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Taiwan might be known worldwide for it’s night markets, friendly people, and scooters, but this small island is home to some big Taiwan outdoor activities and adventures, from surfing and hiking, to free diving and paragliding.
Living in Taiwan for two years, I became more connected with the outdoors as there’s just so many amazing natural spaces to explore in Taiwan. Here, I learned to scuba dive and free dive, and for the first time experienced river tracing and paragliding.
If Taiwan is on your travel radar and you’re itching to immerse yourself in its captivating natural wonders, I’ve crafted this Taiwan outdoor activities guide to spark inspiration and help you plan!
As you read along, you’ll see we’ve listed the best outdoors activities in Taiwan with some background information and a list of a few places you can experience them! So let’s hop into it!
Popular Taiwan Adventure: Hiking
When you first fly into Taiwan, one thing you’re bound to notice before the plane even lands is the mountains peaking through the clouds. This is actually my first ever memory of Taiwan — I was in awe. And once you land and explore the island, you’ll see with your own eyes Taiwan is indeed home to some incredible mountains (and with that, come incredible hikes).
Regardless of whether you want to hike in Taiwan on an easy trail, or take on the highest peaks of the country, Taiwan has a hike for everyone. Hiking is, in fact, quite popular in Taiwan. You’ll find trails easily within the city of Taipei, and you’ll also find hikes in Taiwan where you can enjoy camping and truly immerse yourself in the massive mountains.
Best Places to Hike in Taiwan:
Jade Mountain (玉山 Yushan) Taiwan’s Highest Peak:
Jade Mountain (or Yushan 玉山) is where the highest peak in Taiwan stands at 3,952 meters.
Located near Alishan, hikers start their hike at the Dongpu Lodge. Depending on your hiking permit, some hikers are only allowed a day hike, meaning they sleep at Dongpu the evening before and wake up as early as 1 AM to start the entire Jade Mountain hike (all the way up, and all the way down).
When I went, we had permission to stay the night at the Paiyun Lodge (on the trail), so we began our hike from Dongpu Lodge at 5 AM, hiked about 5 hours, and then stayed overnight. We then woke up at 2 AM to continue the journey to the peak and witness the sunrise before hiking all the way back down.
This hike requires commitment, from obtaining the permit, getting to the location, and bringing the right gear. But it’s well worth it to say you’ve reached the highest peak in Taiwan!
If you’re serious about doing this hike, check out this guide by LittleNomaDid, who explains the permit process.
Teapot Mountain (Jiufen) Easy Hike:
If you’re limited on time or primarily staying in Northern Taiwan, Teapot Mountain offers an excellent day trip hiking option from Taipei. Although I haven’t personally tackled it, I know many who have. Despite its relatively short length, the incline is quite steep. So, brace yourself for some exertion in exchange for the spectacular views of the mountains and seascape.
I recommend pairing this hike with a visit to Jiufen—a top-rated tourist spot in Taiwan. To be fair, it’s likely you’ll plan a trip to Jiufen first, and add teapot mountain on top!
Alishan/Shi Zhuo(石卓) Hiking:
Given Alishan’s reputation in Taiwan, it was a must-visit for me.
During my trip, I spent two nights outside Alishan in Shi Zhuo (石卓), near Fenqihu (a common stop on this trip) before venturing to Alishan Park.
To be honest, I found Shi Zhuo (石卓) way more fun than Alishan. It was peaceful, less crowded, and offered nearly limitless hikes through forest and verdant tea fields. While it might not be the pinnacle of crazy adventure, it’s one of my most found travel memories in Taiwan to this day.
If Alishan is on your itinerary, I’d recommend setting aside a day or two to explore Shi Zhuo.
As for hiking in Alishan, it’s like killing two birds with one stone. You get to witness one of Taiwan’s premier attractions while satisfying your hiking itch. However, note these trails are not so off the beaten path. As a tourist park, pathways are well-maintained and safety is prioritized, so don’t expect them to be too challenging, but do expect to enjoy the views of the towering Cypress trees.
