Are you wondering about the best time to visit Taipei? Then, worry no more! This city is a year-round destination with a lot more to offer. However, never underestimate the weather; it is essential in determining the months you should travel. Taiwan‘s capital experiences hot summers, subtropical monsoons, and mild winters. It is hot and humid much of the year and experiences a few slightly cooler months. That being said, each season promises unique activities and experiences for visitors. Whether you want outdoor adventures or prefer cultural and historical tours, there is something for everyone here.
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October-December: Best Time To Visit Taipei
The best time to visit Taipei is from October to December. These months experience the autumn season with relatively less rainfall and manageable temperatures. Expect clear skies, low humidity, and a warm climate. This period is a perfect balance of cool and dry weather. Moreover, visitors can indulge in many outdoor activities, including hiking, sightseeing, camping, and day trips.
If you are a photographer, you will find the best photogenic spots. For instance, several national parks see the fall of maple leaves or change of color in surrounding greeneries. You can snap beautiful shots in those areas. Moreover, October experiences the fewest rainy days out of all months. It also sees the celebration of Pride Parade and Halloween. November is the best for autumn foliage viewing, while December is the most popular month.
Experience A Scenic Maokong Gondola Ride
- Address: No. 8, Section 2, Xinguang Rd, Wenshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 116; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 9 PM
- Social Media: Official Website
The autumn season transforms Taipei’s lush hills into various colors, from pale yellow to vibrant red. This time is perfect for appreciating the city’s natural charm. You can make the most of your trip by booking a Maokong Gondola ride. This scenic ride is 20 to 30 minutes long and offers breathtaking views of the mountains and lush greeneries surrounding Taipei. The Maokong Gondola operates between Maokong and Taipei Zoo and has four passenger stations: Taipei Zoo Station, Taipei Zoo South Station, Zhinan Temple Station, and Maokong Station.
Catch The NYE Fireworks Display From Taipei 101
- Address: No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM
- Social Media: Official Website
The infamous Taipei 101 is a must-see attraction year-round. However, it gets more crowded during December, when many travelers come to see the iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks. Decorations are put up from early December. Then, on New Year’s Eve, this gigantic skyscraper sets off thousands of fireworks to celebrate the start of the new year. In addition to these dazzling fireworks, organizers usually arrange music and other exciting performances to make the night more magical.
See Fall Foliage At Alishan National Scenic Area
- Address: Alishan Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan 605; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Things To Do: Mountain Climbing, Hiking
The Alishan National Scenic Area is beautiful year-round. Everything screams natural retreat, from picturesque sunrises and sunsets to peaceful hiking trails, lush forests, and Japanese-built trains. However, this area is incredibly alluring during autumn, when maple leaves fall, and the forest is often shrouded in mist. The ancient cedar and cypress trees covered in mist resemble the scenario of classical Chinese paintings. You must capture these colorful leaves and surroundings with your camera.
January-February: Off-Seasons In Taipei
December marks the beginning of the winter season in Taipei. Many tourists often avoid this season; hence, January and February are among the off-season months. The city is more like a ghost town during this period, with many city dwellers heading south for family gatherings. Some restaurants and shops also close their businesses. Hotels are hard to find, flights are expensive, and highways often have traffic jams. Nonetheless, you will find many activities and attractions in these months.
January welcomes the Chinese Lunar New Year, the locals’ biggest holiday. They usually have 7 to 10 holidays from late January to late February. February sees several lantern festivals, including the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, that are worth experiencing. You can also escape from the cold in the hot spring districts. While winter is not good climate-wise, it is a festive season with many cultural celebrations.
Experience Beitou’s Hot Springs
- Address: Taipei City, Taiwan 112; Google Map
- Top Attractions: Beitou Hot Spring Museum, Thermal Valley, Bamboo Lake
- Things To Do: Hot Springs Bath, Sightseeing
Nothing sounds better than a hot spring during the cold winter. Beitou District is a paradise of hot springs whose history goes beyond the Japanese colonial rule. The Thermal Valley supplies much of the water to the various hot springs. It features steaming, green-tinted sulfur hot springs ranging from 80 to 100 degrees Celsius. Visitors can soak in hot pools and enjoy their various medicinal benefits. Some private hot springs also offer massage, aroma therapy, and an ultimate spa experience. You can also visit the Beitou Hot Spring Museum to learn more about this district’s hot springs.
Explore Taipei’s Night Markets
Taipei’s night markets are open all year long. They are lively, busy, and open till the late hours. You can start your night expedition at Shilin Night Market. It is among the top night markets whose street food is praiseworthy. Expect oyster omelets, stinky tofu, braised pork rice, crispy fried chicken, pepper pork buns, bubble teas, and shaved ice desserts. Ningxia Night Market is another place to try these delicious Taiwanese snacks. Don’t forget to visit Michelin-starred food stalls at Roahe Street Night Market and try unique dishes at the Huaxi Street Night Market.
Visit Taipei’s Museums
While outdoor activities are few and far between, you can explore indoor attractions during the winter season in Taipei. These include visiting the city’s top museums. Start with the beautiful National Palace Museum, home to the world’s most extensive collection of Chinese treasures. It houses nearly 700,000 artifacts, including 13,000 jade works and 200,000 rare books. Next, check out the extensive collection of the National Taiwan Museum. Other must-visit museums are the Taipei Museum of Contemporary Art, the Miniatures Museum of Taiwan, and the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines.
