When is the best time to visit Taipei?

15.10.2023 - 01:05 / lonelyplanet.com

On the edge of the tropics, east of China and southwest of Japan, the small island of Taiwan drips with promise – and a fair bit of traveler sweat.

In the capital city of Taipei, the four seasons blur into two, and the calendar shifts to lunar logic. It's humid and hot much of the year, with temperatures and crowds peaking from July to August.

But whether you're visiting during the warmest months of the year, or during the slightly cooler months, there's still plenty to do – from festivals and hiking to beaches and biking.

Summer is the high season, but with summer temperatures exceeding 30°C (86°F), you won’t want to spend long wandering the streets of Taipei. Instead, head to the nearest body of water for surfing, snorkeling and diving experiences. By late afternoon, the heat eases off, and the parties start.

A traditional Chinese festival with several contested origin stories, the Dragon Boat Festival in June continues the custom of competitive dragon boat racing followed by rice dumpling-making over the three-day weekend.

Marking the start of the Monsoon season (June-September), June’s forecast can look nightmarish, but dodging the rain is possible. Watch out for darkening skies, pack a sturdy umbrella and aim to finish your outdoor activities by early afternoon.

Taipei celebrates its day of romance on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Head to Daocheng Wharf (Dadaocheng) between Dihua St and the Tamsui River for fireworks displays atop shipping containers that double as bars and food stalls. The Taipei Water Festival also kicks off in July and is the perfect way to keep kids cool and entertained on a family vacation.

August marks the opening of the gates to the underworld, and Ghost Month is Taiwan’s spookiest Taoist tradition. Throughout August, people are meant to refrain from inauspicious activities such as whistling after dark, and Tao believers hold rituals and prepare sacrificial items (fresh fruit and snacks usually, but very occasionally whole pigs) in front of their local temples to promote good fortune.

One of the more thrilling events is the Grappling with the Ghosts pole-climbing competition held in Yilan on the last day of the month.

September brings a 2000-year-old tradition marking the harvest festival and brightest full moon of the year. The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated casually in modern Taiwan, with families sparking up their barbeques on the roadside while children run around with pomelo skins atop their heads.

Low season provides a cooler setting for outdoor adventures such as hiking, biking and hot springs hunting if high temperatures and humidity aren't your bag. Winter in Taipei can get a little chilly, (between 13-18°C/55-64°F) but adventure travelers will be thankful