Taiwan’s rainbow villages, colorful creative parks and vibrant villages make it one of the world’s Instagram hotspots and top TikTok places.
From Ximending’s excellent street-art to colorful fishing harbors and even a ‘Rainbow Railway’, Taiwan is tops for dazzling day-trips and epic excursions.
Kaohsiung is a kaleidoscope of color with the Dome of Light, Weiwuying Street Art Village plus the vibrant tropical colors of Rainbow Church on Cijin island, but the likes of Taichung, Tainan, Keelung and Jiufen all feature too.
From blinged bus-stops to animation alleys, illuminated lanterns to Harry Potter-esque highlights, this is our guide to Taiwan’s most colorful cities and attractions.
This article was originally published on 9 September 2024.
Taiwan checklist
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For booking tours, transfers and buying SIM cards/eSIMs we recommend Klook, Get Your Guide, Viator or KK Day.
For booking rental cars visit Discover Cars. For private drivers and taxis, check out our Transfer guide >
For more recommendations, check out our Taiwan travel booking resources page >
All set for Taiwan? Do one final check with our Taipei first timers guide and our packing list guide. Travelling with kids? Check out our Taipei For Kids eBook >
You might like – Our 1 day Taipei highlights itinerary, or our ‘best of Taipei’ 3 day itinerary
Instagrammable Taiwan locations and Rainbow Villages
1. Weiwuying Street Art Village / WeiWu Mi Mi Village
Could Weiwuying Street Art Village / WeiWu Mi Mi Village be Taiwan’s most colorful place?
Bigger than the famous Rainbow Village in Taichung, Weiwuying Street Art Village has welcomed illustrators and street artists from all over the world to create a kaleidoscope of color in Kaohsiung.
A rainbow residential estate on the outskirts of Kaohsiung in the Lingya District, Weiwuying Street Art Village (衛武營街頭藝術彩繪) is easily accessible by the Kaohsiung MRT and one of the best free things to do in Kaohsiung.
From the most marvelous murals to sublime street alleys, here is our guide to visiting Weiwuying Street Art Village with more photos >
Try this – Top 10 Kaohsiung tours with Viator >
2. Taiwan Rainbow Village in Taichung
The Rainbow Village in Taichung (彩虹眷村) is a popular tourist attraction and Instagram hotspot, but is it still worth visiting?
After a recent spate of vandalism at the Rainbow Village Taiwan (ironically by those who were paid to look after it), many of the original features and walls have now been painted over or replaced with crochet coverings completed by the local school and artists.
We revisited Taiwan’s Rainbow Village in early 2024 after it had recently reopened to the public.
Still incredibly popular with dozens of tourists filing through during our visit (with even an impromptu performance by a mysterious singing Iron Man), it remains one of the most popular things to do in Taichung (and certainly the most colorful attraction)!
From opening times to how to get there plus photos of the new artwork, here is our ultimate guide to visiting the ‘new’ Taichung Rainbow Village >
Check out these Rainbow Village tours with Klook >
3. Zhengbin Fishing Harbor
Taiwan’s most colorful port, Zhengbin Fishing Harbor in Keelung is a kaleidoscope of rainbow and pastel colors, reminiscent of Burano in Italy.
A popular Keelung tourist attraction and less than one hour away from Taipei, the colorful houses of Zhengbin Fishing Harbor (AKA Zhengbin Port Color Houses – 正濱漁港) are a popular Keelung Instagram and social media selfie spot.
From its history to other nearby attractions (like the weird and wonderful ‘hot-dog’ bus-stop), here is our guide to Zhengbin Fishing Harbor village in Keelung, Taiwan >
Check out this Northeast Coast Instagram tour in New Taipei including Zhengbin Fishing Harbor >
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4. Taipei Street Art in America Street, Ximending
Explore Ximending’s America Street (Lane 96) and you’ll discover a whole world of street art and magnificent murals.
