Jiufen and Tamsui Lose! Taiwan's Top 10 Most Popular Attractions Revealed — The Champion Is This One, Praised as a Fairyland by Tourists and Certified by CNN as a Must-Visit in Your Lifetime

The Tourism Administration of Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation released the 'Republic of China 114th Year Incoming Visitor Consumption and Trend Survey,' revealing that 8,574,547 visitors came to Taiwan in 2025, an increase of 9.12% compared to 2024. The survey shows that Sun Moon Lake ranked first as the most favored attraction, with a preference rate of 38.18%, followed by Jiufen at 23.18% and the Pier-2 Art Center at 21.69%. Visitors praised the sites as 'fairyland-like' and 'a pride of Taiwan.'

2025 Top 10 Most Loved Tourist Attractions in Taiwan

1. Sun Moon Lake 2. Jiufen 3. Pier-2 Art Center 4. Tamsui 5. Yangmingshan 6. Yehliu 7. National Palace Museum 8. Pingxi 9. Beitou 10. Taipei 101

Taiwan's Most Popular Attraction 1: Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area. (Image: Screenshot from Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration website)

Sun Moon Lake is renowned for its scenic beauty and lakeside experiences. Visitors can cycle through attractions such as Shuishe, Wenwu Temple, Ita Thao, and the cable car station, or take boat tours, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) to enjoy the natural landscape and the culture of the Thao indigenous people. The Sun Moon Lake lakeside cycling path has been named by CNN as one of the 'World's 10 Most Beautiful Cycling Paths.'

According to the latest survey by the Tourism Administration, Sun Moon Lake has a relative visitation rate of 15.81% and a preference rate of 38.18%, ranking first among all surveyed attractions. In other words, 38.18% of visitors who have been to Sun Moon Lake selected it as their favorite destination during their trip to Taiwan, significantly outperforming other sites.

Actual visitor reviews of Sun Moon Lake include: 'Truly amazing and atmospheric,' 'A historic landmark with beautiful scenery,' 'If you want to escape city life, Sun Moon Lake is the perfect place to relax,' 'Enjoying a leisurely bike ride around the lake and soaking in the beautiful views and peaceful moments,' 'A beautiful, tranquil lake with sightseeing boats and many cyclists along the shore,' 'Even during the rainy season, Sun Moon Lake remains stunning,' 'The environment is beautiful and walking by the lake is very comfortable,' 'A truly beautiful place worth visiting specifically,' 'Perfect for dates—biking, kayaking, cable cars, and boat rides. I've already visited twice,' 'One of Taiwan's most precious attractions—must-visit, the scenery is breathtaking.'

Netizens also commented: 'The lakeside trail is incredibly scenic! I hope to spend a full day cycling the entire route,' 'Ideal for biking or hiking, with beautiful lakeside views throughout the year. Autumn brings maple and bald cypress trees, creating a magnificent scene like a human paradise. The Sun Moon Lake cycling path is hailed as one of the world's top 10 most beautiful, a pride of Taiwan,' 'Walking along the trail with the lake view is a blissful experience in Taiwan. Each season offers different scenery, but autumn and winter are the most beautiful,' 'From Shuishe Pier, walking along the bike path to Xiangshan Visitor Center, every step reveals stunning views. On a warm winter day, every photo looks perfect. The distant snow-covered peaks of Hehuan Mountain were a delightful surprise,' 'The Sun Moon Lake cycling path is acclaimed as one of the world's most beautiful, a pride of Taiwan! But cycling the full loop is over 30 kilometers,' 'The lakeside trail is a refreshing summer retreat, with fresh air and breathtaking surroundings. A popular leisure spot for weekends and weekdays alike, suitable for elders, families, couples, and friends. The trail is easy to walk and perfect for relaxed strolls,' 'One of Taiwan's most beautiful lakeside trails—walking at dawn in winter feels like being in a fairyland.'

Taiwan's Most Popular Attraction 2: Jiufen Old Street

Jiufen Old Street. (Image: From New Taipei City Tourism website)

Jiufen has a relative visitation rate of 42.55%, ranking fifth among the most visited sites. In the 'most loved' category, Jiufen ranked second with a preference rate of 23.18%, just behind Sun Moon Lake.

Jiufen, once known as the 'Golden Mountain City' due to its gold mining boom, features retro architecture, hillside landscapes, and winding alleys. The old street is filled with traditional snacks like taro balls, meat balls, and grass jelly, and visitors can explore tea houses and the historic Shengping Theater to experience the nostalgic mountain town atmosphere.

