The information on this page is based on historical averages and may not reflect current conditions. Please check with local authorities for the latest travel advice.
Read moreThe best time to visit Taiwan is from February to April and October to December. Falling on either side of the sweltering summer and typhoon season, these two periods let you make the most of the warm, subtropical climate and some of Taiwan’s top events.
With the weather on your side, Taiwan’s great outdoors are well worth exploring during these months. Go sakura spotting at Yangmingshan from February, see the mesmerising fireflies at Dongshi Forest Garden in April or admire the beautiful autumnal colours at Alishan later in the year. Whenever and wherever you embark on your outdoor adventure, the hot springs at Beitou and Wulai are the perfect place to recover. Back in the cities, the comfortable climate makes it prime time to explore top attractions like Shilin Night Market and Elephant Mountain, and join in with the infectious atmosphere during the Lantern Festival and Taiwan Pride.
More about the best time to visit Taiwan
Monthly weather and travel tips for Taiwan
January is the coldest month in Taiwan with an average temperature of around 17°C for the month. While this might not sound particularly wintery, a jacket is still a good idea though, as the humidity in the northern regions like Taipei can make it feel a fair few degrees colder. It’s drier and slightly warmer to the south of the country, but you’ll feel a much more noticeable difference if you venture higher up into the mountains – like Hehuanshan and Xueshan – where there’s even a chance of snow.
January tends to be fairly quiet in terms of events, unless Chinese New Year happens to fall in this month. The festival follows the lunar calendar, meaning it can take place anytime from 21 January to 20 February, so it’s best to check ahead to see if the big crowds and even bigger celebrations will be here during your trip.
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February in Taiwan is generally mild, with average temperatures in the late teens. You’ll get cooler and wetter weather up north in Taipei, while southern and eastern cities like Kaohsiung and Taitung bolster the average temperatures up with dry, sunny days.
The crowds in February hinge on the timings of Chinese New Year. This festival follows the lunar calendar, so it can fall in either January or February – but there’s a bigger chance it’s the latter. If you’re in Taiwan during Chinese New Year, expect busy transport links, lively tourist spots and an uplifting atmosphere as locals travel to their hometowns and go on trips with family. Chinese New Year is capped off in Taiwan with the Lantern Festival, when families gather in cities like Pingxi to release floating lanterns into the sky. Check ahead to see if the Lantern Festival will take place during your visit – it’s usually in February, but can occasionally take place in March too.
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A comfortable spring feel awaits if you’re visiting Taiwan in March. Places like Taipei and Taoyuan stay prone to wet weather, but the rain paired with the rising temperatures help Tung blossoms and other flowers spring into life.
Another flower you can see in Taiwan in March is the cherry blossom. These light pink flowers can actually be in bloom here as early as January, but the warmer weather makes March a popular time to see them – and a less crowded alternative to sakura season in Japan. If the start of spring has given you a taste for the great outdoors, continue your adventures hiking Yushan National Park’s mountain trails, exploring the breathtaking Taroko Gorge or unwinding in the Beitou Hot Springs.
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April in Taiwan sees the sun come out more and average temperatures rise above the 20°C mark. It’s prime time to climb up Taipei’s Elephant Mountain, but be mindful of rainfall increasing both here and all over Taiwan as you near the end of the month.
April marks the start of the yearly Penghu Fireworks Festival – two months of fireworks displays every few days over on the Penghu archipelago. If you fancy a different kind of light show, head into Taiwan’s wilderness to catch the peak of firefly season. Places like Yangmingshan National Park and Taichung’s Dongshi Forest Garden are home to swarms of fireflies, which light up the evening with a magical bright green glow. To take in more of Taiwan’s natural sights, venture north to Zhuzihu to see the beautiful white calla lilies come into bloom.
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Expect heat, humidity and rain if you’re visiting Taiwan in May. This month signals the start of East Asia’s plum rain season, a two-month period of rainfall across Taiwan and some of its neighbouring countries. The season – so called for coinciding with plums ripening here – brings rain in short but heavy thundershowers, usually in the afternoon. An umbrella and a thin rain jacket are essentials at this time of year.
If you’ve already been caught in a downpour though, save yourself the trouble of drying off and head to one of Taiwan’s hot springs. The natural thermal waters in areas like Beitou and Wulai are popular places to unwind and de-stress. If you’re happy to brave the afternoon showers, Taiwan’s national parks are well worth a visit too. The rocky landscape at Taroko National Park, beaches and mountains at Kenting and diverse flora at Yangmingshan National Park all make for great photos – but keep that umbrella handy to keep you and your camera dry.
