My heart has been completely captured by this incredible country, and I am so not ready to say goodbye. I could very easily spend a couple more months in this magical place. From the overwhelming amount of friendliness to the breathtaking views, Taiwan is easily one of the most incredible places I have had the opportunity to visit. As a solo female traveler, I highly recommend visiting Taiwan. I never once felt unsafe or even the slightest bit uncomfortable, besides the amount of people who asked to take a picture with me, but they were harmless.
I would love to give you an itinerary of exactly where and when you should go, but I cannot do that. I will share mine with you, but it is going to vary for everyone exactly where you should go and for how long. Although I can say, I really enjoyed southern Taiwan and was glad I spent so much more time in the south.
Dulan
Dulan is a small, laid back city about twenty miles north of Taitung, on the east coast of Taiwan. I spent three weeks here, and loved every second of it. It is appeasing for all surfers, music lovers, and people seeking to escape from the city hustle and bustle. Dulan is a very special place, that I will always hold close to my heart. The food is all pretty similar, offering dishes consisting of different types of noodles, mostly. You don’t have that many options, but the prices are cheaper. There is also a wide variety of western options here. Dulan has a lot of travelers drifting through, many of which are only there for a couple nights. Be sure to take advantage of the quiet nights to have a fire on the beach.
Recommendations: For food, I can highly recommend Smile. The name is so fitting, because the owner is always so smiley and welcoming. She has great English too! I came here every day to see her smiling face and get a mango green tea for only NT $20 ($0.64USD). Another must is Cape Cafe, with my favorite view in all of Dulan. It overlooks the ocean, where you can check the surf at two of the best breaks in Dulan. The food is tasty and the staff is out of this world. For places to stay, I 100% recommend WaGaLiGong. It is owned by two South African surfers, so the vibe is very laid back. In the bar downstairs, you can drink Stella Artois on draft and watch surf movies on the big screen. They offer surf lessons, wind surf lessons, SUP tours, board rentals, and the list just goes on. WaGaLiGong will quickly become your home away from home. As for nightlife, you’ve got to stop at Hwy 11. The couple creates all of their own beer, and often holds shows here. You can hear aboriginal music, while watching incredible fire dancers and sipping on your cranberry mead.
Hualien
I spent three short days in Hualien, but wish I had more time to explore this fun city. Many people stay in Hualien as they are checking the Taroko National Park off their list. Taroko is not something to miss when visiting Taiwan; I highly recommend it. Hualien has a good mix of things to do. Make sure to check out the beach. The water is the most beautiful shade of blue, and we the shore is lined with massive concrete structures to protect the beach from erosion. Lastly, you should make time to go to the Hualien night market. This night market is very different from the other night markets I have attended. It is very organized, with permanent stalls for each individual stand, as opposed to the carts that line the streets in other night markets.
Recommendations: FH Hostel is where I stayed, and I absolutely loved it. It wasn’t too big, but big enough to have a good amount of travelers flowing through it. It was very clean and had an awesome location. I was reccomened to stay here by a friend, and I will continue to pass on the recommendation. It is perfect if you are going to Taroko National Park; we met several other people who also planned to visit it.
Kenting
If you are searching for a relaxing holiday, Kenting is the place for you. Kenting was probably one of my favorite cities in Kenting, as it is the perfect mix of beach and city. I only spent three days here, but easily could have spent more. The city is much quieter and more laid back, compared to the other big cities in Taiwan. The weather here was so delightful; super sunny and much warmer than anywhere else in Taiwan. Kenting Road is lined with street vendors selling food, but make sure not to miss the Hengchun night market that is held every Sunday.
Kaohsiung
I wasn’t planning on going to Kaohsiung at all, but everyone convinced me to make the trip there. It was a short two days, but I am glad I stopped there. Make sure to check out the Love River. You can rent bicycles and ride around it, I would recommend going at night because it is lit up beautifully. This was the cleanest city, in my opinion. It was very big, being the second largest city in Taiwan, behind Taipei. Kaohsiung is known for their papaya milk, so make sure to try some of that.
