Taiwan
Understand[edit]Taiwan is a country located off the coast of southwest of Okinawa, Japan and north of the Philippines, and is known formally as the Republic of China (ROC). Shaped roughly like a potato, the island nation has more than 23 million people and is one of the most densely populated places in the world. Besides its crowded cities, Taiwan is also known for steep mountains and lush forests. ROC also has de facto control over two provinces: Taiwan (consisting of the island itself and the tiny Pescadores (Penghu)), and Fujian (Quemoy (Kinmen/Jinmen), and Matsu islands), which are often referred to as outlying islands by the Taiwanese. Taiwan has some very impressive scenic sites and its capital city, Taipei, is a vibrant culture and entertainment hub. Taiwanese cuisine is highly regarded with the Japanese in particular taking short trips to enjoy its relatively cheaper hospitality. Lately, with the relaxation of restrictions, there are increasing numbers of mainland Chinese visiting, and Taiwan is perhaps the most favourite destination for short holidays for Hong Kong residents. History[edit]Taiwan has been populated for thousands of years by more than a dozen Austronesian aboriginal tribes. Written history begins with the partial colonization of southern Taiwan by the Dutch and the northern part by Spanish in the early 17th century. (The old name of Taiwan, Formosa, comes from the Portuguese Ilha Formosa for "beautiful island".) Han Chinese immigrants arrived in significant numbers with the onset of European trade. Although controlled by the Dutch, the Ming loyalist Koxinga (鄭成功) defeated the Dutch garrisons in 1662 and set up Taiwan as a rump Ming Empire with the hope of reconquering Qing China. His grandson surrendered to the Qing in the late 1600s. Although contact between mainland China and Taiwan dates back thousands of years, it was not until larger numbers of Han residents arrived during the Qing dynasty that Taiwan was formally integrated into the rest of China as part of Hokkien (Fujian) province. It became a separate province in 1885. Defeated by the Japanese in the first Sino-Japanese War, the Qing Empire ceded Taiwan to Japan under the terms of the treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895. Japan ruled the island all the way until the end of World War II in 1945, and exerted profound influences on the development of the island. Taiwanese entertainment and pop culture was and still is heavily influenced by that of Japan. Much of the Japanese-built infrastructure can still be seen on the island today, and has been in fact continuously used up to the present day (e.g. rail-road crossing gates, administrative buildings, and the old port at Kaohsiung). In the early 20th century, the Nationalists (Kuomintang, KMT 國民黨) and Communists fought a major bloody civil war in mainland China. Although the two sides were briefly united against Japan during World War II, they quickly began fighting again after the war was over. Eventually, the Communists gained decisive victory in 1948/49. The Nationalist government, the remnant of their army, and hundreds of thousands of refugees then fled to Taiwan. From Taipei, they continued to assert their right as the sole legitimate government of the whole China. Initially very repressive, the government began to loosen control in its fourth decade under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek's son, Chiang Ching-kuo. Taiwan also experienced rapid economic growth and modernisation under the leadership of Chiang Ching-kuo, becoming one of the world's richest and most modern economies and earning it a place as one of the East Asian Tigers. Taiwan still remains a leader in consumer electronics and is home to well-known brands such as 85C Bakery Cafe, Acer, Asus, Chatime, Chunghwa Telecom, Evergreen Marine, Garmin, Giant Bicycles, Gigabyte, HTC, Louisa Coffee, Luxgen, Maxxis, MediaTek, MicroTek, MSI, Mustek Systems, Taiwan Beer, Taiwan Mobile, TKK Fried Chicken, TSMC, UMC and Zyxel. Democratization began in earnest through the 1980s and 1990s, culminating with the first direct presidential elections in 1996, and the first peaceful transition of power between two political parties in 2000. People[edit]Taiwan was originally populated by indigenous tribes that spoke various Austronesian languages, which are closely related to Malay, Tagalog, and Indonesian, and who are ancestors of the great Polynesian navigators of the Pacific. Today the remaining tribes make up only about 2% of the population, while the other >95% are Han Chinese. The Han Chinese are further split into Taiwanese local residents or original-province persons, who make up about 84% of the population and whose culture is derived from people who migrated during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, as well as mainlanders or external-province person and their descendants, who make up about 14% of the population and whose families fled to Taiwan from the mainland shortly after the PRC's establishment in 1949. Among the Taiwanese local residents, Hoklo (Minnan) speakers form the majority, which is about 70% of the population while the remaining 14% are largely Hakka speakers. There is also a sizeable Japanese community, with many of its members working in the entertainment industry. Only a small percentage of the Taiwanese are, to a large extent, the descendants of immigrants from the mainland in recent centuries who intermarried with indigenous people. In recent years there are also Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Filipino migrant workers living harmoniously with each other as well as mainland Chinese immigrants. People in Taiwan are genuinely nice and there are more Japanese signs than you expect. Climate[edit]The climate of lowland Taiwan is marine tropical. Summers are hot and humid and above 30°C (86°F) from June through September. Winters are relatively cold, especially in northern Taiwan where temperatures can be as low as 8°C ( 46°F). Northern Taiwan rains year-round while southern Taiwan has dry winters. The best time of year to visit is from Oct-Dec, although the occasional typhoons can spoil the fun. Spring is also nice, although it rains more than during autumn. During the typhoon season, the east coast bears the brunt of the damage as it is facing the Pacific Ocean. Taiwan has tall mountains, which are much colder. They are also susceptible to sudden heavy rains, which can endanger unprepared visitors, so advice on proper preparation should be obtained before visiting those areas. In fact, it snows every year on Taiwan's highest mountains and occasionally even on mountains like Alishan. Taiwanese calendar[edit]The Minguo (民國) calendar is commonly used in Taiwan. It refers to the number of years since the establishment of the Republic (i.e. Minguo in Mandarin) of China in 1912. To convert a Minguo date to CE (AD), just add 1911. Months and days are according to the standard Gregorian calendar. 2012 is 101st Minguo. Most locals also keep track of the lunar calendar for holidays related to Han Chinese festivities. Festivals[edit]As Taiwan is dominated by ethnic Chinese, traditional Chinese festivals are celebrated by the Taiwanese. Among the most notable are:
Terrain[edit]Taiwan is largely mountainous with a chain of mountains running from north to south at the centre of the island. The west coast is largely plains and unsurprisingly is where most of the population is concentrated, and is where all the larger cities like Taichung and Kaohsiung are located. The east coast also has some plains but is more sparsely populated due to the higher typhoon risk. It is also home to the cities of Hualien and Taitung. Sports[edit]Baseball was brought to Taiwan by the Japanese during the colonial period. Its popularity rose greatly when the Taiwanese baseball team finished second in the Japanese national championships. Today, baseball retains a strong following and remains by far the most popular team sport in Taiwan. Several Taiwanese players have also gone on to successful careers in the US and Japanese Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Taiwanese national baseball team is considered to be one of the strongest in the world. Besides baseball, basketball also has a sizeable following in Taiwan and is quite popular among teenagers. When classes are over, the basketball courts inside schools are not only open to students but also the public. Billiard is another popular sport in Taiwan. It's easy to find billiard rooms throughout the country and there are also many championship-winning players in Taiwan, most of whom started training when they were still teens. Other sports which are popular include Taekwondo, table tennis and golf. Regions[edit]
Cities[edit]Taiwan has many large cities and towns. Below is a list of just some of the most notable. Other cities are listed under their specific regional section.
Other destinations[edit] Mountain trail in Alishan People tend to think of Taiwan as a small crowded island nation filled mostly with electronic factories, and if you stay in Taipei or along the west coast you might indeed maintain that impression. However, the island nation is also home to high mountain ranges, great beaches and stunning national parks - many with hot springs.
Get in[edit]All visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months (except citizens of Japan and the United States who are only required to hold a passport valid for the entire duration of stay). Visa-free[edit]Citizens of all European Union countries, plus Andorra, Australia Canada. Chile, Eswatini, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway. Palau, Paraguay, San Marino, South Korea, Switzerland, Tuvalu, United Kingdom (British Citizen passports only), United States and the Vatican may enter Taiwan visa-free for up to 90 days. It is possible for British and Canadian citizens to extend their stay to up to 180 days. Citizens of Belize, Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Nauru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Singapore may enter Taiwan visa-free for up to 30 days. Citizens of Brunei, the Philippines and Thailand may enter Taiwan visa-free for up to 14 days, provided they hold proof of funds and either a hotel reservation or contact information in Taiwan. If citizens of the above countries present an emergency or temporary passport, they will be required to apply for a landing visa on arrival by supplying a passport photo and paying a fee.[1] Visas[edit]Citizens of Turkey may obtain a free visa on arrival for a stay of up to 30 days, provided they land at Taoyuan International Airport. Citizens of Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Dominica, Ecuador, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Mauritius, Montenegro, Oman, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates may apply for an eVisa to enter Taiwan for up to 30 days. Citizens of Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam may also apply for an eVisa to enter Taiwan for up to 30 days, provided they travel with an approved tour group. Permanent residents of Hong Kong and/or Macau may be eligible for an Exit & Entry Permit upon arrival for NT$300, or may apply for a free Entry Permit online to visit Taiwan for less than 30 days, provided they hold Hong Kong, Macau, or British National (Overseas) passports. Chinese nationals with residency (hukou) in Mainland China (including those who are non-permanent residents of Hong Kong or Macau and have relinquished their hukou in Mainland China) require prior approval from the Taiwanese government to travel to Taiwan, and are required to hold an Exit and Entry Permit prior to traveling to Taiwan. Mainland Chinese residents may only visit Taiwan as a part of a pre-approved tour group, unless they reside outside Mainland China, or they only visit Quemoy, Matsu, and Penghu Islands (in which case a 15-day Exit and Entry Permit Permit can be obtained on arrival provided they hold certain travel documents) and will not proceed to other parts of Taiwan. By plane[edit]When checking in for your flight towards Taiwan you may need to be able to show a ticket to an onward destination (or a return ticket, or any other evidence of onward travel arrangements) or you may be refused to check in. The primary international gateway of Taiwan is Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei (台北). Kaohsiung International and Taipei Songshan also serves extensive flights throughout Asia.
