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Home » Asia » Travel Safety

Is Taiwan Safe for Travel? (Insider Tips)

Qing-era temples, amazing mountain hiking, hot springs, tropical islands to visit, relics of colonial rule and some of the tastiest food ever experienced, Taiwan is a small island nation that truly packs a punch of awesomeness.

But it’s not without danger. Like many beautiful countries around the world, seismic activity is a real threat in Taiwan. Earthquakes can be seriously deadly and strong typhoons hit Taiwan regularly. Also, there’s China on its doorstep, not recognizing it as a country.

It’s fair to say that there can be complications when visiting Taiwan. So is Taiwan safe? We’re here to help you answer that question with an in-depth insider’s guide packed with information and tips for staying safe in Taiwan.

Obviously, there’s more to staying safe in a country than taking basic precautions. In Taiwan, you might have to deal with earthquakes, hunker down during bad typhoons, and trek safely – it’s all about travelling smart.

We’ll be addressing questions like, “How safe is Taiwan for solo female travellers?” and “Is Taiwan safe to travel for families?” and making sure you know all there is to know about travelling Taiwan with all the knowledge you need to stay safe whilst having an incredible time.

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How Safe is Taiwan? (Our take)

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River tracing in  Hualien,  exploring ancient Confucian temples in  Tainan,  getting to grips with the futuristic capital of  Taipei  and eating at any number of the incredible night markets that dot the island nation make Taiwan an awesome country to visit. And guess what: Taiwan is pretty safe.

However, there are some things to be aware of. To start with, crime levels might be low, but that doesn’t mean there’s no crime. Pickpockets do exist, so do scams and schemes, but mainly in the shadier areas of towns and cities.

Also, there’s the natural world to contend with. Typhoons in Taiwan can be seriously devastating and earthquakes are pretty common here and can cause a lot of damage. Mountain trekking comes with its own dangers, too.

But mainly, Taiwan is safe and super cool to explore.

There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. The question of “Is Taiwan Safe?” will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. But this article is written for savvy travellers from the perspective of savvy travellers.

The information present in this safety guide was accurate at the time of writing, however, the world is a changeable place, now more than ever. Between the pandemic, ever-worsening cultural division, and a click-hungry media, it can be hard to maintain what is truth and what is sensationalism.

Here, you will find safety knowledge and advice for travelling Taiwan. It won’t be down to the wire cutting edge info on the most current events, but it is layered in the expertise of veteran travellers. If you use our guide, do your own research, and practise common sense, you will have a safe trip to Taiwan.

If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. We strive to provide the most relevant travel information on the web and always appreciate input from our readers (nicely, please!). Otherwise, thanks for your ear and stay safe!

It’s a wild world out there. But it’s pretty damn special too. 🙂

Taiwan is totally safe to visit right now.

Let’s paint a picture for you. 2021’s Global Peace Index put Taiwan 34th on a list of 163 countries. That’s not too shabby.

When it comes to safety, Taipei City is much safer than other large capital cities – safer than London, safer than Paris and even safer than New York City. The crime rate in Taipei is so much lower than in these other cities. Basically, Taiwan is up there with other very safe countries like Japan and South Korea.

But then there are the earthquakes… Like most earthquakes, when they’re bad, it’s critical. Needless to say, earthquakes can seriously be dangerous, especially because they often occur without any warning.

Another thing to be aware of is less natural and more people-based. Taiwan has been its own country after gaining independence from Japan in 1945. It’s a stable democracy with its own laws, government, and currency. But because of China’s “two China policy” it’s the largest economy not in the UN. Most Western nations do not recognise Taiwan as their own country.

It won’t affect your Taiwan Itinerary. Naturally talking about this in Taiwan to locals could be a sensitive issue. On the whole Taiwanese people are proud, independent and liberal.

When choosing where you’ll be staying in Taiwan, a bit of research and caution is essential. You don’t want to end up in a sketchy area and ruin your trip. To help you out, we’ve listed the safest areas to visit in Taiwan below.

Taipei is the capital city of Taiwan and will probably serve as your entry point to the country. This is a modern, busy city that has its own distinct personality and vibe. Everything seems to jostle for position in this city, with skyscrapers, night markets, fine restaurants, and casual eateries competing for your attention. 

Basically, you could spend weeks in the city and you’ll never run short of things to include in your Taipei itinerary, which is why it’s overall the best place to stay in Taiwan, especially for first-time visitors.

Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan and was once the capital, so you’ll be overloaded with history when you visit. This is where you’ll get to experience the most traditional aspects of Taiwanese culture still in existence. And as an added bonus, it’s also one of the best places to stay in Taiwan if you enjoy great food as it offers the best food you’ll find on the island.

Tainan truly is made for history nerds, so if you’re only mildly interested in that area, you might not enjoy the city as much. You can also get out of the city for day trips to the Taijian National Park or Hutoupi Reserves if you’d prefer to get away from the concrete jungle for a while.

Kinmen Islands

The Kinmen Islands were the site of a battle between the Nationalists and Communists in 1949. However, these days it’s better known as a tourist destination with some amazing scenery. In fact, the local scenery is so beautiful that the island is often called a “lake in the sea”. Add some epic historic buildings and it equates to the coolest place to stay in Taiwan. This is a must see stop on any Taiwan backpacking adventure. 

In terms of activities and things to do, the Kinmen Islands offer pretty much everything. There are great hiking and nature reserves, amazing forests, fascinating historic buildings and old architecture to explore. And you’ll also find some great local beaches if you want to soak up the rays while you’re in the area.

Places to avoid in Taiwan

Unfortunately, not all places in Taiwan are safe. You need to be careful and aware of your surroundings pretty much anywhere you go in the world, and the same goes for visiting Taiwan. 

While there are no properly dangerous areas in Taiwan, you should still be careful. Bigger cities like Taipei often struggle with pickpocketing and petty theft. Violent crime is usually not heard of, or at least not targeting tourists.

We recommend listening to your gut and avoiding doing what you wouldn’t do at home either. Whether that’s going out at night or walking into a dark and secluded side street. Use your common sense and you’ll be perfectly fine. 

It’s important to know that Taiwan is not the safest country, so a bit of caution and research before you start your travels will always go a long way. If you want to increase your safety during your stay, read on for our insider travel tips. Stick to those and you won’t have a single issue in Taiwan.

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Taiwan is safe. However, nowhere is going to be 100% safe. Not just in terms of people, but nature as well. Earthquakes and typhoon season can make Taiwan a pretty unsafe place, actually.

So we’ve decided to share a few of our top safety tips for Taiwan. However safe a country might be, it’s always a good idea to travel smart and stay safe .

• It’s important to know what to do in an earthquake  – how to behave, how to find safety…. Do your research!
• Protect against mosquitoes  – dengue fever is on the rise in the south ( Kaohsiung  and  Tainan ). Cover up and use repellent to keep mosquitoes away .
• Watch local news reports and weather forecasts  – you’ll want to know when a typhoon is going to hit.
• Know how to deal with a typhoon  – take cover! You should be fine in a big hotel, but you should stock up on food and water. Follow the news or local advice.
• Beware of venomous snakes in the mountains  – these are a thing. So just, you know, keep your eyes peeled and if you see one, do not approach.
• Avoid drugs  – even just smoking weed can bring a strong sentence. Trafficking can mean the death penalty.
• Understand the custom of “saving face”  – try not to embarrass people by making a big fuss if things aren’t going your way.
• Don’t talk politics  – not everyone is on the same page in Taiwan. Obviously, talking about China-Taiwan issues might not go well.
• Watch your belongings in Kenting National Park  – lots of tourists = pickpockets. Watch your stuff, especially on the beach and around bus stops and take a security belt to hide your cash.
• Scams are a thing  – credit card fraud does happen. People claim they’re from the government or banks. It’s a thing so frequently check your bank account and contact your bank if you see any suspicious activity.
• Be aware of your surroundings when using an ATM  – just watch your back, or be on the safe side and use the indoor ones .
• Careful around Yangmingshan National Park bus station  – there are pickpockets. Don’t leave your stuff unattended.
• Organised crime is common – it most likely won’t affect you as a tourist, but still, stay away from shady-looking areas.
• Careful of packs of stray dogs in more rural areas  – since they’re not owned, they shouldn’t be aggressive. Still, keep clear.

Ok, so Taiwan is pretty safe and there aren’t a lot of things about this island nation that we would say make it unsafe, besides nature. As long as you’re aware of the (very slim) chance of being targeted by a pickpocket, then you should be fine walking around cities.

Challenging, rewarding, broadening your horizons… all of these are the benefits of travelling solo. However, it can get a little lonely, you can lose touch with reality, and sometimes you’re more of a target for crime by yourself.

Luckily Taiwan is super safe to travel alone. Still, here are a few solo travel tips for Taiwan.

• Check out cool hostels. Do your research, read reviews, and book yourself into a solo-friendly hostel that’s going to be a good place to socialise, make friends and maybe even a travel buddy or two. This is good to beat the solo travel blues, which can happen.
• Talk to local people. Ask people like the staff at your hostel or the people working in the local cafe for insider tips on what to do, where to go, where to eat and where to stay in Taiwan . It’s always a good way to find out some great local knowledge.
• Stay in an Airbnb.  A private room in a person’s house so you get to meet local people. Staying in a place like this is going to be a great way to learn about Taiwan. Make sure you read reviews first to make sure the person you’re going to be staying with is actually what you expect!
• Read reviews online if you’re going out drinking or hitting the clubs . Some of them can actually be run by gangs which makes them more than just a little bit sketchy. Seeing a foreigner enter might just make them see dollar signs if you know what we mean.
• Make sure you know how to get home.  Trains in  Taipei  stop at midnight, and chances are you’ll be out after that. Knowing how to get home is going to save you a whole load of issues.
• Don’t get crazy drunk.  Getting drunk, fine – but completely wasted in a country that’s not your own means you just won’t have any senses and can be scary and dangerous.
• Get yourself a Taiwan data sim.  This means you’ll be able to work out transport, know where you’re going, and keep in touch with people back home when you don’t have wi-fi.
• Do keep in contact with your friends and family back home. Even if it’s just a Facebook update, you shouldn’t just go off-grid. If anything happened to you and people had no idea where in Taiwan you were, that just isn’t a smart move. Keep people updated with your travels.

Taiwan is a great place to travel to. And not only that, Taiwan is an awesome place for a first-time solo traveller. It’s pretty much an amazing introduction to East Asian culture that’s a little more untrodden than Southeast Asia .

Not only is it safe to visit Taiwan for solo female travellers, but it’s also full of other solo female travellers too! So don’t worry if you’re backpacking Taiwan solo – It’s safe and very liberal.

But travelling as a woman in Taiwan, like anywhere in the world you’ll, unfortunately, have to take more care than a male would. It may be a safe destination, but we’re sharing some tips for solo female travellers in Taiwan to keep you extra safe.

• Apply common sense. When you’re in cities, steer of sketchy looking alleys and deserted street at night time. Walking around by yourself at night is generally fine, but sketchy areas are sketchy areas, wherever you are in the world.
• Stay in a hostel with a   female-only dorm.  This is a great way to meet other female travellers doing what you’re doing. Chances are, these won’t necessarily be Western women, either, so it will be a good opportunity to meet locals travelling around their own country too and share travel tips.
• Get chatting to the staff at hostels. Getting local tips on everything from sights to see, to food to eat, will put you in good stead to really get to grips with the real Taiwan.
• Join a walking tour. There are free tours like this in  Taipei  and  Tainan  and they are a good way to get acquainted with cities when you first arrive. Plus you’ll get to meet other people, too.
• Let people know where you’re going and what your travel plans are. We’re talking about your family back home. This just makes sense; people knowing where you are is better than no one knowing where you are.
• But at the same time don’t feel the need to tell everybody you meet everything about yourself. If someone feels like they’re a bit too interested, just tell some white lies.
• In rural areas and in the South, dress more conservatively. In cities like Taipei,  women dress pretty much how they want and they look pretty cool. But in more rural areas, and also in the South, this is less of a thing. A decent rule of thumb is just to look you at what other women are dressed like and try to follow suit as best you can.
• Don’t leave your drink unattended at bars or clubs.  This is just a silly idea wherever you are. Really.

At the end of the day, Taiwan is safe to travel for solo female travellers. It’s a progressive country but that doesn’t mean that it’s not without its issues. For example, in certain parts of the country, you may need to dress more conservatively for less attention.

We’ve covered the main safety concerns already, but there are a few more things to know. Read on for more detailed information on how to have a safe trip to Taiwan.

How Safe is Taiwan travel for families?

Taiwan is actually a really cool place to take your children! However, it is not the most child-friendly of places.

In Taiwanese society, children are taught to be quiet and well mannered in public places and the attitude is that they kind of fit into the parents’ schedule – not the other way round like in most Western countries. So don’t expect there to be a load of amazing playgrounds or things like that.

That doesn’t mean, however, that it isn’t safe, and with the younger generation, things are getting a bit more laid-back.

State-funded facilities for children, however, aren’t always great. There’s a sort of “well it’s only for children” mindset going on. And when it comes to actually stay safe on a family holiday to Taiwan, there are obviously some things to bear in mind.

For instance, if you’re going to eat out with kids you won’t be finding highchairs or even children’s menus.

You can usually get your hands on supplies for children in most places but it isn’t that tricky. Obviously away from big cities, things may be a little harder to come by. We’re talking nappies, etc.

Make sure you’re prepared for hot weather. It’s generally pretty warm in Taiwan, but it can get super hot in the summer months. Keep hydrated and make sure your kids don’t stay in the sun too long and cover-up!

You’ll also want to cover up against mosquitoes. There is sporadic dengue fever, even in cities, but mostly in the south. Make sure you use plenty of mosquito repellent!

But generally, Taiwan is safe to travel for families. Everything’s pretty comprehensive, well connected and, once again, safe.

Is Taiwan Safe For Driving?

Driving in Taiwan is generally pretty safe.

In fact, outside of city centres, you’ll be treated to some pretty stunning scenic roads. However, in metropolitan areas, driving isn’t that fun in Taiwan – things can get pretty jam-packed with traffic. Also, it’s important to bear in mind that road conditions can vary throughout the country. As a general rule of thumb: north = better roads than the south.

First things first: you’ll be driving on the left. Good news for anyone who does in their own country.

Motorbikes and mopeds are everywhere in the cities. Jamming up the entrances to night markets, meandering their way up to red lights to be the first to go, and accidents happen a lot with scooters. Keep an eye on these hazards. Also, you should be really careful about other hazards, like cyclists and pedestrians.

Riding a scooter can be a great and inexpensive way of traveling around Taiwan. Although you don’t need a license to rent a scooter, most travel insurance companies will ask for a valid motorbike license to be able to claim if you crash!

If you do want to drive, you need to register your international driving license before you can hire a vehicle. You can do this at the local Vehicle Registration Department. Once you’ve picked up your rental vehicle, make sure that you arm yourself with solid rental insurance .

It’s safe to drive in Taiwan, but it’s not particularly the best choice you could be making and might not be worth it.

Also, a lot of the signage is in Chinese. So there’s that, too.

Riding a motorbike in Taiwan

Taiwan is known for its scooter and motorbike filled streets. Almost 67% of the Taiwanese population owns a two-wheel vehicle. Renting a scooter is the fastest and most efficient way to get around. But is riding your motorbike safe?

There’s always a risk of getting in an accident with any sort of vehicle. So yes, it can be quite risky, especially when you’re not experienced, but the roads are relatively easy to handle , and there are basic road rules that people actually follow.

Riding around in the city is a bit more stressful than outside since the streets can get quite packed. If you decide to rent a scooter, you should check out the beautiful scenic roads up North.

You can easily rent a bike in the city. Look out for rentals near bus and train stations. Hostels in Taiwan sometimes offer scooter rentals too. Before you take off, make sure to check your bike (brakes and mirrors should be in good condition) and ask for a helmet!

Is Uber safe in Taiwan?

Uber has come and gone from Taiwan. At the moment, in 2021, it’s back! It is safe to use Uber in Taiwan. It’s a cheaper and more reliable way to get around than taxis.

There are no language complications, you know where you’re going, you can track your journey, you can read the driver’s reviews… All the stuff that makes Uber safe in other countries applies to Taiwan.

Are taxis safe in Taiwan?

Taxis are safe in Taiwan. However, there are some things you should be aware of.

Most drivers are not going to speak amazing English if any at all. So when you get into a taxi, be sure to have your destination written down or have a business card of your hotel, or whatever. Learn a little bit of the lingo if you feel like it, but it’s not vital.

You can spot a licensed taxi thanks to the big old yellow “TAXI” sign on the roof. There are so many taxis that they’ll probably be looking for you, rather than you looking for them! They may even stop and ask if you need a taxi.

Taxis are usually metered in the cities. And on the whole, the drivers are pretty honest. Just keep an eye on things like the meter isn’t going up too fast, or that you aren’t being charged a nighttime rate in the daytime – it can happen.

The driver’s ID badge will be displayed on the inside of the car and their license number on the outside of the car.

If you call up a taxi – or if your hotel calls one for you, you’ll be given a number so you’ll be able to figure who it is that’s supposed to be taking you. It’s pretty safe, but there have been instances of people being assaulted in taxis. It’s best to trust your gut.

However, most taxi drivers will probably be very friendly and you’ll have a smooth experience. Case closed: taxis are safe in Taiwan.

Is public transportation in Taiwan safe?

Long-distance buses and trains connect Taiwan and make this island nation a literal breeze to travel around. They’re convenient, they’re safe, they’re cheap.

Let’s start with MRT which is surprisingly easy to use. This operates in Taipei  and  Kaohsiung and the capital’s MRT serves over 2 million passengers per day. It is clean, you’re not even allowed to eat on the MRT. There are also English signages, it’s very cheap, and it runs from 6 am to 12 am. Basically, it’s amazing and easy to use.

The city buses are also really convenient and can be a little bit daunting to work out. Try and use your Google Maps to work out the route, or ask the driver for help. Some of them you’ll have to pay at the start, others you pay at the end.

Outside of  Taipei  and  Kaohsiung,  it’s buses only in the cities. So you’ll have to get used to them!

When it comes to buses, you’ll have to be a little bit careful of them around Taroko Gorge.  They aren’t always in the best condition and they crowd the streets. The bus stops themselves are a bit precarious, too.

Highway buses are also very cheap, quick, easy and safe. They run all through the day. However, you might not want to take them because the trains are so good.

The train network and THSR, Taiwan’s high-speed rail service, in Taiwan covers just about the whole island and is very cost-effective. Make sure you book your ticket in advance as they can get pretty busy –  especially during Chinese New Year. If you think Taiwan is an undeveloped country, one look at its rail network might make you think again.

Well, maybe not. But this country certainly is on its way!

Is the food in Taiwan safe?

Definitely, and this is the place where you’re going to find some of the most amazing night markets you’re ever likely to set eyes on. From Taipei  to  Kaohsiung,  and just about everywhere in between , most cities have a selection of night markets to hit up.

They’re all awesome – loads of delicious foodstuffs, from stinky tofu and hu jiao bing (bready pork dumplings) to stuffed green onion pancakes and the much-tastier-than-it-sounds pig’s blood cake, you will never be hungry here. Here are some tips to help you eat like a pro in Taiwan…

• Most stalls at the night markets are going to be safe to eat at. But as a general rule, if you see a line – join it.  Stalls are usually popular for a good reason.
• Do hit up the night markets. You’d honestly be a fool not to! But don’t go too late. Not only will some stalls have already closed up and gone home, but also most of the hot cooking would have been done.
• If you’re worried, take a while to watch what the street vendor is doing.  If you’re fine about how they’re preparing the food, or how clean everything looks, then go for it.
• Fruit juices are big in Taiwan. Honestly, there are a lot of different fruits going. Probably some of the biggest watermelons we’ve ever seen have been in Taiwan. These should be generally ok to drink but to be on the safe side (and if your stomach is delicate) perhaps steer clear.
• Make sure the meat you’re about to eat has been cooked through.  If not, don’t eat it. And if you’re worried about meat in general, then you can ask for stuff without meat.
• If you’re super worried, head to more   tourist-oriented night markets. They’re likely to be operating under more stringent laws imposed by the government. The aptly named Hualien Dongdamen Tourist Night Market is one of them, in Hualien.
• Watch out for seafood at night markets. Things like shellfish, shrimp, or crab might not have been refrigerated properly, so it may just be best to avoid.
• The food is amazingly tasty and cheap, but go easy when you first arrive. The food can be pretty rich and full of flavors and textures you’re not used to. Ease yourself into this tasty world and you’ll be better off.
• Wash your hands.  It’s just the easiest way to avoid getting ill. Food safety 101. And if you can’t wash your hands for whatever reason, use hand sanitiser.

Honestly, the food in Taiwan is one of the highlights. If you think you’ve seen night markets in Thailand  or  Vietnam,  well you ain’t seen nothing yet. Night markets are ubiquitous in Taiwan. This country loves its food – and it definitely shows. Everything’s pretty tasty.

Can you drink the water in Taiwan?

Water is alright in Taiwan, but not the best. A lot of Taiwanese people drink filtered or bottled water. There are actually water fountains all over the cities and in MRT stations, featuring filtered water. You’ll probably get complimentary bottles in your hotel, too.

The thing about Taiwan is earthquakes that can crack water pipes which can obviously lead to water contamination. So take a refillable water bottle and fill up at public fountains.

Read our in-depth review of the best travel water bottles here if you decide to do so. If you want to explore the backcountry, we’d suggest boiling and filtering your water or using the GRAYL GEOPRESS .

Buy bottled water if you must, but seriously: think of the plastic!

Is Taiwan safe to live?

Taiwan is absolutely safe to live in. There are some very fun cities to live in, all of which are rapidly developing.

For example, there’s  Taichung.  Once the home of “Made in Taiwan” (take a look at your parents’ cutlery), this is now a cool city with a load of repurposed buildings housing cool cafes and restaurants.

However, like any other country, there will be some things you might worry about. We’re not talking about walking around at night. The political status of the country may cause you concern. This puts Taiwan directly in the firing line of China. The crucial thing is understanding the best places to stay in Taiwan .

There are some political parties in Taiwan that believe that, as officially the Republic of China, they are the real rulers of Mainland China. There are others who just want to be an independent Taiwan… It’s a complicated situation. Avoiding any political protests is probably going to be a smart move.

Natural disasters are also obviously a thing. When you’re looking for a place to live, you’re going to want a building that’s at least partially earthquake-proof.

The cities can be completely clogged up with traffic and pollution can be pretty bad. And there are a fair few motorbike accidents.

Weather-wise, keep an eye on the news in the typhoon season. Generally aside from the bad typhoons, the weather is changeable and ranges from super hot and sunny to extremely humid and cloudy with afternoon downpours. It’s a safe place to live, for sure. Most problems will be environmental.

Also, you should probably learn some Chinese. Taiwanese Mandarin for Taipei City and most of the east side of the island to the south; in the west, it’s actually Taiwanese Hokkien. Mandarin alone should suffice. Some speaking, and some reading – you know, for menus and signage – will really go a long way.

Aside from that, living in Taiwan is totally safe. Many people want to teach English in Taiwan because of its competitive salary and good quality of life, which means more major cities are starting to cater to English speakers, but you’ll still need to know some basic mandarin, especially in rural areas.

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Is it safe to rent an Airbnb in Taiwan?

Renting an Airbnb in Taiwan is a great idea. And it’s perfectly safe, as long as you read the reviews. Staying at an Airbnb during your trip will also open up new possibilities and options to experience the country. The local hosts are known to take great care of their guests and give the absolute best recommendations of what to do and what to see. Local knowledge always goes a long way, so be sure to reach out to your hosts if you’re unsure about how to fill up your Taiwan itinerary!

On top of that, you’ll stay safe with the reliable Airbnb booking system. Both hosts and guests can rate each other which creates a very respectful and trustworthy interaction.

Is Taiwan LGBTQ+ friendly?

Taiwan has been considered one of the most LGBTQ friendly nations in Asia. In fact, homosexuality was never illegal here. The gay community is pretty big, especially in major cities like Taipei.

Same-sex marriage has been legalized as well, which also makes it a great destination for LGBTQ+ couples. So it’s safe to say that Taiwan is probably one of the best places in Asia for gay travellers!

Here are some quick answers to common questions about safety in Taiwan.

How safe is Taiwan for foreigners?

Taiwan can be very safe for tourists. However, doing research before you start your travels and refreshing your street smarts will come a long way. Stay aware of your surroundings and avoid sketchy areas to have a trouble-free trip.

Is Taiwan safe at night?

Taiwan is generally safe at night, however, it definitely pays off to be more cautious. Staying away from dark side streets is a no-brainer. If you want to be extra safe, stick to a group when going out after dark.

What should not do in Taiwan?

Avoid these things in Taiwan: – Don’t underestimate the weather and nature – Avoid letting your valuables out of sight – Don’t talk politics – Don’t make a fuss if things aren’t going your way

Is Taiwan safe for solo female travellers?

Yes, Taiwan can be perfectly safe for female solo travellers. However, just like in any part of the world, female travellers, unfortunately, have to be a bit more careful when walking around. Keep your wits about and you should be safe.

Yes and no… It’s difficult to say really how safe Taiwan is when, due to politics, many countries are strong-armed by China into not having any embassies in the country. However, when we only look at crime rates, Taiwan is pretty safe.

You get a visa when you arrive, it has its own currency and its own laws. China has zero to virtually zero say in how Taiwan is governed. Attempting to take away the legitimacy of Taiwan by forcing other countries around the world to not recognise it, or face the consequences (no business deals with China) won’t take away the fierce independence of Taiwan, hopefully.

Aside from politics, which has recently forced British Airways to advertise flights to Taiwan as flights to a province of China, Taiwan is probably one of the safest countries around.

Earthquakes and typhoons may hit and hit hard when they do, but this is nature. It doesn’t stop Taiwanese people from living in their own country, so it shouldn’t stop you. It’s super safe here.

Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. Do your own research. Enjoy your travels!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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Just want to say – a lot of signs are in English especially in Taipei, buses and trains, and touristy areas. It is useful to learn a few words of Mandarin though, and people do appreciate it! Another note – bubble tea is amazing in Taiwan, and often very cheap! However do watch out for places with high prices, because sometimes tourists will spend more money for lower quality by accident. When I was in Taipei, I usually spent 75 – 120 NTD but that was my experience – other areas I don’t know about.

I would just like to add, where possible try and take the MRT (Metro) rather than the bus. There are times when the bus gets very crowded and it’s not always easy to get off safely. The driver may pull out too soon. Also, remember that there are 2 exits – one at the front and one at the back. It all depends which one the drivers opens. Make sure that you don’t have any cords or straps hanging off your jacket or backpack. There have been times when these have got caught in the door (my own experience). TBH, I would love to visit Taiwan again but am waiting until the political situation calms down.

Taiwan law requires the VICTIM to record video of the crime. The victim has to prove the guilt before the police will even investigate. The crime rates are very low because of this law. Basically the police under report or they do not even investigate. There is more crime than people realize. The AIT website (acts like U.S. Embassy in Taiwan) will give a clear picture of this problem on there website. It is shocking, but I have experienced it.

The biggest problem is Taiwanese driving is horrible. They have no problem running red lights or even driving on the sidewalks. The country has 8 deaths per day related to this. To put this in perspective, Japan population is 5x’s bigger. They average 10 a day. Taiwan has the worse fatality rate in Asia.

I was struck by a moped in the cross walk. The moped ran a red light really late because I was halfway across when I was struck down. The old man fell off his moped, but got on right away and left. I got only 3 of the numbers off the license plate. The police cameras at the intersection were not operating properly, so no video. No video, no case for the police.

Just be aware and safe on your travels.

Hey Ken, Sorry for your trouble with the shitty moped driver in Taiwan. That’s horrible! Hope you’re ok. Thanks for sharing this info with the greater traveling community. Cheers!

Many thanks for useful information. I cannot wait for coming there in November. ?

hi~ As a Taiwanese citizen, I would like to give a warm welcome to all that wish to take a trip to this island. My appreciation extends to the brokebackpacker and the article author for a thorough introduction on Taiwan’s safety status. Just a little typo on the figure: 2019’s Global Peace Index put Taiwan 36th on a list of 163 countries, not 64th. Although it may not be that much of a difference–still the same category under “high safety”, I just want to get some facts right.

Thank you 🙂

Hi Meg! Taiwan definitely deserves due credit for its security – and the article has been updated accordingly. I haven’t been to Taiwan yet but hope to get that way very soon! Thanks for the welcome. 🙂

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Is Taiwan Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

• Taiwan : Safety by City

Taiwan is an island country located in East Asia, off the coast of southwest of Okinawa, Japan and north of the Philippines.

Taiwan is actually governed by the Republic of China since 1945 and with more than 23 million people, it is the most populous state and largest economy that is not a member of the United Nations.

But apart from the crowded cities that Taiwan is known for, it also offers rocky mountains and lush forests.

When you go to Taiwan, expect an urban adventure in the country’s impressive capital, Taipei that’s brimming with vibrant culture, entertainment, cuisine (with numerous restaurants offering delicious food that is so cheap that the Japanese often take short trips just to taste it), contemporary clubs and bars and a uniquely energetic feel to it.

Many describe Taiwan as what China could’ve been like if it hadn’t been for centralized government and communism.

• Warnings & Dangers in Taiwan

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Taiwan is generally safe to travel to, but it's not without its dangers. The only concern is a petty crime on the streets, but if you apply the basic precaution measures, your trip should go smoothly.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Though public transport is mostly safe and reliable, it is filled with pickpockets and petty thieves. Always negotiate everything in advance and never pay upfront. Transportation stations are also risky, as they are known to attract criminals. Bear in mind that Taiwan is filled with unlicensed taxi vehicles that don't use meters and might try to rip you off.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

There is a heightened risk of pickpockets in Taiwan since it has around 10 million visitors a year. Don‘t leave anything valuable in your back pockets and be especially vigilant in crowded places.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

As for natural disasters, Taiwan has a high risk of earthquakes. There are also risks of typhoons, especially between July to November and tourists are recommended to refrain from visiting the mountains during these periods.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Taiwan, on the whole, is extremely safe. Crime against foreigners is rare, and violent crime, and incidents such as mugging and rape, against foreigners are extremely rare.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Even though in Taiwan's recent history there haven't been any terrorist attacks, one can never be too cautious, and things such as terrorist attacks can never be ruled out, so be aware of your surroundings at all times.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

The most common scams are connected with the ATMs. There is the popular scam of someone calling you, impersonating a bank employee or a hotel staff and asking you to confirm your credit card information. There is also the risk of ATM fraud so try and use the machines that are inside.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Taiwan is safe for solo women travelers. Just use your common sense and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid wearing purses and do not walk alone or ride in taxis at night.

