Holiday Guide to Taiwan

With its unique fusion of cultures, breathtaking scenery, diverse cuisine, exciting city life and well developed hospitality industry, Taiwan is an ideal destination for tourists from the Middle East. Taipei is the capital of Taiwan and is located in the north of the country between the Central Mountains and the Yangming Mountains. Taipei may not be as popular a destination as other capital cities in the region, but it is still a vibrant and charming city with surprises around many corners.

For travellers from the Middle East, Taiwan is a prefect add-on destination when visting any other country in the Far East like Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand. It offers a contrasting flavour from the other holiday destinations in the region and offers a different set of experiences and attractions.

What To See, Where To Go

Visitors to Taiwan are spoiled for choice when it comes to things to do and places of incredible natural beauty to visit on the island – with so many attractions, it’s hard to figure out what to see. Here are some tourist attraction in Taiwan that should be on your list:

Taipei 101
National Palace Museum
Taroko Gorge
Yushan National Park
Alishan Scenic Mountain Area
Sun Moon Lake
Maokong
Dragon and Tiger Pagodas
Maolin National Scenic Area
Rainbow Village

Miramar ferris wheel
Penghu
Shilin Night Market
Yangmingshan geysers
Longshan Temple
Chimei Museum
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Kenting Street
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
Fort Zeelandia

National Palace Museum

One of the largest museums in the world holding Chinese artifacts with over 696,000 pieces. The museum was built after the collection was evacuated from mainland China in 1949 to prevent Communist China from controlling and ultimately destroying any artifacts as part of the Cultural Revolution.

Taipei Presidential Office Building, Taipei

The building housing the Office of the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan). It originally housed the Office of the Governor-General of Taiwan when Taiwan was part of the Empire of Japan from 1895 to 1945.

Taipei Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

A Memorial Hall built to honor the late President and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.

Taipei 101

Formerly the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2010. Consisting of 101 floors it is primarily a commercial office building with restaurants, clubs, commercial stores and tourist observatories.

Taipei Shilin Night Market

A night market located in the Shilin District of Taipei, and is often considered to be the largest and most famous night market in the city.

Hualien Taroko National Park

One of Taiwan’s national parks, with the landmark being Taroko Gorge.

Tainan Fort Zeelandia and Fort Provintia

The oldest city and once an old capital of Taiwan, the city is dotted with ancient temples, shrines and fortress. Tainan is also famous for its traditional Taiwanese cuisine and night markets.

Taichung/ Nantou Sun Moon Lake

The lake is the largest body of water in Taiwan, situated in Yuchi, Nantou, the area around the Sun Moon Lake is home to the Taiwanese indigenous Thao tribe.

Kenting Spring Scream

An annual outdoor music festival held in early April, featuring local and international folk, punk, and rock musicians and artists.

Chiayi Alishan National Scenic Area

A mountainous natural preserve that includes vibrant wilderness, forests, four villages, waterfalls, high altitude tea plantations, and the famous Alishan Forest Railway, and several hiking trails. It is also a famous flower spotting, particularly cherry blossom, destination during spring time.

Chiayi Hinoki Village

A village that was originally the dormitories of the Chiayi Forest division of Forestry Bureau of the Taiwan Governor General Office during the Japanese rule of Taiwan.

Tainan Chihkan Tower

A Tower that was built 1653 during the Dutch colonization of Taiwan.

Where to Stay

In case you are travelling from the Middle East and struggling to decide where to stay in Taipei, you’ll find an incredibly wide range of options. This includes everything from capsule hotels to 5-star modern accommodations with all the luxuries as well as mid-priced hotels as well as guesthouses.

Here is a list of prominent hotels in Taiwan that will be suitable for travellers from the Middle East while on holiday in Taiwan:

Mandarin Oriental Taipei
W Taipei
Shangri-La Far Eastern, Taipei
Palais de Chine Hotel
Grand Hyatt Taipei
Hotel Royal Chiao Hsi
Taipei Garden Hotel
Promisedland Resort & Lagoon
Grand Mayfull Taipei
Eslite Hotel
Hotel Royal Beitou
The Okura Prestige Taipei
The Gaia Hotel – Taipei
Caesar Metro Taipei
The Crystal Resort Sun Moon Lake
Grand Cosmos Resort Ruisui Hualien
Renaissance Taipei Shihlin Hotel

Asia Pacific Hotel Beitou
Humble House Taipei
Wulai Pause Landis Resort
Hotel Royal-Nikko Taipei
The Grand Hotel
Grand Victoria Hotel
Hotel Eclat Taipei
Courtyard by Marriott Taipei
Regent Taipei
Taipei Marriott Hotel
Hilton Taipei Sinban
Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel
Fullon Hotel Taipei, Central
The Landis Taipei
San Want Residences Taipei
Gloria Prince Hotel Taipei
Hotel Metropolitan Premier Taipei

Best Time To Visit Taiwan

Weather-wise, September to November is considered the best time of the year to visit Taiwan. This season offers the perfect combination of cool and dry weather. During most of September, the south stays warm, but temperatures begin to cool down in northern Taiwan, although they’re still pleasant.

How To Get There

Tourists mainly arrive by air and Taoyuan International Airport serves as the most popular airport bringing international tourists into Taiwan as it is the largest airport in Taiwan and important regional hub. Other major airports in Taiwan which facilitate international visitors include Kaohsiung International Airport servicing southern Taiwan, Taichung Airport servicing central Taiwan and Taipei Songshan Airport servicing central Taipei.

Taipei is a huge and modern city with clean and efficient public transport systems. These include the Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) system which is driverless system that includes ‘safe zones’ on platforms for women and children travelling at night with good surveillance and also an efficient bus service which goes to many of the main attractions in Taipei.

Visa Requirements

Citizens of more than 60 countries and territories can enter Taiwan visa-free for 30 or 90 days.

Getting Around

In addition to about 1,100 kilometers of conventional railway lines, Taiwan has a 350-km high-speed rail system along its west coast. The high-speed trains allow travel between Taipei and Kaohsiung in 94 minutes. These two cities and the northern metropolis of Taoyuan are also equipped with state-of-the-art mass rapid transit systems.

How Long to Stay in Taiwan

Though eight to 12 days is the ideal amount of time to experience the country, five days is the perfect addition to any Asia itinerary. Starting in the capital city of Taipei and looping around the coast to Tainan, this trip will introduce you to the best of Taiwan, both contemporary and historic.

Itinerary: Editor’s Suggestions

During my trip to Taiwan I travelled extensively across the country and visited some of the major tourist attractions in Taiwan. based on my travel experiences, here is a suggestive itinerary for travellers from the Middle East planning a holiday in Taiwan: