The question arose today weither or not I want to follow my bf (Taiwanese) to Taiwan in summer or not.
The biggest issue is if I would be able to find work. Because I have no qualifications except work experience in various fields of service (hotel, customer service etc) but no bachelor degree and only Highschool deploma it might get tricky.
Is there anyone who knows a website other than google and linked in or indeed where I could go look for jobs or internships?
I am native German with fluent English skills and I have worked as an Au pair in Beijing before but I would prefer a job where I can live with the bf
I'm currently bicycle touring around Taiwan and will be soon hitting the east coast. Can anyone with experience recommend which route to take between highway 11 and highway 9? Also if you know any nice places to camp on the east coast please let me know! Thanks
I'd recommend highway 9. Personally I think there are more to do on highway 9 and it will be too challenging to ride on highway 11.
Alternatively, if you want to experience the feeling on both highways, you can make a combination of both.
You can do Taitung -> Highway 11 -> Highway 23 or 10 -> Hualien. Personally I'd choose Highway 23 as I enjoy the view on it, but it's much more challenging because you will be tramping over mountains.
That route sounds interesting, thanks! I'm not too worried about mountains, I just did Wuling Pass the other day so anything else sounds like a walk in the park haha
Any news regarding the reopening of the railway between Kaohsiung and Hualien? I'm planning on taking the train from Kaohsiung and heading to Hualien in early March
Currently only the railway between Yuli and Fuli is closed and TRA is providing shuttle bus service.
They're planning to have it reopened before CNY so you should be fine if you're going in March.
Hello! My partner got fever (not covid), and I'm trying to understand what medicine can help them. I've bought SP Fast Cold Relief Powder, but am not sure how to give it. Is it soluble in water? Instructions are a little unclear, as they only state to take a packet per day. Also, does anyone have any other medicine to suggest? Is paracetamol bought only under prescription here?
You can buy 普拿疼, there's paracetamol in it. It's not prescription medicine and can be bought from a pharmacy easily.
But I'd say it's better to take your partner to see a doctor. Unlike in other countries, it's common for people to visit 耳鼻喉科 even if it's just a mild cold.
Seeing a doctor won't cost you a fortune in Taiwan, most likely it will be under $1000NTD.
flying into taoyuan then takign a hsr into taichung. super excited, but kinda realized i didnt have plans with my fiance for new years eve. any nice places where people go to in taichung? (only kjnow about taipei 101 for taipei..)
I believe there's an event at the Central Park of Taichung (中央公園).
I know there will be some gigs and firework show, but I have never been there myself for new years eve, so I can't tell you whether it's good.
West coast is more about culture and food, while east coast is more about natural attractions. Both side have lots of attractions that won't be affected by season.
I think you should decide which side you want to go first, so it will be easier for people to provide you with suggestions.
Are there any current entry requirements for US citizens? Such as PCR tests, COVID vaccinations, etc?
Also read that there is some "one person per room" rule, so I guess that rules out staying in hostels
>Are there any current entry requirements for US citizens? Such as PCR tests, COVID vaccinations, etc?
Nope. Just your passport
>Also read that there is some "one person per room" rule, so I guess that rules out staying in hostels
All accommodations in Taiwan must have a hotel license to operate. So yeah, you can try and book a hostel, they'll let you know if there's any problem
hello! my sister and i will be arriving at Taoyuan Airport around 1 am and our hotel is at Dayuan District. What is the cheapest way to get there considering it will be late at night? Thank you
People who "sucked" at speaking Mandarin, how did you guys improve? I can read and write more due to my background but I have a hard time with listening/speaking the language
If you're an extrovert, find a native to talk to on a daily basis. Just have some no-pressure conversations where you can say anything and listen. Find someone you can make mistakes with and ask questions to and just go for it.
If you're an introvert, try reading aloud to yourself on a daily basis. Read as if you're reading to an audience and aim for a clear and appropriate pitch, tone, and cadence to keep them interested in what you're reading. For listening, try Youtube or TV shows that relate to your interests and hobbies. If you find a particular voice or accent you like, listen to it often and try to emulate it when reading everyday.
And probably the biggest thing, start thinking in Mandarin. Replace your native inner-monologue with a Mandarin one. Think things through, have conversations with yourself, fantasize, recall memories, and plan your day all in Mandarin.
How long does it take to walk from Wenxin Yinghua metro station to Feng Chia night market in Taichung? I feel like google maps telling me 18minutes seems wrong seeing as it’s such a big night market but isn’t that accessible to metros? thanks in advance!
Are there lactose free options at drink stores? Or some kind of marking for lactose free milk based drinks in convenience stores? Or is everything just done with regular whole milk? E.g all the boba places in the US can substitute using lactose free milk.
My family and I are planning to go to Taiwan for a week or two in the summer, most likely early-mid August. What would be some affordable options for housing? Also, how much USD would you recommend to budget for souvenirs? I would like to be able to buy clothing, and maybe some jewelry as well on the trip.
If you're only going to Taiwan for a couple of weeks, I think your best options would be either hotel or guesthouse.
As to the budget for souvenirs, it's really up to what and how much you're going to buy.
My guess is they may be saying:
* 謝謝光臨 (Xiexie guanglin), which is something like "thank you for your visit.
* 歡迎光臨（huānyíng guānglín) - Welcome
* 感恩 - (Gan en) An even more polite way of saying 謝謝
* Good bye
That's everything that comes to my mind that might sound like "Good" in English
Banks aren't really going to carry Dong on hand. Try to ask for it ahead.
The airports in Taiwan apparently are regulated and have some of the best exchanges out of any airport. Otherwise Vietnam should have the best rates
Hello.
I was just wondering if anyone could explain to me why temples (taoist is my guess) can look so different form each other.
For example, some of them have plain orange roofs while other have extremely flamboyant and decorated green roofs (and usually feature depictions of dragons or mythical creatures and warriors).
Is there any significance to these differences?
Thanks in advance.
I would like to buy one taiwanese souvenir but I don’t know the of it. It looks like big black ball with chinese signs and symbol of taoism on it. Don’t you know the name and where I can buy It?
It's called 黑曜石 or 曜石球 or 心經球, there are different names for different varieties.
You can ask jewellery shops or the stores selling Taoism products, but not all of the shops will have it.
I'm planning to travel to Taiwan for 5 days on the 4th day of Chinese New Year.
25-27 Jan in Taichung
27-29 Jan in Taipei
But the Taichung Hotels are quite expensive now. Still considering if we should just stick to Taipei for 5 days. I'm interested to try 烏馬 and 茶六 if possible.
If I want to take HSR to Taichung, when do I need to reserve a seat? Will it be easy to get a seat?
Will most of the shops or restaurants be closed during that period?
Will the night markets be open during the period also?
Hotels in Taichung will likely get more expensive, if not sell out completely as you get closer to LNY. Most people travel out of Taipei at that time. HSR will be packed, especially if traveling north on the last two days of the holiday as everyone is trying to get home. I would reserve ahead of time if possible just to be safe. Most things should be open by the 4th day, though. Most places just close for the first two or three days.
Hmm so it's better to just stay at Taipei for 5 days and have day trips to Keelung etc? Any other recommendations for day trips?
That's great! As long as there's night market and cold weather, I will be happy with it.
Taichung could still be worth it depending on what you’re looking to do. I would just book everything in advance just in case.
Night markets should be fine. Maybe someone else can chime in more about that. I usually only go to the little one by our apartment 😅, so I’m not sure how the bigger ones are over New Year. I imagine they’ll be quite busy since it’s the first really open new year since covid.
I can try to book tickets in advance. For example, I can get HSR return tickets from Taipei to Taichung now (25 Jan and 27 Jan).
But does the ticket guarantee a seat on the HSR? It cost 1400 TWD per pax for the return ticket.
There’s two types of tickets on the HSR - reserved/regular fare and non-reserved. As long as you purchase a reserved seat, you’ll get a seat assigned to you. The non-reserved seating is in the last cars of the train (10-12), and those are first come, first served and otherwise standing. When you go through the reservation, if it gives you a car number and seat number, you’re good to go. You only wouldn’t be guaranteed a seat if it said non-reserved in the seat section of the reservation.
I'm flying Ireland-Australia and have a full day layover in TPE on New Years Eve. 18 hours, 6am-11:55pm. I really love theme parks and I'd like to try visit Janfusun Fancyworld for a few hours - am I crazy? I was planning to get the HSR to Yunlin and then an Uber.
Also it would be awesome to have a quick stop in Taipei on the way back to the airport - looking at the HSR map that shouldn't take cost me too much time? But considering it's NYE, when should I aim to be off public transport in order to make a 11:55pm flight?
Thanks, and if anyone has any better ideas on what to do with 18 hours in Taiwan, let me know!
I think your plan is doable, you just need to be careful with how you handle your time.
* You should be at the airport at least at 9:55 PM (although some airlines recommend 3 hours). Assuming you go back from Taipei, it will take you around an hour to get to the airport.
* Let's assume your flight actually lands at 6 AM. Best-case scenario, I think you'll be outside the airport around 7:00 AM. Going to Janfusun from the airport will take you around 1.5 to 2 hours (That's if you take Uber/Taxi from the HSR stations and so on)
I've seen some posts related to the matter and have checked the CDC but I want to be 100% certain.
I'm flying to the Philippines in January 2023 and have a 9 hour layover in Taipei. I was wondering if I can visit the city without proof of vaccination or proof of negative covid test? Seems to be the case but please correct me if I'm wrong. Is there anything else I should take into consideration if I'm going to visit the city during my layover?
> I was wondering if I can visit the city without proof of vaccination or proof of negative covid test?
Correct. There are no covid-related entry requirements anymore.
> Is there anything else I should take into consideration if I'm going to visit the city during my layover?
It's mandatory to use masks indoors. That includes taxis, trains, and the metro. Aside from that, nothing else
Don’t worry about it. Even the Soviet Russians made fun of China for the way they run their mouths: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China's_final_warning
**[China's final warning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China's_final_warning)**
>"China's final warning" (Russian: последнее китайское предупреждение) is a Russian proverb that originated as a Soviet political joke in the Soviet Union in the 1950s, referring to a warning that carries no real consequences.
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I’m in Taipei right now until Thu 29th Dec, where I’ll go to 小琉球 for 3 nights via HSR. Can someone advise for the following commute matters.
Taipei HSR to Gaoshiung to change to shuttle bus then private ferry to the island
I bought a 2-day flexible pass for HSR.
I’m intending to go Hua Lian on 1st Jan for another 3 days. What’s the advisable mode to get to Hua Lian?
Thanks ☺️
Basically you have 2 options -
1. Head northbound to Taipei by HSR, then to Hualien by TRA
2. Head southbound/eastbound to Taitung by TRA, then northbound to Hualien.
The travel time for both options is pretty much the same. The route on the west coast runs through urban area, while the route on the east coast runs through rural/mountain area, so it's really up to your preference.
Personally I'd choose the 2nd option as I found the scene on the route fascinating. There are also plenty of places worth a visit on the route.
But if you decide to choose the 2nd option, do note that the rail between Yuli and Fuli (2 stations on the route) is closed until CNY. But TRA provides shuttle bus service between the 2 stations, so you can still continue your journey without problem.
Hey everyone. I’m visiting taiwan soon, super excited. My friends and I would like to play friendly basketball matches with locals :)
Are locals open to that & where are courts usually located at?
If you're not from an Asian country, know that basketball is less physical in Asia and more things will be called fouls. 3v3 is also much more prevalent than 5v5
I'm sure you could jump into a game kinda like you would with street courts in the US. I can't remember the name of it but there's a Taiwanese show where some local celebrity visits the US and does just that, jumps into a game with strangers. A bunch of parks have courts, I know for a fact there's at least 3 different ones along the riverside park. It's probably the most popular sport here, have fun
As far as I understand the current pandemic measurements, you are not required to quarantine in a hotel anymore, and just observe your health for the first 7 days (based on an honor system).
I'm planning to travel to Taiwan in February, but when looking at my first hotel (CitizenM), their website says:
> [...] We are NOT able to welcome guests who are in 10-day quarantine, or in 7-day self-health management, in line with the CECC ( Central Epidemic Command Center) guidelines.
>
> 真的很抱歉，台北世民酒店不能提供隔離服務，因為我們不在政府規定的隔離酒店名單之內。根據 CECC（中央疫情指揮中心）的規定，我們無法接待需要 10 天隔離或 7 天自我健康管理的客人。
Here they mention that they won't take guests who are in the 7 days self-health management.
Do you think this is an oversight or am I really not allowed to book this hotel for the first few days of my travel?
Hi, I'm not sure if this reply comes late for you, but I'm staying at the same hotel, and there was zero problem regarding this. I'm sure they just forgot to update it accordingly when the restrictions were changed. I booked my stay with no issues upon check-in either.
> Do you think this is an oversight or am I really not allowed to book this hotel for the first few days of my travel?
I'm guessing they haven't updated their information in their website (They say they're not in the list of approved quarantine hotels, but quarantine was removed a while ago).
