The best time to visit Taiwan is in November or April. Both of these shoulder season months fall outside of Taiwan’s hot, humid, and wet summer months. On average, fewer tourists travel here in the spring and fall months than in the summer tourism high season and during the Chinese New Year.
Although summer is the most popular season for tourists, I’d recommend avoiding traveling to Taiwan in summer. From July to September, the weather in Taiwan can get fierce. (Unfortunately, I experienced this firsthand on my trip!)
The summer months bring extreme heat and humidity to the island, along with the potential for typhoons and tropical storms. Unless getting drenched in storms with winds strong enough to send shih tzus flying through the streets of Taipei is in your travel plans, I’d advise planning your trip outside of these less-than-optimal months. (Seriously, I can’t stress this enough.)
Don’t let the ever-changing climate of this sub-tropical island spoil your East Asia travel plans. Plan the perfect trip with this complete Taiwan weather guide, including my recommendations for where to go, what to expect, and what to wear by season and by month!
Weather in Taiwan
Taiwan is divided into two distinct climate zones. Northern Taiwan lies within a subtropical zone, while Southern Taiwan sits within a tropical zone.
On my trip, I didn’t find the differences between the two regions huge, especially compared to other destinations I’ve visited in East Asia. Most of the island is warm year-round, with mild winters and hot summers. But warmth is not the issue here.
The real problem with the weather in Taiwan is typhoon season. The typhoon season in Taiwan often lasts from July until September. We’ve all witnessed epic Taiwanese typhoons on the international news channel. And this is exactly the type of weather I’d recommend trying to avoid when planning your trip.
Weather by season
Spring
When is spring? Spring in Taiwan is from March to May.
What to expect in spring: In the spring months, we’ll see warm weather throughout Taiwan. Average lows are between 15°C and 22°C (58°F and 71°F), and average highs are between 19°C and 27°C (65°F and 79°F). Rainfall picks up through the spring as we inch towards the rainy season.
What to wear in spring: I’d recommend wearing a light, long-sleeved shirt during the day. A heavier long-sleeved shirt for nighttime should be enough to keep you comfortable. Keep a lightweight, waterproof jacket handy in your daypack.
Summer
When is summer? Summer in Taiwan is from June to August.
What to expect in summer: Summers are hot and humid throughout Taiwan. It’s definitely not my favorite time of year to travel here, thanks to the frequent thunderstorms and the possibility of typhoons. Average lows are between 24°C and 28°C (72°F and 82°F). Average highs are between a balmy 27°C and 31°C (80°F and 87°F). During my visit, I witnessed the crazy summer humidity push those highs even higher. And I can’t claim it’s very comfortable.
What to wear in summer: In summer, I’d recommend filling your Taiwan packing list with short-sleeved shirts and shorts. I’d also suggest keeping a solid travel umbrella and a lightweight rain jacket with you at all times.
Autumn
When is autumn? Autumn in Taiwan is from September to November.
What to expect in autumn: I would expect cooler temperatures in autumn than in summer. Taiwan also experiences much less rain in this season, especially in October and November. Average lows are between 18°C and 27°C (64°F and 80°F), and average highs are between 27°C and 30°C (80°F and 85°F).
What to wear in autumn: In autumn, I’d suggest long-sleeve shirts or a light jacket at the most. As always, carry an umbrella, but I wouldn’t expect you to need it as often. With the cooler temperatures and drier weather conditions, autumn is my favorite season to go hiking in Taiwan. Pack a decent pair of hiking shoes.
Winter
When is winter? Winter in Taiwan is from December to February.
What to expect in winter: Winters in Taiwan are mild, foggy, and relatively dry. In winter, we see average lows are between 13°C and 15°C (55°F and 58°F), and average highs are between 17°C and 19°C (61°F and 65°F). Surprisingly, I’ve discovered that nighttime temperatures in Northern Taiwan can dip into the single digits (mid-40s°F).
What to wear in winter: For winter in Taiwan, I’d advise bringing along long-sleeved shirts and a versatile all-season coat. Dress in layers to keep up with the ever-changing winter weather.
Visiting Taiwan on a crunch? Make the most out of it with this complete 2-day Taipei itinerary!