Recommendations: For nightlife, I recommend going to the Lighthouse bar. It is owned by a Canadian and has a mix of locals and foreigners. You can (and should) get a tower of beer. It is a massive jug with over 100oz of draft beer in it. It is NT $750 ($25USD) and totally doable for two people to finish.
Tainan
Tainan is the oldest town in Taiwan and is full of character. There are countless temples scattered through out the city. As you are wandering down the streets, you will see old buildings with the original architecture and trendy little shops and cafes. This is a very picturesque city that deserves some exploring. Tainan is known for the food, so make sure to get ready to stuff your bellies. There is a massive market during the day that is pretty cool, if you need a break from the temples. They open quite early (I wouldn’t know what time because I was too busy being lazy in my glorious bed) and close around 1pm. It almost feels like you are underground, but rather you are walking in between the buildings. You can find clothes, fruits, snacks, and a large array of meats. I really don’t recommend walking through the market if you are easy disgusted by meat. I saw a pig sliced perfectly in half down the middle, plopped on the table, and I haven’t eaten meat since… 
Recommendations: I stayed at the Loft 18 Hostel and couldn’t recommend it more. I wanted to extend my trip in Tainan just because of how cozy and comfy my bed was. By far the comfiest bed I have slept in, in Taiwan. It was a little tricky to find at first. Once I found it, I appreciated the tucked-away location. It is in the perfect spot, right in the city but hidden down a back road so you aren’t stuck hearing all the noise that comes with the city. The hostel appearance is very artsy, and extremely clean. Dennis was great, willing to help with any question or concern you may have. He even took me to a beef noodle place and to explore an abandoned hospital.
If I had more time in Tainan, I would have loved to experience Anping. It really expresses the history between the Dutch and Taiwanese.
Taipei
Being the beach gal that I am, I am never too drawn to stay in the city for long bits of time. I only spent two days in Taipei. It totally wasn’t enough to see nearly anything. But, after visiting a few other cities, this beach babe was sick of seeing tall buildings. There are endless things you can do in Taipei and I recommend spending at least a few days in the city, if you have time. It’s rather easy to do, considering this is most likely where you will fly into/out of. The southern Taiwanese folks told me that the northern Taiwanese people were far less friendly. I wouldn’t totally disagree with that. They are still incredibly amiable, just not as overwhelmingly friendly as those in the south. I think its pretty funny, a lot of countries have slight northern/southern divide. I found that I spent the most money in Taipei. Do not expect to hitch hike here. I learned that lesson the hard way, after waiting in the rain for about thirty minutes before finally throwing in the towel and getting a cab. My wallet and ego didn’t appreciate that one too much. The night markets in Taipei were my absolute favorite, out of the many that I went to in various cities.
Recommendations: I stayed at the NK Hostel. I was shocked when arriving at the hostel, with how nice it was. It looked very satisfying online, but in person it was absolutely stunning. Each bed has walls built around it, almost like spacious cubbies. The walls around you give off a private room sense. The beds are lovely and they even offer a buffet breakfast with eggs, ham, congee… the list goes on. But you know what the best part about their breakfast was? There were forks!! You better believe I grabbed one of those suckers to gobble up my eggs with. They have a small bar offering diverse types of coffees, and other beverages that is open 24 hours. The location is prime, as it is a short walk to the Raohe St. Night Market. The Raohe St. Night Market was my favorite night market in Taiwan, offering a wide range of foods. 
In Taipei, everything is relatively close so you can accomplish a lot in one day. I managed to cross both the Beitou Hot Springs and the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial off of my list in one day. If I am being honest here, I don’t recommend the Beitou Hot Springs. Despite the amount of locals, I think it is a total tourist trap. You pay a NT $40 ($1.28 USD) fee to get in and they are very strict. You are not allowed to let your hair touch the water, and if you accidentally do then you will know it. Everybody else at the hot spring will, as well. Maybe this comparison isn’t fair, considering the only other tho spring I have been to in Taiwan was completely deserted and in the raw nature of Taroko Gorge. I highly doubt all of the hot springs in Taiwan are like this, so skip out of Beitou and search for something better. Wenshan Hot Springs in Taroko Gorge were absolutely incredible and there will be close to nobody there. 