• So... How Safe Is Taiwan Really?

Taiwan is relatively safe to visit.

Though the rates of violent crime are low by world standards, you are recommended to remain vigilant at all times.

Petty crime rates are low as well, but pickpocketing and bag-snatching do occur, especially in locations frequented by tourists.

The shady, criminal side of Taiwan usually happens around barbershops and nightclubs which act as fronts for prostitution.

However, it is easy to differentiate the dodgy ones from real, legitimate businesses.

Real barber shops openly advertise their business and you can see through their windows barbers cutting hair, and if you can’t – that’s the dodgy one.

Apart from this, you should keep in mind that there have been reports of people being assaulted by taxi drivers: this happened a couple of time, and though it received unreasonably more media coverage than it should’ve since it only happened a couple of times, it still pays to remain vigilant.

Women, for example, should be cautious when taking taxis alone late at night and it is even recommended for them to only tell taxi drivers the street name and section, instead of their exact address.

• How Does Taiwan Compare?
• Useful Information

Many countries in Europe, U.S.A, Australia and New Zealand do not need a visa to enter Taiwan, for any stays shorter than 90 days. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

The New Taiwan dollar is the official currency in Taiwan. ATMs are widely available throughout the country, except in rural areas, while credit cards are accepted at most establishments.

There are two climates in Taiwan: the north part of Taiwan has a sub-tropical climate zone, while the southern part has a tropical climate zone. Winters in Taiwan are warm and mild while summers are hot and wet, with typhoons and thunderstorms.

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is an international airport in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. It is located about 40 km west of Taipei in Dayuan District. The airport is Taiwan's largest and busiest.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Taiwan, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Taiwan Weather Averages (Temperatures)

• Average High/Low Temperature

Taiwan - Safety by City

Explore taiwan.

• 10 Best Things to Do in Taiwan’s Capital
• Where to Next?

57 Reviews on Taiwan

Taiwan is ranked the 2nd safest country in the world by the FBI.

Not as Safe

Taiwan law requires the VICTIM to record video of the crime. The victim has to prove the guilt before the police will even investigate. The crime rates are very low because of this law. Basically the police under report or they do not even investigate. There is more crime than people realize. The AIT website (acts like U.S. Embassy in Taiwan) will give a clear picture of this problem on there website. It is shocking, but I have experienced it.

The biggest problem is Taiwanese driving is horrible. They have no problem running red lights or even driving on the sidewalks. The country has 8 deaths per day related to this. To put this in perspective, Japan population is 5x’s bigger. They average 10 a day. Taiwan has the worse fatality rate in Asia.

I was struck by a moped in the cross walk. The moped ran a red light really late because I was halfway across when I was struck down. The old man fell off his moped, but got on right away and left. I got only 3 of the numbers off the license plate. The police cameras at the intersection were not operating properly, so no video. No video, no case for the police.

Just be aware and safe on your travels.

CCTV is everywhere!!

You do know there are CCTV EVERYWHERE right? You can simply request a copy of the video or by police so I don’t buy that BS. Every day we see something so stupid on the news, I’m sure a foreigner got hurt/robbed would make the deadline (yes, really!)

Current Health Issue

How do we save in this current health issue?the ncorona virus from Wuhan China, and 1 confirm cases in Taiwan, do we save to travel to Taiwan now ( chinese new year 2020)

Very safe, except traffic

Spent lot of time in Taiwan. Indeed, probably one of the safest places to visit if you leave the traffic out. Super nice and helpful people, safe 24h no matter the location. Nightclubs, bars, mountain hikes, beaches, all super chill.

Traffic looks fine at the first glance but once you’re in there it can be very unexpected. Overuse of traffic lights that not many seem care and lack of knowledge in basic rules can be a deadly combination. So keep your eyes open, be careful and don’t expect to survive just because you know the rules. Had more than few Taiwanese asking me “Don’t you trust my driving?” just because I’m buckling the seat belt. That says some… At least you hear the garbage truck coming 😉

It is not really safe, FBI got it wrong

Why is Taiwan lower on the list then Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand?

Because the report is of error

Cuz this article is bs

Taiwan is AMAZING

Taiwan is AMAZING!!! Even UK has more points…. This is scam or UK paid money to spread false information. I’ve been to Taiwan and I never felt more safe than there. Brits are super dangerous because of lack of education and they drink a lot!

I suspect it’s because of the threats the CCP (i.e. FAKE China) has been making towards Taiwan (i.e. REAL China), but the website’s owners are afraid to openly acknowledge that fact.

This is crazy. As a UK person that has visited 70+ countries, Taiwan is far and away the safest country (well done for getting the second part right, at least) I have ever been to.

Which country is the safest?

This is crazy. As a UK person that has visited 70+ countries, Taiwan is far and away the safest country (well done for getting the second part right, at least) I have ever been to. Can’t take the rest of the list seriously because of that.

Agreed with Rye – It is very save !

Taiwan is on top of the safest country in the world according to other research.

OMG, Taiwan is probably the safest country in the world. Portugal is safe too. do, this list is a joke.

I have travelled around cities in Taiwan at least once a year. Taiwan is a very safe country. No issues of walking alone at night. Most Taiwanese are friendly. Definitely much safer than neighbouring country, PRC.

Have you ever been to China?

Mugged in china, not in Taiwan

Yep, only got mugged 2 times in my life, both in donguan china..

Taiwan is a very safe country. I visit Taiwan frequently and travelled the whole country. No problem during the day or night.

I would say Taiwan is even safer than most European countries to travel to and definitely one of the safest countries in Asia. This safety index is absurd.

Extremely Safe

I live in Taipei for more than three years and I am really surprised to read these warnings. Taipei is really the safest country I have been too far safer than any European country especially about pickpocketing. People leave their phones and wallets in Starbucks to reserve a table when they order or go to the restroom, no one takes anything.

yeah and I’ve accidentally left my iPhone and AirPods Pro at a hotel playground room with an xbox 360 for an hour and no-one bothered to take it

Relatively safe = the safety index of 54?

Relatively safe = the safety index of 54? I’m utterly confused.. Overall risk is also low, so what gives?

I guess Taiwan got reviewbombed by mainland chinese? (in that case, confused lol?) I mean it is rated around the same as india here, so something is definitely not right (plus their own risk-judgement says something else than the points.

Taiwan is one of the safest countries I know. You’ll find out about this if you actually travel there. The index is simply ridiculous.

Does Taiwan still safe to visit during CoronaVirus outbreak

Well yeah….. if you can get here. We’ve been on 0 cases for at least 2 weeks And we still get to go to school

PRC website?

This website must be operated by the PRC… another attempt to alienate Taiwan from the rest of the world.

Well I would not go that far but it is weird that Taiwan is ranked lower than Communist China. When you really know the situation, it really seems like a joke.

Have you ever been to China? You really seem like a joke.

This review is Ill informe There are no pickpockets in Taiwan.

Taiwan is Safe

Taiwan is the safest country I have ever visited. this list or article is way off. Taiwan should have a safety rating of 96. 4 points knocked off for the crazy scooters. i’m OK with that. Taiwanese are awesome.

Taiwan is NOT a safe country at all!! This one time, I was climbing the stairs near the 101 metro station. It was at night, and very bright, but somehow I tripped on the last set of stairs. Fell and scraped my knee, almost bled out right there. AVOID.

Bottom line, what an unreliable index…

Seriously?!

Seriously?! How does that have to do with safety?! I personally think that review is completely biased.

I think he is joking tho… He did say that this is a horrible index at the end.

bruh not sure about the stairs but it’s u that tripped on the stairs not the stairs that tripped you

Taiwan is the literal safest country

Taiwan is the literal safest country in the world according to the World Population Review Crime Index. This article is completely incorrect:

DON"T UNDERSTAND!!

What do you mean the safety index is 54 Taiwan is way safer than America and Sudan so why is Sudan safety index is 57??????????????? PLEASE UPDATE THIS FALSE IMFORMATION!!!!!!!

Inaccurate safety data

Taiwan is very safe please update the safety index

Taiwan is safe

Taiwan is on the top 10 list of safety

Taiwan isn’t safe. I faced many sexual assault and when I went to the police station I got slut shamed and they refuse to help. The police only help Taiwanese. And locals have this idea that Taiwan is the best and safest so they refuse and block any opinion different and refuse to believe when someone said something bad happened

This can’t be further away from the truth. I lost my purse a couple times there and was called by the police because someone found it. People are very friendly and willing to help. It’s the safest country in the world.

HellaTy# You must been jokin’

Taiwan’s scoring should be over 90 !!!! Check what Youtubers said about their lives in Taiwan

My wife & I got married at age 17 in the mountains of Taiwan. I am American, she is Taiwanese. We have now been married for 38 years and have two grown sons. Although we live in the US, we have traveled to Taiwan every year at least once and many times twice per year. Our sons spent every summer school vacation in Taiwan, learning the language, culture, etc. while staying with their grandparents and other relatives. We have NEVER had a single safety issue happen to us, our visiting friends and or relatives or anyone else that we know of. Taiwan is MANY times over, safer than the US and I’ve never met friendlier people in any of my travels. I think this “rating” is complete BS.

Taiwan is one of the safest place to tea el

I don’t know who wrote this page, Taiwan is NOT part of China or ruled by them by any means. Complete different government and you don’t need visa like if you were to visit China. And Taiwan is not a communist country, you don’t have to worry about getting out in jail if you say something bad about the president or government.

Taiwanese are one of the nicest people that you can encounter. Extremely friendly and a lot of people (especially in bigger cities) can speak English.

Traveling in Taipei is very easy with all the public transportation. And the low rate of COVID is one of the best in the world because everybody respect each other and themselves enough to wear masks everywhere!

Taiwan’s traffic is terrible. Do not visit Taiwan before the problems are solved.

Please explain to readers what this means – “Many describe Taiwan as what China could’ve been like if it hadn’t been for centralized government and communism.” That is a load of nonsense! I have lived in China. I first visited in 1980. In that time it has dragged many hundreds of millions out of poverty, omre than at any other time in the history of our planet. Has your writer ever actually been to Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou? Or even Harbin, Hangzhou, Xi’an or Kunming for that matter. These are bustling cities with virtually the same great restaurants, sightseeing, entertainment venues as Taiwan plus a far greater range of sights to see. Please be accurate when you make your descriptions.

Taiwan is the safest country in the world. It has some problems with Chinese people who are members of the KMT party who wants to sell the country to China, but otherwise it is safe.

This article needs to review its score

I’m shocked that Taiwan is less safe than the majority of the countries in the world… if you leave your bag on the street and on the table and forget about it, rest assured that when you go back to retrieve it you get everything back. This is a bunch of bullocks and you have to watch the traffic like any other counties except for European countries maybe (actually not even France or Italy!!)

Taiwan - safest country you will ever visit

Who came up with this rating? Taiwan is the safest place you will ever travel to. How can it be rated 54?

It is ranked 54 for a reason: The Chinese are trying to invade Taiwan, but you refuse to admit it and that’s why you’re confusing me.

Public transport is very safe in Taiwan

I’m not sure I agree with the statement ‘Though public transport is mostly safe and reliable, it is filled with pickpockets and petty thieves.’ I lived in Taipei for many years and NEVER had a problem in all that time.

Taiwan at 54??? Gotta be a joke. This is the safest country besides Japan by far.

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Is it safe to travel to Taiwan right now? The latest travel advice after earthquake and aftershocks

More than 200 aftershocks have hit the country following the April 3 earthquake

Taiwan  is one of Asia’s most underrated travel destinations, with a magnetic capital city in  Taipei  and a stunning mountainous landscape. Located at the crossover of the South and East China Sea, the island nation offers travellers a long list of adventures .

However, Taiwan experienced the strongest earthquake in 25 years earlier this month, as a 7.4 magnitude quake struck the east coast of the island on April 3. It  was also felt in southern Japan , eastern China and the Philippines .

Just over two weeks on, more  than 200 aftershock tremors were felt throughout the night on April 23. H ere is what we know so far about travelling to Taiwan in the wake of the latest earthquakes. 

Is it safe to travel to Taiwan? 

Travelling to the country has not been officially advised against and no casualties were reported after the tremors early this morning. Schools and offices closed on Tuesday in  Hualien, which was at the epicentre of the quakes . One of the more than 200 tremors felt last night had a magnitude of 6.1. It struck at 2.30am local time, but the aftershocks reportedly continued through the night and caused buildings to sway, according to Al Jazeera . 

Where was impacted by the earthquake? 

The epicentre of the original earthquake was around 18km south of Hualien, with the surrounding county being the worst-hit area, according to local officials.

Today’s aftershocks were again centred around Hualien on the east coast and caused buildings across large parts of northern, eastern and western Taiwan to shake. A 5.8 tremor was also felt in the capital of Taipei at 8am local time this morning. 

How close is Taiwan to Japan? 

Taiwan and Japan are 2,163km apart. While this might sound like a long distance, tsunamis have been known to travel up to 5,000km, and small tsunami waves were experienced on the coasts of Japan’s Miyako and Yaeyama islands after the initial April 3 quake. 

What’s the latest UK Foreign Office advice? 

The UK Foreign Office updated its Taiwan travel advice page on April 3, stating: ‘On Wednesday 3 April 2024 at 07.58 local time, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Eastern Taiwan with shocks felt all across the island including Taipei. Aftershocks continue to occur and you should expect travel disruption. You should consult the Central Weather Administration website and other official sources for more information.’

What are your rights if you’ve booked a trip? 

Until the UK Foreign Office issues advice against all but essential travel to Taiwan, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to cancel your travel plans without any penalties. To see what can be done, it’d be best to contact your accommodation, flight or trip provider.  

Have flights to Taiwan and Japan been cancelled?

So far, there’s no news of flights to either Taiwan or Japan being cancelled, but just to be sure, it’s best to check with your airline directly if you have one booked. 

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Update April 12, 2024

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Travel Advisory July 11, 2023

Taiwan - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

Exercise normal precautions in Taiwan.

Read the  Taiwan International Travel Information  page for additional information on travel to Taiwan.

If you decide to travel to Taiwan:

• Follow the U.S. Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Review the  security report for Taiwan  from the Overseas Security Advisory Council.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

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View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Valid throughout duration of stay

1 page per entry/exit stamp

Not required for stay of less than 90 days

None required. Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends travelers to Taiwan be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. Vaccination information can be found here .

Declare cash amounts over 100,000 New Taiwan Dollars (NTD), foreign currencies over 10,000 USD, or over 20,000 Chinese Yuan (RMB). Customs details are here.

Embassies and Consulates

The American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei Main Office 100 Jinhu Road, Neihu District Taipei 114017, Taiwan Telephone:  +886-2-2162 2000 ext. 2306 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +886-2-2162 2000 Fax:  +886-2-2162 2239 Email:   [email protected]

The American Institute in Taiwan, Kaohsiung Branch Office 5th Floor, No. 88, Chenggong 2nd Road, Qianzhen District Kaohsiung 806618, Taiwan Telephone:   +886-7-335 5006 Emergency After-Hours Telephone   +886-2-2162 2000 Fax:  +886-7-338-0551 Email:   [email protected]

The United States maintains unofficial relations with the people on Taiwan through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation, which performs U.S. citizen and consular services similar to those at embassies.

Schedule routine American Citizen Services appointments online. Appointments are available Monday through Thursday except on Taiwan and U.S. holidays .

Destination Description

See the U.S. Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Taiwan for information on U.S.-Taiwan relations.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

If you wish to enter Taiwan as a tourist or short-term visitor (less than 90 days), you do not need a visa. No extensions or changes of status are permitted. For visa-waiver travel, your U.S. passport must be valid through the number of days you intend to stay. Six-month passport validity is not required.

If you plan to stay longer than 90 days or plan to work or reside in Taiwan, you need a Taiwan visa prior to traveling. Visit the website for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the United States for the most current visa information.

Taiwan and the United States both allow dual nationality. If you have dual Taiwan-U.S. nationality, you must enter/exit Taiwan on your Taiwan passport and enter/exit the United States on your U.S. passport.

See our website for information on  dual nationality  or the  prevention of international child abduction .

Also see our  Customs Information page .

Taiwan does not have any specific COVID-19 entry requirements for U.S. citizens.

Safety and Security

Potential for Civil Disturbances: Taiwan enjoys a vibrant democracy, and both spontaneous and planned demonstrations occur.  Monitor media coverage of local and regional events and avoid public demonstrations.

Potential for Typhoons and Earthquakes:  During the typhoon season (May through November),  Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau  issues typhoon warnings an average of five times a year (of which, three to four normally make landfall) and heavy rainstorm alerts more frequently. Taiwan also has severe earthquakes. The most recent severe earthquakes included one that caused 2,000 deaths in 1999 and another that caused 117 deaths with widespread damage in 2016.

Disaster Preparedness:

• Follow the guidance of local authorities in the event of a disaster. See the National Fire Agency’s page for information on “ Disaster Responses .”
• See the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website  on how to prepare for an emergency.  
• See also the Crisis and  Disaster  Abroad page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
• When an emergency arises, we will post up-to-date instructions specific to the circumstances of the event on our  website  and send messages to U.S. citizens who have registered through the Department of State’s  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .

Crime:  There is minimal street crime in Taiwan, and violent crime is rare. Take normal safety precautions, such as avoiding travel after dark or in deserted/unfamiliar areas.  

See the U.S. Department of State's  and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime:  U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should contact the American Institute in Taiwan for assistance at +886-2-2162 2000. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should also seek medical attention and report to the police as soon as possible for help.

• Dial 113 to reach the Taipei Center for the Prevention of Domestic violence and Sexual Assault.
• Dial 110 to report crimes to the local police.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See the U.S. Department of State’s website on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas , as well as AIT’s webpage for  local resources .

• assist you in reporting a crime to the police.
• assist you with emergency needs that arise from the crime, such as finding shelter, food, or clothing.
• provide information to facilitate access to appropriate medical care.
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent.
• provide a list of local attorneys.
• provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States .
• explain financial assistance options, such as assistance available to return to the United States.
• replace a lost or stolen passport.

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence should call 113 for emergency assistance and dial 110 for an island-wide toll-free hotline. Dial 113 to reach the Taipei Center for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may also contact the American Institute in Taiwan for assistance at +886-2-2162 2000.

Domestic violence is considered a crime in Taiwan. Report to police and keep written records of all incidents. Preserve evidence such as medical records documenting injuries, photos of injuries, police records, and damaged clothing and weapons used against you. If you have a court-issued restraining order, present this to the police for use in the arrest of the offender.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:   You are subject to local laws.  If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. See  crimes against minors abroad  and the  U.S. Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison authorities to notify the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) immediately. 

• The American Institute can provide a list of English-speaking lawyers .  
• Taiwan authorities typically do not permit foreigners accused of crimes to leave Taiwan while legal proceedings are ongoing. 
• Penalties for illegal drug possession, use, or trafficking are severe, with long jail sentences and heavy fines.
• Taiwan also has the death penalty for certain violent crimes and drug offenses.  
• See the U.S. Department of State’s  webpage  for further information. 

Labor Disputes:

• Avoid labor disputes by establishing all terms and conditions of employment or sponsorship in the labor contract at the beginning of your employment.
• If the dispute cannot be resolved directly with your employer, the American Institute can provide  a list of English-speaking lawyers .

Customs Regulations:  Taiwan has strict regulations on importing/exporting firearms, antiquities, medications, currency, and ivory. Contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington, D.C., or the nearest Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the United States for specific information  regarding customs requirements . See also  customs regulations .

Dual Nationality and Compulsory Military Service:  Taiwan has compulsory military service for Taiwan males between the ages of 18 and 36.  This includes dual U.S.-Taiwan citizens who enter Taiwan on their U.S. passports . Before you travel, contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington, D.C., or the nearest Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the United States to determine your military service status. 

Faith-Based Travelers:   See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Reports
• Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

Health Screening Process:  To detect and prevent the spread of diseases, Taiwan scans the body temperature of all arriving passengers with an infrared thermal apparatus. Symptomatic passengers are required to fill out a form and may need to give an onsite specimen or see local health authorities. See also the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website .

Judicial Assistance:  Authorities on Taiwan provide judicial assistance in response to letters rogatory from foreign courts in accordance with Taiwan's "Law Governing Extension of Assistance to Foreign Courts." For further information, please go to the  American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)’s website .

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) rights events in Taiwan. Taiwan law prohibits education and employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. On May 24, 2019, Taiwan legalized same sex marriages upon registration with a local household registration office in Taiwan. Same sex marriages from other countries are recognized in Taiwan. LGBTQI+ individuals may still face lack of tolerance, particularly in areas outside the capital and largest city Taipei. See  Section 6 of our Human Rights Practices in the Human Rights Report for Taiwan  and read our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information page .

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:  Taiwan law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities and sets minimum fines for violations. By law, new public buildings, facilities, and transportation equipment must be accessible to persons with disabilities. See  Persons with Disabilities in the Human Rights Report for Taiwan (2022) .

Students: See our  U.S. Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Taiwan has modern medical facilities, with state-of-the-art equipment available at many hospitals and clinics. Physicians are well trained, and many have studied in the United States and speak English. Hospital nursing services provide medication and wound care but generally do not provide the daily patient care functions found in U.S. hospitals. Taiwan requires masks in healthcare facilities and ambulances to prevent the spread of diseases, including COVID-19.

For emergency services in Taiwan, dial 119.

Ambulance services are

• widely available;
• have emergency equipment and supplies;
• and are staffed by trained medical personnel.

We do not pay medical bills . Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Taiwan hospitals and doctors do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance overseas. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare to ensure the medication is legal in Taiwan.

Vaccinations: Be up to date on all routine vaccinations recommended by the U.S. CDC . Vaccinations are available at all major Taiwan hospitals.

Dengue Fever:  In recent years, Taiwan has seen cases of dengue fever, a virus common in subtropical regions that is spread through mosquito bites. There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent dengue. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. For information on how to reduce the risk of contracting dengue, please visit  the U.S. CDC website .

COVID-19: Major Taiwan healthcare facilities have COVID-19 testing capabilities and can administer FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines.

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The American Institute in Taiwan does not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

For further health information :

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Road conditions, lighting, and traffic safety in cities and on major highways are generally good. Roads in major cities are generally congested. Be alert for the many scooters and motorcycles that weave in and out of traffic. Motor scooters are common throughout the island. Be alert for scooters when stepping out of public buses or exiting a car. Exercise caution when crossing streets because many drivers do not respect the pedestrian's right of way. Be especially cautious when driving on mountain roads, which are typically narrow, winding, and poorly banked, and which may be impassable after heavy rains. For example, Taiwan’s central cross-island highway is meandering and often has poor visibility. Exercise caution when driving on highways.

Please see AIT’s website for more details on  Driving in Taiwan .

Traffic Laws:  Passengers in all vehicles, including taxis, are required by law to wear seatbelts. When exiting a vehicle, you are legally required to ensure that no motor scooter, bicycle, or other vehicle is approaching from behind before opening the door. You will be fully liable for any injuries or damages if you fail to do so. Do not turn right on a red traffic signal. It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free kit in Taiwan. The legal limit for alcohol in the bloodstream of drivers in Taiwan is 15 mg per 100 ml of blood (0.03% BAC). This limit is strictly enforced. It is useful to have proof of car insurance and proof of ownership of the vehicle. On-the-spot fines are very common for minor traffic offences in Taiwan and are fixed for each offense. You will be told where to pay the fines and within what period of time. For more serious driving offenses, you will receive a court appearance.

Standard international driving laws apply with a few exceptions:

• You must have a warning triangle in your car to use if you break down or are involved in an accident.
• You cannot turn on a red light unless indicated.
• Many drivers run red lights, especially just after they change.

In an emergency:

• If you have a problem with your car, call the number on the rental documents or attached to the windscreen of your car.
• In the event of an accident, you should call the police “110” and medical assistance “119.” Provide the police with all the important information including the type of accident, details of vehicles involved and if there are any injuries or fatalities. The second call you should make is to your insurance company.
• You will need a police report for your insurance company. While waiting for the police, take photographs of the scene and take the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses. Do not move the vehicles unless it is necessary for safety reasons.
• Police will not ask for bribes.
• Police will ask parties involved in the traffic accident to do an alcohol test. This is standard operating procedure.
• If riding a motor scooter, you must wear a helmet.

For specific information concerning Taiwan’s driver’s permits, vehicle inspection road tax, and mandatory insurance, contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington, D.C., or the nearest Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the United States.

Public Transportation:  Public transportation is cheap, convenient, and generally safe. Uber is widely available for use. Taxis and buses may swerve to the side of the road to pick up passengers with little notice or regard for other vehicles.

Please refer to our  Road Safety  page for more information. Refer also to Taiwan’s  Road Traffic Safety Portal .

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Taiwan's air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s Safety Assessment Page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Taiwan should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Maritime Security Communications with Industry (MSCI) web portal. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard Homeport website , and the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Navigational Warnings website .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Taiwan . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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Is Taiwan Safe?

Is Taiwan safe? If you’ve ever been to the country, you might find this ridiculous, certainly when it comes to crime—it barely exists in Taiwan.

Taiwan is a very safe country—let’s get that truth out of the way. However, a few potential dangers exist, both manmade and natural. Educate yourself about these now to make your Taiwan trip even safer!

Crime in Taiwan is Relatively Rare

Is Taiwan safe? When it comes to violent (and even petty) crime it is. In 2018 (the latest year for which statistics are available), Taiwan reported 1,207 crimes per 100,000 inhabitants, with 2.3 of those being homicides. This compares to 2,500 and 4.95 in the United States. Overall, Taiwan is around half as dangerous as the US when it comes to crime, although this doesn’t show the entire picture.

What I mean by this is that Taiwan crime statistics are not available as they pertain specifically to foreign tourists. What I will say, from personal experience, is that I have not ever felt seriously threatened in Taiwan—well, minus one time in a laundromat, when an unhinged old man lashed out at me for removing his idle clothes from a dryer. I frequently leave my door unlocked while out on small errands, and even sometimes leave the key in it accidentally!

Top Taiwan Safety Concerns

Traffic accidents.

Road safety in Taiwan is a major issue, as it is just about everywhere in Asia outside of Japan and Korea. While the stats might not seem bad, whether on their own or in comparison to Western countries, I personally know literally a dozen Taiwanese people who have been in serious accidents. Moreover, in my own experience renting cars in Taiwan , I’ve had a few close calls.

Venomous Snakes and Bees

Is Taiwan safe, when it comes to wildlife? The good news is that there aren’t a lot of big animals here, i.e. lions, tiger and/or bears. Actually, I imagine there are some bears. (Oh my!) However, most warning signs I see along trails foretell the presence of smaller, albeit more lethal vermin. At the same time, while I have occasionally been chased by the stray wasp, I’ve never seen a snake here—they’re as scared of me as I am of them!

Food Poisoning

In general, I’d say Taiwanese food is relatively safe to eat, since unlike most of Southeast Asia the country actually has food safety standards. With this being said, I’ve had more than a few bouts of food poisoning here, both in dodgier local type establishments, as well as in chain restaurants. My general rules before passing judgment is getting sick twice from the same place; this thankfully shouldn’t be possible with a week in Taiwan or two.

Earthquakes

Is Taiwan safe from natural disasters? It’s funny, because when I was first considering moving to Taiwan , a friend advised me against it due to the country’s (lack of) preparedness for earthquakes. Truth be told, I experience at least an earthquake a month here but thankfully, at least in Taipei, the impact is more of an annoyance than a danger to my well-being.

It might sound funny, given what a disaster every subsequent hurricane that hits the US seems to be, but many Taiwanese greet the Taiwan typhoon season with relief. That’s because, in a normal year, it follows the blistering heat of May and June, and except in the instance of very severe storms, is more of a respite than a risk to public safety. I say “normal year” because 2020 was the first year on record where a typhoon didn’t hit Taiwan in July!

The Threat of a Chinese Invasion

If you’ve read anything about Taiwan- China relations since the Wuhan coronavirus escaped the PRC, you know that they are pretty much in the toilet. Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-Wen is about as pro-independence as a politician at her level can be; public anti-China sentiment (especially among young people) is at an all-time high within Taiwan, as well as among Taiwanese.

So, is Taiwan safe from a Chinese invasion? On one hand, China has responded to what it considers misbehavior on Taiwan’s part with increased verbal aggression, even removing the “peaceful” qualifier from its official document insisting on “reunification” of the two countries. On the other hand, the US is legally obligated to defend Taiwan in the event that China were to attack; I don’t doubt that President Trump, for all his other flaws, would follow through.

Other FAQ About Safe Travel in Taiwan

Is taiwan a safe place to go.

Taiwan is one of the safest countries in the world for travelers, with very low rates of both violent and petty crime. The main dangers you face when traveling to Taiwan are natural disasters and traffic accidents, plus the remote (but increasing) threat of a Chinese attack or invasion.

Is Taiwan safe to travel alone?

Taian is extremely safe for solo travelers, even solo female travelers. This is because it’s exceedingly unlikely to be the victim of crime in Taiwan. In fact, I’d almost go so far as to say that Taiwan is one of the best solo travel destinations in the world.

Is Taiwan friendly to foreigners?

Taiwan is extremely friendly and welcoming to foreigners. This is particularly the case in cosmopolitan Taipei, where a great command of English and plenty of Western creature comforts undergird the hospitality that pervades everywhere in the country.

The Bottom Line

Is Taiwan safe? Yes, but you don’t suddenly become invincible or immortal when you land at Taoyuan Airport. Although levels of crime are low, Taiwan has some small dangers baked into it. With this being said, if you can avoid dangerous drivers, be careful about which street food you eat and heed the instructions of authorities in the rare (OK, not so rare) event of a natural disaster, your Taiwan trip will go off without a hitch. (Even if you don’t hire me to plan it , which I very much recommend you do!)

