Taiwan Round-the-Island Tour | Recommended Self-Driving Routes, Itinerary Information and Precautions for Taiwan

Surrounded by the sea, Taiwan boasts diverse and unique landscapes across its islands. Its 1,200-kilometer-long island-wide route attracts many self-driving tourists. With its extensive network of highways, travelers can adjust their routes according to the length of their trip, enjoying the beautiful coastline along the way and satisfying both in-depth exploration and short road trips.

Pay attention to the local climate

When planning your trip, you need to pay attention to the weather and road conditions for the month of departure. For example, will the trip be affected by the rainy season or typhoons, or are there any specific festivals or events you would like to participate in? This information will help you better plan your island tour itinerary and the number of days.

Taiwan self-driving rules

Because driving rules in Taiwan differ from those in Hong Kong, travelers should be aware of Taiwan's driving regulations when planning their trip. These regulations include left-hand drive and different road rights. Travelers holding a valid Hong Kong driving license can drive in Taiwan within 30 days with no International Driving Permit required. But a valid Hong Kong driving license, passport, and credit card must be shown. For other car rental details, please refer to the Taiwan Self-Drive Car Rental Guide written by Kwiksure.

Essential items for the car

• Documents (license plates, international license plates, passports)
• Phone stand
• GPS navigation
• Car charger
• charging cable
• Commonly used medicines
• Lightweight raincoat/umbrella
• Paper money/ change
• snack
• trash bag
• Child car seat (if traveling with young children)
• Toilet paper and wet wipes

Roundabout direction and route

The most common route around the island is clockwise or counterclockwise, circling Taiwan. Some people also choose a figure-eight or zigzag route. If it's your first time circumnavigating the island, it's recommended to start with a clockwise or counterclockwise route. A counterclockwise route along the east coast will get you closest to the coastline, allowing you to enjoy the scenery along the way.

Purchase travel insurance that covers your self-driving tour.

Most car rental companies only provide basic insurance coverage for damage to the vehicle and theft. Even if some rental plans include third-party liability coverage, they may not cover medical and hospitalization expenses in the event of an accident; in such cases, the renter will also need to pay a deductible. Purchase travel insurance with deductible coverage for car rentals, which can serve as a complement, not only covering medical care during the trip but also compensating for the exclusions of car rental insurance.

Driving route

• Taipei → Taichung → Chiayi → Tainan → Kaohsiung → Pingtung → Taitung → Hualien → Yilan → Taipei

Driving Precautions

• Take National Highway 1 or National Highway 3 south to connect with the South Link Highway, then take Provincial Highway 11 (Coastal Highway) and return to the north via the Suhua Highway.
• The counter-clockwise driving route is closest to the coastline on the east coast, allowing for coastal driving along the highway.
• The Suhua Highway is highly susceptible to weather conditions due to its rugged terrain; please check the Highway Bureau’s Real-time Traffic Conditions before setting off.
• In the event of severe weather or earthquake, some sections of the road may be subject to traffic control or closure.

Itinerary Features

• With ample time, explore the unique attractions across Taiwan.
• In-depth travel options
• The driving route is closest to the coastline, offering stunning sea views along the way.

Featured attractions along the way

Taichung — Gaomei Wetlands

Located in Qingshui District, Taichung City, Gaomei Wetlands is renowned for its sunsets, boardwalks, intertidal ecosystems, and wind turbines. It was even selected as one of the world's seven "sky mirrors." It is recommended to arrive in the afternoon or before sunset to witness the breathtaking sunset. Because Gaomei Wetlands is a coastal area, the boardwalks may be closed during high tide. Therefore, it is advisable to check the Seawater tidal time or the Wooden boardwalk opening hours before visiting to avoid being unable to enter Gaomei Wetlands due to high tide.

Gaomei Wetlands

• Address: 436 Meiti Street, Qingshui District, Taichung City, Taiwan
• Parking: There are 4 to 5 paid parking lots nearby. For details, please visit the Gaomei Wetlands Official Website

Chiayi - Alishan National Forest Recreation Area

Alishan National Forest Recreation Area is located in eastern Chiayi County. It is famous for its sunrises, seas of clouds, railways, forests, and sunsets. It boasts a rich natural ecology and offers different scenery in each season, making it a popular tourist destination.

