What can travelers expect in Taiwan?
Taiwan contrasts the capital Taipei, with its night markets, the Taipei 101 skyscraper and a dense mountainous backdrop, with the more tropical, harbor city of Kaohsiung in the south. The THSR high-speed train shortens the roughly 340 km route to just over 90 minutes, making a trip possible without a domestic flight.
A classic route starts in Taipei with night markets, temples and day trips to the mountain town of Jiufen or to Sun Moon Lake, continues around 340 km south by high-speed train to Kaohsiung, and can be rounded out with the Taroko marble canyon on the east coast.
This page summarizes regions, the best time to visit, entry requirements (as of September 2026), health, and the advisories from Switzerland's FDFA, Germany's Federal Foreign Office and Austria's BMEIA, plus Taiwan's particular international status.
What kind of destination is Taiwan?
Taiwan is considered one of the most straightforward destinations in East Asia: safe, clean, with a dense public transport network and an unusually open, helpful everyday culture for the region. Temples from the Qing dynasty stand alongside technology conglomerates and night markets that serve street food late into the night.
The island is geographically split in two: a densely populated west coast with the big cities of Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung, and a mountainous, more sparsely populated eastern half with national parks such as Taroko. Over 60% of the land area is forested mountain terrain, with peaks over 3,900 m at the island's center.
Taiwan was the birthplace of bubble tea culture and has one of Asia's liveliest night market scenes; at the same time, the semiconductor industry around the conglomerate TSMC ranks among the world's most economically significant, shaping the country's modern self-image.
Kaohsiung feels noticeably more tropical and industrial than Taipei: the city is Taiwan's largest port and warmer in winter, with a growing arts and culture scene around the former harbor district Pier-2.
What do travelers see in Taipei and Kaohsiung?
Taipei is divided into the old town districts around Longshan Temple, the business district Xinyi with Taipei 101, and numerous night markets such as Raohe Street and Shilin. Kaohsiung shows itself at Lotus Pond with its pagodas, in the Pier-2 arts district, and on the offshore island of Cijin with its beach.
Taipei
The 508 m tall Taipei 101 was the world's tallest building when it opened in 2004 and offers a view from its observation deck over the mountain-ringed city. Longshan Temple in the Wanhua district, dating from the 18th century, unites Buddhist and Taoist deities under one roof and is one of the city's most visited temples.
The Raohe Street night market in the east of the city is one of Taipei's oldest and known for its pepper buns; the larger Shilin night market in the north offers the widest selection of street food. The National Palace Museum holds one of the world's most extensive collections of Chinese art, brought from Beijing in 1949.
About an hour to the northeast lies the mountain town of Jiufen with its stepped alleys lined with red lanterns, seen as an inspiration for film sets; the hot springs of Beitou in northern Taipei are reachable by metro and offer both public and private baths. The nearby coastal town of Shifen on the same rail line is known for its sky lanterns and a waterfall considered one of Taiwan's widest.
Central Taiwan
Sun Moon Lake in the highlands of Nantou, about 170 km south of Taipei, is Taiwan's largest natural lake and can be explored by bicycle, boat or cable car; the mountain town of Alishan with its historic narrow-gauge railway is known for sunrises over a sea of clouds.
Kaohsiung
Lotus Pond in the north of the city is lined with temples, including the colorful Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, where entering through the dragon's mouth and exiting through the tiger's mouth is said to bring luck. The former harbor warehouse district Pier-2 Art Center houses galleries, street art and creative studios right by the water.
The offshore island of Cijin is a few minutes away by ferry and offers a beach, a historic lighthouse and seafood restaurants; at its center, the Liuhe night market is one of the best-known street food markets in southern Taiwan.
East coast
About 2 hours by car from Taipei lies Taroko National Park with its deeply cut marble canyon, one of the island's most visited natural attractions; trails lead in stretches through tunnels and past suspension bridges.
When is the best time to visit Taiwan?