Weather by month
January
January is the coldest month in Taiwan, but it’s still relatively mild by North American and European standards. Average lows are 13°C (55°F) and average highs are 16°C (61°F).
For the warmest winter weather, I’d suggest heading toward the sunny skies of Southern Taiwan. While touring the island, I enjoyed experiencing outdoor adventure in destinations like Kenting National Park or Kenting National Forest Recreation Area.
Let’s not forget, though, that the Chinese New Year sometimes falls at the end of January. I’d strongly recommend booking your hotels and flights well ahead of time if you’re planning to go at this busy time of year. (And be prepared for crowds. Lots of crowds.)
February
February is slightly warmer than January, but we’ll start to experience more rainfall throughout the country. Average lows, mostly centered around Northern Taiwan, are 10°C (50°F), and average highs are around 25°C (77°F).
Southern Taiwan gets warmer and sunnier in February than the north. Chinese New Year usually takes place in February. It’s a colorful time of year here, but also one of the busiest, in my experience.
I can’t stress enough that reservations are crucial, especially if you want to score a room at one of my favorite places to stay in Taipei.
March
Both temperatures and rainfall pick up in Taiwan in March. This month is generally milder than February, with an average low of 14°C (58°F) and an average high of 18°C (65°F). I still find most of the country a little too “chilly,” though, to give it my full-on thumbs up.
In March, the tropical south is warm enough for a beach vacation. I’d recommend heading to the beautiful beaches of Kenting National Park for a sandy escape or to its hiking trails for a greener adventure.
The weather in Northern Taiwan in March is a bit of a mixed bag. With the cooler weather and increased rainfall, I love the idea of spending time in museums and hot springs resorts like Beitou Hot Springs at this time of year.
April
The temperatures in Taiwan become more pleasant moving into April. We see rainfall start to ramp up towards the end of the month, though, as summer approaches.
Average low temperatures are 19°C (66°F), and average highs sit around 23°C (74°F). Overall, I feel that April is one of the better months to travel throughout Taiwan.
In April, the north is drier than the south. I think it’s a great month to frolic in the bright spring colors of Yangmingshan National Park or enjoy the natural beauty of Sun Moon Lake.
April is also one of my favorite months to hike up Elephant Mountain in Taipei before the oppressive heat, humidity, and typhoons of summer hit.
May
The rainy season (un)officially starts in May. In May, I’d always be prepared for an almost daily smattering of afternoon thunderstorms that unleash the heat and humidity from the cloudy skies.
The average low temperature is 21°C (61°F), with an average high of 26°C (79°F). Expect Southern Taiwan to peak in the 30s.
In May, the spring colors come out in full force. I’m a big fan of visiting the national parks at this time of year.
Plan a trip to the beautiful Taroko Gorge in Taroko National Park near Hualien, explore the alpine forests or the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area, or check out the East Coast National Scenic Area. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring a travel umbrella.
June
June marks the first official month of summer in Taiwan, as both the heat and rainfall picking up. Average lows sit at about 24°C (75°F) and average highs are 27°C (80°F). Once again, the country’s south is hotter, soaring into the low 30s at times.
June is the rainiest month in Taiwan. Plan on getting soaked.
As the south is rainier and hotter, I think the north is a better choice in June. Staying in the cities ensures you’re never far from shelter should a storm shatter your Taiwan travel plan. I guarantee that you’ll enjoy the abundance of air-conditioned shops and restaurants in Taipei or Taichung in this hot, rainy month.
July
Taiwan becomes extremely hot and humid in July. I’ve discovered first-hand that afternoon thunderstorms brew quickly, and typhoons are never out of the question.
The average low temperature is 26°C (78°F) and the average high is 28°C (83°F). I wasn’t surprised to see temperatures with the humidex to climb to 35°C (95°F). Or more!
Unless you have lungs of steel, I’d rule out serious hiking. Traveling in July means frequent, weather-induced breaks. I’d strongly recommend bringing along a travel water bottle to keep yourself hydrated.
Once again, I’d suggest sticking to an urban environment with plenty of opportunities for shelter and air-conditioned indoor activities.
