One of the best parts about traveling to Taiwan is having the opportunity to discover the island’s unique and vibrant culture. Whether you want to take the word ‘cute’ to a whole new level, restore your body’s balance, or feel a surging sense of pride in your host country, the following bucket list activities will ensure you experience Taiwan on a deep and meaningful level:  

9 Unique Bucket List Experiences in Taiwan

Try the Hot Springs

In Asia, hot springs are believed to raise energy levels while possibly treating chronic fatigue, eczema and arthritis—a pretty good reason to give the popular Taiwanese pastime a go. Find a natural hot spring, stay at a hot spring resort, or visit one of the only saltwater hot springs in the world on Green Island. There are over 150 hot springs all across Taiwan, so whatever your preference there is an option for you! Know that some hot springs are separated by gender. If this is the case you’ll need to don your birthday suit (plus the super-trendy shower cap that’s required). At more extensive hot spring resorts and facilities you’ll find a large range of water temperatures, showerheads, and water massagers—the perfect way to spend a cold, rainy, winter day.

Get Lost in a 7-11

Not only can you buy full meals, fresh produce, and any variety of tea your heart desires, you can also mail packages, pay bills, renew your driver’s license, purchase concert tickets, drop off your dry cleaning—and that’s just the start! If you’re ever in need and don’t know where to go, try a 7-11. Or if you’re bored try any of these 13 amazing things you can do at a 7-11. With a location on every corner, they are about as convenient as a convenience store can get!

Sing Karaoke

Karaoke—better known as KTV—is popular around the world, but nowhere have I seen it with such passion as in Taiwan. You’ll find people singing karaoke in the park or in their homes, but the most popular way to do it is by visiting a large karaoke hall. Here you can rent a private room for you and your friends and belt out your favorite tunes from the ‘80s and‘90s. Most will order food and beverages, which can turn the singing into quite the party!

Go to a Baseball Game

This might come as a surprise, but the Taiwanese love baseball. Don’t miss the experience of a Taiwan baseball game if you’re visiting during the appropriate time of the year. The crowd will keep you riveted through the entirety of the game, jumping and cheering, celebrating each inning. Attending any sports activity—but in particular a baseball game—is also a great way to feel a surge of pride in Taiwan, your host country, while connecting with the local culture.

Try Chinese Medicine

Many Taiwanese prefer to use Western medicine; however, traditional Chinese medicine is still widely practiced. Try acupuncture or cupping therapy (when cups are placed across the skin to create a suction) to restore your body’s balance and increase blood flow, respectively. You can also look for a large, multi-colored, diagramed foot, which indicates where you can experience a Taiwanese foot massage. They are surprisingly the most painful option of the three—be prepared for less of a massage and more of an intense fist-grinding into the tension you didn’t know existed in your ankles. According to reflexology, each part of the foot relates to a different organ. If you feel pain in a certain part, it follows that the corresponding organ (heart, liver, etc.) is problematic.

Release a Sky Lantern

Lantern festival is the time to send your prayers up to the heavens, and there are few options more beautiful than via a paper lantern in Pingxi. Join hundreds of locals as they scribble their wishes upon DIY lanterns, light the kerosene-drenched paper inside, and watch the hot air lift their wishes to the deities above. The small alleyways and traditional houses of Pingxi provide an especially quixotic ambience. Just be careful you don't light your entire lantern on fire! While Lantern Festival is the most beautiful time to symbolically release your wishes, paper lanterns can be bought at Pingxi any time of the year.

Visit one of Taipei’s Theme Restaurants

Taipei is home to some of the cutest theme restaurants around, including venues featuring Barbie, Hello Kitty and even all things relating to the toilet. Surprisingly, you’ll normally find more adults than children posing for photos and going on dates here. The food isn’t the best, but the experience of eating at any of Taipei’s restaurants is certainly not to be missed.

Drink Traditional Tea

Tea is a historic part of Chinese culture, and the traditions still hold true in Taiwan. Teahouses are plentiful, as is Taiwan’s local specialty: Oolong Tea. Drinking tea is a slow, thoughtful, and social experience. Before one can even think about tasting the delicate leaves, the cups must be doused with warm water; the leaves must be briefly rinsed and soaked; the aroma must be wafted from the smelling cup. And then, finally, after the proper etiquette has been displayed and anticipation built up, the doll-sized teacups can deliver the long- awaited reward. This process is repeated again and again, although the initial few steps can be left out after the sipping and savoring has begun.

Visit a Night Market

For the inexperienced, navigating Taiwan’s famous night markets can be a bit intimidating. But don’t let sensory overload stop you from enjoying this iconic element of Taiwanese culture. Possibly the best bang for your buck, night markets are a great way to enjoy cheap and local snacks, play a few fair games, and cross paths with friends. Not to mention you can buy anything from underwear to clocks to pets! A few must-try snacks at the night markets include stinky tofu, oyster omelets, bubble tea, and squid on a stick. Don’t miss this complete guide to Taiwan’s night markets.  

MORE Taiwan travel goodness:

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Beehive Fireworks Festival: Taiwan’s Most Dangerous Event

Burning Boat Festival: An Encounter with Traditional Taiwanese Folklore

The 7 Natural Wonders of Taiwan

9 Cultural Faux Pas to Avoid in Taiwan

Taiwanese Night Market Culture: Eat, Drink, and Be Daring