October to April is considered the most pleasant time to visit, with milder temperatures and less rain, though winter in Taipei can be humid and overcast. Typhoon season, according to Germany's Federal Foreign Office, runs from May to November with a peak between June and September, when high humidity and temperatures above 32°C additionally shape everyday life.
| Taipeh | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 20 | 21 | 23 | 27 | 30 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 32 | 28 | 25 | 21 |
| Low °C | 14 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 20 | 16 |
| Rainfall mm | 99 | 92 | 131 | 126 | 228 | 262 | 162 | 263 | 252 | 116 | 115 | 100 |
| Kaohsiung | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 25 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 26 |
| Low °C | 16 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 18 |
| Rainfall mm | 29 | 24 | 36 | 56 | 173 | 298 | 263 | 402 | 212 | 66 | 47 | 33 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station SONGSHAN (4 km, 6 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station KAOHSIUNG INTL (7 km, 8 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
Taipei stays mild to warm year-round, with highs of around 20°C in January to over 35°C in July; rain falls throughout the year, with a peak between May and September. Kaohsiung in the south is noticeably warmer and drier in winter, and rain there concentrates even more strongly in the summer months, with over 400 mm in August alone.
Between May and November, typhoons can briefly disrupt transport and excursions; Taiwan's weather bureau and local warning apps give timely notice when schools and offices close.
Cherry blossoms in the mountains around Alishan usually fall in February and March; the cooler, drier months of October to December are considered by locals the most popular time to hike in Taroko and in the highlands around Sun Moon Lake.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany
What do you need to enter Taiwan?
Swiss, German and Austrian nationals can enter visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days; the passport must still be valid for at least 6 months on entry. In addition, the free Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) must be completed online before arrival, no earlier than three days ahead.
- Switzerland, Germany, Austria: visa-free for up to 90 days for visit purposes; a confirmed return or onward flight ticket is required.
- Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC): free online arrival card at twac.immigration.gov.tw, to be completed no earlier than three days before arrival.
- Entry points: entry must be through an international airport or select seaports, including Kaohsiung, Keelung and Taichung.
- Other nationalities: separate rules apply; the Taiwanese representative office in the country of residence has the definitive information.
For stays over 90 days or other travel purposes, a visa must be applied for in advance at a Taiwanese representative office. Since neither Switzerland, Germany nor Austria maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan, trade offices handle consular tasks there instead.
The current information from Switzerland's FDFA, Germany's Federal Foreign Office and Austria's BMEIA at the time of travel is what applies; the TWAC requirement has been in effect since 2025 and its details may continue to change.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland
What vaccinations and health precautions do you need for Taiwan?
No vaccination is required for entry from Europe. healthytravel.ch recommends hepatitis A for all travelers along with the basic vaccinations under the Swiss immunization schedule; there is no malaria risk according to healthytravel.ch, but a year-round dengue risk exists across the whole country.
Dengue mosquitoes bite during the day and occur in both cities and the countryside; mosquito protection with DEET-based repellents, long clothing and air-conditioned rooms significantly reduce the risk according to the CDC. After heavy rainfall, the CDC also notes an increased risk of melioidosis from contaminated soil and water.
For longer stays in the countryside or with close animal contact, healthytravel.ch recommends a pre-exposure rabies vaccination, partly because of possible transmission via badgers. Hepatitis B is worth considering for travelers with medical contact or longer stays.
Medical care is of a high standard in Taipei and Kaohsiung; tap water should not be drunk according to healthytravel.ch, though bottled or filtered water is available everywhere. Travel and repatriation insurance is advisable, as no social security agreement exists with Switzerland, Germany or Austria.
Sources: healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
How safe is Taiwan for travelers?
Switzerland's FDFA, Germany's Federal Foreign Office and Austria's BMEIA consider Taiwan politically stable and safe, with a low crime rate; petty crime such as pickpocketing occurs occasionally in large cities. The island lies in a seismically active zone with thousands of mostly weak earthquakes each year, some of which are also felt in Taipei.
On the tensions between Taiwan and China, Switzerland's FDFA, Germany's Federal Foreign Office and Austria's BMEIA offer only their own factual assessment of the situation; they currently report no practical impact on travelers' safety, but note that political tensions in the region can briefly affect international air traffic. This page reflects only the assessments of these official bodies and does not take its own political position.
From May to November, typhoons can cause flooding, landslides and transport disruptions; authorities give timely warnings via local radio stations, weather apps and loudspeaker announcements. Anyone on the island during storm season should follow local instructions and avoid coastal areas during storm warnings.
