Simple Cities Guide

When planning your Taiwan journey, understanding each city’s distinct character helps you craft an itinerary that matches your interests rather than simply ticking off “must-see” destinations. This guide provides the essential context you need to decide which cities deserve your limited travel time.

Please note that this guide covers only the cities on Taiwan’s main island. The offshore islands will be discussed in a separate post.

Also note that this is intentionally a simplified overview designed for first-time visitors or travellers working with limited time. Each city contains far more depth, character, and hidden gems than these brief descriptions can capture - we’ve deliberately omitted countless fascinating neighbourhoods, local festivals, specialist museums, and off-the-beaten-path experiences that could easily fill weeks of exploration. Consider this your starting framework for deciding which cities match your interests, knowing that once you’ve chosen your destinations, much richer detail awaits. We’ll be adding more comprehensive guides for individual cities, or you can contact us directly for recommendations tailored to your specific interests.

Northern Taiwan

Taipei

Taiwan’s capital offers the densest concentration of museums, night markets, and public transport connections, making it ideal for first-time visitors who want maximum variety with minimum planning effort. The city blends Japanese colonial architecture, traditional temples, and contemporary design within walkable neighbourhoods, meaning you can experience multiple historical layers in a single afternoon. Taipei’s efficient MRT system and widespread English signage lower the barrier for independent exploration, whilst its position as a transport hub makes it the natural base for day trips across northern Taiwan. However, this accessibility comes with crowds and higher prices compared to other cities.

New Taipei

Wrapping around Taipei, New Taipei City functions less as a unified destination and more as a collection of distinct districts, each offering escapes from the capital’s intensity. Towns like Jiufen and Shifen offer beautiful mountain scenery within an hour of central Taipei. Inland areas such as Wulai are known for their hot springs and indigenous culture, while coastal spots like Tamsui and Yehliu provide easily accessible sea views. The key advantage here is proximity to Taipei’s infrastructure whilst experiencing more local, less touristy environments, though you’ll need to research specific districts rather than treating “New Taipei” as a single entity. Transport connections vary significantly by area, so factor in extra planning time.

Keelung

This working port city offers Taiwan’s one of most dramatic coastal scenery and its rainiest climate: bring waterproofs regardless of season. Keelung’s compact size makes it ideal for a focused day trip centred on the Miaokou Night Market (famous for its seafood) and the stunning hiking trails close to Badouzi, where you can enjoy sea views. The city’s authenticity appeals to travellers tired of polished tourist zones, though limited English and fewer conventional attractions mean it’s better suited to those comfortable navigating independently.

Yilan

Yilan offers hot springs, coastal scenery, and rural landscapes within easy reach of the capital, making it ideal for travellers with limited time wanting to sample non-urban Taiwan. Yilan’s reputation for good governance and environmental protection creates clean, well-maintained attractions, though this also means more developed and less wild than Hualien or Taitung. The county’s traditional arts, particularly Taiwanese opera, add cultural depth beyond its natural attractions. The Yilan Park of the National Center for Traditional Arts offers an excellent opportunity to experience and learn about Taiwan’s traditional performing arts. Yilan’s accessibility, just an hour from Taipei, means weekends bring crowds, so time visits for weekdays when possible.

Taoyuan

Home to Taiwan’s main international airport, Taoyuan is primarily a transit point rather than a destination, though most of its interesting spots lie closer to the mountains. The city itself offers little that can’t be experienced more enjoyably elsewhere in Taiwan. Consider staying in Taoyuan only if you’re specifically interested in its nearby mountain towns or need accommodation close to the airport.

Hsinchu

Taiwan’s “Silicon Valley” attracts business travellers but offers limited appeal for tourists beyond its reputation for strong winds and excellent rice noodles and pork balls. The city’s coastal areas provide decent beaches and wetlands for birdwatching, whilst the nearby Neiwan Old Street offers a glimpse of Hakka village life. Hsinchu works best as a brief stop when travelling between Taipei and Taichung, particularly if you’re interested in technology industry history or want to experience a more working-class Taiwanese city.

Central Taiwan

Miaoli

This predominantly Hakka county rewards visitors interested in cultural authenticity over convenience, with its traditional industries, festivals, and cuisine offering insight into a distinct Taiwanese subculture. Miaoli’s mountainous terrain creates stunning landscapes but challenging transport: hiring a scooter or car proves essential for exploring beyond the city centre. The slower pace and limited tourist infrastructure mean you’ll need patience and ideally some Mandarin ability, but the trade-off is genuine local interactions and uncrowded attractions.

Taichung

Taiwan’s second-largest city strikes a balance between Taipei’s sophistication and southern Taiwan’s laid-back character, offering excellent museums, cafés, and street food without overwhelming crowds. The city’s newer development means wide boulevards and modern architecture dominate over historical sites, making it ideal for travellers who want urban amenities without dense, chaotic streets. Taichung serves as the perfect base for exploring central Taiwan’s mountains and Sun Moon Lake. However, the spread-out layout requires more reliance on taxis or buses compared to Taipei’s MRT efficiency.

