Da’an District
• Insider Tip: On the weekends, there is a flower market and a jade market (among other things).

Dahu Park

Dahu Park is best known for its enormous lake, giving it a more serene feeling than other inner-city parks in Taipei. It’s one of the best places to visit in Taipei for some rest and relaxation. The lake also has an adjacent pavilion and a gorgeous bridge built in the traditional Chinese style, making for some excellent photographs. 

The park has a lot of amenities and activities for visitors, including fishing, swimming (in a heated pool), and picnicking. The park is easily accessed by the MRT Brown Line. 

• Location: No. 31號, Section 5, Chenggong Road, Neihu District
• Insider Tip: This is a beautiful sunset spot with a mountainous backdrop.

Jinbaoli Old Street

This area was originally home to Taiwanese aboriginals but became overtaken by Chinese immigrants. Today, little remains of the original aboriginal culture, but to any traveler, it is fascinating nonetheless. It’s a bustling area packed with both tourists and locals, thanks to an array of the incredible food you will want to sample.

There are a lot of famous food stalls, including Hot Toffee Sweet Potato (caramelized sweet potato) and the duck restaurants. The area’s most highly-rated restaurant, Jinshan Duck Meat, is worth visiting (if you can get in).

• Location: Jinbaoli Street, Jinshan District
• Insider Tip: Guangan Temple is nearby once you’ve had your fill of food.

The Red House

The octagonal Red House is an unusually Western-style building, so it will stand out compared to the traditional architecture surrounding it. Today, it serves primarily as a theater and exhibition center, hosting performances and art installations daily. 

• Location: No. 10, Chengdu Road, Wanhua District
• Insider Tip: Behind the building is the city’s largest LGBT area, which contains an array of outdoor bars. It’s a perfect option after you visit the gallery to grab a great drink in a unique and lively area.

Day Trip to Jiufen

Jiufen is a small town and former mining community just outside of Taipei. The little mountain town was built by the Japanese in the early 1900s in a gold rush. It’s now become a large tourist attraction, and you’ll find lovely street markets and tea houses transporting you back in time. It’s even been said to be the inspiration for the ghost town in the beloved Japanese animated film Spirited Away.

A short wander around the streets, and it’s easy to see the similarities; however, the creator Hayao Miyazaki has since dispelled the rumors saying the film has a wide scope of places for inspiration. If you haven’t seen Spirited Away, it’s a classic, and you should definitely watch it before heading up to Jiufen.

Travel Tips For Taipei

What Does it Cost To Travel in Taiwan?

Taiwan is an affordable country to travel around with a healthy budget averaging from $40 – $50 a day for budget-conscious travelers. A mid-range budget that includes dining out, shopping, a quality hotel, and activities should come in around $100 a day per person. If you want to stay in nice hotels, drink, shop till you drop, and dine in higher-end restaurants, around $200 a day should be adequate.

Asides from a select few spots and experiences, Taiwan is a great value for travelers. It’s cheaper than nearby Japan but more expensive than Southeast Asia. Furthermore, Taiwan is a developed nation, so some of the inconveniences of developing nations are not found here.

When is the Best Time to Travel to Taiwan?

Taiwan is a great year-round destination. See this detailed guide for the best time to travel to Taiwan for you.

Accommodation in Taiwan

If you want to save money as much as possible, you’ll have to stay in some of the numerous hostels across Taiwan. This is a great option for backpackers as the average room rate is around $10 a night for shared accommodation and the hostels are generally good quality with immaculately clean rooms.

As an adult couple, we typically opt for private rooms and utilize smaller guesthouses and hotels. Prices for a private room in Taipei are moderate in expense, not as cheap as Southeast Asia, but much less than North America or Western Europe. Expect to pay around $40-100 a night for a private room based on quality and location. Cities like Taipei push the average up as you can expect to pay about double per night compared to other destinations in Taiwan.

You also can choose Airbnb if you like a bit more space as a group or couple. Rates for Airbnb is on par with private hotel rooms, so it’s up to you which you prefer. If you’re looking to save a bit more money, cook your own meals save with a private kitchen. However, food in Taiwan is generally affordable and delicious, so you’ll likely not cook much.

Food Costs in Taiwan

Aside from restaurants in the major city centers, street food in Taipei is cheap. If you don’t mind eating the local food and enjoying the fantastic night market in the streets, it’s a fantastic destination for foodies. Street food here is safe and a cultural experience where you rub shoulders with locals as they try to squeeze into the table next to you.

