Taiwan's Travel Seasons at a Glance


Taiwan's climate is generally subtropical, meaning it is warm and humid for most of the year. The weather on the island is surprisingly diverse because of its geography.
The high Central Mountain Range runs down the middle of the island, creating different weather patterns in the north and south. The Tropic of Cancer also cuts right through Taiwan, dividing it into two main climate zones.
In Northern Taiwan, which includes the capital city Taipei, the seasons feel more distinct. Winters are cool and damp, with cloudy skies and temperatures around 16°C (61°F).
This is because of the northeast monsoon that brings moisture from the sea. Summers are very hot and humid. The north gets rain all year long and does not have a true dry season.
Southern Taiwan, including cities like Kaohsiung and Tainan, has a more tropical climate. The winters here are much warmer, drier, and sunnier than in the north. The south has a very clear wet season and dry season.
Most of the rain falls during the summer, from May to September. The winter months are usually very dry and pleasant.
The Central Mountain Range has its own climate. As you go higher up into the mountains, it gets much cooler. These high areas are a great place to escape the summer heat. The mountains get a lot of rain and the highest peaks can even get a little snow in the winter. To explore these peaks further, check out our detailed article on the Taiwan Mountains.
Season | Months | Weather Overview | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spring | March - May | Starts pleasant, ends very rainy. | Beautiful flowers. Warm, comfortable weather in March and April. | The "Plum Rain" season starts in May, bringing lots of rain. |
Summer | June - September | Very hot, sticky, and stormy. | Good for water activities if you can find a clear day. | Extreme heat and humidity. High risk of typhoons. Crowded. |
Autumn | October - December | Cool, dry, and very sunny. | The best weather all year. Perfect for hiking and being outdoors. | This is a popular time, so it might be a little busier. |
Winter | January - February | Cool and damp in the north, mild in the south. | Fewer crowds. Good prices (except for Lunar New Year). | Can be chilly and gray in Taipei. Lunar New Year is very expensive. |
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It's all about the feeling of comfort. The horrible, sticky humidity of a Taiwan summer is gone. This means you can walk around all day and not feel gross and sweaty. The air is fresh and a little cool, especially in the morning and evening.
The temperature is just right. You can wear a T-shirt during the day and maybe add a light jacket at night. It's the kind of weather that makes you want to be outside.
This is the time for big nature adventures. You should absolutely go to Taroko Gorge in Hualien. The weather is stable, so the trails are safer and the views of the marble cliffs are amazing. Also, head up to the mountains. Go to Yangmingshan National Park right outside of Taipei to see the fields of silvergrass covering the hills. It's beautiful and looks amazing in photos. Ready to plan your hike? Find the perfect trail in our Guide to Taiwan's Best Mountains.
In the city, this perfect weather means you can explore on foot for hours. Walk around Taipei's old neighborhoods like Dihua Street or explore the outdoor markets without getting too hot. It's the best time to just wander and get lost.
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March to May: The Best of Spring


March to May is fantastic because it's a perfect sweet spot. It's warm and sunny, but the really intense heat of summer hasn't arrived yet. Most importantly, you will miss the "Plum Rain" season which starts in May.
The Plum Rains can mean weeks of non-stop drizzle and grey skies. April is your window for beautiful, sunny spring days before all that wet weather begins.
What you should do:
- You have to see the flowers. Go to Yangmingshan National Park to see the calla lilies at Zhuzihu. It's a whole valley filled with white flowers. In areas like Miaoli, you can see the white Tung blossoms, which look like it's snowing in April.
- This is also the best month for unique Taiwan events. The Penghu International Fireworks Festival often kicks off in April. Imagine watching fireworks over the ocean on a beautiful island. Speaking of islands, this is the perfect time to visit Penghu or Lanyu (Orchid Island). The weather is great, and you get there before the huge summer crowds and high prices.
- At night, go looking for fireflies. In the countryside, especially in places near the mountains, you can see thousands of them. It's a truly magical experience. April is the peak season for it.
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Best Time to Visit Taiwan for Cherry Blossom & Flowers: Late January to March
The main reason this period is so great is that the flower season isn't just one short week. It’s a slow, rolling wave of color that starts in the warmer south and lowlands and moves up into the cooler high mountains in Taiwan.
Late January to February: The First Pinks in the North


