Taiwan confusion..
 

I am looking at visiting Taiwan, probably in June next year but confess to being totally confused by guidebooks and websites on the the issue of weather. Apparently, autumn and winter are generally considered the best times but "(May to July) can also be pleasant at higher elevations and in the north,"

A rider to this sage advice from Rough Guides is - "the annual “plum rain” season can bring two months of rain any time between early spring and early summer, affecting the whole island"

Anybody visited the island in June or perhaps October/November which is another possibility and can shed any light on the likely weather.

I was there towards the end of October 2010 (click on my name for my East Asia TR). Unfortunately, my arrival coincided with a typhoon (aka hurricane), although I was lucky enough to avoid the worst. However, according to one of my hotels, high winds were commin that time of year.

Thanks Thursdays, I had read of your experiences there on your blog. Seems like you had an interesting time! Trying to fit our next trip together. We are in New Zealand from mid Aug to mid Oct so I have a choice of before (June) or after then. So I guess I will look toward November rather than oct or as soon as we arrive in the far east in late may.

From June to August, the weather will be hot and humid. If you are used to that kind of weather, then may be it will be all right with you. Otherwise, try to visit in cooler seasons.

Basically Taiwan gets a lot of rain, regular rainy season rain and typhoon rain. The rainy season is generally October to March in the northeast, May to September in the southeast; typhoon season July-October though the actual incidence of typhoons is unpredictable.

Aside from the possibility of getting waylaid by a typhoon, I would also note that October is a big holiday month in Taiwan: This year October 4, 10, 21, 25 and 28, 31 are potential national holidays or observances (final dates to be confirmed). October is a festive time to be in Taiwan, especially 10/10, and the weather barring typhoons is quite good, but the holidays may impact your plans.

Thanks reading54. Hot is ok, humid, not so much. We could conceivably squeeze a visit into the last week in May but in these days of global climate change who knows if that would really make much difference??

Thank you Marmot. I wasn't aware of those national holidays, although will have a look into what they involve as we have had some greats time in South America during fiesta seasons!

I have also been meaning to pick your brains re diving and travel in Sulawesi but will do that in a separate post once dates are firmed up.

I'm a Taiwanese, living in the,second big City, Kaohsiung, main city in South Taiwan.

Crellaton, yes, u r right, the weather, rain, and temperature is not as it use to be due to climate changes.

it's warm in Taiwan, but not that much as in SEA countries. it depends on which part of Taiwan is your main visit point. Over all, I think May-June is good,fine in temperature; or Autumn would be also recommeded.

In south and south-East, basically there is no winter time if u r from a country with cold in winter.

For traveling, it's never predictable for raining...

....for ur reference, hope this help

Thank you Minta. Always good to hear from a local! We have decided to go in November

Still considering where to go and would be grateful for any suggestions you may have. We have around 14 days and would like to spend 7 in and around Taipei and then a couple of other locations. Maybe Taraoko gorge, Sun and Moon lake. Any thoughts ( from anyone) would be much appreciated.

Taiwan got beautiful mountains and East sea coast,which worth to have a look. Taipei is a big just city, humid and colder during winter, weather is not really "cute" there (that's how we said Taipei, not really ideal for living) ; I don't recommend to spend 7 days there unless u like shopping or night life.

In North Tawain, I would recommend Jiufen; however,it's always full of visitors now..most of time, it's very traffic on the way...follows a link for ur study:
https://guidetotaipei.com/visit/jiufen-九份

Don't miss the East part of Taiwan,where Taraoko located. Magnifican mountain and sea coast,and visit aboriginal tribes and the culture, also hot spring is the point from Haulien to Taitung.

From East Coast, take a train to south Taiwan; KenTing is a popular beach destination of u like a beach holiday, but too many visitors; Kaohsiung is a port city where is well organized with a mix of innovation and preservation; Tainan is a city with well preserved streets and buildings.

Then, take a bus or train to mid part of Taiwan, where Sun Moon lake is. There are actually got some nice places for mountain biking in the area.

And back to North Taiwan....finish a round trip in this small island.

Also, don't forget to have ur dinners in might markets, basically the streets are busy until midnight and the night markets can be opened until 2-3 am; 24hr opened convenient stores are always around in cities.

Many thanks minta. Very helpful. We don't like shopping or nightlife but are keen on streetfood and we're looking at staying in Taipei and venturing out on day trips in the north. I will look into your suggestions and plan accordingly. Maybe reduce our time in Taipei in favour of wandering down the east coast.. will ok into the other places you mention.

I'm now considering Taiwan as last night I started looking into it to add on to the 2017/2018 trip. I've only landed in Taiwan and changed planes, on to Singapore, in some past years. I have never actually visited Taiwan. But, night before last, I ran into my neighbor who is from there and he asked if I had just gotten back from my long, Asia vacation, and mentioned that I should give Taiwan a try on my next Asia trip.

Happy Travels!

Don't miss Tainan on the west coast. And now the mainland Chinese are visiting Taiwan en masse, I'd be a bit leary of Sun-Moon Lake, which already sounded very touristy back in 2010.

Thanks for the input Thursdaysd. I had read that the numbers of Chinese tourists had dropped substantially since 2016 due to action by the Chinese government to reduce numbers. Could it be any worse than Angkor Wat?

Haven't been to Angkor since 2004, but from what I hear I doubt it!

I've been to Sun Moon Lake. It is fairly scenic, though often invisible due to fog, and marred by the Chinese conviction that there is no work of God or man that is not improved by building an amusement arcade next door. The road from there to Alishan is worthwhile and makes for a decent round trip from Taichung.

I'll add a vote for Tainan. I thought it was the most interesting town I visited in my circumnavigation of the island.

For scenery, I'd recommend Yehliu.