台北
Tâi-pak
Taipei
Usage
Taiwan's capital city, home to Taipei 101, the National Palace Museum, and Shilin Night Market
Grammar Note
"Tâi-pak" means "north of Taiwan." In Min Nan, "pak" means north
高雄
Ko-hiông
Kaohsiung
Usage
Taiwan's second-largest city, known for Love River, Pier-2 Art District, and Cijin Island
Grammar Note
"Ko-hiông" is a major southern port city. The Min Nan pronunciation differs from Mandarin "Gāoxióng"
台南
Tâi-lâm
Tainan
Usage
Taiwan's oldest city, renowned for historical temples, old ruins, and exceptional local cuisine
Grammar Note
"Tâi-lâm" means "south of Taiwan." "Lâm" is the Min Nan word for south
花蓮
Hua-liân
Hualien
Usage
A city on Taiwan's east coast, famous for Taroko Gorge National Park and Qixingtan beach
Grammar Note
"Hua-liân" is the name of a city in eastern Taiwan. It is also the homeland of the Amis indigenous people
墾丁
Khún-ting
Kenting
Usage
Taiwan's southernmost beach resort, popular for surfing, snorkeling, and beach activities
Grammar Note
"Khún-ting" is home to Taiwan's southernmost national park and draws beach-goers year-round
日月潭
Ji̍t-gua̍t-thâm
Sun Moon Lake
Usage
A scenic lake in central Taiwan, known for cycling, boat trips, and Thao indigenous culture
Grammar Note
"Ji̍t-gua̍t-thâm" means "lake shaped like the sun and moon." The name comes from the lake's distinctive shape
九份
Káu-hūn
Jiufen
Usage
A historic hillside town near Taipei, famous for red lanterns, stone steps, and its cinematic atmosphere
Grammar Note
"Káu-hūn" reportedly meant "nine portions" historically. It prospered during Taiwan's gold rush era
淡水
Tām-tsuí
Tamsui
Usage
A river port town near Taipei, known for beautiful sunsets, local snacks like "agei," and fish balls
Grammar Note
"Tām-tsuí" means "fresh water" or "diluted water." Located at the mouth of the Tamsui River
阿里山
A-lí-suann
Alishan
Usage
A mountain area in central-southern Taiwan, famous for sea of clouds, sunrise, mountain railway, and cherry blossoms
Grammar Note
"A-lí-suann" is the name of a mountain area in Chiayi County. The area is also the ancestral homeland of the Tsou indigenous people
台東
Tâi-tang
Taitung
Usage
A city in southeastern Taiwan, a gateway to Zhiben hot springs, Orchid Island, and Green Island
Grammar Note
"Tâi-tang" means "east of Taiwan." "Tang" is the Min Nan word for east
台中
Tâi-tiong
Taichung
Usage
Largest city in central Taiwan. Served by both HSR and TRA; the base for Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, and Lukang
桃園
Thô-hn̂g
Taoyuan
Usage
City southwest of Taipei. Home to Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan's main gateway, linked to Taipei Main Station by the Airport MRT
新竹
Sin-tik
Hsinchu
Usage
City in northwestern Taiwan, center of the Hsinchu Science Park. Known for rice noodles and pork-ball soup
基隆
Ke-lâng
Keelung
Usage
Port city at Taiwan's northern tip. International cruise terminal; known for the Miaokou food stalls and its rainy climate
嘉義
Ka-gī
Chiayi
Usage
City in southwestern Taiwan, starting point of the Alishan Forest Railway. Known for turkey rice
彰化
Tsiong-huà
Changhua
Usage
County and city in west-central Taiwan. Known for the Great Buddha on Bagua Mountain and the fan-shaped railway roundhouse
苗栗
Biâu-li̍k
Miaoli
Usage
County in northwestern Taiwan with a strong Hakka heritage. Known for Sanyi woodcarving and the old Shengxing railway line
雲林
Hûn-lîm
Yunlin
Usage
Agricultural county in west-central Taiwan. Home of the Beigang Mazu pilgrimage and of Taiwanese glove puppetry
南投
Lâm-tâu
Nantou
Usage
Taiwan's only landlocked county. Contains Sun Moon Lake, Cingjing Farm, and Hehuanshan; the hub of mountain tourism
屏東
Pîn-tong
Pingtung
Usage
Taiwan's southernmost county and gateway to Kenting National Park and Xiaoliuqiu. Reachable from Kaohsiung by TRA or bus
宜蘭
Gî-lân
Yilan
Usage