In addition, the airports at Makung (馬公), Taitung (台東) and Kinmen (金門) have also been designated for cross-strait flights to mainland China, though of these, only Makung currently has regular flights to mainland China. Regular cross-Strait flights between Taiwan and mainland China resumed after civil war on 4 Jul 2008. From 15 Dec 2008, the frequency of these flights were increased to daily, and travel times on some popular routes have been reduced significantly as flights no longer have to be routed through Hong Kong airspace. Major airlines[edit]The main Taiwanese carriers are EVA Air (長榮航空) [5] and China Airlines (中華航空) [6]
For up-to-date information on cheap flights, check the advertisement pages of one of the three local daily English newspapers (see media below). By boat[edit]Star Cruises [7] operates limited cruise services from Keelung (基隆) and Kaohsiung (高雄) to Hong Kong and various Japanese islands. From Fuzhou (福州), Fujian Province, there are two daily ferries to Matsu (馬祖). Take bus 69 from Fuzhou train station to Wuyilu, then bus 73 to the end station Mawei harbor (馬尾港). The ferry costs ¥350 CNY between mainland China and NT$1,300 from Taiwan. The trip takes two hours. The old website [mit30.com.tw], appears to be down. From Matsu, there are two daily ferries to Keelung in Taiwan. NT$1,050 includes a bed, as the trip takes 10 hours. Bookings can be made at +886 2 2424 6868. At Mawei harbour in Fuzhou there is an opportunity to buy an inclusive ticket all the way to Taipei (臺北) that includes the Fuzhou to Matsu ferry above and a domestic flight from Matsu to Taipei (or Taichung). The price (¥780) includes transfer between port and airport on Matsu, and a coupon for lunch at the airport while you wait for your connection. The ferry leaves Fuzhou at 9:30AM. Get to Mawei at 8AM to buy tickets. There are also several ferry services between Xiamen and Quanzhou on the mainland and the island of Kinmen (金門). Now there also is one weekly ferry from Dongdu Harbor (東渡碼頭) in Xiamen to Keelung, that leaves on Thursdays at 6PM starting at less than ¥500, as well as one to Taichung leaving on Tuesdays. Call 0592-2393128 for information or 0592-6011758 for bookings from China. You can also check here for news [8]. Get around[edit]By plane[edit]Taiwan's main domestic carriers are UNI Air [9], owned by EVA, and Mandarin Airlines. Flights are frequent, and it is usually unnecessary to book flights in advance. Taipei and Kaohsiung have regular services and links to most other domestic airports; however, it may not be possible to fly from one domestic airport to another. The popularity of the high-speed train has drastically cut flights on the once popular west coast sectors, with eg. Taipei-Kaohsiung flights only a shadow of what they once were. If you want to visit Taiwan's smaller islands, the plane is still the best option, and is the only practical option of travelling to , Kinmen as well as the easiest, most common, way to travel to Penghu and Matsu. Fares are not too expensive, and local planes are very good. The domestic airport in Taipei is Song Shan Airport [10], which is in the north of the Taipei and easily reached by Taxi. Domestic destinations include Kaohsiung, Tainan, Chiayi, Taichung, Pingtung, Taitung, Hualien, Makung (Penghu / Pescadores), Kinmen, Hengchun, Nangan and Beigan. Travellers heading to Kenting can avail themselves of the direct and frequent bus service from Kaohsiung airport that connect with flights arriving from Taipei. By train[edit]
In general[edit]
TIP: If you are not going very far (eg. Taoyuan, Hsinchu, etc) and don't mind possibly not getting a seat, you can just swipe into the train areas using your stored value cards (Easycard, iCash etc). Board any train you like and you can sit in any open spot until someone asks for your seat with a reserved ticket. You can also sit in the luggage car like many locals do. This usually the cheapest way to go.
THSR[edit]THSR is a high speed train system that covers roughly 350 km (217 mi) across the western corridor of Taiwan. Trains from Taipei to Kaohsiung (Zuoying) take just 96 min. Other stops on the route are Nangang, Banqiao, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi and Tainan. Note that many THSR stations have been built a fair distance from the cities they serve (e.g. a taxi from downtown Tainan costs up to NT$400, but there's a free shuttle bus). The stations and platforms are wheelchair-friendly and all trains include a wheelchair-accessible car (wider doors, ample space, accessible bathroom). A one-way ticket from Taipei to Zuoying (Kaohsiung) for adults costs NT$1,490 in economy or NT$1,950 in business class. Seats in economy class have plush seats and ample legroom, so there's little reason to pay extra. All signage and announcements are in English as well, making navigation a snap. If THSR tickets are costly for you, you should book your tickets. Tickets can be booked up to 28 days in advance by the internet, by phone (+886-2-6626-8000,English available) or at certain convenient stores. Payments can be made with credit cards (you may need to call your credit card company to authorize the charge, as the HSR website uses a unique identification), or made at stations or convenient stores when you pick your ticket up (tell them before the purchase if you want to pay by credit card). The latter is recommended, since credit card users also pick up tickets at stations or convenient stores. If you book tickets more than 8 days in advance, you have a chance of getting a discount ranging from 10% to 35%. ) Foreign Visitors are eligible for discounted one way tickets off the listed prices if you book at least 2 days in advance with a foreign passport (台灣客路高鐵單次乘車券). You will have to exchange your vouchers for the tickets with the staff by showing your passport since this offer is not available for local Taiwanese.
TRA[edit]TRA's has stations in all major cities. Train stations are often located in the centers of most cities and towns and serve as a convenient hub for most types of transportation. In addition, the train system allows you to bypass the highways, which can become extremely crowded on weekends and national holidays. Booking tickets is recommended when travelling on weekends, especially for long-distance trips. Train timetables and online booking [11] (up to 2 weeks in advance) is available on the TRA website; however, the online services only work between 8AM and 9PM or thereabouts and there is a small charge, $7, for online bookings. Note that booking online only establishes a reservation as there is no Internet payment option. You must pay for the tickets you reserved at your local train station or post office to actually receive it. Children under 115 cm (45 in) height go free, and taller kids shorter than 145 cm (57 in) and under 12 years of age get half-price tickets. If you get return tickets there is a small discount depending upon travel distance. There are also vending machines at the larger stations. Round island tourist rail passes are also available which allow the holder to embark and disembark a set number of times for a fixed price are also available at most larger train stations. A foreign passport may be required for purchase. Aside from THSR, the fastest train is the Tzuchiang.
