Things to See When Visiting Taiwan

Taipei gets all the attention when people discuss the delights of Taiwan. But there is something beyond the exciting Taipei night markets, the tantalizing treats, and the famed Taipei 101 – though these are quite marvelous themselves.

If you plan on visiting Taiwan, there is plenty of things to do. Check out these suggestions:

1. See the Golden Waterfall

Taiwan’s Golden Waterfall is a sight to behold. It is located near the Gold Ecological Park (黃金博物園區) in Jinguashi. The water at this unique waterfall sparkles in a way that is dazzling. Its beautiful gold color comes from a combination of rainfall in this mining area and an excess of heavy metal elements deposited in the riverbed. The scenic beauty around this waterfall is also worth the visit. It costs nothing to go here. The best time to watch this natural wonder is when the sun is shining so you can see the copper-colored waterfall glitter in the light.

2. Visit the Santorini of Taiwan

Located along Jiu Fen Old Street (九份老街), the Santorini of Taiwan is popular with both local and tourists for its many delicious delights. Be sure to venture beyond Taipei after your comfortable Taichung Airport pickup to see the amazing things that await you beyond the big city.

Some of your options include enjoying an egg pudding straight from the shell at the Jiufen bus station. Or delight in sampling the delicious handmade Fishball Vermicelli. Don’t forget to drink a flavorful cup of filtered coffee. You can also enjoy eating Taro Balls or a few scoops of Dorayaki Ice Cream. There’s so much to see, do, and eat in the Santorini or Taiwan!

3. Visit the Niagara Falls of Taiwan

The Shifen Waterfall (十分瀑布), nicknamed the Little Niagara of Taiwan, is a particular tourist hotspot that is seen as the country’s equivalent to the world-famous Niagara Falls located in Canada. It happens to be the largest natural waterfall along the Pingxi Line, and it is a horseshoe shape just like the original. After visiting this beautiful waterfall, stop by Shifen Old Street in a charming old railroad town with lots of food and souvenir offerings.

4. Take In the Ying Yang Sea

If you are going to visit the Golden Waterfall, try taking a slight detour to look at the Ying Yang Sea (陰陽海). As the name suggests, this sea is a marvel in that it features a mix of golden yellow water and blue sea water. This is believed to be the result of the gold mining that took place along the course of the river. There’s an excess of iron ions from heavy concentrations of pyrite (or “Fool’s Gold”). 

5. Pay a Visit to the Long Shan Temple

A little history wouldn’t hurt as you visit Taiwan. A great place to start is a visit to the Long Shan Temple (龍山寺) in the old village part of Taipei, Wanhua District. It is the most well-known temple in Taiwan and was built in 1738. The temple is majestic and bold, featuring many stories. Here, you’ll have a chance to see Taiwanese residents practice their religions whether is Buddhism, Taoism, or another belief.

The best time of year to visit Taiwan is in the Spring when the temperatures are mild and comfortable. The summers are quite hot and humid. Fall is another good option if you like cooler weather. Plus the typhoon season has ended and there’s not much rain. Winters are mild and if you come in January or February you may be able to take part in the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Have you visited Taiwan and have some other places to suggest for a visit? Let us know in the comments!

Tips contributed by Andrew Smith.