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17 things you need to know before visiting Taiwan

Oct 29, 2023 • 7 min read

Taiwan is a breeze to visit, but it doesn’t hurt to know a few things before you go © Getty Images / iStockphoto

Taiwan is a breeze to visit, with easy-to-navigate transport systems, handy convenience stores at every turn, and endless restaurants that just hit the spot. 

That said, it doesn’t hurt to prepare a little before you go. Here are some tips from a Taipei resident of seven years.  

1. Book accommodation early

Taiwan’s sweeping range of lodgings means you can live like a multimillionaire or a monk, although it's at the midrange hostels and B&Bs that you’ll get the best deals.

Rooms sell like hot dumplings during summer, Lunar New Year and national holidays. Book at least two months ahead. In Kenting , Jiufen  and Alishan , spots favored by local vacationers and glampers, early reservation is key. Aside from pitching a tent, the cheapest sleeps are at temples with guest rooms.

To hike Taiwan’s highest mountains , you’ll need a permit or two, and the process can take weeks. If you want to stay in the cabins , you’ll need to apply for those as well. The process may not be a walk in the park, but Taiwan’s breathtaking high mountains will reward you generously.  

2. Make restaurant reservations

Eating will be an important part of your trip, and reservations are strongly advised for weekend dining. A few days will do for most restaurants, though Michelin-starred tables, such as RAW and Le Palais , need to be reserved a month or two in advance. Book by phone or on Facebook. A growing number of places will also let you reserve with Google. For walk-in-only hotspots, get there early or get ready to see Taiwan’s famous queue culture in action. 

Dinner service usually begins at 5:30pm and starts winding down in less than three hours. This means your restaurant options grow thin after 8pm — but then street food-filled night markets are always an option.

3. Tap and go with EasyCard or iPass

EasyCard is Taiwan’s contactless smartcard that you can use on the metro, local buses and trains (except high-speed rail), as well as convenience stores and supermarkets. You’ll also need it (and a local phone number) for Youbike, Taiwan’s electronic bike-sharing service. The card itself costs NT$100, and you can top up at any metro station or convenience store. Any unused money is refundable, so don’t lose your card.

iPass is Kaohsiung ’s version of Easycard, which is issued by Taipei. The two are interchangeable. 

4. Download those transportation apps

The government’s bilingual apps are wonderful for checking routes, fares, arrival and departure times, and even whether or not you can bring your cello on board. You can purchase digital train tickets via T Express  (for high-speed rail) and 台鐵e訂通  (for railway), or simply use the apps for information and buy tickets at the station counters.

Taiwan’s metro systems are straightforward, but apps like Taipei's  台北捷運Go  can help you make better decisions about whether to get the day pass or whether you should just bus it. Taiwan’s bus apps give similar information to Google Maps but with more accurate arrival times.

5. Convenience stores are little shops of wonder

Taiwan’s convenience stores let you buy prepaid phone cards, print and photocopy, buy train and concert tickets, send and pick up local packages and use the ATMs.  You can do most of this on an automated kiosk while basking in the aroma of tea-infused eggs, roasted sweet potatoes or whatever decent-tasting rice or pasta dish a fellow customer happens to be reheating for indoor-seated enjoyment. Bear in mind not all kiosks have full English translations, so ask a staff member for help if you need it. Many convenience stores have toilets open to the public, too.

6. Pack enough prescription meds for your trip

If you’re on a specific antidepressant drug, blood pressure medication,or contraceptive pill, bring enough with you to be safe. If you need flu and cold medicine, head over to Watson’s or Cosmed for Tylenol or its local equivalents.  

Sanitary products can be easily purchased from supermarkets and drugstores. Some cafes and restaurants even provide them for free in the women’s toilets. 

7. Be considerate on public transport

The metro  and  buses  have priority seating that's a different color from the other seats. Most Taiwanese who are not elderly, pregnant or physically challenged would never think of sitting there, but in recent years, detractors have been questioning whether age and appearance are accurate reflections of need, arguing that it’s fine for anyone to use the seats until someone needier comes along. Whatever you choose to do, it helps to be aware of these dynamics.

Taiwanese metro commuters take the 'no eating and drinking' rule very seriously. Chewing gum and sips of water are frowned upon. Carriages are also quiet. Your chances of overhearing someone’s life story are disappointingly low. 

8. Tipping is not customary (but it is appreciated)

You are not expected to tip at restaurants, whether or not they levy a 10% to 15% service charge (many do). Taxi drivers don’t expect tips, but you may hear a brighter " xie xie"  (thank you) if you round up to the next dollar. It is courteous to give the porter at better hotels NT$100. If you’re happy with a massage or a tour guide, add 10% to the bill. 

9. Wear whatever you like, but dress respectfully at temples 

While middle-aged Taiwanese tend to dress conservatively, young urbanites in Taipei and Kaohsiung are sartorially quite open-minded. That said, clothes that show more skin, such as crop tops or halternecks, are much less commonly worn than in London or New York, for example, and may get some stares.

It’s a different story when you visit a temple – here, wearing clothes that cover the thighs, shoulders and midriff is regarded as a sign of respect. 

10. Take off your shoes when entering homes 

Taiwanese do not wear outdoor shoes inside their homes. If your host offers you a pair of slippers, accept or propose going with socks. 

It is not customary to remove shoes before entering a temple, especially in urban temples, though the rule may be enforced in a particular hall housing a sacred relic or a fragile heritage building.

11. You can get by without much Chinese

Most Taiwanese in the major cities know at least some English. Naturally, the further you go from the metropolitan areas, the less prevalent the language is. But with the friendliness and hospitality of the Taiwanese, and some help from good old Google Translate, you can get pretty far.

12. Bring your reusable water bottle

Taiwan’s tap water is officially deemed safe to drink; however, it’s hard to know for sure if the pipes in a particular building are up to par. 

Using your own drinking water bottle is by far the cheapest, greenest and safest way to hydrate. There are water fountains in all metro and train stations, public facilities, such as information centers, libraries and museums, and even temples. When checking in at your lodging, ask reception where the water dispenser is.

13. Taiwan is affected by frequent natural disasters

This includes earthquakes, typhoons, floods and landslides. Avoid mountainous areas after quakes and heavy rains. Strong winds often mess up sailing schedules to and from Taiwan’s islands, and cross-island buses may stop running after a landslide. Check with the relevant authorities before heading to the station or pier with your umbrella. 

14. Be wary of where you smoke

Smoking is banned in all indoor public places, such as hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and metro stations, and this is strictly enforced. Smoking at alfresco cafes is common.

15. Taiwan is great for solo women travelers 

Taiwan has a very low crime rate, and many solo women travelers report feeling safer here than in other destinations. Some train and metro stations have nocturnal women-only wait zones that you can take advantage of, especially if traveling alone at night. 

16. Taiwan is a welcoming place for LGBTIQ+ travelers

The first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, Taiwan is friendly and progressive, especially Taipei, home of the Chinese-speaking world's most vibrant Pride parade. Kaohsiung, which has its own Pride, comes a close second. In terms of nightlife, however, Taipei wins hands down. Useful resources include Utopia , Taiwan Tongzhi (LGBTQ+) Hotline Association  and Taiwan LGBT Pride .

17. Taiwan is fantastic for toilets

Free and usually spotlessly clean facilities are everywhere. While most public toilets are the squat style, there are usually at least one or two stalls with sit-down facilities. They often also have toilet paper. Western-style toilets are standard in hotels and apartments. Many restaurants ask you not to flush used toilet paper but to put it in the wastebasket beside your throne.

This article was first published October 2022 and updated October 2023

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Taiwan Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

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After Your Trip

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Taiwan.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to Taiwan.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Japanese Encephalitis

Recommended for travelers who

• Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live
• Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis
• Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis

Consider vaccination for travelers

• Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets
• Going to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be there

Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season. 

Japanese encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine for US Children

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Taiwan is free of dog rabies. However, rabies may still be present in wildlife species, particularly bats. CDC recommends rabies vaccination before travel only for people working directly with wildlife. These people may include veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers working with specimens from mammalian species.

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites.

• Mosquito bite
• Avoid Bug Bites

Airborne & droplet

Avian/bird flu.

• Being around, touching, or working with infected poultry, such as visiting poultry farms or live-animal markets
• Avoid domestic and wild poultry
• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Taiwan, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Taiwan. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Taiwan include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Taiwan’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Taiwan may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Taiwan, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Taiwan for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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More travel information for Taiwan

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Taiwan

• Eating and drinking in Taiwan
• Sports and Outdoor activities in Taiwan
• Culture and Etiquette in Taiwan
• How to get to Taiwan
• Getting around Taiwan: Transportation Tips
• Best time to visit Taiwan

Taiwan is one of Asia’s most developed countries, and, as such, is a more expensive place to travel than say Thailand or Vietnam. Still, you’ll find it considerably cheaper than Hong Kong, Japan or South Korea, and there are plenty of ways for inventive travellers to keep their costs to a manageable level.

Crime and personal safety

Electricity, entry requirements, gay and lesbian travellers, living in taiwan, studying chinese, tourist information, travellers with disabilities, women travellers, tailor-made travel itineraries for taiwan, created by local experts.

11 days  / from 1950 USD

Nature's adventure in Taiwan

Taiwan was formerly known as Ilha Formosa - "beautiful island" and it's easy to see why: lush rivers, tropical forest, and imposing sea cliffs, this itinerary focuses on Taiwan's nature. Start in cosmopolitan Taipei before heading to Taroko National Park, coastal Hualien and finally Sun Moon Lake.

11 days  / from 2541 USD

Treasures of Taiwan

Explore Taiwan's diverse culture and fascinating landscapes in this itinerary covering the whole island. Starting in Taipei you will move on to Sun Moon Lake before heading to Alishan. Discover monasteries and national parks on the Southwest coast before heading back to Taipei.

5 days  / from 1100 USD

The Essentials of Taiwan

Looking for a compact Taiwan itinerary? Look no further. In just under a week, this itinerary allows you to explore Taipei and nearby national parks. Expect waterfalls, panoramic walking trails and thermal springs, all while enjoying the amazing food scene, a blend of Chinese & Japanese cuisines.

While staying in Taipei can be challenging for backpackers on a tight budget, once you get outside the capital you’ll find that prices typically run the gamut of budgets, from backpacker to mid-range to luxury traveller. Accommodation ranges from as little as NT$400 (US$12/£8/€10) for a hostel dorm bed to NT$8000 (US$250/£163/€190) for a double in a business hotel, while food can cost as little as NT$30 (US$0.90/£0.60/€0.70) for basic street food such as noodles to easily more than NT$1000 (US$30/£20/€24) for a meal in a semi-posh sit-down restaurant. By staying in basic doubles and keeping mostly to ordinary, working-class Chinese places to eat, most budget-conscious travellers should be able to keep their costs to around NT$1500 (US$45/£30/€36) per day, perhaps a bit more when undertaking long train, bus or boat journeys.

Admission prices to most museums and tourist sights are usually quite reasonable; government-run venues are typically very cheap, while the cost of privately operated attractions varies wildly. Though discounts for museums and public performances are usually given to senior citizens and students, most travellers are unlikely to fit in the second category as foreign student cards are generally not recognized. However, foreigners who are genuinely in Taiwan to study Mandarin on a full-time basis can qualify for student cards that will be honoured throughout the country.

For the vast majority of foreign travellers and residents, Taiwan is an exceptionally safe place, and foreigners are seldom witnesses to – much less victims of – crime. By far the biggest threat to personal safety in Taiwan is traffic accidents, especially those involving scooters and motorcycles, and foreigners should employ extreme caution while out on the roads.

All drugs including marijuana are strictly illegal, and simple possession can lead to jail time and almost certain expulsion from the country. Police raids on clubs are common, especially in Taipei and Taichung, and in a few cases the police have taken all revellers to the station for urine tests.

Police departments in most big cities have foreign affairs sections that are normally staffed with English-speaking officers.

You’re allowed to import into Taiwan up to 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars, and a one-litre bottle of liquor. Adults can bring in goods valued up to NT$20,000, and the duty-free allowance is up to NT$6000. It’s prohibited to import gambling articles, fruits, live animals, non-canned meat products and toy pistols, and drug trafficking can be punishable by death.

Taiwan’s electric current is 110V AC, the same as the US and Canada, and the wall sockets are made for standard American two-pin flat plugs. Unless they’re dual voltage (most cellphones, cameras, MP3 players and laptops are), all Australian, British, European, Irish, New Zealand and South African appliances (as well as those from Hong Kong and mainland China) will need a voltage transformer as well as a plug adapter (hair-dryers are the most common problem for travellers).

Nationals of the UK, Ireland, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa do not require a visa for stays of up to thirty days. This visa-free period is for travel only – working is not permitted – and it cannot be extended under any circumstances. Citizens of these countries must have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry, a return or onward air ticket and no criminal record. For longer stays and other nationalities you can check information on various visa requirements at the Taiwanese legation in your home country, or on the BoCA website : w www.boca.gov.tw . The site also outlines the procedures for changes of visa status, such as from student to resident.

Embassies and consulates

Due to the pressures of the “ One China Policy ” only 23 states have full diplomatic relations with Taiwan under its official name Republic of China. These states have proper embassies in Taipei, and likewise Taiwan has full missions in their capitals under the ROC name. Most other countries are represented in Taipei by a “trade and cultural” or “commerce and industry” office. Despite such names, however, these offices provide the same services as all other embassies and consulates.

Similarly, Taiwan is represented in most countries by consular , information and trade offices , but adding to the confusion is the fact that most don’t have “Taiwan” or “Republic of China” in their names; caving in to pressure from the PRC, most countries insist that something such as “Taipei” is used instead.

Despite the traditional underpinnings of Taiwanese society, homosexuality is no longer considered taboo and the general public view of gays and lesbians is far more progressive than that of most of its Asian neighbours. Though pockets of prejudice remain, public acceptance of homosexuality has grown markedly since the lifting of martial law in 1987, and there are now thriving gay communities in big cities such as Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taichung. The country’s legal stance towards homosexuals is widely considered the most advanced in Asia, with gays and lesbians enjoying most of the same freedoms as heterosexuals: there is no law against sodomy, and homosexual behaviour between consenting adults over the age of 16 in private is legal. In 2003, the government proposed legislation that would legalize same-sex marriages and allow homosexual couples to adopt children (it’s since been stalled thanks to opposition in the legislature).

Much of this public enlightenment has been the result of a concerted drive by Taiwan’s homosexual community, which boasts more than thirty gay and lesbian organizations. The country’s first gay pride festival was held in 1997 at the 2-28 Peace Park, a popular night-time cruising spot for gay men, and what was hailed as the first gay rights parade in the Chinese-speaking world was held in Taipei in 2003. Around 25,000 people attended the Taiwan Pride parade in 2009, making it the largest LGBT event in Asia. It usually takes place in Taipei at the end of October ( w www.twpride.info ).

Indeed, Taipei has become a magnet for overseas gay tourists, elevating the city’s status from the gay capital of Taiwan to a top gay destination for all of Asia. While the capital undoubtedly has the most sophisticated gay scene , with numerous bars, clubs and saunas specifically catering to gays and lesbians, such venues are springing up in other major cities and same-sex couples are commonly seen in mainstream social establishments as well. Given this openness, gay and lesbian travellers should easily find places to hang out: some of the best-known venues in Taipei have information on gay clubs in other cities and often can provide you with their business cards. For current information on gay life in Taiwan check out w www.utopia-asia.com/tipstaiw.htm or w www.outintaiwan.com.

As one of Asia’s most highly developed destinations, Taiwan on the whole doesn’t present many significant health risks for foreign travellers and residents – most visitors will find that using the same precautions they exercise in their home countries will be more than enough to keep them healthy during their stays and the worst you’ll face is stomach upsets, dehydration and heat stroke. Medical facilities in the big cities are of a high standard, although English-language abilities vary so if you don’t speak Chinese you may need the help of someone who does.

There are pharmacies in all Taiwanese towns, and most of them are of a high standard and offer a similar range of products to those in Western countries. Near the prescription windows there are sometimes counters offering treatment advice for a variety of ailments, but usually little if any English is spoken at these. In emergencies, you may wind up having to play a slightly embarrassing game of charades, acting out your ailment and pointing to the affected area – in such cases, the Taiwanese are invariably earnest and will try to help you without showing the faintest trace of amusement. Most pharmacies have a wide range of antibiotics.

There are public health clinics in most towns, and they generally are of a reasonable standard and can offer diagnoses and provide medication for most non-emergency conditions. Seeing a doctor at public clinics or hospitals is not expensive (NT$300–400), but you’ll be expected to pay first and then make the claim to your insurance company later. Private clinics in Taipei, where most staff will speak English, can be much more expensive: expect to pay NT$1200 or more just to see a doctor.

For emergencies and serious illnesses, you should go to a hospital – all major towns have them, although if you have time, you should try to get to a major city as their hospitals are usually of a higher quality and there is a greater likelihood that English will be spoken. The best hospitals are in Taipei , but Kaohsiung, Taichung, Tainan, Taitung, Chiayi and Hualien all have adequate hospitals. At these, you’ll also be expected to pay on the spot for treatment and make your own insurance claim later.

Dengue fever

There is no malaria in Taiwan, but dengue fever – a mosquito-borne viral disease whose symptoms are similar to malaria – has been a resurgent problem in recent years, in both rural areas and cities. There have been cases of dengue all over Taiwan, but over the past two decades it has been more common in the south, particularly in Kaohsiung and Pingdong counties. Outbreaks tend to occur after summer rains, when pools of standing water stagnate, creating breeding grounds for the aedes aegypti . The peak period is June to September, but increasingly cases are occurring earlier in the year as temperatures get warmer.

There is no vaccine, nor are there any prophylactics against the disease, so the only way to prevent it is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. The aedes aegypti mosquitoes that transmit dengue bite day and night, so you should use insect-avoidance measures at all times. Also known as “break bone fever”, the onset of the disease is characterized by severe joint pain that gives way to high fever, sweating and pounding headaches. Some people may also develop a rash over their torso and limbs. There’s no cure, but bed rest is recommended while the symptoms run their course, and paracetamol can help the headache. The symptoms usually subside after several days of rest, but they can return intermittently over the following few weeks. Although dengue is not life-threatening to adults, a more virulent strain called dengue haemorrhagic fever primarily affects young children and can be dangerous for infants.

SARS and “bird flu”

In 2003, Taiwan had the world’s third-highest number of confirmed cases (346) of the potentially lethal SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) virus. It also had the fourth-highest number of deaths, at 37, according to World Health Organisation figures (many of the infected were hospital workers). There have been no confirmed cases of SARS in Taiwan since June 2003.

Outbreaks of avian influenza , an infectious disease of birds caused by type A flu strains, have continued however. Although the so-called “bird flu” usually only infects birds and pigs, the number of humans being infected with a mutated form of the virus has been rising, especially in countries such as China and Vietnam, and there also have been cases in Taiwan. Most travellers aren’t at much risk of bird flu, unless they visit commercial or backyard poultry farms or markets selling live birds such as chickens, geese, ducks, pigeons and wild waterfowl.

The H1N1 Virus (so-called “swine flu”) pandemic in 2009 also affected Taiwan, with around forty people dying of the illness by mid-2010, but far fewer than in many Western countries.

Since the SARS outbreak, the practice of wearing surgical masks when suffering from colds and flu has become much more common in Taiwan.

It’s essential to take out an insurance policy before travelling to Taiwan, as much to cover against theft and loss or damage to property as for illness and accidental injury. A typical travel insurance policy usually provides cover for the loss of baggage, tickets and – up to a certain limit – cash or cheques, as well as cancellation or curtailment of your journey. Most of them exclude injuries caused by so-called dangerous sports unless an extra premium is paid, and it’s crucial to ensure that any borderline activities you’re likely to engage in are covered. In Taiwan, this can mean cycling, mountain biking (trail riding), paragliding, river tracing, rock climbing, scuba diving, surfing (especially during storms), white-water rafting, windsurfing and even trekking. Given the likelihood that you’ll find yourself driving or riding on the back of a motorcycle or scooter while travelling round Taiwan – especially if you plan to visit any offshore islands – you should make sure this activity is covered as well. If you need to make a claim , you should keep receipts for medicines and medical treatment, including copies of signed medical reports clearly stating the diagnosis and prescribed treatment, in English if possible. In the event you have anything stolen, you’ll need to visit the nearest police station and file a report for stolen property . Although this can be complicated in small towns where little English is spoken, police stations in the biggest cities usually have somebody on hand who can speak some English.

Finally, if your trip to Taiwan is part of a longer, multi-country journey, make sure that your policy covers Taiwan in the first place: some insurers will not provide coverage for Taiwan owing to perceptions of military-political risk.

Taiwan is one of the world’s biggest users of the internet , although most surfing is done via home computers and laptops, so internet cafés are not as common as might be expected. If you’re travelling with your laptop and have cash to splash out on mid-range to business-class hotels, then getting a high-speed connection in your room shouldn’t be a problem, although five-star hotels often charge formidable amounts for this service.

In the more touristy bits of Taiwan, there are usually internet cafés . However, in most places – even in the big cities – you may be forced to enter the grisly world of the Taiwanese computer game centre . At these, you are likely to find a high-speed internet connection but you’ll have to endure the background noises of automatic gunfire and enough secondhand cigarette smoke to make the Marlboro Man suffocate. Prices vary among computer game centres, but in general most charge about NT$25–30 per hour (double this in Taipei) and usually offer discounts for multiple-hour use.

Another option, though one that takes some planning, is to visit a local library . Internet access at these is usually free for a specified period of time (typically about an hour), but you might have to queue up for a terminal so it’s best to turn up early in the day to put your name on the waiting list.

For unlimited Wi-Fi on the go whilst travelling Taiwan, buy a Skyroam Solis , which works in 130+ countries at one flat daily rate, paid for on a pay-as-you-go basis. You can connect up to five devices at once. Prices start from as little as €5 a day.

Taiwan has long attracted foreigners to work or study. Teaching English is by far the most common form of employment, though in recent years the trend seems to be reversing, apparently owing to a decrease in demand for English lessons. Though it’s certainly harder to make a decent living teaching in Taiwan these days, there are still plenty of jobs for the determined. Unlike places such as Hong Kong and Singapore, where teachers with English accents are preferred, in Taiwan it is the North American accent that is almost universally desired, so Americans and Canadians comprise the majority of teachers. However, there are plenty of teachers from countries such as the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and if English is your first language it shouldn’t be too hard to land a job.

Although it’s possible to source jobs from your home country before you leave, it can be difficult to determine the legitimacy of the company from overseas and most teachers recommend that you simply pick the place where you most want to live and turn up to look for work – most towns and cities have English-language schools. In general, the best times to look are towards the end of summer and just after the Lunar New Year.

It’s possible to teach a wide variety of age groups in Taiwan, from kindergarteners singing English songs to businessmen looking to refine their formal English skills. However, probably the most plentiful job opportunities are with the ubiquitous bushiban (after-hours cram schools, mostly for teenagers). While these night-time language centres are a major employer of English teachers, many foreigners have found teaching overworked and exhausted high-school kids to be depressing.

Qualifications, work visas and pay

To teach legally, you must have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited university in an English-speaking country. It’s not imperative to have TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) or TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification, but it will bolster your credentials and make your job easier and more rewarding – in some cases it might also put you into a higher pay bracket.

Once you’ve found work and signed a contract, your school will apply for your work visa , which will qualify you for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and basic health insurance. However, Australians and New Zealanders aged 18 to 30 are eligible to apply for a working holiday visa that allows them to engage in part-time work while they travel for up to one year. Canadians aged 18 to 35 can also apply for one-year visas (US$100) through the aegis of the Youth Mobility Program. Contact the Taiwan representative offices in your country for more details.

Many schools pay on a monthly basis, so you may have to wait for your first payment and should come with enough money to live on for at least one month (at least NT$40,000). How much you get paid will depend on the number of hours you work per week and the hourly rate. Most jobs pay NT$600–700 per hour, with the amount of hours worked anywhere from fourteen to thirty; figure on earning NT$40,000 to NT$60,000 per month. Many teachers supplement their incomes – and try to dodge taxes – by taking side jobs that pay cash under the table, such as private tutoring . However, in the unlikely event that you are caught doing this, you are almost certain to be kicked out of the country.

The cost of a room in a pre-furnished shared flat varies widely, but in general they range from NT$5000–12,000 per month in the big cities; one-bedroom apartments will be N$8000–15,000, and over NT$20,000 per month in Taipei.

Useful websites

The following websites have job listings, flats for rent and regularly updated information on issues affecting English teachers in Taiwan: w www.tealit.com ; w www.forumosa.com . Another useful site with information for English teachers around the world, including Taiwan job postings, is w www.daveseslcafe.com .

Taiwan’s postal service , the state-owned Chunghwa Post , is speedy and reliable, offering a range of services that are user-friendly even if you don’t speak Chinese. Post offices are located in all cities, towns and most villages, though opening hours vary in accordance with their size – expect most to be open from about 8am until 5pm Monday to Friday and about 8.30am to 12pm on Saturday. In small villages, offices are usually open from about 8am to 3.30pm on weekdays, and closed at weekends, while main branches in the biggest cities have much longer hours, often from 8am to 8pm on weekdays and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday. Stamps can be bought at post offices, convenience stores and even on line at w www.post.gov.tw , where you also can find a list of prices, branch addresses and opening hours.

Mailboxes come in two colours: the red box is where you post overseas mail (in the left-hand slot) and Taiwan express mail (in the right-hand slot). Green boxes are for domestic surface mail and local city mail.

Poste restante services are available at the main post offices of the large cities. Letters should be addressed to GPO Poste Restante, together with the city name – be sure to use the romanization for city names that is used in this book. They’ll keep mail for fifteen days for free before they start adding daily charges.

Taiwan’s currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$) or xīntáibì , although it’s usually referred to by the generic Mandarin terms yuán or kuài . Notes come in denominations of NT$100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000, while coins come in units of NT$0.5 (rare), 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50. You may also come across old cent coins ( fēn ), but these have become outmoded and prices are always quoted in dollar amounts. The exchange rate has been fairly steady at around NT$32–34 to the US dollar for a number of years now; at the time of writing it was NT$50 to the pound and NT$41 to the euro. You can check current exchange rates at w www.xe.com . Note that foreign currencies will almost never be accepted in Taiwan.

Almost all cities and towns have ATMs from which travellers can withdraw funds using bank debit or credit cards – this is by far the most convenient and safe method of obtaining cash for daily expenses. Though some ATMs are only for domestic bank account holders, many of them support international systems such as Accel, Cirrus, Interlink, Plus and Star (always check for the correct logo). The most common ATMs – and the most useful to foreigners – are those of Chinatrust Commercial Bank , which allow cash advances from major credit cards and can be found in 7-Eleven convenience stores throughout the country. Other banks with ATMs that recognize international debit or credit cards are Bank of Taiwan and International Commercial Bank of China (ICBC). Citibank and HSBC also have branches in Taiwan’s five biggest cities. Most hotels accept credit card payment, with Visa and MasterCard the most widely accepted. American Express and Diners Club also are fairly commonly recognized, though this is more the case in the big cities. Stores in most cities will accept credit card payment, although in many rural areas this is not possible.

Private moneychangers are rare in Taiwan, and if you need to exchange foreign currency you’ll probably have to do so in a bank – in most towns, Bank of Taiwan will have a foreign exchange counter , and branches are usually centrally located. The most widely accepted currency for exchange in Taiwan is US dollars , followed by Japanese yen, British pounds and Hong Kong dollars .

Travellers’ cheques are becoming increasingly outmoded in Taiwan and are probably more trouble than they’re worth if the island is your only destination. Those cut in US dollars are the easiest to cash.

Domestic calls are easily made from private and public telephones; the latter come in two types: coin and card. Though there are still a few coin booths around, most of them only take NT$1, NT$5 and NT$10 coins, and with local calls costing NT$2 for up to two minutes (NT$6 for two-minute calls to mobile phones) you need a stack of coins to make it worth your while. Far more common these days are card phones (prepaid phone cards can be bought in convenience stores), and the ones marked with yellow can be used for both domestic and international calls. You also can make an overseas direct-dial call by first keying in t 002, followed by the country code, area code and number. It’s possible to call via an international operator on t 100, but this is very expensive. English directory assistance is on t 106 and costs NT$10 per call. For domestic calls, there is no need to dial the area code when making calls within the same area code.

Mobile phones

Your mobile phone may already be compatible with the Taiwanese network, which is GSM 900MHz/1800MHz (visitors from North America should ensure their phones are GSM/Triband and have the appropriate MHz capabilities).

Buying a SIM card

Assuming you bring your GSM phone with you to Taiwan, you’ll save on roaming charges by purchasing a local GSM-standard SIM card , which gives you a new number for use within Taiwan, and allows you to pay-as-you-go (for longer stays it’s even cheaper to sign a contract and pay monthly). Regulations seem to change frequently, so the best strategy is to visit a mobile service provider store on arrival. Chunghwa Telecom, FarEasTone and Taiwan Cellular are the biggest service providers, and all have desks at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (most close by 9pm). These stores can also rent you a handset . If you miss the airport desks and can’t find one of their stores elsewhere (usually located in most cities), 7-Eleven and hypermarket chain Carrefour also sell SIM cards through their MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) agreements with FarEasTone and Chunghwa respectively. However, not all 7-Elevens seem to offer this service (especially outside Taipei); find a branch of Carrefour, or look for a 7-Eleven where one of the clerks speaks English – as long as it’s not busy, they’ll usually be happy to walk you through the process.

Getting a SIM card can be tough for non-residents, as mobile providers usually insist on an ARC card number, work permit or local driver’s licence; if you have an international driver’s licence or at least two pieces of photo ID (some will accept your regular driving licence), that should suffice. You could also ask a local friend to provide these details for you (though they will be called by the phone company to verify). In addition to the ID, the application involves filling out a form and providing a photocopy of your passport. SIM cards (with air-time) can be bought for as little as NT$600, and your new Taiwan number is usually activated within 24 hours. Taiwanese SIM cards allow you to receive incoming calls for free; you’re only charged for the calls you make.