County east of Taipei. Popular for Jiaoxi hot springs and coastal scenery; about an hour from Taipei by bus
新北市
Sin-pak-tshī
New Taipei City
Usage
Taiwan's most populous city, encircling Taipei. Jiufen, Tamsui, Wulai, and Pingxi all lie within it
板橋
Pang-kiô
Banqiao
Usage
Central district of New Taipei City, with a major interchange served by TRA, HSR, and the MRT Bannan line
中壢
Tiong-li̍k
Zhongli
Usage
District in southern Taoyuan with a major TRA station, connected to Taoyuan International Airport by the Airport MRT
鳳山
Hōng-suann
Fengshan
Usage
District in eastern Kaohsiung with surviving Qing-era city gates. Served by the KRT Orange line and the TRA Pingtung line
左營
Tsó-iânn
Zuoying
Usage
District in northern Kaohsiung. Southern terminus of the HSR; the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas at Lotus Pond are nearby
恆春
Hîng-tshun
Hengchun
Usage
Town at the southern tip of Pingtung County. A walled town with all four gates intact; the staging point for Kenting
羅東
Lô-tong
Luodong
Usage
Commercial center of Yilan County with a major TRA station, near the night market and the Forestry Culture Park
蘇澳
Soo-ò
Su'ao
Usage
Port town in Yilan County and a junction on the TRA East Coast line. Known for its cold springs and the Nanfang'ao fishing harbor
鹿港
Lo̍k-káng
Lukang
Usage
Historic port town in Changhua County. Qing-era streets with the Mazu Temple and Longshan Temple; a day trip from Taichung
北港
Pak-káng
Beigang
Usage
Town in Yunlin County built around Chaotian Temple, the heart of Mazu worship, busiest during the third lunar month
大甲
Tāi-kah
Dajia
Usage
District in Taichung. Start of the nine-day, roughly 340 km Mazu pilgrimage from Jenn Lann Temple
安平
An-pîng
Anping
Usage
Historic port district in western Tainan. Site of the Dutch-era Anping Fort and Eternal Golden Castle, with old-street food stalls
旗津
Kî-tin
Cijin
Usage
Narrow island facing Kaohsiung harbor, about five minutes by ferry from Gushan. Known for its seafood street and beach
北投
Pak-tâu
Beitou
Usage
Hot spring district in northern Taipei, a spa town since the Japanese era. Site of Thermal Valley and the Hot Spring Museum
礁溪
Ta-khe
Jiaoxi
Usage
Hot spring town in Yilan County with clear bicarbonate waters, about 50 minutes from Taipei by bus
澎湖
Phînn-ôo
Penghu
Usage
County of some 90 islands in the Taiwan Strait, known for basalt columns and beaches
馬公
Má-king
Magong
Usage
Main city of Penghu County, with the airport and harbor where all connections from mainland Taiwan arrive
金門
Kim-mn̂g
Kinmen
Usage
County off Xiamen, China. Cold War tunnels and gun emplacements remain, alongside preserved Minnan-style villages
馬祖
Má-tsóo
Matsu
Usage
Island group northwest of Taiwan (Lienchiang County). Known for stone villages and the early-summer 'blue tears' bioluminescence
綠島
Li̍k-tó
Green Island
Usage
Volcanic island off Taitung, known for the Zhaori seawater hot spring and diving. Reached by boat or plane
蘭嶼
Lân-sū
Orchid Island
Usage
Island off Taitung where the indigenous Tao people live, known for their flying-fish culture. Reached by boat or plane
小琉球
Sió-liû-khiû
Xiaoliuqiu
Usage
Coral island off Pingtung County, known for frequent sea turtle sightings. About 20 minutes by ferry from Donggang
桃園國際機場
Thô-hn̂g Kok-tsè Ki-tiûnn
Taoyuan International Airport
Usage
Taiwan's main international airport. About 35 minutes to Taipei Main Station on the Airport MRT express
機場第一航廈站
Ki-tiûnn Tē-it Hâng-hā-tsām
Airport Terminal 1 Station
Usage
Airport MRT station for Terminal 1, used by most foreign carriers
機場第二航廈站
Ki-tiûnn Tē-jī Hâng-hā-tsām
Airport Terminal 2 Station
Usage
Airport MRT station for Terminal 2, used by China Airlines, EVA Air, and the Japanese carriers
松山機場
Siông-san Ki-tiûnn
Songshan Airport
Usage
Airport inside Taipei City handling domestic flights and short international routes to Tokyo, Seoul, and Shanghai. On the MRT Wenhu line
高雄國際機場
Ko-hiông Kok-tsè Ki-tiûnn
Kaohsiung International Airport
Usage
International airport in southern Taiwan, on the KRT Red line, about 15 minutes from Kaohsiung Station
高鐵南港站
Ko-thih Lâm-káng-tsām
THSR Nangang Station
Usage
Northern terminus at Taipei's eastern edge, sharing a building with the TRA and the MRT Bannan line
高鐵台北站
Ko-thih Tâi-pak-tsām
THSR Taipei Station
Usage
Underground platforms at Taipei Main Station, interchanging with TRA, MRT, and the Airport MRT
高鐵板橋站
Ko-thih Pang-kiô-tsām
THSR Banqiao Station
Usage
Station in New Taipei City sharing a building with the TRA and MRT Bannan line; usually less crowded than Taipei
高鐵桃園站
Ko-thih Thô-hn̂g-tsām
THSR Taoyuan Station
Usage
Station in Zhongli, Taoyuan, about 20 minutes from Taoyuan International Airport on the Airport MRT
高鐵新竹站
Ko-thih Sin-tik-tsām
THSR Hsinchu Station
Usage
Station in Zhubei, Hsinchu County, linked to downtown Hsinchu by the TRA Liujia branch line
高鐵苗栗站
Ko-thih Biâu-li̍k-tsām
THSR Miaoli Station
Usage
Station in Houlong, Miaoli County, connected by walkway to the TRA Fengfu station
高鐵台中站
Ko-thih Tâi-tiong-tsām
THSR Taichung Station
Usage
Station in Wuri, Taichung, joined to the TRA Xinwuri station; about 10 minutes to Taichung Station
高鐵彰化站
Ko-thih Tsiong-huà-tsām
THSR Changhua Station
Usage
Station in Tianzhong, Changhua County, with a free shuttle bus to the TRA Tianzhong station
高鐵雲林站
Ko-thih Hûn-lîm-tsām
THSR Yunlin Station
Usage
Station in Huwei, Yunlin County, with buses toward Beigang and Xiluo
高鐵嘉義站
Ko-thih Ka-gī-tsām
THSR Chiayi Station
Usage
Station in Taibao, Chiayi County, with buses to Alishan and BRT service into Chiayi City
高鐵台南站
Ko-thih Tâi-lâm-tsām
THSR Tainan Station
Usage
Station in Guiren, Tainan, about 25 minutes from Tainan Station on the TRA Shalun branch line
高鐵左營站
Ko-thih Tsó-iânn-tsām
THSR Zuoying Station
Usage
Southern terminus in Zuoying, Kaohsiung, sharing a building with the TRA and the KRT Red line
台北車站
Tâi-pak Tshia-tsām
Taipei Main Station
Usage
Taiwan's largest station, served by TRA, HSR, the MRT Tamsui-Xinyi and Bannan lines, and the Airport MRT
台中車站
Tâi-tiong Tshia-tsām
Taichung Station
Usage
TRA station in downtown Taichung. The elevated new hall stands beside the preserved Japanese-era station building
台南車站
Tâi-lâm Tshia-tsām
Tainan Station
Usage
TRA station in downtown Tainan, within walking distance of Chihkan Tower, the Confucius Temple, and the old city
高雄車站
Ko-hiông Tshia-tsām
Kaohsiung Station
Usage
TRA station in downtown Kaohsiung, connected to the KRT Red line, with trains toward Pingtung and Taitung
花蓮車站
Hua-liân Tshia-tsām
Hualien Station
Usage
Main station on the East Coast line and the base for buses and rental cars to Taroko Gorge
台東車站
Tâi-tang Tshia-tsām
Taitung Station
Usage
Station on the outskirts of Taitung City; take a bus or taxi to downtown and to Fugang harbor for Green Island and Orchid Island
新竹車站
Sin-tik Tshia-tsām
Hsinchu Station
Usage
Taiwan's oldest station building still in use, dating from 1913. Also the start of the Neiwan branch line
嘉義車站
Ka-gī Tshia-tsām
Chiayi Station
Usage
Starting station of the Alishan Forest Railway, whose platform sits beside the TRA platforms
瑞芳車站
Suī-hong Tshia-tsām
Ruifang Station
Usage
Station with buses to Jiufen and Jinguashi and the transfer point for the Pingxi line; about 45 minutes from Taipei
池上車站
Tî-siōng Tshia-tsām
Chishang Station
Usage
Station in Taitung County, known for the rice paddies along Mr. Brown Avenue and for Chishang lunch boxes
十分車站
Tsa̍p-hūn Tshia-tsām
Shifen Station
Usage
Pingxi line station where you can release sky lanterns along the tracks and walk to Shifen Waterfall
菁桐車站
Tshinn-tông Tshia-tsām
Jingtong Station
Usage
Terminus of the Pingxi line, with a wooden station building from 1929 and remains of the old coal mine
