Finest highway journeys in Taiwan

At 395km (245mi) lengthy, the island of Taiwan is a paradise of superlative highway journeys. It is generally known as Ilha Formosa (Lovely Island), and from scorching springs to pristine seashores to cosmopolitan cities, it is apparent why.

Whereas it is simple to get around Taiwan – almost all scenic spots and well-liked locations are accessible through public transportation – vacationers wishing to see all the island with out worrying about practice and bus schedules ought to take into account a highway journey. Driving is a perfect method to get off the crushed monitor and see stunning surroundings, all at your personal tempo.

These prime itineraries cease at one of the best locations in Taiwan, every boasting its personal well-known meals and sights, highlighting the attract of the nation as a vacation vacation spot whereas additionally providing an genuine expertise of life in Taiwan. You may full all 9 journeys in two weeks – and circumnavigate the island too! Fueled by evening markets, bubble tea and unbelievable surroundings, these are one of the best highway journeys in Taiwan.

1. Taipei and neighborhood

Finest highway journey for these quick on time
Taipei–Wulai; 45.5km (28mi)

Drive to the highest of the mountains in southern Taipei for extraordinary views of the capital. Cease at Zhinan Temple, a Taoist temple devoted to Lu Dongbin, one of many Eight Immortals, and nicknamed “Temple of 1000 Steps,” because of its 1275 steps. Afterward, sip tiěguānyīn, an oolong tea, from one of many space’s tea retailers.

Subsequent, drive to Shenkeng, which is known for its chòu dòufu (smelly tofu). Don’t let the odor cease you from indulging in fermented tofu cubes, deep-fried and topped with a gentle chili sauce and a chilly heap of pickled cabbage.

Proceed the journey to idyllic Wulai, house to the Atayal, Taiwan’s second-largest aboriginal group. Pattern Atayal meals, like mountain boar, zhutong fan (rice steamed in bamboo tubes) and colourful mochi, alongside the cobblestoned Wulai Previous Avenue earlier than admiring the close by Wulai Waterfall, which flows into the Nanshih River (a cable automotive whisks guests to the highest), and soaking within the milky sulfuric scorching springs, simply off Wen Quan Street.

Planning tip: This quick journey is definitely achieved in half a day, however take a extra leisurely tour by reversing the tour, driving straight to Wulai, then stopping in Shenkeng for dinner and ending up in Maokong, the place lots of the tea retailers are open till the wee hours of the morning. When you can journey the Maokong Gondola to Maokong, driving presents extra flexibility – the cable automotive stops working within the early night.

2. North and northeastern coast

Finest highway journey for traditional Taiwan
Taipei—Jiaosi—Taipei; 242km (150mi); enable two or extra days

This northern Taiwan drive features a little bit of all the things – funky geological formations, evening markets, tea retailers, lanterns, scorching springs and one in all Taiwan’s greatest seashores.

Begin with a drive northeast to the wind-whipped coast of Yehliu, the place quirky rock sculptures at Yehliu Geopark have naturally emerged. Backtrack a brief distance to the fishing village of Keelung, famed for its temples and bustling Miaokou Evening Market close to the harbor.

A brief drive east is Jinguashi, a former gold-mining city on the slopes of Mt Jilong, web site of the Gold Museum and a former POW camp throughout the Japanese Occupation. Then head to Jiufen – it is price taking your time to meander by means of slender, laddered Jishan St, adorned with pink lanterns.

Time your go to for sundown to look at the solar sink beneath the mesmerizing mountainscape and Shenao Bay whereas sipping piping scorching pots of tea. Cap off the day by launching lanterns from the close by hamlet of Shifen or its neighboring township, Pingxi, two mountain cities you may simply stroll between. Keep in a single day.

On day two, drive to Toucheng, each for the black-sand seaside and the Lanyang Museum, which has displays on the Lanyang Plain and scorching springs. Subsequent, drive to Jiaosi, the epicenter of Taiwan’s ecotourism. The scenic drive is memorable for mountains that tower over emerald-green rice fields, coastal cliffs and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. (Look rigorously, and also you would possibly see a dolphin or whale!)