August
The heat soars into August with an average low of 28°C (82°F) and an average high of 31°C (87°F). As we’ve come to expect in summer, thunderstorms roll out frequently on August afternoons. The not-so-distant chance of an epic typhoon will either excite or terrify you. (I belong firmly to the latter group.)
To cool off from the extreme heat and humidity, head to the southern beaches around Kenting National Park for a refreshing dip. Taroko Gorge in Taroko National Park near Hualien is also a popular destination in August, in my experience. I’ve heard from locals and other travelers that the summer temperatures are more reasonable there than elsewhere in the country.
September
September marks the official start of autumn in Taiwan. This month, we expect balmy average lows of 27°C (80°F) and average highs of 29°C (85°F). The south remains warm while the north cools off towards the end of September.
We can expect rainfall to drop off from August, but I’ll warn you, it’s still significant. Fortunately, the threat of typhoons dwindles as the month moves on.
The beaches of Southern Taiwan are still buzzing in September as sun-worshippers soak up the last month of big heat. With the cooler weather and smaller crowds, I also feel September is a great time to explore popular tourist destinations like Sun Moon Lake, Puli, and Lukang with a little more elbow room.
In my experience, nearly everywhere in the country is more pleasant in September than in July or August.
October
Autumn is in full swing by October. Average temperatures “dip” to a low of 23°C (74°F) and a high of 26°C (79°F). We see rainfall taper off considerably compared to summer, especially later in the month.
As long as you avoid the Mid-Autumn Festival, sometimes falling in early October, the month is one of the quietest times of the year to travel. As a bonus, we’ll also get to enjoy milder temperatures and less rainfall than in the summer months.
October is one of my favorite times to explore Taipei and other Taiwanese cities like Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Tainan. I love digging into all my favorite places to visit in Taipei in October to make the most out of the more comfortable temperatures.
November
November is cooler than October, with less rainfall. This month, we can expect average low temperatures to hover around 18°C (64°F), with average highs at 26°C (80°F).
In November, Taiwan’s national parks become magnets as people flock to wallow in the bright fall colors. I also think hanging around hot spring resorts like Beitou is a great idea in autumn.
The best news? November is the low tourist season in Taiwan. You’ll find plenty of space to enjoy the country in relative peace. In my opinion, the cooler evenings make November the perfect month to explore my favorite Taipei night markets.
December
December is one of the coldest months in Taiwan. Expect average lows to dip to around 13°C (55°F) and average highs to drop to 18°C (64°F). Along with November, December is the driest month in Taiwan on average.
But—brr!—things start to get chilly in Taiwan in December. Mountain retreats like Yangmingshan National Park and Yushan National Park are much less comfortable in this first month of winter.
The south retains a little heat in December, though. I’ve heard from locals that beaches like Kenting Beach are still warm enough to swim in.
Final recommendations
The best month to visit Taiwan is either November or April.
Why visit in November?
With the extreme heat of summer and the rainy season long gone, visiting Taiwan in November is a brilliant option. On average, November is the driest month in Taiwan, tied with December. We also see the warm and comfortable temperatures remain throughout Taiwan.
November is also one of my favorite months to experience places like Yangmingshan National Park, where the fall colors are out in full force.
I also find November to be a far more comfortable month for urban explorers and for escaping Taipei on a day trip. I’ve seen how Taiwanese cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung can get oppressively hot (and wet) in summer, so November is a welcome change.
For us, the biggest advantage of visiting Taiwan in November is the lack of crowds. You’ll also have an easier time finding flight deals to Taipei and discounted accommodation.
Why visit in April?
If you can’t travel in November, I think visiting Taiwan in April is a fantastic alternative. The earlier in April you can make it, the better. We’ll often see rainfall start to creep up towards the end of the month.
As late spring approaches, the temperatures start to warm up. It’ll make for a comfortable trip without the extreme heat of a Taiwanese summer.
By April, the spring bloom is also in full swing. Along with May, April is the most colorful month to travel around Taiwan.
Despite its perks, however, April falls in Taiwan’s high-tourist season. I’ve found flights harder to come by. (Mainland Chinese travelers will be flocking here by this time.)
I’ve also noticed that accommodations book up quickly. Visiting in April will involve tighter travel planning and a beefier travel budget.
