Taiwan is already a fairly off-the-beaten-path destination.
Those who do come here often limit their trip to a few “standard” locations. And those places are all great.
But today, I’ll introduce you to some of my favourite lesser-known spots in Taiwan. Perfect for anyone looking to step away from the tourist trail and explore a little deeper.
From the historic backstreets of Tainan to the peaceful trails and hot springs of Wulai, these destinations reveal a totally different side to this beautiful and fascinating island.
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Table of Contents
Toggle- Beyond Taiwan’s Typical Tourist Trail
- My Favourite Hidden Gems in Taiwan
- 1. Tainan
- 2. Alishan
- 3. Keelung Fish market
- 4. Four Beasts Hiking Trail, Taipei
- 5. Wulai
- How Long Do You Need in Taiwan?
- FAQs About Visiting Taiwan
- When is the best time to visit Taiwan?
- How do I get around Taiwan?
- Is Taiwan a budget-friendly destination?
- Final Thoughts
Beyond Taiwan’s Typical Tourist Trail
Taiwan is one of Asia’s most underrated destinations. With its lively night markets, modern cities, breathtaking landscapes, and rich history, there’s so much more to this island than first meets the eye.
Taipei 101 and Taroko Gorge are amazing. But Taiwan has so much more to offer if you’re willing to look a little further.
By stepping off the usual route, you’ll uncover places where nature, history, and local culture come together in ways you won’t find anywhere else.
Whether you’re enjoying fresh oolong tea in a mountain village or hiking through cherry blossoms and enchanted forests, these hidden gems offer a slower, more personal way to experience Taiwan.
My Favourite Hidden Gems in Taiwan
1. Tainan
Tainan, Taiwan’s oldest city, is packed with history, culture, and incredible food. I spent six weeks living there and fell in love with the place.
The city’s historic centre is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways lined with colourful flower displays, lanterns, temples, food stalls, and quirky little shops.
There’s an amazing, electric atmosphere in this part of Tainan, with something interesting and beautiful hidden around every corner. You could spend days exploring and getting lost here.
Tainan has hundreds of temples. The Confucius Temple, Grand Mazu Temple, and City God Temple are three of the most important ones – although there are many others, too.
It’s well worth popping your head into a few that you pass while exploring the city. Some are hundreds of years old, beautifully preserved, and still used every day.
Don’t miss the city’s street food either. Tainan’s danzai noodles and oyster omelette are famous for a reason.
My absolute favourite spot for a late-night meal is Naughty Boy Spicy Dry Pot (listed as 小赤佬干鍋 忠義店 on Google Maps). Just be careful of the spice level – I love spicy food, but “medium” was enough for me!
The Garden Night Market is one of the best in Taiwan, too. It’s lively, fun, and full of amazing food and drink.
2. Alishan
Alishan is famous among Taiwanese people for its misty forests, ancient trees, and magical sunrises. Even though it’s well known locally, not too many tourists make it here.
It’s absolutely gorgeous, peaceful, and largely untouched. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.
The Alishan Forest Railway is a historic, narrow-gauge train that winds through dense forests and past towering cypress trees before reaching the summit of Zhushan Mountain.
From here, you can watch the famous sunrise over a sea of clouds – an unforgettable experience. There are several fantastic hiking trails in the area, too.
On the way up to Alishan, try and stop at Sing Sun Oolong Tea. Surrounded by misty tea plantations, here you can buy Alishan High Mountain oolong tea from a lovely couple who grow and produce it.
Alishan is beautiful year-round, but spring is particularly special when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
This is one of my favourite places in Taiwan. If you enjoy immersing yourself in nature, you’ll love it too.
3. Keelung Fish market
Keelung, a port city just north of Taipei, is worth visiting for several reasons. It’s surrounded by stunning coastal scenery and has a unique mix of history and culture.
Keeling also has two excellent nighttime markets. The Miaokou Night Market, located near Dianji Temple, is relatively famous among foreigners.
