The beautiful eight-course menu is an exploration of Taiwan’s unique terrain and micro-seasons.
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Taipei is on China Standard Time (CMT). It’s UTC/GMT +8 hours, meaning that it’s 12 hours ahead of New York and 8 hours ahead of London.
You’ll need:
If you are a passport holder of the following countries, you won’t need a visa and can stay in Taiwan for up to 90 days: Andorra, Australia (Effective from January 1, 2015 for one year) , Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., U.S.A. and Vatican City State.
Malaysian and Singaporean passport holders can stay up to 30 days.
For more detailed info, check out Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, R.O.C.’s website.
COVID restrictions have been lifted, except everyone is required to wear masks while using public transportations, including the MRT and the High Speed Rail.
Landing in the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, you’ll be situated 30 Kilometers away from Taipei city center. Here are a few ways to get into the city:
Taoyuan Airport to the City Center by Train
Airport Shuttle and Bus:
Private Cars:
Taxi:
For more information regarding getting in and around Taipei, read the full article here.
Taipei’s Mass Rapid Transit system (MRT) is regarded as the world’s best metro system in the world. It’s clean, safe, efficient, and gets you where you want to be on time. Here are a few things you should know about the beloved transit system:
Taipei is a relatively safe destination for travelers. Be smart about where you bags are while riding on the MRT and strolling in small alleys.
The phone number for the police is (+886) 110. The phone number for ambulance and fire is (+886) 119.
Safety tips:
Safety Tips for the Night-Owls:
Overall, Taiwan is also one of the most democratic places in Asia, so anything goes. But be street smart and have fun!
Since Taipei is located on a tropical island, winters are never too cold and summers are sizzling hot. Be prepared!
Mandarin Chinese is the official language of Taiwan. However, other languages are spoken as well, including: Taiwanese or Hokkien which you’ll hear more Taiwanese as you leave Taipei and enter other cities, especially toward the south), Hakka and aboriginal dialects.
Here’s a few basic words and phrases:
Hello: Nǐhǎo
Thank you: Xièxiè
You’re welcome: Bù kèqì
Excuse me: qǐngwén
I’m sorry: duìbùqǐ
Please: qǐng
Good morning: Zǎo
Goodnight: Wǎn’ān
My name is…: Wǒ jiào…
Check, please: Măi dān
I don’t understand: Wǒ bù dǒng
Do you speak English?: nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma?
Where is…?: zài nǎlǐ?
Call the police: jiào jǐngchá
Although Taipei is an international hub brimming with modern architecture and technology, there are a few rules you should follow to avoid the eyebrow-raising and silent judging from locals.
Social settings:
Wine and Dine:
Other things to avoid:
The R.O.C.’s unit of currency is New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). Approximately NT$ 30 (up and down) equates to USD $1.
Exchanging money in Taiwan is safe and easy. You can either exchange at the airport or local banks will have ATM machines that are accessible.
Tipping! It’s not necessary, nor is it expected.
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Taiwan carries the same electricity outlets as the US and Canada. They contain two vertical slots. The standard voltage is 110V and the frequency is 60 Hz. Your converter should look like this:
Drinking water straight from the faucet isn’t recommended nor is it popular in Taiwan. Although the water served at local restaurants are safe and drinking fountains located throughout public facilities in the city are also filtered and safe for drinking.
Taiwan is a highly technologically advanced destination. There should be WiFi pretty much everywhere you go. But as a traveler, you should register for iTaiwan, which provides free WiFi for travelers up to 30 days.
Staying in the country for a long time? Here’s how to get a SIM card:
Taxis are abundant in Taipei. The first 1.25km (or around half a mile) is NT $70 / USD $2.26. After surpassing that amount, every extra 200 meters is NT $5 / USD $0.61. At night, the taxis charge an additional NT $20 / USD $0.64. Make sure to have your address written down before entering the car.
You can also take an Uber to your destination, but they are around the same price point.
Taiwan is one of the most LGBT-welcoming country in Asia. On May 24, 2017, the Constitutional Court declared that the Legislative Yuan has two years to to change the marriage laws to fit the Constitution. On February 21st, 2019, Taiwan began this process, granting legal protections to same-sex couples. The majority of Taiwanese citizens support same-sex marriage, even the president has stated her support.
Make sure to see the annual Gay Pride Parade, which hosts more than 130,000 people and lasts for four days. The parade is hosted in October.
Taiwan has become one of the most recycling-friendly countries in the world. Here’s how the nation recycles:
Taipei is full of recycling booths, giving value to mass transit access for every bottle or can placed into the booth. Those who don’t rid of their waste properly are subject to fines or public shaming.
Must See Highlights for Eco-Travelers:
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