During the last few years, Taiwan has taken off as a tourist destination within Asia.
On one hand, this upward trend in tourism in Taiwan was driven by the opening to Chinese tourism. Initially, tourists from China were allowed to visit in groups managed by travel agencies, and later on, individual tourism was also permitted in a second phase. This development significantly contributed to the establishment of tourism infrastructure that previously only catered to primarily domestic tourism (tour operators, etc.).
On the other hand, the Taiwanese government has launched several campaigns in other potentially tourist-emitting Asian countries such as Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, and Japan. These campaigns showcase the strengths of Taiwan, mainly focusing on its natural landscapes, excellent cuisine, and the warmth of its people.
It is worth noting that since the pro-Taiwanese DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) came to power and the global COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese tourism managed by tour operators has virtually disappeared from the island due to the stringent restrictions imposed by China.
However, since the global recovery from the pandemic, tourism in Taiwan has been gradually recovering, and as of 2023, it is experiencing a much healthier state. Furthermore, with the absence of Chinese tourism, it has become easier to visit the most popular tourist sites without experiencing heavy crowds.
Taiwan has magically made its way into the lists of the best tourist destinations to visit in recent years.
Here are the top 6 main highlights of Taiwan as a tourist destination:
1. Taipei
The capital of Taiwan, constantly transforming, is one of the most vibrant cities in Asia. Museums, parks, night markets, shopping areas, and an attractive cultural scene make Taipei a city worth spending a few days in and exploring its alleyways. Traditional Taipei (with its old red-brick tea houses, temples, and Japanese-style houses) coexists with the modern and cutting-edge Taipei, the Taipei of Taipei 101 skyscraper and neon (and LED) lights.
Its extensive public transportation network and affordable prices have also contributed to promoting Taipei as a tourist city abroad.
2. Breathtaking Natural Landscapes
You don’t have to go far from Taipei to enjoy the lush forests that populate the mountains surrounding the city. Approximately 75% of Taiwan’s land is purely natural landscape. The island is traversed by a mountain range from north to south, offering enormous possibilities for outdoor activities such as trekking and climbing. Taiwan has 9 national parks, 6 of them on the main island, representing a total area of nearly 9% of the country. The gorge in Taroko National Park with its steep marble walls is one of the most well-known and one of the main attractions of the island.
3. Cuisine
Taiwanese people love food. They can be eating or already full, yet still discussing where they will have dinner tonight, while looking at photos of some food stall from a night market worth visiting. It’s no wonder that the island’s culinary offerings, especially in Taipei, can be overwhelming.
Taiwan, in general, and Taipei, in particular, offer travelers an infinite culinary range of various cuisines. From all kinds of Chinese dishes to excellent Japanese restaurants (a taste inherited from the Japanese occupation era), and even Western cuisine (with a particular fondness for pasta), you can find a diverse selection of Asian cuisines (Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, etc.).
Although if one asks about the best ways to experience authentic Taiwanese cuisine, the answer will be almost unanimous: the night markets. In these markets, you can find countless stalls offering delicious local and Chinese specialties. It’s not surprising to see long queues at many street food stalls, which have gained special fame and attract Taiwanese who idolize the food stall owner as if they were a chef in an upscale restaurant. And all of this at very affordable prices. Some markets, such as Shida or Shilin, are particularly famous among both locals and tourists.
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4. Culture and Temples
Taipei boasts numerous art and history museums, including the world’s most important Chinese art museum, as well as a large number of exhibition halls. The Taiwanese music scene is vibrant, and many of its artists end up achieving success throughout Asia. Although the concert venue scene has recently suffered from the disappearance of some legendary venues, the daily offering of concerts is extensive and diverse.
Buddhism and Taoism go beyond religious boundaries and are integral to the cultural heritage, where temples hold special significance. Traveling to any corner of Taiwan, it’s easy to come across colorful temples, filled with intricate details and representations of dragons. One of the most important temples is the Longshan Temple in Taipei.
5. The kindness of the Taiwanese People
And here lies one of Taiwan’s greatest strengths in establishing itself as an attractive tourist destination – its people. While the number of Taiwanese who can speak English is not very high, they compensate for this with an immense willingness to help and promote their country to the world, well aware of this reputation. While Thailand may be known as “the land of smiles,” Taiwan could easily claim that title due to the warmth of its inhabitants. Those who choose to travel in Taiwan, whether in the cities or around the country, receive an extra level of assistance and hospitality.
6. Affordable Prices
As we have mentioned in several other points, another tourism attraction in Taiwan is affordability. The price of food is quite reasonable (you can have dinner at a night market for 100 Taiwanese dollars, around 3 USD). Public transportation is also very cheap (around 20-25 TWD per metro ride, between 80 and 90 cents in USD), and the entrance fee to some museums is around 50 TWD (between 1.5 and 2 USD). So, while there are expensive restaurants, especially in cities, one can still move around and enjoy Taiwan without putting too much strain on their wallet.
At the institutional level, the appropriate steps are being taken to welcome a growing number of tourists. All signs and transportation information on streets are translated into English (in addition to Chinese). Furthermore, the Taipei City Government has deployed a free Wi-Fi network (not only for Taipei residents but also for tourists).
The following video is one of the official advertising campaigns of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau:
This interesting video produced by Vision-out Memories captures the essence of Taipei with stunning views:
Taiwan emerges as a tourist destination for those seeking less touristy spots or for those who have grown tired of the crowded trips to Thailand, Japan, or China, three of the main Asian tourism giants. If you decide to travel to Taiwan, don’t miss our guide with the best areas to stay in Taipei.
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