Camping in Taiwan Guide: Everything you Need to Know 在台灣露營常見問題

Disclaimer:
 We are not affiliated with any campground or camping products in Taiwan. The following FAQ is only based on our opinion after years of camping in Taiwan, and should not be considered an absolute fact. If in doubt, make sure you check with the local police station or other government office to make sure you are following local regulations while camping in Taiwan. 

How to book a campsite in Taiwan:

There are a few ways to book a campsite in Taiwan:

Klook

Please be sure to check out camping options in Taiwan on Klook here. 

KKday

Please be sure to check out camping options in Taiwan on KKday here. 

Facebook

Most campsites in Taiwan will have a Facebook Page. You can send messages to them on Facebook and reserve a spot in advance. Usually, this means you need to have Chinese skills or be able to use a translator.

Camping Trip 露營Trip (Luying Trip)

This app lets you book in advance using a credit card. The app is only in Chinese.
Website: https://www.camptrip.com.tw/

Easycamp 露營樂 (Luying le)

This app lets you book in advance using a credit card. The app is only in Chinese.
Website: https://m.easycamp.com.tw/

iCamping 愛露營 （Ai luying)

This site claims to be the largest campsite booking platform in Taiwan. The platform is only in Chinese.
Website: https://icamping.tw/

Camping Touch 點露 (Dianlu)

A platform with sites all over Taiwan. The platform is only in Chinese.
Website: https://luine.tw/

AsiaYo

A platform with many glamping options in Taiwan. The platform is in English.
Website: https://asiayo.com/event/camping.html

Google Maps and old-fashioned phone calls

Some camp sites have no online presence except on Google Maps. Usually, they will have a phone number you can call, but this requires Chinese and sometimes Taiwanese language skills.

Is it legal to camp on the side of the road in Taiwan? 

This depends on whether or not camping is banned on whatever particular spot of land you are on. Usually, there are signs that say which activities are prohibited in the area. For National Parks, all camping is usually banned unless you apply in advance for an approved campground. If you camp on private property, this could be seen as trespassing. For land that is not clearly marked, there is always a risk that someone will call you out for trespassing or illegal activity. When in doubt, ask the local people in the area. 

Usually, local people are cool if you camp in a park or on a beach for free. However, always be sure to ask the locals to make sure you are not breaking any rules.

For an in-depth look at this kind of backpacking camping while walking along the East Coast in Taiwan, check out this blog post by Tu. His post is a good representation of what you can expect.

Average Price of Campsites in Taiwan:

Private-run campsites can go anywhere from 300 NT to 1000 NT per night for just a spot. These usually include showers, bathrooms, and electrical outlets. Renting camping gear and camping spots with additional amenities will cost you extra. 

Best Camp Sites in Taiwan:

This is up to you to decide. The best campsite I ever stayed at was in Maolin, Kaohsiung. There are also tons of camp sites in Pinglin and Hsinchu County. You can also check out this article by Taiwan Everything. 

Best time of year to camp in Taiwan:

The best time of year to go camping in Taiwan is usually during autumn-spring (October – April) when the temperatures are lower and there is less rain and no typhoons. In the high mountains, the temperatures are cool at night even in the summer, but you should be careful to avoid camping during heavy rains or typhoons. 

The best part of Taiwan to camp in:

The mountains. Two-thirds of the island is covered in mountains, and there are plentiful campgrounds to choose from. 

How Taiwanese people camp:

A typical Taiwanese family will go car camping, which means they bring pretty much ever conceivable creature comfort from home. Also, most private campgrounds have showers, bathrooms, hair dryers, and electric outlets, as well as raised covered platforms on which to camp. 

Do a lot of Taiwanese people go camping?

As compared to the United States, a significantly lower portion of the population of Taiwan regularly goes camping because most people live in big cities and do not have much of an outdoor lifestyle. 

