Geography - Taiwan Travel Blog

Orchid Island (Lanyu) 蘭嶼, Taiwan’s Best Indigenous Cultural Experience

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Orchid Island (not to be confused with the Fijian Island of the same name), known in the local Tao language as Ponso No Tao (Island of the people), and in Chinese as Lanyu (蘭嶼) is a secret indigenous people’s paradise off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. It is different than any other place in Taiwan…

Green Island 綠島, The Best Place for Diving in Taiwan

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Green Island is a paradise off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. Once a prison for political enemies of the KMT, it is now a tourist hot spot. It is one of the best places to snorkel and dive in Taiwan, one of only three saltwater hot springs in the world, and it also includes amazing volcanic…

Thermal Valley 地熱谷, A Natural Wonder in Beitou You Can’t Miss

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Thermal Valley (aka Geothermal Valley, Ghost Lake, Jade Spring Valley, or Hell Valley 地熱谷) is a bubbling and steaming turquoise pool, that is one of the sources of Beitou’s hot springs and one of only two green sulfur hot springs in the world. Here you can take a walk around the entire pool, enjoy the…

Turtle Island (Guishan Island) 龜山島, Taiwan’s Volcanic Island Treasure

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Guishan Island (literally Turtle Mountain Island) is a turtle-shaped island off the coast of Yilan in Eastern Taiwan. Once inhabited by fishermen, it is now a coast guard base but is open for day tours. The island tour includes beautiful sea cliffs, hiking, a lake, an abandoned village, military tunnels, and whale watching just offshore. …

Keelung Islet (基隆嶼) Travel Guide, A Little Island with Big Views

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Keelung Islet is the tall, rocky island off the coast of Keelung City, Taiwan that has recently been reopened to tourists. The island features a trail to the lighthouse at the highest peak that provides breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Just a short trip from Taipei, and then a 20-minute boat ride, it is…

What to See and Do in Hualien Besides Taroko Gorge

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Sadly, due to a recent earthquake, much of Taroko Gorge, Hualien’s most famous landmark, is no longer accessible to the public. However, there are plenty of other places to check out in Hualien. In this blog, we will share a list of other places to visit in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge. Hualien is the largest…

Maolin Travel Guide 茂林旅游懶人包, Our Favorite Place in Taiwan

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

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…

Taipei’s Waterfall Guide, Explore the City’s Most Breathtaking Falls 台北瀑布指南

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Taipei is home to some of Taiwan’s most magnificent waterfalls, and most of them are just a short trip away. Here we have compiled a list of the most easily accessible waterfalls around Taipei. Please note this is not an exhaustive list. There are many more waterfalls in Taipei than are listed in this blog. Get…

Tainan Travel Guide, Discover Taiwan’s Oldest City & Ultimate Foodie Paradise 臺南懶人包

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan and was the capital of Taiwan for over 200 years. It is also said to be the culinary capital of Taiwan, with many traditional Taiwanese snacks that originated here. Surrounded by historical sites, from the Dutch, Koxinga, and Qing Dynasty, it is a great place to enjoy Taiwan’s interesting…

Taiwan vs. Thailand, Key Differences You Need to Know

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Some people out there may confuse Taiwan with Thailand, however they are two very different countries. In fact, there are so many differences that we can’t even list them in this article. To help you differentiate between Taiwan and Thailand, we have laid out the key differences that you need to know here. I have…

The Ultimate Foreigner’s Guide for Surviving in Taiwan 外國人在台灣存活指南

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Whether you are coming to Taiwan for three days or for three years, it can be hard getting used to a new country, and new culture, and a new way of living. To help you out, we have prepared this guide to help you survive and thrive in this amazing country. 🏯 Planning your trip…

Matsu Islands 2025 Travel Guide 馬祖列島懶人包, More than Just Mazu

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Matsu is a fun getaway just 45 minutes by plane from Taipei. Here you can find traditional stone villages, bioluminescent “blue tears,” wild sika deer, military museums, the world’s largest Mazu statue, a variety of local food, and much more to explore. In this blog, we will share with you some of the major sights…

100 Amazing Things to Do and See in Taipei 台北景點懶人包

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

This travel guide to Taipei offers an extensive overview of attractions, activities, and dining options. Highlights include popular sites like Taipei 101, night markets, and historical landmarks. It also provides tips on transportation, accommodations, and seasonal recommendations, presenting a detailed itinerary for an enriching experience in Taiwan’s vibrant capital.

