Taiwan Tourist Map: Cities, Attractions & Travel Routes

Taiwan Tourist Map with Cities: Where to Base Your Island Tour

When planning a trip to Taiwan, the first thing to figure out is simple: where should you stay? Different cities = totally different travel vibes. Pick the right base, and your whole trip just flows.

Taiwan Tourist Map with Major Cities

Start with Taipei (North Taiwan) - This is where most travelers begin. It's convenient, packed with food, culture, and easy day trips—perfect for your first stop.

Head to Taichung (Central Taiwan) - A great middle base if you want to visit Sun Moon Lake or continue on to Alishan. Add Chiayi if you're heading to Alishan - It's the main transit base for reaching the mountains—most people stop here for a night.

Stay in Tainan or Kaohsiung (South Taiwan) - Tainan is all about history and food, while Kaohsiung feels more modern and relaxed. Both are good bases for heading down to Kenting National Park.

Choose Hualien (East Taiwan) - Your go-to base for exploring Taroko Gorge and Taiwan's most dramatic landscapes. Optional: Taitung (Further South on the East Coast) - Quieter, slower, and more local—great if you want to escape the crowds.

In short: Taipei (north) → Taichung (center) → Tainan/Kaohsiung (south) → Hualien (east). Follow this logic, and your Taiwan route basically plans itself.

Taiwan Attractions Map: What to See on the Island

Once you've picked your base in Taiwan, the next step is easy: what do you actually want to see?

Taiwan Tourist Attractions Map Shows Spots with Pictures

This map highlights top 21 tourist attractions across Taiwan Island, all showing in the table below.

Taiwan may look small, but the experiences are surprisingly diverse. Here's a simple way to break it down:

Nature & Scenery: If you're here for landscapes, Taiwan delivers. Think marble cliffs at Taroko Gorge, peaceful views at Sun Moon Lake, and sunrise moments in Alishan.

Cities & Landmarks: For urban highlights, start in Taipei and check out icons like Taipei 101. Down south, Kaohsiung offers a more laid-back city vibe.

Culture & Old Streets: Want something more local and atmospheric? Wander through Jiufen Old Street, or explore temples and heritage in Tainan.

Coast & Outdoor Fun: Head to Kenting National Park for beaches and sunshine, or explore the rugged coastline around Taitung.

In short, Taiwan gives you a bit of everything—mountains, cities, culture, and coast—all within a short travel distance.

Taiwan Rail Map: How to Travel around Taiwan Efficiently

Getting around Taiwan is honestly super easy—especially by train. You've basically got two systems: High-Speed Rail (HSR) and Taiwan Railways (TRA), and they work really well together.

Taiwan Railway Map Shows HSR railways, Taiwan Railways and Airports

This map displays Taiwan's railway lines in prominent colors, along with main airport hubs. Yon can see high-speed rails in orange and main Taiwan Railway lines in blue.

High-Speed Rail (HSR) - Fast & Easy (West Coast)

If you're traveling between major cities on the west side—like Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung—this is your best friend. It's fast, clean, and super convenient. Think Taipei → Kaohsiung in about 1.5-2 hours.

Taiwan Railways (TRA) - Slower but More Flexible

TRA covers the entire island, including the east coast where HSR doesn't go. You'll need it for places like Hualien and Taitung. It's slower, but the coastal views? Totally worth it.

Airports - Where You'll Likely Start

Most international travelers arrive at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei. From there, you can take the airport MRT or transfer to HSR/TRA easily. In the south, Kaohsiung International Airport is another option, especially if you're starting your trip from the south.

Taiwan Road Map with Distance and Travel Time

Taiwan Road Map Shows Links Between Spots with Distance and Travel Time

This map helps to look at the road distances and travel times between major cities, if you want a clearer picture of how everything connects across Taiwan. Even if you're taking trains most of the time, this gives you a great sense of scale—and helps you plan smarter routes.

Taiwan Travel Map: Choose Your Taiwan Travel Route with Map

Now that you know where to go and what to see in Taiwan, it's time to put everything together: which route should you take? Taiwan is compact and well-connected, so you really can't go wrong. Most travelers stick to these two classic routes:

Option 1: Western Coast Route (Fast & Easy)

Taiwan Travel Map Shows 8-Day Western Coast Route

• Route: Taipei → Sun Moon Lake → Alishan → Chiayi → Kaohsiung
• Best for: First-timers, short trips (5-7 days), easy travel

This route follows Taiwan's west coast, along with Taiwan's most beautiful natural wonders in Sun Moon Lake and Alishan. It's fast, convenient, and beginner-friendly.

8 Days Classic Taiwan Group Tour - From Taipei to Kaohsiung

Taipei - Nantou - Chiayi - Kaohsiung

Culture & History 8 Days 4 Places View Detail

Option 2: Full Loop Around Taiwan (Classic Route)

Taiwan Travel Map Shows 10-Day Loop Route

• Route: Taipei → Sun Moon Lake → Alishan → Chiayi → Kaohsiung → Taitung → Hualien → back to Taipei
• Best for: 7-10 days, travelers who want the full experience

This is the ultimate Taiwan itinerary—you circle the island and see a bit of everything.

10 Days Best Taiwan Group Tour - Across Heart of Asia & The Lucky Land

Taipei - Nantou - Chiayi - Kaohsiung - Taitung - Hualien - Yilan - Taipei

Culture & History 10 Days 8 Places View Detail