Taiwan Tours

So, you’re planning a much anticipated vacation and want to know what is the best time to visit Taiwan. Depending on your tolerance for crowds and weather preferences, the best time to visit Taiwan can vary, however because of its temperate climate, you can visit Taiwan any time of year and not be overwhelmed by the icy temperatures typical of a Beijing winter or the hot, dry days found in the desert of Dunhuang.

If it’s cool, comfortable and dry you’re after, then aim to travel to Taiwan from September to November when the weather is best. This makes traveling between destinations – which is often by road around the island – a more enjoyable experience.

On the other hand, if you’re limited to travel during the high season, be aware the busiest time is from June to August, thanks to the summer months and extended summer school holidays. Just remember, if you decide to travel at this time, you’ll be contending with both international and local travelers, as well as higher travel costs. And the bonus? It’s hot during summer too.

When it comes to knowing the best time to visit Taiwan, a good rule of thumb is to remember:

July to September – Typhoon season, particularly August.
May and June – Rain season.
December to February – Winter, chilly and wet in Taiwan’s north, while in the south it is somewhat drier.

But it’s not just weather that dictates the timing of a holiday, is it? Activities and events are part of the decision process too. Chinese New Year (January and February), while a busy time, is also very lively as people return home to see families. Between February and April, cherry blossoms are in bloom in many locations, with Tamsui, Alishan, and Yangmingshan destinations you should add to your itinerary. Another highlight is the Mazu International Festival hosted in Taichung from February to May. Or for an experience that’s truly unique, the Taitung hot air balloon festival is held from July to August.

Asking how many days in Taiwan is enough is a bit like asking how long is a piece of string? That said, we’ll do our best to answer this question.

Like many destinations, the more you know, the more you want to know, but you have to start somewhere, and we recommend one week is a good baseline timeframe for a holiday in Taiwan. In a week (or even less with the right guide), you’ll enjoy a basic tour that takes in Taipei, a trip to Taroko, and one of either Alishan or Sun Moon Lake.

But for a deeper dive into Taiwan, more time is needed. For a tour around the island tour, two weeks to three weeks will allow you to cover a lot of territories. You could expect to visit the main cities – Taipei, Taichung, Taitung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Hualien, and enjoy the gorgeous landscape along the way, including sites at Taroko, Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, Kenting, and Yehliu.

Have a little more time on your hands? Maybe three or four weeks? Add a couple of offshore islands to your tour – think Green Island, Penghu, Orchid Island.

Only have time for a stopover? No problem. Five days will allow you to enjoy a Taiwan taster.

There is so much to see and do on our Taiwan tours, but with our must see list of highlights and experiences, you can create your own adventure.

• For history and culture, visit the National Palace Museum, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Martyrs’ Shrine, Chikhan Tower, Fort of Anping, Foguangshan, historic streets in Beipu, Tamsui and Jiufen.
• Discover the natural beauty of Taroko, Alishan, Yushan, Kenting, Yehliu, Wujie and Scenic East Coast. Gorgeous all year round.
• Visit the traditional food markets and the famous night markets to immerse yourself in local flavors – and enjoy some of Taiwan’s fabulous food.
• Soak in a natural hot spring in Chiphen or Jiaoxi and soothe those weary tourist muscles.
• Maybe you’re a bike riding fan. Climb onto a bike and cycle around Dajia Riverside Park and Da-dao-cheng Wharf (both in Taipei). Visiting Sun Moon Lake? Cycle around the lake for sensational views and photo opportunities.
• Connect with local farmers during farm visits or a farm stay that highlights typical life on the land.
• Book a home stay at the Wujie Indigenous Village for insights to local culture and cuisine.
• Food lovers can get hands on with a cooking class in Taipei, by visiting famous local restaurants showcasing authentic Taiwanese food, or taking part in a farm to table experiences at a local scallion farm in Sanxing.
• For tea lovers, make and taste tea when you visit a famous teahouse in Taipei, a tea plantation in Dongshan, or the plantation and tea museum at Pinglin.
• Delight in the full spectrum of Taiwanese cuisine, from street food to Michelin restaurants, a local’s favorite canteen to a traditional miner’s lunchbox.

If you’re wanting a slower pace and the opportunity to see more by traveling fully around the island, then two weeks to three weeks will allow you to cover some serious distance, even on this relatively small island. Balance time in the main cities – Taipei, Taichung, Taitung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Hualien, with beautiful natural landscapes in destinations like Taroko, Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, Kenting, and Yehliu. Taking this approach provides the kind of insights you’d expect from a tour designed to create beautiful travel memories. Traveling this way means deeper insights to the unique, natural scenery and environment of Taiwan, which is only possible with a round island tour. With ample time, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to visit culturally and historically significant sights and take in beautiful natural landscapes along the way. With a balance of both modern and traditional, and all that makes Taiwan special, you will appreciate the easy pace of this type of Taiwan tour where you have ample time to soak up each experience.

And if you’d like to see more beyond Taiwan’s shores, consider adding Green Island, Penghu, and Orchid Island to your tour itinerary.

As travel industry insiders, we know a thing or two about tour design, that’s why we recommend to travelers who visit Taiwan from USA, UK and AU to consider turning their Taiwan tour into a Taiwan plus tour. What does that mean? Let’s explain. If your schedule permits, a Taiwan plus tour allows you to take advantage of clever ticketing that only industry insiders know about. With this approach you can enjoy a Taiwan plus Vietnam tour, a Taiwan plus Hong Kong tour, a Taiwan plus Cambodia tour – or a Taiwan plus tour that includes any other destination in Asia. How does it work? Instead of simply booking a direct flight for a Taiwan only tour – say, LA to Taipei – you can actually book a flight with China Airlines or Eva Air traveling LA/Taipei(9 nights)/Beijing, Shanghai/ LA that is cheaper. Incredible! That means you can enjoy a 9 day Taiwan tour plus our bestseller 8 day tour Beijing/Xi’an/Shanghai for a lower price than the cost of a direct flight tour. Want to learn more about our Taiwan plus tours? Reach out to our tour design crew today.