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
Cool and grey in the north, dry and sunny in the south; Lunar New Year may fall late in the month — check.
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 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.
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.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Taiwan
- Medium
- Prices · Taiwan
- Medium
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket