November is the perfect time to visit Taiwan, as the crisp autumn weather creates ideal conditions for all kinds of outdoor activities. Whether you’re looking for romantic ideas, dating ideas or simply looking to explore, Taiwan offers something special in this season.
In northern Taiwan, temperatures cool down, so if you’re sensitive to the cold, be sure to pack warm clothes or a light jacket. In contrast, southern Taiwan stays pleasantly warm, making it a great destination for those who prefer milder climates.
If you’re looking to see maple leaves in Taiwan, November is the best month to visit. While the peak foliage may vary slightly each year depending on the weather, this month generally offers the most vibrant colors. It’s the perfect opportunity for couples to stroll through colorful landscapes and take memorable photos.
Besides leaf-peeping, November is ideal for other romantic activities. Couples can:
- Relax in Taiwan’s famous hot springs—perfect for cozying up in the cool weather.
- Admire breathtaking night views at popular scenic spots.
- Explore charming local towns and enjoy seasonal Taiwanese cuisine.
Whether it’s soaking in a hot spring, watching the city lights, or walking through autumn leaves, Taiwan in November offers countless ways to create unforgettable memories with your loved one. Ready to plan your romantic trip? Discover the best spots for night views and hot springs in Taiwan!
Table of Contents
Romantic Spots for Night Views in Taiwan
Taipei 101 Observatory
Location: Xinyi District, Taipei
Highlight: As Taipei’s most iconic landmark, the Taipei 101 Observatory offers panoramic views of the city’s dazzling skyline. The high-altitude perspective is especially breathtaking during holidays or New Year’s Eve, when the city lights up with festive displays and fireworks.
Elephant Mountain Trail
Location: Xinyi District, Taipei
Highlight: Just a short distance from the city center, this easy hiking trail is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. After a 30-minute hike, you’ll reach the viewing platform with a close-up view of Taipei 101 and the surrounding urban nightscape—perfect for nature lovers who want to combine a bit of adventure with stunning city lights.
Yangmingshan Night Views
Location: Beitou District, Taipei
Highlight: Yangmingshan offers several vantage points for sweeping views of Taipei’s night skyline. Popular spots like Erziping and Qingtiangang provide breathtaking sights, especially on clear nights. In winter, you might even catch a mystical blend of fog and city lights for a unique, atmospheric experience.
Maokong Gondola
Location: Wenshan District, Taipei
Highlight: This scenic gondola ride offers a unique perspective of Taipei’s twinkling lights. As you glide above tea plantations and mountain forests, you’ll see the city’s glow in the distance. Stop by one of the cozy teahouses near Maokong Station for a relaxing tea session with a view.
Heping Island, Keelung
Location: Zhongzheng District, Keelung
Highlight: The charm of Heping Island lies in its blend of harbor lights and distant city glows. At night, Keelung Harbor sparkles with lights from docked cruise ships and fishing boats, creating a romantic, seaside ambiance. The cool sea breeze in winter adds to the experience.
Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf
Location: Tamsui District, New Taipei City
Highlight: Known for its stunning sunsets, Fisherman’s Wharf transforms into a romantic haven after dark. The lights reflecting off the Tamsui River create a serene atmosphere, while the famous Lover’s Bridge glows with colorful neon lights, making it a picture-perfect spot for couples.
Guanyinshan Night View, New Taipei City
Location: Wugu District, New Taipei City
Highlight: Guanyinshan is one of the best spots for a panoramic view of Taipei’s city lights. From the summit, you can admire the twinkling lights of the Tamsui River, Taipei 101, and the entire Taipei Basin. On clear nights, the breathtaking cityscape is especially stunning.
Shoushan Night View, Kaohsiung
Location: Gushan District, Kaohsiung City
Highlight: Known as the “Lion’s Rock of Kaohsiung,” Shoushan offers an unbeatable panoramic night view of Kaohsiung’s harbor, Love River, and the city skyline. The shimmering port lights reflecting on the water, combined with the cool night breeze, make it a favorite for couples and photography enthusiasts.