Taipei Hiking Trails:
One of Taiwan’s incredible aspects is the never ending hiking trails—they’re so accessible you can just hop off the Taipei MRT and find yourself on one! If you’re crunched for time and can’t venture out of Taipei, consider these easily accessible urban hikes:
- Elephant Mountain – Steep hike with nice viewpoint. Can continue along more and more paths in the mountains if desired. I stayed a few hours wandering the trails and was exhausted.
- Fuzhou Park – Chill park and escape into nature. Hike is not too difficult and intertwined within a park.
- Jiantan Shan – Nice hike near Shilin Night Market. Lots of man-made stair cases and great city views. Can spend about an hour or two here.
Sky High Taiwan Outdoor Activities: Paragliding
Having delved into some of Taiwan’s premier mountain hiking spots, let’s elevate our experience—literally—and talk about paragliding. If the panoramic views from Taiwan’s peaks aren’t thrilling enough for you, then imagine witnessing them from the vast expanse of the skies!
I leapt into my first paragliding adventure in Taiwan and trust me, it was nothing short of exhilarating. While the idea might sound daunting, unless you have an intense fear of heights, the only nerve-wracking moment (for me at least) was running and initially being lofted into the air.
After that, it was smooth sailing.
For a more detailed exploration of paragliding in Taiwan, check out this website. Additionally, I’ve listed a few spots below, including Hualien, where I had my personal paragliding experience.
Where to Paraglide in Taiwan:
Hualien:
The East Coast of Taiwan is known for its incredible nature. Unlike the West Coast, which houses the major cities, the East Coast of Taiwan is perfect for all outdoor adventures, including paragliding.
I went paragliding about an hour outside of Hualien, off of Wanrong Station, where I met up with the paragliding company. The operators only spoke Mandarin, and although my Mandarin is limited, knowing a little helped with the experience. The guides were fantastic, and it was great to spend some time exploring the town after the flight to discover a unique part of Taiwan.
While not the easiest place to get to (you need to coordinate the train times from Hualien), it was well worth it for not only the views, but to visit a part of Taiwan I had yet to see.
Klook: https://www.klook.com/activity/15831-paragliding-experience-hualien/
Wanli (near Taipei):
If you’re short on time and staying only in Taipei or along the West Coast, then paragliding in Wanli might be the best option. I haven’t done it personally, but I’ve been to Wanli and I’ve seen some videos of people who have paraglided there. The mountains and city views look amazing.
Underwater Taiwan Adventure: Free Diving
Of all the adventurous outdoor activities in Taiwan, freediving has to be my favorite. I’m an ocean lover and swimmer, so free diving is the best way to enjoy both of these to the fullest extent possible.
Freediving is a sport that’s increasing in popularity across Taiwan, (just check out this National Geographic article), and it’s not just Taiwanese people who are getting into it! If you’re a free diver or are looking to start, you can explore some amazing places to free dive in Taiwan and find instructors that will lead you through the best spots (& speak your language!)
Where to Freedive in Taiwan:
Xiaoliuqiu:
I consider Xiaoliuqiu to be my “home base” for freediving in Taiwan. Located off the South West coast, it’s easily accessible via public transportation from Kaohsiung. And of course it’s full of freedive schools and scenic freedive sites.
The main reason to come here is for the clear water and sea turtles. Truly, this is a sea turtle haven, so if you haven’t free dove with sea turtles before, this is the place. The visibility is usually pretty good, and you’re likely to see a sea turtle or ten every time you go out.
And if you’re looking to learn or train, I recommend going with Freedive Nomad, who got me to my level 2 Molchanovs certification (that’s 24 meters deep!)
My personal favorite fun dive spots in Xiaoliuqiu are:
- Zhong Gao – Really nice little beach, usually lots of sea turtles and not too crowded. Free divers don’t go out too far here, so it’s nice for new free divers and snorkelers.