The cherry blossom show begins near Taipei. These first flowers are often a deep, vibrant pink, a really strong color.
A must-visit place is Yangmingshan National Park, which is super easy to get to from the city. Because it's a big park with different altitudes, you can find flowers blooming here for months.
But the first wave starts in late January and February. Another beautiful spot is Tianyuan Temple in the Tamsui area. It’s famous for its stunning temple surrounded by cherry trees. The first round of blossoms here usually happens in February, and it’s a classic picture-perfect scene.
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Mid-February to Early March: The Peak in Central Taiwan


This is when the flower season really explodes, and you should head to the mountains in the middle of Taiwan.
The most famous spot of all is Wuling Farm. It's a bit of a journey to get there, but it is totally worth it. The entire valley is filled with over 20,000 cherry trees, creating a massive sea of pink in mid-to-late February.
The cool mountain air and incredible scenery make it a top-tier experience. Another amazing option is the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, right next to Sun Moon Lake. They have a huge cherry blossom festival, and you can even ride a cable car over the pink treetops for a bird's-eye view.
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March to Early April: The Grand Finale in the High Mountains


For the very end of the season, you need to go high up into the mountains of Alishan. The blossoms here appear the latest, mostly from the middle of March into early April, because of the high altitude.
This is where you'll find that iconic view of the old, red forest train passing through a tunnel of white and light pink cherry blossoms. It's a completely different experience. The air is thin and cool, and seeing the delicate flowers next to giant, ancient cypress trees is truly special. It’s the perfect, magical end to a flower-chasing tour of Taiwan.
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Best Time to Visit Taiwan for Beaches & Water Activities


April to June: Think of this period as the sweet spot. The weather gets warm and sunny enough for swimming and lying on the beach, but it's not yet the super hot and sticky summer. This is the absolute best time to visit the offshore islands.
- You should go to Penghu, which is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches and unique rock formations. The big Penghu International Fireworks Festival often starts in April.
- Or, take a short ferry to Xiaoliuqiu from the south. It's a small coral island perfect for snorkeling with sea turtles.
September and October: The big summer crowds have gone home, and the risk of typhoons drops way down. This means you often get perfect beach weather all to yourself. The sky often seems clearer and the weather is much more stable.
- This is an amazing time to be in Kenting. You get all the beauty of its famous beaches of Taiwan like Baisha Bay (White Sand Bay) without the crowds.
- It's also a fantastic time to go to the east coast. Head to Dulan in Taitung to learn how to surf. The waves are often great for beginners, and the vibe is very relaxed.
Best Time to Visit Taiwan for Hiking & Outdoor Adventures: October to December, and March-April


October to December: The Cool, Dry, and Clear Season
This is the best time for hiking in Taiwan. Period. The reason is simple: the weather is perfect. The long, hot, and humid summer is over.
You should try to visit Taroko Gorge. The weather is stable, so you can safely walk the trails along the giant marble cliffs. For something closer to Taipei, go to Yangmingshan National Park to see the hills covered in beautiful silvergrass.
If you want a real challenge, this is the best season to get a permit for Yushan (Jade Mountain), Taiwan's tallest peak.
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March and April: The Pleasant Spring Window
This is your other great opportunity for hiking. This is a beautiful time to be on the trails because everything is coming back to life. The trees are green and flowers are starting to bloom everywhere.
You should go hiking in Alishan. The weather is comfortable, and you might even catch the last of the cherry blossoms. This is also a great time for easier, lower-altitude hikes. The trails around Taipei or in the countryside are full of fresh green leaves and flowers.
Best Time to Visit Taiwan for Festivals


