Taiwan – Your Ultimate Travel Tips

Taiwan... If it’s a destination that you still haven't ticked off your travel list and you’ve been looking for practical Taiwan travel tips, then you clicked on the right article. Taiwan is the hub for the bustling traveller and coupled with it’s panoramic views, it’s a place that you need to visit, if only once in your lifetime.

So today we discuss the ultimate travel tips when visiting Taiwan for the first time as well as insider information such as culture, attitudes and real life experiences coupled with a specially devised list of travel tips Taiwan.

Visa

The majority of European countries as well as USA and Canada are automatically granted a free stay of 90 days. Australian nationals have 30 days on arrival and several nations can apply for an e-visa. The majority of the nationalities though have to obtain their visa before entering the country through consulates in their countries.

Currency

The official currency in Taiwan is called New Taiwan Dollar (TWD or NT/NTD) yet the country remains primary a cash based society. It is very rare that anyone uses credit or debit cards unless they purchase big ticket items such as electronics i.e. televisions, yet equally there are a few shops and restaurants that do accept card payments but these are usually based in the shopping malls.

The best place to draw money out is an ATM machine and these can be found at 7/11 or currency exchange booths which are located within banks but expect to pay a "process fee” for the privilege. Please note that visitors are not allowed to open a bank account in Taiwan, unless you are legally working or studying.

Insurance

It is always recommend that you take out insurance from your country of residence before traveling. Please read the respective article on travel insurance for Taiwan.

Accommodation

Depending on the longevity of your stay it’s best to book your accommodation in advance. If you plan to visit for a weekend or are staying for a week then a hotel is the best option as it provides a safe and central environment for you.

The best booking platform to use for accommodation in Taiwan is Agoda, it gives the best pricing with most hotels listed as “pay when you get to the hotel” as well as some flexibility with cancelling. Airbnb is another option but it is relatively new in Taiwan, so there isn’t many options in terms of apartments, normally a shared room is advertised and although there are some apartment listings they are very expensive.

If you plan to stay longer than a month or are on a working visa there are rental apartments available, however these are often advertised on notice boards in 7/11 or if you internet search, local ones will pop up. We do hope it goes without saying but please be careful when entering a contract for an apartment and if possible always get a third party involved or seek advice from a tourist operator.

Some extra points to consider when booking a hotel or renting an apartment is to research the area extensively by reading other peoples reviews and experiences, TripAdvisor is a great source for this. Make sure to street view the area also as it gives you some sort of indication of what kind of businesses are located nearby as well as the overall “feel” of the area. Picking a bad area even if it is the best hotel or apartment can turn your trip into a nightmare as many areas city or countryside in Taiwan can lead to unexpected results.

Transportation

The types of transportation in Taiwan consist of buses, trains, taxis, Uber and they are all budget friendly options.

The Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is easy to navigate and makes it a hub for travel to other destinations within Asia.

The buses operate between 5am and 10pm and take only coin payment which requires you to have the correct amount of change but don’t worry if you don’t have enough or pay too much as most drivers will still allow you on. A general rule of thumb is to look for the characters 上 or 下 on the screen left of the driver. The character 上 (up) means you pay when you get on; 下 (down) means pay when you get off.

Another option is the HSR (High speed rail) or train system in general which is easy to use with helpful staff ready to advise but once again relies on cash.

Taxis and Uber are a quick way to get around the city but the taxis are metered and will continue to tick over even whilst standing in traffic so make sure to pick a time when it’s less traffic.

Budget

Maintaining a budget is relatively easy as most food and transport is cheap, however your budget may be stretched when it comes to paying for accommodation and visiting tourist attractions.

Traffic

The traffic in Taiwan is atrocious and it’s voted one of the worst for a reason. The trafficking laws are non existent and with limited pavements and walkways in the city you have to be very mindful of the traffic as Taiwanese people will not hesitate to run over you if you are in their way. You will be expected to walk on the road so always be aware as multiple accidents do occur daily.

Language

The language in Taiwan can be a barrier at times. Chinese and Mandarin is common tongue and very little English is spoken. Signs such as directions, street names and menus are all in Chinese, which can prove difficult if you don’t know the language, so consider learning a few handy expressions i.e. hello, goodbye, price etc. so you can better navigate the area and make ordering food a lot easier.