- Lobster Cave – Popular area for freediving, scuba diving, and snorkeling. A bit harder to get in from the shore, but much deeper and more space to safely explore in comparison to Zhong Gao.
Lanyu (Orchid Island):
Lanyu is a destination in itself, so if you come to freedive, also plan to explore the island and get to know the unique culture of the island. To get here, you can take a ferry (or flight).
While I’ve never been, from what I know, although there aren’t sea turtles, the underwater geography is stunning! Check out this freediving guide to Lanyu for more information and photos.
Scuba Diving in Taiwan:
While Taiwan isn’t known for scuba diving, unlike its neighbor the Philippines, Taiwan still has some great scuba diving destinations – especially if you’re just learning!
I learned to scuba dive in Kenting with Taiwan Dive and later dove on Green Island.
Where to Scuba Dive in Taiwan :
Xiaoliuqiu:
In addition to freediving, Xiaoliuqiu is a popular scuba diving location. I personally haven’t dove here, but would frequently pass scuba divers while heading out to freedive. The benefits of diving here? Easy access from the mainland, sea turtles, and beautiful blue waters. I also think in comparison to Kenting, which is also near Xiaoliuqiu, it’s easier to get to and get around Xiaoliuqiu than Kenting.
Klook Link: https://www.klook.com/en-US/activity/44990-liuqiu-dive-shore-diving-xiao-liu-qiu/
Green Island:
If you’re willing to make the journey to Green Island (to Taitung, then a ferry to the island), diving here is quite the treat. You can do a discover dive if you have no experience and see the iconic underwater post box here.
I did my first boat dive in Green Island and in comparison to Kenting (where I only shore dove), I was amazed. The sea walls were so high, the corals bright, the fish big. It was simply amazing – but this experience required an Open Water certification.
Even without a certification, going on the discovery dive is totally worth it here, especially if you stay an extra day or two to explore the amazing island, which reminds me of Jurassic Park with its insane geography.
I went with Islands Dive for my experience (mention “Kayla Cosmos” for 10% off accommodation there) and they have English speaking guides so you can feel confident about your choice. My guide Olive, even took me on a tour around the island!
Lanyu (Orchid Island):
Rumor has it, Lanyu is the best diving spot in Taiwan. I wouldn’t know, but even my scuba diver friends tell me so. As mentioned before, it’s a journey to get here, so make a full experience of a trip here to experience the indigenous culture, the nature, and the underwater world.
There’s also a shipwreck to explore which I’ve always been jealous of other divers who have been. While you can go on a discover dive here, it’s probably best to have an Open Water or Advanced Open Water certification to make the most out of a Lanyu diving trip.
Kenting:
A scuba diving trip to Kenting is perfect for those who don’t just want to dive, but explore the surrounding beaches and nature – because unfortunately, while places like Xiaoliuqiu and Green Island are great for diving, they aren’t known for white sand beaches.
Another plus is that getting to Kenting doesn’t require taking any ferries, but I do think you will need to either rent a scooter or car to get around the area as not everything is very close, and while there are buses, they don’t run frequently.
I dove with Taiwan Dive and learned with Eden who was the best instructor I could have asked for my first time diving. At Taiwan Dive instructors speak English and Mandarin to accommodate divers from around the world!
In addition to being an amazing instructor, Eden also picked me up on dive days from my accommodation and even invited me out with others for diner. It wasn’t just nice to have a ride to the dive school, but to meet people!
Penghu Islands Scuba Diving:
Penghu, Taiwan, often called the “Hawaii of Taiwan,” is a captivating archipelago of 90 islands and islets, and an emerging spot for scuba divers. Although I haven’t been, I’m jealous of anyone who’s been there to enjoy the waters! You can reach Penghu by flight and then partake in a myriad of diving activities – from discovery diving for beginners to exploring the various surrounding dive sites.