Lung cancer has long been a leading cause of death in Taiwan, and in 2009 the government implemented some of the most stringent anti-smoking laws in Asia. Smoking is banned in all indoor public places, including transport systems, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and bars, though the latter can get round this if they have open-air areas or smoking rooms with independent ventilation, completely separated from the non-smoking sections (bars that open after 9pm are also exempt). Plans have been slated to ban smoking while driving and even walking on the street.

Foreigners have been coming to Taiwan to learn Chinese for decades, with many claiming that Taipei is the best place in the world to study Mandarin , as the version spoken here is far more intelligible than the heavily accented drawls of the Beijing dialect, for example. Be aware, however, that if you study in central or southern Taiwan – places where the Taiwanese dialect is commonly spoken – you are likely to hear highly corrupted forms of Mandarin in your daily activities, and this can seriously complicate the learning process.

Taiwan is eight hours ahead of GMT throughout the year, the same as Beijing, Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore. Daylight-saving time is not observed.

On the whole, tipping at restaurants, bars and in taxis is not expected, although this is changing slowly in big-city districts. When you’re travelling round the country you’ll rarely be expected to tip, except perhaps in the occasional Western-oriented establishment, particularly those run by North American expats. Even then, many of these will levy a ten-percent service charge on your bill, obviating the need for any further gratuity. In some areas, such as Taipei’s university district, you may receive a bill pointing out that a ten-percent service charge is not included, indicating that some sort of tip is expected.

Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau ( w www.go2taiwan.net ) operates a number of overseas branches , with offices in Australia and the US offering basic leaflets on Taiwan’s best-known attractions. There also are tourism offices scattered across Asia, with those in Hong Kong and Singapore offering the best range of English-language materials.

In Taiwan itself, reliable English information is a pretty mixed bag, especially considering the formidable number of tourist information centres around the island. Most of the material is simply translated directly from the original Chinese version, with literal interpretations that are more likely to leave tourists revelling in their literary merit than their usefulness. The most useful information sources are the visitor centres of the national parks and scenic areas, which often have educational overviews with English labelling and free pamphlets. Published under the auspices of the tourism bureau, the glossy bi-monthly Travel in Taiwan ( w issuu.com/travelintaiwan ) contains features on a variety of travel destinations and is worth seeking out. The free publication, which has calendars of events throughout the country, is available in many tourist information centres.

Taiwan is making progress when it comes to accessible tourism, though overall the country remains woefully unequipped to accommodate travellers with disabilities . A good place to start is the Eden Social Welfare Foundation ( t 02/2578-4515, w engweb.eden.org.tw), which specializes in helping people with disabilities in Taiwan. Eden operates a network of wheelchair-accessible buses – if you don’t speak Chinese, someone at the foundation should be able to help you hook up with these. You should also get in touch with the Taiwan Access for All Association ( t 02/2620-9944, w twaccess4all.wordpress.com ), which has a special focus on accessible tourism; they can arrange hotels, transport, wheelchair rentals, assistants and organize excellent nature tours and day-trips all over the island, with English-speakers on hand as guides.

All stations and trains on the Taipei MRT (subway) are handicap-accessible, with special restrooms, ramps, elevators, extra-wide ticket gates and designated wheelchair areas on the trains. The Kaohsiung MRT has similar facilities. Most of the bigger hotels in Taipei can comfortably accommodate disabled travellers – Sherwood , Fullerton and Grand Hyatt among them. Major sights in Taipei shouldn’t provide too many hassles: the National Palace Museum has handicapped-accessible restrooms and elevators, and getting around Taipei 101 and the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial is relatively straightforward.

However, most city streets and sidewalks pose formidable challenges, with consistently uneven pavements, steep inclines, steps and few access ramps to be found. Most of the older buildings remain frustratingly inaccessible for those with walking disabilities, and beyond Taipei, travelling will be tough going without the help of the above organizations.

Taiwan is an extremely safe country, and most women travellers here are unlikely to attract any special attention other than that usually paid to most foreign visitors. Still, it’s always a good idea to be cautious when walking at night or through unlit areas such as underground tunnels, and, if possible, to take a friend with you. Late-night assaults on women by their taxi drivers are very rare but occasionally happen, and you should be attentive if you take a taxi at night by yourself. You’ll minimize the possibility of being harassed if the driver knows he is accountable – calling for a cab and taking down the vehicle number is good practice, or if you hail one on the street you might visibly jot down the driver’s name and vehicle number. Also, if you are carrying a mobile phone, make sure it’s visible to the driver.

Travel advice for Taiwan

Find even more inspiration here.

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Warnings and insurance

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

The UK does not recognise Taiwan as a state and has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan, so limited consular services are available to British nationals. Please refer to the British Office in Taipei for further information.

3 April earthquake

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Eastern Taiwan with shocks felt all across the island including Taipei. Hualien County has been most affected, but train services have been fully restored and roads have partially re-opened. Transportation links elsewhere in Taiwan were less affected by the earthquake. Some hiking routes in Hualien and Yilan counties remain closed and on 8 April the Forestry and Nature Conservation agency  again cautioned against travel to affected mountainous areas.

See the Taroko Gorge National Park website for updates on the latest road conditions around Hualien and the Taiwan Forest Recreation website on hiking routes closures. Contact the Highway Bureau for further enquiries about road conditions, and consult the Taiwan Railway website to see the operational status of train lines. Aftershocks continue to occur and you should expect travel disruption. You should consult the Central Weather Administration website and other official sources for more information.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Taiwan travel advice

Latest updates: The Need help? section was updated.

Last updated: April 23, 2024 07:11 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, taiwan - take normal security precautions.

Take normal security precautions in Taiwan

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The crime rate is low in Taiwan.

Violent crime is rare.

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs.

Ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times.

Credit card and ATM fraud

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others
• use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Telephone or email scams

Foreigners have received calls or emails from scammers claiming to be local authorities or financial institutions. The scammer may try to collect personal information or request a fund transfer to resolve alleged administrative or customs issues.

• Don’t send money to unknown individuals
• Don’t share personal information over the phone or via email

Overseas fraud

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety can vary greatly throughout Taiwan.

Driving conditions may be hazardous during the rainy season. Some roads can become impassable due to heavy rain and landslides.

Motorcycle and scooter drivers don’t respect traffic laws. They are extremely reckless.

• Avoid driving or riding motorcycles in Taiwan, even if you are an experienced motorcyclist
• Be particularly careful when walking or biking
• Always use elevated walkways or pedestrian bridges whenever possible

Latest news - Directorate General of Highways

Demonstrations

Demonstrations take place from time to time. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the authorities of Taiwan. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Taiwan.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days Business visa: not required for stays up to 90 days Student visa: required Working visa: required

As a Canadian, you don’t require a tourist or business visa for stays up to 90 days. Once in Taiwan, you may extend your stay for an additional 90 days. You must place your request with the Taiwanese Bureau of Consular Affairs.

If you plan to stay in Taiwan for more than 180 days, you must obtain a visa before arrival.

Information on visas - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Health entry requirements

You may be subject to a non-invasive temperature screening upon arrival at international ports and airports.

If you have flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, lethargy and sore throat, you may be sent to the hospital for further checks and treatment.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection that can cause swelling of the brain.  It is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Risk is very low for most travellers. Travellers at relatively higher risk may want to consider vaccination for JE prior to travelling.

Travellers are at higher risk if they will be:

• travelling long term (e.g. more than 30 days)
• making multiple trips to endemic areas
• staying for extended periods in rural areas
• visiting an area suffering a JE outbreak
• engaging in activities involving high contact with mosquitos (e.g., entomologists)

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

In this destination, rabies  may be present in some wildlife species, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. 

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who will be working directly with wildlife. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is a viral disease that can cause fever, pain and bleeding under the skin.  In some cases, it can be fatal.  It spreads to humans through contact with infected animal blood or tissues, or from the bite of an infected tick.  Risk is generally low for most travellers.  Protect yourself from tick bites and avoid animals, particularly livestock.  There is no vaccine available for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

• In this country,   dengue  is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Human cases of avian influenza have been reported in this destination. Avian influenza   is a viral infection that can spread quickly and easily among birds and in rare cases it can infect mammals, including people. The risk is low for most travellers.

Avoid contact with birds, including wild, farm, and backyard birds (alive or dead) and surfaces that may have bird droppings on them. Ensure all poultry dishes, including eggs and wild game, are properly cooked.

Travellers with a higher risk of exposure include those: 

• visiting live bird/animal markets or poultry farms
• working with poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, domestic ducks)
• hunting, de-feathering, field dressing and butchering wild birds and wild mammals
• working with wild birds for activities such as research, conservation, or rehabilitation
• working with wild mammals, especially those that eat wild birds (e.g., foxes)

All eligible people are encouraged to get the seasonal influenza shot, which will protect them against human influenza viruses. While the seasonal influenza shot does not prevent infection with avian influenza, it can reduce the chance of getting sick with human and avian influenza viruses at the same time.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

Medical services and facilities

Health care is very good. Service is available throughout Taiwan.

Medical staff may speak English at some clinics or hospitals. Up-front payment is often required before treatment.

Medical evacuation, which can be very expensive, may be necessary in the event of serious illness or injury.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Foreigners involved in legal proceedings are forbidden from leaving Taiwan until the dispute is settled.

Procedures can be lengthy and local authorities don’t accept bonds or deposits to guarantee court appearances.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs, including cannabis, are severe. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines, jail sentences or the death penalty.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications, legally available in Canada, are classified as controlled substances in Taiwan. It’s illegal to bring them into the country, even in small quantities, without prior permission.

If you attempt to bring banned medications into Taiwan without prior approval and required documentation, authorities may confiscate them. You may also be subject to heavy fines and jail sentences.

Consult local authorities to determine if you must obtain a permission to import required medication.

• Customs regulations  - Customs administration of Taiwan
• Procedures to import controlled drugs  - Taiwan food and drug administration
• Categories of controlled drugs - Laws and regulations database of Taiwan

Restricted goods

There are strict regulations regarding the importation of:

• animal products

Consult the list of restricted goods before travelling.

Customs regulations - Customs administration of Taiwan

Public defamation laws are similar to those in Canada. However, they are strictly enforced. Be mindful of what you say and write publicly, especially on the internet.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Taiwan.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Taiwan, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

Mandatory military service

You may be subject to mandatory military service if:

• you are a man between 18 and 36 born in Taiwan
• you hold or ever held a Taiwanese passport

This requirement may apply even if you enter Taiwan on your Canadian passport.

Confirm these regulations with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada before travelling

• Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Taiwan.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Taiwan by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Taiwan to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre
• Teaching English in Taiwan

English teachers are often recruited from abroad.

To work legally in Taiwan, you must have a work permit that specifically states you are permitted to accept employment.

Before accepting an offer:

• check the credibility of the prospective employer with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Canada
• ensure all terms and conditions of employment are clearly stated in the written contract

You should carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

The currency of Taiwan is the New Taiwan dollar (TWD).

Upon entering or leaving Taiwan, you must make a declaration to customs if you travel with more than USD 10 000, 100 000 TWD or the equivalent in other currencies. The sum can be in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller’s cheques or any other convertible assets.

Earthquake in Hualien County

On April 2, 2024, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coastline near Hualien City, resulting in many casualties.

There is significant damage to buildings and infrastructure, including major roads, across Hualien County. You should check road conditions before travelling.

Powerful aftershocks caused landslides. Aftershocks continue to occur.

You can contact local emergency services at 119.

If you are in an affected area:

• exercise caution
• monitor local media for updates on the evolving situation
• follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders

Typhoons and monsoon

The rainy (or monsoon) season extends from May to June. Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged.

Typhoons usually occur between May and November. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major typhoons.

These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.

If you decide to travel to Taiwan during this period:

• know that you may expose yourself to serious safety risks
• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities
• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad
• Weather forecasts and alerts - Central weather Bureau of Taiwan

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Taiwan is in an active seismic zone. Earthquakes and tsunamis may occur.

A tsunami can occur within minutes of a nearby earthquake. The risk of tsunami can remain for several hours following the first tremor. If you’re staying on the coast, familiarize yourself with the region’s evacuation plans in the event of a tsunami warning.

• Earthquakes latest reports - Seismological Centre of Taiwan
• Earthquakes - What to Do?
• Tsunami alerts - U.S. Tsunami Warning System

Local services

In case of emergency, dial:

• police: 110
• medical assistance: 119
• firefighters: 119

Consular assistance

For emergency consular assistance, call the Trade Office of Canada in Taiwan, in Taipei, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

Search Smartraveller

Latest update

We advise: 

Exercise normal safety precautions in Taiwan.

Taiwan (PDF 184.99 KB)

Asia (PDF 2.21 MB)

Local emergency contacts

English language emergency line.

Call 0800 024 111.

Medical emergencies

Call 110 or contact the nearest police station.

Advice levels

Exercise normal safety precautions  in Taiwan.

• A 7.4 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Taiwan on 3 April. There's damage to buildings and infrastructure, with disruptions to local transport. Avoid affected areas and follow the advice of local authorities. 
• Crime rates are low, including for petty crime. Taxi drivers have sometimes assaulted passengers. However, taxis are usually safe. Use radio taxis or arrange taxis online or through your hotel.
• Extortion scams occur. These include minor car accidents and claims of sexual assault at nightclubs. Report suspicious behaviour.
• Protests happen sometimes. They're usually peaceful but can turn violent. Avoid large public gatherings.
• The typhoon season is from May to November. Flooding and mudslides are common. Businesses and government offices close on 'typhoon days'. Follow local advice to prepare for a disaster. Updates on typhoons and other severe weather are available from the  Taiwan Central Weather Administration .
• Earthquakes happen often and may disrupt  train services.  Confirm travel arrangements before travelling. Get advice on being in an earthquake-prone region. Tsunamis also happen. Know the tsunami warning signs and move to high ground straight away. Don't wait for official alerts.

Full travel advice:  Safety

• Some prescription medications are illegal in Taiwan. Authorities may jail or fine you if you have them. Before you travel, check  Taiwan Customs  for limits and documents you'll need.
• Insect-borne diseases such as Dengue, Zika and Japanese encephalitis occur. Ensure your accommodation is insect-proof. Get vaccinated if vaccines are available. If you’re pregnant, discuss your travel plans with your doctor before you travel.
• Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases, such as hand, foot and mouth disease, are common. Drink only boiled or bottled water. Avoid ice cubes. Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
• The standard of public hospitals in major cities is good. Wait times are often long. Some hospitals have English-speaking private clinics, but these can be expensive. You may have to pay up-front, even for emergency care. Ensure your travel insurance covers all medical costs.

Full travel advice:  Health

• Don't use or carry illegal drugs, including illegal prescription medication. Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include the death penalty, life in prison, long jail terms and heavy fines.
• Taiwan recognises dual nationality. Taiwanese males older than 18 years must do military service. Some exemptions are available to overseas residents. If you're not exempt, you may have to serve when you arrive. Check Taiwan's  Department of Conscription Administration  for details. Consular services may be limited for dual nationals who do not enter Taiwan on their Australian passport.

Full travel advice:  Local laws

• Taiwan has a visa-exempt entry scheme for nationals of designated countries, including Australia. Refer to  Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs  website for requirements and restrictions. Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest Taiwan representative office for the latest details.
• If you intend to engage in certain activities in Taiwan, for example, religious work, you'll need to obtain an approval/entry permit or visa. Contact your nearest  Taiwan representative office  for entry applications. See  T aiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs  for further information. 
• You'll be screened for high body temperature when you arrive in Taiwan. This is to guard against pandemics such as  COVID-19 ,  SARS  and bird flu ( avian influenza ). Depending on your results, you may need more medical tests.

Full travel advice:  Travel

Local contacts

• The  Consular Services Charter  details what we can and can't do to help you overseas.
• For consular help, contact the  Australian Office in Taipei .
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the Office's social media accounts.

Full travel advice:  Local contacts

Full advice

Civil unrest and political tension.

Demonstrations happen sometimes but are usually peaceful.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

To protect yourself during periods of unrest:

• monitor local media for planned or possible action
• avoid rallies and protests
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Crime rates are low, including for petty crime.

Taxi drivers have assaulted some passengers. However, taxis are usually safe.

Some Australians have become victims of extortion  scams . Examples include minor car accidents and claims of sexual assault at nightclubs.

To keep yourself safe:

• take care of your belongings, especially in crowded places
• report suspicious behaviour
• use radio taxis, or taxis booked on the internet or through your hotel

Card skimming occurs. Keep an eye on your card when making purchases.

Cyber security 

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

Cyber security when travelling overseas

Kidnapping can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at lower risk. The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers. 

More information: 

• Kidnapping  

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

• Terrorist threats

Climate and natural disasters

Taiwan experiences  natural disasters  and  severe weather , including:

• earthquakes

Typhoons happen in the wet or typhoon season from May to November. Flooding and mudslides are common.

The direction and strength of typhoons can change with little warning. In some areas, shelter from a severe typhoon may not be available to everyone.

If a typhoon is approaching, be aware that:

• flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended
• available flights may fill quickly
• access to ports could be affected

If a typhoon is approaching, local authorities may declare a 'typhoon day' at very short notice. This means businesses may only open for a short time and government offices may close. 

The  Australian Office in Taipei  may close on typhoon days. See  Local contacts .

Authorities announce a 'typhoon day' on local radio and television stations. This includes  International Community Radio Taipei (ICRT) , which broadcasts in English.

Updates on typhoons and other severe weather are available from the  Taiwan Central Weather Administration . You can also keep up to date by checking:

• World Meteorological Organisation Severe Weather Information Centre
• Joint Typhoon Warning Centre
• Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

To prepare yourself in case of a typhoon:

• know your hotel's or cruise ship's evacuation plans
• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local authorities on preparing for a natural disaster

If there's a typhoon or other natural disaster approaching:

• tune your radio to FM100.7 for English-language updates
• monitor the media, other local information sources and the  Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• stay in touch with friends and family
• contact your airline for the latest flight information
• contact a tour operator to check if services at your planned destinations have been affected

Earthquakes and tsunamis

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Taiwan on 3 April. There's damage to buildings and infrastructure, with disruptions to local transport. Avoid affected areas and follow the advice of local authorities.  

Earthquakes often occur and may disrupt  train services.  Confirm travel arrangements before travelling. Get advice on travelling to and living in an earthquake-prone region.

Tsunamis are a risk because of frequent earthquakes in the region.

For more information check out:

• Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration’s  Seismological Center
• Taiwan's Emergency Management Information Center  全民防災e點通 (emic.gov.tw)  APP for the latest information.
• the  US Tsunami Warning Center  for information on earthquakes and tsunamis. 

If you're near the coast, move immediately to high ground if advised by local authorities or if you:

• feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
• feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
• see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Don't wait for official warnings, such as alarms or sirens. Once on high ground, check local media.

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

Some prescription medications are illegal in Taiwan. Authorities may jail or fine you for carrying these medications.

If you plan to take medication, check if it's legal in Taiwan. Take enough legal medicine with you for your trip.

Taiwan Customs  gives advice on limits and documents you'll need.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

Health risks

Insect-borne diseases.

Dengue  occurs, especially in the tropical southern and central regions.

Cases of  Zika virus  were reported in 2016. There's no vaccine available against dengue or Zika virus.

You could also encounter  Japanese encephalitis  in Taiwan.

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Speak with your doctor about getting vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis before you travel.

If you're pregnant, ask your doctor about possible Zika virus risks.

Other health risks

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)  is common. Sometimes serious outbreaks occur. Outbreaks usually start in March or April and peak in May. However, they can continue until October each year.

HFMD mostly affects children aged under 10 years. However, adult cases occur, especially in young adults.

HFMD spreads through contact with discharges of infected people.

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. Sometimes serious outbreaks occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• practice good hygiene, including careful and frequent handwashing
• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

If you test positive for COVID-19 you're still advised to follow the Self-Health Management protocols. See  Epidemic Prevention Measures  for details.

• Infectious diseases

Medical care

Medical facilities.

The standard of medical facilities in public hospitals in major cities is good. However, there are often long waiting times.

The medical system can be confusing. Some hospitals have English-speaking private clinics.

Treatment at private clinics and priority care centres is expensive. You may have to pay up-front for medical and dental services, including for emergency care.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our  Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Penalties for drug offences are severe and include life imprisonment and the death penalty.

Carrying certain prescription drugs can result in heavy fines and long jail sentences. See  Health .

• Carrying or using drugs

If you're involved in a legal dispute, you won't be allowed to leave Taiwan until the dispute is settled. This includes minor offences.

You may be detained on arrival if you have an outstanding arrest warrant in Taiwan.

Legal processes can be long. Local authorities won't accept bonds or deposits to guarantee court appearances.

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

Taiwan recognises dual nationality. Taiwanese males aged over 18 must do military service. Some exemptions are available to overseas residents, but you should check this before travelling. If you're not exempt, you may have to serve when you arrive.

If you're a Taiwanese-Australian dual national and you're male, check before you travel.

• Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
• National Conscription Agency  
• Dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

Taiwan has restored the visa-exempt entry scheme for nationals of designated countries, including Australia. Please see  T aiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs  website for the visa-exempt entry requirements and restrictions.

You won't need a visa for Taiwan if you meet all these conditions:

• you'll only stay for up to 90 days
• you're visiting for tourism or business
• you have a confirmed return or onward air ticket
• your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your entry
• you're not travelling on an emergency passport

In other situations, you'll need to get a visa before you travel.

Australians can use Taiwan's e-Gate service. To register for e-Gate, visit the e-Gate Enrolment Counters at the airport, located next to the e-Gate lanes at passport control. The registration is valid until 6 months before your passport's expiry date, until you renew your passport, or until you obtain an Alien Resident Card (ARC) in Taiwan. You'll need then to register each trip online to use the gates. More information is available at the  e-Gate Enrolment System website.

Working holiday-makers (WHM) must apply for the WHM visa before arriving. WHM visas are also valid as a work permit.

Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact the  Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO)  for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

• National Immigration Agency

Border measures

International transits are permitted at Taiwan's airports. Refer to  Taoyuan International Airport  or contact your airline or travel agent for more information on transiting Taiwan.

You'll be screened for high body temperature when you arrive. This is to guard against pandemics such as COVID-19 , SARS  and bird flu ( avian influenza ). Depending on your results, you may need more medical tests.

Other formalities

If you plan to take prescription or non-prescription medicines with you, check the  Taiwan Customs  website before you travel. See  Health .

If you're planning to work, you need to get a work permit before you start paid or unpaid work. Work permits are usually arranged in Taiwan through your employer.

If you work without a work permit or WHM visa, authorities could fine or deport you.

• Taiwan Workforce Development Agency
• Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

LGBTI travellers

The local currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD).

Declare amounts over USD10,000 or equivalent. 

ATMs are widely available in cities and provincial centres.

International credit cards are usually accepted in hotels, restaurants and higher-end shops, especially in cities and larger towns.

Local travel

Local restrictions.

You're no longer required to wear a mask outdoors. However, you must wear a face mask in some public venues, including:

• healthcare facilities

Driving permit

If you plan to drive in Taiwan, you must get an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you arrive.

You can drive for up to 30 days with an IDP and a current Australian licence.

If you plan to stay longer, apply for an extension at the nearest motor vehicle office in Taiwan.

Check Taiwan’s  Highway Bureau  for information on how to apply for a Taiwanese Driver's Licence.

Road travel

Roads and vehicles are well-maintained but scooters and motorcycles often weave in and out of traffic, and vehicles might not stop at pedestrian crossings. Look before stepping onto the road.

Heavy rain and typhoons can lead to landslides and road blockages.

Mountain roads are usually winding and narrow. Travellers have been injured in bus accidents on these roads.

To stay safe:

• don't expect traffic to stop at pedestrian crossings — look before stepping onto the road
• assess weather and road conditions before you drive, especially during typhoon season
• take particular care when driving on mountain roads
• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

You need a motorcycle licence, either Taiwanese or international, to hire a motorbike.

Check if your travel insurance policy covers you when riding a motorbike.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis are usually safe. However, there have been instances of drivers assaulting passengers.

To minimise risk, use:

• radio taxis
• taxis booked on the internet
• taxis booked through your hotel

Mountain Hiking

Permits may be required for entering mountains in Taiwan. Ensure the phone location mode (GPS) on the mobile device is turned on. If you get lost in the mountains, dial 119 and follow the instructions to send your location. Alternatively, you can report the location number shown on a blue plate of the nearest electricity pole.

Public transport

Taiwan has well-developed rail and bus services.

Petty crime happens, so take care of your belongings.

• Transport and getting around safely

Some cruise lines stopover in Taiwan.

• Going on a cruise

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check  Taiwan's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Medical emergencies (including mountain rescues)

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer may have a 24-hour emergency number.

Information for Foreigners

Consular contacts.

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular help, contact the Australian Office in Taipei.

The Australian Office, Taipei

27th and 28th Floor, President International Tower  9-11 Song Gao Road  Taipei, 110  Phone: (+886 2) 8725 4100  Fax: (+886 2) 8789 9599  Website:  australia.org.tw Email:  [email protected]  Facebook:  facebook.com/australianofficetaipei X:  twitter.com/AusOfficeTPE

Check the Australian Office in Taipei website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact the Australian Office, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

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Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Taiwan Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 23, 2023

Taiwan is one of the most underrated budget destinations in Asia. It offers a beautiful — and super affordable — mix of east and west, blending the culture and cuisines of mainland China , Japan , and Hong Kong . And all with a fraction of the crowds.

I don’t think enough people visit Taiwan. I spent time here as an English teacher and have revisited the country since. There is a lot to do there: hiking the mountains, eating at night markets, drinking at tea houses, lounging on beaches, and enjoying the country’s amazing nightlife. No matter your interests, Taiwan won’t disappoint — especially if you’re a foodie. The food here is some of the best in the region!

This travel guide to Taiwan can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit to this underrated island!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Taiwan

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Taiwan

1. Visit Jiufen

Jiufen is one of Taiwan’s most popular tourist destinations. Founded during the Qing dynasty, Jiufen boomed as a gold mining town in the 1890s. Here, you can find all kinds of historic tea houses built into the hillside. The center of the city and its historic streets and buildings are all preserved and look as they did 100 years ago. Try the snacks on offer, visit one of the many tea houses, and do some hiking if you have time. It’s a pretty easy day trip from Taipei but you should aim to come early to beat the crowds. If your itinerary allows for it, consider spending a night here so you can experience it without the daytripper crowds.

2. Soak in the Hot Springs

Especially fun to visit in winter, the Beitou Hot Springs are just 30 minutes from downtown Taipei and you can get there on the MRT (you need to go to Xinbeitou station). There are lots of resorts, spas, and inns in the area which, with a vast array of wildlife and fauna, really feel like you’ve traveled much further afield. Visit the Hot Springs Museum, the Xinbeitou Historic Station, and Thermal Valley (a sulfurous lake nearby that has walking trails) while you’re here. There are also some really cool temples here, including the tiny wooden Puji Temple.

3. Explore Taroko National Park

Located southeast of Taipei, this national park offers visitors a chance to hike through beautiful mountainous terrain and gorges. It spans almost 250,000 acres and is one of only nine national parks in Taiwan. With loads of cliffs and waterfalls to explore, it’s a really stunning place to visit. Head to the Zhuilu Suspension Bridge for some amazing views and to the Eternal Spring Shrine or to the Changing Temple for a bit of culture and history. Some suggested walking trails include Shakadang, Changchun, Swallow Grotto, and Lushui-Heliu. Entrance to the park is free.

4. Visit Taipei 101

Formerly known as Taipei World Trade Center, this was the tallest building in the world from when it opened in 2004 until 2010 (when the Burj Khalifa took its place). Standing 508-meters (1,667-feet) tall, it towers over Taipei. There is an observation platform on the 89th floor (at 382-meters high). You can also go up to the 91st floor for an outdoor platform. If you’re needing some retail therapy (and can fit anything else in your bags), there’s a shopping mall at the bottom.

5. Explore the night markets

Taipei is home to dozens of night markets. Shulin Night Market, Raohe Night Market, Tonghua Night Market, Snake Alley, and Ningxia Night Market are all worth spending some time exploring but there are over 30 to choose from in Taipei alone. The food at these markets is the best (and cheapest) in the city. So much so that a few have even been given Michelin Bib Gourmands!

Other Things to See and Do in Taiwan

1. visit taipei.

Taipei is the epicenter of the country. Here there are sprawling food markets, a wild nightlife, spacious parks, and all kinds of interesting and quirky museums. Plus, the nearby mountains are full of easy and accessible hikes. Be sure to take a free walking tour, visit the National Palace Museum, see some temples (especially Confucius Temple and Bao-an Temple), and visit the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. I can’t sing the praises of this city highly enough (I lived here when I taught English). For even more on the city, here’s my full list of things to do in Taipei!

2. Go island hopping

The Pescadores Islands (known locally as Penghu) is an archipelago off the west coast between Taiwan and China. There are 90 islands in the region, perfect for exploring on a day trip. You can take a boat tour that visits several islands in the region, allowing you to snorkel, see sea turtles, and wander through traditional aboriginal villages and explore temples galore. Expect to pay around 1,500 TWD for a one-day multi-island tour.

3. See Tianhou Temple

Located in Taipei, this is one of the oldest temples in the city. Tianhou (also known as Mazu Temple, after the deity Mazu, goddess of the sea) was built in 1746 and is one of three major temples in Taiwan from the Qing period. It’s a beautiful Taoist temple filled with mythological creatures, incense, lucky goldfish, and people paying respect to the gods. Admission is free.

4. Hit the beach

The beaches of Kenting on the southern tip of the island are the best place to enjoy the summer weather. White Sand Bay is the most popular beach and a great place to swim, snorkel, and soak up the sun. Other beaches worth checking out are Fulong Beach, South Bay, Dawan Beach, Laomei Beach, and Little Bali Bay.

5. See the Lantern Festival

The famous Taiwan Lantern Festival is held every February/March and involves releasing hundreds of paper lanterns into the sky. There’s also a huge parade with floats, most of which relate to the year’s animal (from the Chinese zodiac). Thousands of people gather to watch and take part. To ensure the environment is protected, make sure you use a biodegradable eco-friendly lantern.

