Travel guide - Taiwan | Bradt

Taiwan is unlike anywhere else in Asia – and no guidebook knows it better. Now in its fourth edition, Bradt’s Taiwan Travel guide is the most comprehensive and deeply researched guide to this extraordinary island, written for independent travellers.

A captivating blend of Chinese, Austronesian and Japanese influences, Taiwan offers everything from vibrant cities and ancient temples to dramatic mountain scenery, offshore islands and some of Asia’s best food. More than half the island is covered by forest, providing a haven for endemic wildlife found nowhere else on earth, while bustling night markets, colourful religious festivals and a thriving contemporary culture make every Taiwan holiday truly memorable.

Thoroughly updated to reflect the impact of the 2024 earthquake and Typhoon Gaemi, this fourth edition includes expanded coverage of Taiwan’s extraordinary food scene, the increasingly popular landscapes of east Taiwan, and the National Palace Museum Southern Branch. Whether you are discovering Taipei’s famous night markets, exploring the historic streets of Tainan, hiking through the spectacular mountains of Shei-Pa National Park, marvelling at Taroko Gorge, snorkelling around Xiao Liuqiu or searching for rare wildlife, Bradt shows you how.

What makes this guide indispensable?

• Expert local knowledge - written by Steven Crook, resident in Taiwan since 1991, who has travelled every corner of the main island and each outlying archipelago – an unmatched depth of experience and understanding of what independent travellers truly need
• Fully updated - revised throughout with the latest travel information, including post-earthquake conditions, reopened routes including the Southern Cross-Island Highway, new attractions and updated accommodation and transport listings
• Complete island coverage - from cosmopolitan Taipei and historic Tainan to Kaohsiung, Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, Penghu, Green Island, Little Liuqiu and many lesser-known destinations beyond the standard Taiwan backpacking trail
• Essential practical guidance - comprehensive advice on transport, accommodation, budgeting, health and safety and everything an independent traveller needs to plan confidently
• Outdoor adventures and wildlife - national parks, mountain trails, hot springs, beaches, coral reefs and detailed coverage of Taiwan’s unique endemic species
• Food, culture and local experiences - from world-famous night markets and traditional temples to indigenous heritage and contemporary arts, experience the full richness of Taiwanese life