March-May: Best Time For Outdoor Adventures
Many consider March-May to be the best time to visit Taipei. These months experience a beautiful spring with many cherry blossoms, clear skies, low humidity, and warm temperatures. March is the best time to see the cherry blossoms. It also marks the beginning of spring, which covers the forested mountains in colorful shades of pink and white. This natural beauty continues to April and May.
Thanks to great weather, visitors can indulge in many outdoor activities between March and May. They can go hiking, camping, or picnicking in nearby national parks and forests. Many outdoor performances, art events, independent film showcases, and weekend markets also often occur. Visitors can also partake in local customs, including the Qingming Festival in early April. They can explore Taipei on foot or a bike.
Hike To Elephant Mountain
- Address: No. 31, Alley 401, Lane 150, Section 5, Xinyi Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Things To Do: Hiking, Sightseeing
Nothing screams outdoors more than hiking. It is suitable for visitors of all ages and preferences. Elephant Mountain, aka Xingshan, boasts the best hiking trails in Taipei. A hike to the mountaintop only takes 20-30 minutes, and hikers are treated to panoramic views of the city skyline and Taipei 101. You will take the stairs the whole way and reach the viewing platform after 500 steps. You can return from there or climb 100 more steps to the top.
Watch Cherry Blossoms At Yangmingshan National Park
While Taipei has many cherry blossom viewing locations, the ones at Yangmingshan National Park are particularly alluring. The cherry trees are scattered throughout the park, with the largest found at Flower Clock. This is the best place to enjoy cherry blossom viewing. You can visit this park during the Yangmingshan Flower Festival from February 7 to March 17. You will also see cherry blossoms outside at Pingjing Lane Cherry Blossom Street.
Go Camping In Taroko National Park
- Address: 972, Taiwan, Hualien County, Xiulin Township; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook
Doesn’t camping sound fun? It’s among the best outdoor activities, and you can enjoy it at Taroko National Park. Established in 1986, this park is named after Taroko Gorge and covers over 92,000 hectares in the northern section of the Central Mountain Range. It offers two campgrounds: Heliu and Lushui Campgrounds. The former has twelve wooden tent platforms, washstands, toilets, running water, and lighting. However, Lushui Campground doesn’t have tent platforms or showers. Here, you will camp on the hard ground. Both campsites are free of charge and don’t require any reservations.
Watch Performances At Songshan Cultural And Creative Park
- Address: No. 133號, Guangfu S Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 11072; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 8 AM – 10 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Outdoor performances are abundant during the spring season in Taipei. You can catch most of them at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. This creative hub hosts numerous events, including fashion shows, award ceremonies, film shootings, symposiums, design exhibitions, product launches, and short-term exhibitions. Visiting is free; however, workshops and classes might charge specific fees. You can also explore galleries, coffee shops, and craft shops inside the complex.
June-September: Best Time For Water Activities And Festivals
Taipei welcomes the rainy season starting in May and continuing until June. While it doesn’t experience torrential rainfall, expect heavy showers and a humid atmosphere. The Plum Rain Season begins from May until early June. From mid to late June, summer begins in the city. July and August are the hottest months, with temperatures ranging to the mid-30s Celsius daily. The intense humidity makes exploring outside challenging.
July and August also mark the beginning of the typhoon season. A single typhoon strike brings heavy rain and wind. This might cause you to lose a day or two of your trip. You should also be prepared for sudden heavy downpours during the day in these months. The best thing to do during this time is to head to the beach or experience water activities. You can also participate in vibrant summer festivals and local celebrations.
Indulge In Fun Water Activities In Taipei
Summer is all about beach and water activities. Imagine kayaking, surfing, paddleboarding, and diving. You can escape from the heat at Taipei Water Park. It is more than your average theme park; it is divided into several recreational and educational facilities. For instance, the Museum of Drinking Water provides information on Taipei’s water resources. Furthermore, the Water Country Park is an aqua garden with water slides, swimming pools, and exciting water games. Other park facilities include Guanyinshan Reservoir, Guanyin Hill Hiking Area, and Environmental Education Center.
Partake In Lively Festivals
June-September sees many small and grand celebrations. Starting with the Dragon Boat Festival in June, Taipei will host many exciting festivals over the next few months. These festivals are entertaining and will teach you much about Taiwanese people and their culture. Check out the following top celebrations during this time in Taipei:
- Dragon Boat Festival: This festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan and celebrates the custom of competitive dragon boat racing. It falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the lunar calendar.
- Penghu International Fireworks Festival: Penghu hosts a yearly fireworks display from May to July.
- Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival: This two-month festival is held on Fulong Beach and features exhibitions and competitions of sand sculptures.
- Xia-Hai City God Cultural Festival: This festival celebrates the birthday of the Xia-Hai City God on the 13th day of the fifth lunar month.
- Taipei Water Festival: This major summer event lasts over two months in Taipei Water Park.
- Taitung International Balloon Festival: This one-of-a-kind festival showcases amazing hot-air balloon displays and offers hot-air balloon ride experiences.
- Ghost Festival: The spooky Ghost Month begins in the seventh month of the lunar calendar when many Taiwanese give offerings to their ancestors, ghosts, and gods.
There is never a dull moment in Taipei. While March-May and October-December are the best months to visit Taipei, you will also find many things to do in the off-season. In addition, the latter is ideal for budget-conscious travelers. You will score excellent hotel deals during those months. You can also save money during peak tourist seasons. Avoid tourist traps, choose guesthouses or hostels for accommodations, dine at local restaurants, and explore free attractions. Before planning a trip to this city, research the climate, activities, and other must-know things.