The import and possession of e-cigarettes and e-liquids is banned in Taiwan and can be punished with a fine or imprisonment; Germany's Federal Foreign Office explicitly points this out.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
How do you travel to Taiwan and get around the country?
International long-haul flights land almost exclusively at Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE); the smaller Songshan (TSA) in the city center mainly serves intra-Asian regional routes. Kaohsiung has its own international airport with KHH, though it is served predominantly from Asian destinations.
| Route | Mode of transport | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Taoyuan Airport – Taipei city center | Airport MRT express train | around 35–40 min |
| Taipei – Kaohsiung | THSR high-speed train | around 1 h 30 min |
| Taipei – Kaohsiung | Long-distance bus | around 4.5–5 h |
| Taipei – Taroko National Park | Train to Hualien plus bus/taxi | around 2–2.5 h by train, plus 30–45 min on site |
| Kaohsiung Airport – city center | MRT (Red Line) | around 20 min |
Taipei has year-round nonstop flights from several European hubs: China Airlines serves, among others, Vienna, Prague, Frankfurt, London and Rome, EVA Air serves Vienna, Munich, Milan and Paris, and KLM connects Amsterdam nonstop with Taipei. From North America there are nonstop connections from, among others, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Seattle.
Within East Asia, Taoyuan is an important hub with dense connections to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia; Kaohsiung is served mainly by regional airlines from Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia.
The THSR high-speed train connects Taipei and Kaohsiung along the west coast route in around 90 minutes, stopping along the way in Taichung, the starting point for Sun Moon Lake, among other places; the EasyCard IC card works for local transport, convenience stores and, in several cities, partly for regular rail traffic too.
What money do you need in Taiwan and how do you pay?
The local currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$, TWD). ATMs accepting international cards are common in cities, but cash remains the norm at night markets and small food stalls.
Larger hotels, shopping malls and chain convenience stores such as 7-Eleven or FamilyMart increasingly accept card payment; at night markets, noodle kitchens and taxis, cash is still the rule.
The rechargeable EasyCard serves not only as a fare card for the MRT, buses and, in part, trains, but can also be used to pay for small amounts at many convenience stores; it is available at train stations and kiosks.
Tipping is not customary in Taiwan and is expected neither in restaurants nor for taxi rides; some hotels and restaurants already include a service charge of around 10% in the bill.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany
Where is the best place to stay in Taiwan?
In Taipei, many travelers stay centrally around the main train station or in the nightlife district Ximending; those seeking proximity to night markets choose areas near Raohe Street or Shilin. In Kaohsiung, the widest selection is around the main train station and Lotus Pond, as well as near the ferry to Cijin island.
Ximending is considered Taipei's nightlife district with youth culture, street food and good MRT connections; the area around the main train station is quieter but equally central, with direct access to the airport express and the long-distance rail station.
In Kaohsiung, the district around the main train station offers short walks to the THSR and MRT, while a stay near the Pier-2 Art Center or the Cijin ferry suits travelers focused on art, water and trips into the bay.
What do you eat in Taiwan?
Taiwan's cuisine mixes mainland Chinese influences with its own street food classics such as beef noodle soup, gua bao (steamed buns with pork belly) and the famous bubble tea, which was invented here. Night markets are the central place to sample this variety in a single evening.
Xiaolongbao, soup-filled dumplings, are considered one of the best-known Taiwanese specialties, as is spicy beef noodle soup and the strong-smelling, fermented stinky tofu offered at almost every night market.
In Kaohsiung, fresh fish and seafood round out the offering, including at the Liuhe night market and around Cijin island; the subtropical location provides a wide range of fruit year-round, from mango to guava.
Tap water should not be drunk according to healthytravel.ch; bottled or filtered water and hot tea are available everywhere. Vegetarian cuisine is widespread due to the Buddhist tradition, and corresponding restaurants are usually recognizable by a stylized lotus flower.
What culture and festivals shape Taiwan?
Taiwan's everyday culture combines Chinese-Confucian values with Taoist and Buddhist temple rituals as well as a pronounced friendliness toward travelers, which many visitors find especially uncomplicated. The biggest festivals are Chinese New Year in winter and the Lantern Festival two weeks later.
In temples such as Longshan Temple in Taipei, incense sticks, offerings and the traditional oracle with jiaobei wooden blocks are part of everyday life; visitors are welcome but should behave quietly and respectfully.
