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Temple rooftop overlooking mountains and coastline

Taiwan travel guide

City trips from Taipei to Tainan, with the coast never far away

Best: Jun, Jul

Photo: Arnie Chou / Pexels

Capital
Taipei
Language
Chinese
Currency
New Taiwan dollar (TWD)
Time zone
UTC+08:00
Plugs
Type A, B · 110 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112

Why visit Taiwan

Taiwan suits travellers who want a city-based trip with the sea close by. Start in Taipei, the capital, then head south to Taichung and coastal Tainan, or east to the much smaller coastal city of Taitung City. Our data points to June and July as the best months to go. One practical catch is that power runs at 110 V with type A and B plugs. Check your chargers, and bring an adapter if your plugs are a different type.

  • A lot of country in little space

    Taiwan covers 36193 km² and has 23224721 people. The main cities sit fairly close together, so you can see several very different places on one trip without long travel days.

  • Two big cities side by side

    Taipei, the capital, has 2442991 people. New Taipei City has 4046037 people and reaches the coast. You can stay in one city and easily explore the other, mixing inland city life with trips to the sea.

  • Taichung and Tainan beyond the capital

    Taichung is an inland city of 3033885 people, larger than Taipei itself. Tainan, on the coast, has 1874686. Both give you a clear reason to travel outside the north and see another side of Taiwan.

  • A quieter coastal town

    Taitung City is small, with 102810 people, and sits on the coast. It is a good contrast after the large cities if you want a slower pace and less crowded streets.

  • A clear best season

    Our data points to June and July as the best months to visit. If you can only go at other times, check the weather for your dates before you book, because conditions are less reliable then.

Is Taiwan right for you?

Great for

  • City lovers: Taipei, New Taipei City and Taichung each have over 2 million people
  • Winter visitors who want dry days: December to February bring only 54–60 mm of rain
  • Travellers who dislike heat: highs stay below 20°C in every month
  • Short, compact trips: the country covers only 36193 km², so distances stay manageable
  • Visitors from countries with type A or B plugs and 110 V power

Less ideal for

  • Summer trips hoping for dry weather: August averages 27.1 rain days and 458 mm
  • Warm beach holidays: even July's average high is only 19.5°C
  • Travellers who want mild winter nights: January lows average 2.9°C

Taiwan right now: September

7.0/10
Avg high
19°C
Avg low
10°C
Rain days
23

Averages for Taiwan.

Weather by month

The data is labelled only 'Taiwan' (2015–2024), with no city named; it rates June and July best, with highs near 19°C, lows near 11°C and about 10 sun hours, though July still brings 393 mm of rain. Avoid August if you dislike rain (458 mm over 27 days), and expect cold months from December to March, with lows of 3–6°C.

Average highs and lows in Taiwan by month January: high 11°C, low 3°C , 8 rain days . February: high 12°C, low 4°C , 9 rain days . March: high 13°C, low 6°C , 15 rain days . April: high 16°C, low 8°C , 18 rain days . May: high 18°C, low 10°C , 24 rain days . June: high 19°C, low 11°C , 24 rain days . July: high 20°C, low 11°C , 25 rain days . August: high 19°C, low 11°C , 27 rain days . September: high 19°C, low 10°C , 23 rain days . October: high 17°C, low 9°C , 19 rain days . November: high 16°C, low 7°C , 14 rain days . December: high 13°C, low 5°C , 10 rain days . 11°C 3°C JAN 8d 12°C 4°C FEB 9d 13°C 6°C MAR 15d 16°C 8°C APR 18d 18°C 10°C MAY 24d 19°C 11°C JUN 24d 20°C 11°C JUL 25d 19°C 11°C AUG 27d 19°C 10°C SEP 23d 17°C 9°C OCT 19d 16°C 7°C NOV 14d 13°C 5°C DEC 10d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Taiwan (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Taiwan: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Taipei to Tainan in one week

  1. Day 1–3

    Taipei

    Start in the capital. Use these first days to get over jet lag, find your way around and set up money and transport before heading south.

  2. Day 4

    New Taipei City

    Spend a day in the city that surrounds Taipei. It is coastal and more populous than the capital, so you can combine an urban day with time by the sea.

  3. Day 5

    Taichung

    Break the journey south in this large inland city. One full day gives you time to walk its centre and eat well before moving on.