Expect to pay around 1-2$ a small dish in the local markets, while restaurants cost anywhere from $10-30 a person. We had some amazing meals in Taipei’s restaurants, but it cost us much more than eating in the local markets.

If you’re looking to save, cook your own meals with an Airbnb and eat at the night markets. The good news is you can find amazing food from various cuisines like Chinese, Thai, and Japanese. There are also 7-11’s on every corner to get a snack or basic cooking essentials.

Transportation in Taiwan

Taiwan has a wide range of transportation. You don’t need to rent a car with an extensive public transport network. We recommend sticking to public transport and taxis in the city centers. Our average taxi ride was under $10, and each ride on the MRT was around $0.50.

It’s also a great idea to pick up a bike to get around the cities as there are many bike paths and sidewalks in the cities. It’s even easy to find a bike as they have a public bike program.

You can use a mixture of long-distance buses and an extensive train network between cities and major towns. Costs are generally pretty affordable. A long-distance train between major cities should cost around $10 – 30, depending on the distance.

The original idea of Taiwan had been suggested to us by fellow digital nomads in a forum online. We’d been seeking a country in Asia that was developed, had natural beauty, an interesting culture, and was affordable to live in.

The one place that was repeated again and again to us was Taiwan. Truth be told it was not a “country” that had ever popped up on our radar. I never daydreamed about travel in Taiwan nor given it much thought. The funny thing about Taiwan is that it’s not your typical travel destination that elicits envy or desire.

I’m not going to push this as if I know everything about Taiwan because we know very little. However, we’ve been to a lot of places in the last year and few piqued our interest as much as Taiwan. Here are the reasons we absolutely loved traveling to Taiwan, and you will too!

Reasons You Should Visit Taiwan

Taiwan has More Artwork than China

I bet you did not know that the sixth most visited museum in the world lies in Taiwan because neither did we! The National Palace Museum just outside of Taipei sees almost 6.1 million visitors every year and hosts nearly 700,000 exhibits. The massive museum sights on the side of a lush hillside with views over the city of Taipei.

The majority of the collection is ancient Chinese artwork and relics that date back over 8,000 years. Much of the collection once lied in the Forbidden Palace in Beijing. However, it was moved into hiding during WWII and after the war was returned to the Nationalist Government of China. As the government was forced from the mainland they fled with a wide collection of Chinese historical artifacts.

It’s Probably Safer Than Your Home

There is a lot of uncertainty in this day and age. A lot of this has to do with sensationalism from the media; however, there is no denying horrific travel stories recently in places like Morocco, Costa Rica, and Kenya.

In Taiwan, you can rest assured and we think it’s a tremendous place for solo female travelers. The island’s crime levels are on par with Japan and violent crime is extraordinarily low, so much so that if you’re from an English speaking nation it’s definitely safer than your home. Crime rates are less than half than that of the U.S., Australia, Canada, or the U.K!

“Welcome To Taiwan!”

To drive home that point even more we found the Taiwanese people extraordinarily friendly. We had multiple instances of locals stopping us and saying “Welcome t0 Taiwan,” some even asked for a photo together.

We’re not alone as fellow travelers have shared similar stories with us and the Taiwanese are well known for their openness and manners. Chances are if you’re traveling around Taiwan you’re going to have a good time with good people who make you feel right at home.

Taiwan has Buzzing Cities

Taipei is a long swath of urban sprawl with countless high rise buildings, apartments, and shops. However, it doesn’t feel like many cities we are familiar with in the West or other parts of Asia. The cities here are extremely livable with good public transportation, bike lanes, not too loud, manageable traffic, and a plethora of public spaces.

It only takes a few blocks to find a park or garden. Even our Airbnb in Taipei overlooked a small local park with a coffee shop to enjoy the beautiful weather outdoors in November.

Don’t think the cities here feel whitewashed though because they’re still alive with Taiwan’s unique culture. Come rush hour you’ll find an onslaught of motorbikes, easily the most popular form of transportation to remind you that you’re still in Asia.

There are Teahouses to Drink Away Your Worries

Taiwan is full of mountains, enjoys temperate coastal weather, and plenty of precipitation that produces some wonderful tea fields. With the influences from China and Japan, the tea drinking culture is pervasive.

This is evident with bubble tea in the cities, but head into the countryside and beautiful landscapes of the country to find intoxicating teahouses. Tea here has long prized as the weather and varying mountain temperatures makes for wild tea leaves.