A half-hour drive south is Luodong. Cease on the Nationwide Heart for Conventional Arts, a museum that gives an interactive take a look at people arts. Spend the night in Jiaosi, soaking within the odorless sodium-bicarbonate scorching springs – an expertise so invigorating you would possibly end up spending the evening at a coastal hot-spring resort earlier than taking the roughly one-hour drive again to Taipei.

Detour: Dolphin- and whale-watching excursions launch from Toucheng. Some sailings embody a cease at Turtle Island, an energetic volcanic island 9km (5.5mi) from the coast that’s now an ecological park. The variety of day by day guests to Turtle Island is restricted, and advance reservations are required to safe a allow. Visits to the island are solely potential from March to November; one of the best time to see bottlenose dolphins and the occasional whale is April to August.

3. Northwest journey

Finest highway journey for cultural immersion
Taipei—Taichung; 174km (108mi)

Sansia has one in all Taiwan’s hottest Taoist temples, Tzushr Temple, and a few of one of the best examples of late Qing Dynasty and early Japanese colonial interval structure might be discovered on Sansia’s Minquan Old Street. Take a brief drive to Yingge, the capital of pottery manufacturing in Taiwan, to admire the pottery alongside the cobblestoned Yingge Old Street and on the New Taipei Metropolis Yingge Ceramics Museum.

Drive southwest to the coast after which south to Miaoli, the center of Hakka tradition in Taiwan. Cease at a tea store to grind your personal léi chá – inexperienced tea leaves, sesame seeds and peanuts floor to a tremendous powder. Cease by the Sanyi Wood Carving Museum and admire Miaoli’s retailers filled with wooden carvings of Buddhas, Taoist saints, furnishings and knicknacks.

Planning tip: This drive might be achieved in a single lengthy day, however a keep in Taichung is a deal with. Taichung has many theme and “love” accommodations, like Chateau Hotel, which options over-the-top rooms with non-public swimming pools and waterfalls and rainbow-lit Jacuzzis, and RedDot, which has a slide resulting in the foyer.

4. Solar Moon Lake

Finest highway journey for nature lovers
Taichung—Solar Moon Lake; 84.7km (52.6mi)

Sip bubble tea at Chun Shui Tang, the teashop the place the enduring milk tea with tapioca bubbles was invented. Discover the bustling Fengjia Night Market, probably the most well-known evening markets in Taiwan, earlier than departing for the alpine Solar Moon Lake.

Positioned 748m (2454ft) above sea degree, Solar Moon Lake is a must-see destination: a freshwater lake separated into two elements by an island, yielding a physique of water that resembles a moon and a solar. Positively cease for a ship or bike journey across the 2-mile Xiangshan Bike Path, which runs the circumference of the lake.

Hikers can hike alongside 14 trails adjoining to the lake. The lake can also be a spot to identify butterflies (Taiwan has the best focus of butterflies on the planet). 

5. Drive within the clouds: Chiayi and Alishan

Finest highway journey for historical past and wonder
Solar Moon Lake—Alishan; 146km (90.7mi)

The southern city of Chiayi is stuffed with hometown hospitality. The southern department of the National Palace Museum is right here. The gathering between the 2 branches contains ceramics, jade, work, calligraphy and Chinese language artwork, a lot of which was secretly shipped earlier than the Nationalists fled from mainland China in 1949.

Most folk enterprise to Chiayi to go to Alishan National Park, braving chilly temps and robust winds on the 8169ft (2490m) summit of Zhushan to watch the sunlight burst through clouds. Alishan was initially settled by the Tsou, one in all Taiwan’s aboriginal tribes, and is among the most stunning locations to go to in Taiwan.

Alongside this Western Taiwan drive, pineapple and banana plantations on the outskirts of Chiayi give method to bamboo fields at Alishan. The vertigo-inducing highway to Alishan Forest Leisure Space has many sharp twists and activates winding roads by means of forests of pink cypress, cedar and pine timber, however it’s price it.

Planning tip: There are numerous blind turns, so drive defensively and assume there’s oncoming site visitors. The roads are much less busy throughout the week. The climate on Alishan might be unpredictable, so costume in layers and put together for every type of climate.

Throughout two weeks in March or April, hundreds of Japanese cherry blossoms bloom right here, which brings even greater crowds to the mountaintop. It is best to spend the evening in Alishan and get up pre-dawn to journey to Zhushan to see the ephemeral dawn spectacle, one of many must-see attractions in Taiwan.

