Attractions & nature
Top Attractions in Taiwan
Taiwan packs a huge range of sights into a small island: skyscrapers and ancient temples, marble cliffs and beaches, mountain lakes and tea towns. These are the attractions that make up the core of most trips, and where to go deeper on each.
In the cities
Taipei 101 — the capital’s symbol, with an observatory on the 89th floor. Longshan Temple — the city’s most active and beautiful temple, free. The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial with its guard change, and the National Palace Museum with its collection of Chinese art. All in the Taipei guide.
In the south, the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas on Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung, and the historic temples of Tainan.
In nature
The Taroko cliffs are the star (with a caveat: some trails are closed after the 2024 quake) — easiest to see on a Taroko day tour. Alongside the calm Sun Moon Lake, with day trips from Taichung, the misty Alishan forest, and the Qingshui Cliffs that drop into the sea. More in the nature and reserves guide.
Special experiences
Jiufen with its red lanterns, hot springs at Beitou, and the night markets that are an experience in their own right. See Jiufen and the north coast and hot springs.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the must-see attractions in Taiwan?
Taipei 101 and Longshan Temple in the capital, the Taroko cliffs and east coast, Sun Moon Lake in the centre, and Jiufen with its red lanterns. These are the core of most trips.
How much does site entry cost in Taiwan?
Many are free (temples, squares, beaches). Paid attractions are relatively cheap: the Taipei 101 observatory about 600 NT$, the Palace Museum about 350 NT$.
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