Top 10 Attractions Loved by Foreigners: Discover Taiwan with Your Kids

Compiled & Written by Lai Pengxiang

Stuck for ideas on where to take the family for fun this weekend? According to Google’s latest “Street View Hotspot Ranking,” the top spot among foreigners’ favorite Taiwanese attractions this year goes to Jiufen Old Street. Other entries include Anping in Tainan and Lukang Old Street in Changhua. Compared to last year’s rankings, this year’s list has seen a major shake-up, with old streets and offshore islands making up over half of the top spots in foreign netizens’ search for Taiwanese attractions. This shows that foreigners love the authentic local Taiwanese flavor. What are these quintessentially Taiwanese spots? Bring your kids along to discover the most beautiful side of Taiwan with the “foreigners”!

Lo Ta-yu has a well-known song called “Lukang Town.” The nostalgic Lukang Town, rich in retro charm, ranks as the ninth most loved Taiwanese attraction by foreigners. With its long history, fragrant osmanthus lanes, and the historically significant Mürü Lane, cultural landscapes and history can be found everywhere. Walking along the red-brick paths, free from the noise of traffic, visitors slow down their pace, strolling leisurely along the bricks and lingering in cultural workshops, immersing themselves in traditional shops to rediscover childhood memories. Ancient houses, amulets, and couplets on the gates all reflect the lifestyle and atmosphere of the elders of the past.

Photo Source: Tourism Information Network of Changhua County Government

The beautiful Yehliu area is abundant in seafood and boasts stunning scenery, making it a favorite among foreigners. The streets are lined with seafood shops where you can enjoy a variety of fresh and delicious marine delicacies—you definitely shouldn’t miss out on live seafood here. Examples include lobster, abalone, squid, clams, steamed grouper, seaweed, and more. Seafood shops are mostly concentrated around Yehliu Harbor and Dongao Harbor. At Yehliu Specialty Street, the entrance to the scenic area, and near the Ocean World, you can find local specialties such as dried anchovy, dried squid, dried cod, as well as some seaweed, refreshing grass jelly, or small shell jewelry.

Yehliu → Golden Beach Park → Jinbaoli Old Street (lunch) → Jumping Stone Coast → Shimen Cave → Linsen Nose → Baishawan → Sanzhi → Tamsui

In the culturally rich old city of Tainan, Anping Old Street is another beautiful spot favored by foreigners. Originally built by the Dutch, early Han Chinese referred to the Dutch as “red-haired,” hence naming this grand fortress “Red Hair City.” After renovation during the Japanese colonial period, it was renamed Anping Fortress. The bustling old street sells preserved fruits, toys, and Tainan’s famous shrimp crackers—delicious and impossible to get tired of. No wonder it has made it onto Google’s “Street View Hotspot Ranking.”

Known as the “Manhattan of Taipei,” the Xinyi Planning District is an emerging commercial area and currently the most iconic shopping district in Taipei. Between Sections 4 and 5 of Xinyi Road, there are numerous department stores, hotels, and trendy restaurants, reputed to be the most valuable area in Taipei. It includes Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Xinyi Store, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi New World, A4, New Stage, Vieshow Cinemas, Hyatt Hotel, and, of course, Taipei 101, which is a favorite among foreigners. Additionally, family-friendly Miramar Department Store is also located here, so you can bring your kids along for a visit too.

Kaohsiung’s newly emerged E-DA World Shopping Mall and E-DA Theme Park are not only loved by locals but also by foreigners. Bringing your kids here means they can have fun at the theme park, while moms can shop and dine at E-DA World Shopping Mall—perfectly ideal. Set off now.

Covering an area of 24.79 hectares, the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is located in central Taipei. It was built to commemorate the late President Chiang Kai-shek. Its design resembles the roof of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven and the structure of Egypt’s pyramids—tall and majestic. The main hall enshrines a seated bronze statue of President Chiang, and the base houses exhibition rooms and screening rooms displaying relics of his great contributions to the nation, available for public viewing. On either side of the memorial hall are the National Theater and National Concert Hall, both featuring classic Chinese palace-style architecture that is solemn and grand. Many domestic and international cultural performances are held here. Due to its vast space and beautiful architecture, it is a popular spot for gatherings, weddings, and photography, and has become a must-visit destination for foreign guests.

With the indigenous culture of the Tao people, Orchid Island has become one of its defining features. From here, you can gaze at the Pacific Ocean view. Domestic and international travelers who enjoy island holidays mostly won’t miss this beautiful island. Riding a scooter comfortably while looking at the sea clears away all the stress of city life. It’s also great for bringing your kids here to soak up the sun and enjoy a vacation.

Green Island, blessed with naturally beautiful seascapes, ranks third on Google’s latest “Street View Hotspot Ranking.” Located offshore from Taitung County, also known as Fire Island, it is the fourth-largest satellite island of Taiwan. It boasts world-famous underwater hot springs where you can enjoy soaking in the hot springs amidst the sea and blue skies. The island is surrounded by beautiful coral and natural underwater landscapes, making it a paradise for divers from around the world.

The bustling Taipei Main Station not only features a tri-rail hub but also offers delicious food at Breeze Center and Eslite Bookstore. Nearby, there are also cram schools on Nanyang Street and other station-area commercial zones. As the transportation hub of Taipei and a key metro interchange, it’s a place almost every local and foreign visitor in Taipei will go. The vibrant scene of Taipei Main Station naturally makes it a popular attraction.

The top spot on this year’s Google “Street View Hotspot Ranking” is Jiufen Old Street. Some say Jiufen became famous because of the movie “A City of Sadness,” but that might just be because they haven’t truly experienced its beauty. Jiufen not only retains old Japanese-era architecture but, more importantly, the atmosphere of a mountain town. Though the old street is always bustling today, only in Jiufen can you enjoy the unique joy of exploring quiet paths with scenic views. Here, you simply must try a bowl of taro balls. In fact, there are many other nostalgic snacks to choose from. Keyshan Street, Shuqi Road, and Qianbian Road form a real-life storybook where you can uncover the fascinating tales of Jiufen. You can stroll and snack, eat as you walk. If you have more time, head to the Gold Ecological Museum to catch a glimpse of the former gold rush era.

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