6. Southwest Taiwan

Finest highway journey for quintessential Taiwan
Alishan—Kaohsiung; 173km (107mi)

After the heart-stopping drive up and down Alishan, drive alongside Taiwan’s southwest coast for a leisurely take a look at southern Taiwan, the place there are sunny skies, refined meals and loads of arts and tradition.

Take time to tour Tainan’s temples and canal-side cafes. Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s southern port metropolis, has a wealthy maritime historical past, and one of many its most well-known sights is the Love River. Make time to walk alongside the river, window store and pattern a few of the greatest meals in Taiwan at Liuhe Night Market.

7. Kenting and southern Taiwan coast

Finest highway journey for a seaside trip
Kaohsiung—Kenting; 110km (68mi)

Taiwan’s model of a spring-break seaside vacation spot is Kenting, one in all Taiwan’s greatest seashores. Positioned within the southernmost tip of Taiwan, Kenting presents sandy seashores, nice waves for surfers, and a restful respite.

The seaside city is house to surf retailers and an evening market, in addition to the National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium, which holds 15,000 marine creatures, together with penguins, coral reef fish, sharks, large kelp and seals, and Kenting National Park, well-known for its seashores, coral reefs and laid-back vibes.

8. East coast drive and Taroko Gorge

Finest highway journey for gorgeous surroundings and Taiwan backpacking
Kenting—Taroko Gorge; 323km (200.7 miles)

One of the vital well-liked drives is thru Taroko Gorge, a 19km (12mi) marble gorge fashioned from the dashing Liwu River. Positioned within the Central Mountain Vary in japanese Taiwan, Taroko Gorge was initially made from limestone, however immense tectonic forces and excessive temperatures 1,000,000 years in the past induced the limestone to show to marble.

The expansive Taroko National Park is greatest explored by driving the Central Cross-Island Freeway by means of the park. Make sure that to cease alongside the way in which and discover the Swallow Grotto Path, Tunnel of 9 Turns, Everlasting Spring Shrine Path, Guanyin Cave, Taroko Tower and the Bell Tower.

The park is the right place to identify black bears, Formosan macaques, wild boar and 100-plus species of birds. There are numerous mountaineering trails – excellent for backpacking – and roadtrippers can keep in a single day within the park. Lodging vary from a five-star hotel to a hostel to tenting.

Planning tip: The Central Cross-Island Freeway and Suao-Hualien Freeway are the principle routes to entry Taroko Gorge’s scenic terrain. The route, significantly from Suao to Hualien, is alongside steep cliffs. Taiwan has frequent typhoons and earthquakes, which might trigger rock falls and landslides. 

9. Northeast coast

Finest highway journey for coastal views
Taroko Gorge—Taipei; 154km (95mi)

Drive alongside the Suao-Hualien Freeway, the one coastal highway in Taroko Nationwide Park. The exhilarating journey options the 21km-long (13-mile) Qingshui Cliffs, which dramatically rise 1000m (3280ft) above the Pacific Ocean on the left and the huge ocean to the fitting.

Proceed driving north alongside Eastern Taiwan to Sanxiantai – an remoted island (as soon as a cape) that contains a picturesque ocean bridge with eight arches – earlier than returning to Taipei for extra exploring.

Suggestions for driving in Taiwan

• Renting a automotive is easy, however you want an Worldwide Driving Allow.
• Scooters are well-liked, however they don’t seem to be suggested. Scooters and bikes over 50cc require a driver’s license. 
• Roads are typically nicely maintained, however be cautious of scooters, significantly in cities, as it isn’t unusual for them – and automobiles – to make left turns from the fitting lane, proper turns from the left lane and U-turns in any lane. 
• Drivers and passengers should put on seatbelts.
• It is unlawful to make use of a cellular phone whereas driving. 
• Street indicators are in Chinese language characters and romanization of Chinese language characters, so studying Chinese language is not needed for driving in Taiwan. 
• Avenue addresses are written within the following order: postal code, county, district, highway, part, lane, alley, road, home quantity and, if relevant, constructing, ground quantity and condo quantity.