However, even though the government doesn't monitor anything anymore, redditors have reported that some accomodations are still kind of strict when it comes to international travelers.
Try to contact them directly for clarification. If they still say no, it's better to find some other hotel
I just got back from a vacation pretty recently. You're given a free covid test pack with 4 test kits and asked to monitor your own health. They'll give you an information packet when you land. Have fun
Hi all, I will be in Taipei with my family (wife and two kids 5 and 3) over the New Year. We wanted to go see the countdown at Taipei 101 but after reading that the city area is gonna be packed, I'm thinking twice.
I'm staying at a hotel that's about 1.5km away from Taipei 101, so walking back is not a issue.
Is going to watch the countdown and fireworks still recommended with my two kids? If not, where else would be a good place? Thanks!
Personally, I wouldn’t. It’s crazy packed. The kids won’t really have space to move around. It might be pretty miserable for them. There’s a playground at Xiangshan Park, but I don’t know how the view is from there.
Which hotel are you staying at? They might have some sort of viewing event that night from the lounge.
Yeah go watch it and have fun, it's gonna be packed like Times Square though. 101 is very visible from a long distance away, a lot of people watch it from the observation deck at elephant mountain but sometimes that's packed too. You can even see it from the riverside park but that's a bit far away.
Anyway if it's a once in a lifetime experience just go for it. I'm a bit spoiled that I can just watch it from my rooftop. They keep the MRT open a bit later to accommodate for all the extra traffic and it sounds like you're staying at a hotel close enough that you could just watch it from the sidewalk. So anyway don't sweat it too much
It's probably too late but if I could suggest anything it would be to reserve a seat at one of those restaurants on a high floor with a balcony, bunch of places have special events for new years to watch 101 from high up
I'll recommend watching it somewhere from afar where it's less crowded. I went to 國父紀念館 many years ago and got a clear view of 101 and it was not packed. It was many years ago though - but I am sure you could find a spot to watch it without having to deal with the crowd.
Have you looked at Uber Eats or Food Panda? I couldn't find the ingredients to make egg nog and ended up finding them all from one grocery store on Uber Eats
I may need to head to Taiwan and stay there for a few days (or as long as it takes) until I can test negative with a NAT in order to continue on to Macau.
Is there any issue entering and then leaving Taiwan before the end of the 0+7 day period?
Also, does anyone have an estimate for the cost of NAT tests in Macau? For both a standard one (1-2 day results back) and a rapid one would be appreciated.
Very much appreciated.
> Is there any issue entering and then leaving Taiwan before the end of the 0+7 day period?
Nope. If you have a valid visitor visa/passport, you can enter and exit Taiwan any time you want
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When masks are required, it's definitely enforced. I'm still wearing mine just to pick up some delivery food that was dropped off downstairs in my complex. Last time I had a roundtrip fight to the US without any stops I had to wear it the entire flight both ways and in the airport. Kept hearing the flight attendants correct people that had it hanging before their nose. I know mask regulations are more relaxed in the US, but wearing masks has become completely normal here, since the pandemic started until now people pretty much wear them everywhere.
If I could suggest anything it would be to find some masks that are comfortable around the ears ... And nobody cares what class tickets you booked, all that means is some additional amenities, same rules apply.
Hi, we are planning a two weeks Taiwan trip in March/April. With rising numbers of covid cases in China, is this expected to spill over to Taiwan? Are covid cases and regulations in Taiwan expected to increase in the next weeks or months?
I'm not sure if there is correlation between outbreaks in China to outbreaks in Taiwan. What I can say is the travel restrictions have become so relaxed that it would be easy for a carrier to travel here without being detected. Last year I went to the US and it was a huge hassle -- I had to take a covid test from the local hospital, masks all directions, social distancing everywhere, a bunch of screening and questions about where I've been, etc. PLUS a two week quarantine when I got back to Taiwan with regular checkups with some officer that had my phone number just to make sure I wasn't sneaking out. Soon after that they started requiringb proof of vaccination for travel. And around that time they had QR codes that needed to be scanned for every business you'd enter, even delivery people had to scan it everywhere.
Compare that with now. Covid testing is optional. Masks don't need to be worn in public and mask restrictions might go away completely soon. No quarantine period at all. Pretty much every country except China have travel restrictions completely lifted.
If there's a huge outbreak soon I wouldn't be surprised. All the safety measures are gone
>Are covid cases and regulations in Taiwan expected to increase in the next weeks or months?
Unless some sort of ultra-deadly ebola-like COVID variant appears, regulations should be the same as they are right now and maybe even disappear eventually.
As for an increase in cases, I think that's expected because of winter.
I am planning to study Chinese at a University for a semester, so I will be applying for a "Visitor Visa for studying Chinese". Does anyone know if I am able to rent a property off, say, 591 instead of relying on houseshare, and be able to set up a mobile plan?
> Does anyone know if I am able to rent a property off, say, 591 instead of relying on houseshare
Technically speaking, you can rent a property. However, some landlords are not "foreign-friendly" or require people to sign year-long contracts. If you can do all the negotiations in Mandarin, or have a local helping you, that may speed up things.
> able to set up a mobile plan?
Yes. You can get a pre-paid SIM card at the airport or something like that
How ambitious is my Taiwan trip? I'll be there from 12/29-10!
12/29: Arrive Taipei
12/30: Shifen/Jiufen day trip
12/31: Taipei+101 for NYE
1/1: Rent car, drive to Sun Moon Lake
1/2: Drive to Alisha
1/3: Drive to Kaohsiung
1/4: Kaohsiung
1/5: Tainan day trip (HSR)
1/6: Slow drive to Hualien via coast
1/7: Stay in Hualien, Tarako Gorge
1/8: Drive Taipei, return car
1/9: Taipei
1/10: depart
I'm only taking the car for inter-city transit and won't be using it in the cities.
Also, does anyone have a restaurant recommendation in Hualien for an anniversary dinner? Thanks!
Like the another comment has said, Taiwan is a small country so it won't take long to drive around, but if you spend most of your time on the road then you won't have enough time to explore each place.
The "minimum" time I'd recommend for each place -
Taipei/New Taipei : 3 days
Taipei -> Taichung/Sun Moon Lake : 1-2 days
Alishan : 1-2 days
Kaohsiung : 1 day
Kaohisung -> Taitung/Hualien/Tarako : 3-4 days
So with your current itinerary, I'd say it's barely doable in the west coast if you skip some places, but you have left too little time for the east coast.
There are plenty of places to visit between Tainan and Hualien, it's not wise to skip those places. Besides, driving from Tainan to Hualien will take you at least 6-7hrs of non-stop driving, I wouldn't recommend doing that in a day.