Romantic Activities – Hot Spring Getaways in Taiwan
Beitou HotSprings (Taipei City)
Beitou is one of Taiwan’s most famous hot spring areas, known for its variety of springs—white sulfur, green sulfur, and iron sulfur—each with beauty and stress-relief benefits. Visit the Beitou Hot Spring Museum and Thermal Valley for a complete experience.
- Free Hot Springs: Enjoy a free foot-soaking pool at Thermal Valley while admiring the natural surroundings.
- Affordable Option: Millennium Hot Springs (Beitou Public Hot Spring) offers budget-friendly open-air pools for a quick, relaxing dip.
For more information, check this out: Top 6 Beitou Hot Spring Resorts for a Relaxing Getaway in 2024
Wulai Hot Springs (New Taipei City)
Famous for its Atayal indigenous culture, Wulai’s hot springs are nestled along the Wulai River, offering scenic mountain views while you soak. The sodium bicarbonate-rich waters are known for moisturizing and skin-softening benefits.
- Free Foot Baths: Foot-soaking pools near Wulai Old Street are perfect for a relaxing break while exploring the area.
- Natural Springs: Discover free, natural hot spring pools along the river for an intimate experience with nature.
Jiaoxi Hot Springs (Yilan County)
Jiaoxi is the most renowned hot spring destination in eastern Taiwan, with clear, odorless sodium bicarbonate springs that soften the skin. The town is filled with hot spring hotels and is a popular getaway for Taipei locals.
- Free Hot Springs: Foot-soaking pools are available at Jiaoxi Hot Spring Park and in front of Jiaoxi Train Station.
- Nearby Attractions: Visit the Lanyang Museum or Wufengqi Waterfall to round out your trip.
Yangmingshan Hot Springs (Taipei City)
Located on the outskirts of Taipei, Yangmingshan’s hot springs are surrounded by natural beauty within Yangmingshan National Park. The bicarbonate springs are perfect for easing sore muscles and enhancing skin health.
- Free Hot Springs: Lengshuikeng Hot Springs offers free foot-soaking pools set in serene, forested surroundings.
Green Island Hot Springs (Taitung County)
One of the few seawater hot springs in the world, Green Island’s hot springs offer the rare chance to soak while enjoying ocean views. The mildly alkaline waters are rich in minerals, benefiting the skin.
- Affordable Option: Zhaori Hot Springs provides a budget-friendly way to experience this unique oceanfront hot spring.
Sichongxi Hot Springs (Pingtung County)
Located in southern Taiwan, Sichongxi Hot Springs are known for their skin-softening bicarbonate waters. The tranquil atmosphere and nearby natural attractions, like Sichongxi Hot Spring Park and Mudan Reservoir, make it an ideal romantic retreat.
- Free Hot Springs: Public foot-soaking pools in the park offer a great introduction to the area’s soothing waters.
Jinshan Hot Springs (New Taipei City)
Situated along the northern coast, Jinshan Hot Springs are often built with ocean views in mind, allowing you to relax while watching the waves. The saline springs help improve circulation and skin health.
- Nearby Attractions: Explore Jinshan Old Street and the Yehliu Geopark for a day full of adventure and relaxation.
Zhiben Hot Springs (Taitung County)
Zhiben is one of eastern Taiwan’s premier hot spring resorts, offering diverse spring types like carbonic acid and sulfur springs. The area is filled with hot spring hotels, and nearby Zhiben Forest Park provides excellent hiking opportunities.
- Nearby Attractions: Stroll through Zhiben Forest Park or explore downtown Taitung.
Guguan Hot Springs (Taichung City)
Nestled in Taichung’s mountains, Guguan Hot Springs offer a serene environment with bicarbonate-rich waters that soothe skin conditions and fatigue. The area is perfect for a road trip, combining visits to Daxueshan Forest Recreation Area or Wuling Farm for nature lovers.
