December 29, 2025, 12:11 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
Taiwan is still a hidden gem among Asian countries for tourism: While travelers initially flock to Thailand, Japan, and China, the small island republic is not yet on the radar for many European vacationers. Unjustly so! Taiwan offers spectacular hiking trails, vibrant city life, and a cuisine for the adventurous. And plenty of genuine surprises. Travelbook author Doris Tromballa experienced it firsthand.
Why Taiwan? Many asked me this before my trip. And honestly, I couldn’t really answer. Yes, I wanted to see the Taroko Gorge, stand on Taipei 101, and be daring at a night market. In that regard, Taiwan not only met but exceeded all my expectations. But what would a real travel adventure be without the unexpected?
Overview
1. Taiwan – The “Land of 1,000 Butterflies”
Hiking is a must for my vacations: Wherever I go, a mountain is climbed, a ridge crossed, or a gorge traversed. For hiking enthusiasts, Taiwan is a true paradise: You can venture up the nearly 4,000-meter-high Jade Mountain (Mount Yushan) or climb one of the 267 other peaks that rise over 3,000 meters. For a more relaxed start, try the Sandiaoling Waterfall Trail: That’s exactly what I did. And just a few steps in, I noticed: How many butterflies are there here?? They fluttered in all colors among the bushes and trees, reminiscent of butterfly parks in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. But here, hundreds of butterflies surrounded me—in the wild. I later learned that Taiwan is called the “Kingdom of Butterflies” due to its high biodiversity: More than 400 species can be found here, some only here, like the Hoppo Peacock or the Aurora Swallowtail. All butterflies in Taiwan are strictly protected, with their populations closely monitored by conservation authorities. On all my hikes in Taiwan, I was surrounded by the colorful spectacle of butterflies—unforgettable!
2. Riding an E-Bike Along Sun Moon Lake? Unfortunately, No.
I had imagined it so beautifully: Renting an e-bike and pedaling along the famous Sun Moon Lake’s shoreline road. But when I shared my plan with a bike rental employee on site, he shook his head: E-bikes in Taiwan can only be ridden on regular roads with a license plate and personal insurance. You could ride on a short, specially built lakeside promenade with an e-bike, but not on a “real” road. That’s only possible if you have the appropriate registration and insurance for the e-bike. For tourists, a tour like that is unfortunately not possible. Surprised but undeterred, I rented an “analog” bike for the 35-kilometer tour around the lake. In hindsight, I can say: It’s really only for cyclists with iron stamina. The route around the lake is undoubtedly beautiful (on stilts over the lake), but at times it goes extremely steeply uphill (push!). After six hours, I returned my analog bike to the rental shop, somewhat exhausted.
3. Hiking Trails That Are Basically Just Stairs
As I said: I love hiking, everywhere. But there’s always that tiny unease that I might get lost. That’s why I’m a big fan of reliable hiking apps and well-marked trails. Preferably a bit developed. In Taiwan, they seem to have prepared for such needs: The hiking trails were all excellently and unmistakably marked—getting lost is impossible. However, since Taiwan often has rapid elevation changes, the trails are frequently very steep. To make nature accessible to many, they have often resorted to creating trails in the form of stairs (with railings!). I experienced this on the “Dekalun Trail” in the Taroko Gorge: After a gently ascending trail through the forest, the stairs to the viewpoint began. What I didn’t know: The trail is also called the “Stairway to Heaven.” And for good reason: There are more than 1,800 steps to the top! I was quite out of breath, but the gigantic view over the Liwu River Delta was well worth it. This “construction style” is used on many other hiking trails as well. So: Maybe build up some stamina on the “Stairmaster” at your local gym before your Taiwan hiking vacation.
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4. “Taiwan’s Switzerland” in the Hehuan Mountains
The Taroko Gorge is one of Taiwan’s great natural wonders. Since 1937, the area has been a national park, the oldest in the country. And thus, a long-standing tourist magnet. Not only because of its many hiking trails (hopefully reopening soon after the devastating 2024 earthquake), but also because you can relax in various wellness resorts in the adjacent Hehuan Mountains. Surprisingly, many hoteliers and vacation businesses here are ardent fans of the Alps. Expansive gabled roofs, ornate wooden balconies, and garden gnomes along the parking bays! When I got out at the “H2-Café,” another tourist greeted me with a laugh, “Welcome to Switzerland!” Indeed, the area is nicknamed “Taiwan’s Switzerland” due to its dramatic mountain scenery and romantic sunset views. And yes, there’s cheese fondue if you want it.
5. Sidewalks in Taipei–An Adventure for Walkers
Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, truly captivated me. The mix of modernity (the skyscraper “Taipei 101” stands at a proud 508 meters) and tradition (19th-century architecture in Dihua Street) is exhilarating! With wide eyes, I wandered through the grand streets of the Xinyi District and squeezed through the narrow alleys in Ximending. But it took me about two days to stop constantly tripping! The sidewalks in Taipei go up a step, down a step. Very abruptly.
With my eyes on the polished facades or quirky shop windows, I often caught my feet on a step and stumbled a few meters forward. Walking takes practice! The locals in Taipei seem to navigate the paths with their eyes closed without incident. But tourists like me should note: Almost all steps have a small warning sign on the ground indicating the step. So: Occasionally looking down can be very useful in Taipei.