Short answer: The best time to visit Taiwan is October to early December and March to May, when the weather is warm but not too hot, typhoons are unlikely and the mountains have clear views. The south, from Tainan and Kaohsiung to Kenting, is sunny and dry from October to April, so it also works in winter, when Taipei is cool and gray. Summer (June to September) is hot and wet, with the plum rains in May and June and typhoons mostly from July to October; Lunar New Year (4–10 February 2027) is the busiest week to travel.
Taiwan is small, but its north and south, its east coast and its high mountains have different weather, and the island sits on the main track of Pacific typhoons. This page explains the seasons month by month and destination by destination, with holidays, festivals and typhoon season, as of October 2026. For entry rules, the Taiwan Arrival Card, the high-speed rail and costs, see our Taiwan travel guide, and plan your days with our AI trip planner.
Best time to visit Taiwan at a glance
| Goal | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Round-the-island trip | October to early December; March to May | Comfortable temperatures, less rain and few typhoons |
| Taipei | October to December; March to May | Warm but not too hot; summer is hot and stormy, winter gray |
| The south (Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting) | October to April | The dry, sunny season in the south |
| Taroko and the east coast | March to May; October to November | Outside the typhoon season and the heaviest fall rain |
| Alishan and the mountains | October to April | Clear sunrises and seas of clouds; cherry blossoms in March and April |
| Hiking | October to November; March to April | Dry, mild weather; high peaks also in summer mornings |
| Beaches and island trips | June to September | Warmest sea, with typhoon risk; Kenting is swimmable much of the year |
| Hot springs | December to February | Cool, damp weather in the north makes Beitou and Jiaoxi at their best |
| Festivals | February | Lunar New Year and the Lantern Festival two weeks later |
| Fewest crowds | Weekdays in November and early December, and March outside holidays | Between the summer break and Lunar New Year |
Taiwan weather month by month
Weather month by month
The climate table shows average highs, lows and rain by month for Taipei, from the 1991–2020 monthly means of Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA). Taipei’s highs run from about 19 °C (67 °F) in January to about 35 °C (95 °F) in July, and it gets rain in every month, about 2,330 mm (92 in) a year, with the most in June, August and September. The south has a sharper dry season: Kaohsiung averages only about 18–19 mm (0.7–0.8 in) a month from January to February and about 512 mm (20.2 in) in August. On the east coast, Hualien’s wettest months are September and October, and Alishan, whose station is at about 2,400 m (7,900 ft), is cold in winter, with January lows of about 3 °C (38 °F).
Taiwan month by month
January
The coolest month: Taipei averages about 19 °C (67 °F) by day and 14 °C (58 °F) at night, often damp and gray under the northeast monsoon, while Kaohsiung and Tainan are sunny at about 23–24 °C (73–76 °F). It is hot-spring season in Beitou and Jiaoxi, and plum blossoms appear in the hills. In 2027, the run-up to Lunar New Year makes late January busy for shopping and travel.
February
Lunar New Year falls on 6 February 2027, and the government holiday runs from 4 to 10 February. Families travel home, high-speed rail and train tickets sell out as soon as they go on sale, and many small restaurants close for a few days. The Lantern Festival follows on 20 February 2027, with sky lanterns at Pingxi, fireworks at Yanshui near Tainan and the national Taiwan Lantern Festival, held in a different city each year. The first cherry blossoms open in the mountains late in the month.
March
Mild and changeable, with Taipei at about 23 °C (73 °F). Cherry blossom season reaches its peak at Alishan, where the forest recreation area is busiest in late March and early April. Crowds are moderate on weekdays. The south is dry and warm, and the Kenting coast is pleasant before the summer heat.
April
Warm, with spring showers in the north (Taipei about 26 °C/80 °F, 153 mm/6.0 in of rain). The Children’s Day and Tomb Sweeping Day holidays make a four-day break from 3 to 6 April 2027, when trains and the main sights are busy. Fireflies start to glow in the mountain forests around Alishan and Sun Moon Lake, and spring Mazu pilgrimages fill temples in central Taiwan. A very good month for Taroko and the east coast.