6. Hike Jade Mountain

Jade Mountain (also known as Yushan), the highest peak in Taiwan and East Asia with its peak at almost 4,000 meters above sea level, is a popular hike. If you don’t hike, there’s a special train that takes you to the peak before dawn (150 TWD). Most people do the hike over a couple of days, however, you can do it in a single day if you wake up super early and hike but that will mean over 10 hours of hiking. You’ll also need permits in advance so talk to your hotel or hostel staff as they can help you arrange those.

7. Tour Fo Guang Shan Monastery

This Zen monastery in Kaohsiung is a massive complex with eight towering pagodas that flank the monastery’s Big Buddha (which, at 36-meters tall, is the highest seated bronze Buddha in the world). Built in 1967 and spanning over 74 acres, the complex has a spacious outdoor walkway lined by manicured gardens as well as the huge pagodas. There are also over 14,000 statues of the Buddha here. Admission is free (donations are welcome) and there’s a delicious vegetarian restaurant inside with a huge buffet.

8. Visit the National Palace Museum

This museum, located in Taipei, has a collection of over 70,000 artifacts from Imperial China. Most of the collection was brought to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War (1929–1947). In addition to their permanent exhibits, there are also rotating exhibits throughout the year as well as a section for children. There are free daily tours in English as well as a detailed audio guide if you’d rather explore yourself. Admission is 350 TWD.

9. See the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Officially known as Liberty Square, this national monument was built in 1976 in honor of Chiang Kai-shek, former president of the Republic of China. He ruled mainland China from 1928 to 1949, and then in Taiwan from 1949 until his death in 1975. The memorial also houses a library and a museum that documents Chiang Kai-shek’s life and career. Tours in English are available daily but must be booked in advance. Admission is free.

10. Take a cooking class

Taiwan is a foodie’s dream and I always overindulge while I’m here. Noodle soups, incredible rice dishes, amazing buns, dumplings, and scallion pancakes are just some of the tasty local offerings. While cooking classes here are a little pricey, I think they are worth it if you really want to learn about the food. The cooking skills (and recipes) make a great souvenir to take home too. Expect to pay around 2,000 TWD for a class.

11. Go hiking

Taipei has plenty of hiking trails just outside town that are easily accessible. There are easy, moderate, and challenging trails, as well as both short and full-day hikes. Some suggested trails to check out are Xiangshan (easy, 45minutes), Bitoujiao (moderate, 2-3 hours), Jinmianshan (easy, 1.5 hours), Huang Didian (hard, 5 hours), and Pingxi Crag (moderate, 2-3 hours).

12. Visit Orchid Island

Located 64 kilometers (40 miles) off the southeastern coast, this lush, volcanic island offers hiking, swimming, diving, and amazing hot springs. There are also underground houses here, built to avoid the numerous typhoons that ravage the region. The island is home to only 5,000 people too. Visit the Lanyu Flying Fish Cultural Museum to learn about local culture. Flights from Taipei take just over an hour and cost around 4,500 TWD.

13. Hike Wuling Peak

For more hiking, head to Wuling Peak on Hehuan Mountain. Located in Central Taiwan, it stands 3,275 meters (10,744 feet) above sea level and makes for a good day trip for anyone looking to spend more time outdoors. The peak here is so high you can actually look down into a sea of clouds below. A round-trip hike takes around 2-3 hours. Be sure to bring a raincoat as well as water and sunscreen.

14. Explore the Northern Coastline

Head to the coast to see the otherworldly lunar-like landscapes at Yehliu Geopark. There are all kinds of unique rock formations here, including one that looks like Queen Elizabeth (which took over 4,000 years to form). It’s a popular tourist attraction so try to get here early to beat the crowds. Admission is 120 TWD.

15. Visit Tainan

This is Taiwan’s oldest urban area, established by the Dutch East India Company in 1624. Located in the south near Kaohsiung, Tainan was the capital of Taiwan from 1683-1887. There are all kinds of temples to visit here (don’t miss the Confucius Temple), several night markets, a historic old town, and a massive department store reminiscent of the Ginza district in Tokyo. There is also a nearby mangrove and wildlife reserve (it’s part of Taijiang National Park) just 30 minutes away by car.

16. Explore Taichung

Taichung is located in west-central Taiwan and is the second-largest city in the country. Spend some time walking the Parkway (a corridor of greenery perfect for walking and exploring), visit the Feng Chia Night Market, see the botanical garden, and explore the massive National Museum of Natural Science. If you’re a history buff, don’t miss the Taichung Folklore Park which is home to several traditional Taiwanese homes and buildings that showcase the country’s history.

Taiwan Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostels dorms with 6-8-bed cost between 300-700 TWD per night. A private room costs anything from 1,000-3,000 TWD. Every place has free Wi-Fi and most hostels have self-catering facilities and include free breakfast.

Budget hotels start at 950 TWD for a small room with a double bed. Most rooms have AC but free breakfast is rarely included.

Airbnb is available around the country with private rooms starting at 650 TWD per night, though they average at least triple that. For an entire home or apartment, expect to pay at least 1,000 TWD (though prices average triple that). Book early to find the best deals.

Wild camping is generally prohibited but there are lots of campgrounds around the country. Expect to pay at least 300 TWD for a basic plot without electricity.

Food – Taiwanese cuisine is a mix of influences, from Chinese, Japanese (owing to the Japanese occupation), and Western traditions. Seafood is a huge staple, with squid, crab, and shellfish being especially popular. Braised pork, oyster omelets, fish balls, and stinky tofu are just some of the many dishes you can find around the country.

Food at the outdoor markets costs around 35-100 TWD depending on what you get. An order of dumplings costs around 100 TWD. Noodle soup or a basic rice dish costs around 70 TWD.

A meal at a simple sit-down restaurant serving local cuisine costs around 120 TWD.

Western food costs between 100-400 TWD. Burgers (often made with pork rather than beef) are on the lower end while pizza is on the higher end.

Fast food is pretty popular here. MosBurger (the best fast food joint in the country) costs around 165 TWD for a combo meal. Sushi, one of the most popular food options, costs 300–450 TWD for a meal. (Plates at the conveyor belt places are around 30 TWD each.

A three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant costs 500 TWD. A beer or a latte/cappuccino costs around 80 TWD while a bottle of water costs 21 TWD.

For a week’s worth of groceries including staples like rice, seasonal produce, and seafood, expect to pay 2,000-2,500 TWD.

Backpacking Taiwan Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of 1,050 TWD per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, eat some street food, cook some meals, limit your drinking, do free walking tours, and take public transportation to get around.

On a mid-range budget of 2,700 TWD per day, you can stay in an Airbnb, enjoy some Western food, drink more, take the bus between cities, and do more paid activities like museum visits and cooking classes.

On a “luxury” budget of 5,600 TWD per day, you can stay in a hotel, rent a car or take the train between cities, take guided tours to the islands, go diving, eat out at any restaurant you want, and visit as many attractions as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in TWD.

Taiwan Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Taiwan is an affordable country so you don’t need to worry about breaking the bank here. As long as you stick to local cuisine and limit your drinking, it’s hard to spend a lot of money. Here are a few tips to keep your spending in check:

• Skip the high-speed trains – The high-speed trains in Taiwan are super convenient but expensive. Stick to the slower local trains, which are about 50% cheaper than the HSR.
• Eat at the food markets – The food in Taiwan is world-class and the best food is at the night markets that dot all the cities.
• Avoid Western food – Western food is twice the price of Taiwanese food. It’s also not amazing so stick to the local cuisine to save money.
• Take free walking tours – Taipei, Jiufen, Tainan, and Kaohsiung all have free walking tours from companies like Like It Formosa . They’re my favorite walking tour company in Taiwan. Their tours are fun, informative, and free. Just remember to tip your guide at the end.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here needs to be boiled before drinking so bring a bottle with a filter to ensure you have safe drinking water. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a built-in filter to you can be sure you water is safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Taiwan

Taiwan has plenty of fun and affordable hostels. Here are my suggested places to stay:

• Formosa 101 (Taipei)
• Star Hostel (Taipei)
• T-Life Hostel (Taichung)
• Fuqi Hostel-Heping (Tainan)

How to Get Around Taiwan

Public transportation – All of the major cities have public transportation that is fast, safe, and reliable. Fares start at 15 TWD and go up depending on how far you travel. Taipei and Kaohsiung both have metro systems with tickets costing between 20-65 TWD. A single-day pass in Taipei costs 150 TWD, while a day pass in Kaohsiung costs 180 TWD.

Bus – The bus is the cheapest way to get around Taiwan. Intercity coach buses are available to all major cities around Taiwan, including Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. They are comfortable, modern, safe, and have air conditioning (too much, usually, so bring a sweater). The two main intercity bus companies are Ubus and Kuo-Kuang Bus. For fares and timetable information, visit taiwanbus.tw.

A bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung takes around five hours and costs 600-1,000 TWD while the three-hour trip from Taipei to Taichung costs as little as 90 TWD.

Train – The high-speed trains (HSR) in Taiwan are super convenient, however, they only go down the west side of the island and are very expensive. For example, a ticket from Taipei to Kaohsiung costs around 1,500 TWD.

The “local” trains are much more affordable, often 50% cheaper. The trip from Taipei to Kaohsiung on a local train costs just 845 TWD. It’s also just 515-800 TWD from Taipei to Tainan and 675-800 TWD from Taipei to Taichung via the local train.

The HSR line doesn’t pass through city centers, so you either need to take a bus or train from the HSR station, which also costs more time and money.

Flying – Domestic flights are relatively affordable, however, they are much more expensive than the bus or train. The two-hour flight from Taipei to Kaohsiung costs more than 4,000 TWD.

Flights to neighboring Hong Kong start at 3,600 TWD and take five hours (they can be as much as 6,500 TWD so it’s best if you’re flexible with your dates) while flights to Singapore take five hours and cost around 3,500 TWD.

Car Rental – Driving here is safe, however, car rentals here are expensive, usually costing at least 1,500 TWD per day. You need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a vehicle here. For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Taiwan

July and August are the hottest months in the country and the most popular time to visit. Temperatures often hit 35°C (95°F) and prices are a little higher as well. It’s a great time to visit if you want to hit the beach.

The shoulder months of May-June and September-October offer the best balance of crowds, weather, and price. It’s still warm enough to enjoy the outdoors and do some hiking without getting rained out.

Winters in Taiwan are a little rainy but still warm, with daily highs around 18–20°C (65-68°F). Prices are a bit lower and it’s the perfect time to visit the relaxing (and relatively empty) hot springs. Expect big crowds in Taipei in December-January for the Chinese New Year.

How to Stay Safe in Taiwan

Taiwan is very safe, consistently ranking well on the Global Peace Index as one of the safest destinations in the world. Crimes against tourists are super rare. Overall, you are unlikely to encounter any problems in Taiwan and I never felt unsafe in the country. There are no scams here, everyone is super nice, and crime is super rare. It’s a great place to visit. My friends who live here also never have problems.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here for all those reasons. However, the standard precautions you take anywhere apply here too (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). There are numerous solo female travel blogs that can provide more specific tips.

Earthquakes are common in the region so make sure you’re familiar with your accommodation’s emergency exits. Between July and November, typhoons can occur so make sure you stay up to date on the latest weather — especially if you’re near the coast or out hiking.

110 is the emergency number for police while 119 is the emergency number for fire and ambulance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Taiwan Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Taiwan Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on China travel and continue planning your trip:

The 23 Best Things to Do in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Itinerary: What to Do in 4 (or More) Days

My Favorite Restaurants in Hong Kong

What Hitchhiking Solo as a Female in China Taught Me

7 Lessons Learned from 3 Months in China

How to Travel the Trans-Siberian Railway

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• Where To Stay
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• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

Lists by Lukiih 🍀

Practical travel guides with less fluff

• 🇹🇼 Planning a Trip to Taiwan: 11 Practical Things To Know

Receiving over 20 million tourists last year in 2023, Taiwan is a popular destination in East Asia that is known for its vibrant night markets, centuries-old temples, and lush mountains.

Having spent an incredible week in Taiwan, I share must-know travel tips that are especially useful for first-time visitors.

This Taiwan guide is also informed by my local friend, Ella Park-Chan, who lived in Taipei for three years.

• 1. Best Places To Visit
• 2. When To Visit
• 3. How Long To Visit
• 4. Entry Requirements
• 5. Budgeting & Cash
• 6. How To Get Around
• 7. How To Stay Safe
• 8. Language Barrier
• 9. Cultural Differences
• 10. Food To Try
• 11. DIY vs. Guided Trip

Taiwan Trip Planner

Lists By Lukiih is readers-supported. When you buy with my affiliate link, I may earn a small commission. Thanks!

1. Best Places To Visit in Taiwan

Taiwan has incredible places to visit ranging from modern cities to stunning mountains made out of marble.

Below are Taiwan’s most popular destinations and the top things to see and do in each location.

Taipei , the capital city of Taiwan, is a modern, progressive city integrated with culture and tradition . It’s often visitors’ first stop and sometimes the only stop if they’re traveling to Taiwan for the first time.

There are many things to do in Taipei, ranging from hikes and temples to night markets and museums. Top attractions in Taipei include:

• Taipei 101 , the former tallest building in the world and an architectural icon
• Night markets that sell delicious street food for cheap. Taipei’s best night markets are Raohe and Shilin Night Market.
• Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, a stunning significant historical landmark. The memorial hall is also near the National Theater and Concert Hall.
• Elephant Mountain , a metro-accessible hike with amazing views of Taipei city

• Beitou Hot Springs , a metro-accessible hot spring
• Maokong Gondola , a scenic cable-car ride
• National Palace Museum , a world-renowned museum
• Longshan Temple , an intricate 300-year-old temple

Taipei is also cyclist-friendly and one of the best ways to explore it is by biking through it. Taking a Taipei cycling tour is one of the most efficient ways to see both popular and less well-known attractions.

📍 Taroko National Park in Hualien

Taroko National Park , also called Taroko Gorge, is a beautiful park known for its marble canyons, towering cliffs, and lush forests. It’s a popular destination with many visitors taking a day trip from Taipei or spending a night in Hualien City just to visit Taroko Gorge.

Top attractions in Taroko Gorge include:

• Shakadang Trail , a popular hiking trail well-known for its scenic beauty

• Eternal Spring Shrine , a landmark shrine commemorating the workers who lost their lives while carving tunnels in the marble mountain

• Swallow Grotto , a unique part of the marble canyon where swallows nest

See how to plan a trip to Taroko National Park .

📍 Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake , located in the center of Taiwan, is the country’s largest lake and another popular tourist destination. It’s known for its scenic backdrop and various activities.

Top attractions in Sun Moon Lake include:

• Cycling around the lake , a common way to sightsee and explore the area
• Wenwu Temple , a palace-styled temple offering breathtaking views of the lake
• Xuanzang Temple , a Buddhist temple featuring panoramic views
• Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village , an amusement park that introduces the diverse culture of Taiwan

Although a bit far, Sun Moon Lake can be visited as a day trip from Taipei .

📍 Other Amazing Places in Taiwan

Taiwan has another endless number of places to visit.

• Kenting National Park , located in the south, is popular for its beautiful beaches with crystal-clear waters.
• Jiufen , a small picturesque village perched on the side of a mountain, is famous for Jiufen Old Street and traditional teahouses. It’s the village that people claim inspired the movie, Spirited Away, although the director has denied this.

Here’s how to spend a day trip in Jiufen from Taipei .

• Tainan , called the “City of Temples”, is one of Taiwan’s oldest cities and is celebrated for its culinary scene and ancient temples.
• Alishan , located in central Taiwan, is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, breathtaking sunrise views, and hiking trails.
• Yehliu Geopark is popular for its unique rock formations.

You can visit Yehliu Geopark on a day trip from Taipei .

• Lukang , located on Taiwan’s west coast, is known for its traditional architecture dating back to the Qing Dynasty.

🍀 My Experience in Taipei, Jiufen, and Taroko Gorge

I generally find Taiwan amazing. I find it incredible that it’s not a more popular, south-after destination. During my Taiwan trip, I visited Taipei, Jiufen, Taroko Gorge, and Hualien City.

• Taipei as a city has everything I like: hiking trails, nature getaways, hot springs, ancient temples, a modern city center, and amazing food.
• Jiufen , which is about a 40-minute drive east of Taipei, is worth a day trip. It’s a bit touristy, but I love the charming atmosphere.
• Taroko Gorge is a beautiful part of Taiwan and I highly recommend it as a two-day trip. The nearby Hualien City is more residential than Taipei, but still has great things to see and do.

This 7-day Taiwan itinerary features my trip’s highlights.

2. When To Visit Taiwan

Taiwan has a subtropical climate and is a great place to visit year-round , as it has mild temperatures almost all time of the year.

☀️ Best Time to Visit Taiwan

The best and most popular time to visit Taiwan is during its spring and fall seasons .

• The spring season , which runs from March to May, has mild weather, averaging 60 to 75 °F, which makes it ideal for being outdoors. Like Japan (although less famous for them), the cherry blossoms in Taiwan bloom in late March and April.
• The autumn season , which runs from September to November, is another popular time to visit. During this time, the weather is warmer, averaging 68 to 85 °F, making it a great time to swim, hike, and admire the lush landscape.

🍃 Taiwan’s Seasons

Taiwan has four seasons. Here’s a quick overview of its seasons:

Here are some things to keep in mind about the seasons and climate in Taiwan:

• Taiwan has a rainy season from June to September, but compared to other Asian countries, the rainfall is not heavy.
• Typhoon season is from May to November. About a dozen typhoons hit Taiwan per year, but rarely do they make landfall and cause widespread damage. Most typhoons only lead to road blockages and landslides.
• As is true with many island destinations, the temperature and weather in coastal vs. inland regions of Taiwan can be different. Inland areas are always warmer.

The Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, is on February 10th, 2024, and it’s not a popular time for tourists to visit. Many students and employees take days to weeks off around this time, so attractions, shops, and even transportation are limited or closed.

🍀 My Experience With Taiwan’s Weather

I traveled to Taiwan in  mid-October and early November  and found the weather mild.  

I primarily wore summer clothes and threw on a hoodie or light jacket around nighttime. I experienced two days of brief rain and had a few cloudy days, but it was overall pleasant.

3. How Long To Spend in Taiwan

Taiwan is a medium-sized island nation where visitors typically spend seven to ten days traveling.

🗓️ How Many Days Do You Need in Taiwan?

First-time visitors should spend at least five days in Taiwan to explore Taipei and have enough time to see one other destination for a more complete trip.

• With three to five days in Taiwan, you’ll have enough time to visit the capital city of Taipei and do a day trip outside of it. This would be considered a short visit and you won’t have much time for anything else.
• With one to two weeks in Taiwan, you can visit several of the top places in Taiwan, including Taipei, Sun Moon Lake, and Taroko National Park. You may also get to drive along the eastern side and see Tainan.

See how to spend a week in Taiwan .

• With more than two weeks in Taiwan , you can head all the way south to Kaohsiung City and spend more time seeing parts of the country that are off-the-beaten-path.

🍀 How Long I Stayed in Taiwan

I visited Taiwan for one week . I spent three to four days in Taipei, one day in Jiufen , and two days in Hualien City with a day trip to Taroko Gorge .

Having been to a dozen destinations in the past year, Taiwan is at the top of my list of destinations I plan to return to , as I felt like I hardly got to see a lot of the island and there are so many beautiful places to visit.

4. Entry Requirements for Taiwan

The entry requirement for Taiwan is straightforward for US citizens.

🛃 Taiwan’s Visa and Passport Requirements

A tourist visa is not required for United States citizens visiting Taiwan for up to 90 days .

Also, your US passport must be valid during your Taiwan trip , but there’s no requirement for it to be valid before or after.

🍀 My Experience Entering Taiwan

Being an American citizen comes with the privilege of holding one of the world’s most powerful passports, so I had no issues flying into Taipei, Taiwan.

5. Budgeting and Cash in Taiwan

Taiwan is a semi-affordable tourist destination for Asia.

💰 Expected Budget in Taiwan

Here’s approximately how much you can expect to spend when visiting Taiwan:

While a round-trip ticket to Taiwan from the United States will be expensive at around $1,000, Taiwan has many free attractions and places where you can eat a meal for less than $10 .

🏧 Do You Need Cash In Taiwan?

Credit cards are sometimes accepted in Taiwan, but the economy is still largely based on cash transactions , so make sure to bring cash .

You’ll find ATMs widely available at convenience stores , like Family Marts and 7-Elevens.

💵 Are US Dollars Accepted in Taiwan?

Taiwan’s local currency is the New Taiwan dollar (NT). The US dollar is not widely accepted , so make sure to exchange currencies.

The exchange rate was $1 USD = 32 NT at the time of writing.

🍀 My Taiwan Trip’s Budget

Taiwan remains one of my most affordable vacation trips to date. I share all my travel expenses and credit card usage in this Taiwan budget breakdown .

6. How To Get Around in Taiwan

There are several ways to get around Taiwan. While many areas have reliable public transportation , a rental car would make some places easier to get to .

✈️ Flying Into Taiwan

Taiwan has four international airports to fly into:

Most first-time visitors land at the Taoyuan Airport in Taipei. You can get to Taipei’s city center by bus, taxi, or train. The taxi and bus ride will take about 35 minutes while the train ride takes over an hour.

Once you land in Taiwan, there are several common ways to get around the country.

🚇 Best Way To Get Around Taipei: The MRT

If you’re staying in Taipei, the best way to get around is by public transportation. Taiwan’s metro, known as the MRT, is clean, well-maintained, and punctual. See the MRT map in English .

Here are some tips when riding the Taipei MRT:

• Buy a one-time token or a rechargeable card . At the metro station kiosks, you can either buy a one-time blue token or an EasyCard (aka IC Card) to ride the MRT.

The station kiosks only accept cash . I found that the station attendants are willing to break larger bills.

• Get an EasyCard. If you are going to be frequently riding the MRT like I did, I recommend getting an EasyCard for convenience, despite the 100 NT (about $3 USD) non-refundable fee. Any remaining balance on your EasyCard can be refunded at the end of your trip.

• Check Google Maps. The listed train times are accurate, so you can trust the listed times to plan your trip. However, I found the listed times for buses are not accurate.
• Follow the rules. Taiwan has a polite culture that tends to follow the rules. For example, the MRT tends to be very quiet as talking loudly is considered a nuisance to others.

MRT train stations are clean and have trash cans (public ones are not common in Taiwan) and bathrooms . It’s a good idea to bring toilet paper just in case.

🚆 Option 1: Train

Outside of Taipei, Taiwan also has an efficient train system run by TRA (Taiwan Railways Administration) that will take you to all parts of the country, including Sun Moon Lake and Hualien City.

There’s a high-speed rail that takes you from Taipei in northern Taiwan to Kaohsiung City in southern Taiwan in less than three hours.

You can buy TRA train tickets in two ways:

• Through a Taiwanese mobile app ( iOS ,  Android ). Booking a train ticket only reserves it, so you need to claim it as well. If you don’t claim your ticket (whether in person or digitally) within 20 minutes of departure time, they can give it to someone else.
• In person at the train station . Some train times are very popular (e.g., going from Taipei to Hualien City) and need to be booked in advance. When I booked a train to Hualien a week in advance, a few of the afternoon departures were sold out.

Most trains will depart from the Taipei Main Station. Google Maps has several “Taipei Main Stations”  depending on whether you’re catching a train, bus, or the MRT. Double-check the “Subway services” section of the app to make sure it is the right place for your transportation needs.

🚌 Option 2: Public Bus

Another common way to get around Taiwan is by bus or shuttle bus. These are great options for shorter distances (e.g., anything that takes less than two hours to drive) or to reach places where the train won’t take you.

You can also take a shuttle bus from Taipei to popular destinations like  Jiufen  and Sun Moon Lake.

🚗 Option 3: Rental Car or Scooter

One common way for locals to get around Taiwan is by car and scooter.

Most foreign visitors do not rent a car or scooter in Taiwan, except to do a road trip on the east coast where the train infrastructure is lacking. Renting a car is not as straightforward in Taiwan as it is in other destinations.

To rent a car or scooter in Taiwan, you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP ) and familiarize yourself with the country’s confusing rental laws.

🚙 Option 4: Taxi and Uber

Yellow taxis are readily available in Taiwan, especially in concentrated city areas, and it’s a common way to get around.

You’ll find Uber only in bigger cities like Taipei. Compared to taxis, they’re more convenient to use for tourists.

✈️ Option 5: Domestic Flight

Taiwan has several airports around the country. While you can get around by taking domestic flights, they’re typically not the most budget-friendly way to travel domestically.

For example, taking a domestic flight from the northern to the southern part of Taiwan will cost at least $160 one-way , whereas the high-speed rail would be closer to $40 USD.

🚲 Option 6: Cycling

Taiwan’s infrastructure is cyclist-friendly . You’ll find many bike-sharing services in major cities and tourist destinations, including Sun Moon Lake, Taroko Gorge, and Kaohsiung City.

🍀 How I Got Around Taiwan

Like many visitors, I primarily relied on Taiwan’s trains, metro, and bus to get around. I called an Uber twice in Taipei when it significantly saved more time than taking the train. I also had a local friend drive me to Jiufen , which made me realize how driving in Taiwan can be confusing.

Overall, I found Taiwan’s public transportation reliable, clean, and pleasant although it can be occasionally confusing to navigate with just knowing English .

7. How To Stay Safe in Taiwan

Here are safety tips to keep in mind when traveling to Taiwan.

⚠️ Is Taiwan Safe to Visit?

Taiwan is considered a safe country to visit. Violence and even petty theft against tourists are very rare. Taiwan has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the world .

Taiwan not only has a travel advisory level of 1 per the US Department of State, but it is also ranked #33 out of 163 safest countries by the Global Peace Index (for reference, the United States is ranked #131).

🚖 Common Scams in Taiwan

Tourist scams are not common in Taiwan, but here are scams to watch out for:

• Some restaurants will overcharge tourists by hiding additional service fees or inflating the menu prices, so make sure to always check your receipt.
• Taxi drivers will also try to overcharge tourists , which you can avoid by using Uber. However, this is a rare occurrence.
• Once in a while, you might find that tour vendors are not legitimate . They may try to sell you a tour or a ticket to Taipei 101, but they’re not authorized to do so. Make sure to book tours with legitimate platforms like Viator .

💧 Is Tap Water Safe To Drink in Taiwan?

Tap water in big cities like Taipei and Hualien City is safe to drink , but many locals are still dubious of tap water safety. It’s a little less clear if tap water is safe in other places in Taiwan, especially in smaller towns.

I brought my reusable water bottle , which I refilled at restaurants, hotels, and vending machines with no issues.

🦟 Does Taiwan Have Mosquitoes?

Taiwan has  disease-carrying mosquitoes  ( dengue virus is common ), especially during the summer and rainy season, so protect yourself as best as you can.

While walking around in Taiwan, you’ll see several posters warning people of getting dengue .

🍀 My Safety Tips for Taiwan

I didn’t have any issues with theft, scams, or violence in Taiwan. Based on my experience, I recommend these safety tips:

• Be vigilant of your surroundings. While Taiwan is very safe, it’s a foreign country with a somewhat high language barrier, so asking for help can be difficult in certain scenarios.
• It’s a good idea to pack   insect repellent . I didn’t have issues with mosquitoes in places like Taipei, but I wore repellent in places like Taroko National Park.

8. Language Barrier in Taiwan

Taiwan’s official language is Mandarin Chinese.

🗣️ Is English Common in Taiwan?

Roughly 30% of Taiwan’s population speaks some English , but you’ll find that the rest of the population speaks only Mandarin.

Major cities and tourist-friendly places will have some signs and menus in English, but Taiwan is largely not as English-friendly as some would expect.

Taiwan currently has a goal of becoming a bilingual nation by 2030 .

Here are some common Mandarin words and phrases to know while visiting Taiwan:

🍀 Traveling Taiwan With Just English

Although navigating Taiwan’s public transportation was relatively easy, I found getting around with just English a bit more challenging than I expected , especially in non-tourist areas.

Unlike Japan, Taiwan doesn’t have a lot of signs in English, locals who don’t work in tourism will not understand any English, and hand gestures are not as common. That said, if you mostly travel in touristy areas, you’ll have no issues getting around .

9. Cultural Differences in Taiwan

The Taiwanese culture has been heavily influenced by Chinese traditions, Japanese colonial rule, and indigenous culture.

Taiwanese people place special emphasis on politeness , social harmony, and respect, which is not very unlike Japanese people .

Due to the relatively recent 50-year Japanese occupation of Taiwan, you’ll find many Japanese influences on the small country . This extends to architectural style, education, railway infrastructure, and cultural practices.

👟 Proper Etiquette in Taiwan

Here are a few cultural norms and Taiwanese etiquette to keep in mind when visiting:

• It’s impolite to speak loudly in public spaces as it can be a nuisance to others, so make sure to keep your voice at a low to medium volume.
• Waiting in line in an orderly manne r is a social norm as it creates social harmony. Line cutting and disorderly lines are not common.
• Family-style dining is typical in Taiwan. When eating in these situations, it’s polite to sample and taste all dishes , even if you don’t end up eating a lot of everything.
• Taiwanese people respect their elders , so it’s important to show respect towards them and to address them with the proper titles.

Taiwan is an open-minded and progressive nation and you’ll find this reflected in its culture. For example, it’s the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage .

🍀 My Experience With Taiwan’s Culture

I love many aspects of Taiwan’s culture, particularly the ones around orderliness, politeness, and cleanliness . Taipei is incredibly clean and peaceful, which deeply contrasts against the many large cities I’ve lived in the United States.

Note that like in Japan, street trash cans are uncommon in Taiwan, so be prepared to hold onto your trash. You can find trash cans at the metro stations.

10. Taiwanese Food To Try

Taiwan is internationally known for its street food culture and unique dishes . When visiting Taiwan, try some classic Taiwanese food:

• Beef noodle soup (niú ròu miàn) is one of the most iconic meals in Taiwan. The dish features chewy noodles with slow-cooked, tender beef.

