Linkou is a superb strait harbor located in the northwestern part of New Taipei City with abundant marine resources. “A City on the Sea” is the portrait of this city. Surrounded by sea waters, broad sandy beaches, and natural landscapes, Linkou is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Taiwan. Of a typical subtropical monsoon climate, this town features mild temperatures with moderate humidity and distinctive seasons, and it is an ideal resort to enjoy both natural and cultural endowment.

The Sun and the Moon Lakes explored in the seventh century, are wonderful sights. The Linkou people have had a deep affinity for the ocean throughout history. Riding a bicycle on the island is very safe because there is a dedicated corridor. From the ferry terminal going down, you can follow the right path leading to this wooden corridor. The beach here has black sand, which is not ideal for bathing, however, by enjoying the blue sky and deep sea or chatting with the locals who come here to fish may help you immerse yourself in the idyllic island life.

Location: New Taipei City, Taiwan

Google Rating: 5/5

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You may have known about Kenting from the movie Life of Pi but the national park, which encompasses the southern tip of Taiwan, has always been popular among travelers and backpackers who are looking for a more relaxing experience. Kenting along with Pingtung is known for its tropical climate with warm weather all year round. In addition, the town heavily depends on beach life 365 days a year. This place is full of restaurants, bars, and guesthouses while there are also a few high-end hotels.

As part of Kenting National Park, the town is an ideal base to explore many sights of this area such as Maobitou at the southernmost tip of Taiwan. The National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium just takes a short drive from the town and is a great place to spend the day. With white sandy beaches, turquoise water, lush tropical forests, stretched-out seaside cliffs, and a bustling night market, Kenting has a lot going on! While most visitors only visit Kenting for a short weekend getaway, you should definitely stay longer if you can.

Location: Pingtung County, Taiwan

Google Rating: 4.8/5

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Yilan is not only known as a very pleasant coastal town on the southern edge of Taiwan but also for having a selection of wonderful beaches. It is empty and feels completely separate from urban prosperity but favored by mother nature. The stretch of the sea leads to small rivers, so the plain is very fertile alluvial, surrounded by green hills. Yilan is also famous for hot springs and majestic preserved forests.

In Yilan, Guishan Island is just the tip of a tall cone volcano made up of many layers of magma, pumice, and volcanic ash erupting from the sea. The surface of the island is covered with a carpet of green trees that if viewed from afar, you will feel very cool. The sea here is magically dark blue, the white waves pounding on the rocky shore. The Taipingshan Forest, which was formerly a logging facility is also a national conservation site and displays a wide range of logging equipment and timber ships. This place has become a virtual living spot that is noticed by many tourists, they trek to breathe in the fresh air and watch the sea of clouds covering the mountain valley below.

Location: Yilan County, Taiwan
Google Rating: 4.7/5

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Magong is a county-administered town and seat of Penghu County, Taiwan. This coastal town is not only famous for its beer and old concession villas and streets but also for many beaches that line this picturesque coastal city. Magong enjoys superb beach resources. With a gentle slope and mild waves, the No.1 Bathing Beach is the best choice to spend the summertime. Visitors can sunbathe here and swim near the coast, relax by playing volleyball or running on the sand, and even dining on the beach.

In Magong, the island's Mazu temple was erected in the late 16th or early 17th century. Under Japanese ruling, the settlement was renamed Makō and organized as a subprefecture of Hōko. The settlement's temple honors the Chinese Goddess Mazu, the deified form of Lin Moniang from medieval Fujian province generally considered the oldest in Taiwan and Penghu. So if you’re looking for peace and quiet, you can check out Dadonghai Bay or Yalong Bay, this is a private section of Sanya’s pristine beach. Besides, you can spend your days lying out in Magong’s hot sun and finish them by getting pampered in your resort.

Location: Penghu County, Taiwan

Google Rating: 4.6/5

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A short train ride from Taipei City lies the pristine sands of Fulong. Officially classified as a village, this seaside community is one of the most popular with Taiwanese youngsters due to the annual Rock Music and Sand Sculpting festivals which take place on the beach. The village is host to a variety of dining options, a few bars, campsites, and of course, guesthouses aplenty. Especially it is more popular during the summer months, Fulong Beach and the surrounding areas are great places for a last-minute day trip or a lazy, relaxing weekend.

With golden sands and clear waters, Fulong Beach is divided by the Shuang River into two main sections. There’s the tourist beach, which has an entry cost of NT$100, accessible by the Rainbow Bridge near the eye-catching Fullon Hotel which is free to the public near Dongxing Temple and Fulong Seaside Park. At the tourist beach, you can rent parasols and inflatables, and various pieces of beach equipment, while you can also marvel at the many sand sculptures that are built there as part of several annual local art festivals.

Location: Fulong Beach, Gongliao District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 228
Google Rating: 4.6/5

Directions

With so much to do and delicious food to taste, it’s easy to see why Danshui is one of the most popular day trip destinations for residents of Taipei City. Danshui’s Old Street is a hive of activity, especially at the weekend. Here you can find a lot of locally made handicrafts and plenty of souvenirs. There are clothes shops, gift stores, and tons of street vendors all plying their wares on this narrow pedestrian street. But best of all is the food stalls where you can sample some of Taipei’s famous street foods.

