Taiwan’s teardrop-shaped island combines nature reserves with night markets, salt fields with street food and mountains with museums. Situated roughly 100 miles (160km) off the coast of mainland China, there are striking views in seemingly every direction. Join us on an armchair odyssey of Taiwan’s most beautiful sights – if planning a real-life visit, be sure to check entry requirements and any local restrictions.

In southern Taiwan, Kaohsiung’s bustling harbourside is a sign of the city’s long-thriving trade port. The Love River is a watery must-see. Make the most of the riverside views by visiting at night, when the bridges and bankside buildings are colourfully lit against the dark night sky. The Gushan Ferry – which departs just off the mouth of the river – carries passengers to neighbouring Cijin Island, an ideal spot for feasting on seafood.

Take in the tumbling waterfalls and soak up the wonders of nature at Neidong National Forest. The tourist trail or rail-cart ride (previously used for transporting timber) allows visitors to admire the steep ravines, gushing streams and surrounding dense forest. You can watch the birds and butterflies pass by and take in the two rivers that run through the site. The popular XinXian Waterfall tumbles from a height of 43 feet (13m), which you’ll certainly hear before you see.

It’s best to wait until night time to visit Fengjia Night Market. The street signs blink in neon, pockets of light beam from small shops and crowds comb their way past each other. This lively market is symbolic of its proximity to Feng Chia University and the best way to embrace its intoxicating atmosphere is by feasting on street food snacks known as xiaochi (‘little eats’) and winding through the different little roads that make up this huge night market.

One of the most unforgettable sights in Taiwan is Taoyuan County’s Daxi Flower Ocean Farm Ranch. Spanning some 15 acres, this flower farm is a popular filming spot for Chinese television shows and there are European nods with the likes of a southern European-style restaurant called Van Gogh House. Its five-acre Purple Dream Zone is a daydream of lavender and sage while the Rainbow Flower Field is a kaleidoscope of colours with flowers blossoming through the seasons.

Zhaori Hot Springs is one of only three saltwater hot springs in the world – the other two are on Kyushu Island, Japan and in Sicily, Italy. Zhaori’s ideal water temperature simmers between 60 to 70°C (140-158°F) and is fed by seawater and underground water heated by the volcanic lava on the island (Green Island is home to an active volcano). This seafront spa has three open-air pools and indoor options, but it’s worth heading here early to watch the sunrise which will undoubtedly set you up for the day. Regardless of when you visit, enjoy the views looking out towards the sea. 

Dedicated to the sea goddess Matsu (or Mazu), Lukang Tianhou Temple is an architectural beauty. This Grade 3 Historic Site features impressive detailing such as dragon pillars, roof bracketing and stone-carved windows. There’s also a statue of Matsu that was brought from Meizhou in Fujian (mainland China) during the Kangxi period between 1661-1722.  Situated in the Lugang Township of Changhua, it’s without a doubt the area’s most popular temple.

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Chaojing Park has a real rags-to-riches story – or should that be rubbish to riches? This 10,800-square-foot (1,000sqm) space was previously a landfill site but was rebuilt by the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology into the ecological haven visitors can enjoy today. There are bikeways, a fishing village and landscape sculptures with plenty of scenic spots in between. One of the most famed sculptures is a display of giant ‘sweeping’ or ‘flying’ brooms – perhaps a metaphor for the environmental clean-up the museum has achieved in the area.

The remains of Longteng Bridge are a strong reminder of the power of Mother Nature. When the bridge was first built in 1905, the workers used glutinous rice instead of cement to hold the bricks together. An earthquake in 1935 damaged the 164-foot-high (50m) bridge beyond repair and a second steel replacement was built beside it. The latter was then damaged too by a second earthquake in 1999. Still, at least there’s a silver lining: today it’s a popular tourist sight and wedding photography hot spot.

Train-lovers and nostalgia-fiends will enjoy this stop-off point on the idyllic Forest Railway Line. Fenqihu is evocative of the early 20th century when the railway was completed. Once a stop-off point for timber loggers, today the village centres around its old-fashioned street selling local foods, wooden clogs and other nostalgic souvenirs. Another nod to its yesteryear feel is its bento boxes – lunchboxes packed with an assortment of foodstuffs which were served to the workers – and this is the main reason most passengers stop off here.

