Taiwan is a small island nation in the East China Sea with modern cities, traditional Chinese temples, hot springs, and dramatic mountainous terrain. Many of us might not have heard of adventurous activities in Taiwan but there are endless opportunities for Taiwan Adventures and below we list all of them.
Adventures in Taiwan: 8 Outdoor Things to do
Cycling Adventures in Taiwan
Cycling activities can be arranged both around Taipei and Taroko Gorge. Experience some of the tough mountain rides in the foothills of Taipei, glide down through the canyon at Taroko Gorge or enjoy the sights with a ride down the east coast.
Cycling in Taiwan
River Tracing / Canyoning in Taiwan
River tracing, sometimes called canyoning, is where we walk/climb/swim up a river. It is a refreshing, exhilarating and challenging experience. Taiwan is the perfect place for river tracing. The mountains are steep and stunning, and the rivers that run through them have crystal clear emerald colored water.
There are a large number of river tracing spots both around Taipei and Taroko Gorge that are suitable for a wide range of abilities and activities can be arranged for half to full day.
Kayaking Adventures in Taiwan
Carp Lake is located a short drive from Taroko Gorge, and it is the perfect spot for an introduction to kayaking. No kayaking experience necessary.Sea kayaking off the coast of Hualien is also possible depending on the season. Some kayaking experience is necessary for this activity.
Kayaking in Taiwan
High mountain Hiking: Trekking Adventures in Taiwan
Hiking on Taiwan’s high mountains is a world-class hiking experience. Taiwan has the second highest mountain range in eastern Asia. Many of its tall peaks are easily accessible on a weekend trip from Taipei and they offer some breath-taking views and challenging climbs.
- Hiking in Yushan’s (Jade Mountain) Southern Peaks, seen from Jade Mountain Main Peak and lit by a beautiful sunrise. Watch sunrise atop the highest mountain in Taiwan and all of north-east Asia. This popular hike is a once in a lifetime experience!
- Snow mountain hiking– A beautiful hike through a variety of ecosystems brings you to Taiwan’s second highest.
- The Wuling Sixiu hiking– A challenging hike to the top of 4 mountains in the Sheipa National Park. A very scenic and tough hike.
- Hiking in Dabajianshan– One of the most iconic mountains in Taiwan, Dabajianshan is a wonderful 3-day hike deep into the Sheipa National Park.
Hiking in Taiwan
Paragliding Adventures in Taiwan
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Paragliding at Luye Recreational Tea Farm
The plateau is the site of a paragliding base at the southern end of the tourist tea plantation area; the base is 150 meters above the plain below, and its fine geographic conditions and good weather make it one of Taiwan’s favorite spots for paragliding.
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Paragliding in Pingtung County
Pingtung is home to Kenting National Park, Taiwan’s first National Park. Other visitor attractions here include the island Eden of Xiaoliuqiu, scenic forest-hemmed highways, Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area, Maolin National Scenic Area, and Taiwan’s best paragliding area, Saijia Air Park.
Coastal areas in Pingtung are excellent choices for coastal recreation, whether donning a snorkel to explore the beauty of the corals or hunting for shells on the beach.
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Paragliding in Jibei Island
Jibei Island lies 5.5 kilometers north of Baisha Island; its size is about 3.05 square kilometers, and it is not only the sixth largest island in the country, but it is also the largest inhabited island among the 28 isles within Baisha village, except for Baisha Island itself.
Jibei is heaven for water activities, housing various types of recreational activities, including banana boat, dragged buoy, two-man speedboat, water motorcycle, under-the-sea sightseeing boat, paragliding and snorkeling
Paragliding in Taiwan
Surfing in Taiwan
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Surfing at California B&B
Hotel California is a relaxed and laidback place decorated with surfboards and tropical plants. For the surfers out there, the hotel also stocks a good range of surf wears.
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Surfing on Fulong Beach
Fulong Beach has clear seawater and long soft beach. It is perfect for surfing, sliding, and sailing. There is a spacious parking lot, camping area, restaurants and food court. It is the best-organized bathing beach in northern Taiwan. Every summer, people come here for a swim or to appreciate the beautiful ocean.
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Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area
The Northeast Coast National Scenic Area, which runs from Juifang south to Beigangkou in Yilan County, is noted for its natural beauty: reefs, rivers, terraced rice paddies, rolling green hills, lighthouses, and two of Taiwan’s best beaches. Recreational opportunities include camping, rock climbing, hiking along a 200-year-old footpath, and water sports, such as swimming, surfing,
Recreational opportunities include camping, rock climbing, hiking along a 200-year-old footpath, and water sports, such as swimming, surfing, windsurfing, jet skiing, boating, snorkeling and scuba diving.
WindSurfing in Taiwan
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Windsurfing at Shanyuan
Located 12 km north of Taitung City, Shanyuan is an excellent place for summer fun. This 1.5 km-long sandy beach is perfect for beach volleyball and making sand sculptures, and the coral reefs at the northern and southern ends of the beach are popular with divers.
The clear waters off Shanyuan are also ideal for sailing, surfing, windsurfing and swimming. Facilities include a wooded campground and outdoor restaurant area.
Mountain Biking in Taiwan
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Moutain biking in Dongshan Area of Yilan County
While much of the county is taken up by mountains, in the northeast lies the Lanyang Plain—an alluvial delta stretched out in a triangle-shaped area of 300 square kilometers, formed as the Lanyang River squeezed its way between the Central Mountain Range on the south and Snow Mountain Range on the north to reach the Pacific.
Rivers and streams snake through the plain like the veins on the back of a hand, a natural state of affairs that provides kilometer upon kilometer of biking beside winding waterways, through fecund and (most importantly for cycling) flat countryside.