Geography - Taiwan Travel Blog

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Pingxi and Shifen 平溪懶人包

Byforeignersintw April 20, 2026April 21, 2026

Pingxi District of New Taipei has some of the most popular attractions in Northern Taiwan. With a total of 7 stations along the Pingxi Railway Line (plus 2 if you count Ruifang and Houtong), there are endless places to explore, eat, hike, and enjoy Taiwan’s history, culture, and natural beauty all in one place. 🏯…

Battleship Rock 軍艦岩

Byforeignersintw April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

Battleship Rock is a small hike in Beitou with a rock shaped like its name on top. From here, you can enjoy great views of Taipei and Beitou. This trail has also become popular with mountain bikers. It is definitely worth checking out the next time you are in the area. 🏯 Planning your trip…

Jiantanshan 劍潭山

Byforeignersintw April 16, 2026April 17, 2026

Jiantanshan is perhaps the most scenic and beautiful hike in Taipei City, offering a panoramic view of the entire city from Shilin and Zhongshan Districts of Taipei. Here you can see Songshan Airport, downtown Xinyi, the 101, the Yuanshan Hotel, and north along the Tamsui River. The hike is relatively easy, and there are many…

Ultimate Taroko National Park Travel Guide, Explore the Deepest Marble Gorge on Earth 太魯閣國家公園懶人包

Byforeignersintw April 15, 2026April 15, 2026

If you only have a few days in Taiwan and you want to go somewhere outside of Taipei, you should definitely go to Taroko National Park. On an island full of mountains, rainforests, beaches, and abounding natural beauty, Taroko might just take the top spot as the most beautiful scenic area in Taiwan. Taroko National…

Taroko Gorge Travel Guide (太魯閣), Taiwan’s Most Breathtaking Geological Feature

Byforeignersintw April 15, 2026April 15, 2026

If you only have a few days in Taiwan and you want to go somewhere outside of Taipei, you should definitely go to Taroko Gorge. On an island full of mountains, rainforests, beaches, and abounding natural beauty, Taroko Gorge might just take the top spot as the most beautiful scenic area in Taiwan. Taroko National…

Taroko Gorge 2026 Current Status (Post-Earthquake) 太魯閣地震後的狀況

Byforeignersintw April 15, 2026April 15, 2026

Sadly, due to a recent earthquake, much of Taroko Gorge, Hualien’s most famous landmark, is no longer accessible to the public. However, the visitor’s center is still open, and the road through Taroko is still open three times a day if you have your own vehicle. In this blog, we will take you on a…

National Taiwan Museum (Natural History / Dinosaur Branch) 國立臺灣博物館古生物館

Byforeignersintw March 16, 2026March 21, 2026

Land Bank Exhibition Hall of National Taiwan Museum (國立臺灣博物館古生物館, aka National Taiwan Museum Natural History Branch, or as I like to call it, the Dinosaur Museum) is an impressive museum in Taipei featuring fossils and palaeontological exhibits showing the animal history of Taiwan and the world. It also features the history of Taiwan’s Land…

Miaoli Travel Guide, Discover this Amazing Mountainous Backwater 苗栗旅遊懶人包

Byforeignersintw February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

For you expats or foreigners who have never left Taipei, Miaoli is a large rural county in central Taiwan. From the ocean to hills, to mountains, and more mountains, Miaoli is an outdoor paradise. There are also many interesting cultural and historical sites here. Below, I will list some of the best places in Miaoli…

Valley of the Gods (Shenxiangu) 神仙谷

Byforeignersintw January 20, 2026January 20, 2026

Shenxiangu (aka Valley of the Gods or Fairy Valley) in Donghe Township of Miaoli County is an amazing scenic area with multiple waterfalls flowing into a small mountain valley. The trail is short and includes a suspension bridge over the waterfalls, offering beautiful views of the area. It is a worthwhile stop for anyone visiting…

Shitoushan (Lion Head Mountain) 獅頭山

Byforeignersintw January 12, 2026January 20, 2026

Shitoushan in Miaoli is a popular hiking destination near Nanzhuang Old Street, one of Taiwan’s lesser 100 peaks, and has one of the highest concentrations of temples for any hiking trail in Taiwan. Here you can get away from it all and be swept up in the rugged beauty of Taiwan’s central foothills. It is…

Dahu, the Kingdom of Strawberries 大湖，草莓王國

Byforeignersintw January 9, 2026January 20, 2026

Dahu is a large valley in the hills of Miaoli inside Shei-Pa National Park, known for its strawberries, which are in season from November to March, and is also called the Kingdom of Strawberries. Here you can pick your own strawberries for a discount and bring them home. In the meantime, you can enjoy the…

Qingtiangang Grassland, See Amazing Views and Buffalo Close-Up 擎天崗

Byforeignersintw January 6, 2026January 6, 2026

Qingtiangang in Yangmingshan National Park is a large grassland that lies on top of an old lava terrace. It is famous for the water buffalo that congregate here to graze and is one of the most popular areas in the park. Besides enjoying views of wild water buffalo, there are also many hiking trails and…