猴硐車站
Kâu-tōng Tshia-tsām
Houtong Station
Usage
Station known for its 'cat village'; the former coal mine buildings are open as a museum
奮起湖車站
Pùn-ki-ôo Tshia-tsām
Fenqihu Station
Usage
Midway station on the Alishan Forest Railway at about 1,400 m. Known for its railway lunch boxes and old street
西門站
Se-mn̂g-tsām
Ximen Station
Usage
Interchange of the Bannan and Songshan-Xindian lines, in the middle of the Ximending youth district
中山站
Tiong-san-tsām
Zhongshan Station
Usage
Interchange of the Tamsui-Xinyi and Songshan-Xindian lines, above an underground mall lined with bookshops and boutiques
忠孝復興站
Tiong-hàu Ho̍k-hing-tsām
Zhongxiao Fuxing Station
Usage
Interchange of the Bannan and Wenhu lines, surrounded by department stores and a departure point for buses to Jiufen
市政府站
Tshī-tsìng-hú-tsām
Taipei City Hall Station
Usage
Bannan line station connected to the Xinyi department store district and the intercity bus terminal
台北101/世貿站
Tâi-pak It-khòng-it / Sè-bōo-tsām
Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station
Usage
Tamsui-Xinyi line station connected directly to the Taipei 101 observatory and its basement food hall
象山站
Tshiūnn-suann-tsām
Xiangshan Station
Usage
Eastern terminus of the Tamsui-Xinyi line, about a 10-minute walk to the Elephant Mountain trailhead facing Taipei 101
龍山寺站
Liông-san-sī-tsām
Longshan Temple Station
Usage
Bannan line station beside Bangka Longshan Temple, founded in 1738, and the restored Bopiliao historic block
中正紀念堂站
Tiong-tsìng Kì-liām-tn̂g-tsām
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station
Usage
Interchange of the Tamsui-Xinyi and Songshan-Xindian lines, opening onto the plaza with the National Theater and Concert Hall
士林站
Sū-lîm-tsām
Shilin Station
Usage
Tamsui-Xinyi line station; Shilin Night Market is about five minutes from Exit 1, and buses run to the National Palace Museum
劍潭站
Kiàm-thâm-tsām
Jiantan Station
Usage
Tamsui-Xinyi line station; the food section of Shilin Night Market is directly opposite
新北投站
Sin-pak-tâu-tsām
Xinbeitou Station
Usage
One stop up the branch line from Beitou; hot spring inns, Thermal Valley, and the Hot Spring Museum are all walkable
淡水站
Tām-tsuí-tsām
Tamsui Station
Usage
Northern terminus of the Tamsui-Xinyi line; the riverside old street and ferry pier are right outside
動物園站
Tōng-bu̍t-hn̂g-tsām
Taipei Zoo Station
Usage
Southern terminus of the Wenhu line, at Taipei Zoo and the boarding point for the Maokong Gondola
松山機場站
Siông-san Ki-tiûnn-tsām
Songshan Airport Station
Usage
Wenhu line station connected directly to the Songshan Airport terminal
古亭站
Kóo-tîng-tsām
Guting Station
Usage
Interchange of the Songshan-Xindian and Zhonghe-Xinlu lines, within walking distance of Shida Night Market
公館站
Kong-kuán-tsām
Gongguan Station
Usage
Songshan-Xindian line station at the gate of National Taiwan University, with bookshops and student eateries
南港展覽館站
Lâm-káng Tián-lám-kuán-tsām
Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Station
Usage
Eastern terminus of both the Bannan and Wenhu lines, at Taipei's international exhibition halls
東門站
Tang-mn̂g-tsām
Dongmen Station
Usage
Interchange of the Tamsui-Xinyi and Zhonghe-Xinlu lines, about three minutes from the Yongkang Street food district
大安站
Tāi-an-tsām
Daan Station
Usage
Interchange of the Tamsui-Xinyi and Wenhu lines, near Daan Forest Park and the East District shopping area
圓山站
Înn-suann-tsām
Yuanshan Station
Usage
Tamsui-Xinyi line station within walking distance of Expo Park, the Confucius Temple, and Baoan Temple
美麗島站
Bí-lē-tó-tsām
Formosa Boulevard Station
Usage
Interchange of the Red and Orange lines, famous for the 'Dome of Light' stained-glass ceiling
中央公園站
Tiong-iong Kong-hn̂g-tsām
Central Park Station
Usage
Red line station within walking distance of the Sinkuchan shopping area and Liuhe Night Market
