Summary: Curious about Taiwan? Join me as I share my firsthand travel experience exploring Taiwan, covering amazing sights, delicious Indian and local food, safe and friendly places, and smart travel tips. If you are looking for a new adventure, this blog will show you why Taiwan should be on your travel list.
After over three decades in the travel industry, I thought I had seen most of what Asia had to offer. But Taiwan? It surprised me in ways I had not anticipated. When we started exploring new Asian destinations for our travellers this year, Taiwan was not at the top of my list. It should have been.
My recent trip to Taiwan was way more than just a vacation; it felt like stepping into a place that perfectly mixes modern life with a calm, thoughtful vibe. What I found during my September 2025 visit was a country that checks every box for Indian travellers. It is super safe, friendly locals, spiritual, and, yes, some delicious Indian food. From clean streets to calm monasteries and stunning skylines, Taiwan is that rare place in Asia that feels both relaxing and full of energy.
Let me tell you what made this tour to Taiwan so amazing. And, why am I already creating trips for families, couples, and groups who want to explore something different from the usual tourist spots?
I began my tour to Taiwan on a comfortable note, flying Thai Airways from Ahmedabad to Bangkok and then onwards to Taipei. The 1 a.m. departure was perfect, it allowed a restful flight and an easy arrival in Taiwan by afternoon.
The transit at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok was bustling, almost Dubai-like, though without the same glamour. Still, the process was seamless, and soon enough, I was stepping into the bright, efficient Taipei airport – gateway to a country that surpassed my expectations at every turn.
Taiwan impressed me from the moment we stepped out of Taoyuan Airport. Everything felt organised, clean, and surprisingly easy to explore, even for first-time visitors.
The locals were friendly and always willing to help, and I felt a genuine sense of comfort wherever we went, whether on city streets or temple steps.
Taiwan is one of the safest places in Asia, with very low crime rates. As someone who plans trips, safety is huge for me. Taiwan is not big on nightlife, but it shines during the day with culture and nature. Families will love it: grandparents can relax at temples, parents enjoy easy travel, and kids go wild at theme parks.
I found myself thinking, Taiwan’s safety and kindness make every moment special.
We spent a night at the E-DA World complex in southern Taiwan, and it was such a pleasant surprise. Well, to give you an idea, it is like Taiwan’s version of Genting Highlands, but minus the crowds and tons of fun and family-friendly vibes.
We stayed at the E-DA Sky Hotel, which was comfortable and well-appointed. But the real star was the Royal Hotel inside the theme park itself. The property was buzzing with school groups, energetic kids everywhere, which actually added to the cheerful vibe.
The highlight? A multi-country dance performance that had everyone clapping along. It rained that evening, so the indoor theme park was packed, but somehow it did not feel chaotic – just lively and fun.
We also spent time at the outlet mall attached to the complex. Indians lve good shopping deals, and this place delivers, with international brands at reasonable prices.
If there was one experience that left me truly moved, it was our visit to the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist monastery in Kaohsiung. This was not just a tourist stop; it felt like stepping into a living centre of wisdom and peace.
It is a peaceful sanctuary that doubles as a museum, university, and meditation space. We were welcomed by the Vice President, who greeted us warmly in a hall full of guests from the birthplace of the Buddha. It was one of those special travel moments that stays with you long after you are back home.
You feel the teachings of Buddha all around you. The vegetarian restaurant serves simple, nourishing meals, and there is even a Starbucks on site for a quick coffee break.
The huge Buddha statue was amazing, and the whole place felt calm and welcoming to people of all faiths. It is a must-visit for anyone who wants a peaceful, spiritual break while in Taiwan.
Taiwan has experiences you will not find anywhere else.
Leofoo Resort is the first ecological safari-style resort in Taiwan. Its rooms are inspired by African safari themes, offering large windows with views of free-roaming animals like zebras and lemurs. Staying here felt like being on an African safari without the crazy long flight. Waking up to breakfast with animals around was something special that you will absolutely love.
The Sky Lantern Experience in Shifen takes place along the old railway tracks of Shifen Old Street in New Taipei City. You have to write your wishes on colourful paper lanterns, light them, and release them into the evening sky. Letting go of a lantern into the night sky and watching it drift away with your wishes is pure magic. Available year-round, the best time is around sunset, when the lanterns glow brightest. It is one of the most loved cultural experiences, blending tradition, emotion, and a touch of magic.