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It’s seafood galore on Cijin Island, just a short ferry ride from Kaohsiung’s harbourfront. Head down Miaocian Road (aka Seafood Street) for the main selection of stalls and restaurants selling fish and seafood caught fresh each morning: take your pick of pink shrimp, small silver fish and brown-shelled clams displayed on beds of white ice. The island is also home to modern art installations that are worth photographing, as well as a very old temple and a black-sand beach. You may find yourself hoping to miss the last ferry back to the mainland… 

It might not sound particularly thrilling, but Penghu’s basalt columns are one of the most striking natural sights in Taiwan. The Penghu archipelago is made up of 90 islands which mostly consist of basalt (or lava rock), so it’s no wonder Penghu is otherwise known as the Home of Basalt. The best one to see is the Daguoye column in Xiyu Township, where centuries of seawater and sea breezes have eroded the site into the unique structure that stands today. It looks even more impressive after a spout of heavy rainfall. 

Head to the hills – the lower-lying hills of Pinglin District, to be precise. This tea plantation produces Taiwan’s Pouchong Tea and the top of its tiered formation overlooks the large, turquoise spools that form the Thousand Island Lake. Back down along Pinglin Old Street is the Pinglin Tea Museum where visitors can sample a cup of the good stuff – an aged, semi-oxidised brew with subtle notes of ginseng.

Tainan has been a major supplier of premium sea salt for over 300 years with the Jing Zhai Jiao Tile Paved Salt Fields being the oldest in the Beimen district. While the site has since stopped producing salt, it stills operates as a thriving tourist spot where art resembling mosaics is made from the salt tiles. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Taiwan – be sure to visit this coastal site at sunset to capture a photograph like no other. 

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The stretch of coast between Dulan Beach and Jinzun Harbour is a surfer’s paradise. Dulan Beach is ideal for beginners while a little further along Jinzun Beach hosts the Taiwan Open of Surfing. In Dulan – a 15-minute walk from the beach – there’s a clutch of hipster galleries, noodle restaurants and hostels. Dulan Beach Road is the most self-explanatory route to follow where you’ll pass through farmland and orchards before you hit the coast with its pretty wildflowers and electric blue waters. 

Lotus Lake in Zuoying District is home to a number of breathtaking sights. There are the vivid Autumn and Spring pavilions which are dedicated to the God of War and Goddess of Mercy and a little further along are the equally garish Dragon and Tiger pagodas. The entrance into the pagodas is through the dragon’s mouth and the exit is out through the tiger’s mouth. This is seen to symbolise turning bad fortune into good. It’s best to visit Lotus Lake in the late afternoon as the sun begins to set against the water.

Afraid of heights? Then steer clear of Taiping Suspension Bridge. At 3,281 feet (1,000m) above sea level, this is the highest scenic bridge in Taiwan, spanning 922 feet (281m) between Taipingshan and Guishan. As you take in one of the most scenic spots in Taiwan, enjoy the birds-eye views of the Chiayi-Tainan Plain and the Taiwan Strait, as well as the iconic 36 hairpin road bends of Meishan. The best time to visit is in the evenings (6-10pm) when the bridge lights up a different colour each day of the week. 

Taroko Gorge is what Hualien County is pretty much best known for. This natural wonder is located in Taroko National Park and was named after the indigenous Truku tribe. Its marble cliffs are carpeted in subtropical forests with emerald-coloured rivers winding their way through. There are hundreds of bird and butterfly species that live in the crags and, thanks to its vast size, more than enough places to find a spot of quiet – the 1.24-mile-long (2km) Lushui Trail is a highlight.

For a pop of colour and creativity, look no further than Pier-2. This once-abandoned warehouse district, located in a former port basin, fell into disrepair until the early 2000s when a new lease of life was breathed into it. Today this open-air art centre is filled with pop-up exhibitions, art galleries and live music performances. The unmissable art installations are peppered across the site and make for a fun day out for photographers and families alike.

Tainan was the capital of Taiwan until the late 19th century, so undoubtedly there’s a lot of history in this former first city. After the Dutch colonised Taiwan in the 16th century, many Chinese people settled here, before the Dutch were expelled by Ming loyalist Koxinga. Today he’s honoured at the Koxinga Shrine, which is designed in a traditional Fujian style – the only of its kind in Taiwan. Check out the adjacent Koxinga Museum for its exhibition about the history and local culture of Taiwan with day-to-day artefacts on display.

Over in Hengun Township in Pingtung County is Nanwan, a beach that’s as popular as it is dreamy. Its spreads of pristine sand make it prime sunbathing and beach volleyball territory while manageable waves allow a range of water sports such as surfing, canoeing and jet skiing. In terms of when to visit, it gets pretty busy at weekends but if that’s your only option, stick to the quieter northern section of the beach, as the southern section gets rammed with water sports operators. 