For trips to nearby cities, commuter is a good choice since they are very frequent (about once every ten to fifteen minutes). It is worth considering purchasing and using a contactless smart card, such as Easycard (悠遊卡) or I-pass (一卡通), to take any commuter, Chukuang or regular Tzuchiang train for 90% the price of commuters within 70 km. This saves time and money, however there will be no assigned seats. Each card costs NT$100 and is not refundable. Also, do try to get your destination station written in Chinese and try to do some "mix and match" with the system map as well as looking out for the matching Chinese characters written on the station. Be alert and always be on the lookout for your destination station, or you risk missing it. By bus[edit]Taiwan has an extensive bus network, run mostly by private bus companies. Travelling by bus is generally cheaper than by train, especially for long-distance trips. However, on holidays, travel time may be much longer and tickets are more likely to be sold out. There are two categories: intercity buses (客運) and local buses (公車). Google Maps is a quick way to find a route to your destination, but is not always reliable, especially for trips with changes. Taiwan Tourist Shuttle is a set of distinctly branded bus routes (some intercity, some local) that serve tourist sites, and are generally easier to use than regular routes. The official website offers route maps, timetables and recommended itineraries, but is somewhat confusing to navigate. There is, however, a toll-free number for inquiries. There are also information desks at major transport hubs. To find an intercity route, and information such as operator, timetables and fares, one can use the Highway Bus Information System website. The site is not completely reliable and may contain errors, but is generally quite helpful. Despite the "Express For Highway Bus" on the top panel, most intercity routes can be found regardless of type. Intercity routes generally have a four-digit number, and can be found by searching with start and end regions/areas. Note that there are often different variants of the same number. The "Bus Line" tab allows searching by route number or other methods. It is recommended to visit the official website of the bus company for more accurate details. A manual search is needed for this as there are no links on the site. Many cities have local buses. They are managed by local governments, therefore information can generally be found on the websites of the respective transportation bureaus. For major cities however, Google Maps works quite well for finding routes. Drivers are usually happy to help, but may not speak English. Route maps at bus stops are mostly in Chinese. For visitors, it may be helpful to have your hotel or accommodation host suggest some routes for you and circle your destination on a map, then show it to the bus driver to make sure you're on the right bus. Announcements are in English, but hopefully the driver will remember to tell you when to get off in case you miss it. Most buses accept either cash (no change) or IC cards (see "By train" section). Minor cities and towns do not have local buses, but have intercity routes that make frequent stops. These can be found using the method in the previous paragraph. Occasionally a bus driver might stop a bus away from the curb at a bus stop. Sometimes it is due to a vehicle illegally parked at a bus stop. (Taiwanese traffic law and regulation prohibit vehicles from stopping or parking within 10 m (33 ft) of a bus stop.) However, a bus driver might stop a bus away from the curb just because he or she does not want to wait for overtaking traffic while leaving a bus stop. Therefore, be much more careful when getting on or off a bus stopped away from a curb, as many motorcycles, motor scooters, and bicycles will definitely be tempted to overtake on the right side of the stopped bus where people get on and off! (As traffic drives on the right side of the road in Taiwan, buses have doors on the right side.) In Taiwan you need to hail the bus you are taking as you see it coming - much like hailing a taxi. The terminal stop of the route is listed on the front of the bus in Chinese and sometimes English, so it is important to make sure the bus you get on is going the right direction. Sometimes you pay when boarding, sometimes when alighting, sometimes both (whether with cash or an IC card). As you get on the bus there will be an LED sign indicating that, opposite the entrance. Sometimes it's only in Chinese: 上 means on boarding, 下 means on alighting (or just watch other people). In some cities such as Kaohsiung and Taichung, failing to swipe your card correctly will result in a locked card. By rapid transit[edit]Taipei Metro is an fairly comprehensive rapid transit system that makes travelling around Taipei a snap. Taoyuan Airport MRT connects western Taipei and Linkou to central Taipei. The Kaohsiung MRT has 2 lines providing fast travel in two directions. A couple of other cities have rapid transit systems under construction. Rechargeable IC cards can be used. There are 4 in operation: EasyCard (悠遊卡), I-pass (一卡通), icash and HappyCash. However, EasyCard cannot be topped-up at Kaohsiung MRT stations. Taipei also has 2-, 3-, 5-day metro passes available sold at station booths (note: they are counted from activation date. A 5-day pass activated Monday noon lasts until end of Friday, not Saturday noon!) They are read via proximity sensors at entry and exit, so you do not need to remove the card from your wallet or purse. However, stacking it with multiple other cards (credit cards, membership cards, etc.) in your wallet might confuse the sensors. All metro systems are very clean, since eating, drinking, and smoking are strictly prohibited. There is also a special waiting area that is monitored by security camera for those who are concerned about security late at night. Stations and trains are wheelchair-friendly, but note that when there are multiple exits from a single station, usually only one of these is equipped with a lift. Platforms are very clearly marked with entry and exit lanes at the doors. People use them and station staff will remind you, when you overstep the mark.... Taipei Metro stations have platform doors to prevent people falling onto the tracks. Taipei Metro has a special chime that is played prior to the train arrival into the station. By taxi[edit]
Some drivers offer shared taxis services to popular places like event venues. If you understand Mandarin and know what the driver is calling out for, it is an option to be considered. Not all drivers can converse in English or read Westernized addresses (except for special Taoyuan airport taxis). Have the hotel desk or a Taiwanese friend write out your destination in Chinese, and also take a business card from the hotel. Show the driver the Chinese writing of where you are going. Taxis are visibly metered (starting point priced at NT$85), and cab drivers are strictly forbidden from taking tips. A maximum of four people can ride in one cab, and for the price of one. Relative to American taxicabs, Taiwanese cabs are inexpensive. Although taxi drivers in Taiwan tend to be more honest than in many other countries, not all are trustworthy. An indirect trip might cost you half again as much. A cab driver using night-time rates during the daytime will cost you 30% more (make sure he presses the large button on the left on his meter before 23:00). Avoid the especially overzealous drivers who congregate at the exits of train stations. Also, stand your ground and insist on paying only the meter price if any driving on mountain roads is involved - some drivers like to tack on surcharges or use night-time rates if driving to places like Wenshan (圓山) or Wulai (烏來). Such practices are against the law. From Taoyuan Airport (TPE), buses and MRT are much more economical options but if you want a direct route Taoyuan airport drivers are the best choice. They're quite comfortable and get you to your destination as quick as possible. All the TPE taxi drivers are interlinked by radio. Taxis from TPE to destinations in TaoYuan, parts of Taipei county and some other destinations are 'allowed' to add an additional 50% to the meter fare. The badge and taxi driver identification are displayed inside and the license number marked on the outside. If there are stories of passengers boarding fake taxis and being attacked by the driver, it is best not to be paranoid about it. Drivers may be more worried about passengers attacking them! If you do call a taxi dispatch center, you will be given a taxi number to identify the vehicle when it arrives. Generally, dispatch is extremely rapid and efficient, as the taxis are constantly monitoring dispatch calls from the headquarters using radio while they are on the move. This is also the safest way to take a taxi, especially for females. Taxis are also a flexible although relatively expensive way to travel to nearby cities. They have the advantage over the electric trains in that they run very late at night. Drivers are required to provide a receipt if asked, though you might find them unwilling to do so. Taxis, as elsewhere in Asia, are not keen on exchanging large bills. Try to keep some smaller denomination bills on hand to avoid the hassle of fighting with the driver for change. Taxi drivers are known for their strong political opinions. Many are supporters of the pan-green coalition and Taiwanese independence, spending all day listening to Taiwanese political talk radio. Be careful about your opinions on sensitive political subjects (including, but not necessarily limited to cross-strait relations). Taxi drivers are generally friendly towards foreigners, and a few of them take the opportunity to try their limited English skills. They are most likely to ask you about yourself, and are a patient audience to your attempts at speaking Mandarin. If you are travelling with small children, don't be surprised if they are given candy when you disembark. To be more safe, women can have the hotel or restaurant phone a cab for them (ensuring a licensed driver), have a companion write down the license number of the driver (clearly displayed on the dashboard), or keep a cell phone handy. Do not get in if the driver doesn't have a license with picture clearly displayed in the cab. Never accept food or drinks from drivers. By scooter or motorcycle[edit]Scooters with an engine size of 50cc require a license to drive, and should be insured and registered in the owner's name. Foreign nationals with stay less than 30 days do not have an easy way to get a scooter license. Until 2003 it wasn't possible to get a scooter