When Is the Best Time to Visit Taiwan?

person in taipei city, taiwan
Theodore
Travel Writer

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The best time to visit Taiwan is between September and November. Everyone’s in school. Typhoon season has passed. Temperatures will begin to cool. And you won’t have to worry about fall allergies.

I’ve lived in Taiwan for more than 5 years now. Throughout this time, I’ve learned about the country’s weather patterns. I want to help you know the best times to visit Taiwan. That way, you don’t have an unpleasant experience.

To pinpoint the best time to visit the island nation, you’ll want to know the following:

  • Humidity levels
  • Average temperature
  • Common natural disasters
  • Events and festivals
  • Allergens

Summary

  • October is the best time to visit Taiwan due to decent temperatures & lack of holidays.
  • July through September are bad times to visit because of typhoons.
  • February is the best time to visit to see cherry blossoms.

Taiwan’s Weather and Things To Do by Month

Here are festivals and average temperatures by month in Taiwan:

MonthAvg. Weather (°F)Avg. Weather (°C)Noteworthy Festival
January57°F–66.4 °F13.9°C–19.1 °CLunar New Year
February57.6°F–67.3 °F14.2°C–19.6 °CLunar New Year
March60.4°F–71.8 °F15.8°C–22.1 °CFirefly season
April78.3°F–66.2 °F25.7°C–19 °CTomb Sweeping Day
May84.6°F–72.1 °F29.2°C–22.3 °CInternational Matsu Festival
June76.3°F–89.6 °F24.6°C–32 °CDragon Boat Festival
July93.7°F–79.3 °F34.3°C–26.3 °CInternational Balloon Festival
August79°F–92.8 °F26.1°C–33.8 °CGhost Month
September88°F–76.6 °F31.1°C–24.8 °CMoon Festival
October72.1°F–81.5 °F22.3°C–27.5 °CDouble 10
November66.7°F–75.6 °F19.3°C–24.2 °CView chrysanthemums
December60.1°F–69.3 °F15.6°C–20.7 °CChristmas & New Year’s Eve
Average temperatures and things to do each month in Taiwan.

These temperatures don’t account for Taiwan’s high humidity. Air humidity can raise what temperatures ‘feel’ like. I’ll cover more details on this in a bit.

The following sections will cover more details about monthly weather and things to do in Taiwan.


January in Taiwan

jan
Avg. Temp (°C)13.9°C–19.1 °C
Days of Rainfall17
Relative Humidity69.2%
Hours of Sunlight (Daily)10 hrs

January is one of Taiwan’s more comfortable months. It has temperatures averaging between 57 °F (13.9 °C) and 66 °F (19.1 °C). It’s also the country’s coldest month that doesn’t experience much sunshine (2.6 hours a day).

You won’t find any noteworthy festivals or holiday celebrations. Sometimes Lunar New Year, or otherwise Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, will begin at the end of January. If this is the case, beware of visiting Taiwan during this period.

Because you’ll find much higher flight and hotel prices. Plus, car pile-ups seem to rise in popularity during this time of year. Due to many traveling throughout the country to visit their family. A lot of these people are more likely to drink and drive.

Here’s what I recommend doing in January:

  • Check out Hehuanshan: One of few places in Taiwan with snow.
  • Hike: The colder weather COULD make hiking more bearable.
  • Relax in hot springs: An excellent way to combat the cold weather.

Central & Southern cities like:

  • Kaohsiung
  • Taitung
  • Taichung
  • Tainan
  • Pingtung

The cooler weather makes exploring these cities much more bearable. Since these cities get super hot in summer and autumn.


February in Taiwan

feb
Avg. Temp (°C)14.2°C–19.6 °C
Days of Rainfall17
Relative Humidity71.8%
Hours of Sunlight (Daily)11 hrs

It’s Taiwan’s most humid month, with humidity that averages 81%, making this month the most uneasy time of the year. On average, you’ll encounter rainfall for at least 14.6 days out of the month. This can build up 6.7 inches (170.3 millimeters) of precipitation.

