Asia

Taiwan in January

Gray and damp in Taipei, dry and sunny in the south. Chinese New Year can fall late in the month.

Quiet valueCool, Taipei highs near 66F (19C), frequent drizzle in the north

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

The straight answer

January is a quiet, good-value month to visit Taiwan. Gray and damp in Taipei, dry and sunny in the south. Chinese New Year can fall late in the month.

Weather: Cool, Taipei highs near 66F (19C), frequent drizzle in the north
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What January is like in Taiwan

January is cool, with Taipei highs near 66F (19C) and frequent gray drizzle in the north. The south is a different story: Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Kenting are dry and sunny. Crowds and prices are low for most of the month, but Chinese New Year can fall late in January, and when it does, trains sell out and many family restaurants close for several days.

It suits travelers who are happy to base themselves in the south and dip into Taipei for museums and night markets. It is a weaker pick for anyone who wants clear mountain views in the north. Check the lunar calendar first; if New Year lands in your dates, plan around it or aim for late March instead.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about Taiwan this month.

Sunny Tainan

Taiwan's old capital has its best weather now, with temples and some of the island's best food under blue skies.

The National Palace Museum on a rainy day

Taipei's drizzle makes this the perfect day for the jade cabbage and centuries of Chinese art. Go at opening on a weekday.

Night markets in cool weather

Raohe and other Taipei night markets are more comfortable in the cool air. Arrive when they open on a weeknight.

What to pack for January

A light, waterproof jacket for Taipei drizzle
A warm sweater for cool evenings
A compact umbrella
Comfortable walking shoes that handle wet streets

Our timing tip

Check the Chinese New Year dates before booking, and reserve high-speed rail seats weeks ahead if your trip overlaps the holiday.

Book Taiwan for January.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Taiwan
Opens a hotel search for Taiwan in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for January
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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
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Tours and tickets in Taiwan
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Taiwan for January. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in January

Chinese New Year

Late January to mid February, set by the lunar calendar

The biggest travel week of the year. Trains and flights sell out, many restaurants close for days, and cities go quiet as families head home.

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 January, quick answers

Is January a good time to visit Taiwan?

January is a quiet, good-value month to visit Taiwan. Gray and damp in Taipei, dry and sunny in the south. Chinese New Year can fall late in the month.

What is the weather like in Taiwan in January?

Cool, Taipei highs near 66F (19C), frequent drizzle in the north.

Is Taiwan crowded in January?

January is one of the quieter months in Taiwan; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Taiwan in January?

Chinese New Year (late january to mid february, set by the lunar calendar).