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When to go · Taiwan

Taiwan in January

Good month. Cool and grey in the north, dry and sunny in the south; Lunar New Year may fall late in the month — check.

Key facts

Verdict
Good
Crowds
Medium
Taiwan
Prices
Medium
Taiwan

Verdict

GoodVoykit month rating for Taiwan

Cool and grey in the north, dry and sunny in the south; Lunar New Year may fall late in the month — check.

Is another month better than January?

January is rated good. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

  • North and Taipei · Taipei, Keelung, Jiufen, Yilancool

    Humid subtropical: the winter north-east monsoon brings grey drizzle to Keelung, Jiufen and Yilan Oct–Mar; plum rains May–Jun; 35 °C (95 °F) afternoons Jul–Aug.

  • West and south · Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kentingbest weather

    Dry, sunny winters (the best time for the south); wet, hot summers with afternoon storms. Air quality dips on still winter days.

  • East coast · Hualien, Taroko, Taitung, East Rift Valleycool

    The coast that typhoons hit first; rockfall closes roads after heavy rain. Winter is cool and often cloudy.

  • Central mountains · Alishan, Hehuan Mountain, Sun Moon Lake, Yushancool

    Cool to cold at altitude; frost and occasional snow on Hehuan in winter. Mornings clear, clouds by noon.

  • Outlying islands · Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, Green Island, Orchid Islandcool

    Strong winter winds cancel boats and flights to Penghu and Matsu; summer is the island season. Fog grounds Matsu and Kinmen flights in spring.

  • Central Taiwan: Taichung basin · Taichung, Changhua, Miaolifine

    Hot and humid Jul–Aug, 33 °C (91 °F)+; afternoon thunderstorms Jun–Sep.

  • Central Taiwan: Nantou mountains · Sun Moon Lake, Puli, Cingjingcool

    5–8 °C (9–14 °F) cooler than the basin; Cingjing at 1,700 m gets cold nights in winter.

  • Eastern Taiwan: East coast (Yilan to Taitung) · Pacific-facing strip between the mountains and the searainy

    Yilan is one of the wettest parts of Taiwan year-round; the south end (Taitung) is drier. Typhoons July–September can close roads and cancel trains.

  • Matsu: Matsu islands · Nangan, Beigan, Dongyincool

    Blue Tears runs from early April to at least July, best on light southerly wind. Fog is common March–May and can ground flights. Typhoons are possible August–September.

  • Penghu: Penghu main islands · Magong, Huxi, Baisha, Xiyuwind

    April–September is hot and humid, usually above 30 °C (86 °F), and is the high season. October–February is the windy low season. March–April and September are the sweet spots: warm water, working boats, thinner crowds.

  • Southern Taiwan: Tainan / Kaohsiung · southwest plain and harbourfine

    Hot and humid May–Sep; typhoons Jul–Sep can shut ferries and flights for a day. Winters are mild and dry.

  • Southern Taiwan: Kenting / Pingtung · southern tipbest weather

    Warm year-round; the wet season and typhoons run May–Sep. Best beach months are Mar–Jun and Oct–Nov.

  • Southern Taiwan: Alishan / Chiayi highlands · central mountainscool

    Cooler than the plain; sunrise trips need a pre-dawn start and a jacket.