Partially because of this and other factors, this is also one of the least sunny months of the year. You’ll see an average of 2.5 hours per day.

This month also transitions the nation into its Spring allergy season, which will last between February and May. Taiwan doesn’t have ragweed. Grass pollen, certain molds, and tree pollen are the main allergens you must endure. Even in a city like Taipei, you will still face these symptoms.

Heed my warning under the “Festivals in January” section about visiting during the Spring Festival.

However:

The Cherry Festival starts this month. It’s the best time of year to catch a glimpse at cherry blossoms throughout the country. If that’s why you want to visit, enter Taiwan once the Lunar New Year ends.

Here’s what to do this month:

  • View all the cherry blossoms
  • Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: To View cherry blossoms.
  • Explore night markets: Learn more about Taiwan’s food culture.

Taipei & New Taipei. Great places to see the cherry blossoms.

Where Can I See Cherry Blossoms in Taipei?

    cherry blossom tree, Hakka Cultural park, Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan
    Cherry blossom at Hakka Cultural Park in Taipei.

    The best places that you can see cherry blossoms in Taipei include:

    • Lohas Park in Neihu
    • Pingjing Street in Taipei’s Shilin District
    • Yangmingshan National park
    • Tianyuan Temple in Tamsui (New Taipei)
    • New Taipei City Gold Museum, Jinguashi (New Taipei)
    • Sanxia (New Taipei)

And here’s a map of all the best places to see cherry blossoms throughout Taiwan:


March in Taiwan

march
Avg. Temp (°C)15.8°C–22.1 °C
Days of Rainfall18
Relative Humidity68.3%
Hours of Sunlight (Daily)12 hrs

March is when temperatures begin to rise. Most of the time, you’ll experience temperatures around 60.4 °F (15.7 °C), and sometimes you’ll see 71.8 °F (22.1 °C).

You’ll experience at least an average of 79% humidity.

One takeaway for this month is the varying flowers that blossom, which I’ll cover in a second.

It’s also the last month of the year that you’ll want to consider visiting an outdoor hot spring. The nation will begin to warm up from hereon.

In Taipei, around mid-March to early April, attend the Taipei Azalea Festival at Daan Forest Park. Or, visit Yangmingshan National Park to view calla lilies.

Taiwan’s firefly season begins in March and will last until May. The best place to find these flies is in Hualien’s Liyu Lake.

If you prefer music, attend the Eden Hill Music Festival (伊甸高原戶外音樂節), which is somewhere in Nantou County.

Here’s what I recommend doing this month:

  • Yangmingshan National Park: Hike & view the calla lilies.
  • Stroll through Daan Forest Park: Also view the azaleas.
  • Explore Alishan National Forest: The weather isn’t too bad.

Taipei, due to all the places to view flowers.


April in Taiwan

apr 1
Avg. Temp (°C)25.7°C–19 °C
Days of Rainfall15
Relative Humidity68.2%
Hours of Sunlight (Daily)12 hrs

Due to having balanced and dry weather and plenty of festivals, April is one of the ideal months to visit.

In early April, the Taiwanese will celebrate the Qingming Festival, or Tomb Sweeping day. There’s also Children’s Day. Both festivals give the Taiwanese a four-day weekend, leading to massive migrations. These days usually fall on April 4th, 5th, or 6th.

Consider booking flight tickets and hotel rooms outside this window.

Also, check out the Urban Nomad Film Festival in Taipei, the Organik Music Festival in Hualien, or the Spring Scream Music Festival in Kenting.

Here’s what I recommend doing in April:

  • Hike: Explore any of Taiwan’s hiking paths.
  • Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum in Kaohsiung: A mesmerizing religious site.
  • Explore Tainan City: Refer to the next section for an explanation.

Tainan and Kaohsiung. It’s a good time of year to explore both cities since the weather isn’t too hot.