Chinese New Year shifts every year according to the lunar calendar; around this festival, many small shops close for several days, while temples and family gatherings take center stage. The Lantern Festival two weeks later is known, among other things, for the sky lanterns of Pingxi.
The semiconductor industry and a high degree of digitalization shape Taiwan's modern self-image just as much as traditional temple culture; both exist side by side in everyday life, without one displacing the other.
What experiences are worthwhile in Taiwan?
Highlights include the observation deck of Taipei 101, the lantern-lined alleys of Jiufen, the pagodas at Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung, and hikes in the Taroko marble canyon. Those staying longer add Sun Moon Lake or the mountain railway to Alishan with its famous sunrises.
Taipei and surroundings
An evening at the Raohe Street or Shilin night market is a must for many; those who prefer it quieter bathe in the hot springs of Beitou in the north of the city, reachable by metro.
A day trip to Jiufen and the nearby coastal town of Shifen, where sky lanterns are released, combines well with a train ride or an organized tour from Taipei.
Kaohsiung and east coast
Sunset from the Cijin ferry or from the viewpoint at Lotus Pond is one of Kaohsiung's most popular photo spots. For hikes in Taroko, early online reservation for individual sections is recommended, as authorities limit visitor numbers for safety reasons.
How do you travel responsibly in Taiwan?
In the Taroko marble canyon, access restrictions with prior online registration apply to individual trails due to rockfall danger, serving both the protection of visitors and the sensitive vegetation. At night markets, bringing your own dishes or cutlery reduces single-use plastic consumption, which many stalls now offer alternatives to on their own.
- In Taroko, stick to designated trails and follow registration requirements for restricted zones.
- Avoid single-use plastic at night markets; many stalls now offer reusable or paper alternatives.
- Use public transport such as the THSR and MRT; both are punctual and cover the main routes between Taipei and Kaohsiung well.
- In temples, respect photography bans and quiet during ongoing ceremonies.
What international status does Taiwan have?
Taiwan is recognized differently around the world: most states, including Switzerland, Germany and Austria, officially maintain no diplomatic relations with Taiwan and follow the One-China policy, but maintain practical contacts through trade offices. Because Taiwan is not a UNESCO member, none of its sites can officially count as World Heritage, even though the country itself maintains a list of around 12 candidates.
Austria's BMEIA website puts it this way: Austria follows, "in line with the overwhelming majority of the international community — including all EU member states — the One-China policy," and maintains no diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Consular matters are instead handled by trade offices such as the Austrian Office Taipei or the German Institute Taipei.
For travelers, the lack of diplomatic status has practical consequences mainly in consular emergencies: there is no embassy in the classic sense, but rather representative offices with a limited but functioning range of services for travel documents and emergencies.
Because Taiwan is not a UNESCO member, official World Heritage Sites are entirely absent, even though places such as the Alishan Forest Railway or Taroko National Park appear on Taiwan's own candidate list and have been evaluated by the same professional criteria as recognized World Heritage Sites elsewhere.
Sources: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Ministry of Culture, Republic of China (Taiwan)
Which countries can be combined with Taiwan?
The most obvious choices are Japan and South Korea, both reachable by short regional flights from Taipei and well connected via Taoyuan Airport. Hong Kong and the Philippines can also be added with regional flights.
To Tokyo, Osaka or Fukuoka there are several daily flights of under four hours from Taipei, and to Seoul-Incheon around two and a half hours; both combinations can realistically be done within two to three weeks.
Hong Kong is about one and a half flight hours from Taipei and works well as a short stopover or a standalone stop before continuing on to Southeast Asia.
Who is Taiwan a good fit for, and who is it less suited to?
Taiwan suits food lovers, nature enthusiasts interested in mountain hiking, and anyone looking for a safe, friendly first trip to East Asia without major touristic overcrowding. It is less suited to those primarily seeking classic beach holidays or a very short trip without accounting for the rainy and typhoon months.
Solo travelers benefit from the perceived high level of safety and the friendly everyday culture; families find an uncomplicated infrastructure in Taipei with museums, parks and the well-developed MRT network.
Those seeking a pure beach holiday will find Cijin island in Kaohsiung, but not a large selection of classic beach resorts. During typhoon season from May to November, extra flexibility in scheduling is recommended for excursions and mountain hikes.