above 150cc. Many of the scooters within cities are only 50cc and incapable of going faster than 80km/h (50mph). The more powerful versions known as zhongxing (重型) (heavy format) scooters are now quite common and can be rented for short-term use, or found for sale used at English In Taiwan [12] if you're going to need it for a while. They are not allowed on freeways even if they are capable of going faster than 100km/h (62mph) unless used for certain police purposes, but that just means you have to take the scenic route. If you're just learning to drive a scooter on the streets of Taiwan, it would be a good idea to practice a bit on a back road or alley until you have a feel for the scooter - attempting to do so in the busier cities could easily be fatal. Certainly, things can get pretty hairy on Taiwanese roads and Taipei in particular has narrower more congested roads than many other cities. However if you know what you're doing, it's the perfect way to get around in a city. It should be possible to rent a scooter by the day, week or month, depending on the city in which you're staying. In Taipei, as of September 2008, the only place legally renting scooters and motorbikes to foreigners is the Bikefarm [13], which is run by a very friendly and helpful English guy called Jeremy. In Taichung, Foreigner Assistance Services In Taiwan F.A.S.T offers a rental service for foreign visitors. Otherwise, scooters are generally easy to rent in most major cities, with many such places being conveniently located near railway or bus stations. Most usually require some form of identification even if, in some cases, it consists of your expired Blockbuster video card! The average price you may expect is $400 for 24 hours, this includes one or two helmets. Another option is to rent a motorcycle. Many foreigners swear by their 125cc Wild Wolf (野狼) motorcycles, and a trip around the island on a motorcycle can be a great way to see the island up close. It is to be mentioned that since 2007, scooters and motorcycle over 550cc are allowed to go on expressway providing that they have a red license plate. They are however to be considered as cars, and as such cannot be parked in scooter parking spaces. By car[edit]The legal driving age in Taiwan is 18. Luxgen, a Taiwanese automaker is extremely popular. An international driving license is required for driving in Taiwan and may be used for up to 30 days, after which you'll need to apply for a local permit. Some municipalities may impose additional restrictions, so check ahead with the rental shop. VIP Rentals [14] in Taipei is quite happy to rent cars to foreigners, and will even deliver the car to a given destination. A deposit is often required, and the last day of rental is not pro-rated, but calculated on a per-hour basis at a separate (higher) rate. CheapCarTaiwan.com [15] has all info in English and cheap & easy rentals and contracts with small deposits. The numbered freeway system in Taiwan is great. They cover many parts of the island and are in excellent shape. Most traffic signs are in international symbols, but many signs show names of places and streets in Taiwanese only. Nevertheless, almost all official directional signs will be written in both Taiwanese and English. However, the non-standardized Romanization means that English names can vary between road signs, making it rather confusing. Odd-numbered freeways have tolls, which are automatically collected by ETC[16]. The toll for cars is (NT$1.2/km up to 200 km) + (NT$0.9/excess km), km being kilometers traveled per day. The first 20 km per day is free and thus deducted from the distance. Freeways may be used directly, but users are advised to apply for an “eTag”, which is free and when equipped gives 10% discounts and allows you to store pre-paid money for tolls. The eTag can also be set to pay tolls automatically with credit card or a savings account. Users without the eTag pay tolls at convenient stores 3 days after usage and if not, bills will be mailed to car owners. The toll stations you may come across are obsolete, and are either reserved for memorial purposes or not yet removed. Take freeways tolls into consideration when renting cars. While driving may be the best way to get around the countryside, in larger cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung, traffic jams are a problem as well as the difficulty of finding a good parking space, especially during the rush hour and traffic tends to get chaotic so you might be better off relying on public transport instead. There are a total of 10 national freeways National Freeway 1(Sun-Yat-sen Freeway) 375 km (233 mi) 2st longest freeway in Taiwan National Freeway 2 National Freeway 3 National Freeway 3A National freeway 4 National freeway 5 National freeway 6 National freeway 7 National freeway 8 National freeway 10 By thumb[edit]While Taiwanese themselves don't generally hitchhike, foreigners who have done so say that it was very easy. However, in rural areas people may not recognize the thumb in the air symbol, and you may have to try other ways - flagging down a car might work on a country lane with little or no public transportation, but doing so on a major road might lead to confusion, with the driver assuming that you are in trouble. A sign, especially one in Mandarin, would therefore be of great help. The East coast around Hualien and Taitung enjoys a reputation for being especially good for getting rides. Taiwanese people are very friendly and helpful, so striking up a conversation with someone at a transport cafe or freeway service station may well see you on your way. However, to avoid possible confusion later, ensure that the driver realizes that you want a free ride. By bicycle[edit]While known for being a major player in the bicycle industry (through companies such as Giant and Merida), until fairly recently, bicycles in Taiwan were considered an unwanted reminder of less prosperous times. Thankfully, this has changed in recent years. Bicycling is again on the rise, both as a tool for commuting and recreation, and support infrastructure is slowly being put into place. Several bike paths have been built, and recreational cycling has become quite popular amongst locals, especially on weekends. However, you should also be aware that local drivers have a well deserved reputation for recklessness. As such, you should exercise extreme caution when cycling outside of designated bicycle lanes and trails. In recent years, the government has been promoting bicycling as a method of clean recreation. Several designated bicycle paths have been built throughout Taiwan (especially along riverside parks). Additionally, long distance rides, including through the Central Mountain Range, and along the coastline around the main island have become popular [17]. For long distance trips, bicycles can be shipped as is using standard freight service from the Taiwan Railway Administration between larger stations. A price table is available at: [18] (Taiwanese language only). Non-folding bicycles may also be transported aboard the Taipei and Kaohsiung rapid transit systems if loaded at specific stations, during off peak hours (usually 10AM-4PM on weekdays, check with your local station personnel to confirm).
Giant Bicycles Corporation operates a large network of bicycle retail stores that offer rentals for as little as NT$100 per day, if requested one week in advance. Public shared bicycles are also available for rent at automated kiosks in Taipei's Hsinyi District, and in Kaohsiung. Rental fees in Taipei may be paid using the rapid transit EasyCard system, but require a deposit paid via credit card. Additionally, many local police stations provide basic support services for cyclists, such as air pumps, and as a rest stop. Bikepacking e.g exploring Kenting by bicyle is just perfect. The distances are made for short day trips. All the beautiful beaches are in biking distance around 30 min to 1 hour. In case you are flexible with your accommodation, you’ll see a lot of things. The best time for a bicyle tour is until 11 am or in the afternoon starting after 3 pm.* Talk[edit]
A mix of Taiwanese Minnan, Mandarin, Hakka and other Asian languages are spoken on the island, as well as several aboriginal Austronesian languages. Mandarin is the lingua franca, but Taiwanese Minnan is spoken as the first or secondary language by some 70% of the population. In the North where there is a large concentration of so-called "mainlanders" (those whose families came to Taiwan from mainland China in the 1940s as refugees of the Chinese Civil War), most people speak Mandarin as their primary language (although Taiwanese is spoken in abundance), but in the South of the island, Taiwanese Minnan is far more common. Mandarin, Taiwanese Minnan and Hakka are all tonal languages, which make them difficult for most foreigners to master. On the Matsu islands, the dominant Chinese dialect is Mindong or Eastern Min (also known as Hokchiu or Foochowese), which is also spoken in the area around Fuzhou and the coastal areas of northern Fujian. Although standard Mandarin in Taiwan is nearly identical to standard Mandarin in mainland China (with differences mostly in technical and translated terms invented post-1949), most people in practice speak a distinctly accented version known as Taiwanese Mandarin. For example, Taiwanese Mandarin tends to not differentiate between the "S" and "Sh" sounds in Mandarin. All people schooled after 1945 are generally fluent in Mandarin, although it is sometimes not the first language of choice especially among the middle aged to older generation. Mandarin is fairly popular with young people. Some in the older generation are not fluent in Mandarin as they were schooled in Japanese or not at all. Universally the Taiwanese are very accepting of foreigners and react with curiosity and admiration for trying the local tongue. Generally, most people in Taiwan converse using a combination of Mandarin and Taiwanese by code-switching. Mandarin is spoken more commonly than Taiwanese Minnan within Taipei City, while Taiwanese Minnan is fairly spoken in the Southern Region of Taiwan although Mandarin is also spoken commonly among the local Taiwanese as well. Taiwan continues to use traditional Chinese characters, the script also used in Hong Kong and Macau, and not the simplified versions used on the mainland. The Taiwanese dialect (Tainan accent is the prestige accent) is a sub-dialect of mainstream Minnan which is similar to the dialect spoken across the Taiwan Strait in Xiamen. Unlike Xiamen Minnan, Taiwanese Minnan has some loan words from Japanese as a result of 50 years of Japanese colonization. Taiwanese Minnan and