You Can Bask in a Hot Spring

Taiwan sits along the famed Ring of Fire and a tectonic joint so it’s full of natural hot springs. It wasn’t until the modern era they really became a part of popular culture, but now the Taiwanese thoroughly enjoy their relaxation time.  They have all types of hot springs from resorts to public pools and natural pools to the unique saltwater hot springs along the coast.

It should be noted that if the hot springs are separated by gender, like in Japan, you’re expected to bathe nude. It makes for a really clean and relaxing environment that Tasha and I have both come to enjoy. No need to be scared of nudity it’s common all over the world like in Finland, Austria, and. Japan.

Taiwan INVENTED Bubble Tea

Full stop. Taiwan is indeed where the bubble tea craze began. It won’t take long to figure that out either as bubble tea stands are on almost every block in the main cities like Taipei and Taichung.

The traditional tea is an iced oolong tea with tapioca bubbles. Now they have every flavor imaginable from watermelon to taro and green tea to brown sugar. Lucky for us most places had a menu in English that we could point to even if the counter clerks could not speak English. Get a reusable bubble tea straw before you go!

You’ll find Influences from Around the World

The island is a wild mess of influences. At one point it was colonized by the Dutch and Spanish before falling under Japanese rule. You can find old shrines, ruins, and monuments spread around the country.

Chinese and Japanese influence can be seen throughout the island and the history they’ve left over centuries if not millennia is intriguing. You can consider Taiwan’s relationship with the People’s Republic of China listed as “complicated.”

A Wild Political History in a Nutshell

Just like Macau, Tibet, or Hong Kong, Taiwan’s political history with the People’s Republic of China is weird—perhaps, even more so.

Taiwan views itself as Chinese, but not as part of China we know today. It is the Republic of China or in other words the Democratic version of China. At the end of WWII and the Japanese invasion, China continued an ongoing civil war between the KMT (Republic of China) and CPC (Communist Party of China).

The war went on for about 4 years until the Communists gained control of mainland China forcing the Republic of China to retreat to Taiwan. It led to a standoff in 1950 that never ended. With the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People’s Republic of China both claiming to be the legitimate governments of China.

To this day no armistice or peace treaty has been ever been signed. Mainland China views Taiwan as a rebellious province and has barred it from entering the United Nations. All while threatening to launch an invasion should Taiwan declare itself a nation as the Republic of Taiwan.

So, it’s a bit of a debate on whether Taiwan in a country or not.  To us it felt like going and experiencing somewhere completely new. The culture we were in was completely unique and it’s own. 

Taiwanese Culture is Unique

The culture is what surprised us the most about Taiwan. It’s really unique as the island has seen influences from all over Asia so don’t come here expecting all of the usual Chinese cultural norms and practices. We arrived not knowing what to expect which was perfect.

Though Chinese culture is very apparent there are also large amounts of Japanese influence after it’s years under colonial rule. It’s a vibrant country full of fascinating people who are quick to smile, welcome you, and respect everyone.

Taiwan is Quirky

Speaking of culture we find Taiwan to have one of those quirky and interesting cultures where they just like to have a fun time. They take a lot of inspiration from the kawaii culture of Japan. It’s not unusual to find themed restaurants, especially in Taipei. Places like the Toilet Bowl restaurant (where you can eat hot pot from a toilet bowl) and the Hello Kitty cafe (where food is shaped like Hello Kitty) may not have the best food in the world, but they are fun to visit! It’s all in good fun and the Taiwanese and visitos alike love it!

Taiwan Has Tantalizing Night Markets

A big part, a very big part, of travel in Taiwan and why people love it centers around the food. It’s a good blend of Chinese and Japanese with it being easy to find staples from both countries. That also means they eat some interesting things like every part of the animal imaginable.

The food church of Taiwan centers around the night markets. It’s beloved by almost all Taiwanese and it’s something they’re very proud to share with visitors. If it’s an Asian staple you’ll likely find it here. Since everyone likes sweets you have to try out the ice cream peanut wraps. A few of the popular night markets in Taipei are Shilin Night Market, Raohe Night Market, and Ningxia Night Market.

There are 15,000 Temples in Taiwan

That’s not a typo – there are over 15,000 temples in Taiwan. They have one for nearly every god imaginable and even a famed temple for a dog. The Taiwanese are just as diverse in their religion as well because you can find Taoist, Confucian, and Buddhist temples around the island nation.

The temples operate as museums, marketplaces, cultural centers, houses of worship, and even recreation centers. It’s an essential part of Taiwanese culture and you must slip into a handful while traveling around the country.