The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial is definitely worth giving a visit. I am not usually the type to ooh and ahh over buildings, but this one had me oohing and ahhing. I never wanted to leave this place. The entire vicinity was absolutely gorgeous. I think the reason this place captivated me so much was because of the amount of emotion. There were children, running wild and blowing bubbles everywhere. There were young adults, hopelessly in love. Everyone was full of passion and wanted to share it with everyone. I had a pretty hard time leaving this positive environment to go hop on my plane. 
There was so much that I didn’t get a chance to experience in Taipei. I could have spent at least five more days here. If you’re looking for more to do in Taipei, consider these: Moaning Gondola, Zhinan Temple, Snake Alley, Elephant Mountain, Houtong Cat Village, and Pingxi for the paper lanterns. There are also some really neat walking tours in Taipei that I have heard are awesome.
Jiufen
The paper lantern lined streets overlooking the ocean are undoubtedly going to make you fall in love with this adorable little town. Many tourists take a day trip to Jiufen from Taipei. Several friends of mine warned me about the rush to the bus when taking a day trip to Jiufen. I have heard nothing but horror stories about making it back to Taipei. So for my last night in Taiwan, I decided to stay in Jiufen and head to Taipei in the morning when the bus bolt is inexistent. I stayed at My Story Inn, and would highly recommend staying here. The view is one of the best views offered in Jiufen. My bed was right next to the window, allowing me to be awoken by the sun greeting the ocean down below. It was a lovely way to wake up on my last day in Taiwan. Rose, who runs the hostel is the absolute sweetest lady. Rose and her mother were more than accommodating and even brought me fish cake made by their family member. I was a bit hesitant to try, due to the unappetizing name. But, after one bite I was hooked. I wish I would have tried this dish sooner, it was quite delicious. The kind of delicious that makes you sad when you get to the bottom of the bowl. The location was exactly where you want to be, just a short walk down the stairs from Old Jiufen Street. It was also conveniently located above a post office and bus stop. Incredible view, great location, warm-hearted staff- what more could you ask for!
When visiting Jiufen, make sure you spend some time sipping on the tea. You’re gonna really look forward to this tea after fighting the crowds on Old Jiufen Street. Rose’s mother can give you a great recommendation of a tea house and show you exactly how to get there. Jiufen is so crowded so make sure your patience levels are at a maximum. Although it is crowded, it is totally worth it. This is the image that pops into my head when I think of Taiwan. It feels like you are walking through a movie set. Be sure to observe Jiufen at night too; that is when the paper lanterns are really emphasized and the night view over looking the ocean and towns in the distant is incredible.
Taiwan is a relatively cheap country, so you don’t need thousands of dollars to visit. Of course there are two types of traveling you can do, but overall it was very easy for me to get around on very little money. Here are a few ways that I managed to save a lot of money. I worked in exchange for my accommodation for three weeks, so that really helped. Then, I stayed at friends of friends houses for free. I rarely used my money for transportation. I found that the most effective way to get around Taiwan was hitchhiking. Not only do you receive a free ride, but often you will receive many other things I have had families take me to lunch, buy my snacks, give me a few grocery items, and even pay for my bus ticket all the way to the other side of the country. I even had a couple of friends who ended up staying at the house of the man who picked them up. Taiwan is so safe, so I advise taking advantage of these opportunities while you’re in a country that you can. Also, there is no better way to immerse yourself into a culture. I can honestly say that many of my most memorable moments in Taiwan happened while I was hitchhiking.
Food is very cheap, but price differs as you travel into different towns. I wasn’t eating hamburgers and pizza everyday, although western food is quite abundant. In order to save money, you have to eat like a local, or eat with the locals. Let’s just say I ate enough dumplings to satisfy myself for at least a year.
As for my other expenses, aside from food, accommodation, and transportation, I tried to keep them at a minimum. My surf board and wetsuit rental was provided for me, in exchange for my work. I did get one massage, but instantly regretted it about five minutes in. I was sincerely worried I was going to have health issues due to internal bleeding in my upper back. I think that was a sign from the universe. Scared me enough to not spend money on another one, that’s for sure.