Yehliu Ocean World is a popular marine park in Taiwan. It offers exciting dolphin and sea lion shows, giving a fun and educational glimpse into marine life. Families especially enjoy the lively performances and underwater tunnel exhibits.
This old area showed us what traditional Taiwan looks like. We tried the famous tofu pudding, visited a pottery workshop where they make sword lions (a traditional protection symbol). Sword lions are stone lion carvings with a sword in their mouth. They are believed to protect homes from bad spirits and bring good luck. I had no idea about the sword lion thing before this trip, pretty cool to learn!
Let me be clear – yes, absolutely. Having planned many Asian tours, I know food worries are common for Indian travellers. But Taiwan manages this wonderfully.
Food lovers will enjoy Taiwan, but what really stood out to me was the number of excellent Indian restaurants available. From lunch at 3 Idiot to dinner at Alibaba, Khana Khazana, or Mauna, the food was fresh, delicious, and well-managed. After a busy day, it felt comforting, and I loved how smoothly Taiwanese chefs cooked Indian favourites.
That said, do try some local Taiwanese food too. We had one traditional Taiwanese meal and one Italian dinner, both of which were really good. Taiwan’s night markets are famous for good reason. Even if you stick to vegetarian or less spicy options, just walking through these lively food streets is an experience you will not forget.
No trip to Taiwan feels complete without visiting Taipei 101. Once the tallest buildings in the world, it still dominates the skyline of Taipei and has some of the fastest elevators on the planet.
We went up to the observation deck at night, and the view was incredible, the whole city lit up below us like a giant sparkle of lights. The lower floors have fancy shops, so you can easily spend a few hours taking in the views and doing some shopping.
Getting there is easy. We took the MRT, Taipei’s metro, which was clean, efficient, and super punctual. Worried about the language? Do not be. Signs may not be in English, but you can easily get around using a translation app, and locals are always friendly and helpful.
Every country has places that show what it is really like. In Taiwan, we found many that gave a glimpse of its culture and modern life.
Shigu Cultural and Creative Park in Tainan is a lively place that mixes history with art. It used to be an old warehouse area and now has art studios, shops, and cafés. They also have a cool chimney slide and skywalk that makes it more adventurous. You can enjoy exhibitions, buy unique crafts, and soak in the creative atmosphere.
One of the highlights is the Ten Drums Percussion Show, a thrilling performance where drummers mix traditional beats with modern music and visuals – a show you should not miss. We even got to try drumming ourselves.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a well-known landmark and a must-visit place in Taipei. Its large plaza, impressive building, and pretty gardens make it worth visiting. The changing of the guard ceremony is a big highlight. We made sure to see this ceremony. It is very precise and formal, and gives you a peek into Taiwan’s recent history.
This is where all the young people hang out, colourful, busy, a bit crazy, and tons of fun. It is known for its bright lights, street food, and lively nights. It is the heart of Wanhua District, with amazing street art fun shops like Pop Mart, and lots of nighttime entertainment. From the old Red House to the modern Wannian Building and American Street, Ximending shows you how Taiwan blends old traditions with cool modern vibes.
After seeing Taiwan myself, I know it is a great choice for everyone:
I have been arranging tours in Asia for over 25 years. Sometimes the best trips are not to famous places, but to the ones that quietly surprise you.
Taiwan does this wonderfully.
In the End
Taiwan showed me that there is still so much of Asia left for Indian travellers to explore. This country has a special charm that deserves to be seen, a place that surprises, inspires, and stays with you. We cannot wait to help you discover its beauty, one unforgettable trip at a time.
Also Read: Rediscovering Europe – The Magic of River Cruising!
I graduated in commerce from Bombay University and run a family-owned business where we believe in transparency, trust, knowledge distribution and provide quality tours to our customers. According to me “Customers are our brand ambassadors and employees are our biggest Strength”. I also believe that “Travel brings knowledge, Knowledge brings opportunity and Opportunity brings prosperity”. With God’s grace was awarded the “Best Female Entrepreneur of India” by Tourism awards Gujarat. And currently, I am actively involved in key decisions and itinerary staff management in the travel industry.
