This article was produced in partnership with the Taiwan Tourism Administration.
Just came back from Taiwan last month. It’s easy to see why we keep going back year after year to uncover new corners of the island. We pick out some of our favourite experiences.
If you’re planning your next getaway, Taiwan should be high on your list. Whether it’s the quiet farm stays, jaw-dropping natural scenery or heartwarming hospitality, Taiwan promises a travel experience that’s equal parts exciting and enriching. And with 2025 shaping up to be a great year to explore the island, there’s no better time to start planning. Head down to the NATAS Travel Fair next week and visit the Taiwan exhibitors for inspiration, deals and insider tips to make your Taiwan adventure one to remember.
Visit Keelung Night Market, Taiwan’s most old school street food haven
If there’s one night market we keep going back to, it’s Keelung Miaokou Night Market. Tucked beside a temple and lit up with rows of glowing yellow signs, this is where you’ll find some of Taiwan’s most old-school, no-nonsense street food. Go for the seafood tempura, braised pork trotters, glutinous rice balls (Yuan Xiao), and deep-fried crab so crispy you could eat the shell. The “nutritious” vegetable sandwich at store 58 is very popular too.
There’s nothing overly fancy here. Just generations, old recipes, bold flavours, and honest food done right. In our opinion, it’s the best night market in Taiwan if you’re after tradition and taste, all packed into a buzzing, slightly chaotic (in a good way) alley of food heaven.
Relax in the Hotspring Town of Jiaoxi
📍 Wellspring by SIlks and Linmei Shipan Trail Trek, Jiaoxi, Yilan
Jiaoxi, nestled in northern Yilan, Taiwan, is famed for its pristinely clear, odourless hot springs that draw visitors from near and far. The naturally balanced sodium bicarbonate springs, with a soothing alkaline pH of 7.5 and mineral-rich makeup including sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium carbonate, are celebrated not only for their therapeutic benefits on the skin but also for their rare phenol‑titanium content, helping promote anti‑ageing and enhancing your complexion. Quite the reason to slip into something more relaxing.
For those who prefer to stretch their legs before the soak, the nearby Linmei Shihpan Trail offers a scenic 1.7km walk through lush subtropical forest. Nicknamed the “Little Taroko of Yilan”, this low-elevation trail winds past old irrigation canals and ends with a rewarding view of the Shihpan Waterfall. Keep your eyes peeled for native birds, frogs and fish along the way.
Raise a Glass to Tainan: Cocktails, Culture and Local Flavours
📍Tainan
Tainan may be Taiwan’s oldest city, but its nightlife is anything but sleepy. Once the sun sets, a more refined energy takes over. Hidden cocktail bars tucked behind unmarked doors, moody speakeasies in old Japanese-era buildings, and bartenders shaking up drinks with a twist of local flavour. It’s not about flash or gimmicks here. Tainan’s bar scene is quiet confidence, strong pours and that unmistakable local charm that keeps you coming back for just one more round.
Farm Life, Feasting and Taiwanese Wines
📍 Toucheng Leisure Farm and Cang Jiu Winery, Yilan
Toucheng Leisure Farm in Yilan offers a laidback farmstay experience that blends nature, culture and hands-on fun. Just 1.5 hours from Taipei, this eco-friendly retreat lets you try your hand at rice planting, mud-brick making, or even catching your own meal. It’s popular with families and school groups, but equally charming for travellers who want a slower, greener side of Taiwan. Wake up to mountain views, fresh air and a farm-to-table breakfast. It’s rustic, real, and refreshingly unplugged.
Cang Jiu Winery in Yilan is a charming spot that blends scenic vineyard views with Taiwan’s budding wine culture. Surrounded by lush hills and rows of locally grown grapes, this boutique winery is best known for its award-winning fruit wines, particularly its lychee and plum varieties. You can tour the vineyard, learn about the winemaking process, and of course, sample a flight of their handcrafted wines. The rustic setting, complete with stone paths and a European-style manor, makes it a relaxing stop whether you’re a wine enthusiast or just here for the Instagrammable views and a sip of something sweet
Don’t Skip the Rice: It’s the Star, Not the Side
📍 Rice County School, Chishang, Taitung
Guanshan Township Farmers Association – Rice County School in Chishang, Taitung, is a charming stop that offers a deeper appreciation of Chishang rice, Taiwan’s most prized grain. Grown in the rich, alluvial soil of the East Rift Valley and nourished by pure spring water from the Central Mountain Range, Chishang rice is renowned for its plump, glossy grains, chewy texture and naturally sweet aroma. At the school, housed in a restored wooden building from the Japanese era, you can learn about the traditional rice cultivation process, admire vintage farming tools, and even watch rice polishing in action. It’s a nostalgic yet interactive experience, perfect for anyone who wants to understand why Chishang rice is considered one of the best in Taiwan, and why locals will proudly tell you that not all rice is created equal. Be sure to have enough luggage allowance on your flight home. You’ll want to bring home a bag or two of this prized rice grains, or you may regret it if you don’t.
