Northern Taiwan

Northern Taiwan, as its name suggests, is the northmost region of Taiwan. It is the political and financial centre of Taiwan. It is also the country's main hub of technological development. Though it is not as scenic as the other regions of Taiwan, it is the most frequently visited region by travellers. The country's capital, Taipei, is also located here.

Regions

Taipei The political and economic heart of Taiwan.

New Taipei The area surrounding Taipei City which the city is slowly encroaching on and enveloping smaller settlements. The area contains a number of interesting smaller hamlets and towns with their own unique charms.

Keelung A rainy coastal area a short trip from Taipei with a number of attractions which make it well worth a visit.

Taoyuan The location of the main international airport in Taiwan, this is the first place most visitors to Taiwan will find themselves, although very few stay.

Hsinchu The industrial heart of Taiwan and often referred to as the country's answer to Silicon Valley.

Hsinchu County Although the county has many beautiful mountain areas, the area of Hsinchu is best known for the IT and semiconductor industry in neighbouring Hsinchu City. It contains the cities of Beipu, Chupei, and Chutung

Cities and towns

• 1 Taipei – The political and economic centre of Taipei. This is the most common destination for tourists.

• 2 Beipu – A smaller historic town in Hsinchu County with a strong Hakka character.
• 3 Chupei – The administrative capital of Hsinchu County.
• 4 Hsinchu – The centre of Taiwan's high-tech industry.
• 5 Keelung – The main port city for the north of Taiwan.
• 6 New Taipei – A basket of all the smaller satellite towns that surround Taipei City which were combined into one administrative district.
• 7 Taoyuan – A more local city which houses Taiwan's major international airport. Not so much for tourists to see and most people move swiftly on to Taipei.
• 8 Yingge – A small town south of Taipei which has an abundance of pottery workshops.
• 9 Zhenxibao (鎮西堡) – A village in the mountains with peach farms and giant cypress trees.

Other destinations

• 1 Yangmingshan National Park – The mountainous area north of Taipei City.
• 2 Shei-pa National Park (雪霸國家公園) – A beautiful park spanning a mountain range.
• 3 Smangus (司馬庫斯) – A remote area inhabited by an aboriginal tribe and famous for its ancient cypress trees.

• 10 Chutung (Zhudong) – A small, somewhat run-down town that boasts mountain views.
• 11 Jiufen – A quaint little hillside town that has a very unique character.
• 12 Jinguashi – A small scenic town in the mountains that was once famous for gold mining.
• 13 Neiwan – In vogue with city dwellers, and hiking trails into the Valentine Valley.
• 14 Wuling Farm

Get in

The main international gateway to Taiwan is Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in, obviously, Taoyuan. Taipei Shongshan Airport is another option for domestic and regional flights, especially for people coming in from Eastern Taiwan and the PRC.

The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) is the main link to the rest to Central and Southern Taiwan, with stops in the major cities. Other rail services can be better for getting to and/or from less well known areas, or for saving money.

Get around

THSR and regular trains serve the region with a comprehensive network.

Do

Hiking in Sanxia, New Taipei