May in Taiwan

may
Avg. Temp (°C)29.2°C–22.3 °C
Days of Rainfall16
Relative Humidity67.8%
Hours of Sunlight (Daily)13 hrs

May is one of the hotter months in Taiwan, with temperatures ranging between 71.1 °F (22.3 °C) and 84.6 °F (29.2 °C). Those temperatures are without humidity taken into account.

It’s around 76.6%.

Starting this month and lasting until October, be careful with the heat. Ensure you drink plenty of fluids, wear sunscreen, and stay in the shade when possible.

Starting from the middle of this month and lasting until mid-June, Taiwan will experience plum rain (梅雨). It’s also known as the East Asian rainy season. During this time, heavy rainfall will pound East Asian nations. These conditions also lead to serious flooding.

The name “plum rain” derived from a belief that plums fell, and their moisture turned into rain.

Toward the middle of the month, spring allergies will fade.

As Taiwan approaches warmer weather, you’ll find various festivals throughout the country like:

  • Taichung International Matsu Festival
  • Hakka Tung Blossom Festival: you’ll find these in Miaoli, Hsinchu, and New Taipei
  • Heartown Music Festival: metal festival in Taichung
  • Earthfest Music Festival: psytrance music in Puli, Miaoli, or Nantou

Here’s what I recommend doing in May:

  • Yehliu Geopark in New Taipei: See interesting rock formations.
  • Visit religious sites: Visit as many of Taiwan’s thousands of temples as possible.
  • Taipei Zoo: The weather isn’t too hot to see all the animals.

Miaoli for the multiple festivals.


June in Taiwan

june
Avg. Temp (°C)24.6°C–32 °C
Days of Rainfall16
Relative Humidity69.5%
Hours of Sunlight (Daily)13 hrs

June is Taiwan’s wettest month. It averages 16 days of rain with around 0.04 inches (1.02 mm) of precipitation. Because of this, you won’t find many tourists around. With the nation moving into summer, you’ll begin to feel the heat. June’s heat index averages 109.8 °F (43.2 °C).

Fortunately, you’ll find that the humidity will reduce a bit.

July is the last month to visit Taiwan before typhoon season hits. 

No matter where you are in Taiwan, watch the weekend-long Dragon Boat Festival (端午節). During this period, you’ll find various teams racing boats with dragon heads.

If you prefer being in Taipei, visit the Taipei Film Festival.

When traveling to Tainan during this month, don’t forget to buy something with mangos. The region’s mangos peak around this time; hence, they’ll taste the best.

If you’re a tech. nerd like me, check out Computex in Taipei. It’s a technology trade show that’ll give you a peak into what’s to come.

Taipei for Computex and Tainan for their mangos.


July in Taiwan

july
Avg. Temp (°C)34.3°C–26.3 °C
Days of Rainfall15
Relative Humidity63.1%
Hours of Sunlight (Daily)13 hrs

Be careful when visiting from hereon for a couple of months. Because you may encounter harsh weather conditions. July is also Taiwan’s warmest month.

If you decide to sightsee during the day, you’ll wear yourself down and also need to keep a few things in mind:

  • Dress light
  • Drink Super Sapau or Pocari Sweat
  • Relax indoors and embrace air conditioning

There’s the Hohaiyan Rock Music Festival at Fulong Beach along Taiwan’s northern coast. Sometimes this festival will happen in August.

Another big event that happens throughout July and August is the Taitung International Balloon Festival. It’s the perfect place to watch hot air balloons with various shapes and characters float into the sky.

I recommend staying indoors when possible to avoid the heat. Here are some activities you could try:

  • Try a tea house: Try locally-grown tea.
  • Check out Huashan Creative Park in Taipei: Various indoor exhibits & local shops.
  • Taipei 101 Observatory: Get an amazing view of Taipei City from one of the world’s tallest buildings.

