Taiwan
Taiwan is a vibrant mix of culture, natural beauty, and cutting-edge technology, from delicious foods like bubble tea and beef noodle soup to world-famous landmarks like Taipei 101 and Juifen Village. While it might not be the first country you think of in East Asia, if it’s not on your list of destinations we hope we can convince you that it should be.
The Complicated History of Taiwan
Taiwan’s history is complex, originally settled by Austronesians thousands of years ago. The island has had periods of control from mainland China and Japan. In 1949, following the Chinese Civil War, the Republic of China’s government fled to the island as the Communist Party of China established control over the mainland. Since then, both governments have claimed sovereignty over the mainland and Taiwan but govern their respective territories independently.
Is Taiwan a sovereign nation, or an “illegitimate government in exile”? We can’t tell you what to believe, however, it has been fully independent from China for 70 years. It has its own government, economy, military, and distinct cultural identity. In modern times they have embraced democracy, Indigenous culture, and progressive values such as being the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage. Regardless of your stance on its status, visiting Taiwan and China is fundamentally different in every way.
Taiwan Travel Info
Let’s brush up on the basic travel info so you’re prepared for your visit. For specific info, visit an article and leave a comment if you have any questions.
Language
The primary language of Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese. This has been the national language since the government went into exile. The second language is the local Taiwanese Hokkien, which is often spoken daily. The language experienced suppression in the early years but has gained a great resurgence in recent years as rehabilitation efforts have been made for indigenous and local Taiwanese groups. There are also many indigenous Austronesian groups, who have also seen a resurgence in language diversity in recent years.
Demographics
Taiwan is an unusually diverse mosaic of East Asia. All of the nearby countries are largely monocultures, with only a few million non-natives or immigrants. The majority of Taiwanese people are Han Chinese recently immigrated from the mainland. The rest of the population is a mix of indigenous groups, mainly Austronesian. Religion is diverse, with roughly 1/3 following Taoism, 1/3 following Buddhism, and a large mix of others like Christianity and many other Chinese religions. However the government upholds freedom from religion, so there is no state religion.
Weather
Many people don’t realize Taiwan is a tropical island, lying on the Tropic of Cancer. Therefore, it is relatively warm all year long, with very hot and humid summers, and mild winters. The island is quite rainy, with monsoons from May to September, making the summer a hot and rainy time to visit, Making any time between October and April the Ideal time to visit with dryer, warm island temperatures, and long days.
Public Transit
Taiwan has world-class public transportation. A train connects the airport to Taipei City, with express and all-stop options. There are trains and buses all across the island. Taipei City has a very convenient subway network with frequent high-quality service. We recommend getting an Easycard, which can be purchased and refilled at train stations, the airport, and convenience stores. This card can be easily tapped to use subways, city buses, and intracity buses.
Taiwan FAQ
These are the most common questions we hear about travel in Taiwan. Please research with your local authorities for questions about Visa requirements and travel advisories. If you have a burning question, please leave a comment on the relevant article.
How Afforable is Taiwan?
Taiwan is an affluent nation, similarly to the surrounding countries of China, Korea, and Japan. Compared to Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam and Indoneisa, Taiwan is more expensive in most regards. However, of all of the “expensive” countries, it is the cheapest. If you are interested in East asian culture in general, but do not have a preference for one country, we encourage Taiwan as a cost effective country for travel.
How Safe is Taiwan?
East Asia in general is an incredibly safe region. Taiwan is incredibly safe, with the 4th lowest crime rate in 2024, and one of the highest global peace index scores. They often scores low on safety rankings due to China’s looming threat, however in all regards it is one of the safest countries in the world. Typical scams like pickpocketing and money changing do exist, so as in every country stay vigilant, keep belongings close, and only use trusted banks and ATMs.
Do Taiwanese Speak English?
Taiwan has mixed English literacy. The country mainly speaks Mandrin Chinese, however there are many indigenous Austronesian language groups, as well as Taiwanese Hokkien, which was suppressed for many years but has seen a large resurgence as Taiwan has moved more progressive. Language resources have been focused towards Hokkien, so English skills are not prioritized. However, in Taipei and especially at popular attractions, you are likely to get service in English.
How to pay in Taiwan?
The New Taiwan dollar is the currency of Taiwan, and is relatively strong. Roughly 30 TWD is equal to 1 USD. Taiwan is a very modern country, therefore most locations will accept visa and mastercard. Cash is usually an option, but we don’t recommend keeping too much on hand. Also, Easycard is also accepted in many places, making it a convenient replacement for cash without having to worry about credit cards.
Do I need a Visa?
We don’t usually cover Visas as it’s different for each country. However Taiwan is unique because of its affiliation with the western world compared to China. US citizens don’t need a visa to enter Taiwan for 90 days. Many European countries also have easy entryhere, making it a convenient way to experience Chinese culture without needed to deal with the headache of Chinese visas, as well as all the experiences that make Taiwan unique.
Cultural Differences
Compared to other East Asian countries, Taiwan is more comfortable for western travelers, due to its much more progressive political stances. This is our recommended country to visit for any LGBTQ+ travellers who are worried for safety. While Taiwanese culture is very unique, locals are very happy to share what makes them unique. Because of the political tension, it’s especially important to not conflate Taiwanese culture with Chinese culture, so feel free to learn from locals.
