Two-thirds of Taiwan is mountains, and the land rises so fast that you can leave a subtropical beach in the morning and stand among misty tea terraces and cedar forest by afternoon. The capital, Taipei, wraps night markets, temples and the tower of Taipei 101 around a basin ringed by hot springs. Southward lie the old streets of Tainan, the harbour city of Kaohsiung and the marble walls of Taroko Gorge on the wild Pacific coast. Inland, the island climbs to Jade Mountain, which at nearly 4,000 metres stands taller than Japan's Mount Fuji. Food is a national conversation here, argued nightly over bowls of beef noodle soup and cups of bubble tea, the drink Taiwan gave the world.
Taipei is the Taiwan destination on Nuvoha today. Set your budget and Nuvoha builds the complete trip: flights and hotels together.
Why visit Taiwan
- Cities you can explore on foot, from headline sights to quiet neighbourhoods
- Quieter alternatives beyond the obvious stops
Best known for
- Taroko Gorge's marble canyons
- Taipei 101 and the night-market food scene
- Hot springs at Beitou and Jiaoxi
- Bubble tea, invented on the island
- The Alishan Forest Railway
- High-mountain hiking up Jade Mountain
Around the island
- Taipei and the North: The capital wraps night markets, temples and the Taipei 101 tower around a basin ringed by hot springs; the gold-mining hills of Jiufen and the wind-carved rocks of Yehliu lie within easy reach.
- Central Taiwan: Taichung's cafes and galleries, the mirror waters of Sun Moon Lake and the old merchant town of Lukang, with the western plains rising towards the central range.
- Alishan and the High Mountains: Cedar forest, sunrise seas of cloud and the narrow-gauge Alishan Forest Railway; nearby Jade Mountain (Yushan) is Taiwan's highest peak at 3,952 metres.
- The South: Tainan, the island's oldest city, keeps its temples and street food, while the harbour city of Kaohsiung sits near the beaches and coral of Kenting at the southern tip.
- The East Coast: Cliffs plunge to the Pacific along a wild shore where Taroko Gorge cuts marble canyons inland, and the East Rift Valley runs green between Hualien and Taitung.
- The Outlying Islands: Penghu's beaches and basalt columns, the war-era tunnels of Kinmen and Matsu near the mainland coast, and the diving off Green Island and Orchid Island.
Where to go
Taiwan essentials
| Currency | New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) |
|---|---|
| Language | Mandarin Chinese is the official language; Taiwanese Hokkien and Hakka are also widely spoken, and English appears on signage in the cities |
| Time zone | National Standard Time (UTC+8), no daylight saving |
| Emergency number | 110 (police), 119 (fire and ambulance) |
| Driving side | Right |
| Tap water | Not usually drunk straight from the tap; locals boil it, and most visitors choose bottled or filtered water |
Seasons at a glance in Taipei
| Month | Typical range | Season |
|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C to 19°C | Cool damp winter |
| April | 20°C to 27°C | Humid spring |
| July | 27°C to 34°C | Hot typhoon season |
| October | 22°C to 28°C | Warm autumn |
Seasons vary across Taiwan. Each destination page has its own climate table.
More in Asia
More Asia country guides
Frequently asked questions
Which Taiwan destinations can I book with Nuvoha?
Taipei, with complete flight and hotel trips built around your budget.
What kind of trips suit Taiwan?
Taiwan works for city breaks.
How do you get around Taiwan?
A high-speed rail line runs down the west coast, linking Taipei with Kaohsiung in around two hours, while slower trains loop along the quieter east. Taipei and Kaohsiung have easy metro systems, and a single stored-value EasyCard covers trains, buses and convenience stores.
What plug type does Taiwan use?
Types A and B, the flat two-pin plugs used in North America and Japan, at 110 volts. Visitors from the UK, Europe and Australia need an adapter, and some appliances may also need a voltage converter.
Do you need cash in Taiwan?
It helps. Night markets, small eateries and temples often take cash only, though cards and mobile payment work in hotels, department stores and convenience chains. The EasyCard is the handiest way to pay for small everyday things.
When is the best time to visit Taiwan?
Autumn, from October to November, brings the clearest and mildest weather, and spring is pleasant too. Summers are hot, humid and prone to typhoons between roughly June and October, while the north turns grey and damp in winter, when the south stays warmer.
