Just got back from the island|Honestly advising everyone not to come in August or September! Full record of all the pitfalls faced 😭 Just finished circling the island. To be honest, visiting Taiwan in August and September seriously affects the experience. Here’s a summary of my real travel impressions. If you’re planning a trip, please read this before deciding! ❌ Four major reasons to avoid August and September—unavoidable hassles 1. High heat and humidity make it unbearably muggy, hard to spend time outdoors The whole island has a year-round humidity above 80% in summer. Taipei and Taichung daytime temperatures stay steady at 33–36℃, and southern Kenting even exceeds 38℃. The heat feels intense, with perceived temperatures close to 40℃. Walking outside for just a few minutes leaves you sticky and sweaty. Hiking Yangmingshan, Alishan, climbing the hills of Pingxi Old Street and Jiufen Mountain Town is a struggle. Between noon and 3 PM, outdoor activities are impossible—you’ll get dizzy and overheated after just a few steps. Afternoons almost always bring sudden short heavy rain. One moment it’s bright sun, the next it’s pouring. Cameras and belongings get soaked easily, and plans get frequently interrupted. 2. Typhoon season means trips can be canceled at any time July to September is the peak typhoon season, with August at its highest and September’s autumn typhoons generally stronger and less predictable. When a typhoon warning is issued, these problems happen: ✅ Many flights between Taiwan and mainland China are delayed or canceled, and ferries stop running ✅ Suhua Highway and the entire eastern route through Hualien and Taitung close, ruining island tours ✅ Alishan, Taroko Gorge, and coastal Kenting attractions close temporarily ✅ Local authorities suspend work and school, night markets, shops, and attractions shut down, leaving you stuck in your hotel Some friends planned an 8-day island tour but got stuck in Taipei for 3 days due to a typhoon. Half their trip was canceled, and it’s hard to get full refunds for flights and hotels. 3. The lunar Ghost Festival month dampens the atmosphere From mid-August to mid-September is the Ghost Month, a traditional local festival that affects travel: Many locals avoid traveling, and some mountain and seaside spots are considered taboo to visit; several outdoor events and night markets reduce their schedules; mountain inns and countryside shops close early, so you won’t experience the usual lively island nightlife. 4. High risks for island tours mean you miss the best mountain and sea views Taiwan’s highlights fall into two categories: eastern sea cliffs and mountains with clouds and lakes, all limited by summer weather. Heat and showers cause thick mountain fog. Visibility at Sun Moon Lake, Qingjing Farm, and Hehuan Mountain is very low, making it impossible to capture clear, stunning photos. Strong winds and waves on the east coast lead to temporary closures of cliff trails, so you can’t get close to the breathtaking Pacific coastline. Even beach activities in Kenting are restricted during typhoon warnings—no snorkeling or surfing allowed, making the trip pointless. ✅ If your trip is already booked|Emergency travel tips for August and September If you can’t change your dates, follow these tips to reduce risks: 1. Skip the island tour and stick to northern cities Focus on indoor spots in Taipei and New Taipei: Taipei 101, cultural and creative districts, museums, and art galleries. Stay indoors during the day to avoid the heat, then visit Shilin and Raohe night markets in the evening. Avoid eastern, mountainous, and coastal long-distance routes. 2. Strictly avoid peak heat hours Go out between 6:30 AM and 9 AM to explore old streets and Jiufen; return to your hotel for a midday rest; head out again after 5 PM to avoid the midday heat. 3. Must-have travel items High-SPF waterproof sunscreen, cooling arm sleeves, sun hat, portable raincoat, large water bottle, herbal remedy for heatstroke, mosquito repellent. Bring a light jacket because malls have very cold air conditioning, and switching between hot and cold can cause colds. 4. Buy travel insurance Make sure your policy covers typhoons and flight cancellations. This can help recover some losses if your trip is disrupted. Check weather alerts daily and adjust your plans flexibly. 🌟 Best times to visit Taiwan year-round (precise recommendations) ▪️ March to May spring|Top choice! Temperatures 20–28℃, little rain, cherry blossoms at Yangmingshan and flower seas at Alishan bloom, perfect for hiking and island tours ▪️ October to November fall|Best season! Typhoons are gone, dry and cool, clear mountain and sea views, stunning cloud seas and coastlines for photos, ideal for self-driving island tours ❌ July to September|High heat, heavy rain, and typhoons combine—avoid unless necessary 💡 Final honest advice Taiwan’s mountains, seas, night markets, and culture are truly worth visiting, but the seasonal differences are huge. If it’s your first time and you want to see the coastline, mountain lakes, and hidden villages all at once, definitely avoid August and September. If you just want to explore city night markets and indoor cultural spots, prepare well for the heat and typhoons before you go!