If I wasn’t so avid about not spending money, I would have loved to get a brand new wardrobe. The clothes were so cheap here, and the style was totally up my alley. I simply could not come to terms with buying clothes. Although, I did buy a toothbrush made out of bamboo and pigs hair, a leather phone charger, and a pair of socks. All things I found to be pretty valuable.
As for safety, I have never felt safer in another country. That says a lot coming from a nineteen year old girl who has never traveled completely alone before. There was not one moment in Taiwan that I felt unsafe. Frustrated, hesitant, intimidated, yes. But never unsafe.
The Taiwanese culture is one of the most willing to help cultures I have ever met. If you are ever lost or feeling confused, you can ask anyone around you. Granted most of them will not speak English, but they will try their best to help you. They will frantically search around them for someone who can translate. They will walk down dark streets with you for twenty minuets trying to find the house you are staying at. They will place their hoodie under your head when you fall asleep in their car, after they picked you up hitchhiking. The list of times that Taiwanese people made my heart melt is endless and I could go on for days.
I met a Taiwanese girl who was fortunate enough to leave Taiwan to travel to a handful of places. It absolutely broke my heart to hear her say that she hated it. She loved learning about different parts of the world, but she said something that will stick with me forever. “When the rest of the world is so mean, and everyone at home is so nice, why would you ever want to leave home?” People didn’t want to help her, they wanted nothing to do with her. If that isn’t enough to hit you were it hurts, then I don’t know what is. If you take anything away from this post, let it be something from this last paragraph.
When you travel to Taiwan, make sure you get out of your comfort zone. Don’t go straight for the resturant called Smokey Joes (although I heard it was delicious). Instead, go up to a food truck and point to what the local guy in front of you got. Don’t go to the bar that you only see foreigners walking into, which won’t happen if you go in the winter like me, because there aren’t many foreigners. Instead, hang out with the locals outside of a mini mart. In order you truly experience a new culture, you must let go of what is familiar and embrace what is not.
Enjoy the moments that make you feel hesitant or uncomfortable. Be grateful for the not so pleasant moments because you pushed yourself to try new things. Say yes to everything you can. As much as everything inside of you would rather hold the security of what you are familiar with, say yes to the unknown. Say yes to the uncomfortable. Because when you look back, that is what you will remember. The moments you said yes are the moments you will hold close to your heart for forever.
I will never forget the night I agreed to stay with the locals and sing for hours, instead of going back with the other volunteers to make I had enough sleep for work the next day. I couldn’t forget the day I went to an aboriginal’s house to who picked me up hitch hiking. And I certainly won’t forget the moment I ate a chicken heart. The list goes on and on. These are all experiences where I wanted more than anything to say no. I craved the security of what I found comfortable, but I knew that I would be disappointed in myself. In order to expand myself as a person, that requires feeling uncomfortable from time to time.
If you are considering Taiwan, consider no further. Book the damn flight and see how absolutely wonderful this country and the people in it really are. I can promise you, you will thoroughly enjoy it. You will learn from it, you will grow from it, and it will become apart of you for forever. All I have to warn you about is the moment when it comes time to leave. As I sit here in the airport, just minutes before boarding my flight, I can tell you it is not easy. Knowing that I left a piece of me on this island and hopefully with as many people as I could who inhabit it, I am complacent and know it is time to move on to the next destination. The love I have for this country is inexhaustible and I am already looking forward to the day that the wind decides to blow me back in this direction.
I want to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you to absolutely every soul I had the opportunity to encounter during my journey in Taiwan. The locals, the travelers, the people in between. With every new day that the sun rises, I am more and more taken aback by the amount of engaging souls we have on this planet. Seriously, I think I am luckily enough to say that I have meet some of the most beautiful people in the entire world. I have said for years now, that one day, I will write a book on all of these lovely people I am encountering. My gratitude for everyone I have met throughout this trip is immense. Thank you for inspiring me, for pushing me, and for giving me one hell of a good time.