But my Airbnb host – whom I made good friends with – wanted to show me the other market.
The Kanziding Fish Market, also known as the Keelung Fish Market, comes alive after midnight. It starts getting busy around 1 am and continues until early morning.
It’s where the top chefs from Taipei come to buy the freshest, top-quality fish and seafood.
Vendors often make sales by spontaneous auction – going into what looks like a sort of trance and calling out numbers, rapid-fire, while customers respond to try and snag a bargain.
It rained all night when I was there, but the atmosphere was still fantastic.
The market also has a few sashimi stalls where you can enjoy a late-night feast.
4. Four Beasts Hiking Trail, Taipei
Most people head to Elephant Mountain for views of Taipei.
However, this is just one small section of the Four Beasts Hiking Trail – a fantastic network of trails that connects various peaks like Tiger Mountain, Leopard Mountain, and Jiuwu Peak.
I loved the hike to Jiuwu Peak – the views of the city and surrounding mountains are incredible. These trails are much quieter than Elephant Mountain, too, so you can really enjoy the peace and beauty.
The trail is all well paved, although a few sections are fairly steep. Bring sturdy shoes and plenty of water.
5. Wulai
Wulai is a mountain village less than an hour’s drive south of Taipei, but it feels like a different world. It’s known for its hot springs, waterfalls, and indigenous Atayal culture.
The Wulai Waterfall is the main attraction, and you can take a cable car up to a viewing platform for an even better look. After exploring, relaxing in one of the hot springs is the perfect way to unwind.
There are a few luxurious hot spring hotels in Wulai, just like the onsen you find in Japan, with private baths in the bedrooms.
It’s pretty expensive to spend the night in these places, although many allow you to use them during the day for a relatively affordable fee.
The village itself is full of character. The main street has shops selling crafts and traditional snacks, and the Wulai Atayal Museum is great for learning about the area’s history.
Wulai’s mix of culture and natural beauty makes it a fantastic day trip from Taipei.
How Long Do You Need in Taiwan?
For a well-rounded trip that includes these hidden gems and Taiwan’s main sights, I’d recommend at least two weeks. This gives you time to explore the island’s diverse landscapes and soak up its unique culture.
If you’re short on time, focus on one or two areas. In a week, you could see Taipei and Tainan, as long as you’re selective. But the more time you have, the better.
If you have time, plan to spend a few days in Alishan. I’d also highly recommend a 3–4 day trip to Taroko National Park and the east coast.
FAQs About Visiting Taiwan
When is the best time to visit Taiwan?
The best time to visit Taiwan is during spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November), when the weather is pleasant and rainfall is minimal. Summer can be hot and humid, with a higher chance of typhoons, while winter is cooler, especially in the north. Alishan is especially beautiful in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
How do I get around Taiwan?
Getting around Taiwan is easy with its efficient public transport system. High-speed trains, regional trains, and buses connect major cities, while metro systems in Taipei and Kaohsiung cover urban areas. Taxis and ride-hailing apps like Uber are widely available for shorter trips. For rural areas like Alishan and Wulai, renting a car or a scooter provides more flexibility and allows you to explore at your own pace.
Is Taiwan a budget-friendly destination?
Taiwan is budget-friendly compared to many destinations. Prices here are generally lower than in Japan or South Korea but higher than in Southeast Asia. Street food is cheap and delicious, public transport is affordable, and there are plenty of budget-friendly accommodation options.
Final Thoughts
Taiwan is full of hidden gems. It’s a fantastic place to explore.
These are just a few of my favourite hidden gems in Taiwan. From the historic charm of Tainan to the quiet trails of Wulai, these places offer an authentic and unforgettable experience.
Take the time and be sure to step off the beaten path – you’ll see a side of Taiwan that most visitors never do.
Check out some of my other posts on Taiwan to help you plan an unforgettable trip!
