When people think about Asian countries to travel to, Taiwan isn’t high on their list for some reason. It constantly gets overshadowed by other countries like Japan, Vietnam and South Korea. While every one of those countries is amazing, Taiwan is also worth exploring.
There are several great cities to spend time in when visiting Taiwan. Each one of them has its own attractions and experiences to choose from. And every one of them would make a great base of operations for visitors to the country.
Taichung, Taiwan
There’s a very good reason why Taichung is known as a cultural hub in Taiwan. It’s home to several museums and cultural institutions, including the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts and the National Taichung Theater.
Taichung is also an incredible place to just wander, and appreciate the stunning architecture. There are also dozens of stunning temples throughout the city, including the Confucius Temple and the Wen-Wu Temple at nearby Sun Moon Lake.
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
At nearly three million people, Kaohsiung can be a lot to take in but you have to stop there if you’re going to Taiwan. This bustling metropolis was founded in the 17th century, and has grown into a leading economic powerhouse.
Honestly, it’s an incredibly underrated city. It’s filled with brilliant night markets, including one of the biggest in all of Southeast Asia. There are also a ton of beautiful public art, amazing restaurants and unique attractions like Lotus Pond.
Tainan, Taiwan
As one of the county’s oldest cities, leaving out Tainan would be a huge mistake, even if it’s just to take in the living history around you. Wandering pedestrian only streets and alleys can give visitors a real sense of the relevance of where they are. Plus, you’ll find neat shops and cafés.
For anyone who is a literary tourist, Tainan is home to the National Museum of Taiwan Literature. It’s a marvelous space that celebrates the country’s unique literary history. And make sure you check out Anping Fort and Tree House. The glorious Banyan Trees alone are worth it.
Taoyuan, Taiwan
The city was named for possibly the most beautiful reason. Taoyuan means “peach garden” in Chinese. The name was chosen because the area was home to orchards of peach trees. Now, it’s home to one of the country’s top destinations.
Daxi Old Street is a key stop. The shops are set up in classic Imperial era Japanese buildings. They are covered in carvings that need to be seen. But you also have to stop by the city’s incredible green spaces, like Cihu Memorial Sculpture Park and Jiaobanshan Park.
Hsinchu, Taiwan
Hsinchu is by no means one of the biggest cities in the country but it’s one of the most fun to spend time in. For a number of reasons, it is an absolute gem that more visitors should be taking advantage of.
Green Grass Lake is unbelievably beautiful, as is the Gaofeng Botanical Garden. The Hsinchu Zoo is worth a visit as are the numerous temples all around the city. And that doesn’t include all the great restaurants dotted around town.