Xiamen Minnan are both mixtures of the Zhangzhou and Quanzhou accents so as a result, Taiwanese Minnan (Tainan accent) sounds highly identical to Xiamen Minnan. All public announcements in the transportation system will be made in Mandarin, Taiwanese Minnan and Hakka, with the exception of the Matsu islands, where announcements are made in Mandarin and the Mindong dialect. Younger people generally speak a basic conversational level of English, especially in Taipei. Children often understand more English than their parents, especially with the emphasis on English language education today, and English being a compulsory subject in Taiwanese schools. However, attempts to speak Mandarin, Taiwanese Minnan or Hakka will be met with beaming smiles and encouragement, by and large. Quite a few people, especially in Taipei, are proficient in Japanese due to the high number of Japanese visitors and also linked to the historical colonisation of Taiwan by Japanese rule before 1949. Staff for tourist attractions such as the Taipei 101, museums, hotels, popular restaurants and airport shops speak Japanese in addition to Mandarin, Taiwanese Minnan, Hakka, English,and other local languages. In fact, if you are a visitor of East Asian descent especially Korean or Japanese who cannot understand Mandarin or Taiwanese Minnan, when a worker realizes this he or she may try speaking to you in Japanese before trying English. In addition to this, some older people still understand and speak Japanese having lived through the fifty year period of Japanese rule. See[edit]Nature[edit]Many people think of Taiwan as a grimy, densely populated industrial island nation full of hard disk factories, and you may well maintain this perception if you only stick to the densely populated West Coast. However, for those who take time to venture to the more sparsely populated East Coast will quickly find that the country is actually home to some stunning landscapes. The Taroko Gorge (太魯閣) near Hualien in particular is very impressive, and should not be missed. Most of Taiwan is covered with mountains which offer breathtaking views, so hiking opportunities are very diverse. Do[edit]
Warning: Before you travel all the way to the hot springs, make sure to bring the right kind of swimsuit, if you want to enter a place where swimwear is mandatory. Loose shorts etc are not allowed. You need to wear clothing made from an elastic fabric, so tight fabric shorts are needed. Usually people are very nice therefore this is probably because they truly believe it is more hygienic, and not just to sell you a cheap swimsuit (around 250$). Festivals[edit]
Gambling[edit]While gambling is technically illegal in Taiwan, mahjong (Mandarin: 麻将 má jiàng; Taiwanese: 麻雀 moâ-chhiok) remains popular. The Taiwanese version of the game differs significantly from the better known Cantonese and Japanese versions, most notably because a hand consists of 16 tiles instead of the 13 used in other version. However, it remains mostly a family and friends affair and there are no publicly advertised mahjong parlours. Buy[edit]The currency of Taiwan is the New Taiwan dollar with the ISO code of TWD (but also referred to locally as NT$, and NTD) (新臺幣 or just 臺幣). One unit is called a dollar or NT in English. In Mandarin, a dollar is known as a yuan (元 or more formally 圓) or colloquially a kuai (塊). In Taiwanese Hokkien, a dollar is a kho͘ (箍), colloquially. Unless noted otherwise, All $ prices in this guide are in New Taiwan dollars. As of April 2024:
Coins come in denominations of NT$1, 5, 10, 20 and NT$50. Banknotes come in denominations of NT$100, 200, 500, NT$1,000 and NT$2,000. Perhaps due to counterfeiting problems, the NT$200 and NT$2,000 banknotes are rarely seen. Taiwan Dollar is fully convertible and there are no restrictions on taking cash into or out of the island. Currency exchange is possible abroad, but you will get a much better rate if you exchange at an airport in Taiwan. Most banks in Taipei and Kaohsiung will also exchange money or offer cash advances on credit or debit cards. Should you bring American currency, please be sure to bring newer bills as the banks and exchange-centers (such as in department stores) will only accept the newer bills (bills from 1996 and 2003 are not accepted at most places, due to a high proportion of forgeries bearing these years). Bills which are torn or damaged will probably not be changed, and old-style small-bust bills are not accepted. Bank of Taiwan will take older bank notes and bank notes that are wrinkled or torn for exchange. Department stores will not exchange bills older than 1997. Don't forget to show your passport! If you've forgotten to bring any money at all, but have your credit or debit card handy, there's no need to fret. Use any of the abundant 24-hour ATMs to withdraw cash from anywhere in the world using the Plus or Cirrus systems. Certain banks' ATMs will even tell you your available balance in your own currency or in NT$. There is a per transaction limit of NT$20,000 for ATM cash withdrawals (HSBC Global Access customers may withdraw NT$30,000 from HSBC ATMs). Most hotels and department stores accept credit cards, generally Visa and Master Card as well as JCB. Diners Club or American Express cards are seldom accepted. Most restaurants and small stores do not accept cards, and cash is the main form of payment. Because street crime is rare, it is common for people in Taiwan to carry large amounts of cash with them. Costs[edit]Taiwan is significantly cheaper than Japan, and slightly more expensive than China. For a budget traveller on a bare bones budget, NT$1,000 will get you by for a day, but you'll probably want to double that for comfort. A meal at a street stall may cost NT$80 or less, a meal at a Western fast food restaurant will run you about NT$180 and at the fanciest restaurants, you can expect a bill in excess NT$1,000. On the high end of the spectrum, hotel rooms at a swanky hotel might cost NT$5,000 or more. NO Tipping[edit]Tipping is generally not practiced in Taiwan, with the possible exception of bellhops in high end hotels. Full service restaurants typically impose a service charge, but this is typically not given to staff. Tipping is also not expected in taxis and drivers would usually return your change to the last dollar. Shopping[edit]As in many Asian countries, night markets are a staple of Taiwanese entertainment, shopping and eating. Night markets are open-air markets, usually on a street or alleyway, with vendors selling all sorts of wares on every side. Many bargains can be had, and wherever prices are not displayed, haggling is expected. In the larger cities you will have a night market every night and in the same place. In smaller cities, they are only open certain nights of the week, and may move to different streets depending on the day of the week. Every city has at least one night market; larger cities like Taipei may have a dozen or more. Night markets are crowded, so remember to watch out for your wallet! Shops selling the same items tend to congregate in the same part of the city. If you want to buy something, ask someone to take you to one shop and there will probably be shops selling similar things nearby. For those who do not like the concept of haggling and fake goods, there are many shopping centres in Taipei where prices are usually fixed and goods are genuine. Otherwise, shopping streets in larger cities like Kaohsiung and Taichung can also easily get you what you want. And of course, there is the trendy Ximending (西門町) in Taipei, where you can pretty much find anything associated with the youths, also at fixed prices. Bargaining is OK and expected in night markets and small stores. Computer chain shops and department stores normally have fixed prices, but at least in department stores you may get a "registered member discount" if you're shopping a lot. Anyway it's always worth a try! When bargaining at small stores, please note that the agreed prices are normally cash prices. If you like to use a credit card, the seller normally wants to add anything up to 8% to the price as a "card fee" etc. The fee consists actually of the credit company's commission and also the local sales tax/VAT. Even if you pay cash, you normally don't get an official receipt, as then the seller would have to report & pay their taxes in full. If you ask for a receipt or "fa piao" (發票), you will get it but you may need to pay 3-5% more. What to buy[edit]Popular things to buy include:
Note: In order to protect the environment, a government policy rules that plastic bags cannot be given freely at stores in Taiwan, but have to be bought (at a flat rate of NT$1) - bakeries being an exception as the items need to be hygienically wrapped. Re-useable canvas and nylon bags are sold at most supermarkets. Eat[edit]Generally speaking, the foods of Taiwan are derived from mainland Chinese cuisines. It is possible to find Szechuan (四川) food, Hunan (湖南) food, Beifang (北方) food, Cantonese (廣東) food and almost every other Chinese cuisine on the island. The Taiwanese are also passionately in love with eggs and seafood, as you will discover during your stay on the island. Fruits are another famous part of Taiwanese food. A wide range of fruits can be found at local fruit shops and stations. The subtropical climate allows different fruits to grow nicely. In fact, you can find almost every kind of fruit you can think of in Taiwan. Taiwan also has many of its own local specialties. A few found island wide include:
Most cities and towns in Taiwan are famous for special foods because of the Taiwanese passion for food and influences from many different countries. For example, Ilan (宜蘭) is famous for its Tongue Cake (牛舌餅), a biscuist which shape like the Ox tongue. Hualiaen is famous for its mochi (麻吉), a sticky rice snack often flavored with sesame, peanuts or other flavorings. Yonghe (永和), a suburb of Taipei, is famous for its freshly made soy milk (豆漿) and breakfast foods. Taichung is famous for its sun cakes (太陽餅 tàiyáng bǐng), a kind of sweet stuffed pastry and the best place to buy some is arguably Taiyang Tang (太陽堂) along Freedom Road (自由路), where the pastry was supposedly invented. In Chiayi, it's square cookies, also called cubic pastry (方塊酥), crispy layered cookies cut into squares and sprinkled liberally with sesame seeds. Tainan is particularly famous among the Taiwanese for its abundance of good food and should be a stop for all gourmands. The most famous dish is arguably the coffin bread (棺材板). Virtually every city has its own famous specialties; many Taiwanese tourists will visit other cities on the island simply to try the local foods and then return home.
