Captured Travel Imagine an island where the wild rhythms of nature pulse through your veins, where traditions older than empires echo in beadwork and song, and where every flavour—whether fiery, delicate, or daring—tells a story. That’s Taiwan. But not the Taiwan you think you know. This is a place of contrasts, surprises and soul-stirring encounters.
Nestled in the heart of Asia yet deeply connected to the vast Pacific, Taiwan is more than a travel destination—it is the cradle of Austronesian civilisation. Anthropologists recognise Taiwan as the original homeland of the Austronesian language family, which stretches across the Pacific and Indian Oceans, linking over 400 million people from Madagascar to Hawaii, New Zealand to Samoa.
Today, Taiwan proudly recognises 16 Indigenous tribes, each contributing a unique thread to the island’s cultural tapestry. Though they make up only 2.5 per cent of the population, their impact is immense. Visitors can explore traditional music, art, and cuisine that reflect centuries of living in harmony with nature.
In regions such as Hualien, Taitung, and Pingtung, community tourism opens a door to immersive experiences. Join a storytelling session by tribal elders, sample millet-based dishes cooked with mountain greens, or learn the spiritual meanings behind intricate beadwork and handwoven textiles. It’s a rare opportunity to connect not just with a culture, but with a shared Austronesian identity that resonates strongly with travellers from Australia and New Zealand.
A feast for the senses
Taiwan’s cuisine is a symphony of influences: Indigenous, Hakka, Hokkien and global. Start the day with bubble tea where it was born, then follow the neon glow of night markets where crispy popcorn chicken, oyster omelettes and stinky tofu demand adventurous palates.
Start your day with a refreshing bubble tea—Taiwan’s global culinary icon—before wandering through the bustling night markets that dot cities from Taipei to Kaohsiung. Sink your teeth into salt and pepper chicken, slurp oyster omelets, or dare to try the infamous stinky tofu.
For heartier fare, indulge in traditional dishes like braised pork rice, comforting beef noodle soup, or delicate soup dumplings. For a taste of Taiwan’s Indigenous influences, try bamboo rice, wild boar skewers or stone hot pots—cooked with ancient techniques and wild ingredients from the land.
And don’t miss the fruits. Taiwan is dubbed the “Kingdom of Fruits” for good reason. Juicy mangoes, sweet pineapples, and creamy custard apples are just the beginning. Mango ice desserts and smoothies are perfect companions on a warm island day.
Where to eat in Taiwan
Food in Taiwan isn’t just sustenance—it’s a way of life, and the best way to experience it is to eat where the locals do. The night markets are the heart of Taiwan’s culinary scene, each with its own speciality. In Taipei, the buzzing Shilin Night Market tempts with oyster omelettes, pepper buns baked in clay ovens and bubble tea in its original form. Down south in Tainan, the country’s food capital, smaller markets overflow with braised pork rice, milkfish soup and savoury spring onion pancakes.
Beyond the markets, Taiwan’s cities are filled with eateries ranging from no-frills noodle shops to Michelin-starred restaurants. Taipei’s Din Tai Fung is a pilgrimage for soup dumpling lovers, while chic modern spots in Taichung and Kaohsiung reinterpret traditional Taiwanese flavours with creative flair. Street-side vendors are just as essential—don’t miss a late-night skewer of grilled squid or a freshly fried salt-and-pepper chicken cutlet.
In the highlands, Indigenous cuisine offers a completely different taste of Taiwan. Many community restaurants serve wild boar, mountain vegetables and rice cooked in bamboo, drawing on ingredients sourced directly from the forest. Pair it with millet wine or herbal teas for a flavour rooted deeply in place. For those who crave something sweet, mango shaved ice, pineapple cakes and custard apple desserts ensure Taiwan’s food journey always ends on a high note.
Soak, stroll and slow down in nature’s embrace
If your ideal holiday involves soothing your senses and reconnecting with nature, Taiwan delivers in full. Home to over 100 hot springs thanks to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the island is one of the world’s top geothermal destinations.
