Written by Max Fischer (Carleton Faculty), Pupil Correspondent for CET Taiwan, Fall 2025
Taipei is an unbelievable metropolis. It’s an ideal place to spend a time period overseas. The fast-paced metropolis is house to a seemingly infinite variety of experiences, actions, and alternatives. Taipei itself can also be a really worldwide metropolis, house to every kind of various cultures and cuisines. There may be a lot to see and discover. Nonetheless, there’s additionally a lot to see in Taiwan exterior of the busy metropolis lifetime of Taipei. Perhaps you want to take a hike with a pal, or see a beautiful port metropolis. Regardless, Taiwan most likely has what you’re in search of. Listed here are among the locations I’ve traveled round Taiwan to date!
Keelung 基隆
Keelung is a port metropolis within the northeast of Taiwan, recognized for its lovely coastal surroundings, Miaokou Evening Market, Wangyou Valley, and Zhengbin Fishing Port. Keelung is simply about an hour away from Taipei by bus, making it tremendous accessible. Furthermore, our transit playing cards have entry to free buses within the north of Taiwan, making it completely free to get there.
I actually loved Keelung. Having the ability to chill out by the shoreline, and seeing the entire pure surroundings was tremendous refreshing. Miaokou Evening Market was actually fairly, characterised by streets lined with yellow lanterns. Miaokou additionally had an ideal number of totally different stalls. Earlier than I went, I used to be advised to make sure to attempt the seafood there. It didn’t disappoint. I significantly loved the grilled squid. Zhengbin Fishing Port was an iconic spot for images and in addition had a marketplace for some native buying.
Baishawan 白沙灣
Baishawan is a direct romanization from Mandarin, actually which means white sand bay. It’s additionally on the northern coast of Taiwan, however it is usually a lot nearer than Keelung. Probably the most distinguished function of the bay is, in truth, the seashore proper on the coast. You will need to be very specific about the place you go swimming in Taiwan, because of the excessive frequency of harmful currents across the island. Nonetheless, Baishawan is full with nice infrastructure to maintain swimmers secure, making it the best place for a weekend seashore day!
Wulai 烏來
Wulai is one other nice day journey within the north of Taiwan. Located simply south of Taipei, you may take the MRT’s Songshan Line south to Xindian after which it’s only a 30 minute bus trip away. Wulai is most notable for its sizzling springs, with spas situated across the district.
As well as, Wulai previous avenue can also be an ideal place to be taught in regards to the Atayal tribe, with native Ayatal delicacies and internet hosting the Wulai Ayatal museum. Lastly, there’s additionally a prepare automobile that takes you as much as see the Wulai Falls. The surroundings round Wulai is beautiful, you’re actually in a small city embedded within the mountains. I extremely advocate a go to.
Kaohsiung 高雄
Over the weekend of the Mid-Autumn Competition, I made a decision to take a little bit of an extended journey to the South of Taiwan. Considered one of my professors inspired us to essentially get out of Taipei and attempt to expertise every little thing the island has to supply, and I actually appreciated this recommendation.
Kaohsiung’s environment could be very totally different in comparison with Taipei, the town has a way more laid again feeling. There are every kind of issues to see in Kaohsiung, from the humanities district to Lotus Lake. My favourite exercise was climbing Shoushan. Not solely did the mountain have unbelievable views of the town, however it is usually recognized for having numerous monkeys. If you happen to do go to Shoushan, watch out to maintain your gadgets shut by, because the monkeys are recognized for sometimes being fierce. Nonetheless, I had no such downside. Attending to Kaohsiung was additionally tremendous handy, solely round 3 hours on the high-speed rail, which was tremendous clear and comfy, albeit a little bit expensive.
Finally, there are such a lot of unbelievable locations to discover in Taiwan, and I’ve actually loved attending to see every kind of various elements of the island. Whether or not you want to chill out for a day, take a brilliant lively hike, or discover a brand new metropolis, Taiwan most likely has what you’re in search of!
