Major city · Taiwan
Caotun草屯
Spend a half‑day (4–6 h) in Caotun: visit the Yu‑hsiu Museum of Art, stroll Caotun Old Street and General Chen Temple, then walk the Jiujiufeng Forest Trail.
Caotun is the most populous township in Nantou County, offering a compact mix of art, historic streets, temples and a short forest trail. All sights cluster within a 2‑km radius, so a half‑day is enough for a quick visit; a full day lets you linger at the night market and explore the surrounding countryside.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TWD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (cooler, less rain)
- avoid Jun–Aug (hot, frequent showers)
- Airport
- TPE
- Nights
- 0–1 (day‑trip or one night if staying near night market)
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Taiwan ↗Check visa-exemption length, passport validity and the online arrival card (TWAC) on the official sites before you fly.
- Taiwan ↗An EasyCard (or iPASS) covers MRT, buses, local trains and many convenience-store purchases; buy one at the airport or a station.
- Taiwan ↗When a local government declares a typhoon day, transport and sights can close for the day; follow the official notice, not the forecast alone.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Caotun110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Tourism helpline0800-011-765
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Caotun, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Night markets, breakfast shops and many small restaurants take cash only; carry NT$1,000–2,000 (≈ US$35–70) in small notes.Taiwan-wide
- SIM or eSIMChunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and FarEasTone sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at TPE and KHH arrivals…Taiwan-wide
- Tap waterTreated at source, but locals boil or filter it.Taiwan-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; a 10% service charge appears in many sit-down places and hotels.Taiwan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 110 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Taiwan-wide
- SafetyCaotun is generally safe; typical city precautions apply.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean toilets in every MRT station, convenience stores and department stores; paper goes in the toilet in most new buildings — follow the sign.Taiwan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 0800-011-765 Tourism helpline (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on Monday (the National Palace Museum opens daily).Taiwan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTPE Taoyuan International Airport (Main international gateway, about 1 h 30 min by bus/train to Caotun).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; local buses connect to Yuanlin Station (≈15 min) and to nearby towns.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeLocal coffeeNT$80–130 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealNight market snack (stinky tofu, bubble tea)NT$50–120 (≈ US$2–4)
- Metro or bus rideBus fare within townNT$15–30 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum audio guideNT$100 (≈ US$4)
- Budget bedHostel dormitory bed, a night, per personNT$400 (≈ US$14)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or budget hotel room, a night, per roomNT$1,800 (≈ US$60)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or budget hotel room, a night, per roomNT$3,000 (≈ US$100)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NT$300 (≈ US$10) · Mid NT$500 (≈ US$17) · High NT$800 (≈ US$30)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TPE Taoyuan International Airport (Main international gateway, about 1 h 30 min by bus/train to Caotun)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Aug (13 rain days), driest Apr (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Caotun: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; local buses connect to Yuanlin Station (≈15 min) and to nearby towns. Rent a scooter for flexibility.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Yuanlin Station
goDoor to door: ≈20 min
Local bus or taxi, about 15 min
Connects to Taiwan Railway for travel to Taipei or Taichung.
Puli
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Bus via Provincial Highway 14, about 30 min
Visit Sun Moon Lake area if you have extra time.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Local guesthouses near Zhongzheng Rd
Budget options within walking distance of the night market and museums.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- NT$600–900 (≈ US$20–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- NT$900–1,400 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- NT$1,400 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or budget hotel room1 × 1 night × NT$1,200 | NT$1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × NT$300 | NT$300 |
| Bus fare to Yuanlin Station (round trip)1 × NT$120 · check | NT$120 |
| Museum audio guide1 × NT$100 · NT$100 | NT$100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NT$172 |
| Trip total≈ NT$1,892 per person per day, bed included | NT$1,892≈ US$65 |
Typical private room; check availability
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Night market snack (stinky tofu, bubble tea) | NT$50–120 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Local coffee | NT$80–130 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Bus fare within town | NT$15–30 (≈ under US$1) |
| Museum audio guide | NT$100 (≈ US$4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check train schedules at Yuanlin Station for connections; last train departs around 22:00.Check train schedules at Yuanlin Station for connections; last train departs around 10:00 PM.
- Museum entry is free by appointment; audio guide NT$100 (≈ US$4) (check availability).
- Night market only open weekends; plan arrival after 19:00.Night market only open weekends; plan arrival after 7:00 PM.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Tourism helpline
- 0800-011-765
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Caotun草屯
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
請到這個地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Tourism helpline0800-011-765
Embassy
US consular services are in Taipei; see the Taiwan travel page for details.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Yuanlin Station → Caotun (bus): about NT$120 (≈ US$4), 15 min (check)
- eSIM 7‑day data: about NT$300 (≈ US$10)
Say or show
- 不好意思 — Excuse me / Sorry (bù hǎo yì si)
- 謝謝 — Thank you (xiè xie)
- 多少錢？ — How much is it? (duō shǎo qián?)
- 洗手間在哪裡？ — Where is the restroom? (xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Caotun. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr (cooler, less rain) · avoid Jun–Aug (hot, frequent showers) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in a local guesthouse to enjoy the night market after dark.
- Combine with a day‑trip to Sun Moon Lake (Puli) for a fuller Nantou experience.
Sources
Ask about Caotun
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