哈瑪星站
Há-má-sing-tsām
Hamasen Station
Usage
Western terminus of the Orange line, formerly Sizihwan Station. Near the Cijin ferry pier and the Pier-2 Art Center
鹽埕埔站
Iâm-tiânn-poo-tsām
Yanchengpu Station
Usage
Orange line station within walking distance of the Pier-2 Art Center and the Love River promenade
三多商圈站
Sam-to Siong-khuan-tsām
Sanduo Shopping District Station
Usage
Red line station in Kaohsiung's main shopping area, by the 85 Sky Tower and the department stores
太魯閣
Thài-lóo-koh
Taroko Gorge
Usage
Marble gorge in Hualien County, protected as a national park. The Swallow Grotto and Tunnel of Nine Turns trails are the highlights
陽明山
Iûnn-bîng-suann
Yangmingshan
Usage
Volcanic area in northern Taipei with sulfur vents and hot springs, famous for spring cherry blossoms and calla lilies
玉山
Gio̍k-san
Yushan (Jade Mountain)
Usage
Taiwan's highest peak at 3,952 m. Climbing requires a national park permit and a hut reservation
壽山
Siū-san
Shoushan
Usage
Hill overlooking downtown Kaohsiung, home to many macaques; the lookout takes in the harbor and Cijin
故宮博物院
Kòo-kiong Phok-bu̍t-īnn
National Palace Museum
Usage
Museum in Shilin, Taipei, holding the imperial Chinese collections. Reached by bus from MRT Shilin station
行天宮
Hîng-thian-kiong
Xingtian Temple
Usage
Temple to Guan Yu in Zhongshan, Taipei. It burns no incense and is known for its shoujing blessing ritual
大稻埕
Tuā-tiū-tiânn
Dadaocheng
Usage
Taipei's old trading quarter. Dihua Street is lined with dried-goods, herbal medicine, and tea shops in Western-style buildings
西門町
Se-mn̂g-ting
Ximending
Usage
Taipei's pedestrianized entertainment district, packed with cinemas, vintage shops, and tattoo parlors
關渡宮
Kan-tāu-king
Guandu Temple
Usage
Mazu temple in northern Taipei, founded in 1661, overlooking the confluence of the Tamsui and Keelung rivers
台南孔子廟
Tâi-lâm Khóng-tsú-biō
Tainan Confucius Temple
Usage
Taiwan's oldest Confucius temple, founded in 1665, known for its 'First Academy of Taiwan' plaque
祀典武廟
Sū-tián-bú-biō
Official God of War Temple
Usage
Guandi temple in central Tainan with imperial sacrificial rank, recognizable by its long red outer wall
台南開元寺
Tâi-lâm Khai-guân-sī
Kaiyuan Temple
Usage
Zen temple in Tainan founded in 1690 on the site of a Koxinga family villa, with a quiet garden and old gate
北港朝天宮
Pak-káng Tiâu-thian-kiong
Beigang Chaotian Temple
Usage
Mazu temple in Beigang, Yunlin, founded in 1694. Pilgrims come from all over Taiwan for the Mazu birthday festival in the third lunar month
大甲鎮瀾宮
Tāi-kah Tìn-lân-kiong
Dajia Jenn Lann Temple
Usage
Mazu temple in Dajia, Taichung. The annual nine-day, roughly 340 km Mazu pilgrimage sets out from here
佛光山
Hu̍t-kong-san
Fo Guang Shan
Usage
Large Buddhist monastery in Dashu, Kaohsiung, with the Buddha Museum. About an hour by bus from Kaohsiung Station
淡水漁人碼頭
Tām-tsuí Hî-jîn Bé-thâu
Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf
Usage
Pier at the Tamsui river mouth, known for the Lover's Bridge and sunsets. Reached by ferry or bus from Tamsui old street
知本
Ti-pún
Zhiben
Usage
Hot spring resort in Taitung County, developed in the Japanese era. About 40 minutes by bus from Taitung Station
指南宮
Tsí-lâm-kiong
Zhinan Temple
Usage
Taoist temple in Wenshan, Taipei, a short walk from the Zhinan Temple stop on the Maokong Gondola
艋舺
Báng-kah
Bangka (Monga)
Usage
Old name for Taipei's Wanhua District, the city's birthplace with Longshan Temple and Bopiliao; still used locally
基隆港
Ke-lâng-káng
Keelung Port
Usage
Northern Taiwan's largest harbor, with the international cruise terminal. About 45 minutes to Taipei Main Station by TRA
高雄港
Ko-hiông-káng
Port of Kaohsiung
Usage
Taiwan's largest container port. The Pier-2 Art Center occupies its converted warehouses along the waterfront
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