Taiwan

When Is The Best Time To Visit Taiwan?

When you decide to travel to Taiwan, some of the most endearing things you'll enjoy is the overwhelming friendliness of its people, a variety of sensational food options and the exclusive ease of travel.

Although the low percentage of English speakers could sometimes become an issue for English-speaking people, Taiwan remains largely undiscovered and is unusually underrated by Western travelers. With its eight national parks, its towering mountains, various hot-spring resorts and captivating offshore islands, the best time to visit Taiwan is dependent on lots of factors as will be discussed in the sections below.

Taiwan's Seasons

Summer

Taiwan gets hot and humid during summer and is usually from June to August. This period is generally a time for thunderstorms and typhoons. The average low temperature during spring is between 24˚C and 28˚C, and the average high temperature is between 27˚C and 31˚C.

During summer in Taiwan, an umbrella and a light raincoat should become a part of your everyday getup.

Spring

During spring, the weather is warm all through Taiwan. This is usually between March and May. During spring, the low-temperature averages between 15˚C and 22˚C and the high-temperature averages between 19˚C and 27˚C.

You can wear something light during the day and something thicker at night. On either occasion, it's always advisable to equip yourself with a raincoat at all times.

Winter

During winter, Taiwan becomes foggy and relatively dry with a low temperature between 13˚C and 15˚C, and high between 17˚C and 19˚C. This is usually a period to layer up your clothing to keep the cold out. Winter is usually between December and February.

Autumn

Autumn in Taiwan is a time to enjoy cooler temperatures and lesser rain. It is usually from September and November. Low temperatures are between 18˚C and 27˚C and high temperature between 27˚C and 30˚C. A jacket is usually advisable during this season and you might not be needing that umbrella or raincoat as much as before, anymore.

Taiwanese Tourist Seasons

Let’s get a brief overview of the Taiwanese tourist seasons and what to expect.

Low Season

In the period between November and March, there's usually a relatively lower amount of people in Taiwan. Save for the exception of the Chinese New Year period and in January, there are usually significant discounts on accommodation as much as 40% at major tourist attractions.

Shoulder

The shoulder season is between September and October, or April and June. These are the best times to visit outer islands in Taiwan and you get nice discounts on midweek accommodation. It's usual to see crowds at major sights during weekends and most Chinese tour groups run mostly between March and May.

High Season

The high season sees an increase of between 30% - 50% on accommodation in tourist environments. The high season is basically between July and August, Chinese new year period and all year round on Saturday nights although the typhoons in June might cause traffic and accessibility disruptions.

Weather in Taiwan by the Month

January

In Taiwan, the average temperature lows are 13C and average highs of 16C. January is a relatively mild month when compared to European or North American standards. Nevertheless, it remains definitely the coldest month in Taiwan. If you'll be visiting Taiwan in January then you should go to see the sunny skies of Southern Taiwan. Sometimes, the Chinese New Year comes up late January.

Therefore, if you'll be going at such a busy time, you need to book your flights and hotels well ahead of time.

February

February is actually a bit warmer than January with a bit more rainfall throughout Taiwan. With average lows centering mostly around Northern Taiwan, at 10°C and average highs at about 25°C. Reservations are very crucial for this period because the Chinese New Year usually takes place in February. While it is sunnier and warmer in southern Taiwan around this period, it is also a very colorful time.

March

This month sees the beginning of the rains and temperatures as these two factors begin to rise. In the month of March, Taiwan experiences average lows of 14°C and average highs of 18°C. If you plan to visit Taiwan in March, the weather in the tropical south is pleasantly warm enough for a beach time out. The weather up north is a usually a nice blend. Hot spring resorts and museums are popular sites around this time of the year due to the increased rainfall and arguably cool weather.

April

April churns out more pleasant temperatures. Nevertheless, there's a notable increase in rainfall at the end of the month approaches. With average an average temperature low of 19°C and an average high of 23°C. The weather in the north is awesome for nice sightseeing at the National Park or hiking up the Elephant Mountain in the capital, Taipei. All these happen just before the humidity and intense heat of the summer moves in.

May

To an extent, a lot of people feel the rain season starts in May with thunderstorms happening almost every other afternoon and on a daily basis. The humidity and heat also represent the average lows of 21°C and average highs of 26°C. The temperature could get as high as 30°C sometimes. With the spring colors coming out in full force, the month of May is usually a nice time to visit the National parks. Harm yourself with a travel umbrella and dress for the weather.

June

June sees Taiwan officially entering into the summer season with Rainfall and heat rising significantly. The temperature has average lows of 24°C and average highs of 27°C.as expected, the southern Taiwan gets hotter with the temperature running into average lows of 30°C sometimes. June is definitely the month with the most rainfall. If you'll be in Taiwan in June, Northern Taiwan is the best bet since the south experiences more rain and heat.

July

The weather gets super humid and hot in July with afternoon thunderstorms and typhoons always in the mix. With an average low temperature of 26°C, an average high of 28°C and an unpredictable temperature that could sometimes hit 35°C. It is advisable to get a water bottle to keep you hydrated.

August

August sees the heat soaring further as there are usually average lows of 28°C and average highs of 31°C. It's normal to experience frequent thunderstorms in August and typhoons that can get so terrifying sometimes. Visit the beaches in August and you'll love the cool off effect you’ll get.

September

In September, autumn sets in and the weather is warm, calm, and pleasant with average lows of 27°C and average highs of about 29°C. The southern part of Taiwan remains warm while the northern part of Taiwan starts to cool off as the month of September rounds off. The beaches in Taiwan still buzz well in September and if you love sunbaths, this is usually a great time to enjoy the last big heats of the year.

October

With autumn fully in its strides by October, it's possible to experience average temperature lows of 23°C and average highs of 26°C. There's a dip in the amount of rainfall as compared to the summer months. October will be a perfect month for you to visit Taiwan if you're able to avoid the mid-autumn festival. This is because of the reduced heat, rainfall and serene nature of the country after the festivals.

November

November definitely gets cooler than October as it has reduced rainfall, average low temperatures of 18°C and average highs of 26°C. In this period, which by the way is also a low tourist season, the National Park becomes a great place to visit as you enjoy the radiant colors of fall.

December

As one of the coldest months, you'll experience average low temperatures at 13°C and 18°C. As the rainfall dips more, Taiwan gets extra chilly. This means southern Taiwan fits you more if you need some extra heat.

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Finally... the Best Time to Visit Taiwan

To enjoy the best of everything Taiwan has to offer, the best time to visit Taiwan remains April or November.

November

Visiting Taiwan in November means you enjoy the fact that the rainy season would have been over and the heat greatly reduced. November is warm, offers relatively comfortable temperatures and to an extent is the driest month in Taiwan.

Although one of the best reasons why you should visit Taiwan in November is the relatively serene environment and less crowd, it is also a perfect period for urban explorers like you. The cities in Taiwan can get so hot in the summer, but it's usually a wonderful time to save money on the trip.

April

If you'll be visiting Taiwan in April, it means you're coming at the start of the rains. You'll definitely enjoy the warm and comfortable temperatures as we approach late spring season.

April isn't just the most colorful time to visit Taiwan, the spring bloom is also at its peak in April. April also falls in the Taiwanese high tourist season meaning there's a need for more intentional/knowledgeable planning and probably an extra travel budget.

The Wrap Up

No matter what you decide to visit Taiwan, be it November or April as we've suggested, you're sure to enjoy an inviting climate, a warm and unique weather. With plenty of sunshine to relax in and a wonderful people, Taiwan remains a great vacation destination.