Mirella Pandjaitan
Nov 17, 2025
Taiwan rewards the curious. Beyond the night markets and neon bustle of Taipei lies a mosaic of experiences that are quiet, astonishing, and normally magical.
The country remains one of Asia’s most enchanting yet surprisingly underrated destinations because it effortlessly combines ancient traditions with modern vitality, all without the crowds of more obvious hotspots. Taiwan is a sensory feast at every turn. Think mist-shrouded mountains, forest railways, neon-lit night markets brimming with street food treasures.
Its cities pulse with innovation and design, yet small towns and rural valleys preserve a slower, soulful rhythm that feels almost forgotten in today’s fast-paced world. Add to this an unparalleled culinary scene, pristine coastlines, and a deeply hospitable culture, and it’s clear that Taiwan rewards the curious traveller with intimacy, unexpectedness, and endless discovery.
What off-beaten paths can you embark on in Taiwan? Here are the unique things to do and worth exploring.
Allow Longshan Temple’s birds to predict your tale
In the atmospheric underpass beneath Longshan Temple Station, you’ll find one of Taipei’s most whimsical rituals. Here, the soft-spoken and warm Ms Chen presides over two white Java sparrows affectionately known as Big Luck Master and Big Fortune. With delicate hops and fluttering wings, the birds select tarot-like cards inspired by ancient folk tales, offering visitors a playful yet surprisingly poignant glimpse into the future. It’s a moment of quiet magic tucked beneath the city’s rhythmic rush.
Chase Taiwan’s most stunning sunset in Kenting
By day, Guanshan Hill is modest. At sunset, it becomes a masterpiece. Listed by CNN as one of the world’s most remarkable places to watch the day fade, Guanshan delivers skies that blaze orange, then melt into magentas and purples over the sweep of Kenting National Park. Locals swear the sunsets from June to October are the most breathtaking.
Cycle beside the Pacific in Taitung
In Taitung, the famous coastal bike trail hugs the cliffs and ocean, overlooking long, uninterrupted views of blue sky and even bluer waves. Cruise through seaside parks and arts districts. Stop often because in Taitung, every turn seems designed for lingering.
Drift after dessert at the Crazy Cart Café
Part café, part playground, Crazy Cart Café is a delightful curveball, a place where you can indulge in brunch, then burn it off by drifting through an indoor-outdoor go-kart circuit. The course winds up ramps, down slopes, and around tight corners. Even at modest speeds, the drifting is unexpectedly thrilling.
Enter the gateway to the Alishan dreams via Chiayi
Often overlooked, Chiayi might be Taiwan’s most underrated cultural gem. It’s the gateway to the legendary Alishan mountain range, where ancient cypress forests, sunrise seas of clouds, and nostalgic wooden railways create scenes worthy of a classic travel novel. In the city, Chiayi’s bustling Wenhua Road Night Market and famed turkey rice showcase a culinary landscape both humble and unforgettable.
Go on a pastoral escape into Taiwan’s countryside, Yunlin
Soft and slow, Yunlin is the island’s rural heart—an idyll of rice fields, tofu-making villages, and old-world temples tucked between fields of green. The county is known for its handicraft traditions, puppet theatre heritage, and small towns where every snack feels homemade and every street corner tells a story. Visit Gukeng’s coffee estates, explore Beigang’s ornate Chaotian Temple, or wander through rustic farmers’ markets.
Paraglide over Hualien’s emerald landscapes
Few experiences capture Taiwan’s natural splendour quite like paragliding above Hualien. From high above, palm trees, jade-green rice paddies, and the rugged coast spill out beneath you. It’s pure, weightless freedom.
Seek out one of Taiwan’s most beautiful waterfalls
Taiwan may be famous for Shifen and the Eternal Spring Shrine Waterfall, but Qingshan Waterfall in Yangmingshan National Park feels like finding your own private paradise. After a thirty-minute jungle trek—sometimes scrambling over boulders or ducking beneath fallen trees—you’ll reach a 30-metre veil of water cascading into a dreamy, swimmable pool. It’s raw, untouched, and endlessly photogenic.
Sip world-class whisky at Taiwan’s first distillery
Kavalan Whisky Distillery, named after the indigenous Kavalan people of Yilan, was founded on a simple belief: that Yilan’s pristine spring water and fresh ocean breeze were destined for whisky greatness. Today, the world agrees. Kavalan has been crowned World Whiskey Producer of the Year three times. A guided tasting explores the brand’s craftsmanship, ending with a trio of travel-size bottles to take home.
Spot dolphins around Turtle Island
The seas around Turtle Island shimmer with life. On a guided boat tour, wild dolphins sprint alongside the vessel, weaving through the surf in spectacular arcs. During warmer months, lucky travellers may even spot whales. A stop on the island reveals its rugged beauty and the white lilies that blanket it each spring. As the boat loops around the turtle-shaped landform, you’ll understand why locals view it with quiet reverence.
Tainan is Taiwan’s soulful old capital
Rich with history and irresistible charm, Tainan is where Taiwan’s soul feels most alive. Lantern-lit alleyways, centuries-old temples, Dutch fortresses, and a street-food scene hailed as the nation’s best come together in a city that celebrates both tradition and everyday pleasure. Highlights include the atmospheric Anping Old Street, the ornate Confucius Temple, and hip cafés housed in Japanese-era buildings.
Trek through crystal rivers in Hualien
River trekking in Hualien is the island at its most exhilarating. A short walk through the forest opens suddenly to jewel-toned waters—clear, cool, irresistible. Soon you’re scrambling over rocks, sliding down natural chutes, and leaping from boulders into turquoise pools. Choose between a four-hour adventure and a full-day tour (including waterfalls and a hearty wilderness lunch).
Unleash a wishing lantern at Shifen Old Street
Arriving at Shifen Old Street feels like stepping into a romantic film with its rail tracks framed by lantern shops, the scent of incense drifting through the air, and colourful paper lanterns rising toward the mountains. Travellers gather here to ink their dreams onto lanterns before sending them skyward, a luminous expression of hope. When the vintage train rumbles through, the whole scene becomes even more cinematic.
Visit Taiwan’s little-known Temple of Heaven
Taiwan has its own Temple of Heaven—and it’s larger and more ornate than Beijing’s. The Baiyang Temple of Heaven, hidden just outside Taichung, is a soaring, spherical structure plated in copper, cloisonné, and intricate carvings. The climb up its 108 steps rewards you with a breathtaking interior and sweeping views of its surrounding religious park, an architectural wonder that even many locals have never heard of.
Wander a 19th-Century Mansion in Taipei
In Zhongshan District, one of Taipei’s busiest neighbourhoods, sits a remarkable secret: the Lin An Tai Historical House & Museum. This 19th-century courtyard residence, built by a Fujianese merchant family, is one of the city’s best-preserved homes. A stroll through its gardens, ponds, and timber halls offers a serene immersion into Qing Dynasty life, right in the heart of modern Taipei.