Taiwanese cuisine is by essence Taiwanese, but also influenced by Japanese and its own tribal heritage. Most local food is made of local animals' meat. Thai food is also popular because of its exotic taste, and the fact you can eat it with spoon and fork. Taiwan also has remarkably good bakery items. Most specialize in sweet Taiwanese pastries or Western pastries adjusted to local tastes, but look out for We Care bakeries which also offer Western options such as whole wheat loaves, sour breads and ciabatta. Vegetarians are better catered for in restaurants and variety than in most other countries. Places to eat[edit]If you're on a budget, the cheapest food can be found in back-alley noodle shops and night market stalls, where you can get a filling bowl of noodles for around NT$35-70. The Taiwanese love to snack and even many restaurants advertise xiaochi (小吃), literally "small eats", the Taiwanese equivalent of Cantonese dim sum. There are also the standard fast food places such as McDonalds (a standard Big Mac Meal costs NT$115), KFC and MOS Burger. In addition there are large numbers of convenience stores (such as 7-11) that sell things like tea eggs, sandwiches, bento boxes (便當盒) and drinks. Night markets are also a good place to try some delicious local Taiwanese fare at attractive prices. Examples would be the Shilin Night Market (士林夜市) in Taipei and the Liouho Night Market (六合夜市) in Kaohsiung, each of which has its own special dishes not to be missed. Etiquette[edit]Food in Taiwan is generally eaten with chopsticks and served on large plates placed at the center of the table. Often times, a serving spoon or pair of chopsticks (公筷 gōngkuài) is usually accompanied with the dishes and guests do not use their own chopsticks to transfer food to their plates. The usual traditional taboos when eating with chopsticks apply in Taiwan as well. For instance, do not stick your chopsticks straight up or into your bowl of rice. This is reminiscent of incense sticks at a temple, and has connotations of wishing death upon those around you. When putting down chopsticks, either place them on the provided porcelain chopstick rest (at fancier restaurants) or rest the chopsticks across the top of your bowl. Also, do not use your chopsticks to spear your food or move bowls and plates. Dietary restrictions[edit]All Mahayana Buddhists, which account for the majority of adherents in Taiwan, aspire to be pure vegetarian in deference to the Buddha's teaching of non-violence and compassion. So, vegetarian restaurants (called su-shi tsan-ting 素食餐廳 in Mandarin, and often identified with the 卍 symbol) can be found in abundance all over the island, and they run from cheap buffet style to gourmet and organic. Buffet styled restaurants (called 自助餐, which means "Serve Yourself Restaurant") are common in almost every neighborhood in large cities, and unlike the 'all-you-can-eat' buffets (which charge a set price, usually ranging from NT$250-350 including dessert and coffee/tea), the cost is estimated by the weight of the food on your plate. Rice (there is usually a choice of brown or white) is charged separately, but soup or cold tea is free and you can refill as many times as you like. NT$90-120 will buy you a good sized, nutritious meal. However, if you cannot find a veggie restaurant, don't fret. Taiwanese people are very flexible and most restaurants will be happy to cook you up something to suit your requirements. The following sentences in Mandarin might be helpful: 我吃素 (Wo chi su literally meaning "I eat vegetarian") - I'm vegetarian, 我不吃肉 (Wo bu chi rou literally meaning "I don't eat meat"). However, as Mandarin is a tonal language, you might need to say both, plus practice your acting skills to get yourself understood. Good luck! NB: If a restaurant refuses your order, don't push the issue. The reason will not be an unwillingness to accommodate your request, but because the basic ingredients of their dishes may include chicken broth or pork fat. Taiwanese vegetarianism 素食 isn't simply vegetarianism, for there is a notion of "plainness" to it. In most cases it excludes items such onion, ginger, and garlic. Buddhists and Taoists consider these items "un-plain" because they potentially cause physical excitement, which could hinder the meditative process. Thus, when offering food to a strict vegetarian, be aware that they may not eat food containing onion, ginger, and garlic. Although vegetarian restaurants in Taiwan do not adhere to vegan principles, due to the fact that Taiwanese do not have a tradition of eating dairy products, almost all non-dessert dishes at Taiwanese style veggie restaurants will actually be vegan. Service fee[edit]As mentioned, tipping is generally not practiced. However, most mid-range to high-end restaurants charge a mandatory service fee equal to 10% of the bill. This should always be clearly written on the menu. Drink[edit]As Taiwan is a subtropical island nation with the south part in the tropics, it cannot hurt to drink a lot, especially during summertime. Drink vending machines can be found virtually everywhere and are filled with all kinds of juices, tea, coffee drinks, soy milk and mineral water. There are also many convenience stores in every city in Taiwan (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, OK are the four largest convenience store brands). Drinks prepared individually (coffee, freshly squeezed juices) will often be sealed with a transparent cover. Taiwan has banned insulating styrofoam cups for their environmental impact. During humid times, the cup will be wrapped in an extra plastic bag to prevent condensation from dripping down. You might consider getting a personal, reusable cup, and some of the drink shops will offer a discount for using your own cup. Water[edit]Water or ice you are served in restaurants are usually filtered tap water (mostly without extra charge for water), which is generally safe. However, it is best to drink water both filtered and boiled. Water fountains in Taiwan always incorporate filters, and they can be found in practically every lodge, hotel, most of the museums, some of the government buildings and most of the MRT stations. You can refill and reuse your bottles at these fountains as well. Another reason for drinking previously boiled or bottled water in Taiwan is that Taiwan is a seismic active zone. Because of a large number of earthquakes, the water delivery system (pipes) are easily damaged allowing contaminants to enter the water prior to it reaching the tap. Therefore drinking previously boiled or bottled water is probably a wise choice. Alcohol[edit]Taiwan's legal age to consume alcohol is 18 years of age. Minors caught drinking can face fines ranging from NT$10,000 to NT$50,000. The drinking age is not heavily enforced and minors can easily buy alcohol at convenience stores such as 711. The only places that check for people’s ID are nightclubs, and even they won’t check if a table is reserved. Traditional alcoholic drinks in Taiwan are very strong. Kaoliang (高粱酒) is the most famous alcoholic drink. A distilled grain liquor, it can be extremely strong, usually with alcohol content of 38%-63% (76-126 proofs), and often drunk straight. Taiwan also produces many types of Shaoxing (紹興酒), rice wine, which are considered by many as being some of the best in the world. Taiwanese people enjoy beer on ice. A wide variety of imported beers are available, but the standard is Taiwan Beer (台灣啤酒), produced by a former government monopoly. It is brewed with fragrant penglai rice in addition to barley giving it a distinctive flavor. The beer is served cold and recognized as an especially suitable complement to Taiwanese and Japanese cuisine, especially seafood dishes such as sushi and sashimi. Taiwan Beer has won international awards, including the International Monde Selection in 1977 and the Brewing Industry International Awards in 2002. Beer on tap is uncommon in Taiwan, and most places serve beer in bottles. For a special and rare treat, ask for the Taiwan Draft Beer (台灣生啤酒), which comes in a plain green bottle. This has a 2-week expiration, so it can only be found at the breweries (there are a few scattered around Taiwan) or at select stores and restaurants in the vicinity. It is legal to consume alcohol in the public areas of Taiwan. In fact, many locals and foreigners alike will go to a convenience store and just drink outside. Convenience stores generally offer very cheap prices on beer and will open any bottles for you, also some stores may also offer some seats and table for you to drink and eat. Tea and coffee[edit] Pearl milk tea and pudding milk tea, Chiayi Taiwan's specialty teas are High Mountain Oolong (高山烏龍, Gao-Shan Wulong) - a fragrant, light tea, and Tie Guan-Yin (鐵觀音) - a dark, rich brew. Enjoying this tea, served in the traditional way using a very small teapot and tiny cups, is an experience you should not miss. This way of taking tea is called Lao Ren Cha (老人茶) - 'old people's tea', and the name is derived from the fact that only the elderly traditionally had the luxury of time to relax and enjoy tea in this way. Check the small print when visiting a traditional tea house though: in addition to the tea itself, you may be charged a cover (茶水費, literally "tea-water fee") for the elaborate process of preparing it as well as for any nibbles served on the side. One should also try Lei Cha (擂茶; Léi Chá) a tasty and nourishing Hakka Taiwanese tea-based beverage consisting of a mix ground tea leaves and grain. Some stores specialize in this product and allows one to grind their own lei cha. Pearl milk tea (珍珠奶茶 Zhēnzhū nǎichá), aka "bubble tea" or "boba tea", is milky tea with chewy balls of tapioca added, drunk through an over-sized straw. it's not quite as popular as it once was but can still be found at nearly every coffee/tea shop. Look for a shop where it is freshly made. The cafe culture has hit Taiwan in a big way, and in addition to an abundance of privately owned cafes, all the major chains, such as Starbucks, have a multitude of branches throughout major towns and cities. Some chains, such as Cama Coffee, roast their beans on site (you can watch them do it during off-peak-hours). Hot drinks will be served in plastic cups, as styrofoam cups have been banned in Taiwan for their bad bio degradation. Iced drinks, especially at high humidity times, will come in an extra plastic bag to catch condensing moisture. Soft drinks[edit]Taiwan is a great place for fresh fruit drinks. Small fruit-juice bars make them fresh on the spot and are experts at creating fruit-juice cocktails (non-alcoholic, of course). zong-he - mixed - is usually a sweet and sour combination and mu-gwa niou-nai (木瓜牛奶) is iced papaya milk. End of winter is strawberry season while typhoon season is the time for popular mango juices and milk shakes. If you don't want ice (though it is safe in Taiwan, even at road side vendors) say, chu bing (去冰) and no sugar - wu tang (無糖). Soy milk, or doujiang (豆漿), is a great treat. Try it hot or cold. Savoury soy milk is a traditional Taiwanese breakfast dish. It is somewhat of an acquired taste as vinegar is added to curdle the milk. Both sweet and savory soy milk are often ordered with you-tiao (油條), or deep fried dough crullers. There are a lot of pseudo health drinks in Taiwanese supermarkets and convenience stores. Look out for asparagus juice and lavender milk tea for example. Sleep[edit]Taiwan doesn't sleep - just look at the number of 24-hour stores out there. But, since you have to.... For the budget-minded, there are hostels in Taipei and most other sizeable cities. Camping is also available in many areas. Taiwanese hotels range in quality from seedy to very luxurious. Despite the complexities of doing business with both mainland China and Taiwan, most Western hotel chains operate in Taiwan such as Sheraton, Westin and Hyatt. Also, there are plenty of five-star hotels around. Keep in mind, however, that many of the international hotels tend to be outrageously expensive, while comparable and much cheaper accommodation is usually available in the same vicinity. For example, the airport hotel at Taoyuan International charges about three or four times as much as a hotel in Taoyuan which is a half hour cab ride away. Taxi drivers and tourist offices are invaluable resources for finding cheaper hotels. Many hotels in Taiwan have both Chinese and English names, which can differ radically. Find out and bring along the Chinese name (in Chinese characters), as locals will usually not be able to identify the English ones. Especially when you visit the regions less travelled by westerners (mostly because there is no business there), don't be shy to walk in on the more pricey hotels, especially off-season. The Caesar (凱撒大飯店), the Chateau (夏都沙灘酒店) and the Howard Beach Resort (福華大飯店) at Kenting, for example, located