Taiwan is the perfect destination for travelers looking to eat loads of street food, explore night markets & temples, and hike.
The more you learn about Taiwan, the more interesting the country becomes. Admittedly, that can be said about most places. But Taiwan’s depth still caught me by surprise. Home to the internationally renowned Din Tai Fung, pioneer of soup dumplings and bubble tea, there is no question that Taiwan is a foodie haven. But it also boasts incredible nature from spectacular firefly forests and carved cliffside roads with expansive ocean views. It has hiking galore.
But Taiwan is also home to a large indigenous community and stems from a matriarchal animist society. Taiwan is also the root of all Austronesian peoples spread across the Pacific from Hawaii to Madagascar.
While we didn’t stay long enough in Taiwan for me to write an abundance of blog posts about the country, we stayed long enough for me to want to come back. While Taiwan is often overlooked by travelers to East Asia in lieu of visiting the more popular Japan and South Korea, it deserves your time.
Taiwan Travel Guide
Recommended Cities: Taipei, Tainan, Alishan, Chishang, Huilien, and Juifen.
Minimum Recommended Trip Length: 2-3 weeks to see the destinations above. For a road trip, 3 weeks is ideal.
One Bucketlist Item You Cannot Miss: A short but challenging hike to the natural pools of Lisong Hot Springs.
Things to Consider Before You Go: If you plan to drive at all in Taiwan, you need to have a proper license. This means a motorcycle license and an international driver’s permit for a scooter.
Visa Requirements
Taiwan doesn’t require a visa for travelers from the United States for visits under 90 days.
Estimated Backpacker Budget
On a Shoestring: $35/day
Flashpacker: $50/day
Backpacker Luxury: $100/day
Keep in mind these are backpacker budgets. On a shoestring expect to be eating street food, choosing the cheapest hostel beds, & traveling by public transit or a long-term motorcycle/scooter rental. Backpacker Luxury opts for private hotel rooms, eats mostly in restaurants, and allows you to rent a car. Flashpackers are the middle ground & often do a mixture of both.
Taiwan Blog Posts