Beitou Hot Springs in Taipei invites you to unwind in mineral-rich waters known for their healing properties. For something unique, Guanziling Mud Springs in Tainan offer a rare, detoxifying spa experience surrounded by lush green mountains. On the east coast, Zhiben Hot Springs in Taitung blend warm, soft waters with dramatic landscapes—perfect for deep relaxation.
But Taiwan’s healing touch doesn’t stop there. Alishan’s ancient sacred trees and surreal sea of clouds offer a mystical experience that refreshes both body and mind. In Kenting, the tropical coastline invites lazy days of sunbathing or action-packed adventures in crystal-clear waters.
Sun Moon Lake is a peaceful haven, where serene boat rides and mountain walks create the ultimate escape for couples and families alike. And in the East Rift Valley, cycling through rice fields with mountains on either side is like riding through a postcard.
Top 5 nature and relaxation spots in Taiwan
Alishan: High in the mountains, Alishan is a sanctuary of towering cypress forests, cool alpine air and unforgettable sunrises above a rolling sea of clouds. The area is crisscrossed with walking trails that wind through ancient trees, while the narrow-gauge Alishan Forest Railway offers a nostalgic journey into nature. It’s the perfect escape for travellers seeking peace and a sense of timeless wonder.
Sun Moon Lake: Taiwan’s largest lake is a picture of serenity, its waters reflecting misty peaks at dawn and glowing amber at sunset. Cycling paths trace the shoreline, and boat cruises allow you to drift across the glassy surface. The lake’s temples and villages add cultural charm to the natural beauty, making it a favourite destination for slowing down and soaking in the scenery.
Taroko Gorge: Carved from marble over millions of years, Taroko Gorge is one of Taiwan’s most dramatic natural wonders. Sheer cliffs, turquoise rivers and narrow suspension bridges create a landscape both breathtaking and humbling. Trails like Shakadang and Baiyang lead through lush forest and along riverbanks, offering the perfect balance of exploration and calm.
Beitou Hot Springs: Just a short metro ride from Taipei, Beitou is a haven of steamy mineral pools, traditional bathhouses and spa resorts. The natural hot springs here are rich in minerals said to soothe body and mind. Surrounded by forested hills, Beitou is an oasis of relaxation where you can sink into healing waters before returning to the bustle of the city.
Kenting National Park: On Taiwan’s southern tip, Kenting National Park is where golden beaches meet coral reefs and turquoise seas. The tropical climate makes it perfect for year-round relaxation, whether you’re sunbathing, snorkelling or simply watching the sun dip into the horizon. At night, the skies sparkle with stars, creating a peaceful setting far removed from urban life.
Embrace Taiwan’s slow-living soul
In Taiwan, slow living isn’t a trend—it’s a way of life. This is a place where high-mountain tea is brewed with reverence, and each sip in a traditional teahouse becomes a quiet moment of meditation.
Urban cafés in cities like Taichung and Tainan provide stylish settings to sip locally roasted coffee and unwind from a day of exploration. Along the coast, 307 beaches invite peaceful walks or adrenaline-fuelled water sports, from surfing to scuba diving. For those who crave mountain air, Taiwan boasts 286 peaks above 3,000 metres, teeming with rare wildlife and vistas that stir the soul.
The warmth of the local people, the rhythmic pace of life, and the deep respect for land and tradition all combine to make Taiwan the ultimate wellness retreat in 2025.
How to get there
Getting to Taiwan is straightforward, with international flights arriving daily into Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport from major hubs around the world. From there, a network of high-speed trains, local rail, domestic flights and highways connects every corner of the island. The best times to visit are spring and autumn, when the air is fresh, skies are clear and the threat of typhoons is low.
Mandarin is the main language, though Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka and Indigenous dialects are widely spoken, and English is increasingly understood in urban areas. The currency is the New Taiwan Dollar, and local transport is affordable and reliable.
Taiwan but not as you know it
This is Taiwan, but not as you know it. Come for the bubble tea and the buzzing cities, stay for the tribes whose stories still shape the land, the hot springs that heal more than skin, the landscapes that soar from ocean to alpine peaks, and the fruit that tastes like bottled sunshine. Taiwan is wild, soulful and unforgettable—an island that redefines what it means to travel in Asia.
Find out more about Taiwan and plan your journey here.
All images are credited to Taiwan Tourism Administration