Best Season To Visit Taipei According To A Taiwanese

If you’re planning a trip to Taipei and want to know the best time to visit, I’d love to share my insights with you.

I was born and raised in Taipei City, the capital of Taiwan. Although I’ve spent over 30 years living abroad (first in the U.S., then China, and now in the U.S. again), I return to my hometown at least once a year to reconnect with family and friends.

Each time I’m back, I experience Taipei both as a local and a tourist. I enjoy the familiar warmth of home while also discovering the latest changes in the city and its people.

This unique blend of familiarity and fresh perspective allows me to see Taipei from both local and visitor viewpoints—and I’m excited to share these with you.

Winter Is The Best Time Of The Year To Visit Taipei!

In my opinion, winter is definitely the best season to visit Taipei.

In this article, I’ll share why I believe the winter months are ideal for your trip. I’ll start with a quick overview of Taipei’s weather and then highlight five reasons why winter is the perfect time to experience the city.

Taipei In Winter

Taipei’s geography plays a big role in shaping its weather.

Nestled in a basin surrounded by mountains, the heat and humidity are trapped in Taipei during summer, making the city feel much hotter and stickier than other parts of Taiwan.

Winter in Taipei is much more comfortable. With cooler temperatures and fewer rainy days compared to the warmer months, it’s the perfect time to explore the city without breaking a lot of sweat.

To give you a general idea of what winter is like in Taipei, I’ve included a chart of the monthly temperatures and rainfall averages. Please see below.

With its subtropical climate, Taipei enjoys relatively mild winter weather, even in January, the coldest month, where average temperatures range from 14°C (57°F) to 20°C (70°F).

If you’re used to colder climates, you might think, “Great! I’ll only need summer clothes when I’m in Taipei!” However, please keep in mind that Taipei’s humidity can make the air feel a bit cooler, especially on cloudy or rainy days.

Still, there’s no need to bring a heavy jacket—just a hoodie or light down jacket should be enough.

Winter is also Taipei’s driest season. That said, it’s still wise to pack an umbrella (or pick one up at a local convenience store) in case you catch a rainy day when a cold front moves in.

5 Reasons Winter Is The Best Time To Visit Taipei

Here are the 5 reasons why I think you should come visit Taipei in the winter months (December, January and February).

1. Enjoy Outdoor Activities In Comfortable Temperatures

In Taipei’s hot summers, the intense heat can make outdoor activities challenging (unless you’re doing water activities). However, winter’s cooler, milder temperatures make being outside much more pleasant, allowing you to enjoy outdoor activities without the discomfort of excessive sweating.

Here are a few outdoor activities that, while enjoyable year-round, are especially great in winter’s cooler weather:

• Hiking Elephant Mountain (XiangShan, 象山): A favorite for nature lovers and photographers, this short (30-minute) hike is moderate in difficulty, with steps and paths leading to several scenic viewpoints. On clear days, you can enjoy the breathtaking views of Taipei City and Taipei 101.

• Exploring Taipei Zoo: Home to over 1,600 animals from 260 species, Taipei Zoo offers a rich, educational experience. Highlights include the Giant Panda House and the Formosan Animal Area, which showcases indigenous species unique to Taiwan.
• Strolling Through The Old Streets Of Jiufen: This charming hillside town overlooks the sea, with cobblestone streets filled with traditional tea houses, souvenir shops, and street vendors. It’s an atmospheric place to wander and experience old Taipei.
• Visiting Longshan Temple: Founded in 1738, Longshan Temple is not only a religious center but also a cultural landmark. With its blend of Buddhist, Taoist, and folk religious elements, the temple offers a unique spiritual experience. The architecture features intricate carvings, colorful artwork, and vibrant energy, combining traditional Chinese and Taiwanese styles.

2. Enjoy The Festive Atmosphere

It starts with Christmas lights. Even though Christmas isn’t an official holiday in Taiwan, stores and restaurants still join in the fun with holiday decorations. You’ll find beautiful lights and decorations at malls and restaurants across the city.

One of the best spots (and my favorite) to see the Christmas lights is the Xinyi Shopping District, where Taipei 101 and several big shopping centers are located. The entire area is decorated with Christmas trees and lights, creating a joyful, celebratory atmosphere.

The holiday spirit continues after New Year’s Day, especially with the Lunar New Year in late January or early February (depending on the Lunar Calendar). For the Lunar New Year, decorations are red and based on the zodiac animal of the year. In 2024, for example, it’s the Year of the Dragon, so you’ll see dragon-themed decorations everywhere.

