The Complete Female Taiwan Packing List | What to Wear + Checklist (2024)

In this guide, I’ve compiled the best packing list for a trip to Taiwan – including helpful tips for the seasons, activities you plan to do, and a printable checklist.

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How exciting, you’re traveling to one of my favorite countries!! But now, it’s time to pack. How do you pack for a place you’ve never been to?

I know it can be a bit of a challenge to figure out what to bring – there’s lush mountains to hike, beautiful beaches to explore, cities to navigate, and, depending on the month, you might also need a variety of outfits to match the weather.

After living here for four years, I’ve come to know the Taiwanese weather and seasons very well, which is why I wanted to make this guide.

My guide is geared towards longer trips (about 2+ weeks or longer). If you plan to go for a shorter amount of time and don’t want to pack too much, I would cut the clothing in half.

With all of that being said, here is my complete female packing list and guide for Taiwan.

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Female Fashion in Taiwan

Before packing, it’s always good to check the weather and do research to understand the culture so you know how to dress appropriately for the country.

Taiwan has a relaxed mindset towards fashion and you don’t need to dress very conservatively here.

However, most Taiwanese women dress slightly more conservative than the average American woman (think Uniqlo style).

If you prefer to dress more liberally, (crop tops, short-shorts, etc) nobody will bat an eye. You’ll most likely get some looks if you are dressed more liberally (such as no bra).

But on the whole, American style is trendy in Taiwan so people in the cities also dress in similar fashion (pun intended).

When visiting a temple you don’t need to worry about covering your knees and shoulders, but it is still a place of worship so it’s always best to lean towards conservative clothing.

If you’re traveling to smaller towns, you can still dress more liberally if that’s your style. You will most likely get more looks in these areas because they don’t see as many foreigners as the city-goers do.

But also keep in mind, you will get looks no matter what if you don’t look Taiwanese.

Weather

As stated above, check the weather for your destination before packing because that can drastically change your packing list.

If you plan to go to Taipei, you may see the weather app often predicts rain. I promise it will most likely not rain as much as the weather app is saying (unless there is a typhoon nearby).

It’s typically beautiful and sunny in the mornings and then if it rains, it will come in the afternoons or evenings.

The weather in Taiwan is usually nice and warm from March to November, with the heat peaking between June – August.

It’s a humid heat so prepare to be a little sweaty during the day time (and night if traveling during the summer).

Something to note: typhoon (hurricane) season is from June to November. For my entire four years of living there, I never experienced a strong typhoon.

Most happened between the months of August – October and they all felt like a small storm (windy, some rain, thunder & lightning) so it’s something you don’t need to be too concerned about, but aware of.

The Essential Female Taiwan Packing List

I try to pack as little as I can, however feeling good in your clothes while traveling really makes a difference.

I remember my first three month backpacking trip – I was so sick of wearing the same dress, pants, and shirts after about a month, so I’ve learned I’m not the most minimalist packer.

My strategy is to create a capsule wardrobe; most clothing articles can mix and match and they’re pieces that I really love.

So as you read my Taiwan packing list, think of your style and what you like (or love!) to wear.

Clothes:

Pants

• 1-2 pairs of jeans (blue/black)
• 1 pair of leggings (black)
• 2-3 pairs of shorts (jean/athletic)

If you’re planning to go to Taiwan in the winter time, absolutely bring at least one pair of jeans (if not two).

It gets surprisingly cold during this time, especially in Taipei!

If you’re traveling anytime from April/May to September, you really won’t need jeans.

The temperature ranges from pleasantly warm to boiling lava hot, so jeans are no bueno.

Shirts

• 2 casual T-shirts (white/black/gray)
• 1 long sleeve (white/black/gray)
• 3 fun/stylish tops (for going out/when you want to look cute)

sweaters/jackets

• 1 hoodie (or sweater of your choice)
• 1 cardigan/light sweater
• 1 wind & rainproof jacket (I love my Patagonia jacket, I’ve had it for ten years now, and it still looks great & keeps me warm!)

If you’re traveling in the summertime (with no plans to go on overnight hikes), I would bring only 1 sweater & 1 cardigan and skip the jacket.

dresses/skirts

• 2 summer dresses
• 1 skirt

With my own style, I typically go for a black, white, or gray base and add colors with my cardigans, shirts, etc (for me it’s earthy tones like greens and browns).

I usually only bring solid colors for my clothes, but I do have an amazing floral skirt that I can wear with nearly any solid color top and I bring it on every trip (lol).

For me, one skirt is enough. I prefer shorts and pants, but if you are more of a skirt girlie – definitely add more to your list and take out other bottoms you wouldn’t wear.

shoes

• flip flops
• sandals
• walking shoes
• tennis shoes
• Converse (black)

I like my shoe options as you can see. Flip flops I wear for hostel showers, beach days, and just walking around the town.