Food

Food in Taiwan is relatively inexpensive and the culture of sharing food is very common. The food options are primarily meat based and there are limited options for vegetarians so do keep this in mind when visiting, but as strange as it may read 7/11 is the best place to go to when you need a quick and cheap meal, with noodles and microwave sandwiches readily available. There are also many cake shops dotted around which serve afternoon tea and sweet treats as well as a Starbucks only a block away. Something to mention is to be prepared to witness live animals in the windows of certain restaurants – normally lobsters and crabs and at times can be quite upsetting to look at.

Attractions

Taiwan is known for its night market culture which is more about social gathering than shopping. You get to sample local cuisine and photo opportunities are everywhere.

The Taipei 101 building is a must do on the list and make sure to visit the local museums and temples.

One thing to note is that there are not many attractions within Taiwan especially foreigner-oriented, however there are a few parks within pockets of the city where all generations gather together to hang out and have picnics.

Shopping

What may surprise you on your first visit to Taiwan is the sheer amount of mixed poverty coupled with high end stores. For example in Zhongli there is one street which has broken down buildings and homeless people but then in the middle of the street there is a high end mall. Witnessing this can put things into perspective but as a whole Taiwan is in a financial crisis with many people barely surviving. However there are a few Taiwanese people who have good jobs and drive expensive cars around these areas but eagerly eat in the cheep local restaurants serving rats for food. As much as it can be hard to comprehend, voicing your opinion will put you in a dangerous position so never discuss it in public.

You can find an array of independent and local stores in Taiwan selling all kinds of wares; there are many clothing and stationary shops. The fashion scene in particular is quite eclectic and the stores reflect this. There are many western stores such as H&M and the Taipei 101 offers designer goods and high end dining.

Souvenirs can be a little difficult to find unless you visit the main tourist attractions. Electrical goods in particular come with a heavy tax barrier that many visitors find surprising and overall the quality of the goods isn’t the best. If you do want to purchase electrical goods then Japan is the perfect destination for these kind of purchases.

Weather

The weather in Taiwan varies depending on the season. The best time to visit Taiwan is autumn when the temperature is a little cooler but it all depends on what part of Taiwan you want to visit.

Culture

Be prepared to experience a cultural shock when visiting Taiwan for the first time but as with all travels in life be open to new possibilities and ventures. Taiwan is a part of China and you can feel it everywhere. Yet Japanese influences are also strong and are reflected in the infrastructure of the buildings and the train system. The modern sky-scrappers are towering over the city, yet all of them bear intricate details. Another thing to note that like Japan and China, Taiwan is a smoking society so expect to find many Taiwanese people smoking in restaurants, on the street, in hotels and within the parks.

Travelling independently

Traveling independently around Taiwan is tough and although it may be hard to imagine it’s still a country that has tensions. There are many Taiwanese people who are happy to meet you, yet there are some that are not and won’t be afraid to express it. Taiwan is a perfect getaway for a weekend city break but as soon as you head out of the city and into the countryside transportation, finding food and stores becomes somewhat challenging. Although the countryside provides a scenic and quiet escape the locals tend to be hostile towards visitors especially if you are taking pictures. They are not happy to be photographed or equally be near you, so it is best to stick to the city in order to avoid any disruptions.

An important thing to mention applies to solo female travellers as there have been many accounts and reports of unwanted attention and rape cases. The sex and porn industry dominates Taiwan and Taiwanese men in particular can be overtly sexual to women, so it’s recommend to not travel solo or if you do always be on your guard.

Practical Advice

Buy a local SIM-card at the airport or at a 7/11.
Internet speeds are extremely fast with free WiFi in public areas.
Google, eBay and PayPal can sometimes be limited.
There aren’t many toilets around.

Conclusion

Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and the type of experience culturally or modernity, that you want to experience in Taiwan. City life is always bustling with amenities close by, whilst the key historic tourist attractions are located outside the city.

Whatever route or timeframe you decide to stay in Taiwan, embrace the culture, be open to new ways of living and always take care.