Taiwan has festivals all year long, but the biggest and most famous ones are often packed into two main periods. The first is around the Lunar New Year, which falls in January or February. This is when you'll see the most important traditional celebrations.
The second period is during the summer and fall, when many big cultural and religious events happen.
Time of Year | Festival Name | What It Is |
---|---|---|
Jan or Feb | Lunar New Year | The biggest holiday of the year. Families gather, cities are decorated, and there are lots of fireworks. |
Feb or Mar | Lantern Festival | Famous for releasing thousands of glowing lanterns into the sky in Pingxi. It's truly a magical sight. |
Feb or Mar | Yanshui Beehive Fireworks | A wild and crazy festival where people get shot at by millions of bottle rockets. Not for the faint of heart! |
Apr or May | Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage | One of the world's biggest religious parades. A huge statue of a goddess is carried for 9 days across Taiwan. |
June | Dragon Boat Festival | A national holiday with exciting dragon boat races on rivers all over the island. People eat sticky rice dumplings. |
7th Lunar Month | Ghost Month | A month-long event where people honor ancestors and ghosts. It ends with the Ghost Festival. |
Sept or Oct | Mid-Autumn Festival | Also called the Moon Festival. It's a happy holiday where families and friends gather outside to have barbecues. |
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End December to January: If you want the best mix of good weather and low prices, this is your time. During this period, airlines and hotels lower their prices to attract visitors. The weather is also fantastic. It's cool, dry, and comfortable, especially in the south.
The Rainy Deal (May and June): This is another cheap time to visit, but there's a reason for it. This is the "Plum Rain" season in Taiwan. It gets very hot, humid, and it can rain a lot.
If you don't mind the rain and humidity, you can find some of the best deals on flights and hotels. The main summer crowds have not arrived yet, so everything is quieter. Just be sure to pack an umbrella and be prepared for wet days.
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July & August: Peak Heat & Typhoon Risk
The main reason is the weather. It gets incredibly hot and humid. The temperature is often over 35°C, and the air feels thick and sticky. It can be very tiring to walk around outside. This is also the peak of typhoon season.
If you have to visit during this time, you can still have fun. A great tip is to head for the mountains. Places like Alishan are much cooler and offer a nice escape from the heat. It's also smart to have a list of indoor activities ready, like visiting the National Palace Museum in Taipei.
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May & June: The Plum Rain Season
This period is known as the "Plum Rain" season. It doesn't mean it rains plums! It means there can be weeks of constant, light rain and gray, cloudy skies. This happens all over the island, but it's especially noticeable in the north, around Taipei.
But you can easily plan around it. The best strategy is to focus your trip on the south of Taiwan. Cities like Kaohsiung and the beach town of Kenting usually get much less rain and more sun during this time. Or, you can embrace the indoors.
Plan a trip that is all about exploring Taipei's amazing cafes, restaurants, shops, and many museums. This way, the rain won't stop you from having a good time.
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Taiwan Monthly Temperature and Packing Tips
Month | Avg. Temp (North) | Avg. Temp (South) | Weather & What to Pack |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 20°C (68°F) | Cool and often gray in the north, pleasant in the south. Pack jeans, sweaters, and a light jacket. |
Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 21°C (70°F) | Still cool, especially at night. Similar to January. A mix of long-sleeve shirts and a warmer jacket is smart. |
Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 23°C (73°F) | Spring arrives. It gets warmer but can still be cool. Layers are your best friend: T-shirts and a light jacket. |
Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 26°C (79°F) | Getting warmer and more humid. Good time for hiking. Pack T-shirts, light pants, and a thin jacket for evenings. |
May | 25°C (77°F) | 28°C (82°F) | "Plum Rain" season starts. Hot, humid, and rainy. Pack light, quick-drying clothes, an umbrella, and sandals. |
June | 28°C (82°F) | 29°C (84°F) | Very hot, humid, and often rainy. Pack shorts, T-shirts, and breathable fabrics. Don't forget your umbrella. |
July | 30°C (86°F) | 30°C (86°F) | Hottest month and peak typhoon season. Pack for extreme heat: shorts, tank tops, and a hat. Be ready for rain. |
Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 29°C (84°F) | Still very hot, humid, with a high risk of typhoons. Same as July; pack your lightest summer clothes. |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 29°C (84°F) | Still feels like summer but slightly less intense. Typhoon risk remains. Pack summer clothes but maybe add one long-sleeve shirt. |
Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 27°C (81°F) | One of the best months. Warm, dry, and sunny. T-shirts are great, but bring a light jacket or sweater for the north. |
Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 25°C (77°F) | Beautiful weather. Cool and comfortable in the north, warm in the south. Pack T-shirts, jeans, and a sweater or light jacket. |
Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 22°C (72°F) | Winter begins. Can be chilly and damp in Taipei. The south is mild. Pack sweaters, pants, and a medium-weight jacket. |
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