What if Taiwan were the new trendy destination in Asia? While Thailand and Japan are very well-known and widely visited destinations, Taiwan remains more discreet and still very preserved from mass tourism, despite its assets.
The island has still wild nature, exuberant cities and above all a very rich and lively culture that one truly enjoys discovering.
The former island of Formosa has a size comparable to the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region, but with 23.5 million inhabitants. Since 1949, Taiwan has been an independent country; much to China’s displeasure. Moreover, today its culture and population are more inspired by Japan and South Korea, thus offering visitors a total change of scenery and a very complete destination.
The Lantern Festival is the major cultural highlight in Taiwan on the occasion of the symbolic passage to the lunar new year. It generally takes place in February or even early March.
Thus, in each city and village of the country, festivities are organized, notably with lanterns creating a festive atmosphere.
But there is one event that surpasses the others: The Lantern Festival which is organized each year in a different city. In 2026 the festival took place in Chiayi, a city located on the west coast.
In reality, there are not that many lanterns in this festival, which is more like a huge Light Festival: On a 35-hectare esplanade, one walks through hundreds of light installations and performance stages.
The place is grandiose, it is a feast for the eyes, with all these structures, these light effects and shows each more luminous than the last.
There is also a Lantern Festival in Taipei every year. It is a bit less spectacular, but it brings a magical atmosphere in the very lively district of Ximen in the city center and at Taipei Expo Park north of the capital.
Entrance to these different events is completely free and perfectly suited for a family audience.
Another tradition in Taiwan is releasing lanterns into the sky. Here again, it is a tradition to celebrate the lunar new year and especially in Pingxi and Shifen (40 min drive east of Taipei). Once a year, a special day is organized with the sending of hundreds of luminous lanterns into the sky, creating a magical spectacle.
For those who would not travel to Taiwan during the lunar new year, one can still enjoy this spectacle and send a lantern into the sky all year round.
Head to the village of Shifen where it is possible to personalize one’s lantern, with messages on each side. The tradition is to write a wish on it before letting the lit lantern fly into the sky.
https://skylantern.ntpc.gov.tw/#/
These lanterns are made of paper with a light metal structure. Not ideal for nature, but well, it is a real moment of happiness and dream, in this charming village with a particularly instagrammable look with its railway track that serves as a launch base and picturesque setting.
And then a detour to Shifen is also an opportunity to admire its large waterfall. A few hundred meters from the city center, a path descends towards the river and allows to admire this beautiful waterfall, one of the largest in Taiwan.
The Shifen waterfall is only a small glimpse of the exuberant nature of the island. Sea side or mountain side, Taiwan offers many activities for nature lovers.
Most human activity extends over the plains located in the west of Taiwan. The island’s mountains are very steep and difficult to access.
In the interior of Taiwan there is lush and subtropical vegetation, very steep slopes and regular seismic activity.
In short, one cannot venture off the beaten path, and those of Taiwan do not really resemble ours.
To allow as many people as possible to explore this magnificent nature, forest parks have been developed, with wide, marked paths and often on walkways. For sports and adventure enthusiasts, there are also long-distance hiking routes in the mountains, but these very developed forest parks have the advantage of allowing access to families in complete safety and with nice surprises. On the way, and especially in the heart of the park, one regularly encounters Formosan macaques, both wild and attracted by human presence.
One of the interests of these forest parks is to stroll among cherry blossoms with their white, pink or red colors offering a soft atmosphere to nature.
The most famous national park in Taiwan is that of Alishan. Famous for its small tourist train that winds through the forest of millennial trees. One can also reach the summit of the park, at 2200 m by traveling this splendid railway line from Chiayi in the plain. But most visitors will take a short train ride between the three stations located in the park. This line was created by the Japanese to transport wood and has kept all its charm. A steam train sometimes runs, but it is the red diesel train that is the emblem of this park.
Note that it is possible to get up early to admire the sunrise from the top of the mountain by train. It would be a good omen to witness such a spectacle in clear weather.
https://www.ali-nsa.net/en/
https://recreation.forest.gov.tw/EN/Forest/RA?typ_id=0500001
https://afrch.forest.gov.tw/En
Below the peaks of Alishan, one can discover the traditional cultures of the island. Here, one encounters the descendants of the indigenous peoples of Taiwan. This is for example the case of the Tsou and Yuyupas who welcome visitors to present their cultures: a museum and cultural space, but also their agricultural crops: here, it is the kingdom of Oolong tea, grown on these high-altitude lands.