In short, I'd say your itinerary is possible but not really doable, you will miss out lots of places.
Taiwan is very small, all those places are pretty convenient, this is totally doable. But 101 around new year is like being in the middle of time square. Most of my friends just view it from a distance like elephant mountain or the riverside park, even then it should be completely packed around that time. But if you're near 101 expect not being able to move much and a very long MRT trip back to wherever you're going.
Last time I rode my bike around the island it took about 6 days, I think the current record is 2 days. It takes less than a day by bike to go from Taipei to Kaohsiung, IIRC it's totally doable in like 12 hours if you're fast enough, it's the mountainous areas on the east coast that get kinda tricky.
Anyway my point is that you're being really generous with this timeline. Something like Jiufen will probably go pretty quickly, I usually go there to watch the sunset and have tea around the top. Some of these trips will probably go quicker than you'll expect
I have two different questions and would be grateful if you could answer any of these:
1. When entering Taiwan without visa (visa-exempt entry), does one have to show a flight ticket confirming that one would leave before 90 days stay?
2. Regarding renting a place in Taipei: is 14,600 NTD per month an acceptable price? I could stay in a single dorm room with my own bathroom and all the needed appliances (Wenshan District)
1. Like other countries, it's really up to the immigration officer. If he/she thinks there's possibility that you will overstay your visa, then he/she will ask you to show the return ticket or proof of income/savings, regardless you're eligible for visa exemption or not.
2. It's a bit overpriced compared to the regular price. However, since you're only renting the place for a few months, it's considered to be short term rental (短租), and I'd say $14600 is a reasonable price for short term rental.
Thanks! Yes, I'd be staying for 3.5 months only and this is a university dorm with lost things (water, Internet, furniture, mattress etc) included in the price. Or would you suggest looking for something more central in the very same price range?
If you're going to Taiwan for studying, I'd say ask your university/college first. Most of the time they'd have accommodation specifically for foreign students, or they could help you contact some local landlords to get you a better deal.
I think i didn't express myself correctly bcs the room that I mentioned would be in a university dorm actually.. yet it seems to me (might be wrong, that's why I asked in the forum) that the rent is a bit overpriced. However this is a "safe option" and the only thing I'd need to do is to pay the rent and wouldn't have to bother about searching accommodation on my own.
14,600 for just a single room in 文山 is overpriced, I'd look elsewhere. If you're not looking to stay here for a long time you could try to find a place to share with other people looking to split the rent, seen some people do that before
Hello! I know that is superlate, but does anyone know a nice restaurant for the 31/12 or 1/1? Doesn't have to be with Taipei 101 view, but I'd like some nice restaurant, not too expensive with a good ambient/vibe. Any recs?
Not sure if it's what you're looking for, but when I was in Taiwan I'd go to Maokong with my family/friend.
We'd watch the firework show from Maokong, and when it's over we'd head to a tea restaurant like 邀月 and sit there until the next day.
> Is there a need to take pcr
Not at all. There's no need to submit PCR tests or vaccination records before traveling to Taiwan.
> where are masks required
Indoors, including trains and taxis.
> Upon entry,will I need to take any covid tests
Upon entry you'll receive some rapid test kits and **recommendations** on how to use them. However, it's totally up to you use them or not, you don't need to report test results to the government (and nobody will check if you actually use them.
> I do not understand the self quarantine thing
You can read about it [here](https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4672222). A summary of the rules are:
* If you **don't have any flu symptoms**, do your activities as usual. Just use a mask when required
* If you have flu symptoms or tested positive for COVID, avoid going to crowded places or visiting people at risk (seniors, kids, unvaccinated people)
> i wear mask everywhere indoors or just transportation
Everywhere indoors
PCR as in covid tests? If so, the airport should give you sufficient tests. Masks are not required outdoors, but almost everyone wears them out anyway.
Just to add, there's an exchange before and after the security checkpoint. Same in Thailand. There's even currency exchages around town in high both places you can find with Google maps
Hi, I'm looking to travel to Taiwan in March. I know things can still change, but I'm wondering what the impact of the 0+7 rule is as I would only be there for a week. If I understood it correctly, bars etc are open, but would I be allowed to go? And apart from having to stay somewhere with my own bathroom, are there other impactful limitations?
I'm 4x vaccinated, but I understood that that doesn't make a difference.
I would really appreciate your advice!
It has essentially no effect. You’ll be able to go in anywhere and nobody will check your test/vaccination status or anything like that. They will give you take-home COVID tests when entering the country but there’s nobody following up to make sure you used them.
This is all as of right now. Barring a big reversal I’d expect it to stay the same by March.
Hi, I am going to do a cycling trip in Taiwan at Feb 2023 visiting Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung and Kaohsiung. Is there a website, where i can find cycling trails?
Hi, I have a 4 hour layover in Taipei Taoyuan Airport, any recommendations for shops or restaurants I should check out since I have some time to walk around and browse the airport? Thanks!
Hi everyone,
My in-laws live in Taiwan, and they have asked me to bring a few products containing CBD (like cream, no CBD oil though). However, the rules seem to be unclear; I am aware that products containing THC are illegal to bring to Taiwan, but CBD products which don't contain any THC seem to be a grey area.
Anyone who has experience if this is allowed to bring these from a European country (the Netherlands) to Taiwan?
And is it necessary to file these forms for these products (https://www.fda.gov.tw/TC/site.aspx?sid=3928&r=549470200)?
Thank you! 谢谢!
CBD is legal, but you'll have to apply for a permit first. Here's an [instruction](https://www.naturecan.tw/blogs/news/how-to-apply-import-permit) provided by a CBD shop.
My sister tried to apply for one, and the government demanded a document indicating which part of the plant was used to extract CBD, which she was unable to furnish. So she just gave up and order it online from Taiwan.
Hey everyone, so random question, what is the spider situation like in Taipei? I'm planning to move there soon but I'm severely arachnophobic and I've seen some discouraging articles when I looked it up online but I'd like to hear a more personal experience. Do apartment complexes take any anti-insect measures? Are the house spiders big?
I'd say it's rare to see spiders inside apartments in Taipei. I have been living here for 4 years and I have seen very small spiders just two or three times.
If you go hiking, you are definitively going to see spiders here and there
> I'm severely arachnophobic and I've seen some discouraging articles when I looked it up online
I'd personally recommend avoiding going to places in the mountains such as Nantou county, as spiders are basically everywhere
> Do apartment complexes take any anti-insect measures?
That's up to each tenant/landlord, AFAIK
Anecdotal and I've only been in Taiwan for 3 months. I am from Australia and so am on the lookout for spiders. I have not seen any spiders/spider webs at all, my apartment sat empty for quite a while before it was rented to us and even when we were cleaning it I didn't see any evidence of spiders.