Although Taipei’s laws around graffiti are not too strict, many of the Ximending street art murals are sanctioned by the Taipei Youth Art Centre, whereby local business owners are contacted to see if they’ll allow an artist to complete a piece on their blank walls.
Given the lax laws, Taipei is awash with colorful street art but the alleyways around Ximending are some of the best areas to see a highly concentrated area of superb street art.
You might like – Where to stay in Taipei / best Taiwan neighborhoods >
5. Taiwan Lantern Festivals
Each year during the Lunar New Year Celebrations, there are incredible lantern displays at various Taiwan temples and shrines (like Longshan Temple), across traditional Taiwanese neighborhoods (like Dihua Street in Taipei) plus dedicated lantern festivals.
Each year, a different city holds the national Taiwan Lantern Festival and we were lucky enough to attend the 2025 Taiwan lantern festival in Taoyuan. Thousands of colorful lantern displays big and small sprang up just outside Taoyuan HSR station and along a nearby trail, attracting millions of visitors!
There is also a smaller annual Taipei lantern festival (usually held around Ximending) but do go to the main Taiwan lantern festival if you can. We’ve also been to lovely lantern festivals in Hualien and Kaohsiung.
You might like – 25+ things to do in Taipei at night >
9. The Dome of Light in Kaohsiung
The Dome of Light at Kaohsiung Formosa Boulevard Station is pretty unique, and often described as the “world’s most beautiful station”.
Like no other Taiwan attraction we’ve seen before or since, Kaohsiung’s Dome of Light (水仙大師) is free and the world’s largest indoor installation made of glass tiles.
Featuring Italian produced coloured glass and designed by Narcissus Quagliata, the Dome of Light is part MRT station, part gallery and also includes a light show several times a day.
Taiwanderers tip – don’t stick around for the hourly ‘light-show’ as it is terrible; it looks its most colorful during normal operation.
Check out our full guide to the Dome of Light in Kaohsiung >
You might like – Our guide to Pier 2 Art Center in Kaohsiung (lots of murals, installations and museums) >
7. ‘Rainbow Church’ on Cijin Island in Kaohsiung
Did you know that Taiwan is home to Cijin Island – a ‘tropical paradise’ just a short five minute ferry ride from Kaohsiung?
Kaohsiung is known for its popular attractions, but for something a little more scenic and back to nature, explore the beaches and Instagrammable coastal statues of Cijin Island.
Possibly the island’s most famous attraction is the Rainbow Church, a social media hotspot.
It is actually more of a contemporary art installation than a place of religion – although Instagrammers do seem to worship it! We knew it was a very well known photo spot, purely by the sheer number of people queuing to have their pictures taken.
You might like our guide to Cijin Island in Kaohsiung including how to get the ferry>
First time in Taipei? Check out these helpful guides:
- Taoyuan Airport MRT Train to Taipei city guide >
- How to use / buy a Taiwan EasyCard >
- Taipei 1 day itinerary >
- Taipei 3 day itinerary >
- Best Taipei neighborhoods to stay in >
- Best Taipei shopping malls >
- Unique and unusual Taipei activities >
- Things to do in Taipei with kids >
- 25+ Taipei at night activities >
- Din Tai Fung dumpling restaurant guide >
- Taipei’s highest cafe, Simple Kaffa Sola 101 >
8. Shifen Lantern Release
Taiwanese rainbow lanterns can be released daily from the train tracks by Shifen Old Street and Shifen Station, part of the Pingxi Line and an easy day trip from Taipei.
It is busiest during Lunar New Year as people release lanterns covered in handwritten good luck messages and wishes of prosperity.
You can release lanterns in Shifen via the stalls along the railway any time of year but there is also an annual mass release of lanterns (usually over two weekends). It takes place at the Shifen Sky Lantern Square stage near Shifen Visitor Center; expect huge queues!
Book your Shifen Sky Lantern release in advance here (redeem via QR code) or this Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen, Shifen, and Golden Waterfall day tour with Klook.
You might like our guides to the Pingxi Line or Shifen Waterfall.
Try this – Top Taipei Food Tours with Viator and Klook
9. Dihua Street During Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year is a colorful Taiwan celebration and it brings good fortune for many – including us as our first ever visit to Dihua Street in Taipei coincided with all the Lunar New Year festivities.
As well as the temples being awash with red lanterns and the constant smoke and bangs of fire-crackers being set off, Dihua Street is filled with stalls and revelers.
It truly is a magical place any time but especially during Chinese New Year. Read our Dihua Street Lunar New Year guide with more pictures here >
You might like our guide to Dihua Street and Dadaocheng District in Taipei >
10. Ximending Rainbow Six Crossing / Taipei 101 Rainbow Walk
One of Ximending’s most colorful spots is the Rainbow Six Crossing (by the No.6 exit of Ximen MRT Station).
Taiwan is one of the most progressive Asian countries, same-sex marriage between citizens became legal in Taiwan on 24 May 2019, the first country in Asia to do so. To celebrate this, Rainbow Six crossing was installed at the main intersection near to the Red House.
The LGBTQ+ bar scene in Ximending by the Red House is fun and safe to explore in the evenings.
You might like our guide to Taipei’s Red House in Ximen >
Xinyi also has its own Rainbow Crossing in front of Taipei City Hall. It is a popular Taipei Instagram-spot and makes for a great Taipei 101 fireworks viewing spot.
Check out this Taipei LGBT tour with Viator >
11. Gushan Fish Market, Kaohsiung
If you are taking the short ferry ride to Cijin Island from Kaohsiung Gushan Ferry Pier, be sure to keep an eye out for the rainbow houses across the water, part of Gushan Fish Market.
The ferry from Kaohsiung to Cijin Island in 2025 is only 20 TWD one way when paid by EasyCard, or 30 TWD when paid either via cash. It is worth it for the waterside view of Gushan Fish Market alone but Cijin Island also has many things to do.
You might like – Top 10 Hello Kitty things to do in Taiwan >
12. Alishan Forest National Park
We’ve already mentioned the Sea of Clouds but Alishan Forest itself must be one of the most beautiful and Instagrammable places in Taiwan.
Likely part of most traveller’s dream Taiwan itinerary, Alishan National Forest Recreation Area in Chiayi County is one of Formosa’s fantastic natural wonders.
From its ancient tall trees to cherry blossom trails, panoramic views and the famous Alishan Forest Railway, this is an amazing way to get back to nature (and then obviously put it on Instagram).
We spent several nights in early 2025 staying in Alishan – here is our Alishan itinerary for 2 or 3 days with lots of trail tips >
13. Jianguo Jade Market and Holiday Flower Market
A ‘gem’ of a Taipei weekend market, Jianguo Jade Market and Holiday Flower Market (建國玉市) takes place every Saturday and Sunday in Taipei’s Da’an District.
Located beneath an overpass below one of Taipei’s busiest roads, Jianguo Jade Market and flower market is full of color, from beautiful flowers to gorgeous jewelry like green jade necklaces.
Even if you aren’t in the market for buying jewelry or gifts, it is a fun Taipei weekend activity to witness, always bustling with locals, many of whom are accompanied by their beloved dogs in prams!
From opening hours to different stall types, here is our guide to Jianguo Jade Market and Holiday Flower Market >
Try this – Yilan East Coast & Kavalan Whisky Distillery day tour from Taipei >
14. Painted Animation Lane, Taichung
Channel your inner anime by visiting Taichung’s animation alley – these are two laneways adorned with paintings of all your favorite cartoon characters including Super Mario, Spongebob Squarepants, Studio Ghibli, the Simpsons, Deadpool and Pokemon (plus loads more that we can’t name!).
There are lots of selfie spots and Instagrammable poses but we think the best is the Totoro bus stop – it is just a shame the ‘Cat Bus’ didn’t show on time!
You might like – 40 cool and cute Taiwan EasyCard designs >
15. Da’an Park Flower Festival in Taipei
A green oasis in a very busy city, Daan Forest Park in Taipei is a sprawling open space popular with families and walkers – it is particularly colorful during Daan Park Azalea festival held in March.
The park blooms into life with colorful floral displays of awesome azalea attracting thousands of visitors (and butterflies!).
The azaleas in Daan Park looked incredible, like a carpet of rainbow colors, plus the trees were strung with thousands of rainbow paper cranes.
Dotted around the park were floral floats and flower displays (including a giant robot!), all of which were free to visit – musical concerts were also put on at the amphitheater.
Read our full guide to exploring Da’an Park any time of year here >
Try this – Din Tai Fung dinner & Raohe Night Market night tour in Taipei >
16. Jiufen Tea Houses and lanterns
Exploring the mountain town of Jiufen in Taiwan (east of Taipei) feels a little like being in a fantasy movie.
With its historic narrow streets, packed full of beautiful tea-houses and street food stalls, set amidst a backdrop of stunning coastal views, Juifen almost feels unreal.
One of the most picturesque places in Taiwan (albeit likely with huge crowds), Instagram hot-spots and colorful Jiufen places include the lanterns of Jiufen Old Street plus the famous A-Mei Tea-house.
To get photos without crowds, you really need to stay in Jiufen overnight and stay up late or get up early for sunrise. Check out our Jiufen guide here >
Check out this Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen day tour with Taiwanese pastry making >
17. Shennong Street in Tainan
Possibly the prettiest and most picturesque street in Tainan, Shennong Street used to be the main entrance for the river ports during the time of the Qing Dynasty.
Shennong Street has a glut of gift-shops (some of which stay open late) and the alley looks cute and colorful anytime of the year (many of the nearby side-streets also have murals).
We once visited Shennong Street during Chinese New Year so the walls were adorned with red Chinese lanterns, and each shop was taking part in a decorative lantern competition, which they had proudly displayed outside their stores.
You might like our things to do in Tainan guide >
18. Shizhuo’s Tea Fields
‘Drink in’ the tea-filled views of Shizhuo – this traditional Taiwanese town high in the hills is small but sublime, which makes it easy to explore with several Shizhuo trails.
Taiwan’s tea fields are aplenty around here and thankfully, the green and verdant valleys of Shizhuo are just a bus ride away from Alishan and Chiayi.
One of our Shizhuo highlights is the tranquil temple right in the tea-fields, Wu Feng Temple.
With names like Sunset Trail and Sakura trail in Shizhuo, you kind of know you are going to be able to add some gorgeous shots to ‘gram.
Read our guide to Shizhuo including how to get there >
19. Ten Drum Cultural Park, Tainan
A cultural park located in an old sugar refinery, Ten Drum Cultural Park is one of our top Tainan things to do.
Although not a theme park in the strictest sense, it has parts of the old refinery that have been transformed into attractions, like cafes in old industrial drums or flying foxes from the tops of buildings.
The highlight of the park has to be the live drumming show in the Dream Sugar Theatre but there is also a super-cute Harry Potter style ‘Rainbow Magic Street’ which a train regularly departs through.
There are also lots of other fantasy style features like the Harry Potter inspired Magical Space (an Instagrammer’s dream) with winged books and a lovely library setting, and the Game of Thrones style chair.
A bus ride or train / taxi journey away from downtown Tainan, book your discounted Ten Drum Cultural Village tickets here >
You might like – Our Taiwan Sun Moon Lake destination guides >
20. Taiwan Cherry Blossoms
The best time of the year to see Taiwan cherry blossom ‘spring’ into life is usually late Jan / mid February to mid March (although the unpredictable nature of Taiwan’s weather means this is never guaranteed).
Top Taiwan cherry blossom spots include Yangmingshan NP in Taipei, Wuling Farm in Taichung, Beitou, Sun Moon Lake, Maolin National Scenic Area in Kaohsiung and Alishan forest in Chiayi (which is usually one of the latest to bloom).
A couple of popular Taipei cherry blossom spots in Taipei are the Wuji Tianyuan Temple in Tamsui plus the Lohas Cherry Blossom Festival which we attended in 2025.
You might like our monthly guides to all the best Taiwan festivals, events and exhibitions >
21. Sanxiantai Arch Bridge
Alas, not so colorful on the day we visited as it was wet weather and grey skies – however, Sanxiantai Arch Bridge is an epic crossing across the ocean, with eight sections and painted in pastel colors.
The Sanxiantai Arch Bridge is said to represent a giant dragon stretching across the sea and is accessible from Taitung via the Taiwan tourist shuttle, day tours or car.
22. Tainan Blueprint Creative Park
Taiwan is famous for its Instagrammable creative parks (especially in Taipei) and Tainan is no exception.
Home to independent, quirky shops, food stalls and pop up art installations and murals, Blueprint Creative Park came to be after local artists expressed a desire to be able to legally paint on walls somewhere in the city.
Working with local artists, the local Government converted old Japanese Government dormitories into a Blueprint Cultural Park (hence its ‘shabby chic’ appearance).
Tainan’s creative park has lots of street art adorned on the walls plus there are permanent shops and weekend craft markets.
You might like – Our first timers guide to Taipei and Taiwan >
23. Keelung hot dog bus stop / themed bus stop
Across the harbor from colorful Keelung Zhengbin Fishing Harbour, another popular Instagram shoot spot is the American diner / hot-dog themed bus stop – we’ve seen it a fair few times on TikTok too.
This particular Keelung bus-stop is covered in American diner style graphics and is a homage to the hotdog.
There are several other themed bus stops in Keelung including a technology themed one down the road at City God Temple.
You might like – The best Taiwan phone apps guide >
24. Liaoning Street Night Market, Taipei
This Taipei ‘goose’ GLOWS at night! ‘Liaoning Street Goose Meat City Live Seafood’ (鵝肉城活海鮮) is a Taipei restaurant known for its bright neon lights & big menu.
Located on Liaoning Street in the Zhongshan district, the area is also home to the lesser known Liaoning Night Market in Taipei.
Whilst not as big and bold as other Taiwan night markets, we loved it as there were no tourists there and it was so photogenic and Instagrammable Taiwan at its best – neon noir meets authentic local cuisine that smelt soooo good!
One of our Taiwan Travel Tips Facebook group members also said it reminded him of all the Hong Kong neon restaurants.
Local dishes served at the Liaoning Street Night Market include roasted duck, danzai noodles and super stinky tofu – go take some photos of the neon restaurant signs and then fill ya boots!
You might like – Our guide to the 12 best night markets in Taiwan >
25. Lotus Lake Temples (currently undergoing renovations), Kaohsiung
2025 update – as of April 2025, the scaffolding has been removed from the famous dragon and tiger pagodas and you can see them unobstructed – they even light up at night. However, the interiors are still closed to the public. It will hopefully reopen sometime in 2025.
A short train or bus ride away from downtown Kaohsiung brings you to Lotus Lake – one of the top Kaohsiung things to do and famous for its eponymous lotus flowers and amazing Instagram hotspots.
The annual Kaohsiung Lantern Festival also often takes place at Lotus Lake, when it becomes even more colorful and Instagrammable.
It is also famous for being home to several large statues and religious shrines – the most famous of these (and likely the ones you will have seen on Instagram) are the Tiger and Dragon Pagodas, the Spring and Autumn Pavilions plus the Beiji Xuantian Shang Di Pavilion.
Our favourite pagodas at Lotus Lake are the Tiger and Dragon pagodas as we had never seen anything like this before.
In line with Taiwanese tradition, we visited by entering through the dragon’s mouth and out via the tiger’s jaws to hopefully increase our good fortune.
You might like – Beitou; our guide to Taipei’s famous hot spring village >
26. Chin Men Movie Theater, Tainan
2025 Update – the theater has sadly closed down in early 2025 but there is hope the artwork and building may be saved.
Chin Men is the only theater left in Taiwan that still displays hand drawn movie posters, many of which can be seen outside the theater and on the surrounding streets. It is a popular photo spot in Tainan given all the amazing artwork.
Created and lovingly hand-painted by Yan Jhen Fa for the last 50 years, his eyesight is now sadly starting to deteriorate so the tradition may soon die.
Specialising in older, second run movies, when we visited the Chin Men movie theater, we saw large intricate hand painted posters outdoors (in early 2024) for recent releases like Napoleon, Oppenheimer and The Marvels.
We read that you can sometimes see Yan Jhen Fa at work as he often paints his movie masterpieces on a vacant lot across the road from the Chin Men Theatre, but unfortunately he wasn’t there the day we visited (but we did see one of his ‘apprentices’ at work).
Yan Jhen Fa is still hard at work, recently creating a special Coldplay mural in Taipei’s Ximending.
You might like – Our guide to 15 things to do in Sun Moon Lake >
27. Taiwan’s Cute Capybara’s
Taiwan is capybara crazy and there are several places where you can get close-ups with capybaras including Taipei’s only capybara cafe, Capybara Knight.
We visited and spent a morning with Ba La (girl) and Ga Ba (boy) capybaras plus ducks, rabbits, a cat and dog – quite the menagerie.
Or see Taiwan capybaras at Taipei Zoo or at Zhang Mei Ana’s Farm in Yilan. We also recently went to Paradise of Capybara in Henchung in Kenting. This is the only place where you can be photographed swimming with capybaras in Taiwan! Read our Paradise of Capybara guide here >
Finally, did you also know about Taiwan’s Capybara Rock? It is a newly crowned natural attraction in Taiwan in Shen’ao (near Keelung). It was renamed after the former Elephant Trunk Rock sadly collapsed and fell into the sea in December 2023.
Now the whole Shen’ao Fishing Port area has gone capybara crazy, with several colorful capybara murals plus cartoon capybara statues installed near the beach.
Check out our guide to visiting Capybara Rock here >
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28. Longshan Temple in Taipei
Longshan Temple (also known as Bangka Lungshan) is Taipei’s most colorful temple, renowned for its (en)chanting ceremonies and floral displays.
Whilst not always serene (it attracts huge crowds of tourists and worshippers), it is certainly one of the most beautiful and Instagrammable Taipei temples.
With the original Longshan temple site dating back to the Qing Dynasty in the late 1730s, the shrine has been rebuilt several times over the years, most recently after the aftermath of WWII bombing in 1945.
If you plan to visit Longshan Temple in Taipei, be sure to try and coincide your visit with one of the three chanting ceremonies held daily – it is one of the most memorable and inspiring things to do in Taipei.
Read our full guide to Longshan Temple in Taipei here >
29. Chuen Ji Hall 金瓜石勸濟堂 and Rainbow Steps
Stairway to heaven? Away from usual Jiufen crowds, these rainbow steps are a colorful way to arrive at Chuen Ji Hall, a hillside temple in the Jinguashi district (and a short walk from the Gold Museum).
The views looking back from Chuen Ji Hall 金瓜石勸濟堂 are amazing and just behind the temple, you will find one of the main Teapot Mountain trailheads 茶壺山步道口 (alas this is something we haven’t done yet – next time for sure).
Our final Instagrammable location in Taiwan
30. Taiwan’s Sea of Clouds
Many travellers to Taiwan have the Alishan sunrise and ‘Sea of Clouds’ lookout on their Taiwan most Instagrammable list – if you’re willing to get up early, Alishan’s sunrise is surprisingly easy to see (and the sunrise train is cheap).
Even if the famous ‘Sea of Clouds’ don’t emerge, you will still get amazing photos and social media snaps. It is a straightforward train journey with the main viewing platforms within walking distance of Zhushan station.
You can even treat yourself to some breakfast and Taiwanese tea from the picturesque Mountain Ali Tea No.35 teahouse overlooking the mountains.
Here is our guide to witnessing the wonderful Alishan sunrise and Sea of Clouds >
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