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June in Taiwan is nearing the peak of summer, so expect soaring temperatures, heavy rainfall and a generally humid, tropical climate. The plum rain season is in full swing, with short but heavy afternoon thundershowers, particularly down south in Kaohsiung. The heat and the rain ease off in the evening for cooler, more comfortable weather – perfect for exploring Taipei’s street food-fueled night markets.
A highlight on the cultural events calendar in Taiwan is the Dragon Boat Festival. The date can vary as it follows the lunar calendar, but more often than not it falls in June. Crowds congregate by rivers in Taipei, Miaoli and Lukang to watch rowers race in intricately painted boats, and eat ‘zongzi’ – pyramid-shaped sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves. If the June heat is getting a little too hot to handle, cool off in blissfully air-conditioned shops in the famous Taipei 101 tower, or in malls and restaurants dotted all over the capital.
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July is the hottest month in Taiwan, with temperatures averaging in the high twenties across the country – and humidity making it feel more like 35°C. July is also part of the typhoon season here, so you’ll need to keep a close eye on the weather forecasts during your visit. If the coast is clear and you’re not put off by the heat, you’ll find plenty to do.
Taitung Balloon Festival sees an array of colourful hot-air balloons take to the skies, while Fulong Beach is transformed into an outdoor art gallery of sorts, thanks to incredible works at the International Sand Sculpture Festival. For an air-conditioned break from the outdoors, head inside to the National Palace Museum or the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, then keep cool with an ice-cold bubble tea in the very country that invented it.
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The heat shows no signs of stopping in Taiwan in August, experiencing the same tropical temperatures and afternoon downpours seen in July. Typhoon season continues into August too, so be sure to check weather forecasts often to see how it might affect your travels.
The season tends to only bring a couple of typhoons to Taiwan over the few-month period, so for the most part you should be free to head out and explore all that the country has to offer. Weather permitting, Taroko Gorge is a popular August activity thanks to its cooler climate, or you can soak up some sun, sights and the sea breeze at the beaches in Kenting National Park. Over in the eastern county of Hualien, mountains covered in seasonal bright orange daylily flowers make for a beautiful, no-filter-necessary photo.
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After a sweltering summer, Taiwan in September is a little bit more comfortable when it comes to weather. The temperature drops – just slightly down south, and more so in Taipei and other northern regions – and some of the August rains ease off too. September is still part of the typhoon season, but the beaches down south remain popular in the sunny weather.
The temperatures might not seem all that autumnal, but one of Taiwan’s festivals at this time of year should act as a seasonal reminder. The Mid-Autumn Festival – also known as the Moon Festival is a chance to gorge on mooncakes and join locals for riverside barbecues in Taipei. As a lunar calendar festival, the date can vary, but it’s usually in September. Other events worth noting include the Taipei Arts Festival and the Sun Moon Lake International Swimming Carnival – a swim across the country’s largest lake attracting tens of thousands of participants.
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Warm and mostly dry weather make October one of the best months to visit Taiwan. With mercury at an average of 24°C and some cooling winds coming in, it’s a great time to head up into the mountains and see the bright autumnal-coloured woodlands. A popular place to do this is Alishan, where – if you’re up early enough – you can also watch the sun rise above a ‘sea of clouds’ floating around the lower parts of the mountain.
There’s plenty worth getting out of bed for in the big cities too. Taiwan Pride is East Asia’s biggest LGBTQ+ celebration, with lively parades and colour-clad crowds taking to the streets of Taipei. It’s party time in Taichung too – the annual jazz festival attracts a host of top Taiwanese and international talent for over a week of music-filled festivities each October.
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By Taiwan standards, November is a cool and comfortable month in which to visit the country. Average temperatures are just above 20°C, and you should get some sun in the Taichung and Kaohsiung regions. Taipei tends to be a little grey with some rain, but a light jacket should be more than enough to keep you warm here.
Despite the favourable weather conditions, it’s one of the quieter months in terms of tourists. Use this opportunity to explore some of the major attractions like Elephant Mountain, Jiufen Old Street or the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. If you’re in Taipei in November, grab yourself a seat for screenings at the prestigious Golden Horse Film Festival, and be sure to save time to fill up on street food at Shilin Night Market.
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With average temperatures in the mid-to-late teens, December is one of the coldest months in Taiwan. It’s the driest too, particularly in southern cities like Kaohsiung and Tainan. The days in Taipei can look a little gloomy, but Christmas lights and the Taipei 101 New Year’s Eve Fireworks brighten up the capital later in the month.
