Taipei is the capital of Taiwan, and with a population of 2.6 million people, it’s no surprise that it’s talked about the most. The thing is there are lots of places to visit in Taiwan besides Taipei. You might be wondering where to go in Taiwan besides Taipei.
We got you covered.
Escape:
Now, with the crazy traffic and high population density, Taiwanese cities can feel quite overwhelming at times.
Even going out for a walk can be very stressful because you have to dodge scooters and people, and be on your toes. Not to mention the noise.
But if you want to escape the noise, people, and confusion, there are plenty of quiet places to check out.
Or consider a neighboring destination, such as Okinawa, Palawan, or Boracay.
Where to Go in Taiwan Besides Taipei:
Now, some of these places are located in the South of Taiwan. To get to the South, you’ll need to either take a bus or the high-speed rail. Once there, you can consider renting a scooter, it will make your travels a lot easier.
You could also check out some of the beaches near Taipei.
Without further delay, here’s our list of places to go in Taiwan besides Taipei…
Qing Jing Farm and Sun Moon Lake
Probably the most popular place to visit in Taiwan besides Taipei would be Sun Moon Lake. Read our detailed Sun Moon Lake guide here for more information. There are lots of direct buses from Taipei Main Station to Sun Moon Lake, so no need to worry about transportation.
Escape to the Mountains in Nantou County
Nantou County has some really nice places to check out. If you’re up for a hike, consider the National Forest Recreation Area. It boasts natural waterfalls and trails, as well as a windmill and beautiful trees and flowers. Great for getting lost.
1. Consider Jiao Xi
We spent a night at a hot spring hotel here.
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Jiao Xi is an interesting town about an hour bus from Taipei.
There are direct routes there. The area is famous for hot springs, and there are lots of public hot springs where you can soak your feet. There’s also a waterfall and lots of hiking trails. Recommended for people who want a break from the busy Taipei life.
There are tons of hotels in the area, it’s rather popular, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding somewhere to stay for a night.
It has a train station too!
2. Toroko Gorge
Another beautiful place to visit, to experience nature is Taroko Gorge. Taroko Gorge has beautiful multi-color water and nine different turns. It is located in Xichen Township.
If you like hiking you may want to visit the Zhuilu Old Trail, it is an expansive and impressive trail that has a high elevation and is basically on the side of a mountain.
This trail was originally built in the 1800s to serve as a way to move artillery by the Japanese who are occupying the area.
If you want to go on the trail you need permission from the Taiwanese police and you also need an emergency contact number of someone in Taiwan. It’s got a cool suspension bridge too.
Be Careful:
The hike itself is very long and it will take anywhere from three to six hours to complete. It is extremely treacherous and in some places, there is no barrier, though there is a “handrail” made of rope.
If you are fortunate enough to be able to make it to the top, the view is incredible, and you will be able to see the Taroko Gorge. The weather there is always pleasant. And at some points, you feel as though you’re walking among the clouds.
Don’t attempt this one if you’re scared of heights!
3. Checheng Township
There is another area of Taiwan that you might want to visit it is called Checheng, it is a rural part of Taiwan, near Kenting (Pingtung County).
The good news is you can take a train there. It has a very old-fashion train station surrounded by mountains. After almost 10 years of planning, The National Museum for Marine Biology opened its doors in 2000.
It is a great place for families, but it can be quite crowded during the holidays.
Surrounding the museum is an outdoor water park that is the largest in Taiwan. There are many animals on display including but not limited to unicornfish, butterflyfish, eels, lionfish and beluga whales.
4. Xiao Liu Qiu (Lambai Island)
Taiwan has a lot of small islands, one of which is Lambai Island, located in the South, near Ping Tung County. This island is famous for coral reefs, beaches, caves, scenery, and more. The only way to access the island is by ship. Chung Au Beach has Has a shell sand beach with approximately 176 different species of fish Coral.
5. Sichongxi Hot Spring Area
Another place to check out in Ping Tung is Sichongxi Hot Spring Park. This is a thermal spring that was first open In the early 1900s when the Japanese ruled over Taiwan.
This thermal Spring sits at the base Of the Taiwanese Central mountains it is rich in minerals such as sodium bicarbonate, and it is also drinkable. The water is said to have many healing properties.
There are more than 10 natural Hot Springs throughout Taiwan all with various minerals and different temperatures.
6. E-DA Theme Park
The E-da theme park is modeled after a Greek Aegean Sea scenery, located near Kaohsiung. There is a Ferris wheel, trojan castle and a Mountain City there to greet you.
The Ferris wheel at the Eda theme park is the largest in Taiwan and features 128 different lighting configurations. There is a theater that seats 1,800 people.
The trojan Castle measures 50000 square feet. As you can see there is plenty to do for fun in Taiwan. Whether you want to enjoy the natural scenery, the stunning architecture or the coast, you will not run out of things to do in Taiwan.
Taiwanese Cuisine is a mixture of Aboriginal, Chinese, and Japanese food. There is a great use of many vegetables and meats, making it interesting to look at and tasty to eat.
Summary:
I admit this list doesn’t nearly cover all the places where to go in Taiwan besides Taipei.
Taiwan is a very diverse and interesting country, it would be almost impossible to list all the fun things to do.
Generally, if you’re looking to get away from the city, these locations are worth a shot.
Got any other recommendations? I’ll update this list with more places soon!