• Boba or bubble tea ( zhēn zhū nǎichá ) is a flavored tea base with chewy tapioca ball. They’re now globally available and popular, but boba tea originated in Taiwan.

There are many great boba tea shops , but some of the best ones in Taipei are CoCo, DaYung’s Tea, Ten Ren’s Tea, and Chun Shui Tang.

• Stink tofu ( chòu dòufu ), which is fermented tofu, is a beloved dish in Taiwan. I like natto and durian, but I can’t get behind stinky tofu. It’s part of the experience to try one!
• Pork rice bowl (lǔ ròu fàn) is a comforting dish with minced pork belly served with five-spice seasoning and often topped with a boiled egg.
• Pineapple cake (fènglí sū) is a Taiwanese pastry that has a buttery crust surrounding a pineapple jam. This is a very popular souvenir gift to bring back from Taiwan.

SunnyHills is a popular pineapple cake cafe in Taipei, but I personally love the ones at Chia Te Bakery .

• Oyster omelet (òa-á jiān) . There are many Taiwanese street foods worth trying, but one of the most famous ones is the oyster omelet served with eggs and potato starch.

Din Tai Fung is one of Taiwan’s most globally recognized restaurants and one of my favorite places to eat. If you haven’t been to one yet, you can visit the original restaurant in Taipei and try their world-famous soup dumplings .

If you’re unfamiliar with Taiwanese street food or want to learn more about the cuisine’s history, you can also go on a five-star backstreet food tour .

11. DIY vs. Guided Trip in Taiwan

Given the island’s relatively small size and high language barrier, Taiwan is a popular place to travel with an organized tour. Here’s my take on guided vs. DIY trips for Taiwan:

🚐 Guided Taiwan Trip

If you have less than a week in Taiwan and want your trip to be super efficient, you can book all-inclusive guided tours that take you to the best places to visit.

The organized tour will take care of everything (i.e., transportation, accommodations, attractions, food) for you, but they’re not as flexible and will not be as budget-friendly.

🗺️ DIY Taiwan Trip

If you’re planning a Taiwan trip on your own, you can focus your planning efforts on Taipei and then take guided day tours to the top places .

Here’s how to plan a week in Taiwan while taking day trips to top places like Taroko Gorge and Jiufen .

🍀 My DIY Taiwan Trip

I spent a week in Taiwan on a DIY trip, but I had a local friend help me and provide a lot of helpful Taiwan travel tips.

I plan to keep traveling to Taiwan on my own, but I will occasionally book a guided tour for specific attractions, national parks, and food tours.

To make your travel planning easier , download the trip planner below and use it as a starting point. The planner has country-specific travel information, an itinerary, a packing list, and a map with key places pinned.

The trip planner is built on Notion, which I use for all my travel planning (I genuinely love this tool). If you don’t have Notion, creating an account is free .

Thoughts? Questions? Leave a comment below .

Taiwan Travel Guides

• 🧋 Taiwan Guide: 5-7 Day Itinerary + 20 Great Things To Do
• 💰 My 2024 Taiwan Trip Cost: A Budget Breakdown
• 🏮 Jiufen Day Trip From Taipei: 9 Great Things To Do + Itinerary
• 🍃 How to Plan a Taroko Gorge Day Trip from Taipei

Lists by Lukiih is Readers-Supported

If you find my travel tips helpful, say thanks with a bubble tea 🧋!

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A 2024 Taiwan Travel Guide for Planning Your Trip

Last updated on Apr. 10, 2024 by Nick Kembel

Taiwan is a small island nation that packs a serious punch. At only 36,193 km², it is about the size of Vancouver Island in my native Canada, but home to a staggering 23.9 million people.

Do not be fooled by its compact size, however. There are many reasons to visit Taiwan : the tallest mountains in Northeast Asia, rich history & culture, welcoming locals, some of the best night markets and street food in the world – the list goes on. To get a better idea, see my ever-growing list of things to do in Taiwan .

I’ve lived in Taiwan for over 10 years. I’m married to a Taiwanese, and my two kids were born and raised in Taiwan. I’ve written articles about Taiwan for CNN, National Geographic Traveller, Discover Taipei, and Taiwan Travel Magazine, as well as my book, Taiwan in the Eyes of a Foreigner , which has sold more than 7000 copies.

This Taiwan travel guide links out to all of my most useful articles for planning a Taiwan trip. Here on my Taiwan travel blog, Spiritual Travels, you’ll find some of the most comprehensive Taiwan travel information Taiwan tourism details available in English online, all based on years of on-the-ground research. 

Let the below be your personal guide to traveling in Taiwan. I’ll be covering a wide variety of topics below, so use the table of contents to jump to the info you need! If you prefer Q&A format, you can find all the same info in these FAQs about Taiwan .

Table of Contents

Travel restrictions and visas.

As of October 13, 2022, Taiwan is totally open for travel. All COVID-related  travel restrictions  are finished.  That brought to an end the 938 days total that Taiwan’s borders were closed to some or all international tourists!

Currently, you just need to find out if your country is eligible for visa-free entry  (most are), and for how many days. If you need a visa for Taiwan, or want to stay for longer than the visa-free period, you’ll need to apply at the Taiwan office in your country before coming. 

Besides the visa, there are no special forms, tests, vaccines (these were never needed) for entering Taiwan. You just need to fill in the normal arrival card when you arrive, or do it online before you come. Note that some people have reported not receiving an email confirmation after filling in the online form, so you may want to just do it when you arrive in Taiwan. You can stay in any hotel or accommodation you want, including hostels (these weren’t allowed until March 20, 2023). 

The outdoor mask mandate ended in late 2022 and the indoor mask mandate ended in early 2023. Now, you only need to wear masks in medical facilities in Taiwan. However, many locals are still wearing them in public.

Following the April 2024 Hualien Earthquake , Taroko Gorge in Hualien is totally closed to visitors for an estimated 6 months to 1 year. Everywhere else in Taiwan is open as normal and fine to visit. Here’s my list of things you can still do in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge .

If you ever have any questions about anything related to traveling in Taiwan, you can call the 24-hour English tourist hotline at 0800-011765 (from outside Taiwan dial 886-800-011765). For COVID-specific questions, dial 1922 (from outside Taiwan dial 886-800-001922). 

A Guide to Taiwan’s Quarantine Hotels and COVID Travel Restrictions

Taiwan travel planning group.

The absolute best place you can go for any questions about planning your Taiwan trip is my free Facebook group, Taiwan Travel Planning .

Literally any question you have about traveling in Taiwan or planning your Taiwan trip will be answered within 1-2 days by me or other members of the group. I’m also happy to look over your itinerary and give you suggestions. Because I do spend a lot of time every day in the group answering questions, I’ve created this Buy Me a Coffee account for anyone who wants to say thanks (my readers requested this!)

Take a Tour or DIY Travel?

The main purpose of this page, my website, and my Facebook group is to help you plan a DIY trip to Taiwan. Taiwan is an incredibly safe and easy country to travel around. However, this does require some advance planning, especially as trains and hotels in popular destinations in Taiwan often sell out. Generally, Taiwan is not a very suitable country for just showing up and figuring it out once you get there. Even more so since COVID, advance bookings for almost everything are the norm. 

If you’re looking for a luxury, fully customized tour of Taiwan, I recommend Life of Taiwan . Their team of experts are some of the most knowledgeable in the industry. They provide personalized tea, food, cultural, or family tours of Taiwan and put you up in some of the country’s most exquisite hotels. If you contact them, please let them know that Nick sent you over!

If you’re in a rush and just want to see the best of Taiwan in a short period, I recommend this Taiwan 5-day tour . It doesn’t include Taipei, which is best visited in a day or two on your own before or after the tour.

What most visitors to Taiwan do, however, is plan their trip on their own. The country’s amazing TRA train (round-island) and High Speed Rail (down the west coast from Taipei to Kaohsiung) systems are actually faster than driving. 

Then, when you get to your destination city, you can hire drivers for the day or go on guided day trips only when necessary. This is a very common approach, and there are numerous popular day trips and drivers available on Klook (sign up with this link for a TWD 100 credit in your account). You’ll find that I recommend Klook tours, drivers, car/scooter rentals, discounted attraction tickets, train tickets, and more throughout my Taiwan articles. There are many good deals on there, so you can save a lot of money by using the platform for planning your Taiwan trip.

And for truly DIY or budget travelers, you can certainly do it all on your own, especially with all the articles you’ll find on my website, covering how to visit almost every corner of Taiwan.

Renting a car is also a great option – read my tips for driving in Taiwan here and why I rented my car with Klook .

One good idea is to try one of these free Taipei waking tours on Day 1, then take it on your own from there!

Before Your Trip: Flights, Insurance, Apps, Guidebooks

If you’re coming from a country in Asia, there are numerous budget flights to Taiwan. I’ve prepared this list of the cheapest budget flights to Taiwan .

I’ve tried many different flight websites for finding long haul flights to Taiwan (I live in Canada). My two favorites are Kiwi.com and WayAway . I usually try both these sites when booking my Taiwan flights. They are often (but not alway) cheaper than booking directly with the airlines.

What I like about Kiwi.com is special features like searching not only your departure point but other cities nearby and being able to enter “anywhere” as a destination, and “anytime” as a flying time. For flexible travelers, this allows you to find the cheapest possible flights and dates without searching a million times. Unlike other aggregate flight sites, Kiwi includes budget airlines (many of which fly to Taipei!) and routes combining multiple airlines that are not affiliated.

WayAway is an even newer site and is now my favorite. Like Kiwi, it includes budget airlines, plus it displays awesome calendars showing the price of flights on every day. But the really special feature on WayAway, which will appeal to frequent travelers, is WayAway Plus. Basically, for a small annual fee, you can get cashback (like real cash, deposited to your account) not just for your flights but also any hotels you book through their system. Sign up with this link and you’ll get 10% off WayAway Plus !

Having said that, there are benefits to going with the airline directly, such as being able to easily contact them when needed. rather than going through a third party. China Airlines and Eva Airlines (the one with the Hello Kitty planes!) are two of Taiwan’s largest carriers.

For travel insurance , it’s pretty much a must nowadays. I recommend SafetyWing  or Insubuy . Find more details about why in my guide to choosing travel insurance for Taiwan .

Which apps should you download for Taiwan? I’ve got you covered in this guide to the best Taiwan apps for travelers.

Last but not least, I may be old school, but I still love using travel guidebooks for planning my Taiwan trips. My favorite is and always has been the Taiwan Lonely Planet (I have about 5 different issues of it). I also recommend the Bradt Taiwan , written by long-term Taiwan resident Steven Crook. He also co-authored this amazing book covering the history of Taiwanese food, which I highly recommend.

Moving to Taiwan?

If you’re planning on moving to Taiwan for work, family reasons, or simply because Taiwan is an awesome place to live, then you should head over to my novella-sized guide to living in Taiwan . 

In that article, I focus more on visa issues, getting a job in Taiwan, finding an apartment, making friends, and all other aspects of daily life in Taiwan, whereas below, I’ll stick mainly to things you need to know for traveling around Taiwan.

Taiwanese History & Culture

How much do you know about Taiwan? Having lived in Taiwan for many years and married a Taiwanese, I know for a fact that many people around the world know little to nothing about Taiwan. Even some of my friends and family members back home think it is the same as Thailand. For this reasons, I’ve even written this article to explain the differences between Taiwan and Thailand  as this one to share some fun and interesting facts about Taiwan .

Taiwan is a small island nation in East Asia. Culturally, it is usually considered part of Northeast Asia, but geographically, some argue that it is closer to Southeast Asia. Taiwan was the original homeland of the Austronesian people, who went on to populate many islands of the Pacific in canoes. Today, their descendants include the 16 recognized aboriginal tribes of Taiwan .

Taiwan was briefly colonized by the Dutch and Spanish, while the Portuguese famously called it “Formosa”, or “beautiful island”, a name which stuck for centuries. Over the last 500 years, millions of people have migrated to Taiwan from China, especially Fujian province in the southeast. That’s why the local language of Taiwan, “Taiwanese” , is also called Minnan; it is the same as the Chinese dialect spoken in the Minnan region of Fujian. Taiwan remained on the fringe of Chinese imperial influence for centuries, then fell to Japanese occupation from 1895 to 1945.

In the Chinese Civil War, the nationalist KMT party of the Republic of China lost to the Communist Party in 1949 and fled to Taiwan, along with millions of Chinese soldiers and refugees from all over China, bringing their language (Mandarin), food, and culture. They thought they’d take back China someday, but they never did. That’s why Taiwan is still officially (and confusingly) called Republic of China, but their passports now finally say “Taiwan” in bigger letters . In 2000, the DPP were the first non-KMT party to win an election in Taiwan. Current President Tsai Ing-wen belongs to the independence-leaning DPP party.

The relationship between Taiwan and China remains complex and is the source of much tension. China claims that Taiwan is a province of China and bullies Taiwan from entering the UN and WHO, and from using the word “Taiwan” in international events like the Olympics (they have to call their team “Chinese Taipei”. But most Taiwanese consider Taiwan independent, and anyone who has been to both countries knows just how different they are. Few countries officially recognize Taiwan, but it acts as an independent country in virtually every way.

Today Taiwan is a modern, vibrant democracy with a free press. It is known for its welcoming people, efficiency, safety, and incredible street food. It has been chosen as the top country in the world for expats . It was also the first country in Asia to legalize equal (gay) marriage rights. Taiwan was one of the success stories in its handling of the COVID pandemic. Also read about some of the most famous people from Taiwan here .

Should you tip in Taiwan? Most often the answer is no. Learn all about Taiwan’s money and currency here .

Thailand vs. Taiwan: What’s the Difference?

Taiwanese food.

One of the great pleasures of visiting Taiwan is enjoying the country’s incredible food. Indeed, may travelers from Asian country’s come to Taiwan JUST for the food. Taiwanese is especially known for its incredible variety of cheap and delicious street food .

The best place to try Taiwanese street food is in night markets. Every city in the country has a night market (here are the best night markets across Taiwan ), while Taipei has more than 50. Here I introduce the best night markets in Taipei , night markets in Taichung ,  night markets in Tainan , and night markets in Kaohsiung . Also don’t miss my favorite night market in the country, Keelung Night Market !

Besides street food, some restaurant experiences you may want to enjoy in Taiwan are DIY barbecue joints, all-you-can-eat hot pot, quick fry (a kind of local eatery suitable for groups, and with lots of cheap dishes meant for sharing, with lots of beer), and Din Tai Fung, the country’s most famous restaurant, which specializes in xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). In this article, I recommend 80+ of my favorite restaurants in Taipei , arranged by style, and the best restaurants open all night in Taipei here !

Seafood lovers should also visit Addiction Aquatic Development , an upscale gourmet seafood market in Taipei, or consider visiting one of the country’s many port markets.

For vegetarians and vegans, you’ll be happy to know you’ll be spoiled for choices in Taiwan. See the vegetarian section of my street foods article, or keep an eye out for the character for vegetarian 素 displayed on Buddhist vegetarian restaurants; many of them are buffet style and you pay by weight. You can also say “I am vegetarian” (wo chi su/我吃素), “Do you have anything vegetarian” (you sude ma?/有素的嗎？) or “Is this vegetarian” (zhe shi sude ma?/這是素的嗎？)

Besides all the articles before, I’ve got several newer  food and night markets guides here  on my other website, TaiwanObsessed.

The Top 9 Night Markets in Kaohsiung (& what to eat at each one!)

A Guide to Feasting at Fengchia Night Market in Taichung

Ximending Food Guide: What to Eat & Best Restaurants (2024 updated)

20 Best Night Markets in Taipei (+ What To Eat at Each One!)

The 80 Best Restaurants in Taipei (by food type!)

The “Big 5” Night Markets in Taichung (+ What to Eat at Each One!)

How to Binge Eat Your Way Through Keelung Night Market

What to Eat at Addiction Aquatic Development, Taipei’s Seafood Mecca

Anping Old Street (& other things to do in Anping, Tainan)

The “Big Five” Night Markets in Tainan & What to Eat at Each One

Shenkeng Old Street: A Food Tour of Taipei’s Stinky Tofu Village

Yongkang Street, Taipei for Foodies: Best Teahouses, Mango Ice, and More

Taiwan Street Food Bucket List: 101 Taiwanese Foods To Try

A Food Tour of Burma Street in Zhonghe, New Taipei City

When to visit taiwan.

Deciding on a season or month for your trip to Taiwan is the first step to planning your Taiwan travels, and thus the first topic to cover in this Taiwan traveling guide. To make things easier, I’ve written this dedicated guide to the best time to visit Taiwan . In it, you’ll find a description of every season and month of the year in Taiwan, and links to my 12 individual guides for visiting Taiwan in every month of the year. I update these articles constantly to add upcoming events and Taiwan travel news.

To summarize that article for you here, there’s no real “high” or “low” season for travel to Taiwan; each season of the year comes with some ups and downs. Summer is extremely hot and humid and comes with the chance of typhoons, but it’s also the best time for Taiwan’s beaches , outlying islands , and water-based activities.

Meanwhile, winter can be gray and chilly, but is the best time for hot springs and seeing cherry blossoms. Be careful if planning a trip around Chinese New Year , as many things will close (see my list of attractions and what days they close ), and it can be really difficult to travel around when half the country is on the road. Spring has warm weather but also a mini rain season, while autumn is my personal favorite for these reasons .

Below you’ll also find my individual guides to each season in Taiwan. But don’t fret too much about it; if you can only visit at a certain time of the year, there’s really no bad time to be in Taiwan!

The Best Time to Visit Taiwan: A Month-by-Month Guide

2024 Chinese New Year in Taiwan: Tips for Visiting & Things to Do

Summer in Taiwan: Everything You Need to Know

Winter in Taiwan (Xmas, NYE, LNY & Where to See Snow!)

Spring in Taiwan: Everything You Need to Know

Autumn in Taiwan: Everything You Need to Know

Best taiwan travel deal.

Who doesn’t want to find a good deal when traveling to Taiwan? Here are some of the websites and services I regularly use for planning my Taiwan travels:

• Klook : Get big discounts on everything from High Speed Rail & attraction tickets to restaurant vouchers and guided tours. Sign up with this link to get a free TWD100 credit !
• KKday : While Klook is a Hong Kong compared, KKday is the Taiwan version of it. Some activities are the same as Klook, while some are unique. I prefer Klook because KKday sometimes has poor English, but I still sometimes use KKday for things that Klook doesn’t have. 
• Booking : My preferred site for finding the best hotel deals in Taiwan.
• Agoda : Some users say they find cheaper prices on Agoda for Asian destinations, including Taiwan.
• Cookly : Find the best cooking courses in Taiwan.

These are some examples of great travel deals you can find on Klook:

Taiwan Travel Passes

One way to save money on travel around the world nowadays is by using city travel passes. Taiwan has a few available, but in order for them to actually save you money, you have to understand how they work, and get the right one for your needs.

Here are some travel passes in Taiwan that you may consider getting:

Taiwan Fun Passes

These 1 to 3-day passes include all transportation in and around Taipei, entrance fees to a long list of attractions, and some tourist shuttle buses for day trips out of Taipei. The most popular one is the Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass , which you can buy here .

Read my detailed review of all the Taipei Fun Passes to see how they work and determine if any of them will be worth it for your Taiwan trip. It only makes sense to get one if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing and MRT riding in Taipei in 1-3 days. Otherwise, I recommend just getting an EasyCard.

You’ll get a TWD 100 credit toward your Fun Pass if you sign up for Klook with this link first before booking!

I haven’t reviewed it yet, but there is a new Klook Taipei Pass . This one is for attractions only, but you have more time to use it, so it’s better for people who will have more time in the city.

Don’t confuse Taipei Fun Passes with the EasyCard , which is what everyone in Taipei uses to swipe onto the MRT and city buses. Read my detailed EasyCard guide for more info than I’ll provide here.

Taipei Fun Passes are designed for tourists, while the EasyCard is a reloadable card used by everyone else, including tourists who don’t get a Taipei Fun Pass. They cost TWD 100 (you can no longer get this deposit back), plus whatever money you load onto them. You can swipe them to ride the MRT in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, all city buses in Taiwan, some ferries, and to pay for taxis, items in convenience stores, and more. 

You can get an EasyCard from any MRT station, including the Taoyuan Airport MRT station, and load money onto it.  You can also order an EasyCard for pickup when you arrive in Taiwan . 

Sun Moon Lake Passes

The other place you will find travel passes in Taiwan is at Sun Moon Lake , one of the country’s most popular attractions (we’ll get to those below). There are numerous Sun Moon Lake passes to choose from, and you can buy them from 7-Eleven iBon machines or from train stations in Taichung, the nearest major city.

Like the Taipei Fun Passes, these only save you money if you use them for enough avtivities. Most also include transportation to and from Taichung.

Learn all about the passes and how to use them in my Sun Moon Lake Pass review . Note that these pass prices and what they include are often changing.

Taipei Fun Pass: Is it Worth the Money?

Sun Moon Lake Pass: Is it Worth the Money? (updated 2024)

Best sim card and wifi device.

There’s no doubt that having an Internet connection while traveling in Taiwan is super convenient. You can check GoogleMaps to find the way, communicate with hotels, find bus times, etc. Nowadays, it’s pretty much essential. 

A SIM card is the best idea in my opinion, but some people also go for an eSIM like this or pocket Wifi device . I compare all three in my guides to SIMs for Taiwan and eSIMs for Taiwan . 

I recommend pre-ordering your SIM card for pickup when you arrive at Taoyuan International Airport. If you go with a WiFi device, then I recommend this one . Note the pick up times – if you arrive in the middle of the night, you may have to pick one up in the city.

You’ll get a TWD 100 credit toward your Taiwan SIM card or WiFi device if you  sign up for Klook with this link  first before booking it.

Another option that I have yet to fully understand myself is  eSIMs for Taiwan  – especially considering that the newest iPhones don’t even have SIM card slots anymore. If you are tech-savvy, check them out!

Taipei: The Tantalizing Capital of Taiwan

In some countries, you want to get out of the capital as soon as you arrive. This is not the case with Taipei . For most visitors to Taiwan, I recommend budgeting at least two full days for Taipei City alone, plus add 1-2 more days for day trips from Taipei (even more if you can!)

Taipei is always buzzing with activity; by day, you’ve got atmospheric historical neighborhoods to explore, towering Taipei 101, landmark Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Beitou Hot Springs, Maokong Gondola, Longshan Temple , and hikes in the hills (and volcanoes!) surrounding the city. After the sun goes down, it’s time to eat ’til you drop in the city’s famed night markets : the most famous ones are Shilin, Raohe, Ningxia, Tonghua, Nanjichang, and Huaxi Night Market .

As if that weren’t enough, Taipei is incredibly safe, and getting around is a breeze on the MRT, one of the best metro systems in the world.

Things to Do & Taipei Itineraries

Here is the most popular article on my website: 50+ awesome things to do in Taipei . For the less famous spots, see my off-the-beaten-track guide to Taipei . Below I’ve also linked to all my Taipei articles.

Besides the below articles, I’ve also got guides to spending one day in Taipei and how to plan a Taipei layover on my other website, TaiwanObsessed.

50 Unmissable Things to Do in Taipei in 2024

How to Spend 2 Awesome Days in Taipei

How to Spend 3 Awesome Days in Taipei

How to Spend 4 Awesome Days in Taipei

The above itineraries will make things easier for those will little time for planning. But my recommendations for Taipei don’t stop there.

For people who want to dig a little deeper and further customize the Taipei portion of their Taiwan trip, here some useful resources that further explore how much Taipei has to offer, including its best temples , night markets , hikes , and beaches .

Also see the my post below for the best times of the year to visit Taipei; the weather of Taipei is quite different to that of other parts of Taiwan, so if your trip to Taiwan is mainly focused on Taipei, you’ll find this article more useful than my “Best time to visit Taiwan” article I linked to above.

The Best Time to Visit Taipei City: An Insider’s Guide

Hiking in Taipei: My 21 Favorite Taipei Hikes

The Best Cat Cafes in Taipei, the Birthplace of Cat Cafe Culture

30 Jaw-Dropping Temples in Taipei and New Taipei City

7 Beaches around Taipei You Can’t Miss

Coolest neighborhoods & where to stay.

Deciding where to stay in Taipei can be rather intimidating, as there are so many cool neighborhoods to choose from.

Let me make life easier for you by breaking it down to the best neighborhoods to stay in Taipei , with my hotel recommendations for each one. For each area of Taipei, I’ve included hotel recommendations for budget, mid-range, and luxury travelers, also pointing out which ones are suitable for travelers with kids. I’ve also got specific guides to the best hostels and luxury hotels in Taipei.

Besides my “where to stay in Taipei” article below, I’ve got detailed guides to some of my personal favorite neighborhoods in Taipei: Beitou for hot springs, historic Dadaocheng , and funky, gay-friendly Ximending . Start planning your walking tours with these guides!

If you have a very early or late flight, here are my recommended hotels in and around Taoyuan Airport .

Where to Stay in Taipei in 2024 (by area & budget)

The Ultimate Beitou Hot Spring Guide (2024 info!)

A Guide to Dihua Street in Dadaocheng, Taipei’s Oldest Street

30 Fun (& WEIRD) Things to Do in Ximending, Taipei

Day trips from taipei.

When deciding how long to stay in Taipei, you have to factor in that there some really incredible day trips from the city!

I normally recommend that, if you can, dedicate two full days to exploring Taipei, then another one or two days for day trips. If you only have one day in your Taiwan travel plan to do a day trip from Taipei, I would suggest that you plan it carefully. This way, you’ll be able to squeeze in several of my recommended 40 day trip ideas into one day.

The following five stops are some of the most popular day trips from Taipei, and since they are all fairly close together, you can combine them into one killer day trip from Taipei. There are even some shuttle buses deals like this that can make this even easier to accomplish.

• Jiufen : A former gold mining town on top of a mountain, famous for its atmospheric staircases and teahouses
• Shifen Waterfall : The widest in Taiwan, accessed from a cute train station where people set off sky lanterns
• Houtong : The “Cat Village”, literally a village full of cats
• Keelung : A harbor city with the best night market in Taiwan, forts, beach, and more
• Yehliu Geopark : Odd, wind-blown rock formations on the coast
• Tamsui : A popular riverside promenade with unique foods, beaches, and picturesque colonial forts

If you don’t want to drive or figure out public transportation, there’s an awesome English service called Parkbus Taiwan , which takes guests on day trips from the city for hiking and other activities. Use my discount code “ Spiritual10 ” at checkout to get 10% (may not be available for some events). 

There are practically unlimited day trip possibilities from Taipei. This is why myself and so many other expats love living in Taipei; you get the excitement of the city, but you can go somewhere different every weekend. Because Taiwan is so small, and thanks to its amazing transportation system and the High Speed Rail, you can go almost anywhere in Taiwan in a day or weekend trip. 

20+ Fun Things to Do in Keelung, Northern Taiwan’s Port City

40 Day Trips from Taipei You Can’t Miss

Getting from Taipei to Jiufen and Shifen (with pictures and times)

Jiufen Old Street: A 2024 Guide to this Classic Taipei Day Trip

Tamsui, Taiwan: Fishermen’s Wharf, Old Street, & other Things to Do

Wulai Hot Spring & Old Street: A 2024 Guide

Planning your trip around taiwan.

One of the hardest parts of planning a Taiwan trip is mapping out the perfect Taiwan travel itinerary .

What a lot of people do is book their trip first, and then realize they didn’t budget enough time for everything they want to see. Moreover, some of the best things to do in Taiwan are on opposite coasts, with 3000-meter mountains between them!

For example, many people only schedule around one week for their Taiwan trip. Then they decide they want to visit Taipei, Taroko Gorge on the east coast, and Sun Moon Lake and/or Alishan , which are in Central Taiwan but accessed from the west coast. On the map, these three top scenic attractions in Taiwan look fairly close together. But guess what? There are no buses that cross the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan. You can do it in a car, but the road is super winding and takes a long time.

So what I see a lot of visitors doing is going from Taipei to Taroko Gorge first (2.5 to 4 hours on the train, one way). Then they have to return to Taipei, and then travel a similar amount of time down the west coast to reach Sun Moon Lake and/or Alishan. It’s certainly possible, but it means you have to use up an entire day of your trip on the road.

How can you resolve this common Taiwan travel dilemma? I feel the answer is in planning your trip better before you book it, so that you can budget enough days to travel all the way around Taiwan and see everything that you want to without rushing. Which leads to the next important question: 

How Long Do I Need to Visit Taiwan?

With a week or less, you will probably only have time to visit Taipei, including some day trips, and perhaps do a 1 or 2-night trip to Taroko Gorge on the East Coast, or Taichung, Sun Moon Lake, and/or Alishan in Central Taiwan (and this would be really rushed).

If you want to do a full circle around Taiwan, these are the most obvious destinations along the way, going in a clockwise direction around Taiwan by riding the train: Taipei, Hualien (Taroko Gorge), Taitung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, Taichung, and back to Taipei.

To do this, you are going to need two weeks or more . With exactly two weeks, you may even have to cut out one or two of the above stops, otherwise you’ll just be checking in and out of hotels every day or two.

With even more time, you can be less rushed, and potentially add more stops, such as the beaches of Kenting on the southern tip of the island (as a side trip from Kaohsiung), Lukang, spend more time in laid-back Taitung, or visit some of the offshore islands, like Green Island, Orchid Island, or Penghu. This is why I think 3 weeks is a great amount of time for visiting Taiwan, and if you can go even longer, all the better!

Taiwan Travel Itineraries

Here are my recommend itineraries for traveling around Taiwan.

The five-day itinerary is for a very short visit, while the second article provides Taiwan itineraries for 1, 2, or 3 weeks. These are tried-and-tested itineraries that I have done in some form or another several times, including with my kids (see more on that below)!

The itineraries for 2 weeks and up involve doing a full circle around Taiwan mostly by train, with a few buses as well. See the end of this article for more information on transportation options for getting around Taiwan.

A Taiwan Itinerary for 1, 2, or 3 weeks (Slow & Fast Options!)

A Simple Taipei & Taiwan 5 Day Itinerary

Visiting taiwan with kids.

My kids Sage and Lavender were born and spent the first handful of years of their life in Taiwan. They’ve seen more of the country than most visitors ever will!