You’ll find plenty to do in the lead up to the end of year festivities in December. The mild winter weather makes a soak in Beitou’s and Wulai’s hot springs an appealing prospect. Or, if you’re in the south of Taiwan, the Art Kaohsiung fair showcases contemporary works from up-and-coming local talent. December also sees Taipei Marathon runners put through their paces in the capital – cheer them along or sign up and take part yourself for a great way to explore the city.
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You’ll get the best weather in Taiwan from February to April and October to December. The summer brings soaring temperatures, short but heavy thundershowers and occasional typhoons – so these months either side of them make for much more pleasant conditions. A raincoat is still a good idea if you’re in northern regions like Taipei from February to April, while the days should be a little drier from October to December. Southern and central cities like Kaohsiung and Taichung tend to be dry for most of the spring and autumn, with temperatures hovering in the twenties, and even some December sunshine.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taipei | High | 19°C | 20°C | 22°C | 26°C | 29°C | 32°C | 34°C | 33°C | 31°C | 27°C | 25°C | 20°C |
| Low | 14°C | 14°C | 16°C | 19°C | 23°C | 26°C | 27°C | 26°C | 25°C | 22°C | 19°C | 15°C | |
Weather data provided by Forecast.io
Cost of stay in Taiwan
Want to travel smart? Here, you can check out the average cost of accommodation per night in Taiwan.
The best places to visit in Taiwan
Check out some of the most popular cities, places to visit and things to do in Taiwan!
Taipei
Popular in December
Convenient Public Transport, Night Markets, Food
Taichung
Popular in December
Night Markets, Local Food, Food
Kaohsiung
Popular in February
Night Markets, Local Food, Relaxation
Tainan
Popular in February
Local Food, Street Food, Food
Hualien City
Popular in July
Nature, Scenery, Nature Walks
Taitung City
Popular in July
Nature, Scenery, Clean Air
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It was an incredible experience. Will surely come back to Taipei.
Nice art city, lots of out door sculptures and things happening by pier 2. Modern city I enjoyed it. Good public transport system
Good gateway to Taroko gorge. Not much in city to do but the gorge is fantastic, and I’m from New Zealand and we do nature well.
Big city, a fair bit to see, would recommend going in dry season ie January but cool weather. Great MRT underground metro system. Get a easy card. People are conformists but pleasant. Good looking ladies. As of Jan 2024 70% of people still wear face masks. Very modern city
I walked a lot & saw a lot & took the round lake shuttle bus. The weather was bad tho. I had 2 full days & it rained for a lot of that time. Top temperature on the first day was 13 and on the 2nd it was 11. Very low clouds the whole time so good views were minimal. I'd love to be there on cloudless days to enjoy the scenery but I was out of luck.
Better not travel to Magong during winter as it is cold and super windy, while quite some sites and restaurants are not opening or having shorter opening hours. Better join local shuttle bus tour for tourists with no driving licenses, since the local public transport is not so frequent, Uber is not available too.
Great place to stay with a great staff! Lots of places to visit with many temples and Shrines nearby and good places to eat!
It's a bustling city with all the essentials. Traffic can be slow, so it's best to use public transportation when you can. Also, remember to prepare for sun protection because when the weather is nice, it can get really hot.
Great food! Easy to get by with a map and taxi. Shopping is also good, but the National Palace Museum and the Martyr's Shrine are impressive.
Friendly, helpful people. Plenty to do and places to eat Easy to get around with metro & buses High speed rail connection to east coast of Taipei is great Inexpensive city to visit ‘Taiwan Obsessed’ online guides By Nick Kembel are super informative.
Taipei is a city that have improve a lot this past decades. I will recommend vividly travelers to take the time to discover this amazing city and pass the first impressions that are not always positive. There a tons of things to do and to experience.
Kaoshiung is a place where you can explore safely in Taiwan. You can even walk at night time without hesitations and apprehensions. Kaoshiung is like a province within a city. It has varieties of authentic international restaurants as well as local ones. Their food is superb!
We spent about 3 hours here - mainly shopping and resting . It is much smaller than Jiufen. Fenqihu trail is relatively easy to walk and takes about 40 minutes. The Hundred Year doughnut is baked in a waffle-like pan so not oily. It has lovely layers and maple sweetened crust. We tried from other shops selling but I think the Hundred Years’ ones is better.
People there are very friendly and sincere. Love the weather and screenry!..
If you are for nature tours there are many places to visit just outside of Taipei and it would be best to allot overnight or 2 night stays at these places (Hualien, Sun and Moon, etc). The locals are very friendly and helpful and communicating is easy even with limited English words used. They have great food and walking and patiently lining up for them is worth the effort. The night markets are always a great option to learn about their culture and discover inexpensive good food.