Yehliu Geopark, The Amazing Crown Jewel of Taiwan’s Northern Coast 野柳地質公園

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Yehliu is perhaps the most famous geological park in Taiwan, with its most famous landmark being the Queen’s Head Rock. These rock formations have been forming for thousands of years through erosion of soft sandstone due to wind and water. Hurry and see these formations soon before they are gone forever! 🏯 Planning your trip…

Taitung Travel Guide, Top Things to Do in Taiwan’s Outdoor Tourism Paradise 台東懶人包

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Taitung has some of the most beautiful scenery in Taiwan, two amazing offshore islands, a striking coastline, deep mountains, and most of all it is bursting with unique aboriginal culture, with Indigenous people making up over one-third of the population. It is an unmissable stop on your next trip to Taiwan. Here we have compiled…

Our Travel Guide to Wulai, Taipei’s Amazing Mountain Paradise (烏來旅遊指南)

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

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. 🏞️ Planning…

Taiwan Cycling Guide, The Ultimate Guide to the Bicycle Kingdom 台灣騎自行車指南

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Taiwan is recognized as a bicycle kingdom and offers stunning routes for cycling enthusiasts, including coastal roads, mountain trails, and breathtaking gorges. Renting bicycles is convenient via services like Youbike, which operates at MRT stations, as well as road bike rentals at shops. Popular cycling routes include Sun Moon Lake and the Taipei Riverside Bikeway,…

Nantou Travel Guide, Taiwan’s Most Stunning Mountain Getaway 南投縣懶人包

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Nantou lies at the heart of Taiwan and is its only landlocked county. It is known for its rugged natural landscapes and mountains, and includes the highest mountain in East Asia. If you come to Taiwan, you should definitely pass through this place and stop by some of the sights we will mention below. 🛥️…

Travel Guide to Hsinchu 新竹懶人包, Taiwan’s Charming Tech Hub

Byforeignersintw January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Hsinchu, Taiwan, combines technological innovation with rich history, Hakka culture, and natural beauty. It has numerous old streets, preserved Japanese-era and Qing-era buildings, zoos, mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, and much more to explore. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taiwan. 🏯 Planning your trip to Hsinchu? 🪁 Here are some…

The Best Views of the Taipei 101 (Best Places to see New Year’s Fireworks) 欣賞101煙火的最佳地點

Byforeignersintw December 23, 2025December 24, 2025

Wondering where you can find the best glimpse of the Taipei 101 fireworks? In this blog, we will share a list of the best views of Taipei 101 and therefore the best places to see the fireworks on New Year’s Eve. These places are also great locations to take stock photos to get less cliché…

Taiwan Snow Chasing Guide – Where and When to Find Snow in Taiwan 台灣追雪指南

Byforeignersintw December 17, 2025December 24, 2025

Believe it or not, despite being a semi-tropical country Taiwan does get some snow during winter. Even a small powdering of snow in the mountains is bound to attract hoards of snow chasers in Taiwan who can usually only see snow by going on a trip overseas. In this guide, we will show you a…

Disaster Tourism | Geography | Taiwan History | Typhoons | Yilan

Remembering Typhoon Fung-Wong (2025) 紀念鳳凰颱風

Byforeignersintw November 14, 2025November 25, 2025

Typhoon Fung-Wong was the 13th typhoon of the 2025 Pacific Typhoon Season. It made landfall in the Philippines and then weakened to a Tropical Storm before making landfall in Taiwan. This Typhoon brought massive destruction to the Philippines, and some rain and days off from work and school in Taiwan. In this blog, we will…

Lalu Island 拉魯島, Sun Moon Lake’s Sacred Island

Byforeignersintw November 7, 2025December 24, 2025

Lalu Island on Sun Moon Lake is a sacred island to the indigenous people here, who believe that a deer showed their ancestors the way to the lake. Before a dam was built, the island was larger and shaped like a crescent moon. Even though tourists can no longer visit the island, it is one…

Qingjing Skywalk 清境高空觀景步道

Byforeignersintw November 5, 2025November 5, 2025

Qingjing Skywalk is an amazing feast for the eyes, with breathtaking views of Qingjing Farm, the central mountain range, and Ren’ai District’s sweeping valleys. For a small fee, you can enjoy some of the best views of Nantou on this raised walkway. It is definitely an experience you shouldn’t miss. 🛥️ Planning your trip to…

Sun-Link-Sea (Shanlinxi) 杉林溪, Discover Taiwan’s Amazing Forest Resort

Byforeignersintw October 31, 2025December 24, 2025

Sun-Link-Sea (aka Shanlinxi or Sun-Link-Sea Forest Ecological Resort (杉林溪森林生態渡假園區) is an amazing forest wonderland in the high mountains of Nantou County near Alishan. Here you can find one of Taiwan’s most beautiful waterfalls that flows over a giant cave. You can also wander through beautiful forests and gardens here and enjoy nature at a high…