Below are my super detailed guides to visiting Taipei with kids and how to plan a complete circle around Taiwan with kids . The latter article is very similar to my above Taiwan itinerary for 1-3 weeks, but with tweaks along the way to focus on sights that my kids loved the most, as well as recommendations for kid-friendly hotels in each stop along the way.

You may also be interested in the best amusement parks in Taiwan , where to see capybaras in Taiwan , and my guide to Yilan, the “kid-friendly county” .

Taiwan with Kids: How to Plan a Round-Island Trip

Taipei with Kids in 2024: Ideas from a Local Family

Best attractions around taiwan.

When trying to decide which destinations in Taiwan to include on your itinerary, it will be useful to take a deeper look at each of them to decide which ones are for you.

I’ll start with a list of some of the top scenic attractions. These five are the most common stops that people include on their Taiwan itineraries. I’ll follow that up with the best cities in Taiwan besides Taipei, best hot springs in Taiwan, best off-the-beaten track places to visit, and finally the  offshore islands of Taiwan . Again, these are described in clockwise order going around Taiwan.

Top Scenic Attractions in Taiwan

• Taroko Gorge : dramatic canyon in beautiful Hualien County  (currently closed indefinitely due to April 2024 earthquake)
• Taitung : Laid-back, rural corner of Taiwan, including the famous Brown Boulevard Cycling Path
• Kenting : Beaches on the southern tip of Taiwan
• Alishan : Mountain resort in Nantou famous for huge trees, high mountain tea, and sunrises above seas of clouds
• Cingjing (Qingjing) Farm : A high mountain farm and resort village that looks like a slice of Europe in Taiwan
• Hehuanshan : The best place to see snow in Taiwan (usually possible in January to March)
• Yushan : Tallest mountain in Taiwan and Northeast Asia, requires permits and planning to climb
• Sun Moon Lake : Beautiful lake surrounded by mountains

Here are my extremely detailed guides to the ones that almost all visitors try to include on their Taiwan travel itinerary:

A 2024 Guide to Taroko Gorge and Taroko National Park

Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan: A 2024 Visitors’ Guide

A Guide to Chishang, Taitung and Cycling Brown Boulevard

Alishan, Taiwan: A Super Detailed 2024 Guide

40 Unmissable Things to Do in Hualien, Taiwan

30 Incredible Things to Do in Taitung, Southeastern Taiwan

Best cities in taiwan.

Besides Taipei, which is a given, city lovers are going to find there are a few other cities they may want to include on their Taiwan travel itinerary. You can see my above-linked Taiwan travel itineraries to see how to fit these cities into your schedule.

Since there is one only train line around Taiwan, you’ll have to pass through all of them anyway if doing a full circuit around Taiwan. Since most cities in Taiwan are located on the developed west coast, the below are in counter-clockwise order. The varying time to reach them depends on whether you take the regular train/bus or the much faster High Speed Rail.

• New Taipei City : Taiwan’s largest city literally surrounds Taipei and is home to many of the most popular day trips from Taipei .
• Taoyuan : Best known for the international airport, consider stopping here to visit the impressive Xpark Aquarium on the way to/from the airport.
• Taichung : 1 – 2 hours south of Taipei on the west coast and the largest city in central Taiwan. Known for its artistic attractions like Rainbow Village , Gaomei Wetland , and as the birthplace of pearl milk tea.
• Lukang : 2-3 hours south of Taipei. Historic city famous for its traditional culture, food, and Old Street, and home to one of the most important temples in the country.
• Tainan : 1.75 – 5 hours south of Taipei on the west coast of southern Taiwan. Former capital of Taiwan famous for its temples , night markets , and considered by locals as the food capital of Taiwan.
• Kaohsiung : 2 – 6 hours south of Taipei in the southwest of Taiwan and end of the High Speed Rail line. Port city known for its revitalized harbor front, night markets , street art and Pier 2 Art Center , and the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan, Foguangshan . Here are my recommended hotels in Kaohsiung .
• Hualien : 2.5 – 4 hours from Taipei, only major city on the wild, scenic east coast of Taiwan. Mostly people stay in the city to visit nearby Taroko Gorge, but the city has a good night market and opportunities to experience Taiwanese aboriginal culture, such as this aboriginal cooking course .
• Taitung : 3.5 – 6 hours from Taipei, small city known for its aboriginal culture and end-point of most road trips down the east coast of Taiwan

Lukang Old Street (& other Things to Do in Lukang, Taiwan)

Gaomei Wetlands in Taichung: A Detailed Visitor’s Guide

A Detailed Hualien Itinerary for 1-4 Days

Fo Guang Shan, Kaohsiung: How to Visit and Stay at Taiwan’s Biggest Monastery

70 Things to Do in Tainan, Taiwan’s Ancient Capital

Our Visit to Rainbow Village Taichung (before it was destroyed)

50+ Things to Do in Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan

A Guide to Pier 2 Art Center in Kaohsiung City’s Harbor

25 Unique Things to Do in Taichung, Taiwan

20+ Awe-Inspiring Temples in Tainan, Taiwan

Best hot springs in taiwan.

I happen to be a hot spring lover. Because Taiwan sits on the meeting point of two major tectonic plates, the island is geologically active, with dormant volcanoes and over 100 major hot springs! The most famous is surely Beitou Hot Spring in Taipei , while Wulai , Jiaoxi , and Jinshan can be visited as day trips from Taipei.

Here is my detailed guide to the 20 best hot springs in Taiwan , including information on hot spring etiquette.

The 20 Best Hot Springs in Taiwan for a Blissful Winter Soak

Jiaoxi Hot Spring: A Guide to My Favorite Spa Village in Taiwan

Lovely Tai’an Hot Spring in Miaoli, Taiwan

Wenshan Hot Spring: Taroko Gorge’s Spectacular Secret

Off-the-beaten-track places to visit in taiwan.

Just to make things more difficult for you, besides the many must-see places to visit in Taiwan I mentioned above, which already require at least two weeks to visit, there are loads of off-the-beaten-path destinations that are just as worthwhile.

Serious off-the-beaten track travelers should head to my other site, where I’ve got guides to relatively unexplored cities and counties like Taoyuan , Hsinchu , Yilan , Miaoli , Changhua , Yunlin , and Pingtung . I’ve also got this guide to  off-the-beaten-track things to do in Taipei .

The below are articles cover some of the more remote or less visited (by foreign tourists) places in Taiwan. These are just the tip of the iceberg, but they are some of my personal favorites.

Depending on what kind of traveler you are, these may appeal to you more than the “must see” attractions I covered above!

The Stunning East Coast of Taiwan Part 1: Yilan to Hualien and Taroko Gorge

Is Sicao Green Tunnel in Tainan Worth the Trip?

Strawberry Picking at a Strawberry Farm in Dahu, Taiwan

The Stunning Qigu Salt Mountain and Jingzijiao Wapan Salt Fields in Tainan

50+ Fun Things to Do in Yilan, Taiwan (2024 Updated!)

Quirky Xitou Monster Village in Nantou, Taiwan

A Guide to Luye & the Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival 2024

A Guide to Dulan, Taitung: Taiwan’s Coolest Beach Hangout

The Stunning East Coast of Taiwan Part 2: Hualien to Taitung and Kenting

Anping Tree House: How to Visit this Must-See Tainan Attraction

The offshore islands of taiwan.

Yet another list of places you’ll want to visit during your Taiwan travels is the offshore islands. However, a visit to any of the offshore islands is like a trip within a Taiwan trip; visiting most of them involves a little more planning and time. 

There are about half a dozen main ones to choose from. Also, the offshore islands are best visited in spring, summer (high season due to domestic tourists, but can be very hot), and early fall. In winter, they become very windy (especially Penghu) and/or many traveler’s services totally shut down (especially Orchid Island ).

The first four below are most commonly reached by ferry, with Xiao Liuqiu being the closest to the Taiwan mainland. Orchid Island also has the option of flights in very small airplanes from Taitung, while Penghu has regular flights from Taipei and other cities in Taiwan. Kinmen and Matsu are much closer to China than Taiwan (they are so close to it that you can see China from their shores), so they require flights.

Here are the small islands of Taiwan that you may want to visit someday.

• Green Island : Off Taitung’s coast, best for scenery and snorkeling or scuba diving, and a saltwater hot spring.
• Orchid Island : Harder to reach/plan, and home to Taiwan’s most remote aboriginal tribe.
• Xiao Liuqiu : Snorkeling with sea turtles, and easily done as a day trip from Kaohsiung. 
• Cijin : A long, skinny island protecting Kaohsiung’s huge harbor.
• Penghu : Best for beaches, sailing, island hopping and a fireworks festival.
• Kinmen : Much closer to China than Taiwan, known for military history and Kaohliang, a strong liquor.
• Matsu : Also very close to China, known for its tunnels and forts.

Orchid Island, Taiwan: A Detailed 2024 Guide

How to Visit Cijin Island in Kaohsiung City’s Port

A 2024 Guide to Xiaoliuqiu Island, a Turtle Spotting Hot Spot

A 2024 Guide to Penghu Islands, Taiwan’s Offshore Paradise

Transportation: how to get around taiwan.

Taiwan has an amazing transportation system, and getting around the country is a breeze thanks to its extremely reliable metros, buses, and railway systems.

It is still important to understand some things about getting around Taiwan, though, in order to avoid disruptions on your trip (like finding out all the trains to your next stop are sold out!)

If you follow my Taiwan itineraries, you’ll mostly be taking trains around Taiwan, with some exceptions. Getting to Alishan is more complicated, as it can involve a train, bus, or combination of the two. Sun Moon Lake and Kenting are also only accessed by bus. Luckily, you don’t need to book any of these bus rides in advance.

See here if you’d like to find a private driver in Taiwan .

Getting Around Taipei

Upon arriving at Taoyuan International Airport, you can takes a bus (TWD135, 1 hour), the new Airport MRT (TWD 165, 35-50 min), or a taxi (TWD1000-1500, 45 min to 1 hr) to Taipei.

I recommended  pre-booking a private transfer to your hotel , which is usually a little cheaper than taking a taxi. Also see my more detailed guide to getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei . If your flight is very early or late, stay in one of these airport hotels .

The MRT is the lifeline and pride of Taipei. It is considered one of the best metro systems in the world. You’ll love it, and use it to get almost everywhere you go in Taipei.

In order to ride the MRT, it’s best to get an EasyCard from any station (or order it before your trip ) and load some money onto it. This makes it easy to swipe in & out. You have to pay a TWD non-refundable deposit plus however much you want to load onto the card.

The EasyCard also works for buses and taxis in Taipei, ferries in Tamsui, and local buses in cities across the country. It can also be used on the Taichung and Kaohsiung MRT, and regular/local train tickets between cities that don’t require seat reservations. Note that for most long distance buses or trains, you won’t be able to use it.

Taxis are also cheap and plentiful in Taipei. Taipei has Uber, too, but it often isn’t any cheaper than taxis. Taxi drivers speak varying levels of English, and some not at all, so it’s a good idea to have your destination written in Mandarin when taking local taxis. Taxi drivers in Taiwan are honest and won’t try to scam you or rip you off.

Taking the Regular Train (TRA) around Taiwan

The regular (TRA) train does a full circle around Taiwan. Tickets can be booked online  up to exactly 28 days in advance (or 29 days for Saturday trips and 30 days for Sunday trips). See details and screenshots for how to book train tickets online or on the app .

Trains sell out in Taiwan very often, especially on weekends and holidays. Sometimes they even sell out minutes after they go on sale, such as for long weekends, or for very popular rides (like the express train from Taipei to Hualien/Taroko Gorge).

For this reason, it’s very important to book your tickets in advance. Note that 28 days in advance means the tickets go on sale at precisely 12:00 a.m. (midnight). For example, if you want to travel on September 28, you should try to book your ticket at 12:00 a.m. on September 1, which is actually the night of August 31, Taiwan time of course.

If your train sells out, don’t freak out. You can always buy standing tickets on most trains. A lot of people do this, and just stand in the aisle or sit on the floor between train cars (see which ones below). It’s not comfortable for a long ride, but at least you’ll get there. Another option is to try a different time, or take a bus (but beware that there are very few buses running down the east coast).

Note that you are allowed to eat and drink on trains in Taiwan, and they all have toilets on board. You can even discreetly drink a beer on Taiwan trains, although most train station 7-Elevens no longer sell them. But be warned that Taiwanese people tend to be very quiet (and often sleep) on buses and trains, and they don’t appreciate noisy passengers. To be respectful, keep talking to a whisper, or just don’t talk at all. I can’t say how many times we have been “shhed” just for having a conversation at a reasonable volume on buses or trains in Taiwan.

There are different types of TRA trains in Taiwan, and it’s useful to know the names of them when searching for train times. Here they are:

• Local Train (區間車): Slowest, stops at every small stop, cheapest, least comfortable, and you can sit or stand anywhere. Buy ticket at station or swipe with EasyCard.
• Chu Kuang Express (莒光號): Regular trains that circle around Taiwan. Reserved seats, but you can always buy standing tickets from the train station ticket window.
• Tze-Chiang (Express / 自強號 ): Same as the above, but faster and fewer stops. Standing tickets also possible.
• Taroko / Puyuma Express (太魯閣號): Super express train from Taipei to Taroko Gorge/Hualien. Reserved seats only, and always sells out very quickly.
• Tze Chiang Lmt. Express 3000 ( 自強EMU3000 ): A new express train that is also reserved seats only.

The High Speed Rail (HSR)

Taiwan has a Japanese-made high speed rail (HSR) sytem. The single line has 12 stops along the highly developed west coast of Taiwan, from Taipei city in the north to Kaohsiung city (called Zuoying Station) in the south. 

The first station in Taipei is Nangang, while Taipei Main Station is the most useful, and connects to the Taipei City MRT, regular (TRA) trains, and Airport MRT. Banqiao is located in New Taipei City (the large city that surrounds Taipei City), and Taoyuan is close to the Taoyuan International Airport. To get to Taoyuan HSR station from the airport, you have to ride the Airport MRT a few stops in the opposite direction from Taipei.

Generally speaking, HSR tickets costs about twice as much as the regular train, but get you there twice as fast.

It’s important to note, however, that in most cities, the HSR station is located outside of the city center, just like airports tend to be, so you have to factor in time (and money) to get to the city center once you arrive. This is the case for every stop except for Taipei.

In some cases, though, the location of the HSR station can be more useful. For example, in Taichung, the HSR station is closer to Rainbow Village, and has direct buses to Sun Moon Lake. Similarly, in Chiayi, you can catch a bus directly from the HSR station to Alishan, and thus avoid going into Chiayi City. In Kaohsiung, the HSR station is right beside Lotus Lake, one of the city’s top attractions. To get to the Kaohsiung City center, you just have to hop onto the KMRT.

You can buy HSR tickets online up to 28 days in advance, and buying them early usually gets you an early bird price. 

You can also buy discounted HSR tickets on Klook  – buying them here allows you to get the early bird discount even when you’ve missed it on the official site. Note that if you buy your tickets on Klook, you have to follow the instructions provided to actually book your seat after you receive the voucher. You can do this online or in person at the station. You’ll need to show your passport. Note that this Klook deal is for short term tourists only; residents/ARC-holders aren’t supposed to buy them.

Unlike TRA trains, the HSR has three cars (#10-12) of unreserved seats. This means you can show up at an HSR station anytime and buy an unreserved ticket at full price from one of the machines. These never sell out.

You aren’t guaranteed a seat, but you can often get one. The only time when demand is crazy high is Lunar New Year and on long weekends, and even then, we’ve always managed to get on without waiting too long.

Special Trains in Taiwan

Besides MRTs (city metros), TRA trains, and the HSR, there are a few special small-gauge train lines in Taiwan. Mostly these are restored old trains that run along former logging lines, built by the Japanese when they were logging during their colonial rule of Taiwan. They tend to be fun and highly scenic rides for tourists.

Here are some of these special small train lines that you may encounter or seek out on your trip:

• Pingxi Line : this small train line provides access to some of the most popular day trips from Taipei, including Houtong, Shifen, and Pingxi. Most people board it at Ruifang, which has direct connections to Taipei by bus or TRA train.
• Alishan Forest Railway : This is the most interesting way to get from the city of Chiayi to the mountain resort of Alishan. However, the final section was destroyed in a typhoon, so you have to take a bus for the final leg. There are also parts of the train line running to scenic spots within Alishan National Scenic Area. You can find all the relevant information in my guide to getting to Alishan .
• Neiwan, Jiji, and Bong Bong Lines : These are three more scenic small train lines that far few foreign tourists ever make it to. They are in Hsinchu, Changhua, and Yilan (on top of Taipingshan Mountain), respectively. 

Buses in Taiwan

There are some cases where you will need to take buses in Taiwan. Here are a few common routes that many visitors take: 

• In Taipei City, you’ll need to take buses for getting to Yangmingshan National Park or to National Palace Museum
• You’ll also need to ride buses to popular day trip places in New Taipei City, like for getting to Jiufen or Yehliu Geopark. You can swipe EasyCard for all of the above.
• Buses are the only direct way for getting from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake , Sun Moon Lake to Alishan , and Chiayi to Alishan . Click these links to find out how to book them.
• You’ll also need to ride the Kenting Express bus from Kaohsiung to Kenting National Park .
• Buses also run between all major cities on the west coast of Taiwan. They are cheaper but usually a little slower than the train. There are no buses from Taipei to Hualien on the east coast.

Final Thoughts on Planning a Taiwan Trip

Well, I hope you’ve found more than enough information in my Taiwan travel blog for planning your trip. Taiwan remains largely closed to international visitors for the time being, but hopefully big changes are on the horizon.

Please feel free to check back again, as I’m constantly updating my Taiwan travel content to reflect the current situation. And if you’ve got any questions, please join my Taiwan Travel Planning group and I’ll answer them there!

Travel, Health & Lifestyle Blog

Namaste to Nihao

travel, HEALTH & lifestyle blog

Travel, Health & Lifestyle blog

We're Jade & Deeshen — travel & lifestyle bloggers and writers. We're here to help you make your life nourished with travel, health rituals, and joy. We are seekers on a F.I.R.E. journey who are passionate about travel, food, and health. As a couple, we value creating authentic relationships and building a genuine community around the world to help people like you grow in life holistically. We prefer exploring cities and nature at sunrise when it's peaceful, empty and magical.  Join us on the journey to fall in love with travel, food and health as a life long learner!

Learn more about us

Is Taiwan safe to travel right now? | Latest Taiwan Safety Insider Tips

February 15, 2024

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Is it safe to travel in Taiwan? Taiwan is ranked as the third-safest country in the world, with minimal crime rates, and a welcoming atmosphere for travelers. It is extremely safe for travelers and an easy country to travel around. As far as crime, you might be surprised, violent and petty crime barely exists in Taiwan. It is important to acknowledge that Taiwan is a very safe country. Nonetheless, there are a few possible risks, both natural and man-made. Learn about these in advance to increase the safety of your travel to Taiwan! Planning a Taiwan trip? Read our in-depth Taiwan Itinerary Guide for 7 to 10 day to know exactly where to travel.

Is Taiwan safe to travel alone?

Without a doubt. Solo travelers, including women, can explore Taiwan with confidence, thanks to its safe streets and friendly locals. We’ve traveled all over Taiwan, including Taipei, other big cities and remote villages, and always felt safe.

How safe is it for women to walk outside at night in Taiwan?

Having lived in Taiwan for over a year and traveled around Taiwan extensively, I felt extremely safe traveling as a woman alone. Violent crime, rape, and even petty crime (like pickpocketing or scams) are almost nonexistent. I’ve never been cat called while in Taiwan, whereas that was a regular occurrence growing up in America. This is one reason why I feel so safe as a woman traveling in Taiwan! It’s not just me, the LonelyPlanet even published an article stating that many solo women travelers reported feeling much safer traveling in Taiwan than in other countries. Taiwanese people in generally have a very simple peace loving culture, and are naturally helpful. When I walk around in Taiwan, I never hesitate to ask locals for help.

Is Taiwan safe for foreigners? Are locals friendly towards foreigners?

Taiwan is extremely welcoming for foreigners! As an American and a foreigner in Taiwan, I have found Taiwan not only safe but so welcoming! (so much so that we’ve even considered moving there) Locals are so kind, friendly, and caring. Locals have invited us to have tea with them while hiking, a Taiwanese auntie offered to show us around the neighborhood, a local Taiwanese uncle invited Deeshen to learn Taichi, and many locals have pointed us in the right direction when we were lost. Is Taiwan safe for Americans? We hear this question a lot. Taiwan is super safe for Americans. According to the U.S. Department of State , Taiwan’s travel advisory level is currently at one, which is the lowest and safest level. Is Taiwan safe for Singaporeans? Taiwan is super safe for Singaporeans. In fact, each year, tons of Singaporeans visit Taiwan. Singapore to Taiwan Visa Info .

But what if you don’t know how to speak Mandarin Chinese in Taiwan?

In Taiwan, most people speak Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese, however many locals understand basic English. While you should always learn a bit of the local language to enhance your experience, it’s very easy to get around Taiwan even if you don’t know any Chinese. Transportation signs are mostly written in both English and Chinese all across the country, and following Google maps is very reliable in Taiwan. Many small Taiwanese stalls may only speak Chinese, but you can easily point to something you want, and prices are always listed. Start planning your Taiwan trip with our Taiwan Itinerary guide . If you’re looking for a luxury, fully customized tour of Taiwan, I recommend  Life of Taiwan services. These are true experts on travel planning in Taiwan, how to cater to foreigners to experience Taiwan authentically. They are are some of the most knowledgeable in the industry. Not only do they provide personalized guides, cultural, and family tours of Taiwan, they also put you up in some of the most amazing hotels. If you contact them, please let them know that Jade and Deeshen from NamastetoNihao sent you over!

Is Taiwan safe to travel after the recent 2024 earthquake? Travel advice after Hualien earthquake.

Taiwan experienced a   7.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred off the coast of Taiwan on April 3rd, 2024 and many are asking if it’s still safe to travel to Taipei and Taiwan?  Despite the earth quake, travel in and out of Taiwan has remained uninterrupted and safe! The earthquare mostly impacted Hualien, a city near Taroko Gorge in the eastern part of Taiwan. All other major cities were not impacted, and had minimal damage; many people reported vases and cups falling in their homes. We have family in Taiwan in Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Keelung, and thankfully no one was impacted as well. Airlines like United Airlines and Eva Air spokesperson all said in a recent CNN interview that was “thankfully no impact” to its operations and that “all our people are safe.” The airlines confirmed that the natural disaster has not affected its current or future operations, and that all of its flights at Taoyuan International Airport (in Taipei) remain on schedule.

Taiwan’s major airports, ports, and railways are all operating normally in major cities, according to the Taiwan Tourism Administration. Hualien in eastern Taiwan is working diligently to restore transportation infrastructure damaged in recent events. Honestly, Asia (especially Japan, Korea and Taiwan) has one of the fastest response to restoring transportation after a natural disaster.

Is it safe to travel to Taiwan because of China?

Although tensions between Taiwan and China governments loom on the horizon, the likelihood of conflict or war remains remote and unlikely. In fact, the top nationalities of international visitors to Taiwan for tourism purposes are from China, Hong Kong, Japan, followed by South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, United States and Canada. Each year, more than 3 MILLION Chinese tourists from China visit Taiwan. It’s super safe to travel to Taiwan and it’s even ranked among within the top 5 safest countries in the world. While diplomatic tensions persist, Taiwan’s robust defense measures, close relations with the United States, and international support, provide reassurance against any potential threats. To better understand Taiwan and China relations, you’d have to understand a bit about Taiwan’s history.

Taiwan’s History

How much do you know about Taiwan history? Having lived in Taiwan and grown up in the United States, I know for a fact that many people around the world have no idea about Taiwan. Some people even confuse it with the country Thailand, which have completely different language and culture. Some only know what they hear on the news. If you’re traveling to Taiwan, here’s a quick summary of Taiwan’s history. Taiwan is a dynamic, modern democracy today with a free press. It is renowned for its amazing street cuisine, beautiful nature, friendly locals, and safety. It has been determined to be the best country to live in the world for foreigners. Additionally, it was the first nation in Asia to grant equal rights to gay marriage and has an annual PRIDE parade joined by groups from all over the country. Finally, Taiwan was a shining example of how effectively it handled the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dutch and Spanish temporarily conquered Taiwan, but the Portuguese are credited with naming it “Formosa,” or “beautiful island,” a title that lasted for centuries. Millions of people have migrated from China to Taiwan in the past 500 years, particularly from the southeast province of Fujian. For this reason, the Chinese dialect spoken in the Minnan area of Fujian is the same as “Taiwanese,” the native language of Taiwan. After centuries of being outside the purview of Chinese imperialism, Taiwan was occupied by the Japanese from 1895 until 1945. After losing to the Communist Party in the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the nationalist KMT party of the Republic of China fled to Taiwan with millions of other Chinese soldiers and refugees from all around China, carrying with them their food, culture, and language (Mandarin). They never succeeded in retaking China, despite their expectations. For this reason, Taiwan is still formally (and confusingly) known as the Republic of China, but as of just now, “Taiwan” is now printed in larger letters on passports. Taiwan’s first non-KMT party to win an election was the DPP in 2000. Tsai Ing-wen, the current president, is a member of the DPP party, which supports independence. There is still a great deal of friction in the relationship between China and Taiwan. China bullies Taiwan from joining the United Nations and World Health Organization, claims that Taiwan is a province of China, and forbids Taiwan from using the name “Taiwan” in international competitions such as the Olympics, forcing them to refer to their team as “Chinese Taipei.” However, the majority of Taiwanese regard Taiwan as an independent nation, and anyone who has visited both places understands how dissimilar they are. Taiwan is recognized officially by very few nations, yet it functions as an autonomous nation in almost all respects.

Is Taiwan LGBTQ friendly?

Taiwan has made significant strides in LGBTQ rights and is often regarded as one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in Asia. In 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, marking a historic milestone for LGBTQ rights in the region. This achievement not only reflects changing societal attitudes but also underscores Taiwan’s commitment to equality and inclusivity.

In addition to legal recognition of same-sex marriage, Taiwan’s LGBTQ community enjoys a vibrant and active presence in society. Taipei, in particular, is known for its lively LGBTQ scene, with numerous bars, clubs, and events catering to the community. The annual Taipei Pride Parade, one of Asia’s largest LGBTQ pride events, attracts thousands of participants from around the world and is joined by groups from all over the country. Taiwan embraces diversity and acceptance.

While LGBTQ rights have made significant progress in Taiwan, challenges may still exist in more conservative or rural areas. However, overall, Taiwan’s LGBTQ-friendly policies and inclusive atmosphere make it a welcoming destination for LGBTQ travelers seeking acceptance and celebration of their identities.

What about scams? Do I have to bargain when shopping as a foreigner?

Scams are very rare in Taiwan. The simple fact is Taiwanese people are a very practical and peace loving culture, there’s a lot of stability, and also honor in the culture. Taiwan also does not have a bargaining culture country. All items have a set price and are very reasonable, and the most you can haggle at the night market (if any) is maybe a small 5-10% discount. When I visited other countries like Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, and South Asia, you always had to bargain while shopping and prices could be inflated as much as 100%-500%. That has never been the case in Taiwan.

Taiwan Safety Concerns

While Taiwan’s safety record is commendable, there are still a few factors travelers should be mindful of to ensure a smooth journey.

Traffic Accidents: Road safety remains a concern, with a notable number of accidents occurring annually. Vigilance on the roads is paramount, as navigating Taiwan’s bustling thoroughfares requires caution.

Venomous Snakes and Bees: Though encounters with dangerous wildlife are rare, hikers should stay alert to signs of snakes and bees, particularly in remote areas. However, such encounters are infrequent, and the risk is minimal.

Food Poisoning: While Taiwan maintains high food safety standards, instances of food poisoning are very rare, but they can occur. We’ve never had any food poisoning in Taiwan, and we’ve ate from night markets and small stalls many times. We advise travlers to exercise caution if you see unsanitary places and trust your instincts when dining out.

Earthquakes: Taiwan’s seismic activity is a fact of life, with occasional earthquakes felt throughout the island. While earthquakes are more of an inconvenience than a threat, it’s wise to be prepared and aware of emergency protocols.

Typhoons: The typhoon season brings relief from scorching heat but also the potential for disruptive weather. Fortunately, severe storms are rare, and precautions can mitigate any risks.

The Bottom Line: Is it safe to travel in Taiwan?

Is Taiwan safe? Undoubtedly. While no destination is without its risks, Taiwan’s overall safety record and hospitable environment make it an ideal choice for travelers. By exercising caution and staying informed, visitors can enjoy a worry-free experience in this captivating island nation. Short Version FAQ About Safe Travels in Taiwan

Is Taiwan a safe place to go? Absolutely. Taiwan ranks among the safest destinations globally, with minimal crime rates and a welcoming atmosphere for travelers.

Is Taiwan safe to travel alone? Without a doubt. Solo travelers, including women, can explore Taiwan with confidence, thanks to its safe streets and friendly locals.

Is Taiwan friendly to foreigners? Yes. Taiwan’s cosmopolitan cities, particularly Taipei, embrace diversity and extend warm hospitality to visitors from all corners of the globe.

If you’re planning an upcoming Taiwan trip, be sure to take a look at my other Taiwan and Taipei travel guides so you don’t miss our favorite hidden gems! We’ve no doubt that Taiwan will leave a life changing mark on your journey! ★ Ultimate Taiwan Itinerary for 7 or 10 days : Take our Taiwan 7 day itinerary or 10 day itinerary to explore the best Taiwan attractions. This Guide includes the best things to do in Taipei, Kaoshiung, and Tainan on your unique Taiwan tour, what to see and eat. This one week Taiwan itinerary perfectly blends nature, culture, and culinary delights.

★ Houtong Cat Village : Immerse yourself in the adorable world of cats in this charming village. ★ Jiufen Food Heaven : Delve into the gastronomic delights of Jiufen, exploring its culinary treasures. ★ Pingxi Food Guide : Dive deeper into the culinary wonders of Pingxi with this dedicated blog on local food delights. ★ Pingxi Sky Lantern : Relive the magic of releasing sky lanterns in Pingxi and discover the beauty of this traditional festival.