There are a few ferry boats that operate between several locations around Danshui and Bali, which is located on the other side of the river. They are a cheap and fun way to get out onto the water but yet to be considered, the boats are small and if the weather is windy you can feel every single wave. The small coastal town of Danshui lies to the northwest of Taipei city at the end of the MRT’s Red line. This ever-popular day trip destination features many historic sites such as Fort San Domingo and Danshui Old Street. Come here and enjoy your holiday!

Location: Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 251
Google Rating: 4.5/5

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With pleasant natural environment and broad sea area, Cijin is a very popular coastal town located in Kaohsiung City. The long winding coastline stretches 604 km, within the area, over 100 off-shore islands are situated. Cijin, therefore, enjoys rich marine tourist resources. Nansha Bay with broad sandy beach, Cijin Island with soft beach and Dong’ao Island with fine white sandy beach, etc. are popular holiday resort spots that attracted people from home and abroad.

Cijin Lighthouse was built in 1883 by a British engineer for military purposes during the period of resistance against France. The path to the lighthouse is quite steep and can only be walked. You leave the car on the bottom of the slope or be more careful, use the lock provided by the rental shop to lock the car. Cijin Fortress was built earlier in 1720. The structure of the fortress is nothing special, but this is the highest position that can see the entire island. The original fortress was destroyed during the war, so it was rebuilt in 1991. From the fortress, you will have a panoramic view of Kaohsiung city, the docks, and the deep blue sea. Both of these attractions are next to each other and can go in a closed loop from the lighthouse to the fortress.

Location: Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

Google Rating: 4.0/5

Directions

Dawulun is a famous coastal town that is located in Anle District, Keelung, Taiwan. It’s not the easiest place to reach, but if you’re looking for a dreamy beach completely off the main tourist track, Dawulun definitely deserves a spot on your list of things to do in Keelung. What really makes Keelung’s Golden Beach so special is its picture-perfect setting. Moreover, the bay offers spectacular views over the coast and Keelung Island from the distance, while lush mountains create the most incredible backdrop imaginable.

Lovers Lake is located on Dawulun Mountain and is the convergence point of several mountain creeks. It is the only mountainous lake in Keelung. Surrounded by dense forests and equipped with walk facilities around the mountain and at the side of the lake, it is a popular retreat for strolls, sightseeing, and picnic in suburban Keelung. The Dawulun Fort, which is about 10 minutes drive from Lovers Lake, used to be an important bastion of western Keelung. The Ching Dynasty deployed soldiers here during the Opium War between China and the United Kingdom in 1840 and during the Sino-French War in 1884. The high altitudes of the emplacement make it a perfect site for sightseeing.

Location: Keelung, Taiwan

Google Rating: 4.0/5

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Dongshi Township is a coastal town located in Chiayi County, Taiwan. It is notable for its mountains and hot springs, rich with multi-ethnic culture. This town has blue sky, white sandy beaches, an azure sea, and some of the most beautiful scenery offered in the world. From sunbathing on the beach to climbing a mountain, be sure to take a custom tour while you are here. Dongshi Township is the best way to take home some of those life memories.

When you visit in Dongshi Township, Maokong Gondola will whisk you four kilometers to a mountain peak in a glass-bottomed cable car, from which you can view the tea plantations built into the mountain as you zoom up. If you’re heading out of Taipei, Jiufen is one of Taiwan’s most popular tourist destinations, owing to its appearance in the Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away. This seaside mountain village offers some terrific shopping opportunities, as well as all the different kinds of foods you see in the movie. Head to the coast for some incredible lunar-like landscapes at Yehliu Geopark. There are some unique, otherworldly rock formations, including one that looks like Queen Elizabeth which is a popular tourist attraction. Try to get there early to beat the crowds.

Location: Chiayi County, Taiwan
Google Rating: 4.0/5

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Located in the Gongliao District of New Taipei City, Sanzhi is a tiny village along Taiwan’s northeast coast. Since it’s only about 1 hour by train, this town is an easy day trip from Taipei and a popular hangout spot among locals and ex-pats alike. Known as “the resort town that never was”, Sanzhi is a coastal district in northern Taiwan that was once home to a now abandoned futuristic pod resort. These days the town boasts easy access to both Qianshuiwan Coastal Park and Baishawan Beach.

Sanzhi has its very own active volcano in its backyard, and because of the volcanic activity in the area, Beitou Hot Springs enjoys a steady stream of visitors and locals who love to bathe in its healthy waters. Two groups of islands that make up the Kinmen Archipelago off the west coast of Taiwan, just a couple miles from mainland China — and they are old Taiwan at its best. Grab a scooter and head up into the green mountains, which extend over five ranges the length of the island. If you want to stretch your legs, climb to the summit of beautiful Jade Mountain and watch the sunrise; this beautiful peak is almost 4,000 meters above sea level, making Sanzhi the world’s fourth-highest island.

Location: Sanzhi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 252

Google Rating: 4.0/5

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