This May, Taipei and neighboring New Taipei City will lace up their running shoes to play host to the 2025 World Masters Games (WMG). The Taiwanese capital and its surrounding municipality are gearing up for what promises to be a vibrant international celebration of sport, where seasoned competitors will showcase their skills across dozens of disciplines in a festival of athleticism and camaraderie.
Under the slogan “Sports beyond age & life without limits,” the 10th edition of the games will showcase the speed, strength, and skill of men and women of a certain age. For most WMG sports, participants must be at least 35 years old, and competitors are grouped in 5-year increments.
In addition to disciplines that are familiar to sports fans throughout the world, such as archery, basketball, judo, shooting, tennis, and track and field athletics, this edition of the WMG (May 17-30) will feature lifesaving, tug-of-war, and a Taiwan-invented croquet-like sport called woodball.
One of Greater Taipei’s key advantages as a host lies in its wealth of attractions – offering visiting athletes plenty to explore, even in brief windows of free time. Whether it’s a half-day excursion or just a few spare hours, the region promises a rich blend of cultural, culinary, and natural experiences.
Thanks to the region’s efficient public transportation, getting to attractions like Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf (an excellent spot to take in the sunset) and the youth fashion mecca of Ximending is a piece of cake. Half an hour from Taipei Main Station by commuter train, Yingge is synonymous with pottery production. As souvenirs go, the items sold on the town’s Ceramics Old Street might be heavy, but among them are objects of true beauty.
Taipei 101 has graced the city’s skyline for two decades. While it’s no longer one of the world’s ten tallest buildings, it remains a must-visit for many tourists. The glassed-in observatory (393 meters above street level) and the outdoor deck (elevation 460 meters) aren’t the only options for sightseers who want a breathtaking view from an upper floor. There are fine dining establishments on floors 85, 86, and 88.
For many travelers, Ruifang is little more than a gateway to Jiufen, the fabulously quaint hilltop town that overlooks Taiwan’s stunning northeast coast. But those who like to “grice” (defined in the dictionary as “collecting objects or visiting places connected with railways”) have additional reasons to venture in this direction, one being the Shenao Branch Line.
This 4.7 km-long railroad is a lovely way to get to the coast. Trains set out from Ruifang and stop at Haikeguan – within walking distance of the acclaimed and highly educational National Museum of Marine Science and Technology – before terminating at Badouzi, southeast of the fishing port of the same name.
The tracks continue beyond Badouzi to Shenao, and this stretch is now reserved for “rail bikes” – pedal-powered two-seaters that complete the journey in 15 to 20 minutes. Because bikes are limited and the experience has proved popular, visitors are advised to book in advance.
New Taipei has another highly appealing branch railway, the 12.9 km-long spur from Ruifang to Jingtong via Shifen and Pingxi. Whereas the tracks to Shenao were laid to transport imported coal to a power station on the coast, the century-old Pingxi Branch Line was built so coal mines in the rugged interior could supply lowland customers.
When the mines closed down, most of the area’s inhabitants moved away, leaving a string of small settlements dominated by pre-1960 buildings, replete with character and filled with delicious local snacks to sample.
From Shifen, many visitors walk 20-odd minutes to see one of Taiwan’s most impressive waterfalls. At Pingxi, one of the most popular activities is writing one’s wishes on the side of a sky lantern and releasing it. Invented back in the 19th century for remote households to warn or reassure their neighbors, these lanterns are simple bamboo or wire frames, covered with paper (on which tourists inscribe their hopes and dreams), and propelled upward by the heat of a burning wick. There’s something especially calming and fulfilling about watching one’s lantern drift higher and higher until it’s a mere dot in the sky.
Those who come to Taiwan to take part in the 2025 WMG might well prefer hiking to riding trains. If they do, they’ll find themselves spoiled for choice.
On top of numerous short hiking routes within Yangmingshan National Park and Four Beasts Scenic Area – the latter’s Elephant Mountain offers excellent views of Taipei 101 – there are whole-day undertakings like the Cao-ling Historic Trail. Tackling this old trade route typically involves taking a train to Dali in Yilan County, marching northward across hilly terrain into New Taipei’s Gongliao District, then catching another train back to the capital from Fulong Station.
WMG competitors who overexert themselves during the games can catch a Taipei Metro train to Xinbeitou and enjoy the soothing hot springs that have been drawing people to this area since the 1890s. There’s a range of soaking options, from the traditional, inexpensive, and gender-segregated facilities at Long Nai Tang to swish hotels where couples can enjoy a two-hour session or an overnight stay together.
For most visitors, night markets are an essential part of the Taiwan tourist experience. Raohe Street Night Market, a stone’s throw from where the Keelung River separates Songshan and Neihu districts, is especially popular. The south bank hereabouts is known as Xikou Wharf. A former trading hub, it’s been developed into a relaxing spot that appeals during the day and after dark.
Throughout the year, Greater Taipei hosts numerous conferences and meetings. To leverage Taiwan’s transportation, accommodation, and other advantages, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Administration and the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ International Trade Administration are jointly encouraging international travelers who attend MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) events in Taiwan to explore the country through its Travel Incentive Program. In 2025, the program offers travel incentives of up to NT$2,000 per person per visit, and a maximum of NT$600,000 per proposal. The goal is to boost the development of both MICE and tourism industries, thereby promoting economic growth.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Administration and the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ International Trade Administration are collaborating to encourage international travelers attending MICE events in Taiwan to explore the country through its Travel Incentive Program. In 2025, the Program offers travel incentives of up to NT$2,000 per person per visit, and a maximum of NT$600,000 per proposal. The goal is to boost the development of both MICE and tourism industries, thereby promoting economic growth.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Athletes heading to the 2025 World Masters Games and other travelers planning a trip to Taiwan will find the following websites especially useful:
Taipei Travel (Taipei City Government) (multilingual website)
New Taipei Travel (New Taipei City Government) (multilingual website)
Tourism Administration (Ministry of Transportation and Communications) (multilingual website)
Taiwan Railways (multilingual website)
Meet Taiwan (MICE) (bilingual website)
The 24-hour tourist information hotline (0800-011-765) is toll-free within Taiwan and staffed by speakers of English, Japanese, and Chinese.