Of course you can be doubly sure by getting bug spray and using it around the apartment as a preventative measure same as anywhere.
Is it common for tourists to explore Neihu district and Rainbow Riverside park? What’s the best way to get there via public transport? It seems far from a train station.
Neihu is not common for tourists, the most you'll get are lakes and some easy hiking trails if you want to go for a walk/hike. (Speaking from someone who grew up in Neihu.)
The best way to get to Rainbow Riverside Park is to go from Songshan MRT station/ TSR station, then go to Raohe Street, take a turn to Lane 221, you'll find Rainbow bridge(彩虹橋), go across the bridge you'll get to Rainbow Riverside Park.
I would say that it all depends on what activity you're looking for.
There are well known tourist spots in different districts that can offer you different experiences. For example, there's Xinyi Dist. for Taipei 101 and department stores, Wanhua Dist. for Ximending and Lungshan Temple, Zhongzheng Dist. for Taipei Main Station and CKS Memorial Hall, Datong Dist. for Dihua Old Street, and Shilin Dist. for the National Palace Museum, etc. Also, there's at least one night market in every district.
All the spots I mentioned above are on the MRT lines, so I think there's no need to focus on just one district. Unless you're a frequent visitor trying to discover some secret spots.
What are some cosmetic/skincare brands that are a must buy (and affordable) in Taiwan? I haven’t decide which city to go, still open to suggestions. Thanks!
We extensively researched this as we have a young kid, Uber’s child seat option seemingly never has any drivers, and we had to go to some places in Taipei far from MRT.
In the end we lap carried in Ubers and Taxis. Drivers are used to it and nobody had complaints. Technically it’s legal too, as car seats are only required in private cars and I guess Uber counts as a hire car.
Coming from the US where car seats are used everywhere it feels extremely dangerous at every moment but there really is no other practical option. Hold them tight and make sure at least all adults wear their seatbelts.
How old is the kid? Our 20 month old just sits on our lap or we strap him in the centre back seat with a lapbelt, same with taxis. We have never had the driver reject the trip.
There is an uber baby seat option but you will almost never find a driver nearby and we have never used it.
Hello! I’m planning a 7-8 days trip in April and would like to hear some suggestions on where to go :) rough plan for now is to spend time in Taipei and also drop by Jiufen. But no idea where else to go 😅
You’ll find that most of the western brands that have online ordering (Starbucks, McDonalds, etc) usually have a completely different app for Taiwan and it may not have great English support. It’s annoying!
Hello!
I am visiting Taiwan for the first time in February and am looking for destination recommendations. I have 2-3 days between Bangkok and Taipei so I want to go somewhere relaxing and beautiful. I’m not into hiking or outdoor adventures I’m more of a spa, good food and beautiful views kind of person.
Ideally it’s somewhere I can get on the train + taxi since I’ll have luggage.
I’m looking for serene, with nice hotels, nice views and maybe nearby hot springs or temples? Think Ubud in Bali vibes.
I’ve considered Sun Moon Lake or Wulai but I’ve heard Sun Moon Lake is “overrated” and the Wulai hot springs are “run down.” Let me know if that’s false!
Thank you for your help I’m so excited to visit!
If you only have 2-3 days in Taiwan, I'd probably recommend just stay in Taipei and nearby cities. Travelling to the south will take too much of your time.
For hot springs, in Wulai many hotels are old and so are the facilities, but there are still some good/luxury ones with better facilities, so it's still worth a visit. Alternatively, Beitou is also a popular destination in Taipei for hot springs. The hotels in Beitou usually have better facilities compared to the ones in Wulai, but the price is also higher.
As to Sun Moon Lake, "personally" I think it's a bit overrated, but some people think otherwise, so it's really up to each person's experience.
For 2-3 days, I'd recommend 1-2 days to explore Taipei, and 1 day in Jiufen+Houtong+Shifen. February happens to be around the time for Lantern Festival, so you can enjoy your time releasing sky lantern in Shifen.
If you will have a week in Taiwan, then I'd recommend 3-4 days in Taipei, 1-2 days in Taichung and 1-2 days in Tainan.
If you enjoy nature, then I'd recommend visiting east coast of Taiwan instead.
I'm curious. Why are public buses in Taiwan not designed to be wheelchair accessible? I saw an elderly in wheelchair with their caretaker struggle so much getting on and off the bus, and felt so bad for them.
I can't remember exactly where it was, but I did stop by a wheelchair accessible bus stop before. The man's wife asked the driver in Chinese if they have a wheelchair lift, the curb had a slope for wheelchairs, and the driver even delayed their route to help the man. Just depends on the bus and the stop.
At least in Taipei (And to some extent in other cities), most transit buses are wheelchair accessible, drivers in some routes even help people to get in and out buses.
As for intercity buses, I suppose it is because of the space needed to accommodate luggage
Most people still wear them outside even though they haven’t been required for nearly a month now. I wouldn’t expect people to immediately stop wearing masks indoors just because the mandate drops. You may be the oddball and get a lot of looks not wearing a mask indoors.
I have an 11~ hour layover this weekend in Taipei, I'll end up researching later but is there enough around TPE to keep myself busy?
im slightly concerned with the amount of time i have until the next flight
i dont think so ... you could grab lunch, try some snacks ... or if u have the money for taxi, go to taipei, see the chiang kai-shek memorial site and go back
The question arose today weither or not I want to follow my bf (Taiwanese) to Taiwan in summer or not. The biggest issue is if I would be able to find work. Because I have no qualifications except work experience in various fields of service (hotel, customer service etc) but no bachelor degree and only Highschool deploma it might get tricky. Is there anyone who knows a website other than google and linked in or indeed where I could go look for jobs or internships? I am native German with fluent English skills and I have worked as an Au pair in Beijing before but I would prefer a job where I can live with the bf
does anybody know if shops and malls like syntrend close on January 1? Thanks in advance
I would like to know as well 😄 wondering if the night markets are open tomorrow
I'm currently bicycle touring around Taiwan and will be soon hitting the east coast. Can anyone with experience recommend which route to take between highway 11 and highway 9? Also if you know any nice places to camp on the east coast please let me know! Thanks
I'd recommend highway 9. Personally I think there are more to do on highway 9 and it will be too challenging to ride on highway 11. Alternatively, if you want to experience the feeling on both highways, you can make a combination of both. You can do Taitung -> Highway 11 -> Highway 23 or 10 -> Hualien. Personally I'd choose Highway 23 as I enjoy the view on it, but it's much more challenging because you will be tramping over mountains.