Get Spirited Away Inspiration

Jiufen is a small town and former mining community just outside of Taipei. The little mountain town was built by the Japanese in the early 1900s in a gold rush. It’s now turned into a large attraction for tourists and you’ll find lovely street markets and tea houses transporting you back in time. It’s even been said to be the inspiration for the ghost town in the beloved Japanese animated film Spirited Away.

A short wander around the streets and it’s easy to see the similarities; however, the creator Hayao Miyazaki has since dispelled the rumors saying the film has a wide scope of places for inspiration. If you haven’t seen Spirited Away, it’s a classic and you should definitely watch it before heading up to Jiufen.

Taiwan has Breath Taking Landscapes

Taiwan is known for its large manufacturing industry, factories, and large cities; however, that’s not all the island is about. Most of the development has occurred on the West of the nation while East Taiwan contains large verdant valleys and towering mountains.

Some of the amazing highlights in Taiwan are the mystical Taroko National Park and Sun Moon Lake. Both of which are worthy of a trip to see them alone. It’s a great place to explore some new landscapes with a good hike. If you do plan on hiking check out our posts on what to wear hiking and what to pack for your hike.

You Can Take a Epic Train Journeys

Those beautiful landscapes also give way to some amazing activities. One of those could be a great train journey in the world with the Alishan Forest Railway that opened in 1912. It’s a narrow old railway that snakes through the mountains and it still operates with a steam engine and dozens of small tunnels and wooden bridges. On the train, you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time and entered another world.

What Does it Cost To Travel in Taiwan?

Taiwan is an affordable country to travel around with a healthy budget averaging from $40 – $50 a day for budget conscious travelers. A midrange budget that includes dining out, shopping, a quality hotel, and activities should come in around $100 a day per person. If you would like to stay in nice hotels, drink, shop till you drop, and dine in higher end restaurants around $200 a day should be adequate.

Asides from a select few spots and experiences Taiwan is a great value for travelers. It’s cheaper than nearby Japan, but more expensive than Southeast Asia. Furthermore, Taiwan is a developed nation so some of the inconveniences of developing nations are not found here.

When is the Best Time to Travel Taiwan?

Taiwan is a great year round destination. See this detailed guide for the best time to travel to Taiwan for you.

Accommodation in Taiwan

If you want to save money as much as possible you’ll have to stay in some of the numerous hostels across Taiwan. This is a great option for backpackers as the average room rate is around $10 a night for shared accommodation and the hostels are generally good quality with immaculately clean rooms.

As an adult couple, we typically opt for private rooms and utilize smaller guesthouses and hotels. Prices for a private room in Taiwan are moderate in expense not as cheap as Southeast Asia, but much less than North America or Western Europe. Expect to pay around $40-100 a night for a private room based on quality and location. Cities like Taipei push the average up as you can expect to pay about double per night compared to other destinations in Taiwan.

You also have the option of Airbnb if you like a bit more space as a group or couple. Rates for Airbnb is on par with private hotel rooms so it’s up to you which you prefer. If you’re looking to save a bit more money cook your own meals to save in a private kitchen. However, food in Taiwan is generally affordable and delicious so you’ll likely not cook much.

Food Costs in Taiwan

Aside from restaurants in the major city centers, street food in Taiwan is cheap. If you don’t mind eating the local food and enjoying the fantastic night market in the streets it’s a fantastic destination for foodies. Street food here is not only safe but a cultural experience where you rub shoulders with locals as they try to squeeze into the table next to you.

Expect to pay around 1-2$ a small dish in the local markets, while restaurants cost anywhere from $10-30 a person. We had some amazing meals in the restaurants of Taipei, but it did cost us much more than eating in the local markets. If you’re looking to save cook your own meals with an Airbnb and eat at the night markets. The good news is you can find amazing food from various cuisines like Chinese, Thai, and Japanese. There are also 7-11’s on every corner to get a snack or basic cooking essentials.

Transportation in Taiwan

Taiwan has a wide range of transportation. With a pretty extensive public transport network, you don’t need to rent a car. We recommend sticking to public transport and taxis in the city centers. The average taxi ride we took was under $10 and each ride on the MRT was around $0.50.

It’s also a great idea to pick up a bike to get around the cities as they do have a number of bike paths and sidewalks in the cities. It’s even easy to find a bike as they have a public bike program.

In between cities and major towns you can use a mixture of long-distance buses and an extensive train network. Costs are generally pretty affordable. A long-distance train between major cities should cost around $10 – 30 and it all depends on distance.