Taipei
Located in the north of the island, Taiwan’s economic center has over 2.7 million residents. In addition to countless sights such as the Longshan Temple, Taipei offers exciting nightlife, lively shopping areas, and colorful markets – without the hectic atmosphere of a big city.
With a height of 508 meters, The Taipei World Financial Center "Taipei 101" is the highest building in the city and offers a breathtaking view of the capital. Stroll through the green Daan Park or explore the district Ximending, Taipei's Mini-Timesquare.
Discover the surroundings of Taipei on tour along the north coast. Visit the picturesque port city of Keelung, explore the Yehliu National Park, and visit its most famous field formation 'Queen's Head'.
The four-hour tour costs only €30 per person including transfer, entrance fee, and guide. Other popular destinations in the Taipei area are Yangmingshan National Park and the mountain village of Jiufen.
You can get a bed in a 6-person dorm for €15 a night at one of Taipei’s local hostels.
Hualien
Head to Hualien by train for about €8. You can leave the big city behind you and get your load of sunbathing on one of the many beautiful beaches, like Cisingtan Beach. This town on the east coast of Taiwan is the perfect starting point for excursions into the Taroko National Park. The most famous attraction of the area is the gigantic Taroko Gorge, which stretches for miles through the mountains.
There’s a road that crosses the gorge and connects western and eastern Taiwan. Alongside this route, you’ll find many of the reserve’s top sights and the starting points to various trekking points such as the Shakadang Trail and the Swallow Grotto Trail. Cross the gorge by car, bus, moped, or bicycle and discover the best viewpoints and photo spots of the Taroko National Park.
You can get a bed in an 8-person dorm for €14 a night at one of Hualien’s hostels.
Kenting
Our next stop is Kenting, which you can reach from Hualien by train and bus for about €15. The city is located in the middle of the Kenting National Park, which extends over the entire southern tip of the island state.
You’ll find numerous natural treasures, trekking routes, hidden bays, viewpoints, steep cliffs, and fascinating flora and fauna. Sunbathe on white sandy beaches overlooking the turquoise-blue ocean, visit the Oluanpi Lighthouse at the southernmost point of Taiwan or hike through lush green tropical forests.
Other places of interest include the Small Lagoon, the Kenting Road with its many restaurants, bars, and leisure facilities, and the Kenting Forest Recreation Area. This forest grows on coral stone.
You can stay the night in a hostel and get a bed in a 5-person dorm for €13 a night.
Kaohsiung
You can travel by bus from Kenting to Kaohsiung for about €5. Taiwan's second-largest city offers numerous sights such as Xiziwan Bay, the Tuntex Sky Tower, and the temples at Lotus Lake. The modern metropolis on the west coast of the country is also ideal for a great shopping trip.
We also recommend a visit to the colorful night markets and a walk along the banks of the Love River, where you’ll find cozy bars and restaurants with live music. A particular highlight is the offshore island Cijin, which you can reach by ferry from Kaohsiung. You will find fantastic beaches and an idyllic promenade where you can enjoy freshly caught fish and seafood in traditional restaurants.
Visit the old lighthouse and climb up the old fort in the north of the island. From there you have the best view over the whole island, the old town, and Kaohsiung harbor.
You can get a bed in an 8-person dorm for €10 a night at one of Kaohsiung’s hostels.
Penghu Islands
You’ll get from Kaohsiung to Penghu by ferry for €24. This is the main island of an archipelago, consisting of 64 mostly uninhabited volcanic islands in the west of Taiwan. Apart from Penghu, the most popular islands are Qimei, Ji-bei and Wangan and all together, they are ideal for island hopping.
You’ll find hip beach bars, relaxed restaurants, surf schools and windsurfing spots on countless white beaches. The island paradise also offers the possibility to discover the colorful underwater world of the South China Sea on snorkeling and diving excursions. Explore the picturesque landscape by bike or motor scooter, visit tranquil fishing villages and enjoy fresh fish dishes and watch the sunset. A
You can get a bed in a 10-person dorm for €16 a night at one of the local hostels.
Puli
You’ll fly from Penghu to Taichung and then travel to Puli. The flight and bus trip will cost you about €40 in total. This city in central Taiwan offers numerous sights such as the abstract Chung Tai Chan Monastery, the Bamboo Forest Zen Temple, and Carp Lake, from where you can hike to the geographical center of Taiwan on the Hutou Mountain.
However, the most popular destination is the Sun and Moon Lake in the area near Puli, which is located at an altitude of over 700 meters and surrounded by mountain peaks. The best view of the emerald green shimmering lake is from Wenwu Temple and Tze-en Pagoda.
The Sun and Moon Lake is not only the largest body of water but also home to the smallest indigenous tribe in the country. Explore the attractions around the picturesque lake on foot or rent a mountain bike. You’ll get a bed in a 6-person dorm for €17 a night in one of Puli’s hostels.
You can get back to Taipei by bus for about €25, where you can catch your flight back home.