May
Warm and humid, and the plum rains (meiyu) usually begin: a stalled front can bring several days of heavy rain, especially in the mountains. Taipei reaches about 30 °C (85 °F) with about 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, and the south’s wet season starts. The Labor Day weekend (30 April to 2 May 2027) is busy. Firefly season continues.
June
Hot, with the last of the plum rains and heavy downpours: Taipei’s wettest month on average, with about 345 mm (13.6 in). The Dragon Boat Festival on 9 June 2027 brings races on rivers and harbors, including the Love River in Kaohsiung. Summer beach season begins at Kenting, Penghu and Green Island.
July
Peak summer: Taipei averages about 35 °C (95 °F) by day and 27 °C (80 °F) at night, with daily afternoon thunderstorms. Typhoon season gets under way; when one approaches, flights, ferries and mountain roads can close for a day or two. School holidays make beaches and island trips busy, and early mornings are the time for high-mountain hikes.
August
Hot and the wettest month in the south: about 512 mm (20.2 in) in Kaohsiung and 533 mm (21.0 in) at Hengchun, near Kenting. It is the main typhoon month. Ghost Month, the seventh lunar month, brings temple ceremonies and offerings.
September
Still hot and wet, with typhoons possible, but rain eases in the south late in the month. The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on 15 September 2027, with mooncakes and family barbecues, and Sun Moon Lake holds its famous mass swim across the lake, traditionally in September. Crowds drop after the summer holidays end.
October
One of the best months: drier and sunny in the west and south, with Taipei at about 28 °C (82 °F). National Day on 10 October brings fireworks and a long weekend (10–11 October in 2027). Typhoons are still possible early in the month, and it is the wettest month in Hualien, at about 351 mm (13.8 in). Great hiking weather in Yangmingshan and the central mountains.
November
Pleasant and fairly dry, with Taipei at about 25 °C (77 °F) and only 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain. Fall colors appear in the high mountains, and it is a good month for cycling, Taroko and the east coast. Crowds are moderate outside weekends.
December
Cool in the north, about 21 °C (70 °F) in Taipei, sunny and dry in the south. Christmas lights decorate Taipei, and New Year’s Eve fireworks at Taipei 101 draw big crowds. Constitution Day makes a long weekend from 24 to 26 December 2027. Alishan’s winter sunrises are clear but cold.
Best time to visit by destination
Taipei
October to December and March to May, when it is warm but not too hot or wet. Summer brings heat, thunderstorms and typhoon risk; winter is mild but often gray and drizzly. See our Taipei guide.
Tainan and Kaohsiung
October to April, the dry, sunny season, with highs of about 23–30 °C (73–86 °F). Summer is hot, with heavy rain from May to September and the chance of typhoons. See our Tainan and Kaohsiung guides.
Kenting National Park
October to May for dry, sunny weather and fewer crowds; June to September for the warmest sea, with more rain and typhoon risk. In winter, the northeast monsoon brings surf to the east coast and wind, so swim on the sheltered west side. See our Kenting guide.
Taroko National Park
March to May and October to November, avoiding the typhoon season and the heaviest fall rain, when roads and trails can close. Several famous trails remained closed in 2026 after the April 2024 earthquake, and Highway 8 through the gorge opens only at set times, so check the park’s notices before you go. See our Taroko guide.
Sun Moon Lake
October to April for drier, clearer weather; late winter for cherry blossoms and spring for fireflies. Weekends and holidays are busy, so go on weekdays if you can. See our Sun Moon Lake guide.
Alishan
October to April for clear sunrises and seas of clouds, and March to April for cherry blossoms; fireflies glow in the lower forests from April to June. Summer is very wet, with about 813 mm (32.0 in) in August. See our Alishan guide.