🌸🧳🛫 🗓️ DAY 1: Pray 🙏 Eat 🍜 Chill ☕ Shop 🛍️ in a Classic Neighborhood ✈️ 07:00 AM | Arrive at Taoyuan Airport, join the 🎁 Lucky Draw, then hop on the 🚆 Taoyuan Airport MRT (Purple Express line) straight into 𝙏𝘼𝙄𝙋𝙀𝙄 city 🌆 🚉 09:00 AM | Arrive at 𝙏𝘼𝙄𝙋𝙀𝙄 Main Station and transfer to the 🚇 MRT to drop off your luggage at the hotel 🏨 🍚 09:30 AM | Take the Blue Line MRT to Longshan Temple Station and kick off the day with a budget-friendly 💸 crispy pork belly rice porridge 🥓 for breakfast 📸 10:30 AM | Take a walk to digest and snap some photos of the ancient red brick architecture 🧱 at Bopiliao Historical Block 🙏 11:00 AM | Pay your respects to the deities ✨ and grab some chic amulets 🍀 at Longshan Temple 🌈 12:00 PM | Hop back on the Blue Line MRT for just 1 stop to Ximen Station (Exit 6) and pose for a photo at the iconic Rainbow Crossing 📷 🌶️🍲 01:00 PM | Treat yourself to an epic spicy mala shabu buffet lunch 🔥 at Xin Mala Hotpot in Ximending 🏨 03:00 PM | Head back to the hotel to check in, unpack 🧳, and change into a stylish outfit 👗 for evening photos 🛍️ 04:00 PM | Take the MRT to Zhongshan Station for some fashion shopping 👕👗 and explore the art scene 🎨 hidden in the hip alleyways 🌃 07:00 PM | Wrap up the day in the lively atmosphere 🎉 and hunt for delicious street food snacks 🍢🍡🍗 at Ximending Night Market ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌿🚞 🗓️ DAY 2: Nature Escapes & Ancient Villages Outside the City 🍳 08:00 AM | Fuel up with an authentic Taiwanese-style breakfast 🥟🥛 near your hotel 🚆 09:00 AM | Take the MRT to 𝙏𝘼𝙄𝙋𝙀𝙄 Main Station and transfer to a TRA train heading to the port city of Keelung ⚓ (approx. 45 mins) 🎨 10:30 AM | Catch a bus to see the vibrant Zhengbin Port Color Houses 🌈🏠 🌊 11:30 AM | Marvel at the unique rock formations at Heping Island 🪨🌊 and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch 🦐🦑 🐱 01:30 PM | Hop on a TRA train to the super cute Houtong Cat Village 😻🐾 🏮 03:00 PM | Take a bus up the mountain to experience the retro charm of Jiufen Old Street 🏮✨ 🚌 06:30 PM | Ride bus 965 straight back to 𝙏𝘼𝙄𝙋𝙀𝙄 🚍 with no transfers needed 🌙 08:00 PM | If you still have energy, grab some late-night bites 🍜🍡 at Ningxia Night Market or just chill around Ximending 🚶♀️✨ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 📸🏙️♨️ 🗓️ DAY 3: Landmark Hopping & Hot Spring Relaxation 💕 08:30 AM | Stroll down the historic Dihua Street and pray for love 💖 at Taipei Xiahai City God Temple 🏛️ 09:30 AM | Admire the grandeur of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and grab some bubble tea 🧋 🌺 10:30 AM | Check out the beautiful blooming flowers 🌸🌼 at Daan Forest Park 🏙️ 11:30 AM | Snap some shots with the iconic 𝙏𝘼𝙄𝙋𝙀𝙄 101 📸✨ 🍣 01:30 PM | Head over for some amazing sushi and fresh seafood 🦞🍣 at Addiction Aquatic Development ♨️ 03:30 PM | Travel to the Beitou Hot Spring Museum to enjoy the slow-life vibe and learn about onsen culture 🛁🌿 🎡 06:00 PM | End the night at Shilin Night Market 🏮🍢🛍️, eating and shopping to your heart's content ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ☕🎁🛫 🗓️ DAY 4: Cafe Hopping - Souvenir Hunting - Heading Home 🥐☕ 09:00 AM | Enjoy a laid-back breakfast and check out of your hotel 🏨 (you can leave your luggage at the front desk) 🎨 10:00 AM | Wander around Huashan 1914 Creative Park, take aesthetic photos 📸, check out handmade crafts 🧵, and relax in a cool cafe ☕ 🎁 01:00 PM | Shop for must-have souvenirs 🛍️🍍 like pineapple cakes, nougat crackers, and premium Taiwanese tea 🍵 🧳 03:30 PM | Head back to the hotel to pick up your luggage and make your way to 𝙏𝘼𝙄𝙋𝙀𝙄 Main Station 🚉 ✈️ 04:30 PM | Take the Taoyuan Airport MRT 🚆 straight to Taoyuan Airport, check in, drop your bags 🧳, do some duty-free shopping 🛍️, and get ready for a safe and happy flight back to Thailand 🇹🇭 💖✨

