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When is the best time to visit Taiwan?

Travel advisory

The info on this page is based on historical averages and might not reflect current conditions. Check with local authorities for the latest travel advice.

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The 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 starting in February, see the mesmerizing fireflies at Dongshi Forest Garden in April, or admire the beautiful autumn colors of 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.

Monthly weather and travel tips for Taiwan

January is the coldest month in Taiwan with an average temperature of about 63°F for the month. While this might not sound very wintery a jacket is still a good idea, since the humidity in the northern regions like Taipei can make it feel a few degrees colder. It’s drier and slightly warmer in 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, which means it can take place anytime from January 21 to February 20, 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 60s. 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 depend on the timing 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 transit hubs, 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 are 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 bloom 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 70°F 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 approach the end of the month.

April marks the start of the yearly Penghu Fireworks Festival – 2 months of fireworks displays every few days over on the Penghu archipelago. If you want 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 2-month period of rainfall across Taiwan and some of its neighboring countries. The season is named after its ripening plums and 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, 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 varies since 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 upper seventies across the country and humidity making it feel more like 95°F. July is also part of the typhoon season here, so you’ll need to keep a close eye on the weather forecast 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 colorful hot-air balloons take to the skies, while Fulong Beach transforms into an outdoor art gallery, 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, which experiences the same tropical temperatures and afternoon downpours as July. Typhoon season continues into August too, so be sure to check weather forecast often to see how it might affect your travel.

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 able to head out and explore all that the country has to offer. Weather permitting, Taroko Gorge is a popular August activity due to its cooler climate, or you can soak up some sun, sights, and the sea breeze at the beaches of Kenting National Park. Over in the eastern county of Hualien, mountains covered in seasonal bright orange day lilies make for beautiful, no-filter-necessary photos.

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After a sweltering summer, Taiwan in September is a bit more comfortable when it comes to weather. The temperature drops slightly down south but 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 acts 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 varies but usually happens 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 an average temperature of 75°F and some cooling winds coming in, it’s a great time to head up to the mountains and see the bright autumn-colored 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 colorful crowds taking to the streets of Taipei. It’s party time in Taichung, too. The annual jazz festival attracts a variety 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 to visit the country. Average temperatures are just above 65°F, so you should get some sun in the Taichung and Kaohsiung regions. Taipei tends to be a little gray with some rain, but a light jacket should be more than enough to keep you warm here.

Despite the pleasant 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 Hill, 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 save time to fill up on street food at Shilin Night Market.

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With average temperatures in the fifties, 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 to the test 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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Weather and temperature in Taiwan

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 either side of these months offer 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 70s and even some December sunshine.

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Taipei High 67°F 68°F 72°F 78°F 84°F 90°F 93°F 91°F 88°F 81°F 77°F 68°F
Low 57°F 58°F 61°F 67°F 73°F 78°F 81°F 80°F 77°F 72°F 67°F 59°F

Weather data provided by Forecast.io

Cost of stay in Taiwan

Want to travel smart? Here you can check out the average cost of accommodations per night in Taiwan.

    0 57 114 171 228
  • $127 Jan
  • $108 Feb
  • $105 Mar
  • $108 Apr
  • $105 May
  • $99 Jun
  • $105 Jul
  • $103 Aug
  • $97 Sep
  • $104 Oct
  • $109 Nov
  • $136 Dec
    0 57 114 171 228
  • $97 Jan
  • $78 Feb
  • $71 Mar
  • $77 Apr
  • $83 May
  • $78 Jun
  • $82 Jul
  • $75 Aug
  • $66 Sep
  • $70 Oct
  • $76 Nov
  • $97 Dec
    0 57 114 171 228
  • $41 Jan
  • $37 Feb
  • $37 Mar
  • $37 Apr
  • $36 May
  • $36 Jun
  • $38 Jul
  • $35 Aug
  • $35 Sep
  • $36 Oct
  • $37 Nov
  • $44 Dec
    0 57 114 171 228
  • $263 Jan
  • $227 Feb
  • $190 Mar
  • $192 Apr
  • $175 May
  • $195 Jun
  • $205 Jul
  • $203 Aug
  • $201 Sep
  • $210 Oct
  • $209 Nov
  • $241 Dec
    0 57 114 171 228
  • $117 Jan
  • $96 Feb
  • $86 Mar
  • $96 Apr
  • $90 May
  • $90 Jun
  • $99 Jul
  • $99 Aug
  • $93 Sep
  • $92 Oct
  • $93 Nov
  • $99 Dec

The best places to visit in Taiwan

Check out some of the most popular cities, places to visit, and things to do in Taiwan!

What other travelers say about their trips to Taiwan

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