What are the Best Tourist Attractions in Taiwan?
After living in Taiwan for a while, I realized I had made several mistakes during my first trip around the island. Thus, I wanted to share some suggestions for all tourists coming to Taiwan. These are some of the best attractions you can visit within a week or two.
I have to confess, my first time traveling to Taiwan was in 2018. So a lot of time has passed, and there is more to say. If you are looking for more detailed information, I have a larger guide about Traveling in Taiwan. And I also wrote a blog post on How Much Does Traveling in Taiwan Cost?
Otherwise, let us start our trip around Taiwan with my travel tips.
Best Attraction in Taiwan After Arriving in Taipei: Fish Market in Songshan
Most travelers arrive in Taipei, and chances are you will be a bit tired after your flight. One of the best places to see and ease into your trip is the Taipei Fish Market. It is conveniently located next to Songshan Airport and a really interesting place in Taipei. The food is excellent, and you can relax in the market’s beer garden. They even sell German Weissbier!
The large variety of fresh seafood makes this one of the best tourist attractions to start your Taiwan travels. I have also written posts about the Best Day Trips Around Taipei and my 5 Best Places to Explore in Taipei. Check them out if you want to hear more about the best Taipei tourist sites. For example, I recommend visiting Keelung Island, a great day trip from Taipei.
An Underrated Attraction in Taiwan: Ludao (aka Green Island) + Taitung
My second travel tip for anyone visiting Taiwan is this: Make sure to visit Taitung and Ludao (Green Island). While Taitung is known for its amazing landscapes and is considered one of the top places to visit in Taiwan, too many people skip Ludao.
Green Island is easy to reach by ferry or plane, but I think it is often overshadowed by more well-known islands like Matsu or Kinmen. As a result, tourists in Taiwan tend to skip it too often. Put both Taitung and Green Island on your Taiwan bucket list.
I made the same mistake on my first Taiwan tour: I only visited Taitung. It was not until much later, after traveling around Taiwan more extensively, that I finally made it to Green Island. I loved it. It is just a short ferry ride from Taitung, and together, these two destinations deserve their spot among the best attractions in Taiwan.
Bonus tip for all Taiwan travelers: Even on busy weekends or national holidays, it is usually easier to find accommodation on Green Island than on Kinmen or other more popular islands.
Not a Tourist Attraction – But the Best Way to Travel in Taiwan
Taiwan’s high-speed trains are incredibly efficient and save you time. Yes, they are more expensive than buses, but worth it if you only have a few days to explore the island. While you can take a bus to Kaohsiung, they run less frequently, and the long ride can be exhausting, for example. The “Gaotie” is the way to go for fast and easy travel.
Here is my tip for traveling to southern Taiwan from Taipei: Take the high-speed train to Kaohsiung. If you have time, explore the city a bit. Then hop on a bus to the harbor and head to Xiaoliuqiu (also known as Little Liuqiu or Lambai Island).
This small island is outstanding rankings among Taiwan top attractions, especially because of the massive number of sea turtles. Check out the footage in my video, and you will see what I mean. I recommend staying just one night in this cool must-visit place. The island is beautiful but quite small. Swim with the turtles, relax in the evening, and the next day, move on to Kenting, the southernmost point of Taiwan. For more details, check out my blog post on the Best Places to Visit in Southern Taiwan.
Last but Not Least – The Best Thing to See in Taiwan: Kinmen’s Blue Tears
As a travel vlogger, I consider the Blue Tears in Kinmen the best tourist attraction in all of Taiwan. This phenomenon, often called the Sea of Stars, appears from April to June on Kinmen Island. It is caused by marine microorganisms that light up the water with a blue glow. There are only a handful of places in the world where you can witness this natural wonder, Kinmen is one of them. You can get an idea in my video about beach life on Kinmen Island.
Getting to Kinmen can be a bit of a hassle, but it is worth it for this rare sight. Once you are there, I recommend checking Facebook. Several local groups share tips on where the Blue Tears can be seen each night. The location changes daily, and your best chances are on a moonless night with a southern wind.
More Travel Tips for Visitors to Taiwan
Thanks for reading my list of top attractions in Taiwan! This is just a quick summary for a one- or two-week trip. If you look for my personal favorites, check the blog “Best Attractions in Taiwan – My 5 Favorite Places to Visit“. This is an older article, it less practical, but more personal.
There is so much more to discover here. I regularly post videos about Taiwan, especially about Kinmen Island. Feel free to check out my YouTube channel or drop me a message if you have any questions!
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