  • Taipei19 °C (66 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 13 rain days
  • Baisha19 °C (66 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days
  • Bali District16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Banqiao16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Beigan16 °C (61 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days
  • Beigang20 °C (68 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Beinan22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 6 rain days
  • Beipu16 °C (61 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days
  • Caotun18 °C (64 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Changbin24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 5 rain days
  • Changhua County19 °C (66 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 5 rain days
  • Changhua21 °C (70 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 6 rain days
  • Chenggong22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 6 rain days
  • Chiayi County22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 5 rain days
  • Chiayi22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 5 rain days
  • Chishang22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 6 rain days
  • Chupei18 °C (64 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Cimei16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days
  • Daren24 °C (75 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 8 rain days
  • Datong Township18 °C (64 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Dawu24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 6 rain days
  • Donghe22 °C (72 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 10 rain days
  • Dongshan16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days
  • Dongyin16 °C (61 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days
  • Douliu20 °C (68 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Dounan16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Fulong16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Gongliao16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Green Island24 °C (75 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 6 rain days
  • Guangfu21 °C (70 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 15 rain days
  • Guanzihling20 °C (68 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 9 rain days
  • Haiduan22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 6 rain days
  • Hsinchu19 °C (66 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 10 rain days
  • Hualien21 °C (70 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 15 rain days
  • Huwei18 °C (64 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 5 rain days
  • Huxi16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Jhushan16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Jiaoxi16 °C (61 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Jibei19 °C (66 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Jiji16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Jinguashi16 °C (61 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 10 rain days
  • Jinshan16 °C (61 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Jiufen18 °C (64 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 16 rain days
  • Keelung18 °C (64 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 17 rain days
  • Kinmen17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days
  • Linkou16 °C (61 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 10 rain days
  • Lukang16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Luodong16 °C (61 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 6 rain days
  • Luzhou District16 °C (61 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 7 rain days
  • Makung20 °C (68 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 4 rain days
  • Miaoli18 °C (64 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Nanao16 °C (61 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Nantou20 °C (68 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 6 rain days
  • Neiwan18 °C (64 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days
  • New Taipei16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Pinglin16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Pingtung County23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 6 rain days
  • Pingtung23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 6 rain days
  • Pingxi16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Puli22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ren'ai15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ruisui20 °C (68 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Sanchong16 °C (61 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Sanxia18 °C (64 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Sanzhi16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days
  • Shenkeng16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Shiding16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Shimen16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Shuangxi16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days
  • Shuili16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days
  • Shulin16 °C (61 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Smangus12 °C (54 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days
  • Suao16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Taishan District16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Taitung23 °C (73 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 8 rain days
  • Tamsui19 °C (66 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 15 rain days
  • Taoyuan19 °C (66 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 14 rain days
  • Toucheng19 °C (66 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 15 rain days
  • Toufen16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Tucheng19 °C (66 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days
  • Tuku18 °C (64 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Wanli16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Wugu16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Wujie18 °C (64 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Wulai18 °C (64 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 6 rain days
  • Xiluo20 °C (68 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 5 rain days
  • Xindian16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Xinzhuang16 °C (61 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 7 rain days
  • Xizhi16 °C (61 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 8 rain days
  • Yilan19 °C (66 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 17 rain days
  • Yingge16 °C (61 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days
  • Yonghe16 °C (61 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Yongjing22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 6 rain days
  • Yuanlin19 °C (66 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Yuanshan16 °C (61 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Yuli21 °C (70 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 15 rain days
  • Zhenxibao12 °C (54 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 10 rain days
  • Zhonghe16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Zhudong18 °C (64 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Zhunan18 °C (64 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days
  • Kaohsiung24 °C (75 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days
  • Taichung20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 6 rain days
  • Tainan23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 4 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Founding Day / New Year's Day

    1 Jan

    Taipei 101 fireworks at midnight on 31 Dec; MRT runs all night.

  • Lunar New Year big impact

    About 5–10 Feb 2027 (lunar; check)

    Five to nine days off: many small restaurants and shops close, trains and buses sold out, big chains, malls and sights mostly open.

  • Taipei New Year countdown check

    31 December to 1 January · Taipei

    A fireworks display and crowds; book hotels months ahead.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Taiwan
Medium
Prices · Taiwan
Medium

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Taiwan, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Good

    Apr: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Jan: Medium

    Apr: Medium

  • Prices

    Jan: Medium

    Apr: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 3

    Apr: 3

January: Cool and grey in the north, dry and sunny in the south; Lunar New Year may fall late in the month — check.

April: Warm and mostly dry; Tomb Sweeping long weekend fills trains.

Taiwan: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in January

Rated best or good this month

  • West and south

    Best weather of the year (Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting)

  • Bali District

    Best months: Oct–Apr

  • Beigan

    Best months: Oct–Apr (mild weather, less rain)

  • Beinan

    Best months: Oct–May

  • Caotun

    Best months: Oct–Apr (cooler, less rain)

  • Changbin

    Best months: Oct–May

  • Changhua County

    Best months: Oct–Apr (cooler, less rain)

  • Changhua

    Best months: Oct–Apr

  • Chenggong

    Best months: Oct–May

  • Chiayi

    Best months: Oct–Apr

  • Chishang

    Best months: Oct–May

  • Chupei

    Best months: Oct–Apr