at one of the nicest beaches of tropical Taiwan, can be of exceptional value if you stay there during wintertime, as the rooms not yet let for the night are offered far below their normal price at last minute. Hotel beds in Taiwan are generally much harder than in the West because of the old Asian tradition to sleep on a wood board. Modern mattresses can be found in most hotels, but only in the most upscale Western style hotels will you find beds in a real western style. Notice! Although motels (汽車旅館) can be easily found in suburbs of major cities, they are not mainly for accommodation. Despite the name, these motels have little if anything to do with the cheap functional hotels that use the name elsewhere; in Taiwan, motels are intended for romantic trysts and can be quite extravagant in décor and facilities. Many feature enormous baths with massage jets, separate massage showers, marble tiles, and so forth. Suites come with flat screen TVs as well as centrally controlled sound systems. During the daytime, most offer "rests" (休息) of a few hours, and indeed check-in times for overnight stays (住宿) can be as late at 22:00. Learn[edit]Taiwan has several good universities, many of which have exchange agreements with foreign universities, and these are a good way to experience life in Taiwan. The most prestigious university is National Taiwan University. Study Hakka[edit]Taiwan has a lot of private institutions offering Hakka programs as a second language. The romanisation system taught here nowadays is Tongyong Pinyin (Tongyòng Pinyin), whereas in the past they taught Zhuyin (注音), or BoPoMoFo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ). Other Chinese varieties[edit]Some universities in Taiwan have a Taiwanese Promoting Programs (華語文推廣中心) that offers Taiwanese Hokkien or Hakka lessons to foreigners who wish to live in Taiwan and learn them as a foreign language. Martial arts[edit]There are many styles of kung fu (功夫) taught in Taiwan, largely by masters who came here with the Kuomintang in the late 1940's. Styles include Ba Gua (八卦), Tai Chi (太極), Wing Chun (詠春), Praying Mantis (螳螂), Shway (水) Shiao and various weapons systems. Many of the students are westerners in these classes, which has led to the rise of several NHB Allegra [22] schools, as well as Ju Jitsu and Aikido from Japan. Some of the more famous teachers will provide you with the paperwork needed to extend a student visa twice. Taekwondo is also extremely popular and is often a mandatory part of school children's physical education. Work[edit]The majority of travellers who work in Taiwan pick up temporary jobs teaching English. Jobs teaching other languages (mainly European or Japanese) do exist but have a much smaller proportion of the market. Job requirements - in finding employment with a language school, experience, teaching qualifications and references are not required but obviously help. On paper, a big issue is also made about accents, with the North American English accent being heavily favored over British, Australian and South African accents in many language schools' sales marketing. However, in practice, many schools that advertise 'American English' and claim that their teachers are all from Canada or the USA, actually employ teachers from anywhere. Age is a factor, with applicants in their 20s seemingly being preferred. More than anything, appearance is probably the major factor in finding employment with most schools - Do you 'look Western'? - and reliability and turning up on time for work is then the major factor for keeping your job. Therefore, if you look the part, it is very easy to find a school willing to take you on for at least a few days. This 'look Western' point has quite a bearing. Unfortunately, Taiwan is hardly a great promoter of equal opportunities. In many schools there is a prejudice against teachers applying for jobs who are not of white Caucasian appearance, seen as the typical Western appearance in Asian countries. This is independent of whether or not the teacher has relevant teaching ability and citizenship of one of the permitted ARC countries. Many parents who send their children to schools to be taught English expect the teacher to look like they are from the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, and so on, and so the decision on the part of the school managers is mainly about economics. For those affected by this, it's a sad fact of Taiwan that is unlikely to change in the near future. Good employers without such prejudiced requirements do exist, but greater perseverance is needed when looking for them. It is illegal to work without a work permit and an ARC (or Alien Residency Permit), and legal work officially requires a university degree and usually a long (two month+) application process. However, illegal employment is easy to find with many school managers being willing to pay under the table for short durations. Be aware that if caught or reported, you risk criminal charges and could be deported. The government tends to waver from being very lax on this issue under one administration to suddenly taking action under the next; but remember that it only takes one disgruntled student to report you and have you fined and deported. Consider your options carefully! The rules for getting an ARC do change often and each administrative part of Taiwan has its own ways of handling them, so it is best to check the pages of the website Forumosa [23] and find out what the experiences of others are in your area. Keep in mind, that you can only get an ARC for English teaching if you are a 'citizen of a native English speaking country'. Taiwan's government defines these countries to be only the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa. Almost all teachers apply for an ARC through their employers only after starting work and it is tied to their ongoing employment with that school. Therefore, if the teacher wishes to leave their employment, they will have to quickly find an alternative employer or lose their ARC and hence be required to leave Taiwan. Also, very few schools will arrange an ARC without at least a year-long contract being signed. Frankly, with all this inflexibility, it's no wonder so many teachers opt for the non-legal route. That and tax evasion. British and German citizens aged 18-30 can apply for a working holiday visa. For more information, visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs website. A lot of the illegal teaching work that the majority of English teachers partake in is simply through private student tuition with payment being cash-in-hand. You can find a lot of private students around universities that have a Taiwanese-teaching department - look for the areas where all the foreign students will be and check the noticeboards. Because the majority of adult private students want to practice English conversation, you won't need to have any Taiwanese ability. However, it is definitely a selling point and, if you do have Taiwanese-speaking ability, it's worthwhile mentioning that in any advertising of your services. Also, once you have some regular students, remember that in Taiwan, as in most Asian countries, 'connections' or 'guanxi' are very important - if your students like you, they will in all likelihood recommend you to their family and friends. Teaching English in Taiwan can be lucrative, as the salaries are very high compared to the cost of living, typically ranging $500-650 per hour before deductions in most language schools, with anything between $500-1,000 per hour being negotiable for private students. In the past few years, the flow of would-be teachers into Taiwan has increased dramatically, resulting in stiffer competition for jobs as well as a general drop in wages and this trend may continue. On top of this, the Taiwanese dollar has been sliding in value over the past five years, meaning you get less and less for your dollar in foreign currency at the end of the month. It is still possible to save money however, and it's a popular option for recent university graduates. At Move to Taiwan you can see a monthly financial breakdown of income vs. cost of living for new English teachers in Taiwan. Aside from English-teaching, other common kinds of employment available for mainly native English-speaking travellers include such tid-bits as small acting parts for TV and film, voice talent (video games, dubbing tracks, etc), editing and even writing educational materials. Many of these will be advertised on billboards in Taiwanese language-teaching institutes and universities, where there are likely to be many foreign students. If after travelling and living there, you find you are serious about working in Taiwan, the most lucrative employment to be had is if you are employed by a multinational company, perhaps in a high-paying country like the UK, U.S. or Australia, and you are sent across to their office in Taiwan. Many foreigners end up doing the same job as their colleagues who were employed in the Taiwan office, but for perhaps 3 or 4 times their pay. Stay safe[edit]Law enforcement in Taiwan[edit]Law enforcement in taiwan is provided by the national police agency of Taiwan. Certain cities may also have their own police forces. Marked cars are typically black and white. Lettering are mainly in Chinese. Taiwan Police have foreign affairs unit staffed by English speaking officers and some officers espically around tourist areas understand English. Drugs[edit]
Pollution[edit]Air pollution in Taiwan is significantly created both domestically as well as blown over from mainland China. Taiwan's topography has been noted to be a contributing factor to its air pollution problem. Taipei, Taiwan's capital and largest city for example, is surrounded by mountains, and other industrial centers along the northern and western coasts of Taiwan are surrounded by high mountains. You can check air quality real time monitoring on this page. For reference the USA standard for fine particles (PM2.5) over 24 hours should be below 35µg/m3. Especially when traveling with elders or children, it is a good idea to use a mask that can filter fine particles (how to choose a mask). Crime[edit]Taiwan is very safe for tourists, even for women at night. This is not to say, however, that there is no crime, and you should always exercise caution. In crowded areas such as night markets or festivals, for example, pickpockets are a known problem. However, it is fair to say that the streets of Taiwan are generally very safe and that violent crime and muggings are very rare. In addition, it is also very unusual to see drunks on the street, day or night.
Police departments in most jurisdictions have a Foreign Affairs Police unit staffed by English speaking officers. When reporting a major crime, it is advisable to contact the Foreign Affairs unit in addition to officers at the local precinct. Police stations are marked with a red light above the door and display a sign with the word "Police" clearly printed in English. For more information see the National Police Agency website [24]. Foreign victims of a major crime in Taiwan are also advised to report the matter to their government's representative office in Taipei. Also, remember that you call 110 for police in Taiwan, and 119 for Fire Dept. or Medical Help. Most of the public telephone booths will allow you to call 110 or 119 for free. See "Emergency Phone Numbers" section below. Emergency Phone Numbers[edit]
For those who need assistance in English, the Taiwanese government[25] has a 24-hour toll-free foreigner service hotline at 0800-024-111, which you may call for assistance. Natural Hazards[edit]Taiwan often experiences typhoons (颱風) during the summer months and early fall, especially on the East Coast. Heavy monsoon rainfall also occurs during the summer. Hikers and mountaineers should be sure to consult weather reports before heading into the mountains. A major hazard following heavy rainfall in the mountains is falling rocks (土石流) caused by the softening of the earth and there are occasional reports of people being killed or injured by these. Taiwan rates typhoons from tropical depression, tropical storm, severe tropical storm, typhoon, very strong typhoon and violent typhoon. Taiwan is also located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, which means that earthquakes are a common occurrence. Most earthquakes are barely noticeable, though the effect may be slightly amplified for those in higher buildings. While the local building codes are extremely strict, general precautions should still be observed during an earthquake, including opening the door for preventing it being jammed, taking cover and checking for gas leaks afterwards. Tsunamis are also a common threat to Taiwan. Go inland if you have experience an earthquake especially a strong one and are near the shoreline.
