Must-see attractions in Taiwan

  • National Taiwan University Hospital

    Taipei

    The western wing of this hospital is a heritage site. This attractive Renaissance-style red-brick building was built during the Japanese era at the end of…

  • Jialeshui

    Kenting National Park

    The admission fee buys you a half-hour tour-bus ride (and back) along a 2.5km-long stretch of coral coastline, as the driver explains to you the monikers…

  • Beiguan Tidal Park

    Northern Taiwan

    This small seaside park has beautiful cuesta and 'tofu' block rock formations, as well as lookouts down the coast. Beiguan Tidal Park is halfway between…

  • Koji Ceramic Museum

    Chiayi

    A museum dedicated to cochin (koji), a low-fired, brightly coloured glaze style of ceramic traditionally used for temple decoration. It’s in the basement…

  • Luce Memorial Chapel

    Taichung

    An early work (1963) of the late IM Pei, the chapel that resembles a tepee is the landmark of Tunghai University. It stands on a lawn, one of many on the…

  • City God Temple

    Western Taiwan

    Lukang's City God Temple has roots in Fujian's Quanzhou and was probably built in the mid-18th century. Paying your respects here is believed to be…

  • Meihe Garden

    Nantou County

    A former military police station at the entrance of the Hanbi Trail has been turned into an attractive viewing spot after the 921 earthquake. 'Mei' and …

  • Wazihwei Nature Reserve

    Taipei

    A mixture of mudflats and mangroves, this quiet section along the Tamsui River is home to migratory birds, abandoned fishing boats, and, at low tide, a…

  • CheCheng Wood Museum

    Nantou County

    Exhibition boards and retired logging and railway gear inside a wood A-frame illustrate the history of the logging industry here. It's a popular picnic…

  • Geopark Centre

    Penghu Islands

    To learn about Penghu basalt in all its forms, don't miss this impressive new geological centre one short block south of the Living Museum.

  • Guanyin Cave

    Eastern Taiwan & Taroko National Park

    Worth a one-minute stop when driving the lovely east coast route, this little cave-shrine features a stalagmite wrapped with a red cape. The stalagmite is…

  • Penghu Reclamation Hall

    Penghu Islands

    This attractive building from 1933 is fundamentally a Japanese house but with European art deco elements.

  • Silver Stream Cave Waterfall

    Taipei

    This is a narrow waterfall that flows out of a cave; the rock face behind has a spooky temple built into the stone. It's a fairly vigorous hike to get…

  • Maolin Gorge Waterfall

    Southern Taiwan

    The 14m-high Maolin Gorge Waterfall is the more attractive of the two waterfalls in the scenic area, the other being Lovers Gorge Waterfall. You'll see a…

  • Taipei Artist Village

    Taipei

    This yellow-and-white striped building that looks like municipal offices is home to a small gallery, a garden and a cafe. It runs an artist-residency…

  • Half-Sided Well

    Western Taiwan

    This now-filled well sits half inside the wall of a residence and half outside. The arrangement is a remnant of humbler days when not everyone could…

  • Confucius Temple

    Kaohsiung

    Taiwan's largest Confucius temple complex (167 sq m) is a stately 1970s replica of a Song-dynasty temple and the famous Qufu Confucius Temple in Shandong…

  • Laomei Algal Reef

    Northern Taiwan

    The flat and fantastical tongue-like protrusions at low tide here are actually wave-sculpted volcanic lava. From March to May, they're carpeted by a thick…

  • Kaohsiung Harbour

    Kaohsiung

    Down by Pier 12 (the Love Pier), Gushan Ferry Terminal and Fisherman's Wharf you'll find walkways, bike paths, cafes and beer gardens. Check at the train…

  • City God Temple

    Kaohsiung

    A contrast to the eccentric religious structures around Lotus Pond, this 18th century temple has intricately carved vaulted ceilings, and sculpted dragons…

  • Municipal Glass Museum

    Northern Taiwan

    In a heritage building on the edge of a pleasant wooded park, this newly renovated museum is dedicated to the local history of glassmaking, an industry…

  • Taichung Folk Park

    Taichung

    The park is divided into several sections but most of the interesting material is to the far right as you enter. Don't miss the collections of folk…

  • Shandao Temple

    Taipei

    This Japanese-era temple is an imposing, hushed edifice in dark-pink and brown marble, and is in sharp contrast to the flashy bling of most of Taiwan's…

  • Jinan Presbyterian Church

    Taipei

    This lovely red-brick church with its arched Gothic windows dates from 1916 and is fronted by a row of palm trees. Inside is dominated by white wood. The…

  • Dakeng

    Taichung

    To the east of the city is a hilly area known as Dakeng. If you're going to spend any time in the city, Dakeng is worth exploring, as there are pleasant…

  • Eastern Gate

    Northern Taiwan

    Hsinchu's central landmark is this traditional Chinese stone gate (c 1829) with double-tiered roof. Stranded in a traffic island, it used to be a portal…

  • Ci'en Pagoda

    Nantou County

    The stately Pagoda of Kindness and Grace (1969) was built by Chiang Kai-shek in honour of his mother. The ascent from the parking lot to the tower, 960m…

  • Formosa Boulevard KMRT Station

    Kaohsiung

    Stop to see the resplendent Dome of Light (光之穹頂; Guāngzhī Qióngdǐng) by Italian glass-artist Narcissus Quagliata. Formosa Blvd is south of the main train…

  • Alishan Forest Railway Chiayi Garage

    Chiayi

    The tree-lined garage is actually a park with an assortment of old steam locomotives. Train buffs and kids alike will love it. Look for the SL13 (built in…

  • Yuanching Temple

    Western Taiwan

    This splendid southern-style temple, founded in 1763, boasts elegant, swallowtail rooftop eaves and a wealth of fine interior woodcarvings. The resident…

  • Hsinchu City Hall

    Northern Taiwan

    A fine example of government architecture in colonial Taiwan, this dignified western-style monument was built in 1925 and features red and grey reinforced…

  • Shihzuwan Beach

    Kaohsiung

    Shihzuwan Beach is smaller than Cijin Beach, but it's a calmer swimming beach and is an excellent place for hanging out and watching the sunset.

  • Kaohsiung Film Archive

    Kaohsiung

    Just back from the Love River is the film archive, with daily screenings of works by acclaimed Taiwanese directors like Hou Hsiao-hsien and Edward Yang,…

  • Art Gallery & Reclamation Hall

    Northern Taiwan

    This 1920s building with a traditional Japanese roof atop a modern Western-style structure features artworks ranging from classical ink-and-brush…

  • Meinong Old Bridge

    Southern Taiwan

    A delicious old bridge (c1930) straddling Meinong River that has retained many of its original structures, including two monkeys carved out of stone.

  • Cijin Island Lighthouse

    Kaohsiung

    The lighthouse, built in the 19th century by British engineers and restored in 1918 by the Japanese, offers killer views of the Port of Kaohsiung.

  • Tamsui Presbyterian Church

    Taipei

    The Gothic-style Tamsui Presbyterian Church was reconstructed in 1933. It's a popular backdrop for wedding photos. Open only during services.

  • Liji Badlands

    Taitung

    In stark contrast to the orchards and lush subtropical forest all around, this small 'geopark' is an area where gulleys and cliff sides of loose,…

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