I like sandals for when I’m wanting to dress up slightly for the day or for going out at night. Walking shoes are obvious – for the long days of sightseeing.

I used to have the perfect shoe that had all three of these qualities, but sadly the company discontinued them.

I’m on the hunt for something similar so if I find any, I’ll update it here!

I love to hike so I bring tennis shoes for that (not a fan of the clunky hiking shoes and never had an experience where I wished I’d brought them).

Lastly, I like to bring one more closed-toe shoe that I can wear with any of my outfits as well as most activities I plan to do.

underwear

• 2 regular bras
• 1-2 sport bras
• 10+ panties (the more the merrier for me)
• 3 pairs of socks (2 regular, 1 fuzzy)
• set of PJs (or athletic shorts + T-shirt if trying to save space)

If you have a shorter trip, I think one bra and one sports bra will suffice. Clearly, I go ham with my undies – but they’re small so I would rather have too many than not enough!

If you’re planning to wear closed-toe shoes most of the time, I would bring more socks so you don’t have to worry about laundry.

But if you’re like me and wear mostly open-toed shoes, then you don’t need more than 2.

I like to have a pair of fuzzy socks for night time and plane rides! I’m a big fan of comfort.

swimsuits

• 2-3 bikinis (again, small so I like to bring a variety)

Miscellaneous

• 1 belt (black or tan)
• 1 pair of sunglasses
• sunscreen
• earplugs
• 1 purse/fanny pack
• travel umbrella (a necessity for Taipei)
• travel pillow
• water bottle

A lot of travel guides will tell you to just get an umbrella when you arrive from the many convenient stores.

The only qualm I have with that is the quality of those umbrellas aren’t good. I bought one from 7-11 and within 10 minutes, it broke.

I wasn’t expecting excellent quality, but I also wasn’t thinking it wouldn’t last 10 minutes!

So if you’re really wanting to save space then you don’t need to bring one, and can easily get one upon arrival.

But if you’re wanting a more reliable umbrella then I’d say pack your own.

I’m not a hat person so I didn’t add it to my list here. If you need a hat for sunny weather or just enjoy wearing them, by all means – add it to your list!

Toiletries:

Basics

• toothbrush
• toothpaste*
• shampoo/conditioner*
• face lotion
• brush/comb*
• deodorant*
• contacts/glasses + case & cleaner
• microfiber towel
• tampons/pads*/menstrual cup
• panty liners*
• nail clippers* (if traveling for a longer period)
• tweezers*
• chapstick*
• razor*
• bug spray (imo you only need this if you’re going to rivers or mountains (overnight hikes/camping))

skin care

This will vary person to person, but this is what I bring for my travel skin care routine:

• face cleanser*
• vitamin C serum (am)
• retinol serum (pm)
• spot treatment
• sunscreen for face

Makeup

This will vary person to person, but this is what I bring for makeup while I’m on the move:

• BB cream
• foundation
• concealer
• 1 blush
• 1 highlighter
• 1 red lipstick
• 1 black liquid eyeliner
• 1 black mascara

*All of these can be bought upon arrival (from stores like Watson, Poya, & Cosmed) if wanting to save space & weight. If you want your specific brand of these items, then I recommend bringing them because often it’s hard to find in Taiwan.

If you’re in need of skincare while in Taiwan, I highly recommend checking out Innisfree.

I tell literally everyone to buy their products because they are just absolutely incredible for the quality and price point.

As for makeup, less is more – after a while outside, the humidity gets to ya!

Medication

This is very specific for each person. I usually don’t take medication unless I’m in extreme amounts of pain, so normally I don’t bring any.

Here are some basics people typically include:

• personal prescriptions
• pain relievers
• vitamins
• for my ladies struggling with UTIs, this is a lifesaver for the pain when traveling abroad and can’t get to a doctor immediately
• pepto-bismol
• antibacterial/antifungal creams,
• motion sickness pills

Electronics

• phone + charger
• camera + charger (optional)
• laptop + charger (optional)
• power bank + charger (optional)
• kindle + charger (optional)
• headphones/airpods
• adapter**

**Taiwan uses the same electrical outlet & current as the US, so if you’re a US citizen and only traveling to Taiwan (no other Asian countries) you don’t need to bring an adapter or converter. HOWEVER, if you have a 3-prong plug (type B), then you’ll need to buy a 3-prong plug adapter here (from my memory it’s around $100 NTD/$3 USD) upon arrival as Taiwan uses 2-prong plugs (type A) only.

gear

• backpack
• packing cubes for clothes
• 2 packing cubes for undies (one clean/one dirty)
• day bag/dry bag (optional)

I know wearing a large backpack rather than a suitcase may not sound appealing to you, but I promise it makes traveling so much easier.

If you’re planning a vacation and you won’t be moving around a lot, then a suitcase makes sense. But there is so much to see and do around this little island, a backpack will make it that much easier.