Far from the agitation and pressure of the cities, the visitor discovers in the mountains of Alishan a soothing and captivating universe, in contact with a still wild nature that only allows itself to be tamed sparingly.
https://www.yuyupastribe.com/
https://www.taiwanfarm.org.tw/zh-EN/Front/Farm/Detail/80
It is not necessarily known, but Taiwan is also a beautiful seaside destination. Turquoise waters, a tropical climate or even its sand with multiple colors.
Many beaches on the island benefit from real advantages for family swimming, or sailing, surfing or snorkeling activities.
Depending on areas and seasons, sea temperatures range between 21° and 28°. The west coast and especially the southern part (Kenting) are clearly the most welcoming for swimming at the foot of palm trees or coconut palms.
The north and east coasts also offer beautiful spots. Less than an hour from Taipei, the beaches of Wanli, Laomei, Guanyinshan or Shalun Beach in Tamsui.
In Gongliao and Fulong, in addition to the beautiful sandy beach, one can also rent a bike to cross the mountain in the old railway tunnel and thus pass into a completely wild universe with the cliffs and rocky coasts of eastern Taiwan. It is generally the entire eastern façade of the island, as well as the small islands and islets offshore that offer a very natural and grandiose setting.
Direct non-stop flights from Paris CDG with Eva Air. There are not yet direct connections from regional airports in France.
https://www.evaair.com/fr-fr/index.html
Taiwan is an extremely safe country. Almost no risk of theft and the feeling of safety is omnipresent. It will just be an adaptation to have on site: here the population strictly respects the rules, without complaining or trying to circumvent them.
It is no secret: China wants to recover Taiwan, including by force if necessary. Yet, during our report we never felt the slightest pressure or concern from the population. It may not be in their nature to show their feelings and their fear in the face of this particularly threatening neighbor. Only once did we see a "air defense shelter" sign indicating the location of a shelter and we heard several times the planes of the Taiwanese air force training. The feeling is therefore calm on site in the face of a complex geopolitical situation. Taiwan is no longer China and, even if the two peoples share the language and part of their culture, one feels real differences: For example, Taiwanese are a truly welcoming people, ready to do their utmost to help foreign tourists. This is clearly not the case of the Chinese.
The feeling is also calm because it is a democracy. In Taiwan, one has never felt watched or controlled. The country is secure, but without policing its population. And this is also reflected in creation: many works of art, creator markets, museums and links with other countries.
No visa is required for European tourists (Schengen area), but the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) must be filled in online for free. However, be careful, some products are prohibited upon arrival such as food or electronic cigarettes.
https://twac.immigration.gov.tw/
It is a paradox, but Taiwan is an economically much more efficient country and better positioned than mayn europeans countries in terms of GDP per capita, and yet the cost of living there is cheaper. Nights in beautiful 4-star hotels can be found for less than €100, public transport is at a very low price (bus and metro tickets often less than one euro), the price of food in restaurants is really affordable: between €2 and €5 for a dish in a night market, dishes in restaurants often under €10.
The island is very well served by public transport, whether it is the high-speed train on the west coast, conventional train lines and buses. Renting a car seems complex, it is notably necessary to have an international driving license, as well as driving on site.
The island of Taiwan is very green and mountainous. In general, cities and urbanization are concentrated in the large plains and the mountains remain uninhabited due to very dense vegetation and seismic risk.
It is better to avoid the summer months and the beginning of autumn, due to high heat followed by typhoons. The beginning of the year, around the lunar new year, is the best period to enjoy events and a mild climate, even if the weather will be more capricious, especially for seaside activities.
English speaking is necessary to communicate with the local population. And this is not necessarily enough, including in some tourist places: one will often have to use instant translation applications to make oneself understood. There are few European tourists, but as a result, one must also adapt more to local cultures.
Be careful with electrical outlets: 110v voltage and a special adapter are required.
Official information about the destination can be found at https://www.taiwantourisme.com/
Cover photo credit: Taipei and its tower 101 - Depositphotos.com / Online image bank