Fresh air, relaxing, many good restaurants around.
Taichung is much quieter than Taipei. I was surprised there was a few Micheline star restaurants and prices also very reasonable. There's also a tourist bus which goes around and we can hop on and off wherever we want to go.
Great city, so much to do and see. The food is an absolute highlight!
We love the HanXini which is so beautiful and fills with tranquility and soothing energy. We spent 2 solid days just in this one place to charge up!
Taiwan was a great place to visit but due to the distance from one location to another, the personal cab seem to be slightly expensive.
The area is very quiet, it has lots of parks and a calligraphy museum for anyone to enjoy. This place is located at Taoyuan HSR/MRT A018 stop. It also have Gloria outlet where you can eat and shop until you drop. Lots if tourist here for sure as the outlet has lots of premium brand name items that offer at a discount price.
Wonderful place to go for a short trip. The zoological garden was a disappointment though - you don't get to see the animals as most went into hiding. Looking for the animals is like a treasure hunt 😅
a very compact 2 day 1 night trip to sun moon lake. i went cycling in the afternoon after I arrived, and then booked a coach to go standup paddling in the morning in time to catch the sun rise up from the mountains surrounding the lake.
Taiwaneses are friendly and helpful. Transportation is efficient and affordable
One of the oldest cities in Taiwan. Lots of traditional Hokkien cuisines and sightseeing to visit. The west central is a better place to stay although is is over 2 km from the Train station.
Taichung is often overlooked in favor of Taipei in the north, Kaoshiung in the south, or even the beach town of Kenting, or Hualien in the east (being close to Taroko Gorge). However, Taichung has great hiking trails, large nightmarkets, a variety of art and culture scenes, and a myriad of food and cafe locations that could keep you well occupied.
A nice lsland good for vacation and travel. Silent and relaxed enviornment, nice people.
We checked in at around 10pm. But we waited for 1 hour for the room even though the booking showed it is confirmed. They let people to check into the room for short 3 hours of stay. We knew about this because I saw the couple checked out. The staff just asked the cleaning team to touch up the room only then they let us go check inside the room.
Great place for food. Public toilet very good. Many places to explore. Public bus transport convenient.
Great small city with lots to do, great food, and awesome night markets. Loved every second of my evening there, wandering around and checking out all the small back alleys and cafes/restaurants. Great people too!
staying a night is definitely recommended for better and greater experience
I liked Hualien City after the busy and crowded Taipei. Hualien felt more relax3d and lady down. Definitely worth a visit
A lot of places to go and many activities to make. A lot of streetfoods to satisfy your crave. A lot of restaurants as well.. Highly recommended to visit.
We had a wonderful and thrilling trip to Taipei, Taiwan, thanks to the NTD 5000 prize we won for the Taiwan the Lucky Land Campaign. My fangirling heart is overjoyed that we went to Chaiyi to fulfill my dreams of the meteor garden. We sample their street cuisine, milk tea, and a few of their recommended locations. For visitors like us, the people are all exceedingly accommodating.
It is easy to explore Taipei especially when you join group tours. I loved that there are free group tours you can book and join. Also, the convenience of having a Filipino contact to do our North tours really helped. Public transportation is straightforward to navigate. There's a lot of local food you can enjoy. People are also friendly.
Awesome place for walkers and lovers of public transport. Me! A combination of old a new, they manage to keep the dignity of the old places instead of covering it up.
Better to stay for at least 5 days to make sure to see all the beautiful places in the area.
I definitely recommend going to Taipei very beautiful country people polite and always helpful. They have a very good public transport and something many travelers look for value for money I definitely go back again
I happened to visit Hualien during the aborigines festival, at the end of July, which was amazing! Hualien is the second city I have visited in Taiwan, after Taipei. It is very different from the capital. More relaxed and quieter, but friendly. Taroko gorge was fabulous, though I had not properly prepared my visit. Do not make the same mistake! Hualien is about an hour by bus from Taroko. Buses don’t run very often, which makes planning the day a little tricky.
Yilan City definitely needs improvement in terms of public transport. If you are coming here without your own transport, do not expect to be able to get around like in Taipei, highly recommend renting a bike/car so that you can get to the destinations which are well spread out in this large city! Besides that, the city is well known for its hot springs and cold springs, beautiful beaches and paddy fields which would be perfect for a light cycling trip, and their unique food.
It is one of our favorite vacation spots. This latest trip after the pandemic is my 4th time in Taipei. It is a safe city and the public transportation system is superb.
Fab National Palace museum southern branch. Really excellent.
