Best Time to Visit Taiwan
October to December (driest, mildest, ahead of winter's persistent cloud cover) — though November remains wet on the east coast
Quick Answer
Best Overall
October to December (driest, mildest, ahead of winter's persistent cloud cover) — though November remains wet on the east coast
Peak Season
October–December (best balance of mild temperatures and lower rainfall)
Shoulder Season
March–April
Cheapest Period
January–February in Taipei (cool and cloudy, but rarely extreme)
Weather Varies By Region
Taiwan is large enough that no single "best time" applies everywhere. Here's how the timing changes region by region.
Taipei & the north
Oct–DecCooler and notably cloudier/wetter than the south year-round, even in winter (January highs around 19°C with frequent rain).
Kaohsiung & the south (Kenting National Park)
Nov–Apr (dry season)A distinctly drier, sunnier winter than Taipei — January highs around 23°C with far less rain — making the south a better cool-season beach destination.
Alishan & Sun Moon Lake (central highlands)
Mar–May, Oct–NovHigher elevation brings cooler temperatures and, at Alishan, a well-known sunrise-and-sea-of-clouds phenomenon best seen in clearer spring and autumn conditions.
Month-by-Month Weather
Catalog Data· Climate normals, see sources below(Verified taxonomy records from the TravelGuidesFinder destination catalog.)Average high/low temperatures and rainfall for Taipei (used here as a representative reference point — see regional notes above for other areas).
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C / 67°F | 14°C / 57°F | 95mm | Low |
| February | 20°C / 69°F | 14°C / 58°F | 130mm | Low |
| March | 22°C / 72°F | 16°C / 60°F | 160mm | Shoulder |
| April | 26°C / 79°F | 19°C / 67°F | 150mm | Shoulder |
| May | 29°C / 85°F | 23°C / 73°F | 245mm | Low |
| June | 32°C / 90°F | 25°C / 78°F | 355mm | Low |
| July | 34°C / 94°F | 27°C / 80°F | 215mm | Low |
| August | 34°C / 93°F | 27°C / 80°F | 335mm | Low |
| September | 31°C / 88°F | 25°C / 77°F | 335mm | Low |
| October | 28°C / 82°F | 22°C / 72°F | 165mm | Peak |
| November | 25°C / 77°F | 19°C / 67°F | 90mm | Peak |
| December | 21°C / 70°F | 16°C / 60°F | 95mm | Peak |
Season-by-Season Guide
Autumn (Oct–Dec)
Cooling and drying (21-28°C highs, less rain than summer)
Good For
Winter (Jan–Feb)
Cool and often cloudy/rainy in Taipei and the north (19-20°C highs), noticeably drier and sunnier in the south
Good For
Spring (Mar–Apr)
Warming, still fairly wet in the north (150-160mm)
Good For
Summer (May–Sep)
Hot, humid and the wettest months of the year (Taipei sees 215-355mm monthly), with typhoon season running June through October
Good For
Best Time to Visit For...
Taroko Gorge & general sightseeing
October–DecemberThe best balance of mild temperatures and Taiwan's lowest rainfall of the year, though the east coast stays wetter into November.
Kenting National Park beaches
November–AprilThe south's dry season is distinctly sunnier and less rainy than Taipei's own winter.
Alishan sunrise & cherry blossoms
March–April (blossoms), October–November (clear skies)Higher elevation and clearer air in these shoulder months give the best odds for Alishan's famous sea-of-clouds sunrise.
Avoiding typhoon season
November–MayTyphoon season runs roughly June through October, with heightened risk from mid-July to early October.
Cheapest Time to Visit
January and February bring Taipei's lowest prices — cool and often cloudy in the north, but genuinely pleasant in the south around Kaohsiung and Kenting.
Busiest Time to Visit
October through December is the busiest window nationally, offering the best balance of mild weather and lower rainfall; book Taroko Gorge accommodation ahead for this stretch.
Weather vs. Price Trade-off
Late October and November offer close to peak-season comfort at lower prices than the core dry season, though the east coast (Taroko Gorge) can still see rain into November.
How to Get There
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) near Taipei is the main gateway; Taiwan's high-speed rail makes Kaohsiung in the south reachable in under 2 hours, and Sun Moon Lake and Alishan are accessible by a combination of rail and bus.
How Long to Stay
7-9 days covers Taipei, Taroko Gorge, and either Sun Moon Lake or the south (Kaohsiung/Kenting).
Sample Itineraries
What to Pack, By Season
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Taiwan?
October to December for the best balance of mild temperatures and Taiwan's lowest rainfall of the year, though the east coast stays wetter into November.
When is typhoon season in Taiwan?
Roughly June through October, with the highest risk from mid-July to early October — worth checking forecasts closely if traveling during this window.
Is southern Taiwan warmer than Taipei in winter?
Yes, distinctly — Kaohsiung and Kenting in the south see January highs around 23°C with much less rain than Taipei's cooler, cloudier 19°C average, making the south a better winter beach destination.
Last verified: 2026-09-20 · Climate figures are 30-year averages and will not match any single trip exactly.