Asia

Taiwan in August

The hottest and stormiest combination, plus Ghost Month, when some locals avoid travel and big decisions.

Think twiceVery hot, highs near 92F (33C), peak typhoon month

Taroko Gorge, Taiwan — TaiwanPhoto: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

August is a month to think twice about visiting Taiwan. The hottest and stormiest combination, plus Ghost Month, when some locals avoid travel and big decisions.

Weather: Very hot, highs near 92F (33C), peak typhoon month
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What August is like in Taiwan

August is the hottest and stormiest combination of the year. Highs sit near 92F (33C), humidity is intense, and it is the peak typhoon month. Ghost Month, the seventh lunar month, usually falls in August, and some locals avoid swimming, travel, and big decisions during it. Crowds are moderate, and prices are not especially low.

Avoid August if you can. It is hard on families with small children and risky for anyone with a fixed itinerary. The best alternative is October or November, when typhoons wind down and hiking season opens. If August is your only window, focus on Taipei and keep your plans flexible.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Taiwan this month.

Keelung Ghost Festival

During Ghost Month, the port city of Keelung holds one of Taiwan's best-known ghost festival ceremonies, with temple offerings.

Temple rituals

Temples across the island hold offerings and ceremonies for wandering spirits, a fascinating side of local culture.

Air-conditioned Taipei

Museums, malls, and the MRT make Taipei the easiest place to ride out the heat and storms.

What to pack for August

Light, breathable clothing
A sturdy umbrella
High SPF sunscreen
A reusable water bottle

Our timing tip

If you must travel in August, base yourself in Taipei and keep day trips flexible around typhoon warnings.

Book Taiwan for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Taiwan
Opens a hotel search for Taiwan in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Taiwan
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Taiwan
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Taiwan for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in August

Ghost Month

The seventh lunar month, usually August into September

Temple offerings and ceremonies, especially the Keelung Ghost Festival. Some locals avoid swimming and travel in this month.

Things to do in Taiwan

Full guide

National Palace Museum

Go at opening on a weekday and head straight for the jade cabbage and the meat-shaped stone before the tour groups arrive.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Taipei night markets

Raohe is more compact and local than Shilin. Go hungry after 7pm and share everything.

Tickets and tours →

Sun Moon Lake

Cycle the lakeshore path and ride the ropeway. Weekdays in spring and fall are ideal; weekends fill with domestic tourists.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Alishan and the forest railway

Stay overnight for sunrise over the sea of clouds. Blossom season (roughly March to April) is the busiest time on the mountain.

Tickets and tours →

Taroko Gorge

The marble gorge was badly damaged by the April 2024 Hualien earthquake and some trails and road sections remain closed. Check the national park service before you plan around it.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Jiufen and the northeast coast

The hillside teahouse town is magical at dusk and packed on weekends. Combine with the Pingxi line and Shifen Waterfall.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Avoid weekends at Jiufen, Sun Moon Lake, and Alishan. On weekdays outside holidays they are completely different places.
Book the high-speed rail and any train home during Chinese New Year, Tomb Sweeping Day, and the Dragon Boat long weekend weeks ahead; tickets vanish.
Do the night markets on a weeknight and arrive when they open. By 9pm on a Saturday Shilin is a shuffle.
When the north is gray from November to March, flip the itinerary: spend more days in Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Kenting, where it is sunny.

Know before you go

Chinese New Year: many family restaurants, market stalls, and small shops close for several days. Major museums and department stores mostly stay open but run holiday hours.
Typhoons close mountain roads, suspend ferries to Green Island, Orchid Island, and Penghu, and can cancel domestic flights, usually for one to three days.
Taroko Gorge: large parts of the park were closed after the April 2024 earthquake and reopening has been gradual. Treat any Taroko plans as subject to change.
The National Palace Museum closes on Mondays; check current hours before you build a Taipei day around it.

Taiwan in August, quick answers

Is August a good time to visit Taiwan?

August is a month to think twice about visiting Taiwan. The hottest and stormiest combination, plus Ghost Month, when some locals avoid travel and big decisions.

What is the weather like in Taiwan in August?

Very hot, highs near 92F (33C), peak typhoon month.

Is Taiwan crowded in August?

Crowds in Taiwan are moderate in August; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Taiwan in August?

Ghost Month (the seventh lunar month, usually august into september).