Actual reviews of Jiufen Old Street show a 4.3-star rating with over 100,000 comments: 'Unexpectedly beautiful—need at least half a day to explore,' 'This town is fascinating, especially after sunset when it becomes dreamy—highly recommend visiting at night,' 'If you go to Taiwan, Jiufen is a must-see—missing it would be regrettable,' 'Like stepping into a time capsule,' 'Jiufen Old Street is beautiful with a unique atmosphere and stunning views,' 'Very convenient to reach via express bus from Ximending,' 'Even in continuous rain, it turned out to be an excellent wandering experience,' 'Nature, culture, and the warm hospitality of local shops are commendable,' 'After dusk, the entire mountain town is enveloped in a warm and mysterious ambiance.'

Netizens added: 'The red lanterns lining the retro streets and mysterious winding alleys make you want to snap photos nonstop. It feels like walking into a movie set—every shot is full of charm. My wife took so many satisfying photos here,' 'Jiufen Old Street is a great tourist spot. Each visit brings a different feeling. Many unique teahouses—perfect for gathering friends for tea and conversation,' 'Jiufen has a unique old-street charm with long staircases and shops on both sides. It requires some stamina. Taking photos while walking is fun. They say it looks even more beautiful at night when the lanterns light up,' 'We rode motorcycles up the mountain—parking was relatively easy. The teahouses are tourist-priced, but the view is great. You can see the same scenery from the mountaintop. The atmosphere is better at night when the lanterns glow—recommend visiting from afternoon to evening,' 'Sitting in a teahouse overlooking the sea, the sunset with red lanterns is simply breathtaking—every photo has character. The climb was tiring, but the view made it all worthwhile,' 'Come here to truly appreciate the scenery. Eating is not the main point—stopping to enjoy the historical charm and beautiful mountain and sea views. If you can climb up to Keelung Mountain before dark, you'll know the most beautiful moment in Jiufen,' 'Jiufen Old Street has many winding, hilly streets filled with specialties and souvenirs. We took the Keelung Bus—many curves, but the driver's skill was excellent.'

Taiwan's Most Popular Attraction 3: Pier-2 Art Center

Pier-2 Art Center. (Image: From Kaohsiung Tourism website)

The Pier-2 Art Center, transformed from old warehouse complexes near Kaohsiung Harbor, integrates exhibitions, performances, public art, and cultural creative spaces. Located near the port and the light rail waterfront, it preserves warehouse and railway landscapes, showcasing Kaohsiung's unique harbor-city arts culture. It has a relative visitation rate of 10.87% and a preference rate of 21.69%, ranking third in the 'most loved' list, surpassing attractions like Tamsui, Yangmingshan, Yehliu, and the National Palace Museum.

Reviews of Pier-2 Art Center show a 4.4-star rating with over 71,000 comments: 'Unbeatable sea views, gentle breeze, delicious food—highly recommend enjoying southern Taiwan's sunshine,' 'The area is spacious and perfect for exploration. A must-visit for photo opportunities and social media check-ins,' 'Amazing place! Beautiful and atmospheric any time of day, especially ideal for evening strolls, exercise, relaxation, or dates,' 'Many exhibitions and shops, sea views, and light rail access—great experience,' 'Family-friendly with beautiful scenery,' 'Riding electric scooters is fun and enjoyable,' 'On weekdays, focus on exhibitions; on weekends, markets add shopping fun,' 'One of Kaohsiung's must-visit spots—weekend events and vendors make it lively, and light rail access is convenient,' 'Many installations, murals, and文创 stores—perfect for walking, browsing, and photography,' 'The former industrial warehouse area has transformed into a vibrant cultural zone where contemporary art meets the city's waterfront charm.'

Netizens said: 'The weekday calm and weekend vibrancy are completely different—relaxing and chill. Recommend taking the light rail to Qijin, and if time allows, visit the Starlight Tunnel and Qijin Lighthouse,' 'Pier-2 often hosts exhibitions and performances. During this Dragon Boat Festival, we caught 'House of the Dragon' with fire dance—spectacular and crowded. A must-visit in Kaohsiung—so much fun!' 'Pier-2 has many beautiful murals and exhibition halls, plus large outdoor installations like Transformers, Pier-2 Tower, and bridges—takes a full day to explore slowly,' 'To enjoy soothing sea breezes and immerse in the unique harbor-town atmosphere, Pier-2 is the top choice,' 'Spacious and open, you can explore at your own pace without feeling crowded. It feels more like a neighborhood than a single attraction—relaxed atmosphere, people strolling, taking photos, browsing shops or exhibitions. The slow pace makes it easy to spend hours here. Overall, I think it's one of Kaohsiung's most interesting places,' 'What I love most is the perfect blend of industrial history and modern creativity. Whether you're an art lover or just seeking a beautiful space, it's highly recommended'