Hsinchu, Taichung, Miaoli, & Taichung. They’re protected by Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range and less suceptible to severe damage from typhoons.


August in Taiwan

aug
Avg. Temp (°C)26.1°C–33.8 °C
Days of Rainfall15
Relative Humidity66.6%
Hours of Sunlight (Daily)13 hrs

During this time, Taiwan faces the highest chances of typhoons increasing while the blazing heat continues. If you’re coming to Taiwan to study at a Mandarin Training Center, I recommend arriving this month.

These storms will sweep the country with winds and heavy rainfall. The rain ranges from 2 inches (50 millimeters) to 12 inches (300 millimeters). Whereas, the wind speeds vary between 73 to 120 mph (118–190 km/h).

That way, you have enough time to find an apartment, and finish any requirements for classes. You may also have time to relax before your classes begin.

The entire month is Taiwan’s Ghost Month, which means spirits will briefly roam the mortal plane. Throughout this time, the Taiwanese will practice various ceremonies and superstitions.

For example, you will find many people burning ghost money, or joss paper, in metal containers along sidewalks.

Otherwise, you won’t find much happening.

If it’s raining, do activities indoors like:

  • Peruse shopping centers: Buy stuff while taking in the air conditioning.
  • Visit art galleries: Support local artists.
  • Sing at a karaoke room.

Hsinchu, Taichung, Miaoli, & Taichung.


September in Taiwan

sep
Avg. Temp (°C)31.1°C–24.8 °C
Days of Rainfall14
Relative Humidity66.2%
Hours of Sunlight (Daily)12 hrs

With classes underway, you’ll find fewer people crowding beaches and tourist hotspots. You still run a smaller risk of encountering typhoons while dealing with the heat.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, is a weekend-long celebration. Many Taiwanese families will gather and have barbecues.

If you don’t mingle with the locals, try the holiday’s famous snack. Moon cakes. You’ll find them at most bakeries. I also recommend getting them as a souvenir if possible. Most of the time, this festival will happen during September. On rare occasions, it’ll start in October.

Again, stick to indoor activities like the following to avoid the heat and stay away from typhoons:

  • Museums: Learn about Taiwan’s history & culture.
  • Beitou hot springs (hotels): Great way to relax.
  • Knife massage (or normal massage): Draw out “negative energy” & relax your body.

Hsinchu, Taichung, Miaoli, & Taichung.


October in Taiwan

october
Avg. Temp (°C)22.3°C–27.5 °C
Days of Rainfall15
Relative Humidity68.1%
Hours of Sunlight (Daily)11 hrs

The chaotic conditions begin to wind down as typhoon season comes to a close. This makes Taiwan safer (weather-wise) to visit. It’s also an ideal time of year to go hiking and explore the country’s beautiful landscapes before the rain comes back.

This is also the best month to visit Taiwan’s offshore islands. But the hotels and tour businesses understand this. Meaning you’ll find higher prices.

Festivals you’ll find in October include:

  • Boat Burning Festival
  • Hakka Yimin Festival
  • Taipei Jazz Music Festival
  • Double Ninth Festival
  • Taipei Digital Arts Festival

The nation doesn’t celebrate Halloween. Though, some nightclubs and other businesses will host costume parties. While it’s one of the best months to visit, you won’t find any celebrations that’ll happen during this month.

  • Hiking: The weather isn’t too hot or cold.
  • Visit these offshore islands since the weather’s comfortable:
    • Lanyu (Orchid Island)
    • Kinmen
    • Matsu
    • Penghu
    • Turtle Island
    • Little Liuqiu

The offshore islands. Since the calmer ocean weather makes it safer to ride boats.


November in Taiwan

nov
Avg. Temp (°C)19.3°C–24.2 °C
Days of Rainfall15
Relative Humidity69.5%
Hours of Sunlight (Daily)10 hrs

Take advantage of the remaining days of the beach season. Toward mid-November, a cold front will begin to descend on Taiwan. If you’re from a colder region, it’ll likely feel like summer to you, though.