#arrivalguide Planning your first trip to Taipei? Here are a few tips to make your journey easier! 🎁 **Try your luck!** Register for **Taiwan the Lucky Land** before your trip for a chance to win **NT$5,000** in travel rewards, redeemable with an EasyCard/iPASS or partner vouchers. 🚇 **Get an EasyCard** Buy one at the airport or any MRT station and top it up. It's the easiest way to pay for the MRT, buses, YouBike, convenience stores, supermarkets, and many attractions. 🏨 **Where to stay?** Choose a hotel near **Taipei Main Station**. It's the city's main transport hub, making it easy to explore Taipei and take day trips across northern Taiwan. 📍 **Must-visit attractions** · Longshan Temple – One of Taipei's oldest and most iconic temples, popular for prayers for love, health, and good fortune. · Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall – Don't miss the impressive changing of the guard ceremony. · Taipei 101 – The city's iconic skyline landmark with breathtaking views, especially at sunset. · Night Markets – Explore Raohe, Shilin, or Ningxia for delicious Taiwanese street food. 🧋 **Must-try drinks** Taiwan is the birthplace of bubble tea! Don't miss brands like **Chun Shui Tang**, **Milksha**, **50 Lan**, **CoCo**, **Macu**, and **KEBUKE**. 🚞 **Easy day trips from Taipei** ✨ Jiufen – A charming hillside town filled with lantern-lit streets. ✨ Shifen – Release a sky lantern and make a wish. ♨️ Beitou – Relax in one of Taiwan's most famous hot springs. Taipei is a city that's easy to explore, full of great food, efficient public transport, and unforgettable experiences. Save this guide for your next adventure! #Taipei #TaiwanTravel #Taipei101 #LongshanTemple #Jiufen #Shifen #Beitou #BubbleTea #TravelGuide

During my trip to Taipei this time, my most important stop was here. There are so many amazing pop-up stores here in July and August ٩( 'ω' )و The most anticipated one was definitely "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island", but I couldn't get a timed entry ticket QAQ so I could only snap some photos from the outside. Besides that, there are also the PEANUTS Summer Beach Festival and Bugcat Capoo, You don't need a reservation for these two pop-up shops, you can just walk right in, Plus, they have plenty of ticket-free photo spots set up inside 📷 - 1️⃣ "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island" Huashan Pop-up Store 📅2026.7.10 - 8.30 ⏰11:00-21:00 📍Arts West Street, Huashan 1914 Creative Park 2️⃣ PEANUTS Summer Beach Festival 📅2026.6.18 - 9.14 ⏰10:30 - 19:00 📍Middle 4A Building, Huashan 1914 Creative Park 3️⃣ 2026 Bugcat Capoo Little Romance Pop-up Store - Taipei Stop 📅2026.6.19 - 09.13 ⏰11:00 - 19:00 📍Middle 2 Building, Huashan 1914 Creative Park

A casual, unprofessional review 😆 First time flying China Airlines business class. The seats were spacious, and the legroom was incredibly generous. Even though I'm short, the width was really comfortable. For dining, I opted for online pre-ordering; online orders are required. ✨Tomahawk Pork Chop with Creamy Morel and Mushroom Sauce · The pork chop wasn't dry at all, very delicious, and especially juicy! · After-dinner included fruit and Häagen-Dazs ice cream. · Oh, and the pre-dinner cocktail called "Wei Dong" was fantastic! I almost drank it like a shot! 🤪 Other video introductions... (get off at MRT) END #ChinaAirlineBusinessClass #ChinaAirlines #TaipeiToNarita

What's wonderful about Taipei is how close the mountains and the city are. In the morning, you can be walking among the high-rises of Xinyi District, and by the afternoon, you can be catching your breath in the shade of Elephant Mountain. The transition from city to forest only takes one MRT ride plus a ten-minute walk. This time, I stayed in Taipei for four days. I didn't go to Jiufen or Tamsui; I just wandered between Daan District and Xinyi District the whole time. But what I discovered was much more interesting than visiting five tourist spots. 〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️ ① Elephant Mountain Trail The best viewing spot for Taipei 101 isn't at its base, but on Elephant Mountain. But I'm not talking about the observation deck everyone goes to. Go up from the Yongchunpo entrance, and after about twenty minutes, you'll reach a fork. Most people go right to the observation deck; you go left. The path on the left leads to a lesser-known pavilion, completely hidden by acacia trees. Sitting inside and looking out, the tip of 101 peeks out perfectly between two trees, as if framed. Elephant Mountain in June is hot, but there's a breeze under the trees. The cicadas are so loud that sometimes you have to shout to be heard. I recommend starting your ascent at 4 PM. You'll reach the top just in time for sunset, and then you can watch 101 light up. That transition from dusk to night view is worth waiting half an hour for on the mountain. By the time you descend, it's already dark. The lights along the trail illuminate one by one, casting a warm yellow glow on the steps. 〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️ ② Daan District Alleys I could spend an entire