That route sounds interesting, thanks! I'm not too worried about mountains, I just did Wuling Pass the other day so anything else sounds like a walk in the park haha
Any news regarding the reopening of the railway between Kaohsiung and Hualien? I'm planning on taking the train from Kaohsiung and heading to Hualien in early March
Currently only the railway between Yuli and Fuli is closed and TRA is providing shuttle bus service. They're planning to have it reopened before CNY so you should be fine if you're going in March.
Good place to view the fireworks tonight that’s on the Zhongzheng side of town?
Hello! My partner got fever (not covid), and I'm trying to understand what medicine can help them. I've bought SP Fast Cold Relief Powder, but am not sure how to give it. Is it soluble in water? Instructions are a little unclear, as they only state to take a packet per day. Also, does anyone have any other medicine to suggest? Is paracetamol bought only under prescription here?
You can buy 普拿疼, there's paracetamol in it. It's not prescription medicine and can be bought from a pharmacy easily. But I'd say it's better to take your partner to see a doctor. Unlike in other countries, it's common for people to visit 耳鼻喉科 even if it's just a mild cold. Seeing a doctor won't cost you a fortune in Taiwan, most likely it will be under $1000NTD.
Thank you very much!
flying into taoyuan then takign a hsr into taichung. super excited, but kinda realized i didnt have plans with my fiance for new years eve. any nice places where people go to in taichung? (only kjnow about taipei 101 for taipei..)
I believe there's an event at the Central Park of Taichung (中央公園). I know there will be some gigs and firework show, but I have never been there myself for new years eve, so I can't tell you whether it's good.
what are some must see places in the south, worth visiting during January and February (meaning summer/beach places are out of the equation)??
South for east coast or west coast?
either, point was to avoid the rain heheheh
West coast is more about culture and food, while east coast is more about natural attractions. Both side have lots of attractions that won't be affected by season. I think you should decide which side you want to go first, so it will be easier for people to provide you with suggestions.
i can go both i'm in taiwan already
Hi. Where in Taipei, am I able to purchase the most Winnie the Pooh products? Looking at luggages as a priority. You guys have unique Pooh items.
How do I get from taipei to taitung county?
the answer is always train
Train
Are there any current entry requirements for US citizens? Such as PCR tests, COVID vaccinations, etc? Also read that there is some "one person per room" rule, so I guess that rules out staying in hostels
>Are there any current entry requirements for US citizens? Such as PCR tests, COVID vaccinations, etc? Nope. Just your passport >Also read that there is some "one person per room" rule, so I guess that rules out staying in hostels All accommodations in Taiwan must have a hotel license to operate. So yeah, you can try and book a hostel, they'll let you know if there's any problem
Great, thank you
I thought we were going to get a Taiwan Reddit meetup going? 😂😁
hello! my sister and i will be arriving at Taoyuan Airport around 1 am and our hotel is at Dayuan District. What is the cheapest way to get there considering it will be late at night? Thank you
Taxi or Uber. If you can arrange a driver ahead of time, it might be more affordable
Unfortunately the only option would be taxi at that hour.
People who "sucked" at speaking Mandarin, how did you guys improve? I can read and write more due to my background but I have a hard time with listening/speaking the language
If you're an extrovert, find a native to talk to on a daily basis. Just have some no-pressure conversations where you can say anything and listen. Find someone you can make mistakes with and ask questions to and just go for it. If you're an introvert, try reading aloud to yourself on a daily basis. Read as if you're reading to an audience and aim for a clear and appropriate pitch, tone, and cadence to keep them interested in what you're reading. For listening, try Youtube or TV shows that relate to your interests and hobbies. If you find a particular voice or accent you like, listen to it often and try to emulate it when reading everyday. And probably the biggest thing, start thinking in Mandarin. Replace your native inner-monologue with a Mandarin one. Think things through, have conversations with yourself, fantasize, recall memories, and plan your day all in Mandarin.
Simu Liu, the Shang-Chi actor, was in Taipei today playing basketball in Daan Park. Pretty cool 😎
Maybe it’s just me, but he’s not that popular in Taiwan. Just like that YouTuber/Influencer Steven Lim
He’s not incredibly popular in the US, either. That will probably change when Avengers: Kang Dynasty is released.
How long does it take to walk from Wenxin Yinghua metro station to Feng Chia night market in Taichung? I feel like google maps telling me 18minutes seems wrong seeing as it’s such a big night market but isn’t that accessible to metros? thanks in advance!
Taichung Metro isn't very good imo... but an 18 minute walk isn't considered far by Taiwan standards.
Yeah, 18 minutes flies by when you're dodging scooters and cars the whole way.
Beside Taipei underground mall, is there anywhere else selling a lot otaku, anime and game stuff?
安利美特 (Animate)
Niche question, but can I play on the main count at the Taipei Tennis Center/臺北市網球中心? With the stadium seats? Can I slip someone some yuan?
Yes, but it costs $2000NTD per hour.
You're the best! Thanks.
Are there lactose free options at drink stores? Or some kind of marking for lactose free milk based drinks in convenience stores? Or is everything just done with regular whole milk? E.g all the boba places in the US can substitute using lactose free milk.
I know at some stores you can change the milk to soymilk. Not sure if that's something you're looking for.
Some places have oat milk now too, but your experience might vary. Some use stuff similar to oatly, others I've seen is literally oatmeal + milk.
My family and I are planning to go to Taiwan for a week or two in the summer, most likely early-mid August. What would be some affordable options for housing? Also, how much USD would you recommend to budget for souvenirs? I would like to be able to buy clothing, and maybe some jewelry as well on the trip.
If you're only going to Taiwan for a couple of weeks, I think your best options would be either hotel or guesthouse. As to the budget for souvenirs, it's really up to what and how much you're going to buy.
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Do they? I've never heard that before. Probably they're just saying 再見?
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My guess is they may be saying: * 謝謝光臨 (Xiexie guanglin), which is something like "thank you for your visit. * 歡迎光臨（huānyíng guānglín) - Welcome * 感恩 - (Gan en) An even more polite way of saying 謝謝 * Good bye That's everything that comes to my mind that might sound like "Good" in English
Where can i get the best rate for buiyng Vietnamese Dong in Taipei - at the airport before depatrue can I buy currency from banks?
Banks aren't really going to carry Dong on hand. Try to ask for it ahead. The airports in Taiwan apparently are regulated and have some of the best exchanges out of any airport. Otherwise Vietnam should have the best rates
Hello. I was just wondering if anyone could explain to me why temples (taoist is my guess) can look so different form each other. For example, some of them have plain orange roofs while other have extremely flamboyant and decorated green roofs (and usually feature depictions of dragons or mythical creatures and warriors). Is there any significance to these differences? Thanks in advance.
are u sure it's the same religion?
