Taiwan

travel guide

Taiwan means everything to me.

Not just because of my Taiwanese roots, but because I once lived in Kaohsiung for two years to study Chinese — and my family still has deep ties to Taipei.

Even though Taiwan is a small island, it offers a huge variety of experiences. One day you could be devouring mouthwatering street food at a night market, and the next, hiking misty mountain trails or discovering Japanese-era architecture in a quiet town.

Museums, art, temples, tea houses, cities on the west coast, peaceful mountains, and stunning seas on the east — it’s all here.

Taiwan blends rich cultural history with the ease of modern travel. It’s one of the few places where you can hop on a high-speed train, explore coastal villages, and still be back in the city by dinnertime.

In this ultimate guide, I’ll show you what makes Taiwan so special — from city-by-city breakdowns to transportation tips, itinerary ideas, and personal recommendations from my own travels as a Taiwanese-American. Whether you’re planning your very first trip or coming back for more, you’ll find everything you need to explore Taiwan deeply and meaningfully.

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台灣天氣 Weather in Taiwan

High Low

⭐ Best Months to Visit Taiwan: March – April & October – November

Spring and Fall are the sweet spots — great weather, fewer crowds, and reasonable flights. Summer is hot, humid, and typhoon season. Winter flights get pricey around Chinese New Year.

City guides

台北 Taipei
花蓮 Hualien
台中 Taichung
嘉義 Chiayi
高雄 Kaohsiung

Popular destinations

SUN MOON LAKE

JIUFEN

阿里山
ALISHAN

LAVENDER COTTAGE

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出發前須知 Know before you go

  • Taiwan Standard Time (TST) — UTC+8.
    There’s no daylight saving time, so the time never changes year-round.

  • Mandarin Chinese is the official language, but Taiwan is a melting pot of different languages:

    • Mandarin — used in business, government, and education

    • Taiwanese (台語) — spoken by 70%+ of the population, especially older generations

    • Hakka (客家話) — spoken by Hakka communities in specific regions

    • Japanese — many older Taiwanese are fluent due to Taiwan's colonial history

    • English — widely understood in cities and tourist areas, less so in rural areas

  • New Taiwan Dollar (NT / NTD / TWD). Prices include all taxes — what you see is what you pay, no surprises at the register!

    You can bring up to NTD 100,000 (~USD 3,000) in cash without declaring it at customs.
    Learn more here.

  • Not expected in Taiwan, but…

    Some fine dining restaurants include a 10–15% service charge automatically.
    That said, if someone goes above and beyond, a tip is always a welcome surprise — hotel cleaners especially appreciate it. 🤍

  • Requirements vary by nationality.
    Check the Bureau of Consular Affairs before booking your trip.

  • Taiwan drives on the right side of the road.

    To rent a car you'll need:

    ⚠️ Even if forums say you don't need an IDP for short stays, many rental companies still require one. Apply a few weeks in advance just in case.

計劃你的旅程 Plan your trip

🚨 SAFETY

Taiwan is generally very safe, even for solo travelers. Just stay aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings secure as you would anywhere else.

In case of emergencies:

110: Police
119: Ambulance & Fire

📱 SIM CARDS & WIFI

Getting connected in Taiwan is easy!

  • eSIM — grab one through Airalo before you leave home — activates the moment you land, no hunting for a SIM counter at the airport

  • Physical SIM — available at Taoyuan Airport (TPE) upon arrival from carriers like Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and FarEasTone

  • Free WiFi — widely available at cafés, malls, MRT stations, and convenience stores

  • International plan — check with your provider first. AT&T charges $12/day for full access in Taiwan

🔌 PLUGS

Same plugs as the US — Type A and B, 110V. American travelers don't need an adapter!

📍TAIWAN TRAVEL PLANNER

Stop drowning in unopened browser tabs. This planner has everything in one place — itinerary builder, packing list, budget tracker, and more. Plan smarter, travel better.

Get the Planner →

🗺️ TAIWAN MUST-VISIT SPOTS

All my personal recommendations pre-saved in Google Maps — temples, cafés, night markets, hidden gems, and more. Just tap, save, and go.

Save to Google Maps →

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