Taitung is beautiful and filled with many interesting places to explore and relax in. The beach is amazing, although the days I was there I couldn't fully enjoy the beach as there was a storm surge from an approaching typhoon, but nevertheless, it was beautiful. The surrounding hills are perfect for hiking, the food is great, and the people are amazing. I loved it there.
A good place to visit, though not with many modern tourist attractions. There are lots of natural and cultural attractions.
Near the Big City Mall which is around the corner. Everything is in walking distance.
I have been to Taipei for several times. It is a good, clean, comfortable and safe place with lots of fun…! Transportations are easy and convenient at acceptable rates.
Compared to the main island of Nagnan. Beigan is more authentic and quiet. Nangan does have more to offer, in terms of comfort but Beigan is more authentic. Definitely check out the stone villages. It is easier if you have a scooter, but you can rent a taxi for the day or take limited bus schedule.
perhaps good location if you have a late or earlier flight to Taipei airport.
Muslim friendly destination, good food with affordable price. Good quality to live in
Modern working city, friendly people with a very wide choice of shops and restaurants. Excellent public transportation system and of course Taipei 101….!
Too hot during Summer! Can't enjoy much because it was too hot outside :( Affordable and great public transport system. Best enjoyed during other seasons.
My favourite places were Chang Kai shek memorial (don't miss the changing of the guard), and the evening walk to elephant mountain. We also had a very good food massage in the Raohe Night Market.
Simple not modern City , local people friendly, too many cross roads to slow down traffic., things are cheap
I will highly recommend this hotel Cham Cham to my friends
Great place to experience the culture with lots of things to eat and do! Easy to travel and get around to places~
Most of the stores are not accepting credit card..Difficult communication.People are polite..You will not scared walking alone in the street any time...
Loved Longshan temple. Loved the trip we made to Yehliu geological park (we just used the bus). Loved the National Palace Museum. It was easy to get around. Got an easycard and used it on metro, bus in Taipei and other places (including local train). For coffee we used 85° or Louisa coffee, both are chains and we found them in multiple places. We also spent time in Tainan (fabulous), Chiayi and Lukang.
Taipei is a city that never sleeps. You can walk around at 3am at night and still able to find a variety of food such as chinese food, indian food, convenient store and etc. Compared to where I am from, all the shops closed after 10pm, only choice left for midnight snacks are McDonalds and 7-11.
Taiwan is just an AMAZING place and safe place, beautiful people, places, full of magic and hidden cozy corners to visit, food is a treasure, amazing venue spots, sightseeing, touristic attractions, you never get bored here, I would perfectly move to work to Taiwan.
Super buzzing city, great food, nature close enough for trips
We have stayed 7 nights in Taipei which feel it is not enough. There are many cafe and farms , shopping centre we yet to explore, Will be back on next March 2024
Anping sights would definitely take up the whole day. Tainan is a lovely place to be with an excellent variety of history, cultural sites, temples, markets, and general fun things to do. Could definitely have stayed longer than 2 full days for a few extra day trips nearby, and to try more of the local things.
A fantastic place to visit and be. History (National Palace Museum = a must), culture (beautiful shrines), food culture (best I have ever experienced) and shopping. Excellent metro, so easy to get around. People friendly and kind to visitors.
I really enjoyed my stay in Taipei. There is plenty to do in the city. I especially liked the hiking trails on the outskirts of the city, the hiking trails around elephant mountain and the night markets.
So much to see and do, Cycling around the island, great places to eat, soaking in the hot springs with many people from different countries, snorkeling, seeing amazing fish in fantastic colors, and just meeting so many nice travelers
Tainan is a hidden gem. Lots of hidden alleyways leading to temples, coffee shops and market stalls. Most of all the people were friendly and helpful. Great art museums !
If you stayed overnight and it didn't rain, make sure you join the night tour. Jiufen is a lot more than just taro balls and fish balls.
A nice place with cool weather. But the road conditions are not that ideal as travellers need to walk at the side of the road which is very dangerous..
Walkable city though a little on the sleepy side. Not for those who are in a hurry or crave shopping in mall type environments. In my opinion it rains excessively here but that is what Keelung is meant to be. Good base for travel to Jiufen and Shifen and northern Taiwan as the city is far less congested than Taipei, not to mention considerably cheaper to stay
I have been to Taiwan at least 20 times for work and holidays. Taiwanese are very polite and helpful, people are considerate and self disciplined. The island has beautiful scenery and eating out is part of their way of life. Food is cheap, public transport is cheap and you will feel very safe everywhere you go day and night. It’s like a mini version of Japan and that’s not a coincidence for Taiwan was a colony of Japan for over 40 years before WWII.
beautiful sceneries in the balcony... pillowcase, pillows should change