Sip Award-winning Red Oolong in Luye
📍 BEELOUTEA, Luye
If you’re heading to Luye in Taitung, make a stop at BEELOUTEA (碧蘿園茗茶坊) This humble little spot has a serious red oolong game. Tucked in the lush hills near Longtian Prairie, this tea house has been roasting and perfecting its signature red oolong since the ’80s. What makes it special? The tea’s grown in mineral-rich soil by the Luye River, then roasted low and slow to bring out those naturally sweet, honeyed notes. You can sample it hot or cold (the cold-brew is a treat), and if you’re lucky, the owner might just fire up a wok and fry peanuts in salt and red oolong leaves, a surprisingly addictive snack that pairs beautifully with the tea. It’s the kind of simple, heartfelt experience that makes Taiwan feel like home, and keeps us coming back for more.
Where Time Slows Down in the Taimali Highlands
📍 Ching Shan Farm
Located high up on Daylily Mountain in Taimali, Ching Shan Farm is one of those under-the-radar spots that feels like a secret escape. Come between August and October, and the hills explode in a sea of golden daylily blooms. The farm itself has a rustic charm, repurposed from an old daylily drying factory.
You’ll find vintage dorms, traditional machinery, and a no-frills café serving up hearty home-style meals made with mountain vegetables, ginger, and daylily shoots picked fresh. It’s a spot to slow down, breathe in that cool highland air, and soak up views that stretch all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Definitely worth the detour if you’re exploring Taitung’s greener side.
Ride the Hot Air Balloons over Luye Highlands
📍 Luye Highlands, Taitung
The annual Taiwan International Balloon Festival is back from 5 July to 21 August 2025, and it’s one of those events that really makes summer in Taitung pop. Held at the breezy Luye Highland, this annual spectacle paints the sky with hot air balloons shaped like everything from Doraemon to local indigenous symbols. Come early for sunrise tethered rides, or stay for the popular Night Glow concerts where balloons light up in sync with music, fireworks and even drones. Whether you’re floating above the tea fields or lying on the grass waiting for the sky to light up, this is one festival that’s pure magic for the ‘gram, and the soul.
If you miss this year’s edition, don’t fret. There’s always next year around the same months.
Let the Sanrio Character themed Formosa Express Train bring you around
Ride the Formosa Express Sanrio train and let your inner child take over. Each carriage is themed with Sanrio favourites like My Melody, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, and more. From the seat covers to the walls, everything is pastel and picture-perfect. There are selfie spots, gashapon machines and even snacks to match. It’s cute, cosy and full of surprises. The train takes you around Taiwan, but honestly, you’ll be too busy snapping photos to notice the stops.
Visit the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Chiayi in 2026
📍 Chiayi County
The annual Taiwan Lantern Festival returns to Chiayi County in 2026, lighting up the city from 3 to 15 March with a spectacular glow. This year’s theme, “New Chiayi”, promises a vibrant blend of heritage and creativity, stretching from Chiayi City centre all the way to the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum. Expect giant lantern installations, Insta-worthy moments, and plenty of photo ops beneath the colourful glow. And the best part? Entry’s free. So if you’re planning to be in Taiwan next spring, make space in your itinerary for this annual showstopper that wraps up Lunar New Year celebrations in seriously luminous style.
We got a chance to witness the 2023 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taipei. It was absolutely magical. If you love art, lights and a buzzing festival vibe, you’ll want to catch next year’s edition. Make space in your spring itinerary for this annual showstopper that wraps up Lunar New Year celebrations in seriously luminous style.
Visit the Taiwan Booth at NATAS Travel Fair from 15 to 17 August 2025
Swing by the Taiwan booth at NATAS Travel Fair from 15 to 17 August 2025 at Singapore EXPO Hall 5, Booth 5H01. It’s open daily from 10am to 9.30pm, and there’s plenty happening throughout the day. Expect fun activities, hands-on workshops and more. Entry’s free, and yes, you can join in the action too. Don’t just browse, get involved!
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