Craziest Taiwan Outdoor Adventure: River Tracing
If you’ve never tried river tracing, take this as your sign! Traversing rushing waters, swimming, and maybe even cliff jumping into natural pools?! The experience is exhilarating. Couple that with Taiwan’s mountainscapes you’ll find the views are breathtaking, and the nature remains largely undisturbed.
I’ll admit, there were moments during this activity where I was genuinely afraid. It pushes you to your limits and tests your mental barriers. Would I do it again? Without a doubt.
Where to go River Tracing in Taiwan:
East Coast (Hualien & Taitung):
I had the pleasure of river tracing in Taiwan for the first time in Taitung and the experience was nothing short of magnificent, terrifying, and then magnificent again. We scaled cliff faces, climbed up waterfalls, took leaps from 10-meters high into water, and took some well-deserved breaks along the way.
I strongly advise opting for a tour rather than venturing on your own. Unless you’re experienced, there are numerous chances for mishaps. With a tour, you’ll be provided with wetsuits, helmets, and a guide, putting you on the right track for a safe adventure!
Taitung (Guided in Chinese only): https://www.kkday.com/en/product/21680 Hualian (Guided in English & Chinese): https://www.klook.com/activity/20163-river-tracing-experience-hualien/
Maolin (near Kaohsiung):
A huge thanks goes to my local friend who introduced me to this Taiwanese outdoor gem; I loved it so much that I went twice!
It’s a fair bit of a drive (roughly 1.5 hours from either Kaohsiung or Tainan), but it’s worth every mile, not just for the Taiwan outdoor activities adventure, but to spend some time in an area where indigenous culture is everywhere.
Navigating and parking here might be a tad challenging, but here’s the waterfall location which is at the end of the hike up the river. If you need help to find parking, don’t be afraid to ask someone and show them the map point.
This river tracing endeavor isn’t crazy — no helmets required. It’s more like a chill river hike. You’ll occasionally need to cross the river, so dress in clothes and footwear that you don’t mind getting wet in. There’s even a shallow pool at the waterfall, so bring swim wear if you’d like!
The whole trail back and forth takes about 3 hours, so bring some food to have a little picnic while you’re there!
Famous Taiwan Ocean Activity: Surfing
One of the most disappointing things to me about the oceans in Taiwan is that, while it’s an island, few beaches are pristine and calm for swimming.
However, what’s bad news for me is great news for surfers.
While I haven’t surfed in Taiwan (the waves intimidate me somewhat), I’ve met plenty of people who have surfed here and say it’s fantastic.
You can check out my recommendations below, but for a comprehensive list on places all around Taiwan, check out this article.
Places to surf in Taiwan:
Jinshan (near Taipei):
I had the experience of staying just outside the small town of Jinshan by chance. I was traveling to Taiwan when there were still COVID restrictions and needed an affordable private room. I found one in a part of Taiwan I had never visited, so I booked it!
As it turns out, I was staying at a surf shop right by the ocean. I’d recommend staying here if you plan to come surf (or even just explore the area), and the instructor speaks English, so if you’re seeking a course, check them out.
Every morning I’d walk outside and see loads of surfers catching impressive waves, so I think it’s safe to say it’s an excellent surfing destination in Taiwan, especially if you are limited on time or only planning to stay close to Taipei.
East Coast:
The East Coast of Taiwan is teeming with surfing spots. As I’ve mentioned, the waves on the East Coast intimidate me (as I’m primarily a swimmer). If you want to enjoy the water on the East Coast of Taiwan, surfing is one of the best ways to do so.
If you’re new to Taiwan and want to get acquainted with both a local and foreign community, Dulan (Donghe) is one of the top destinations for surfers in Taiwan. I have yet to visit, but I’m planning a future trip to Donghe (and will definitely take some lessons there!)
SUP (Stand Up Paddle) & Clear Canoe in Taiwan:
Stand up paddle boarding and clear canoeing are two water activities that are becoming increasingly popular all around Taiwan. In fact, you can find these experiences all around the island.
