Taiwan is a vibrant island nation blending ancient Chinese culture with modern innovation, featuring stunning mountain landscapes, bustling night markets, and world-class cuisine. From the neon-lit streets of Taipei to the serene temples of Tainan and dramatic gorges of Taroko, Taiwan offers diverse experiences for every traveler. This subtropical paradise combines excellent infrastructure, warm hospitality, and rich cultural heritage.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola
Asia's largest zoo with giant pandas, koalas, and 400+ species. Combine with the Maokong Gondola ride from the zoo station to the tea-growing hills above Taipei — both kids and adults love the aerial tramway views.
Duration: 4-5 hours
Shifen Sky Lantern Release
Release a handwritten sky lantern into the sky above the historic Shifen railway village, 90 minutes from Taipei. Children decorate lanterns with wishes and watch them float toward the mountains — a magical and deeply Taiwanese experience.
Duration: 2-3 hours
National Taiwan Science Education Center
Five floors of hands-on science exhibits in Taipei covering physics, biology, earth sciences, and technology. The water and electricity experiments are particularly popular with children ages 5-12. English signage throughout.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Taroko Gorge Shakadang Trail
Easy family hike along turquoise marble river through the world's most spectacular gorge. Children love wading in clear mountain pools and spotting fish. The 10km round-trip trail is manageable for fit families with children 6+.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Yehliu Geopark Rock Formations
Bizarre mushroom-shaped and queen's head rock formations created by natural erosion on the north coast. Children are fascinated by the alien landscape. Combine with Keelung Miaokou Night Market for fresh seafood lunch.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Sun Moon Lake Cycling and Boat Tour
Cycle the 33km lakeside cycling path around Taiwan's most beautiful lake, then take a ferry between Shuishe and Ita Thao for aboriginal cultural performances and indigenous cuisine. The flat cycling path is safe for family riders.
Duration: Full day
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Grand Hyatt Taipei
Spacious rooms with connecting options, outdoor pool, garden, and multiple dining options. The hotel's lush grounds provide outdoor space for children, and the Xinyi location is close to Taipei 101 entertainment.
Family features: Connecting rooms, outdoor pool, kids menu, child-friendly restaurants, proximity to Taipei 101
Fullon Hotel Hualien
Beachfront family resort near Hualien with hot spring pools, multiple swimming pools, and direct beach access. The resort atmosphere and proximity to Taroko Gorge make it an ideal family base for east coast exploration.
Family features: Hot spring pools, beach access, family rooms, restaurant with kids menu, free bikes
Howard Beach Resort Kenting
Beachfront Mediterranean-style resort in tropical Kenting with direct beach access, kids club, multiple pools, and water sports facilities. Ideal for families seeking beach holiday with all amenities in place.
Family features: Kids club, beach access, pools, water sports, restaurants, family rooms, evening entertainment
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Taiwanese restaurants genuinely welcome children — high chairs are available at most establishments and staff will accommodate kids with plain rice or simple noodles on request
Night markets are the best family dining experience — children choose from dozens of options, food is affordable, and the atmosphere is exciting without formality
Bring tissues — many local restaurants and night market stalls don't provide napkins; convenience stores sell cheap travel packs
Ice Monster shaved ice and Miyahara ice cream in Taichung are universally loved by children as reward stops
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Children under 6 ride MRT and public buses for free with a paying adult — significant saving for families using public transport daily
Download Google Translate with Chinese offline pack — invaluable for reading menus and asking directions when English is not available
Summer heat is intense July-September — plan indoor attractions (museums, science center, malls) during 11AM-3PM peak heat and go outdoors in morning and evening
Taiwan's convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) are family lifesavers with clean bathrooms, baby warming stations, hot food, and children's snacks on every street corner