The Taiwanese don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. For the most part, they also do not acknowledge Black Friday. Because of these reasons, you won’t have to worry about an influx of travelers.

If you’re into hot springs, see if the Taipei Hot Springs Festival is happening in Taipei City. You’ll find discounted hot springs hotels here.

If you love flowers, visit the former residence of Chiang Kai-Shek in Taipei’s Shilin District. Once there, you’ll find displays of chrysanthemum flowers.

Taipei. The temperature’s great for Beitou’s hot springs, which you could get discounted tickets for at the Hot Spring Festival.


December in Taiwan

dec
Avg. Temp (°C)15.6°C–20.7 °C
Days of Rainfall16
Relative Humidity67.4%
Hours of Sunlight (Daily)10 h

During most of the month, you’ll find a mix of autumn weather, short periods of hot weather, and cold snaps. Once the end of the month comes around, the weather will get colder.

If you love running, take part in or watch the Taipei Marathon. It happens in the middle of the month. Otherwise, visit the various Christmas displays throughout the country. City governments will have them set up toward the beginning of the month.

They’ll later take them down when January approaches.

If you’re around Taipei 101 on New Year’s Eve, watch all the fireworks that erupt throughout the skyscraper. I recommend taking the Maokong Gondola to Maokong mountain. When there, chill at a tea house and watch the sky catch on fire.

It’s an excellent alternative for those who don’t like stuffing themselves in crowds. However, whether you can see Taipei 101’s fireworks is hit or miss. The first year, I had a clear view of them. The following 2 years were cloudy.

But the locals launched a bunch of fireworks.

Here’s what I recommend doing this month:

  • Hiking: If it’s not raining, you could get in a good hike without bearing the sweltering heat.
  • See Christmas displays.
  • Attend New Year’s events.
  • Soak in a hot spring: They feel amazing in cold weather.

Taipei & New Taipei. Visit the former on New Year’s Eve and you’ll catch a massive firework show at Taipei 101. Around Christmas, the latter will have a enormous collection Christmas exhibits in Banqiao.


Taiwan Vacation Packing List

Ensure you include these items in your packing checklist:

Backpack coverInsect repellentSunscreen
DeodorantReusable water bottleDummy phone & wallet
ClothingSaline nasal sprayPackable jacket
High-top bootsFemale hygiene productsSanitizing wipes
MedicationCondomsCopy of travel documents
Portable power bankPassport wallet/Purse/Day packEye drops
Unlocked smartphoneTravel adapterInternational Driving Permit
VPNPortable Wireless RouterLip balm
KF94 Face MaskDurable umbrella
Taiwan packing list.

I have tested and frequently use all of these products except for the travel adapter and the backpack cover. I do have the travel adapter on my list of things to buy, though. I do thorough research on the products I recommend. As I always want to use the “best” of whatever I buy.

Explore my guide to find details on why I recommended these items.


Taiwan Packing List

taiwan packing list

Taiwan Winter Packing List

tw winter packing list

FAQs: Best Time to Visit Taiwan

Since you better understand the best time to visit Taiwan, you likely still have questions. I’ve put together several questions regarding specific periods in Taiwan throughout the year.

Which Month Is Typhoon Season in Taiwan?

Taiwan’s typhoon season begins in the summer and ends in mid-autumn; July–October. The nation will face an average of 3.7 typhoons per year.

Best Time to Visit Taiwan for Cherry Blossoms

Blooming times for cherry blossoms, or yinghua (櫻花), in Taiwan vary each year. The best time frame to catch a glimpse of these trees is mid-to-late February.


Sources

  • Average hours of sunlight [1]
  • Average relative humidity [2]
  • Average days of rainfall [3 HTTP link]

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About Theo

Theodore began first experienced the wonders of traveling when visiting Vietnam. Afterward, he went crazy and ventured to at least… More about Theo