Best Time to Visit Taiwan

Winter is the safe bet, but not everywhere

Most of Taiwan is at its best from late autumn to early spring. The south gets going a little later. Taipei and New Taipei City are good from November to March. Taichung is best from November to February. Kaohsiung runs December to March, and Tainan December to February.

In the north, winter is cool, grey and often drizzly. It's fine for hot springs in Beitou and for night markets, but bring a rain jacket for Jiufen's hilly lanes. The south is sunnier and drier, so it's the better pick if you want temples, street food and cycling without a soaking.

Summer and typhoon season

July is the hottest month in all five places, at 31°C in most and 30°C in Tainan. It's sticky, and afternoons can feel heavy. Rain peaks at different times. Taipei and New Taipei City are wettest in June (289 mm), the plum rain season of long, damp spells. Taichung, Kaohsiung and Tainan are wettest in August, and Tainan is the wettest of the lot at 440 mm.

Typhoons can hit from roughly July to October. They may close mountain roads, cancel flights and shut trails like those in Taroko Gorge. Keep your plans loose if you travel then. If you like quiet sights and don't mind heat, summer can be cheaper.

Holidays and crowds

Lunar New Year, usually in late January or February, is the biggest travel moment. Locals head home, trains sell out and some shops close for a few days. Still, the Lantern Festival that follows is a highlight, especially the sky lanterns at Pingxi. Other long weekends include Tomb Sweeping Day in early April, Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, when families barbecue outdoors.

Peak season is winter, around Lunar New Year, and the cooler months generally. Summer school holidays also bring domestic crowds to beaches and Kenting. Want the best balance? Aim for November or March, when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller.