Taiwan’s sporting achievements don’t come close to matching its incredible economic and technological progress, but if you travel around this fascinating island you’ll see a population that takes exercise very seriously. And you might well be tempted to join them for a bike ride, a hike, or a session of surfing.
Early in the morning, city parks become venues for Tai Chi classes. An internal Chinese martial art, Tai Chi combines slow, gentle movements, deep breathing, and focused mindfulness to balance mind and body. After lessons have finished for the day, school campuses are open to the general public; visit one in the evening or at the weekend and you’ll be among people jogging, teaching their kids how to ride bicycles, or playing badminton. (Along with taekwondo and women’s weightlifting, badminton is a sport at which Taiwanese have won Olympic gold medals.)
Shoot some hoops or play a round of golf
Basketball is Taiwan’s most-played sport, and it was a matter of huge national interest and pride when Jeremy Lin — born in California to Taiwanese parents — made a stunning breakthrough in the NBA (National Basketball Association) 2012 season. Lin later played in professional basketball leagues in China and Taiwan, retiring in 2025. Unusually, he’s an evangelical Christian (fewer than 1 in 20 Taiwanese attend a Christian church), but that hasn’t stopped Tainan’s Nankunshen Daitian Temple, one of Taiwan’s most famous halls of worship, from celebrating him as a Taiwanese hero.
Another sporting overachiever commemorated in the art work at Nankunshen Daitian Temple is Yani Tseng (born in 1989). In 2009, she became the fastest player in LPGA history to top US$2 million in career earnings. For 109 consecutive weeks until early 2013, Tseng was the world’s top-ranked female golfer. After a decade-long drought, during which she had hip surgery, she tasted success in late 2025 and again in 2026.
Taiwan has dozens of golf courses and, while a round is generally cheaper than in North America or Western Europe, it’s somewhat more expensive than Southeast Asian golf destinations like the Philippines. If you fancy a game of golf during your Taiwan tour, let us know and we’ll make the necessary arrangements.
The best country in the world for cycling?
It’s as if Taiwan was designed with bike-riding in mind! The island boasts a fabulous variety of coastal, lowland, and highland landscapes. Due to its latitude on the Tropic of Cancer, it is possible to go cycling almost every day of the year — though the higher temperatures and the risk of rain mean the months of June to September shouldn’t be your first choice. Roads are well maintained, and because so many Taiwanese get to work or school by e-scooter or motorcycle, motorists are used to sharing roads with two-wheelers. For several years the government has been investing in cycle paths and other bike-friendly infrastructure; it’s possible to travel with your bike on many commuter trains and certain expresses.
If riding all the way around the island (you’ll need at least ten days) sounds too ambitious, consider adding some short rides to your itinerary. Tamsui to Beitou and perhaps into central Taipei using riverside bike trails is a popular option. Unless you’re unusually tall or large, the YouBikes available in 16 of Taiwan’s 22 cities and counties are ideal for half-day excursions. Places without them include Nantou County, Hualien County, and Keelung — but in any part of the island Life of Taiwan can help you find a bike to rent for a few hours.
YouBikes shared bikes have adjustable seats, baskets, and locks but you should organise your own helmet. In addition to the standard yellow machines, at many rental points you’ll find orange pedal-assisted e-bikes; the latter are capable of around 25 km/hour (15 miles/hour) and can travel up to 80 km (50 miles) if fully charged. Bigger and better bikes can be rented at several locations, including Sun Moon Lake.
For a real adventure, devote several days to what the Taiwanese call the huandao (環島), a ride of 900 km (560 miles) or more all the way around Taiwan. It goes without saying that, for this, you’ll want something better than a YouBike, and perhaps a support vehicle too. Depending on the precise route you choose, you’ll enjoy dramatic geographic diversity; going clockwise from Taipei, the fertile farmlands of Yilan County give way to the rugged ocean cliffs and then the lush East Longitudinal Valley as you approach Taitung City. On the western side of the island, you can expect to encounter timeworn temples, towns rich in history, and more street food than you could eat in a dozen lifetimes.
Thanks to well-marked and well-maintained bike paths and convenient rest stations, cycling long distances in Taiwan is safe and enjoyable. But the true magic lies in the hospitality you can expect from local folks and fellow cyclists.
Got a good pair of legs?
Whatever your abilities, and whether you’ve days to devote to a high-altitude trek or just a few hours for a leg stretcher, Taiwan has a hiking trail that’s ideal for you. Walking up and down hills is hugely popular, which is no surprise given just how rugged the landscape is; a third of the island is 1,000 m (3,281 ft) above sea level or higher, while a tenth has an elevation of 2,500 m (8,202 ft) or more. A total of 258 named peaks exceed 3,000 m (9,843 ft), and anyone who’s scaled a full hundred of these is accorded great respect within the outdoors fraternity.
For visitors sticking close to the capital, Yangmingshan National Park is the logical place to start. Some of the most-tramped trails, including one that leads to the highest spot in the park, Qixingshan (‘Seven Stars Mountain’, 1,120m / 3,675 ft above sea level), can be reached by public transport; many people are able to complete this up-and-down hike in four hours. For other peaks in the Taipei area — and routes like the 6.2-km (3.9-mile)-long Caoling Historic Trail — it makes more sense to have one of our highly experienced private driver-guides take you to the starting point, then collect you at the other end.
Surfing and swimming
Taiwan is an island, so of course some people make the most of the ocean’s proximity. The most scenic beaches aren’t necessarily suitable for swimming, but Kenting National Park at Taiwan’s southernmost tip offers an appealing combination of warm, tropical waters ideal for year-round water activities, resort-style hotels, and a backcountry packed with eco-tourism opportunities.
The east coast has Taiwan’s most powerful and consistent Pacific waves, making it a premier destination for serious surfers. Waiao [pictured here], Donghe, and Jinzun all have well-developed surfing scenes, with budget hostels as well as top-notch B&Bs for visitors.
Whatever your focus when visiting Taiwan, Life of Taiwan’s expert itinerary designers are happy to work with you and devise a private guided tour that’ll exceed your accommodation, culinary, and experiential expectations and leave you with wonderful memories of this unique place.
Get in touch with us today so we can start putting together the Taiwan trip of a lifetime!