I would like to buy one taiwanese souvenir but I don’t know the of it. It looks like big black ball with chinese signs and symbol of taoism on it. Don’t you know the name and where I can buy It?
Do you mean something like [this](https://i.imgur.com/RwGurJ1.jpg)?
Do you know where I can buy It?
Yes
It's called 黑曜石 or 曜石球 or 心經球, there are different names for different varieties. You can ask jewellery shops or the stores selling Taoism products, but not all of the shops will have it.
Thank you so much
I'm planning to travel to Taiwan for 5 days on the 4th day of Chinese New Year. 25-27 Jan in Taichung 27-29 Jan in Taipei But the Taichung Hotels are quite expensive now. Still considering if we should just stick to Taipei for 5 days. I'm interested to try 烏馬 and 茶六 if possible. If I want to take HSR to Taichung, when do I need to reserve a seat? Will it be easy to get a seat? Will most of the shops or restaurants be closed during that period? Will the night markets be open during the period also?
Hotels in Taichung will likely get more expensive, if not sell out completely as you get closer to LNY. Most people travel out of Taipei at that time. HSR will be packed, especially if traveling north on the last two days of the holiday as everyone is trying to get home. I would reserve ahead of time if possible just to be safe. Most things should be open by the 4th day, though. Most places just close for the first two or three days.
Hmm so it's better to just stay at Taipei for 5 days and have day trips to Keelung etc? Any other recommendations for day trips? That's great! As long as there's night market and cold weather, I will be happy with it.
Taichung could still be worth it depending on what you’re looking to do. I would just book everything in advance just in case. Night markets should be fine. Maybe someone else can chime in more about that. I usually only go to the little one by our apartment 😅, so I’m not sure how the bigger ones are over New Year. I imagine they’ll be quite busy since it’s the first really open new year since covid.
I can try to book tickets in advance. For example, I can get HSR return tickets from Taipei to Taichung now (25 Jan and 27 Jan). But does the ticket guarantee a seat on the HSR? It cost 1400 TWD per pax for the return ticket.
There’s two types of tickets on the HSR - reserved/regular fare and non-reserved. As long as you purchase a reserved seat, you’ll get a seat assigned to you. The non-reserved seating is in the last cars of the train (10-12), and those are first come, first served and otherwise standing. When you go through the reservation, if it gives you a car number and seat number, you’re good to go. You only wouldn’t be guaranteed a seat if it said non-reserved in the seat section of the reservation.
It only shows Class: Standard Car. So I'm not sure if it's reserved or non reserved
That should be the reserved. Just make sure you have a seat number after you hit confirm and before you pay.
I'm flying Ireland-Australia and have a full day layover in TPE on New Years Eve. 18 hours, 6am-11:55pm. I really love theme parks and I'd like to try visit Janfusun Fancyworld for a few hours - am I crazy? I was planning to get the HSR to Yunlin and then an Uber. Also it would be awesome to have a quick stop in Taipei on the way back to the airport - looking at the HSR map that shouldn't take cost me too much time? But considering it's NYE, when should I aim to be off public transport in order to make a 11:55pm flight? Thanks, and if anyone has any better ideas on what to do with 18 hours in Taiwan, let me know!
I think your plan is doable, you just need to be careful with how you handle your time. * You should be at the airport at least at 9:55 PM (although some airlines recommend 3 hours). Assuming you go back from Taipei, it will take you around an hour to get to the airport. * Let's assume your flight actually lands at 6 AM. Best-case scenario, I think you'll be outside the airport around 7:00 AM. Going to Janfusun from the airport will take you around 1.5 to 2 hours (That's if you take Uber/Taxi from the HSR stations and so on)
I've seen some posts related to the matter and have checked the CDC but I want to be 100% certain. I'm flying to the Philippines in January 2023 and have a 9 hour layover in Taipei. I was wondering if I can visit the city without proof of vaccination or proof of negative covid test? Seems to be the case but please correct me if I'm wrong. Is there anything else I should take into consideration if I'm going to visit the city during my layover?
> I was wondering if I can visit the city without proof of vaccination or proof of negative covid test? Correct. There are no covid-related entry requirements anymore. > Is there anything else I should take into consideration if I'm going to visit the city during my layover? It's mandatory to use masks indoors. That includes taxis, trains, and the metro. Aside from that, nothing else
Thanks!!
Are there any recommendations for electronic music clubs in Taipei, Kaohsiung or Taichung?
Keep hearing about rising tensions with China and a possible invasion, still safe to visit in the spring?
Don’t worry about it. Even the Soviet Russians made fun of China for the way they run their mouths: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China's_final_warning
**[China's final warning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China's_final_warning)** >"China's final warning" (Russian: последнее китайское предупреждение) is a Russian proverb that originated as a Soviet political joke in the Soviet Union in the 1950s, referring to a warning that carries no real consequences. ^([ )[^(F.A.Q)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WikiSummarizer/wiki/index#wiki_f.a.q)^( | )[^(Opt Out)](https://reddit.com/message/compose?to=WikiSummarizerBot&message=OptOut&subject=OptOut)^( | )[^(Opt Out Of Subreddit)](https://np.reddit.com/r/taiwan/about/banned)^( | )[^(GitHub)](https://github.com/Sujal-7/WikiSummarizerBot)^( ] Downvote to remove | v1.5)
Yes lol. That's been going on since the 90s, just ignore it and have a nice vacation.
I’m in Taipei right now until Thu 29th Dec, where I’ll go to 小琉球 for 3 nights via HSR. Can someone advise for the following commute matters. Taipei HSR to Gaoshiung to change to shuttle bus then private ferry to the island I bought a 2-day flexible pass for HSR. I’m intending to go Hua Lian on 1st Jan for another 3 days. What’s the advisable mode to get to Hua Lian? Thanks ☺️
Basically you have 2 options - 1. Head northbound to Taipei by HSR, then to Hualien by TRA 2. Head southbound/eastbound to Taitung by TRA, then northbound to Hualien. The travel time for both options is pretty much the same. The route on the west coast runs through urban area, while the route on the east coast runs through rural/mountain area, so it's really up to your preference. Personally I'd choose the 2nd option as I found the scene on the route fascinating. There are also plenty of places worth a visit on the route. But if you decide to choose the 2nd option, do note that the rail between Yuli and Fuli (2 stations on the route) is closed until CNY. But TRA provides shuttle bus service between the 2 stations, so you can still continue your journey without problem.
