Connecting the Regions
Understanding Taiwan’s regions is valuable, but most travellers will want to visit multiple regions during their trip. Taiwan’s compact size and excellent transportation infrastructure make this eminently feasible, but the specifics of how to connect regions significantly affect your travel experience.
The East-West Divide
The Central Mountain Range creates Taiwan’s most significant travel barrier. No direct roads or railways cross the mountains at their highest points, so moving between east and west requires either going around the island or taking one of several mountain roads that cross at lower elevations.
The most dramatic connection is the Suhua Highway, hugging the cliffs between Hualien and the northeast coast, offering spectacular views but prone to closure from landslides and typhoon damage. The Central Cross-Island Highway, once the main route between Taichung and the east, suffered severe typhoon damage in 2004 and remains largely closed, though sections at either end remain accessible.
The Southern Cross-Island Highway provides another route, though it’s long and winding, better suited to leisurely exploration than efficient transit. Most travellers moving between east and west rely on either the northern route via the Suhua Highway or simply take the train around the north or south of the island—a longer but more reliable journey.
This geographic reality means that visiting eastern Taiwan requires deliberate planning. It’s not a place you casually add to a Taipei-based itinerary; it deserves dedicated time. However, the journey itself, whether by car along the coast or by train, becomes part of the experience, revealing Taiwan’s dramatic topography.
The Railway Network
Taiwan’s railway system provides the backbone for inter-regional travel. The Western Main Line runs from Keelung through Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung, connecting all major western cities with frequent service. The High Speed Rail (HSR) parallels this route, reducing travel time dramatically: Taipei to Kaohsiung takes less than two hours on the HSR versus four to five hours on conventional trains.
The Eastern Main Line runs from Keelung through Yilan and down the east coast through Hualien to Taitung, eventually connecting back to the south. This line is slower and less frequent but offers spectacular coastal views.
For travellers, this means that visiting multiple regions by public transportation is entirely feasible. A sample itinerary might include Taipei (north), Taichung or Sun Moon Lake (central), Tainan (south), and Hualien or Taitung (east), all connected by rail. The HSR makes even day trips feasible—you could breakfast in Taipei and lunch in Tainan, though this would be rushed.
However, the railway network has limitations. The railway connects major cities efficiently, but rural areas, mountain destinations, hot springs, indigenous villages, smaller beaches, and most hiking trailheads require buses that may run infrequently or not at all. In eastern Taiwan particularly, not having your own vehicle means you’ll miss many of the region’s most appealing aspects.
Many experienced Taiwan travellers adopt a hybrid approach: use public transportation for city-to-city travel, then rent vehicles (cars or scooters) for specific regions where they’re most valuable. You might take the HSR to Hualien, rent a car there for exploring the east, return it before taking the train to Tainan, and explore the south by public transport and occasional taxis.
Seasonal Considerations for Multi-Region Travel
Taiwan’s regional climate variations mean that the ideal season for visiting multiple regions requires compromise. No season is perfect everywhere, but understanding regional patterns helps you make informed choices.
Winter (December to February) favours the south, with mild, pleasant weather in Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Kenting, whilst the north remains grey and damp and the east faces northeast monsoon rain. A winter itinerary might emphasise southern Taiwan with perhaps a stop in Taipei, accepting that you’ll need rain gear in the capital.
Spring (March to May) offers the most balanced conditions, with warming temperatures everywhere and less rain than winter in the north and east. However, spring weather can be unpredictable, with warm days followed by sudden cold fronts, and the plum rain season in May brings extended wet periods. Spring is excellent for visiting multiple regions, particularly combining the north with the east or mountains.
Summer (June to August) brings hot, humid weather everywhere, with Taipei and the lowlands often exceeding 35°C with oppressive humidity. However, summer is the best season for beaches (Penghu, Kenting), and high mountain areas become gloriously comfortable. A summer itinerary might combine Taipei (accepting the heat), the mountains (escaping it), and eastern or southern beaches. The major constraint is typhoons, which peak in July and August and can disrupt plans significantly.
Autumn (September to November) rivals spring for overall conditions, with warm but less oppressive temperatures, generally stable weather (though September still sees typhoons), and excellent visibility for mountain views. Autumn is perhaps the single best season for visiting multiple regions, particularly for outdoor activities and photography.
For multi-region itineraries, moving from north to south generally means moving toward better weather in winter, whilst moving south to north does the same in summer (though you’re trading heat for heat, just slightly less of it). Moving east to west or vice versa doesn’t significantly change climate patterns, though the east generally receives more rain.