- Nearby Attractions: Enjoy flower viewing at Wuling Farm or explore the forest trails.
Baolai Hot Springs (Kaohsiung City)
Located in the mountains of Kaohsiung, Baolai’s carbonic springs are known for their calming effects and stress relief. The area enjoys mild weather year-round, with winter being particularly ideal for soaking in hot springs.
- Nearby Attractions: Visit Baolai Hot Spring Village or embark on a mountain adventure in southern Taiwan.
Seasonal Scenery in November
Credit: 國軍退除役官兵輔導委員會武陵農場[2021]
Wuling Farm Maple Leaves (Taichung)
- Best Viewing Time: Late November to early December
- Highlights: Wuling Farm is one of Taiwan’s most famous spots for maple viewing. As you ascend the mountain, the maple leaves transition from green to yellow, and finally to vibrant shades of orange and red, creating a stunning gradient of colors. The drive itself is an experience, as you witness the landscape shift from lush greenery to a fiery autumn palette. This spot is a paradise for photographers.
Alishan Maple Leaves (Chiayi County)
- Best Viewing Time: Mid to late November through early December
- Highlights: Alishan is renowned for its breathtaking sunrise and sea of clouds, but in autumn and early winter, the mountains are set ablaze with red and yellow maple leaves. The Alishan Forest Recreation Area becomes a primeLocation for hiking and leaf-peeping during this time, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and fresh mountain air.
Taipingshan Maple Leaves (Yilan County)
- Best Viewing Time: Mid-November to early December
- Highlights: Taipingshan is another top destination for maple viewing in Taiwan. As autumn deepens, the forests transform into a vibrant red spectacle. It’s the ideal place to combine leaf-peeping with a relaxing hot spring soak. For a unique experience, hop on the Taipingshan Bong Bong Train, which weaves through the forest, offering up-close views of the colorful foliage.
Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area Maple Leaves (Yangmingshan)
- Best Viewing Time: Mid-November to December
- Highlights: Aowanda is one of Taiwan’s most famous maple-viewing spots. Every autumn, the entire forest is painted in fiery reds, creating a picturesque landscape. The area boasts a rich variety of maple species and abundant natural ecology, making it a perfect place to admire the scenery while learning about the local environment.
Chishang Rice Fields (Taitung County)
- Golden Rice Fields: November marks the harvest season in Chishang, when the fields turn a brilliant golden hue, resembling a shimmering carpet of gold. Chishang is famed for its vast rice paddies, with harvests occurring twice a year—in June-July and again in November-December. November is the peak of the autumn harvest.
- Activities: From late October to early November, Chishang hosts the Chishang Autumn Harvest Rice Art Festival, celebrating the harvest with displays of local rice culture and artistic creations. Visitors can gain deeper insights into rice farming traditions through these engaging events.
Silvergrass Blooms (Caoling Historic Trail, Gongliao District, New Taipei City)
- Blooming Season: November
- Highlights: The Caoling Historic Trail attracts many visitors during the silvergrass (Miscanthus) season in November. The hills are blanketed in waves of silvergrass, swaying gracefully in the wind, with the silver-white blooms set against the bright blue sky. Hiking this trail during silvergrass season is a perfect way to immerse yourself in nature and unwind.
Chrysanthemums (Shilin Residence, Taipei)
- Blooming Season: November to December
- Highlights: The Chrysanthemum Exhibition at Shilin Residence is the largest autumn chrysanthemum event in Taipei, showcasing a variety of chrysanthemum arrangements and related flora. During the exhibition, visitors can also enjoy cultural activities such as chrysanthemum-themed lectures and musical performances. The park features an impressive display of giant chrysanthemums, with the number of blooms increasing each year, attracting large crowds eager to witness the floral spectacle.
