Holidays in Taiwan – Asia's underrated dream destination

LGBTQIA+ friendly

Taiwan was the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage. It is a safe place for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation. It is also considered the third-safest country in the world. Queer bars and clubs are plentiful, and rainbow flags are a common sight. Additionally, Taiwan hosts a massive Pride celebration annually in October in Taipei, which happens to be the largest Pride in East Asia.

Exploring Taiwan by Train

The best way to get around Taiwan is by train. Not only is it a sustainable way to travel, it's also the most efficient.

The island has a high-speed train that runs from the north to the south along the west coast, connecting major cities such as Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, allowing you to travel from one end to the other in just two hours. International travellers can take advantage of great deals, with tickets costing around £25-35 and various day passes available for 2, 3 or 5 days.

To see the east side of the island, you can take the local trains, which offer a leisurely journey through picturesque towns and stunning landscapes.

If you're in Taipei, the MRT is the best way to get around. You can buy a metro card at local convenience stores such as 7-11 or Family Mart, where you can also top it up, or at the stations. The metro is incredibly clean and convenient and connects all major parts of the city, including the airport. No food or drink is allowed once you've passed through the ticket barriers, so make sure you're not caught eating or drinking on the platforms or trains, or you could get a hefty fine.

Exploring Taiwan by bike

Exploring Taiwan by bike is just as easy. There are numerous bike stations in most major cities where you can rent a bike for as long as you like to explore the city or area that you are in.

For those who are passionate about cycling, there are special routes that are more challenging. These routes combine nature with various historical elements. Possibly, the most popular is the Cycling Route No.1.

Named one of the best cycling routes in the world, Cycling Route No.1 is a picturesque 968 km bicycle route that runs along Taiwan’s coast. The route passes through cities, rural villages, and stunning natural landscapes. It's accessible to both beginners and advanced cyclists.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate tip: For a scenic and relaxed schedule, it is recommended to spend at least two weeks to complete the entire route. This will allow you sufficient time to appreciate some of the cities and towns en route, as well as to rest.

Top things to do in Taipei

• Marvel at the world's largest collection of Chinese art at the National Palace Museum in Taipei

• Visit the historic National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, a national monument built to honour the former President of Taiwan, Chiang Kai-shek

• Spend an afternoon at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, an old tobacco factory turned creative space for design and handcrafted goods

• Soak in the thermal hot springs at Beitou Hot Spring Park

• Grab bubble tea and go shopping in the Xinyi and Ximen Districts, both hotspots for young people to shop, eat and gather

• Wander around Dihua Street, an older district with cute cafes and restaurants, where many Taiwanese come to do their Lunar New Year shopping

Top 5 must-see festivals in Taiwan

1. Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival - Located in Taipei, this festival is easily one of the most famous that Taiwan has. Each year in February, the festival kicks off by releasing thousands of lanterns into the night’s sky.

2. Lunar New Year Lantern Festival - This festival takes place in a different city in Taiwan each year. With over 170 performances during the day and night, the festival attracts some 10–15 million visitors during the two weeks during Lunar New Year.

3. Dragon Boat Festival - The Dragon Boat Festival is one of Taiwan's three major traditional holidays, occurring in late May or June. Visitors celebrate the festival by participating in dragon boat races and eating zongzi, which are glutinous rice dumplings. The festival is believed to have originated from the story of the poet Qu Yuan, who jumped into the Miluo River. The locals searched for him by rowing their boats back and forth. This tradition has since evolved into the dragon boat races that we know today.

4. Yenshui Fireworks Festival - Known as the world's deadliest festival, each year the sleepy town of Yanshui fills with tourists from all over the world to celebrate with fireworks in hopes of bringing good luck and fortune to the village and its inhabitants.

5. New Year's Eve in Taipei - NYE in Taipei is a must if you are in Taiwan for the holidays. The city celebrates with a fantastic fireworks display from the sides of Taipei 101, Taiwan's tallest building.

Must-try food and drinks while in Taiwan

1. Stinky tofu - Don't let the name stop you from trying this dish! Taiwan's national dish can be found all over the country, especially in street markets. It consists of fried fermented tofu, which has a slightly strong smell, hence the name - pickled cabbage and a hot sauce.

2. Bubble tea - Taiwan invented bubble tea, so you're sure to find bubble tea shops on almost every corner. We recommend going to Chun Shui Tang Teahouse to try the best bubble tea (in our opinion). It's said that this place invented bubble tea. Not sure what to order? Try the classic milk tea or the brown sugar latte. The place also serves delicious food, making it a great place to stop for lunch or dinner. We loved the spicy beef noodle soup.

3. Oolong tea - In case you hadn't guessed, the Taiwanese take their tea very seriously. Black tea, green tea and oolong tea are the three main types of tea you'll find in Taiwan. It's typical to share a pot of oolong tea with your meal instead of water.

4. Beef Noodle Soup - Taiwan's national dish, Beef Noodle Soup is a hearty soup of tender slices of beef with chewy noodles in a savoury, aromatic broth with spices such as star anise, garlic and ginger. It's a comforting bowl that captures the warmth and depth of Taiwanese cuisine.

5. Oyster Omelette - A mash-up of two foods you might not think to pair, but somehow the result is very delicious. The oyster omelette is another staple street food. If you find yourself in Taipei, you can go to the Ningxia Night Market and try an oyster omelette at Yuan Huan Pien, where they've been making omelettes, with oysters from Tainan, since 1965.

6. Xiao long bao - The famous Xiao long bao are intricately made soup-filled meat dumplings, and are a true highlight and must-eat when in Taiwan. While they might look very simple, each one is carefully folded 18 times, known as the "golden-18 folds" and are prepared by expertly trained chefs. Some of the best can be found at Din Tai Fung in Taipei, which currently holds a Bib Gourmand award.