History meets hyper-reality on this pulsing, picturesque island.Taiwan is a modern industrialised megalopolis clinging to the fringes of an ancient culture; a string of teeming cities at the feet of a glorious mountain range. Here you’ll find traditional noodles at the 7-Eleven, and a day of temple rituals followed by waterslide rides.
If you step outside chaotic Taipei you’ll discover why Taiwan is known as Ilha Formosa, the ‘beautiful island’. Mountain peaks puncture a sea of clouds, slick black volcanic rock wraps the coastlines, and waterfalls shroud themselves in mist. Taiwan is a computer-generated Chinese watercolour.
Taiwan: When to Go
People often remark that Taiwan has no seasons, but in reality you must take the time of year into account when travelling. In general, autumn (September to November) is best, as conditions tend to be warm and dry, air pollution is at a minimum, and prices lower. Spring can be clear and dry, or wet and grey, or even blighted by a sandstorm from China. Sometimes you get all three conditions in one day.
Summer (June to August) is a great time to visit the east coast, especially for outdoor activities, but be aware of typhoons, which can hit the island from June to October. Summer is not a good time for travel to the outer islands as they are crowded with tourists, and flights and hotels are difficult to secure. Try October to November when rates have dropped but the weather is still great. The cities are always hot and sticky in summer.
Beach lovers can swim comfortably anywhere from May to October. But if you want to swim in winter, head south, not southeast.
Avoid travelling during the Chinese New Year holiday as the entire country pretty much shuts down. Some good holidays not to avoid, however, include Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and the Matsu Pilgrimage.
In general, July and August, Chinese New Year, and Saturday nights are considered high season and accommodation prices are often double the off-season rates. Outside touristy areas, however, there is little change in price from month to month (only perhaps weekday and weekend).
Weather
Although Taiwan is sub-tropical, the mountains can be chilly in summer (June to August) and snowy in winter (December to February). The dry season lasts from November to January in the north but extends to April in the south. Summer is hot and sticky all over the low parts of the