The 2025 Taiwan Typhoon Season

Byforeignersintw January 6, 2026January 6, 2026

Following a particularly strong 2024 Typhoon Season, 2025 was historic in many ways, such as having the deadliest typhoon in decades and the first typhoon to make landfall in Chiayi. In this blog, we will present a brief summary of this unforgettable Typhoon season. 🏯 Planning your trip to Taiwan? 🏮 Here are some top…

The Most Awesome Day Trips from Taipei 台北一日遊景點

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

When traveling to Taipei, don’t just stay within the city’s boundaries the entire time. Step outside and experience fascinating destinations that offer a new glimpse into Taiwan’s beauty and culture.To help you plan, we’ve highlighted some fantastic day trips from Taipei that are well worth your time. 🏯 Planning your trip to Taipei? 🏮 Here…

Travel Guide to Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan’s Most Vibrant City 高雄旅遊懶人包

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Kaohsiung is our favorite city in Taiwan. It has beaches close to the city center, mountains, art spaces, museums, temples, and more. People often don’t realize that Kaohsiung has a lot to offer to tourists. Many of the places down south aren’t represented as well in English as other sites in Taipei, which is why we…

The Complete 2026 Beitou Hot Springs Guide, Soak Like Royalty 北投溫泉英文指南

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026March 20, 2026

Beitou is Taiwan’s premier hot Spring area (北投溫泉). Originally built by the Japanese on natural hot spring water flowing down from Yangmingshan, this area is now springing with hot spring baths, hotels, museums, hikes, restaurants, and more. It is one of the best day trips near Taipei. In this guide, we will tell you how…

The Best Beaches Near Taipei, North Taiwan’s Top 10 台北前10名的沙灘

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Taipei has several excellent beach options nearby, offering places to swim, surf, and kayak. Popular beaches include Fulong, Wai’ao, and Baishawan. These beaches are not far from the city center and many have convenient public transportation. Popular activities on these beaches include swimming, Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, Diving, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Canoeing, sailing, Water Biking, SUP / Paddle Boarding, and more. Here is our…

Monkey Mountain (Shoushan) 壽山, Taiwan’s Best Monkey-Spotting Location

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Monkey Mountain (officially Shoushan, aka Chaishan 柴山 and other names) in Gushan District of Kaohsiung City, is one of the most easily accessible trails in Kaohsiung with perhaps also the best views of the city. You are sure to see wild monkeys here. It should be on the top of your list of places to visit in…

Jiufen Old Street, Taiwan’s Amazing Mountainside Village 九份老街

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Jiufen, located in the Ruifang District of New Taipei City, is a charming hillside town known for its vibrant old street, which many consider the best in Taiwan. Visitors can wander through narrow alleys filled with classic Taiwanese snacks, steep stairways, and historic buildings. From nearly every spot in town, you’ll find sweeping panoramas of…

Our Guide to Taiwan’s East Coast 台灣東海岸指南, Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Coastline

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026

Taiwan’s East Coast has the most beautiful scenery in Taiwan. From the deepest marble gorge in the world to outer islands, mountains, rivers, and huge sea cliffs, there are unmissable natural wonders for you to explore. In addition, there are endless outdoor activities and water sports that you can take part in here. ⛰️ Planning…

Alishan Forest Railway Travel Guide (阿里山森林鐵路), Taiwan’s Most Scenic Rail Line

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Alishan Forest Railway is one of the most iconic and best-preserved historical mountain railways in the world. Starting at the center of Chiayi City, it passes through tropical forests, and subtropical hills, and rises into the temperate forests in the mountains, originally ending up at Alishan. It is definitely something you should experience while you…

Xiaoliuqiu Island (小琉球), The Best Place to Snorkel in Taiwan

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Xiaoliuqiu (aka Little Liuqiu, Lamay Island, or Lambai Island) is a small island paradise off the southwestern coast of Taiwan. The island is known for its clear water, amazing coral reefs, white sand beaches, and quiet, laid-back atmosphere. Only a short half-hour boat ride from the Taiwan mainland, the island is easily accessible. In addition,…

Travel Guide to Yilan 宜蘭懶人包, Beaches, Mountains, Hot Springs, and more

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

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…

Taipei City Hiking Guide, The Best Hikes in Taipei 台灣爬山指南

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Taipei is full of amazing and beautiful hikes, many of which are easily accessible from the city center via public transportation. The mountains and hills around the Taipei Basin provide amazing views, interesting geological features, and a great way to connect with nature. In this blog, we will list the best hikes we know of…

National Taiwan Science Education Center 國立臺灣科學教育館, Taipei’s Best Science Museum

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026March 21, 2026

The National Taiwan Science Education Center in Shilin District of Taipei is the best place to learn science hands-on in Taipei. The center offers permanent exhibits on life sciences, natural sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and earth sciences, alongside special exhibitions. There is also a glass bridge on the top floor, a bike trapeze ride, an…