The Lunar New Year celebrations end with the Lantern Festival, which includes parades, cultural events, and beautiful lantern displays. Each year, the displays are set up in different locations around the city and stay up for about a month, keeping the holiday spirit alive well into early spring.

There’s also the Sky Lantern Festival in Pingxi, located in New Taipei City. Surrounded by mountains, Pingxi is the perfect place to fly sky lanterns safely (the government has certified it), thanks to its high humidity levels. The experience is magical, as you release a lantern into the night sky along with hundreds of others.

3. Keep Yourself Warm With “Winter Food”

Winter is the perfect time to enjoy hot pots and soups, which are especially popular in Taiwan during this season. Here are some favorites:

• Ginger Duck (薑母鴨): This traditional Taiwanese stew combines tender duck with ginger and Chinese herbs, creating a rich and warming broth. I didn’t try this dish until my 30s, but it’s been my winter favorite ever since—the ginger flavor really warms me up!

• Sesame Chicken Soup (麻油雞): A Taiwanese comfort food, this soup features tender chicken pieces, often with shiitake mushrooms and ginger in a fragrant sesame oil broth.
• Mutton Hot Pot (羊肉爐): This hot pot has thinly sliced lamb or mutton cooked at the table in a simmering broth filled with fresh vegetables, tofu, and noodles.
• Fish Head Casserole (砂鍋魚頭): This hearty stew highlights the rich, tender parts of fish heads. It’s cooked with vegetables, tofu, and a savory broth, creating a flavorful and aromatic dish.
• Oden (關東煮): Originally from Japan, Oden is a one-pot dish popular in Taiwan in winter. It includes ingredients like fish cakes, tofu, daikon radish, and hard-boiled eggs simmered in a soy-based broth, making it a comforting, flavorful choice for colder days.

4. Winter Is The Best Time To Enjoy The Hot Springs

If you hear the term “soup dipping,” don’t be confused—it actually refers to hot springs!

Thanks to its unique geology, the greater Taipei area is known for its famous hot springs. There are several ways to enjoy them: you can visit outdoor public hot springs, book a cozy indoor hot spring room (typically for two people), or stay in a hotel with a hot spring bathtub in your room.

For a more luxurious experience, consider a hot spring resort where you can spend an afternoon—or even a weekend—in pure relaxation. These resorts often provide private hot spring tubs in each room, along with delicious meals and comfortable accommodations, creating a truly pampering getaway.

Here are three popular hot spring areas around Taipei:

1. Beitou Hot Springs
   Beitou offers everything from public hot spring baths to private resorts and luxury hotels. You can choose a public bath or enjoy a more secluded experience at a resort. While in Beitou, the Beitou Hot Spring Museum is worth a visit, giving you a glimpse into the history and cultural importance of hot springs in Taiwan.
2. Wulai Hot Springs
   Wulai’s hot springs, often set along riverbanks, provide a unique experience. You can soak in the warm waters while surrounded by lush forest, making it a peaceful retreat in nature.
3. Yangmingshan Hot Springs
   Located in Yangmingshan National Park, this area has various hot spring options, from public baths to high-end resorts. Yangmingshan is known for its sulfuric hot springs, believed to have health benefits. The natural beauty of the park adds to the experience, blending relaxation with scenic views.

5. You Get To See These Winter Blooms

If you love flowers, winter in Taipei offers a wonderful chance to see blooms both in nature and at lively flower exhibitions.

Here are some popular spots to enjoy the winter flowers:

• Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence (士林官邸): This former president’s residence has a beautiful, large garden and hosts various flower exhibitions year-round. During winter, you’ll find plum blossoms, chrysanthemums, and roses in full bloom. Below is a picture of my son, taken at the flower garden a couple of years ago.

• Yangmingshan Flower Festival (陽明山花季): Head to Yangmingshan National Park’s annual flower festival to see a stunning array of winter blooms, including plum blossoms, tulips, cherry blossoms, camellias, and azaleas.
  
  Don’t miss the iconic Yangmingshan Flower Clock and the Bamboo Lake (Zhuzihu, 竹子湖) area, which are especially popular during this season.
  
  I went to the Cala Lily festival with my family in the winter of 2020 and it was amazing!

• Riverside Parks (河濱公園): Several riverside parks along the Tamsui and Keelung Rivers provide beautiful, scenic spots for relaxation and recreation.

Conclusion

To sum it up, I believe winter is the best time to visit Taipei! Here are five reasons you’ll enjoy your time in Taiwan during winter:

• Outdoor activities in comfortable weather
• Festive atmosphere for the holiday season
• Delicious Taiwanese winter food
• Relaxing hot spring retreats
• Beautiful winter blooms

I hope this guide helps you plan a perfect winter trip to Taipei!