  4. Day 6–7

    Tainan

    End on the coast in Tainan. Two slower days suit a smaller city, and you can leave room to rest before your flight home.

10 days

West coast cities and the east

  1. Day 1–3

    Taipei

    Begin in the capital. Three days let you recover from the flight, learn the local transport and explore at an easy pace.

  2. Day 4

    New Taipei City

    Spend a day in Taiwan's most populous city, which wraps around Taipei. As it is coastal, it is a good place for a day near the sea.

  3. Day 5–6

    Taichung

    Move to this large inland city. Two days give you time to explore without rushing and to plan the southern part of the trip.

  4. Day 7–8

    Tainan

    Continue south to coastal Tainan. It is smaller than Taipei or Taichung, so slow down, walk more and enjoy a calmer pace.

  5. Day 9–10

    Taitung City

    Finish on the other side of the island in Taitung City, by far the smallest stop on this route. It is coastal and quiet, a good place to unwind at the end.

Food to try in Taiwan

Beef noodle soup

Wheat noodles in a rich beef broth with slow-cooked beef, often braised with soy sauce and spices. It is a common lunch or dinner at small noodle shops across Taiwan.

Braised pork rice (lu rou fan)

Minced or chopped pork belly simmered in soy sauce and spices, spooned over plain white rice. It is a cheap everyday meal served at simple eateries and food stalls.

Oyster omelette

Small oysters fried with egg and a starchy batter, then topped with a sweet and savoury red sauce. It is a classic dish at night market stalls.

Stinky tofu

Fermented tofu with a strong smell, usually deep-fried and served with pickled cabbage and chilli sauce. You will often smell it at night markets before you see the stall.

Gua bao

A soft, folded steamed bun filled with braised pork belly, pickled greens, crushed peanuts and coriander. It is a popular street snack, often eaten on the go.

Bubble tea

Sweet tea, often with milk, served cold with chewy tapioca balls. Tea shops sell it across Taiwan, and you can usually choose the sweetness and ice level.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Taiwan uses plug types A and B at 110 V. Check the label on each charger. If a device does not list 110 V, you will need a converter, not just a plug adapter.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right. If you come from a left-driving country, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts. Check licence and permit rules before you plan to rent a car.
  • Emergency number: The emergency number is 112. Save it in your phone before you arrive, along with your accommodation address written in Chinese.
  • Currency: The currency is the New Taiwan dollar (TWD). Tell your bank before you travel so your cards are not blocked, and carry some cash as a backup.
  • Language: The main language is Chinese. Outside the main tourist areas, do not expect English everywhere. Download a translation app that works offline before you go.
  • Time zone: Taiwan is on UTC+08:00. Plan calls home and any connecting flights with this in mind.
  • Calling code: The country calling code is +886. Use it when you give your number to hotels or tour operators, or when friends call a local SIM.

Taiwan: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Taiwan?

June and July are the best months, each with a score of 7 out of 10. July has the most sun, at 10.2 hours a day, and the warmest highs, at 19.5°C. June reaches 18.7°C. Expect rain, though: June has 23.8 rain days and July has 24.8. These figures are averages for Taiwan as a whole from 2015–2024.

Is Taiwan good to visit in August?

August scores a good 7 out of 10, but it is the wettest month. It brings 458 mm of rain over 27.1 rain days, so almost every day is wet. Sun drops to 8.7 hours a day. Choose June or July if you want a similar temperature with less rain.

What is the driest month in Taiwan?

December is the driest month, with 54 mm of rain. February is close behind at 55 mm, and January has 60 mm. These months have only 8.2 to 10 rain days. The downside is the cold: highs are only 11 to 12.9°C, and lows fall to 2.9 to 4.8°C.

Is November a good time to visit Taiwan?

Yes, November is a fair middle choice, with a score of 6 out of 10. Rain falls to 75 mm over 13.6 days, much less than in October's 266 mm. The average high is 15.5°C and the low is 7.3°C, so pack layers.

How cold does Taiwan get in winter?

January is the coldest month, with an average high of 11°C and a low of 2.9°C. February is only a little warmer, at 11.9°C and 3.5°C. Bring a warm jacket if you travel between December and February.

What plugs, currency and emergency number does Taiwan use?

Taiwan uses plug types A and B at 110 V. The currency is the New Taiwan dollar (TWD). The emergency number is 112, and the calling code is +886. Cars drive on the right, and the time zone is UTC+08:00.

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