Campfires in Taiwan:

If you are staying at a private campsite, make sure to ask before starting a fire.
Setting fires on protected lands or national parks is usually prohibited. Always ask if you are on someone’s private land. 
If you do start a fire, make sure you make a safe circle of stones or dirt around it, or inside a metal container, and that you properly extinguish the fire after use. If not, you could be fined for unsafe use of fire or destruction of property. 

RV’ing in Taiwan

Yes, some people have RVs, and there are RV and trailer park-friendly campsites in Taiwan.

What to bring while camping in Taiwan:

Summer: I recommend bringing just a mosquito net instead of a tent because it can get hot, especially if you are near sea level. But this might not always be an option, and it may rain.
Winter: Bring more sleeping bags and blankets than you think you need. Winters are cold in Taiwan. Even though the temperature might not be low, because of the humidity it will feel really cold. 

Free camping in Taiwan:

There is free camping in Taipei City at Bishan Camping Area.  As for free camping on private or public lands, please be sure to check with the local landowner or public officials before you camp. 
For a list of “campable” places as shown by Follow Xiaofei, click here. 

What are the basic rules/laws While camping in Taiwan?

Basic rules include:

1. No littering
2. No destruction of private/public property
3. No hunting
4. No fishing in prohibited areas
5. No trespassing without permission
6. No camping in protected areas or national parks with a permit
7. Have fun

Glamping / Luxury Camping:

There are many glamping spots in Taiwan. For more info on some luxury campsites, check out this article by Taiwan Everything. 

Camping on the Beach in Taiwan:

Whether or not it is okay to camp on the beach depends on whether or not camping is prohibited on the beach. If camping is not prohibited, there is still a chance that someone will call the cops, who will come and ask what you are doing and may ask you to leave.

Places where Camping is Prohibited:

This depends on whether or not camping is prohibited on the beach. If camping is not prohibited, there is still a chance that someone will call the cops, who will come and ask what you are doing and may ask you to leave.

Where can I buy camping gear in Taiwan?

You can find basic camping gear at supermarkets such as Decathlon, Carrefour, RT-Mart, and Costco. However, there are also many small camping and outdoor stores in Taiwan. For a list of outdoor gear and camping gear stores in Taipei, click here.

Fishing in Taiwan:

In general, there are no restrictions for recreational fishing unless the area is marked as a fishing prohibited area, or you are fishing an endangered species. Fishing is generally prohibited in national parks and protected wildlife areas. When in doubt ask the local people or police department.  

Hunting in Taiwan:

Hunting wild animals in Taiwan is generally restricted to all citizens except indigenous people with special hunting rights. 

Bears/lions/tigers/other dangerous wildlife in Taiwan

Yes, there are bears and big cats in Taiwan, however, they rarely ever attack humans. It is rare to even see such wildlife in Taiwan. 

POISONOUS snakes/spiders/bugs in Taiwan:

There are many species of poisonous snakes and spiders in Taiwan. Please be careful when camping and hiking. If you are bitten, call 119 immediately. 

Feral dogs in Taiwan

Unfortunately due to Taiwan’s love of animals, there is a huge feral dog problem in Taiwan. Be careful when approaching unleashed dogs, especially in mountain areas. Some preventative measures are to turn to one side, kneel down, or wave a stick at the dogs. If a dog begins to run at you, do not turn your back or run away, this will give them a reason to chase. Stare the dog down and back away slowly. 

ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD CONSIDER WHILE CAMPING IN TAIWAN?

If in doubt, make sure you check with the local police station or national park office to make sure you are following local regulations while camping in Taiwan. 

Our Journey Camping:

I have camped at the following places in Taiwan:

Bishan Campground 碧山露營場:

Bishan Campground (aka Bishan Camping Area) in Neihu District of Taipei City is the only free campground run by Taipei City (although it has an extension campground in Beitou). Near the campground is Bishan Temple, which has one of the best views of Taipei. Besides camping and temple worship, the area is also a popular hiking spot, and there are multiple tourist farms and tea shops to explore. For a view into the average camping experience in Taiwan, check out our blog on Bishan Camping Area here.  You can also check out the camping in Taiwan blog here and places that Follow Xiaofei recommends for camping here. 

