As you’d expect of a dynamic island that’s transformed itself from an impoverished backwater to the world’s leading supplier of key technologies, Taiwan doesn’t stand still. In 2026, visitors can of course expect stunning mountain scenery, entrancing temple culture, and delicious street food. But if you’ve been away for a year or two, you’ll notice some changes to the cityscapes of Taipei, Taichung, and other metropolises.
Makeovers and brand-new attractions
A millennia-old treasure in Taipei’s National Museum of History
Located within walking distance of the capital’s botanical garden, the National Museum of History (not to be confused with the National Museum of Taiwan History in Tainan) underwent a thorough renovation during and after the pandemic. The collection here is very ‘Chinese’, a good part of it being artefacts stolen by the Japan’s military during its 1937-1945 campaign on the mainland; in the 1950s these were ‘returned’ to Taiwan. The permanent exhibition features bronzes, coins, jades and oracle bones that are thousands of years old.
In late 2026, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (which bears the name and celebrates the life of the Republic of China’s founding father) will reopen to the public following repairs and upgrading work. Previously the displays inside hardly touched on Taiwan, so it’ll be interesting to see how they’ll be revised in line with the pro-localisation focus of recent governments.
We at Life of Taiwan are big fans of Xinbeitou, and what’s known variously as Beitou Public Hot Spring or Millennium Hot Spring should once again be offering locals and visitors an opportunity to soak for a very reasonable price. April 2026 has been mentioned as a likely reopening date; bring your own swimsuit, shower cap, and towel if you plan to enjoy the waters.
The New Taipei City Art Museum — located in Yingge, a town synonymous with ceramic arts — is now fully open. This hub of contemporary art is both a striking example of modern architecture and a repository of aural and visual art, design, and local culture. Its exhibitions, many of which are interactive, lean heavily into technology and the region’s history. Yingge, which is half an hour by train from central Taipei, is often visited in combination with neighbouring Sanxia.
Echoes of the distant past
An archaelogical site on Keelung’s Heping Island is due to formally reopen to visitors next year. Excavations between 2011 and 2019 uncovered remnants of Convento de Todos los Santos, a Catholic place of worship built in the second quarter of the 17th century by the Spaniards then controlling parts of north Taiwan. The site is very close to Heping Island GeoPark, where people of all ages can splash, swim, and let off steam.
The 2024 paSta’ay (Photo courtesy of John Groot)
Every two years, the Saisiyat indigenous people of Miaoli and Hsinchu counties hold a multiday paSta’ay ceremony to appease the spirits of an extinct tribe called the ta’ay (‘short people’). Hundreds of years ago, these two groups lived in harmony, but following a misunderstanding the former exterminated the latter. It seems that before he died, the last ta’ay shaman laid a curse on the Saisiyat people, who then suffered a series of disasters. Every ten years, there’s an especially large paSta’ay event; this once-in-a-decade ritual will next be held in autumn 2026. International visitors interested in witnessing it should contact us well ahead of time to find out whether attendance is possible and, if it is, for help arranging accommodation and transport.
In the heart of Taichung, the National Taiwan Museum of Comics is opening in stages between 2023 and 2029. A place that celebrates the island’s highly productive comics industry — which at its peak in the 1960s was publishing a staggering 4,000 titles each year — this site is an appealing complex of buildings from the 1895-1945 period of Japanese colonial rule. All were originally associated with the prison that once stood nearby. Even though the museum is not quite complete, it’s a lovely place to wander around and take photos.
A calendar filled with festivals
Following the traditional lunisolar calendar, Taiwan’s Lantern Festival begins on the first full moon of the lunar year. In 2026, the official festival date is March 3, yet the national celebration will extend from that day through to March 15. This time the festivities will be centered in Chiayi County, with major displays at the Chiayi County Government Plaza and the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum.
As in previous years, Yangmingshan National Park will hold a series of flower-focused celebrations. Next year’s Yangmingshan Flower Festival will likely run from late January through March. If recent years are any guide, the area’s plum blossoms will be in their fullest glory just before the middle of February, cherry blossoms peaking soon thereafter. Dates for the 2026 Zhuzihu Calla Lily Festival and Hydrangea Festival haven’t yet been confirmed, but are expected to fall between early March and late May. More information can be had from visitor centres around Taipei; if enjoying the park’s floral splendour is a priority, let us know and we’ll make all the necessary arrangements including transport.
Whatever your preferences and passions, Life of Taiwan has the experience and on-the-ground knowledge to design an itinerary that’ll leave you with the fondest memories of Taiwan. Contact us today to discuss your private guided Taiwan tour!