Best time for hiking, beaches, cycling and festivals
Hiking
October to November and March to April for most trails, from Taipei’s Elephant Mountain and Yangmingshan to Alishan and Taroko. The high peaks, such as Yushan, are often hiked in summer mornings and fall, with permits booked well ahead. See our hiking guide.
Beaches, snorkeling and diving
June to September for the warmest water at Kenting, Penghu and Green Island, with typhoon days to plan around; Kenting is swimmable much of the year. See our beaches, snorkeling and diving guides.
Surfing
Fall to spring, when the northeast monsoon brings swells to Yilan, the east coast and Kenting’s east side. See our surfing guide.
Cycling
October to December and March to April for the Sun Moon Lake path, the East Rift Valley and the round-island route. See our cycling guide.
Festivals
Lunar New Year (6 February 2027) and the Lantern Festival (20 February 2027), spring Mazu pilgrimages, the Dragon Boat Festival (9 June 2027), Ghost Month in August and the Mid-Autumn Festival (15 September 2027).
Seasons to plan around
- Typhoons: Taiwan lies on the main track of western Pacific typhoons, which affect the island mostly from July to October. When one approaches, the CWA issues sea and land warnings, flights and ferries are canceled, mountain roads close and local governments may declare a “typhoon day” off work and school. Keep summer plans flexible and follow the CWA’s warnings.
- Plum rains: the meiyu front usually brings days of heavy rain in May and June, with a higher risk of landslides in the mountains.
- The northeast monsoon: from about October to March, Taipei, Keelung and Yilan are cool, cloudy and drizzly, while the south stays dry and bright.
- Lunar New Year: 4–10 February 2027. Trains and buses sell out, prices rise and many small businesses close for several days.
- Long weekends: 27 February to 1 March, 3–6 April, 30 April to 2 May, 10–11 October and 24–26 December in 2027, when trains, hotels and the main sights fill up.
- Taroko closures: trail and road access in the gorge changes with repairs after the 2024 earthquake and after heavy rain; check before you go.
How long to stay
Five days covers Taipei and Tainan; a week adds Sun Moon Lake and Kaohsiung; ten days to two weeks lets you loop the island with Alishan, Kenting and Taroko on the east coast. In summer, leave a spare day for typhoon disruptions. See the sample itineraries in our Taiwan travel guide.
Best time to visit Taiwan: FAQ
What is the best month to visit Taiwan?
November is one of the best: dry and pleasant across most of the island, with typhoons unlikely. October, March and April are also very good.
What is the rainiest month in Taiwan?
In Taipei, June is wettest on average (about 345 mm/13.6 in), with August and September close behind; in the south, August (about 512 mm/20.2 in in Kaohsiung); and on the east coast, October (about 351 mm/13.8 in in Hualien).
When is typhoon season in Taiwan?
Typhoons can reach Taiwan from about June to November, most often from July to October.
Is Taiwan worth visiting in winter?
Yes, especially the south, which is sunny and about 23–24 °C (73–76 °F) by day in January. Taipei is cool, about 14–19 °C (58–67 °F), and often gray, which makes it a good time for hot springs.
Is Lunar New Year a good time to visit Taiwan?
It is festive, but transport sells out and many small shops and restaurants close for several days. In 2027, the holiday runs from 4 to 10 February; the Lantern Festival two weeks later is easier to enjoy.
When are the cherry blossoms in Taiwan?
From late February to April in the mountains, peaking at Alishan in late March and early April.
Sources · last reviewed 9 Oct 2026
Researched and last reviewed by TravelerCenter on 8 October 2026. Monthly temperatures and rainfall are the 1991–2020 monthly means of Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration; the 2027 holidays come from the official 2027 government calendar of the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration; Taroko’s closures from our Taroko guide and its sources; and seasons for each destination from our destination guides. Typhoon months, the Lantern Festival date (computed from Lunar New Year) and festival timings are general references, flagged for checking. Check forecasts and transport before you travel.
Also: CWA normals 1991–2020, Taipei (climate)
Data: Wikidata (CC0)