Gold Mountain Ranch and Resort (金山驛境)

Gold Mountain Ranch and Resort (aka Jinshan Yijing in Chinese, or simply “Horse Camp”) is a campground and horse ranch in Jinshan District of New Taipei. A stay here includes activities such as horseback riding, four-wheeling, archery, and BB-gun practice, and also a filling BBQ dinner and western-style breakfast. Staying here makes you feel like you are in the rural American West, which is a unique experience in Taiwan. With a shortage of ranches and horse riding opportunities in Taiwan, Gold Mountain is a special place that you should not miss on your trip along Taiwan’s northern coast…(read more) 

Pinglin 坪林

Pinglin is a mountainous area of New Taipei with lots of campsites to choose from. There are also lots of rivers, trails, and waterfalls nearby. Check out our guide to Pinglin here.

Wulai 烏來

Wulai District of New Taipei includes some of Taiwan’s most amazing waterfalls, hot springs, aboriginal culture, an old street with snacks and restaurants, a gondola, a train, an amusement park, hiking trails, camp sites, wildlife, and endless mountain scenery to explore. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei…(read more)

Fulong Longmen Campground 福隆龍門露營場

Aerial panorama from Longmen Campground in Gongliao District of New Taipei near Fulong Beach. This is one of the best campgrounds along Taiwan’s north coast.

Hsinchu County 新竹縣

Hsinchu County, especially Jianshi Township, is full of campgrounds. There are endless places to camp and explore here.

Wuling Farm 武陵農場

Wuling Farm is a recreational farm in the mountains of Taichung, Taiwan. It is one of the only places that you can spot the endangered Formosan Landlocked Salmon in the wild, and includes flowers, fruit trees, tea plantations, cherry blossoms, hikes, camping, waterfalls, and wildlife to enjoy. It is a great place to experience Taiwan’s high mountain ecology…(read more)

Maolin 茂林

Maolin District of Kaohsiung City is an amazing outdoor paradise and my favorite place in Taiwan. In this mountainous district of Kaohsiung, you can find waterfalls, streams, hot springs, butterflies, aboriginal culture, and great views, all by the roadside! Popular activities include swimming, hot spring bathing, river tracing, camping, and hiking.  Please note I have also finished blogs about Maolin Village, Wanshan Village, Duona Suspension Bridge, and Duona Village (click the links to see each individual blog).

Kenting 墾丁

There are lots of camp sites near Kenting. Kenting has some of the best natural scenery in Taiwan, from beautiful white sand beaches that are warm year-round to limestone mountains with hundreds of caves and waterfalls to explore. Although it may not be a world-class beach resort destination yet, it should definitely be on your list on your trip to Taiwan…(read more)

Hualien 花蓮

Hualien is the largest county in Taiwan and is considered by many to be the most beautiful. It includes a breathtaking coastline along the Pacific Ocean, including cliffs thousands of meters high, marble gorges, fertile valleys, and a large section of Taiwan’s central mountain range. Hualien is simply a must-stop location on your trip to Taiwan. I have camped once just on the side of the road.
Check out our full guide to Hualien here.

Yilan County 宜蘭

Yilan is a gem on Taiwan’s northeast coast. It has rugged mountains, waterfalls, a flat coastal plain, a volcanic island, hot springs, and some of the best beaches in Taiwan. In addition, you can find night markets, seafood markets, museums, and much more to explore here. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taiwan. I have been camping here a few times.
Check out our full guide to Yilan here.

Please be sure to check out camping options in Taiwan on Klook here or KKday here.
To see more frequently asked questions about Taiwan-related topics, click here. 
You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here. ​