Changhua

This small city revolves almost entirely around Lukang, a former port town that preserves one of Taiwan’s finest collections of Qing Dynasty architecture and traditional crafts. Lukang’s narrow lanes, temples, and artisan workshops offer a compact yet rich historical experience easily enjoyed in half a day, making Changhua ideal for travellers wanting to experience “old Taiwan” efficiently. Beyond Lukang, Changhua offers little reason to stay overnight, though its location between Taichung and Tainan makes it a convenient stop along Taiwan’s west coast. The county is also famous for ba-wan (Taiwanese meatballs) - if you’re passing through, make sure to try one.

Nantou

Taiwan’s only landlocked county, Nantou contains the island’s geographical heart and some of its most spectacular mountain scenery, including Sun Moon Lake and access routes to high-altitude areas. The county rewards travellers with time and transport flexibility: many of its best experiences require multiple bus connections or private vehicles. Nantou’s appeal lies entirely in natural beauty and indigenous culture rather than urban attractions, so plan accordingly with outdoor gear and realistic timeframes for mountain travel.

Yunlin

Often overlooked by foreign visitors, Yunlin offers authentic agricultural Taiwan—puppet theatre traditions, temple festivals, and the historic town of Beigang - without tourist-oriented infrastructure. The county’s flat terrain and traditional industries provide insight into Taiwan’s pre-industrial economy, appealing to travellers interested in how most Taiwanese lived before rapid urbanisation. Yunlin requires the most cultural flexibility on this list, with minimal English and few concessions to foreign visitors, making it suitable only for confident independent travellers or those with local contacts.

Southern Taiwan

Chiayi

Serving primarily as the gateway to Alishan, Chiayi City offers little beyond a pleasant glimpse of southern Taiwanese life and the excellent Hinoki Village, which showcases Japanese cypress architecture. The city’s main appeal lies in its convenient location - close enough to Alishan for early-morning departures - and its signature dish, Chiayi turkey rice.

Tainan

Taiwan’s oldest city and former capital preserves the island’s densest concentration of temples, forts, and historic buildings, making it essential for history enthusiasts. Tainan’s culinary reputation rivals Taipei’s, with many dishes considered better in their original southern versions: the city rewards slow exploration of neighbourhood eateries over famous restaurants. The pace feels noticeably more relaxed than northern cities. However, Tainan’s attractions are more intellectually than visually spectacular: understanding what you’re seeing requires some historical context.

Kaohsiung

Taiwan’s major southern city offers a maritime character distinct from northern Taiwan, with its harbour, islands, and tropical climate creating a different atmosphere from Taipei’s mountain-backed setting. Kaohsiung’s aggressive urban renewal means striking public art installations and waterfront developments alongside traditional markets and temples: the Pier-2 Art Center exemplifies this blend. The city serves equally well as a destination or a base for exploring Kenting and southern attractions, with its MRT system and port connections simplifying logistics. However, industrial areas and summer heat require strategic planning about when and where to explore.

Pingtung

Taiwan’s southernmost county draws visitors primarily to Kenting National Park’s beaches, coral reefs, and tropical landscapes, though the county’s indigenous villages and agricultural plains reward deeper exploration. Pingtung’s climate - typhoon-prone, intensely hot, and tropical - differs markedly from northern Taiwan, requiring different packing and timing considerations. The county works best for travellers seeking beach relaxation or nature activities rather than cultural sites, though transport beyond Kenting proves challenging without private vehicles.

Eastern Taiwan

Hualien

Home to Taroko Gorge, Taiwan’s most dramatic natural attraction, Hualien appeals primarily to nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts rather than city explorers. The county’s combination of mountains, coast, and indigenous culture rewards multi-day visits, though the city itself offers little beyond serving as a base for gorge trips. Hualien’s appeal lies in its wilderness character: more raw and less developed than western Taiwan, but this means longer travel times, fewer transport options, and more weather-dependent planning. Consider Hualien essential if you want to experience Taiwan’s geological drama, but be prepared for a slower travel pace.

Taitung

Taiwan main island’s least developed major county offers the strongest sense of escape, with indigenous culture, coastal scenery, and agricultural landscapes dominating over urban development. Taitung attracts travellers seeking authenticity and quiet over efficiency and attractions: the reward for longer journey times is uncrowded beaches, genuine local interactions, and Taiwan’s most visible indigenous presence. The county’s hot air balloon festival and surf spots add specific draws, whilst its position makes it ideal for completing an around-island loop. However, Taitung demands the most travel flexibility, with limited transport requiring careful scheduling and potential weather delays.

Choosing Your Cities

Rather than trying to visit every location, consider your priorities: first-time visitors might focus on Taipei, Tainan, and one eastern destination; food lovers might concentrate on Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung; nature enthusiasts might skip cities entirely for Nantou, Hualien, and Taitung. Taiwan’s high-speed rail connects western cities efficiently, but eastern destinations require significantly more time: a two-week trip might comfortably cover four to five cities, whilst a week-long visit works better with two or three bases.

Judge cities not by what guidebooks say you “must” see, but by which characteristics align with your travel style: Do you prefer efficient sightseeing or aimless wandering? Urban energy or rural quiet? Historical sites or natural landscapes? Your honest answers determine which cities deserve your limited time. Remember that Taiwan’s compact size means most decisions aren’t permanent: if a city disappoints, you’re rarely more than a few hours from alternatives.