A quick guide for LGBTQ+ travel in Taiwan
The island nation of Taiwan has long been considered one of the most socially liberal and open-minded countries in East Asia. Recently, Taiwan’s parliament passed landmark legislation to legalize same-sex marriage, making it the first Asian country to ever do so.
For Taiwan’s already prosperous LGBTQ+ community, this was a victory both hard-fought and long overdue. As for travellers interested in visiting the country and attending its LGBTQ+ events, here is a quick guide:
Cities
Taipei
Taipei is the capital of Taiwan and its economic centre. The city sprawls with gleaming skyscrapers and numerous cultural landmarks. It’s also where the country’s official Pride Parade is held every year and home to some of the most popular gay bars and clubs on the island.
Kaohsiung
A coastal city in southern Taiwan, Kaohsiung is both contemporary and vibrant. This modern city has one of the most dynamic art scenes in the country, including a dockside warehouse district, Pier-2, that has been repurposed into an arts centre. The city is also known for its incredible food scene and natural landmarks.
Taichung
As the second most populous city in Taiwan, Taichung is known for its bustling nightlife, busy markets, and year-round sunny weather. The city, once the industrial heartland of the country, has transformed over the years into a thriving cultural hub. It’s also a convenient launchpad for exploring inland Taiwan.
Attractions
Taipei 101
Taipei 101 was at one time the tallest building in the world before relinquishing that title to Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. Still, the skyscraper remains an architectural and engineering marvel and was built to withstand the Pacific Rim’s many earthquakes. At the top of the tower is a 728-ton tuned mass damper open to the public, along with several observation decks on different levels. The lower levels are filled with restaurants, shops, and premium stores.
National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum possesses more than 70,000 artifacts and artwork from ancient China in its permanent collection. This makes the museum the largest showcase of imperial Chinese antiquities in the world. Most of the relics were evacuated from Mainland China to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War. Among the collection are some of the most valuable treasures accumulated by China’s emperors.
Ximending
Known as the ‘Harajuku’ of Taipei, Ximending buzzes with trendy shops, roadside stalls, arcades, bars and restaurants. This hip neighbourhood celebrates fashion, various Asian subcultures, youth culture, and is filled with many lively street performances.
Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park covers almost 100,000 hectares of pristine nature along the Pacific coastline. The park’s unique geological terrains are abundant with dramatic landscapes, indigenous wildlife, otherworldly sceneries, hidden waterfalls, and high-altitude forests. It’s also home to the eponymous marble gorge of Tarako, one of the seven natural wonders of Asia.
Alishan National Scenic Area
Alishan is a mountainous township surrounded by unspoiled nature. Here, a historic railway travels through the mountain ranges, forests, and some of the most photogenic parts of the country. The National Scenic Area is close to hiking trails, award-winning high altitude tea plantations, and has an alpine-like climate that creates a surreal ‘sea of cloud’ blanketing higher elevations.
Sun Moon Lake
The largest lake in the country, Sun Moon Lake, is shaped like the sun on the eastern side while the western side resembles a crescent moon. The lake, located at an altitude around 750-m above sea level, is a picturesque destination for boat tours and visiting nearby temples and cultural sites.
Rainbow Village
Rainbow Village was once a drab and dying veterans’ settlement before it was rescued from demolition by an elderly resident, who covered the last of the remaining houses and walkways with colourful, whimsical artwork. Now, the village has become one of the most popular and Instagrammable detours for those visiting Taichung. You’ll also get the chance to meet the 96 years old artist known as “Rainbow Grandpa”.
Night Markets
The night markets in Taiwan are places to hunt down bargains, famous street foods, and unique local goods. Among them, Shilin, Raohe, Fengjia, Liuhe, and Luodong are some of the busiest and most vibrant. You can spend hours wandering through the maze of food stalls, jewelry carts, roadside kitchens, and even find interesting shops that only open after dark.
Kenting Beach
An iconic white-sand beach located at the southernmost tip of the country, Kenting is lapped by warm, crystal-clear waters, making it a popular surf spot and ideal for watersports. Nearby, there is a neon-lit street lined with boutique stores and a thriving night market peddling some of the freshest seafood on the island.
Penghu
Penghu is an archipelago made up of 90 isles and islets. It’s the perfect island-hopping destination for those hoping to get a change of pace from Taiwan’s bustling cities. Here, you can explore the local culture, go on temple crawls, beach hop, and check out the double heart-shaped fishing weir.
Events
Formosa Pride & Taiwan LGBT Pride 2019 (October 24 – 27)
The largest LGBTQ pride event in the country kicks off on the last weekend of October every year. This four-day event includes a massive parade of floats, marchers, and performers travelling through downtown Taipei. The event features live concerts, a Saturday night party at W Hotel Taipei, and various celebrations spread across the entire weekend.
Taichung LGBTIA Pride Parade (December)
The Taichung LGBTIA is the second largest pride celebration in the country and is held annually around Christmas. It features a parade that circles the downtown core and several large scale demonstrations, marches, and public speeches aimed at raising awareness about LGBTQ+ issues.
Taiwan International Queer Film Festival (End of August to Mid September)
The TIQFF is an annual film festival with showcases and events in Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taichung. The festival features the best of gay cinema, filmmakers and LGBTQ+ related films from around the world. It also offers workshops for local filmmakers, a film award, Queermosa, and a nationwide tour after the official screenings.