I’ve been using this backpack for about 8 years now and it’s still keeping up with all of my travels. It was brilliantly designed so you can easily get anything in your bag without having to rearrange the entire pack. I absolutely love it and recommend it to everyone.

Packing cubes are a must. They organize your bag as well as make it easy to find whatever item you’re looking for.

I’ve been using eBags since I was 18 years old and they’re still in fantastic shape like the first day I got them.

I recommend ordering the medium sized packing cubes. Often you’ll see a deal with different sizes/shapes, but I found for my clothing and my backpack, the mediums work best.

essentials

• passport
• visa/travel documents (US citizens can check requirements for all countries here)
• (international) drivers license (optional)
• home & car keys (safely tucked away in your bag/backpack, if needed immediately upon return)
• credit/debit cards
• wallet

What to Wear by Season

In this section, I’ve created outfits based on each season in Taiwan using my packing list from above.

These are outfits that I personally wore while living there so they’re heavily based on my own style – feel free to imagine your own while checking them out. 🙂

Winter (Dec – Feb)

In the winter months, it’s cold and damp. If you plan to go to Taipei during this time, the humid cold cuts through layers so definitely add a proper coat and 2+ long sleeve shirts.

Whatever the temperature is in Northern Taiwan, the weather is usually a few degrees warmer (and drier) in Central and Southern Taiwan.

A typical day of sightseeing, I would wear:

• jeans/leggings
• long sleeve shirt
• sweater
• wind & waterproof jacket/coat
• socks
• tennis shoes
• purse/fanny pack

Spring (March – May)

Averaging between 15 – 26 °C (60 – 80 °F) depending on which part of the island you’re at, it can get quite hot during the day and cool at night.

Packing clothes that can easily be layered is a great idea.

For a full day out on the town, I would wear this:

• shorts
• T-shirt
• belt
• cardigan
• socks
• Converse
• purse/fanny pack

Summer (June – August)

It’s hot, humid, & sweaty – my favorite time of the year!

A sweater is not needed unless in an air-coniditioned place (think MRT, art museum, a scary hostel roommate who likes to keep the temperature at 20 °C (68 °F), airport, etc.) so just in case, definitely pack at least one.

Here is my staple outfit while living in Taipei in the summer:

• shorts/skirt
• crop top
• flip flops
• purse/fanny pack

Fall (Sep – Nov)

It’s still quite warm during this time of year, but like the spring, be sure to bring a sweater, cardigan, and/or jacket for the cool nights and occasional cooler days.

A day in the life would be:

• jeans/shorts
• crop top
• belt
• flip flops/sandals
• purse/fanny pack

What to Wear by Activity

In this section, I’ve used my packing list for Taiwan to make outfits for the most common activities travelers (and locals!) do when visiting the island.

Mountains

There is plenty of hikes and camping you can do all across Taiwan.

No matter where you are on the island, if the sun isn’t out, it will be cooler (and often cold at night) in the mountains.

Come prepped with:

• leggings
• athletic shorts
• T-shirt
• long sleeve
• socks
• tennis shoes
• sweater
• wind & waterproof jacket
• sunglasses
• water bottle
• day bag
• sunscreen

Hot springs

There are so many different kind of ways to do hot springs in Taiwan.

You can go to a hotel, find a natural hot spring pool/creek, experience the Japanese style hot springs (aka nakie), the list is endless!

And all depending on the season, you may need different clothing.

No matter when or where you go, these are a must:

• bikini/one piece
• 2 sets of clothes + socks, if desired
• day bag
• water bottle

Beach

It would be a crime to go to Taiwan and not see their beaches – from white sand beaches in Kenting to snorkeling and scuba diving along the northern coast,

Taiwan never fails to put me in a state of awe.

Be prepped for your beach day with:

• bikini/one piece
• shorts
• t-shirt/crop top
• flip flops
• sunglasses
• water bottle
• day bag
• sunscreen
• cardigan (optional)

City/Town

Each city offers a plethora of food to eat, things to do, and fun experiences.

You’ll be walking a lot and most likely using public transportation and/or YouBikes.

Come prepped for your fun days out with:

• shorts/jeans
• cute top
• walking shoes
• light sweater/jacket
• purse/fanny pack
• sunglasses
• sunscreen

Night Out on the town

If you’re anything like me, you want to experience the nightlife in every country you go to.

It’s fun, a great way to meet other travelers + locals, and who doesn’t love a good dance ?!

You’ll find me on the dancefloor wearing:

• black skinny jeans + cute crop top OR cute dress
• sandals
• cardigan
• purse

Taiwan Packing Checklist

There you have it! My complete packing list and guide for traveling in Taiwan. I really hope this helps you to understand all the different clothing you may need and guide you in the right direction for your packing list.

Did I miss anything? Or do you have any questions? I’d love to hear from you, let me know in the comments below 🙂

happy trails ♥

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