Alishan National Forest Recreation Area

• Address: No. 59, East, Zhongzheng Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan 605
• Driving directions: Refer to the official website
• Parking: The official website includes information on parking lots, traffic hotspots, and pedestrian flow

Pingtung — Pingtung National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium

Pingtung Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium is located in Checheng Township, Pingtung County. This Michelin Green Guide three-star must-see attraction offers not only sightseeing but also educational value. The aquarium houses a variety of marine life, including beluga whales, penguins, and seals, and features Taiwan's first blue whale skeleton specimen. It also offers interactive activities such as feeding demonstrations and a touch pool, making it ideal for families.

Pingtung Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium

• Address: 944 No. 2, Houwan Road, Checheng Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan
• Self-driving route: View one-click navigation and nearby traffic information on the website.
• Parking: A Tourist parking lot is available

Taitung — Taimali Golden Needle Mountain

Jinzhen Mountain, located in Taimali Township at an altitude of approximately 1,450 meters, is named for its abundant daylily flowers. Every year from August to September, when the daylilies are in full bloom, a vast expanse of golden flowers transforms the area into a breathtaking sea of color. Even outside of daylily season, different flowers can be enjoyed throughout the year. However, road traffic control measures will be in place during the flower season; please check traffic information before traveling.

Taimali Jinzhenshan Leisure Agriculture Area

• Address: 96346 No. 292, Dawang Village, Taimali Township, Taitung County, Taiwan
• Driving directions: After entering Taimali City via Provincial Highway 9, turn onto Jinxuan Road. Continue straight for about 500 meters, then turn left and continue to the end of the road. Turn right again, and after about 150 meters, turn left onto Jialun Industrial Road.
• Fog is common during the rainy season, and cell phone signals may be unstable in mountainous areas. Please drive carefully and pay close attention to road signs
• The mountain roads are quite rugged, so it is recommended to choose a vehicle with sufficient power
• Parking: Depending on the location, please refer to the Taimali Township Office Website

Yilan - Jiaoxi Hot Spring Park

Jiaoxi Township in Yilan is famous for its hot springs. It has free foot baths where visitors can experience the hot spring water to relieve fatigue. The park is surrounded by greenery and has a quiet environment, where you can take a walk and enjoy a leisurely time.

Jiaoxi Hot Spring Park

• Address: 262 No. 60, Lane 70, Gongyuan Road, Yushi Village, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, Taiwan
• Self-driving route: View one-click navigation and nearby traffic information on the website.
• Parking: Roadside paid parking is available. If the parking lot is full, you will need to park in the Outer parking lot

Driving route

• Tainan → Luye → Hualien → Nan'ao Township, Yilan → Miaoli → Tainan

Itinerary Features

• The Luye Hot Air Balloon Carnival is held annually, offering participants a variety of special festival activities.
• Starting in Tainan, explore less-visited attractions.
• Combining mountain and water scenery

Featured attractions along the way

Luye - International Hot Air Balloon Carnival

The International Hot Air Balloon Festival is held annually at Luye Highland, where visitors can witness colorful hot air balloons taking flight. In the evenings, there are light sculpture concerts and drone shows, and visitors can even participate in a tethering experience.

Luye International Hot Air Balloon Carnival 2026

• Address: 955 Lane 42, Gaotai Road, Yong'an Village, Luye Township, Taitung County, Taiwan
• Event Dates: July 4 - August 20
• Details on online booking for the tethered experience: Please refer to the official website.
• Driving directions: Please check the official website for updates
• Parking: Parking was provided by private organizations in previous years; please check the Official website for the latest news

Nan'ao Township – Aohua Waterfall

Aohua Waterfall is located in a valley about 6 kilometers northwest of Aohua Village in Nan'ao Township. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from the village to the waterfall area. The waterfall area boasts pristine mountain forests and valley scenery, with abundant water cascading down, making it a natural summer resort. However, Aohua Waterfall is not an open attraction, and a section of the trail behind the bridge was washed away by a typhoon in the past, requiring a river crossing to pass. If the current is rapid, do not go there, and beware of your own safety.

Australian Flower Waterfall

• Address: 272 Aohua Village, Nan'ao Township, Yilan County, Taiwan
• Driving directions: Directly locate "Aohua Waterfall" or "Aohua Elementary School"
• Parking: There is an open space for parking at the entrance of Aohua Waterfall in Nan'ao Township (next to the large stone monument). The road ahead is narrow, so it is not advisable to drive there to avoid scratching your vehicle.

Miaoli - Flying Cow Ranch

Located in Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, Flying Cow Ranch is a tourist ranch in Taiwan, covering more than 100 hectares. It offers livestock experiences, guided tours of the natural ecology, accommodation, and camping and barbecue areas, making it suitable for families. In addition to seeing cows, sheep, horses, and other animals on the grassland, visitors can also experience milking cows, feeding calves, and tasting their own dairy products.

Flying Bull Ranch

• Address: 35750 No. 166, Nanhe Village, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, Taiwan
• Driving directions: Directly locate Flying Bull Ranch
• Parking: The ranch has a parking lot 

Driving route

• Taipei → Hualien → Nantou → Taichung → Taipei

Driving Precautions

• Affected by the 2024 Hualien earthquake, Taiwan Highway 8 is still under repair. You need to take Provincial Highway 9, then National Highways 5, 3, and 6 to reach Nantou.

Itinerary Features

• Combining urban life and nature
• Short driving distance
• Enjoy the scenery

Featured attractions along the way

Hualien - Qixingtan

Qixingtan Beach is an arc-shaped bay, hence its nickname "Crescent Bay." The local seawater is clean and azure, and the beach is scattered with many unique Hualien stones, making it a perfect place for a stroll along the shore, enjoying the beautiful scenery, listening to the waves, and watching the sunrise and sunset.

Seven Star Pool

• Address: 971 No. 5, Lane 79, Qixing Street, Dahan Village, Xincheng Township, Hualien County, Taiwan
• Driving directions: Directly locate Qixingtan Scenic Area
• Parking: Private parking is available at the entrance of the scenic area

Nantou – Wangyou Forest

Wangyou Forest is located beside Shanlin Creek in Lugu Township, Nantou County, at an altitude of about 1,600 meters. It is a group of dead Japanese cedar trees formed after the 921 earthquake due to flooding. It is famous for the hazy landscape of towering dead trees and their reflections in the water, and is also known as "Fairyland on Earth" or "Misty Forest". Since the mountain slope is very steep, it is recommended to take a shuttle bus to get there.

Wangyou Forest

• Address: 557 No. 1-8, Xishan Road, Da'an Village, Zhushan Township, Nantou County, Taiwan
• Driving directions: Directly locate Wangyou Forest
• Parking: There is no dedicated parking lot. You will need to find a roadside parking space yourself. You can park in the open area near the entrance and then take a shuttle bus to Wangyou Forest.

Driving route

• Taichung → Tainan → Kaohsiung → Taitung → Hualien → Yilan → Taichung

Driving Precautions

• If you're planning a mountain tour, you can follow Provincial Highway 9 to explore the eastern mountain route to Hualien and Yilan.
• If you wish to explore the coastal area, you can take Provincial Highway 11 and drive along the east coast.

Itinerary Features

• You can choose between the mountain route and the coastal route based on your personal preference
• A condensed island-hopping itinerary, perfect for a holiday getaway.
• The attractions are mostly natural landscapes, suitable for travelers who love nature.

Featured attractions along the way

Tainan — Sicao Green Tunnel

Known as the "Taiwanese Amazon," the 800-meter-long Sicao Green Tunnel is located in Taijiang National Park. Visitors can take a sightseeing raft to cruise through the tunnel, admire the rich mangrove wetland ecosystem, and also catch a glimpse of the "angel's kiss" fairyland formed by the reflection of trees on the water.