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Ruifang is a quirky little district. This was one of two places where tea was first introduced to Taiwan in the 18th century (the other was in Wenshan District, Taipei). It was also formerly home to three gold-mining towns: Shuinandong, Jinguashi and Jiufen, but today it’s better known for its laid-back, old-world feel. There are loads of cats too, which has earned it the charming moniker as Cat Village. Ruifang is also a popular stop-off point on the east coast line railway from New Taipei City down to Taitung.

Off the east coast of Taiwan lies Guishan Island, a marine-protected site home to Taiwan’s only active volcano – the last eruption was in the 19th century. Surrounded by milky white waters, Turtle Island borrows its name from its vivid green, bumpy shape. The quirky island is also home to Guiwei Lake which is half-freshwater and half-saltwater – still, crabs manage to thrive in these unique waters. It's best to plan a visit in advance.

Da’an Forest Park is the green lungs of cosmopolitan Taipei. Spanning 64 acres, this mini ecosystem consists of camphor and maple trees, bamboo forests and ponds that wildlife (including turtles) call home. It’s also a delightful bird watching spot for the sounds as much as the sights with different birdsong filling the air. The best months to visit are during the breeding season between March and June, while migratory birds flock to the park in the later autumn months.

While Kenting is a great seaside destination by day, come evening it reinvents itself with its night market along the main road, Kenting Street. Crowds cling to the streetside where bright tropical fruits, plump white dumplings, skewered seafood items and more are sold from competing market stalls. There’s also a number of international snacks and dishes too, from Italian to Indian. The best way to enjoy it all? Buy a few different foods, take a seat outside and feel the cool sea breeze wash over you as you capture the essence of Kenting. 

Wenwu Temple sits on the northern shore of Sun Moon Lake and from the top affords blissful views overlooking the lake. The design follows a northern Chinese palace style with its imposing structure consisting of three individual halls. Two of the three are dedicated to gods while the third (the rear hall) is dedicated to Confucius. There are 366 steps that lead from the road up to the temple which are lined with wind chimes that perform a blessing function. The number represents the 365 days in the year with an extra day for the leap year. 

In the mist-covered mountains of Chiayi County lies Alishan, a tea plantation at an impressive altitude of 6,562 feet (2,000m) that produces floral-flavoured Alishan oolong tea. The best time to visit is in the spring and autumn months, when the tea is usually harvested. It’s also part of the delightful Alishan Forest Railway, where visitors board a bright-red locomotive that starts at Chiayi and zigzags its way up to Alishan. Whether you choose to ride the train or not, the picturesque landscape makes for a great photograph – both of the train itself or the views from it.

Thermal Valley, situated on the northern fringes of Taipei, is one of the most breathtaking sights in Taiwan. Its steaming, turquoise waters give an ethereal feel but visitors should certainly take heed of its ‘Death Valley’ nickname. The waters are a sizzling 100°C (212°F) and the Beitou rocks – which can only be found in Taiwan and Japan – contain a radioactive element of radium. It’s best to stick to the wooden walkway that lines the valley, visit one of the public hot springs and admire the surrounding foliage.

South of Taichung City lies the Gaomei Wetlands with its 18 wind turbines that loom over the some 1,500-acre site. The best views are from the curving wooden boardwalk, or to truly connect with the site, wade through the ankle-deep waters. The wetlands sit at the mouth of the Dajia River and is home to a diverse ecology, with some 155 bird species living here including plovers, egrets, sandpipers and more. 

Walk among the clouds at Jade Mountain (or Yushan), Taiwan’s highest peak at 13,000 feet (3,962m) above sea level. Hikers can follow a well-maintained trail that weaves through thickets of bamboo and cedar trees. The hike can be covered in two days with an overnight stay at Paiyun Lodge and it’s certainly worth the early start on the second morning to watch a captivating sunrise like no other. There’s all the more reason to celebrate when you see the marker stone at the top. 

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Perched on a mountain – the highest point in Hualien County – sits Pine Garden. The two-storey house was built in 1942 as a military official’s residence during Japanese rule but today it functions as a poetry museum. However, what it’s named after (and better known for) are the centuries-old pine trees that envelope the site. If you can peel yourself away from the beautiful spectacle, enjoy the mountaintop views which look out towards the Pacific Ocean.