Considering these are activities both on top of the water, I recommend doing them with a friend because you’re bound to share some funny moments. Oh yeah, and Taiwanese people LOVE getting photos taken doing these things (sometimes they care more about the photos than the experience), but that means your guide is going to make sure you get some great shots for memory!
Where to SUP & Canoe in Taiwan:
Xiaoliuqiu:
As you can tell, Xiaoliuqiu is a mecca for water activities, including canoeing and stand up paddle boarding. With beautiful blue waters and an island backdrop, it’s no wonder so many people flock to Xiaoliuqiu for these activities.
I’ve personally done canoeing in a clear canoe. Although the guide didn’t speak English, luckily I have enough experience canoeing and know some Mandarin, so it wasn’t too difficult.
Klook: https://www.klook.com/activity/49251-stand-up-paddle-board-experience-xiao-liuqiu/
Qingshui Cliffs:
If clear blue water isn’t important to you, but you want to experience one of the most spectacular natural sights in Taiwan, take a canoe or SUP trip at the Qingshui Cliffs! My friends did this and I was downright jealous. The Qingshui Cliffs are a must-see in Taiwan, so if you want to, pair the experience with a fun water activity and capture some incredible shots while you’re at it!
Klook: https://www.klook.com/activity/62166-qingshui-cliff-kayaking-experience-hualien/
Kinmen:
I didn’t expect to be putting Kinmen here for any of these Taiwan outdoors adventures – yes, there are some easy hikes, but otherwise, not too much. Yet, I’m excited to say Kinmen does have stand-up paddle boarding!
Kinmen is not the most beautiful in terms of landscape or water, but to say you’ve gone stand-up paddle boarding in Kinmen is unique in itself as few people dare to enter the waters there.
SUP Kinmen, who I went with initially a few years ago, has now expanded and includes a few locations around Kinmen. You can contact them on Instagram to book a session. I remember my guide spoke English, so you can request him to lead you!
SUP & Canoe in Taipei:
For those short on time or staying in Taipei only, there’s even a city stand-up paddleboard experience available. Take in the city views and enjoy a relaxing time on the river with your friends. For the experience mentioned below, if you take the later tour, I recommend you check out the Shilin Night Market afterward for some great street foods!
Klook: https://www.klook.com/activity/69598-city-sup-taipei/
Penghu Islands:
Of all the destinations to paddle board or canoe, Penghu might be one of the most magical because yes, while islands like Xiaoliuqiu have some pretty clear waters, Penghu might be even more clear & picturesque. I wouldn’t suggest coming to Penghu only to do these activities, but if you’re planning a trip to Penghu in general, be sure to add water activities like these ones to your itinerary for some ocean fun (& great photo ops!)
Famous Taiwan Outdoors Activity: Cycling
Finally, let’s delve into cycling. Given Taiwan’s diverse terrain of mountains and oceans, and the iconic ‘Huan Dao’ (around the island) is a challenge many cycling enthusiasts in Taiwan aspire to conquer.
I have numerous friends who’ve undertaken the Huan Dao, and they all lived to tell the tale. It isn’t a cakewalk, but it’s undeniably an accomplishment. After all, how many people, are not only physically strong enough to do it? But also mentally tough enough to cycle through tunnels with semi-trucks just feet away from them?
For comprehensive information on cycling in Taiwan, from city rides to potentially taking on the the entire nation, check out this website which hosts a wealth of resources on cycling in Taiwan.
Plan Your Taiwan Outdoors Activities & Adventures Today!
I hope this Taiwan outdoor activities adventure guide has been helpful — as someone who wants to try it all and has done a lot of it, I’m glad to share my knowledge and love for adventure in Taiwan. If you have any questions for me, find me on Instagram @kaylacosmos & shoot me a message!
Trevor Carlson
Yvelle Corrielus