Sicao Green Tunnel

• Opening hours: 08:00 - 16:00
• Address: 709 No. 360, Dazhong Road, Sicao Village, Annan District, Tainan City, Taiwan
• Driving directions: Directly locate the Sicao Green Tunnel
• Parking lot: Drivers can park their cars at the Yan'an Road off-street parking lot or the Yantian Park Roadside Parking Lot

Taitung — Mr. Brown Avenue

Mr. Brown Avenue stretches for approximately 2.2 kilometers, flanked by vast rice paddies free of utility poles. As the rice ripens, the lush green fields gradually turn golden, making it a popular tourist attraction in eastern Taiwan. Since cars and motorcycles are prohibited on Mr. Brown Avenue, visitors can park their vehicles and rent bicycles or walk there.

Mr. Brown Avenue

• Address: 958 Jinxin No. 3 Road, Chishang Township, Taitung County, Taiwan
• Driving directions: Directly locate Mr. Brown Avenue
• Parking: Available for parking up to Parking lot on the west side of Dapo Pond or Chishang Station Parking Lot

Driving route

• Taipei → Jiufen → Shifen → Taipei

Itinerary Features

• The itinerary is easy to follow and can be started at any time, making it suitable for weekend getaways.
• Flash mob traverses urban and mountain cities
• Short trips to popular attractions in northern Taiwan

Featured attractions along the way

Taipei — Jiufen Old Street

Jiufen is located in Ruifang District, New Taipei City. It boasts both high mountain barriers and a vast sea view. Jiufen Old Street is a historic street that brings together various shops and traditional delicacies, as well as historical buildings such as teahouses and opera stages.

Jiufen Old Street

• Address: 224 Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan
• Driving directions: Directly locate Jiufen Old Street
• Parking: There are 3 paid parking lots nearby. There are approximately 200 parking spaces in Taiyang Parking Lot; approximately 67 parking spaces in Jiufen rooftop parking lot, and 23 parking spaces in City God Temple Parking Lot

Taipei – Shifen Scenic Area

Shifen Scenic Area is located in Pingxi District, New Taipei City, and includes Shifen Waterfall, Shifen Old Street, and the train station. Shifen Waterfall is the widest waterfall in Taiwan, and rainbows often appear when sunlight refracts through it. Shifen Old Street is famous for its unique railway scenery and the tradition of releasing sky lanterns. You can also visit the nearby Jing'an Suspension Bridge to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the train and the mountain city.

Ten scenic special areas

• Address: 226 Pingxi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan
• Driving directions: The location can be set to the Shifen Visitor Center
• Parking: A parking lot is available at the midpoint. It takes about 15 minutes to walk to the waterfall and about 10 minutes to walk to Shifen Old Street.

Carefully inspect the vehicle when renting it.

When picking up the vehicle, carefully inspect the vehicle for any damage and take photos or videos for documentation. If any damage is found, ask the rental company staff to list it on the receipt. Before departure, you should also test the vehicle's performance with the rental company staff, checking features such as the braking system and tires to ensure the vehicle is functioning properly.

Write down the emergency contact number

Self-driving tours require thorough preparation, and in the unfortunate event of an accident, 24-hour emergency support is crucial. In addition to local police and emergency assistance hotlines, travelers should also ensure they have saved Travel insurance emergency support hotlines and car rental company contact numbers to their phone for emergencies.

View real-time traffic information

Because some roads in Taiwan have rugged terrain and are easily affected by weather, it is essential to check the real-time traffic conditions before departure. Especially on the Suhua Highway and the South Link Highway on the east coast, special attention should be paid when traveling during the plum rain and typhoon seasons. At the same time, it is also necessary to pay attention to earthquake forecasts and road control information.

Drivers should allow sufficient rest time.

During the trip, drivers need to focus on driving. To ensure safety, drivers should not drive for too long each day, and it is recommended to take a break every 1.5 to 2 hours to avoid affecting their mental state and travel mood. Therefore, when planning the itinerary, avoid scheduling too many attractions.

Book a hotel with parking.

When renting a car to drive around the island, it is very important to choose a hotel with parking or nearby parking spaces. When planning your trip, in addition to considering the hotel price and location, you should also pay attention to whether it has free or paid parking. Before booking, you can also ask if parking spaces need to be reserved or check the information of nearby parking lots.