day exploring the small alleys of Taipei's Daan District. These alleys are so narrow that two scooters passing each other have to turn sideways, but they hide so many interesting shops. Not the flashy, Instagram-famous kind, but small shops that have been open for over ten years, where the owners are designers or artisans themselves. Walk to the end of Yongkang Street, turn into an unnamed alley, and you'll find a small studio that makes handmade leather goods. The owner is a very quiet woman; when she's making bags, she doesn't look at people, just focuses on the needle and thread in her hands. I watched her stitch the edge of a cardholder for five minutes, and the steadiness of her hand left me mesmerized. The Qingtian Street area is even quieter. Japanese-style old dormitories converted into teahouses and bookstores, with ancient camphor trees in their courtyards providing ample shade. Walking along Qingtian Street in mid-June, your head is completely covered by tree canopy, and the ground is dappled with light and shadow. The air smells like a mix of camphor wood and old books. 〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️ ③ Sisinan Village Behind the high-rises of Xinyi District, a military dependents' village has actually been preserved. Sisinan Village is now a creative park, but the exterior of the buildings remains as it was. Low houses, mottled walls, clotheslines. When you walk in and look up, 101 is directly overhead; the contrast is striking. On weekends, there's a market selling handmade soaps, vintage items, and independent magazines. I bought a jar of handmade osmanthus jam at one stall, and when I got back, I ate it with yogurt for three days—it was so delicious I licked the lid clean. 〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️ ④ Nighttime Route Taipei's nights shouldn't just be about night markets. The rooftop bars in Xinyi District are worth spending an evening at. I went to one on the 33rd floor, with a terrace directly facing 101. After 9 PM, 101's lights change, from warm white to cool blue to rainbow colors, switching every few minutes. Order a cocktail made with Taiwanese tea and watch 101 change colors in the night; this scene is very Taipei. Oh, one night I was eating beef noodles on Yongkang Street, and an expat sat at the table next to me. He used chopsticks better than I did, and after finishing, he even said "Duo Xie" (thank you) to the owner in Taiwanese. My expression at the time was probably something like dumbfounded.jpg. 〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️ Photo tips For the pavilion at the left fork on Elephant Mountain, use a medium telephoto lens to photograph 101. When zoomed in, 101 and the foreground leaves will create a great contrast between reality and blur. The best time to photograph light and shadow in the Daan District alleys is from 10 AM to 11 AM. Sunlight streams through the gaps between buildings, drawing clear lines of light and shadow on the walls. For a contrasting shot of 101 at Sisinan Village, crouch down and use the roofs of the low village houses as the foreground, with 101 standing directly behind. That composition inherently has a dramatic feel. Accommodation 🏨 Capella Taipei Located in the heart of Xinyi District, the design is understated luxury. The materials used in the rooms are exquisite, with the perfect blend of wood veneer and stone, without being ostentatious. The pool is on a high floor, and swimming while looking at 101 is a unique experience. 🏨 Humble House Taipei On Songjiang Road, the design is simple and clean. Although the indoor pool is not large, the atmosphere is excellent, and you can usually have it to yourself if you avoid peak hours. The East-meets-West breakfast is thoughtfully prepared; there aren't many options, but everything is delicious. 🏨 Mandarin Oriental, Taipei A long-standing luxury hotel where the service details are impeccable. The giant floral arrangement in the lobby changes with each visit, and after a spa treatment, you feel completely relaxed. The afternoon tea desserts are of a very high standard, not just for show but genuinely delicious. 🏨 Hotel Resonance Taipei Near Taipei Arena, offering good value for money. The room design is modern and youthful, with all the necessary amenities. The location is convenient, making it quick to get to Xinyi District and Daan District, suitable for those who don't want to spend too much but still demand quality.