Taiwan (island)
Island Island of Taiwan with diverse landscapes and subtropical climate
Taiwan Island spans mountains, rolling farmland, and dense coastal cities; visitors come for night markets and street food, temple architecture, mountain hiking, hot springs, and coastal cycling routes.
Taiwan is an island in East Asia located off the southeastern coast of mainland China, home to around 23 million people and covering roughly 36,000 square kilometres. The island contains a densely populated western plain and a mountainous interior dominated by the Central Mountain Range.
Landscapes range from lowland urban corridors and agricultural plains to high alpine peaks, coastal cliffs on the east coast and offshore archipelagos. The island’s economy is highly urbanised and export-oriented, with major cities including Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung.
Historically, the island has been inhabited by Austronesian indigenous peoples and later shaped by waves of migration and rule from mainland China and, from 1895 to 1945, Japanese administration; it has been governed by the Republic of China since the mid 20th century.
Geographically the island sits in the western Pacific, bordered to the west by the Taiwan Strait and to the east by the Philippine Sea.
- Size and population: Total land area about 36,000 square kilometres and a population of roughly 23 million people.
- Highest point: Highest point on the island is **Yu Shan** at 3,952 metres above sea level.
Tips for Visiting Taiwan (island) #
- Plan travel around Taiwan's seasonal patterns: spring (March-April) and autumn (October-November) generally offer the most stable weather and smaller crowds than summer and typhoon season.
- Use the Taiwan High Speed Rail (west coast) to move quickly between major cities (Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung) and reserve time to explore the east coast and mountains by slower provincial trains or car, since services there are less frequent.
- Expect big climate variation: coastal areas, cities, and high mountains have very different weather-build itineraries that allow flexibility for mountain hikes or island trips which may need alternative days due to weather.
Best Time to Visit Taiwan (island) #
For island-wide travel, spring and autumn are the best times to avoid summer heat and typhoon-related disruptions.
Weather & Climate near Taiwan (island) #
Taiwan (island)'s climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 7°C to 22°C. Heavy rainfall (2284 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (164 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (190 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 14°C. Heavy rain (309 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is mild with highs of 21°C and lows of 16°C. Heavy rain (335 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the warmest month with highs of 22°C and lows of 16°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (391 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 16°C. Heavy rain (369 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is mild with highs of 21°C and lows of 16°C. Heavy rain (229 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