Winter Delicacies in Taiwan
As the air turns crisp and cool, Taiwan’s culinary scene comes alive with seasonal specialties that not only warm the body but also delight the soul. From succulent crabs to hearty lamb hot pot and refreshing wax apples, here’s what you shouldn’t miss this winter.
Crab
Autumn marks the peak season for crabs, and starting from October, Taiwan’s seafood markets and restaurants are brimming with plump, succulent crabs. By November, the crab meat becomes irresistibly sweet and tender, bursting with ocean-fresh flavors that seafood lovers simply can’t miss.
Recommended Ways to Enjoy Crab:
- Steamed Crab: This simple method preserves the crab’s natural flavor, perfect for savoring the sweetness of flower crabs.
- Steamed crab with glutinous rice: A flavorful combination of glutinous rice, mushrooms, Chinese sausage, and crab, where the rich aroma of the rice intertwines with the crab’s natural sweetness.
Whether you’re enjoying it fresh at a seafood market or savoring a gourmet dish at a local restaurant, Taiwan’s crabs are a winter delicacy you can’t pass up.
Lamb Hot Pot (Yang Rou Lu)
As temperatures start to drop in Taiwan from November onwards, Lamb Hot Pot becomes a seasonal favorite. This isn’t just a winter dish—it’s a beloved comfort food in Taiwan, often enjoyed with family and friends during chilly evenings. Traditionally believed to have warming properties, it’s a staple in Taiwanese homes as soon as the temperatures drop.
The broth is typically made with aged ginger, angelica root, and goji berries, creating a fragrant, non-greasy soup that’s perfect for cold weather. The ginger helps eliminate the gamey taste of the lamb while adding a warming touch. Aside from the herbal broth, a popular variation is the Satay Lamb Hot Pot, where the rich satay sauce adds a flavorful, savory depth to the tender lamb, creating a complex and delicious taste.
Common additions to the hot pot include vegetables like cabbage, celery, and leeks, which provide a fresh, crisp contrast to the rich lamb. Tofu and tofu skin are also popular ingredients, soaking up the flavorful broth and offering a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Sharing a bubbling pot of lamb hot pot is more than just a meal—it’s a heartwarming experience that brings people together on cold winter nights.
Wax Apple (Lian Wu)
Wax apples are another seasonal treat in November. Crisp, mildly sweet, and incredibly juicy, they’re the perfect refreshing fruit for autumn. You can find them freshly picked in regions like Tainan and Pingtung, but during peak season, they’re readily available in supermarkets and at roadside fruit stalls.
You don’t even have to search for them—night markets often have fruit vendors selling pre-washed, sliced wax apples, ready to enjoy. Their crisp texture and refreshing taste make them an ideal snack while exploring Taiwan’s bustling streets.
Summary
November is my favorite time of year in Taiwan. The cool, refreshing weather is perfect for romantic evening strolls under the night sky. If you’re looking for romantic ideas, consider a scenic walk with your partner, taking in the city’s twinkling lights or escaping to a quiet mountainside retreat. Beyond the beautiful night views, activities like flower and maple leaf viewing or soaking in a hot spring become even more enjoyable when shared with someone special—making it hard to resist planning a cozy getaway.
It’s also the perfect season for indulging in delicious, hearty food. For more romantic ideas, why not enjoy a candlelit dinner featuring Taiwan’s winter specialties? Lamb hot pot, in particular, tastes especially satisfying as the weather cools, warming you from the inside out. And it’s not just November—throughout the winter months in Taiwan, enjoying hot, comforting dishes is a surefire way to feel cozy and content.
So, whether you’re searching for romantic ideas or simply craving seasonal flavors, Taiwan has something special to offer. Whether you’re strolling through a night market with a bag of freshly sliced wax apples or warming up with a hearty lamb hot pot, Taiwan’s winter flavors are sure to leave you craving more. Ready to plan your next foodie adventure?