The Formosan rock Macaque is a type of monkey that lives in Taiwan mostly in rural areas. While they mostly avoid human interaction the Macaque is attracted to human food and can steal them. Driving in Taiwan[edit]Taiwan traffic can be unpredictable and even dangerous. Taiwan has high number of car accidents some resulting in injuries or even fatalities. Drivers are known to speed, drive aggressively especially those on scooters. Note that signs may not have English translations in all areas. Familiarise yourself about local rules and parking policies before hitting the roads. Most traffic lights in Taiwan have countdown timers to alert drivers when the light colours will change from red to green. If you happen to drive a car or a motorcycle, the obvious rule is that if someone turns in front of you, you should be the one to adapt. To avoid collisions, drivers need to be extremely vigilant for other vehicles creating hazards and always be willing to adjust speed or direction to accommodate. Do not expect drivers to yield way, or respect traffic lights in many areas. Sounding the horn is the usual way a Taiwanese driver indicates that they do not intend to accommodate a driver trying to encroach on their lane, etc, and does not necessarily imply the anger or criticism, as it does in other countries. One bright side of Taiwan's chaotic traffic is that drivers tend to have an exceptional awareness of the spatial extents of their vehicle, so that even though it continuously looks like somebody is about to drive straight into you, it's relatively rare that they actually do so. Be extra careful when crossing the road, even to the extent of looking both ways on a one-way street. When crossing at a pedestrian-crossing at a T-junction or crossroads, be aware that when the little green man lights up and you start crossing, motorists will still try to turn right, with or without a green feeder light. Even on roads where traffic is infrequent and the green light is in your favor, bike-riders are still strongly advised to check the opposite lane. Scooters[edit]At major intersections they have intersection turn boxes marked with white paint with scooter to make left turns. Scooters and motorcyclist must make hook turns to accomplish this. Helmets are required while operating scooters or motorcycles in Taiwan. They are strictly enforced in Taipei. Helmets are rarely enforced outside of Taipei however. Stay healthy[edit]Food product restrictions[edit]The country of Taiwan is African Swine Flu free country. Taiwan customs strictly regulate what products can and cannot be brought into the country. Meat produce, and various fresh products such as fruits and vegetables. Live products and insects are also prohibited. Violators caught bringing meat products can be fined up to 1,000,000 New Taiwan Dollars. Dengue[edit]Some years, there are Dengue epidemic bursts confined to one given city. Locals can tell you if the place you are visiting is concerned or not. The most efficient prevention is appropriate clothing, wearing long sleeves and pants will greatly decrease the number of mosquito bites. Then only you can add repellent on the parts that are still exposed. Eating and Drinking[edit]Westerners should be cautious of relatively undercooked food. Many Taiwanese restaurants offer plates of raw, sliced red meat and uncooked seafood that are brought to the table and either barbecued or simmered in a pot of stock. As this constitutes a staple of the Taiwanese diet, any bacteria that may remain doesn't affect the locals, but it can wreak havoc with foreigners. The best policy is to make sure you cook the food in a manner to which you are accustomed. Don't drink tap water without boiling it, though it's safe for brushing your teeth. Healthcare[edit]Medicines are available for minor issues at drug stores. You may also find common drugs requiring a prescription in the west (like asthma inhalers and birth control pills) cheaply available from drug stores without a prescription. Taiwan has both Taiwanese physicians and Western doctors, both of which are taken equally seriously. However, as a foreigner, the assumption would generally be to direct you to a Western doctor. The quality of the hospitals in Taiwan is excellent and on par, if not better, with those found in the West. Taiwan's health care program is considered as one of the best health care systems in the world. Legal residents with a National Health Card can avail themselves of the very convenient and efficient national health service, which covers treatment and medication using both Western and traditional Taiwanese medicine. However, this service is not available to short term visitors on tourist visas; nor does it cover major hospitalization expenses. Still, hospital visits and medicine in Taiwan tends to be far less expensive than in the west for minor ailments and problems (flu, broken bones, stitches, etc). Note that outside the major cities, it might be difficult to find a doctor who speaks English, so try to learn some basic Mandarin before heading off the beaten track. Hiking[edit]Watch out for mosquito bites when hiking in the mountains. Especially in the summer, the humid and hot weather makes mosquitos very active. Most mosquito bites only cause skin irritation and itching, but in some areas of Taiwan it's possible to contract Dengue Fever or Japanese Encephalitis (though they are both on the rare side in Taiwan). Mosquito/insect repellent spray can be found at convenience stores (such as 7-11 and Family Mart) and local pharmacies. If you are bitten by mosquitos, apply a small amount of ointment for irritation relief. Respect[edit]Culture[edit]Taiwan shares several cultural taboos with other East Asian nations.
Gay and lesbian travelers[edit]Taiwan is quite liberal when it comes to homosexuality compared to its neighbors. Taiwan does not have laws against homosexuality, and the Taiwanese court ruled that same-sex couples have a right to marry, becoming the first country in Asia to do so. Violence against gays and lesbians rarely occurs. That being said, Taiwan still has some fairly strong male machismo streaks in its society and homosexuality is not quite as open and accepted as in the West or even some other Asian countries like Thailand, and openly displaying your sexuality in public might draw some stares and whispers, especially outside Taipei. But the trend seems to be to be more accepting of it as exampled by gay oriented bars/pubs as well as the many entertainers who are known to be gay as well as a transgender person with her own TV show. Gays and lesbians may wish to attend the annual Taiwan Pride parade event (which started around 2003). This event takes place sometime between September and November, and has become the biggest Pride Parade in Asia throughout the years. Contact[edit]Getting Online[edit]Internet cafes are plentiful, although you may have to wander around before finding one. Rather, Internet cafes in Taiwan should be called gaming cafes. These are often found on the first or second floor of a building, and equipped with very comfortable chairs and large screens. Although people do surf the Internet, most people primarily go there for a smooth experience of online gaming. Each hour of Internet access/game play is cheap, coming in at around $20. Some machines in the internet cafes are coin operated. For free internet access in big cities, try out the local libraries. The government of Taiwan offers nationwide free WiFi service named iTaiwan [26], and the City of Taipei offers free WiFi service in many public locations and some of city buses called TPE-Free [27]. Registration is required but one account covers both services. If you have mobile phone from selected countries it can be done online; otherwise, bring your passport to the visitor information centre at the airport, MRT stations etc., and the friendly staff will do it for you. McDonald's and 7-Eleven provides free WiFi. If you want an internet connection to your smart-phones, you can purchase a prepaid 3G data sim card from Chunghwa Telecom at a cost of NT$250 for 3 days, or NT$450 for 7 days. Just walk in to any official Chunghwa Telecom office counters to apply. They need your passport and identification documents of your country of origin. (Driving license or identification card) Telephone[edit]The standard prefix for international calls from Taiwan is 002, though some other companies may use alternative prefixes at lower rates. Check with your telecom operator for more details. Calls to mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau require international dialling. For calls to Taiwan, the country code for Taiwan is 886. Mobile phone coverage is covered by HTC and generally excellent in Taiwan, with the exception of some remote mountainous areas. Among the major providers are Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信), Taiwan Mobile (台灣大哥大), T Star (台灣之星) and Far EasTone (遠傳電訊). Taiwan has both GSM 900/1800 and 3G (UMTS/W-CDMA) and 4G (LTE) networks and roaming might be possible for users of such mobile phones, subject to agreements between operators. Most payphones work with telephone cards (電話卡）which are available at all convenience stores. Numbers Starting With 0800 are commercial toll-free numbers, just like the 1-800 numbers in North America(mobile phone cannot use 0800 toll-free number, need to use landline phone to call toll-free numbers). Getting SIM Cards: There's one booth in the Taipei airport (to the right as you exit) that sells SIM cards for all the major telecom companies in Taiwan. Staff will register a prepaid card for you (requires your passport) and set up the phone. While they do seem to know their setup menu, it still might help to set the language to English for some not-so-popular models. The card will be valid for 30 days. Make sure your plan includes unlimited data access, so you have navigation and map services available at any time. The following plans were available: Chunghwa Telecom: NT$300 for 3 days unlimited data and NT100 airtime. NT$300 for 5 days unlimited data and NT50 airtime. NT$500 for 5 days unlimited data and NT300 airtime. NT$500 for 7 days unlimited data and NT150 airtime. NT$500 for 10 days unlimited data and NT100 airtime. NT$1,000 for 30 days unlimited data and NT450 airtime. Far EasTone: NT$300 for 5 days unlimited data. NT$300 for 3 days unlimited data and NT100 airtime. Taiwan Mobile: NT$500 for 5 days unlimited data and NT250 airtime. NT$800 for 10 days unlimited data and NT550 airtime. NT$345 for NT3450 airtime. Media[edit]Taiwan has a very free and liberal press. There are four daily newspapers available in English: Other news sources:
Free magazines:
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