★ Exploring Pinglin, Taiwan : Uncover the charm of Pinglin with its tea plantations and rich cultural heritage.

We always use this site for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform and great rewards. When we’re looking for a vacation rental, I compare Vrbo and Airbnb.

Hotels & Vacation Rentals

We use DiscoverCars, a highly-rated platform for booking rental cars around the world. It has a flexible free cancellation policy & often offers free additional drivers. 

Rental Cars

Trip is a highly rated platform to find the best deals on flights, and save big on your biggest expense of a trip. 

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We love using this site to book easy airport transfers, rides, and delivery in all countries. The drivers are pre-vetted and professional.  

Book a Bus/Train/Transfer

Travel insurance is essential for any trip! I use VisitorsCoverage, which has affordable rates and coverage for many counties and adventure sports.

Get Travel Insurance

Have a trip coming up soon?  There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. After traveling to dozens of countries and short term living abroad on several continents, here are some of our favorite websites and resources for planning unforgettable trips. ♥️

Essential Travel Resources

Use this company to get an eSIM for phone coverage while traveling—without getting a SIM card.

Best International Phone Plans

via Booking.com

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Find a Rental Car

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Have a trip coming up soon?   There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. After traveling to dozens of countries and short term living abroad on several continents, here are some of our favorite websites and resources for planning unforgettable trips. ♥️

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Thank you so much for sharing! Safety when traveling (especially as a female!) is always top of mind & you always hear mix things about this region. Happy to know I can safely keep Taiwan on my bucket list!

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Solo Travel In Taiwan: How To Have An Amazing Trip On Your Own

By Mariza Lange. This post on planning a solo trip to Taiwan contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Looking to experience solo travel in Taiwan ?

Then you’re in the right place!

Taiwan is a melting pot of history, food, culture, and stunning natural scenery. As a solo traveler, you’ll get to enjoy all of Taiwan’s best bits because the country is easy to get around, extremely safe, and affordable. 

While Taiwan has many beautiful spots off the main tourist track, these can be hard to reach for non-Chinese speakers.

Therefore, if this is your first visit to  Ilha Formosa , it’s wise to stick to bigger cities and major tourist spots for a stress-free trip.

Below, you’ll find a mix of the best places to add to your solo female travel in Taiwan bucket list. As a Taiwan local, I’m excited to share some of the unforgettable experiences you can have in this incredible country!

⏳Short on time? Here are some quick tips for traveling solo in Taiwan: ✈️ Airport Transfer: Book here ☔ Safety: Whether you’re traveling alone in Taiwan or elsewhere, it’s smart to pack travel safety essentials . One top pick is the She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm , which is TSA-approved and can help scare away potential attackers. Other recommendations include Clever Travel Companion Pickpocket-Proof Garments and Speakeasy Travel Supply Hidden Pocket Scarves . 🏨  Accommodation: This map  can help you pinpoint top-rated and budget-friendly accommodation in the Taiwanese cities you’re visiting solo. It’s currently set to the Taipei, but you can easily change it to your intended destination in Taiwan. 💸 Save Money: Klook Pass , which helps you save big while getting access to numerous activities with one pass 🎉 Experiences: Klook (very popular in Asia), GetYourGuide , and Viator 🥘 Culinary Experiences: EatWith (cooking classes, food tours & dining in local homes) 🏥  Travel Insurance:  SafetyWing 📞  Staying Connected:  Airalo eSIM

Table of Contents

Travel Solo In Taiwan With Confidence (Free Course!)

Now, before we dive into our solo travel to Taiwan guide, I invite you to grab a seat in Jessie’s  free Savvy Solo Traveler E-Course .

The six-day ecourse is designed to help you feel confident about booking your first solo trip and exploring the world alone.

Lessons include:

• Common solo travel fears and how to overcome them
• How to choose your perfect solo trip
• How to tell loved ones you’re hitting the road solo
• Mentally preparing for your solo journey without losing your mind
• Essential steps for staying safe on a solo trip
• How to take amazing solo selfies

Once you’ve  grabbed your seat , read on for our Taiwan travel guide sharing how to plan an unforgettable trip on your own.

Where Is Taiwan

The first part of traveling solo successfully involves having a lay of the land. So let’s start with a little geography lesson.

As you can see on the Google map above , Taiwan is an island located in the Pacific Ocean about 100 miles (160 kilometers) off the coast of southeastern China. It is seperated from China by the Taiwan Strait.

According to the BBC , China considers Taiwan a breakaway province it wants to retake; however, Taiwan — which has its own constitution, elected leaders, and military — believes it is its own sovereign state.

Solo Travel In Taiwan: Where To Go

One of the biggest benefits of solo travel is having ultimate freedom over your schedule.

Luckily, Taiwan is a multi-faceted island with loads to do and see. If you’re not sure where to start your solo adventure, here are the best places to go.  

Taipei (Taiwan’s capital city!)

No Taiwan solo travel itinerary would be complete without Taipei, the country’s bustling capital. It’s the perfect place to kickstart your trip and is often touted as one of the best places for solo travel in Asia .

Taipei is a city with many layers that definitely needs at least three or four days worth of exploring. The city has everything — landmarks, museums, temples, nightlife, and some of  Taiwan’s best night markets . 

Looking for fun things to do in Taipei alone? There are a few places you absolutely must explore.

Chaing Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a must-visit attraction and a great place to catch a glimpse into the country’s history.

The main hall houses a huge bronze statue of Chiang, Taiwan’s founding father, and every day on the hour, you can watch the changing of the guards here.

Make sure also to browse the main exhibition hall. Here you’ll find an interesting collection of memorabilia on Chiang’s life and Taiwan’s freedom struggles. 

Another must-visit attraction for history buffs is the National Palace Museum .

Located in the Shilin District, the National Palace Museum houses the world’s largest collection of Chinese artifacts spanning over 5000 years, with some 700,000 items on display.

It’s truly an unforgettable part of solo travel to Taipei, as one could easily spend hours admiring the ancient treasures.

Visit in the evening if you want to skip the hordes of tour groups. That way, you can also grab a bite at Shilin Night Market afterward. 

For the best view over the city, head to Taipei 101 — the world’s former tallest building. The tower is 1,667 feet (508 meters) high and sits right in the city’s financial hub, Xinyi.

The observation deck on the 89th floor offers a panoramic view of the entire city. Since it’s one of the most popular attractions in Taipei, be sure you grab a fast pass ticket to skip the long queues.

After admiring the views, refuel on some delicious  xiao long bao  (soup dumplings) at  Ding Tai Fung , Taiwan’s most famous Michelin Star Restaurant.

Finally, walk off those calories with a relatively easy — but steep — hike up Elephant Mountain . 

This will likely be a highlight of your Taipei solo travel experience as it awards an incredible vista over the city. Seeing the skyline combined with nature is a treat.

Be sure also to visit the districts of Daan and Ximending.

Yong Kang Street in Daan is a great spot for foodies, and you’ll find a myriad of cozy eateries and Instagrammable cafes here.

Ximending is Taipei’s hippest neighborhood boasting everything from colorful murals to cheap accommodation to Chinese knife massages, nightlife, and great shopping.

Just a few blocks from here, you can also slip into Longshan Temple — the oldest temple in the city. 

While there is plenty to keep solo travelers busy in Taipei, the city’s outskirts are just as stunning.

In Beitou , you can soak in steamy hot springs (both private and public) and visit the famous Hell Valley — a thermal springs pool with water temperatures reaching as high as 212°F (100℃)!

More adventurous solo travelers can hop on a train at Taipei Main Station to Ruifang District . The area is home to a whole host of cute villages, scenic hikes, and gorgeous waterfalls. Some of the best places to visit here include Houtong Cat Village , Shifen , and Jiufen . 

Taipei is truly a must-visit destination when traveling Asia ! And as you can see, solo travel in Taipei offers many fun experiences.

Taipei Tours: Click here for a full list of fun tours in Taipei .

Taipei Hotels: Click here for a full list of hotels in Taipei .

Taiwan’s second-largest city, Taichung, is another great place for solo travelers. The city is hip, trendy, and full of museums, beautiful parks, and quirky sites to explore. 

While Taichung is huge, the rapid bus transport system is a cheap and easy way for solo travelers to access all of the city’s best attractions.

The subway is still under construction, and to date, only the Green Line is in operation. The line runs from the Taichung HSR Station to Beitun, offering easy access to a couple of Taichung’s best attractions. These include the Taichung National Theatre , Taichung City Hall , and the Dakeng hiking trails . 

With that said, the first place that deserves a spot on your list of things to do is Rainbow Village — a former military dependents’ village turned Instagram hotspot. The village is entirely covered in colorful murals and is free to visit. 

Make sure to spend at least one full day in the city’s West District , a trendy neighborhood full of museums, art parks, and a great selection of cafes and eateries.

Visit the Natural Art Museum , Calligraphy Greenway , Shenji New Village , and the uber-cute Painted Animation Alley .

At night, snack your way through Taiwan’s biggest night market, Fengjia Night Market . 

In contrast, the Central District is a great place to experience authentic Taichung and explore a more historical side of the city.

Slip into Taichung Second Market for a local Taiwanese breakfast.

Afterward, be sure to browse the displays at the Taiwan Sun Cake Museum . The museum is housed in a beautiful red-brick building built during the Japanese occupation. 

Miyahara , a former eye clinic with Harry Potter-like interiors and delicious gourmet sweets and ice cream, is another place not to miss within the city center. 

If you get tired of the city, hop on a bus to Taiwan’s largest natural lake, Sun Moon Lake .

Boasting gorgeous alpine scenery and heaps of bike trails, it’s a perfect choice for nature-loving solo travelers. Cycling Sun Moon Lake also offers the opportunity to really take in the relaxing vibe of the area.

The best part is that the bus ride from Taichung takes just under two hours!

Snag the Sun Moon Lake Pass if you’re planning on visiting lots of attractions and want to save a bit of money. 

Taichung Tours: Click here for a full list of fun tours in Taichung .

Taichung Hotels: Click here for a full list of hotels in Taichung .

The next stop on your solo travel in Taiwan list should be Tainan. 

Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan, with a long history dating back to the Qing Dynasty. As a result, Tainan is a treasure trove for culture seekers.

The city is home to more than 1000 temples worshipping various deities, and you’ll find some of Taiwan’s most important historical landmarks within its borders. Some highlights include Chihkan Tower , Anping Old Fort , Chimei Museum , the Salt Museum , and the National Museum of Taiwan History . 

If history isn’t your thing, head over to Shennong Street — the city’s most Instagrammable lane. Here you’ll find an interesting mix of quirky shops, cozy cafes, and plenty of photo opportunities.

On the city’s outskirts, nature-loving solo travelers can also take a boat ride through the picturesque Sicao Green Tunnel or enjoy a mud bath at Guanziling Hot Spring . 

Tainan is also a haven for gourmands.

In fact, along the historic Anping Old Street , you can sample some of the city’s best local specialties, which several cultures have influenced. Don’t miss the almond tofu pudding, Danzai noodles, and coffin toast. 

Tainan Tours: Click here for a full list of fun tours in Tainan .

Tainan Hotels: Click here for a full list of hotels in Tainan .

Next up on your Taiwan solo trip itinerary is Kaohsiung — the island’s largest port. It lies in the southwestern part of the island and is easily accessed via high-speed rail, train, or bus. 

Kaohsiung is perfect for solo travelers as it has a well-planned metro system connecting you to all corners of the city.

Food and accommodation are also much cheaper in the south of Taiwan, making it a great destination for those traveling on a tighter budget . 

If you’ve arrived via high-speed rail, the very first stop on your must-see list is Lotus Pond .

This sprawling park houses several ancient temples. It’s also here where you’ll find one of Kaohsiung’s most iconic landmarks — the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. Legend has it that entering the site through the dragon’s mouth and exiting via the tiger’s mouth will reverse any bad luck. 

Spend at least half a day exploring the beautiful seaside park at Pier 2 Art Centre . Here you’ll find a collection of old warehouses that have been revamped into a vibrant artist hub.

There’s also a great deal to see and do in this area, from exhibitions and gigantic colorful murals to quirky outdoor art installations.

Pier 2 Art Center is quite big and while you could explore it on foot, renting a bike is a fun way to see all its best bits. 

Other must-dos include visiting the colorful Dome of Light — the world’s largest public art installation made from individual pieces of colored glass — and taking a romantic cruise on the Love River for picturesque views over the cityscape at night.

If you prefer to see the skyline from above, head to 85 Tower , the largest skyscraper in the city. 

Further afield, take a bus to Fo Guang Shan Monastery , the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan.

The sprawling grounds feature an enormous bronze Buddha statue and an eclectic mix of treasures within its exhibition halls.

The journey only takes about 40 minutes from Kaohsiung. If your solo itinerary is flexible, opt to stay overnight at the monastery to experience an authentic temple stay. 

Kaohsiung Tours: Click here for a full list of fun tours in Kaohsiung .

Kaohsiung Hotels: Click here for a full list of hotels in Kaohsiung .

Kenting National Park

If you want to spend a few days lounging on dreamy beaches or discovering the underwater world, Kenting is the place for you. It’s the perfect place for a solo beach trip .

Kenting is a beautiful, laid-back seaside village roughly two hours from Kaohsiung. The town is easily accessible by Express Bus, and a return ticket only costs NTD 600 (about $21.57 USD).

Kenting is extremely tourist-friendly, making it a great solo travel destination in Taiwan.

As a solo traveler, you’ll want to base yourself along the main tourist street. Here you’ll find some of the  best places to stay in Kenting , with shops, restaurants, and a bustling night market right on your doorstep. 

Spend your days lounging on the beaches of White Sand Bay , Little Bay , or South Bay .

If you’re up to it, you can also join a snorkeling or scuba diving excursion to explore Kenting National Park’s diverse underwater world. 

Beyond the gorgeous beaches, there is plenty to do in Kenting. Some iconic spots not to miss include Sail Rock , Maobitou Park , Longtan Park , and the southernmost tip of Taiwan .

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also drive all the way to Jialeshui , a hip surfing village located about 30 minutes from the park. Several surf shops offer surfboards rentals and lessons for inexperienced surfers.

To get around Kenting, consider renting a scooter. You’ll find a bunch of scooter rental shops dotted along Kenting Street, where you can rent a scooter for as little as NTD 450 (about $16.18 USD) a day. Make sure to bring a valid International Driving Permit (IDP). 

Kenting National Park Hotels: Click here for a full list of hotels in Kenting National Park .

Taroko National Park

Taroko Gorge is a stunning 12-mile (19-kilometer) canyon in the east of Taiwan.

This beautiful natural marvel is arguably the top tourist attraction in Taiwan and a firm favorite among hikers and nature lovers. In fact, if you enjoy the outdoors, it’s home to some of the best hiking trails in Taiwan .

The main attraction at Taroko Gorge is the scenery, and one can easily spend several days here soaking up its beauty and trekking its many trails.

Most of the trails are relatively easy to complete, and since the park is always full of tourists, you’re almost guaranteed to spot other travelers on any hike. 

Some of the must-do hikes include the Swallow Grotto Trail , the Eternal Spring Shrine Trail , and the Tunnel of Nine Turns Trail .

However, one of the most scenic walks is the Shakadang Trail . This 5-mile (8-kilometer) round-trip trail runs along the lowest offshoot of the Liwu River, taking you past azure-colored pools and lush jungle scenery.

If you’re looking for something a bit more challenging, tackle the Zhuilu Old Trail .

This is the most intensive hike in the park and follows a narrow path carved along a cliff. Completing this trail also requires a permit, so make sure to apply months in advance.

Alternatively, join a guided hike so that you can save the headache and stress. 

As a solo traveler, the best place to base yourself is within the park or near its entrance. That way, you can easily explore the park at your own pace.

There is not a whole lot of choice when it comes to accommodation here. So if you need more options, consider staying in Hualien , the closest city to Taroko Gorge. 

The fastest way to access Hualien is by train from Taipei. Book a ride on the Taroko Express Train to get into Hualien in less than three hours. 

Taroko National Park Tours: Click here for a full list of fun tours in Taroko National Park .

Taroko National Park Hotels: Click here for a full list of hotels in Taroko National Park .

How To Travel Around Taiwan

Taiwan has a great transport network which makes it extremely easy to get around as a solo traveler. While Taiwan is a relatively small island, travel times can be long, so plan your stops well in advance. 

The fastest way to travel along the island’s west coast is with the THSR, Taiwan’s bullet train. The rail runs from Taipei to Kaohsiung and connects the two cities within two hours. Tickets can be ordered up to 28 days in advance via the THSR website or in person at any HSR station. 

In Taiwan’s three biggest hubs — Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung — you’ll have access to an extensive metro system connecting you to all edges of the cities. Grab an Easy Card so that you can tap and go on the MRT, buses, and most trains. 

• Trains 

The regular train (TRA) runs all along the coast of Taiwan with multiple extensions inland. Taking the train is considerably cheaper than the HSR, but they fill up quickly. So if you plan to travel on weekends or special holidays, book tickets in advance. You can book tickets 14 days in advance online or buy them in person at any train station.

Taiwan Solo Travel Costs (In USD)

Taiwan is a relatively cheap travel destination if you know where to eat and stay. With that said, your daily budget will vary greatly depending on your travel style and needs. 

Here are some breakdowns to give you an idea of what to expect on your solo trip to Taiwan :

Accommodation:  $20-$30 for a night in a hostel, $60-$75 for a double room in a mid-range hotel. 

Food:  Less than $5 for a basic meal at a local eatery, $3-10 for several snacks at a night market, $10-15 for a meal in a western-style restaurant. 

Transport:  $3-$5 bike rental a day, $18 scooter rental per day, $60 car hire per day, $140-$150 car hire with a driver per day. 

Activities:  Many of the activities in Taiwan are free, and you can easily explore all of the places above independently. If you prefer to join an organized tour, expect prices to start at around $60. 

Safety Tips For Traveling Alone In Taiwan

Wondering if Taiwan is safe for solo female travelers? Let me answer:

Taiwan is an extremely safe travel destination, even for solo female travelers. Crime is practically non-existent, and it’s safe to walk around at night.

With that said, please use the same caution you would anywhere else in the world. Always keep your valuables locked up in your hotel room’s safe. It’s also wise to invest in pickpocket-proof clothing to totally avoid pickpockets.

Moreover, don’t carry large amounts of money, and make use of public transport or Uber late at night. 

Insurance For Taiwan Solo Travel

When visiting Taiwan — or anywhere else in the world — it’s wise to get travel insurance.

One of the  best travel medical insurance for travelers  is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

Click here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

What tips would you add to this guide to solo travel in Taiwan?

About The Author

Mariza is a South African travel blogger based in Taiwan. On her blog,  Hoponworld , you’ll find in-depth destination guides and stacks of travel tips to help you travel in Taiwan and Asia. Follow her travels on  Instagram  or  Facebook . 

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Although I won’t visit Taiwan alone but thank you for sharing such an informative and detailed post! We are planning a trip to Taiwan this summer, and both my husband and I are very excited about it.

I’m planning to go Taiwan this summer and I have my doubts to pursue it because it is my first time to travel abroad.

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The red flags that will tell us when China's actually ready to invade Taiwan

• A host of warning signs point to China preparing for military action against Taiwan.
• Experts say China could be readying for a showdown over the island.
• US involvement, and Chinese leader Xi's goals, also factor into the timeline.

Tensions between China and Taiwan are reaching a boiling point, and many signs point to Chinese military action to seize the island by force, possibly in just a few years.

While a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be an incredibly complex and dangerous operation, influential China watchers are sounding the alarms over preparations almost certainly needed to seize the island — a buildup of China's naval forces, energy and food stockpiles, and large-scale military drills just off its coast.

"I don't think they lack for anything that they need," Lyle Goldstein, director of Asia engagement at Defense Priorities, said of China's forces. "You could always ask the question, 'Could they be more ready?' and I suppose there are some certain areas, but I, for a long time, maintained they have what they need to undertake the campaign."

What China needs for an all-out attack

China has pushed a rapid modernization of its armed forces over the past two decades that has alarmed US military officials and opened China leader Xi Jinping's options for how to reunify Taiwan, the democratic island of 24 million that Beijing views as a breakaway. China's navy, for example, has surpassed the size of the US fleet and its shipbuilding capacity is easily the largest in the world.

But there are questions around the quality of China's warships despite the sheer numbers, and whether it has the capacity for an amphibious assault against Taiwan's advanced weapons.

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense assessed in 2021 that China "lacks the landing vehicles and logistics required to launch an incursion into Taiwan." The US Department of Defense largely concurred , and the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission wrote something similar in its 2020 report, noting that while China had a "shortage of amphibious lift, or ships and aircraft capable of transporting troops the [Chinese military] needs to successfully subjugate the island," the PLA was looking into using civilian vessels to supplement that.

Chinese ships and aircraft that try to invade or blockade the island into submission would be highly vulnerable to Taiwan's arsenal of advanced weapons like F-16 fighter jets, Patriot missile batteries, and Harpoon anti-ship missiles. The question is whether China has built an invasion force that can sustain the damage from these weapons in what would be the first amphibious invasion in seven decades.

Others have seen signs that China is corralling the civilian shipping needed to meet the heavy material needs of an amphibious invasion armada.

Thomas Shugart, a former US Navy submarine commander who's now an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security think tank, wrote for War on the Rocks in August 2021 that "Chinese leaders have already begun organizing civilian shipping into auxiliary units of the military," highlighting examples of large roll-on/roll-off ferries being employed in amphibious assault exercises, something Chinese media later confirmed, and adding that the civilian vessels were carrying both Marine Corps and ground force units.

While these ferries aren't necessarily designed for landing assault troops, Shugart noted, they are built to carry a large number of people, load ground forces quickly and with little warning, disembark their troops, and return for more; the US military also has fast-transport vessels and cargo ships to support operations.

"The evidence shows that these fleets are all ready to mobilize, really at a moment's notice," Goldstein said. "China has the biggest ports in the world and they're full of these ships, so putting them together into fleets to make this attack would be very quick, within days."

Xi is a year-and-a-half into his third term as China's leader, and many of his recent moves suggest China is preparing for war. Xi successfully consolidated control over Hong Kong in 2020, and may have his eyes on a bigger prize.

In March, China dropped "peaceful reunification" when referring to Taiwan and announced a 7.2% increase in defense spending. Food and energy security, like petroleum reserves, have been stockpiled for years. New laws around civilian mobilization and economic self-reliance indicate Xi is preparing his people and the Chinese economy for the possibility of war. Military forces are being deployed nearer to Taiwan than ever, effectively shortening Taiwan's reaction time. Stockpiling of China's rocket force , too, suggests it would have more than enough missiles and rockets to target Taiwan.

Earlier this month, Mike Studeman, former commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence and director for intelligence for US Indo-Pacific Command, wrote in War on the Rocks: "There is no apparent countdown to D-day for initiating a blockade or invasion, but major strategic indicators clearly show that General Secretary Xi Jinping is still preparing his country for a showdown. Developments under way suggest Taiwan will face an existential crisis in single-digit years, most likely in the back half of the 2020s or front half of the 2030s."

Some experts assess China would lean into the element of surprise, a core facet in their military doctrine. One common concern is that as China's military exercises around Taiwan have grown in frequency and size, the line between exercise and potential attack is becoming blurred. "The bad news" with such a scenario, Dean Cheng, a senior advisor to the China program at the US Institute of Peace, said, "is they go to war with what they have on hand, because they probably haven't had a chance to deploy more forces forward, stock up munitions, get everything loaded and ready to go. How important is surprise versus how important is being able to sustain the operation?"

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That ploy resembles the massive Russian build-up on Ukraine's borders prior to the 2022 invasion that officials had claimed was for field exercises.

Goldstein's estimate is that while it's still risky, "they have what they need, and they're ready to undertake" an attack. "I don't think we'll have a lot of warning," he added, noting a sudden set of actions that only unfolds over a period of hours would be more likely than many other clearer, long-term signs.

US involvement also factors in. "There is a possibility of American intervention which then goes to the question of how well can China conceal its preparations for an invasion?" Cheng said.

A Chinese ring of steel

Experts, as well as US and Taiwan lawmakers and military officials, have long debated about the readiness of the People's Liberation Army as China's military is known.

"The PLA's modernization plan, we think, is still on track, and is aimed at a 2027 period," Cheng explained, with goals of being a fully modernized fighting force by then.

Before then, there's a higher risk that an assault attempt would fail or shatter Beijing's forces. "The PLA isn't going to make the call, however, about whether to invade Taiwan, that's going to be up to Chinese leadership, Xi in particular, and the rest of the Politburo Standing Committee," top leadership in the CCP, Cheng said.

China has indicated it will use force if necessary, but a full-scale invasion likely has dire consequences for China. Other actions — such as an air and maritime blockade, as noted in DoD's China report , limited force campaigns, air and missile campaigns, and seizure of Taiwan's smaller occupied islands — could be preferable, and China boats much of those capabilities already.

A blockade, for example, would give the US and its allies more time to respond than a sudden, bolt-from-the-blue surprise attack. "It's less risky in the sense that you're not going to have necessarily thousands killed, but you're giving Taiwan and the Americans time to organize a response," Cheng said.

There's also precedent at play: The US blockaded Cuba after it detected a deployment of Soviet nuclear missiles to the island in 1962 in what would become the Cold War's most dangerous crisis.

US involvement in defending Taiwan from China is a major unknown. A war game analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies from January 2023 reported that in most of the 24 runs, the US, Taiwan, and Japan defeated a conventional amphibious invasion by China, but suffered heavy and severe losses.

But with all of this comes the consideration that Xi's biggest priority is to reunify with Taiwan. As US Army Maj. Kyle Amonson and retired US Coast Guard Capt. Dane Egli wrote in 2023, much of when Xi decides to invade Taiwan comes down to how he wants to maintain his legacy in the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese society, as well as what accomplishing such a feat would do for him.

Scene for a showdown

Cross-Strait relations have soured in recent years, especially with the Democratic Progressive Party in power since 2016, raising worries that military action for reunification is more likely and other options, such as diplomacy, aren't. The worst case scenario is a full-scale invasion , which would unleash all-out war and potentially trigger responses from the US, Japan, the Philippines, and others.

In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Beijing's economy was booming, Taiwanese students were traveling to the mainland for school work, and Chinese leadership likely believed Taiwan would eventually accept reunification.

"But the state of the economy and society, and the Chinese crackdown on Hong Kong, as well as other elements such as American actions, led Beijing to think time is no longer on their side," Cheng said. "Tensions are definitely higher now, but where I would draw the line is that it doesn't necessarily mean Beijing is about to launch an invasion."

Goldstein said that in tracking Chinese media closely, calls for reunification are more frequent and heated. "I am concerned that China may see some reason to go earlier rather than later," he explained.

Xi himself told US President Joe Biden in late 2023, "Look, peace is… all well and good, but at some point we need to move towards resolution."

Watch: China shows how it would attack Taiwan as tensions rise

• Main content

China Should Have Confidence to Talk to Us, Taiwan's President-Elect Says

China Should Have Confidence to Talk to Us, Taiwan's President-Elect Says

Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te speaks waves during a press conference where incoming cabinet members are announced, in Taipei, Taiwan April 25, 2024. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

By Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard

TAIPEI (Reuters) -China should have the confidence to talk to Taiwan's legally elected government, President-elect Lai Ching-te said on Thursday as he appointed his new national security and diplomacy team amid what he called unprecedented challenges.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, over the island's strong objections, has ramped up military and political pressure against Taipei during the past four years as it seeks to press sovereignty claims.

Lai, who takes office on May 20, is particularly disliked by Beijing, which views him as a dangerous separatist. Lai has repeatedly offered to talk with China has but been rebuffed.

The challenge the new national security team is facing is unprecedented, given the rise of authoritarianism, and China pressing closer all the time, Lai told reporters as he announced the teams, staffed by people in the current administration.

He also again offered to talk to Beijing.

Photos You Should See - April 2024

"I am very much looking forward to China having the confidence to engage with the elected and legitimate government that the Taiwan people have entrusted. That is the right way for cross-strait exchange," he said.

Lai said Beijing would not get support from the Taiwanese public if they are only willing to engage Taiwan's opposition with "political preconditions", in a veiled reference to the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, whose senior leaders have made frequent visits to China in recent months.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office referred Reuters to comments it made on Jan. 17 after Lai won the election in which it said Lai did not represent mainstream public opinion, given he did not win a majority of all the votes cast, and that the result did not change the fact Taiwan is part of China.

Beijing has repeatedly said any talks can only take place if Taiwan's government accepts that both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of "one China", which is supported by the KMT but rejected by Lai and President Tsai Ing-wen.

National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo, a lawyer by training, will take over as defence minister from Chiu Kuo-cheng, a former army commander, Lai said.

Koo said he was determined to discourage any Chinese adventurism over Taiwan with "coordinated actions" with allies in the region and show the world Taiwan's determination to defend itself by strengthening its combat capabilities.

"Our top aim is to complicate the other side of the strait's calculations to make a timetable for possible rash actions," he said, standing on stage with Lai and other incoming ministers.

Koo is being succeeded as head of the National Security Council by current Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, while Lin Chia-lung, the serving secretary-general at the Presidential Office, will become the new foreign minister, Lai said.

The post of the head of the top China policy maker, the Mainland Affairs Council has gone to Chiu Chui-cheng, a former deputy on the council with years of China policy experience.

Intelligence chief Tsai Ming-yen stays on as head of the National Security Bureau.

(Reporting by Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Ryan Woo in Beijing; Editing by Gerry Doyle, Miral Fahmy and Ros Russell)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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Reporting by Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Ryan Woo in Beijing; Editing by Gerry Doyle, Miral Fahmy and Ros Russell

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Thomson Reuters

Yimou Lee is a Senior Correspondent for Reuters covering everything from Taiwan, including sensitive Taiwan-China relations, China's military aggression and Taiwan's key role as a global semiconductor powerhouse. A three-time SOPA award winner, his reporting from Hong Kong, China, Myanmar and Taiwan over the past decade includes Myanmar's crackdown on Rohingya Muslims, Hong Kong protests and Taiwan's battle against China's multifront campaigns to absorb the island.

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