This past spring, I spent three weeks traveling solo around Taiwan, starting in Taipei and slowly making my way south to Kaohsiung.
I wasn’t completely sure what to expect before I arrived, but Taiwan ended up being one of my favorite countries I’ve visited.
Part of that was how easy it was to travel around. The high-speed trains made getting from city to city simple, public transportation was organized, and things just seemed to work efficiently. But what I loved most was the mix of experiences I had along the way.
One day I could be walking through a busy, modern city, and the next I’d be surrounded by mountains or exploring a smaller town. About 70% of Taiwan is mountainous, so there was always beautiful scenery nearby.
And then there was the food.
Taiwan is the birthplace of bubble tea, so naturally I felt it was my responsibility to try one almost every day. I also loved the night markets, where I could wander around trying different foods without needing a plan or a reservation.
One of the things I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did was Taiwan’s cafe culture. I’d often be walking around, spot a cute little cafe, and decide to stop for a drink and something sweet. Those unplanned breaks became some of my favorite parts of the trip.
I also found the people incredibly kind and helpful, especially as a solo traveler.
March turned out to be a great time to visit
I traveled through Taiwan in March, and I really liked the weather that time of year.
It was cooler in Taipei and northern Taiwan when I first arrived, then gradually became warmer as I traveled south and as the month went on. Even in southern Taiwan, though, I never experienced the kind of overwhelming heat and humidity I’ve encountered in some other parts of Asia.
For me, March was a great balance.
Talking about Taiwan on the Where Next? podcast
After I returned home, I was invited back to Where Next? With Kristen and Carol to talk about the trip.
We went much deeper than I can in one blog post and talked about what it was actually like traveling around Taiwan for three weeks, including some of the practical things I wish more travelers knew before going.
We talked about using the EasyCard, taking Taiwan’s high-speed trains, what transportation costs were like, the weather and humidity, and even Taiwan’s umbrella culture.
Of course, we also talked about some of my favorite subjects: night markets, bubble tea, convenience-store food, cafes, and all the little things that made Taiwan such an enjoyable place to explore.
If you’re thinking about traveling to Taiwan — or you’re simply curious about a country that still seems to fly under the radar for a lot of travelers — I think the episode will give you a much better feel for what visiting is actually like.
You can listen to the episode, “Taiwan with Christy Teglo,” on the Where Next? podcast, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
And if Taiwan isn’t already somewhere on your travel list, I’d definitely give it a closer look. It surprised me in the best way, and three weeks still didn’t feel like enough.
Thank you for reading and for letting me share something so personal. If you’ve ever fallen for someone through words—or been hurt by silence—I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Writing helps me make sense of experiences like this, and I hope it reminds someone else that they’re not alone.
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