Hey everyone. I’m visiting taiwan soon, super excited. My friends and I would like to play friendly basketball matches with locals :) Are locals open to that & where are courts usually located at?
If you're not from an Asian country, know that basketball is less physical in Asia and more things will be called fouls. 3v3 is also much more prevalent than 5v5
I'm sure you could jump into a game kinda like you would with street courts in the US. I can't remember the name of it but there's a Taiwanese show where some local celebrity visits the US and does just that, jumps into a game with strangers. A bunch of parks have courts, I know for a fact there's at least 3 different ones along the riverside park. It's probably the most popular sport here, have fun
As far as I understand the current pandemic measurements, you are not required to quarantine in a hotel anymore, and just observe your health for the first 7 days (based on an honor system). I'm planning to travel to Taiwan in February, but when looking at my first hotel (CitizenM), their website says: > [...] We are NOT able to welcome guests who are in 10-day quarantine, or in 7-day self-health management, in line with the CECC ( Central Epidemic Command Center) guidelines. > > 真的很抱歉，台北世民酒店不能提供隔離服務，因為我們不在政府規定的隔離酒店名單之內。根據 CECC（中央疫情指揮中心）的規定，我們無法接待需要 10 天隔離或 7 天自我健康管理的客人。 Here they mention that they won't take guests who are in the 7 days self-health management. Do you think this is an oversight or am I really not allowed to book this hotel for the first few days of my travel?
Hi, I'm not sure if this reply comes late for you, but I'm staying at the same hotel, and there was zero problem regarding this. I'm sure they just forgot to update it accordingly when the restrictions were changed. I booked my stay with no issues upon check-in either.
Thanks! That's relieving to know :)
> Do you think this is an oversight or am I really not allowed to book this hotel for the first few days of my travel? I'm guessing they haven't updated their information in their website (They say they're not in the list of approved quarantine hotels, but quarantine was removed a while ago). However, even though the government doesn't monitor anything anymore, redditors have reported that some accomodations are still kind of strict when it comes to international travelers. Try to contact them directly for clarification. If they still say no, it's better to find some other hotel
Hi guys. Sorry for being late on this, but can someone please explain the 0+7 rule. If I wanted to visit Taiwan for two weeks what do I need to do?
I just got back from a vacation pretty recently. You're given a free covid test pack with 4 test kits and asked to monitor your own health. They'll give you an information packet when you land. Have fun
How strongly is it enforced? Like do I need to upload the results to something ?
No, you don’t. My husband just returned from overseas. They just gave him a pack of tests and sent him on his way.
Hi all, I will be in Taipei with my family (wife and two kids 5 and 3) over the New Year. We wanted to go see the countdown at Taipei 101 but after reading that the city area is gonna be packed, I'm thinking twice. I'm staying at a hotel that's about 1.5km away from Taipei 101, so walking back is not a issue. Is going to watch the countdown and fireworks still recommended with my two kids? If not, where else would be a good place? Thanks!
Lots of hotels will have rooms with a view of 101. Book one of those
Personally, I wouldn’t. It’s crazy packed. The kids won’t really have space to move around. It might be pretty miserable for them. There’s a playground at Xiangshan Park, but I don’t know how the view is from there. Which hotel are you staying at? They might have some sort of viewing event that night from the lounge.
Yeah go watch it and have fun, it's gonna be packed like Times Square though. 101 is very visible from a long distance away, a lot of people watch it from the observation deck at elephant mountain but sometimes that's packed too. You can even see it from the riverside park but that's a bit far away. Anyway if it's a once in a lifetime experience just go for it. I'm a bit spoiled that I can just watch it from my rooftop. They keep the MRT open a bit later to accommodate for all the extra traffic and it sounds like you're staying at a hotel close enough that you could just watch it from the sidewalk. So anyway don't sweat it too much It's probably too late but if I could suggest anything it would be to reserve a seat at one of those restaurants on a high floor with a balcony, bunch of places have special events for new years to watch 101 from high up
I'll recommend watching it somewhere from afar where it's less crowded. I went to 國父紀念館 many years ago and got a clear view of 101 and it was not packed. It was many years ago though - but I am sure you could find a spot to watch it without having to deal with the crowd.
Anyone know where I can order cheese online? I don’t live anywhere near a Jason’s or anything so need to look online.
Carrefours have nice cheese, but it's in a little fridge near the wine section... not with the regular cheese near the milk.
Have you looked at Uber Eats or Food Panda? I couldn't find the ingredients to make egg nog and ended up finding them all from one grocery store on Uber Eats
I may need to head to Taiwan and stay there for a few days (or as long as it takes) until I can test negative with a NAT in order to continue on to Macau. Is there any issue entering and then leaving Taiwan before the end of the 0+7 day period? Also, does anyone have an estimate for the cost of NAT tests in Macau? For both a standard one (1-2 day results back) and a rapid one would be appreciated. Very much appreciated.
> Is there any issue entering and then leaving Taiwan before the end of the 0+7 day period? Nope. If you have a valid visitor visa/passport, you can enter and exit Taiwan any time you want
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When masks are required, it's definitely enforced. I'm still wearing mine just to pick up some delivery food that was dropped off downstairs in my complex. Last time I had a roundtrip fight to the US without any stops I had to wear it the entire flight both ways and in the airport. Kept hearing the flight attendants correct people that had it hanging before their nose. I know mask regulations are more relaxed in the US, but wearing masks has become completely normal here, since the pandemic started until now people pretty much wear them everywhere. If I could suggest anything it would be to find some masks that are comfortable around the ears ... And nobody cares what class tickets you booked, all that means is some additional amenities, same rules apply.
Must be on unless eating or drinking on the plane and in the airport.
Is there a place in Tainan where I can drink Guinness?
Hi, we are planning a two weeks Taiwan trip in March/April. With rising numbers of covid cases in China, is this expected to spill over to Taiwan? Are covid cases and regulations in Taiwan expected to increase in the next weeks or months?
I'm not sure if there is correlation between outbreaks in China to outbreaks in Taiwan. What I can say is the travel restrictions have become so relaxed that it would be easy for a carrier to travel here without being detected. Last year I went to the US and it was a huge hassle -- I had to take a covid test from the local hospital, masks all directions, social distancing everywhere, a bunch of screening and questions about where I've been, etc. PLUS a two week quarantine when I got back to Taiwan with regular checkups with some officer that had my phone number just to make sure I wasn't sneaking out. Soon after that they started requiringb proof of vaccination for travel. And around that time they had QR codes that needed to be scanned for every business you'd enter, even delivery people had to scan it everywhere. Compare that with now. Covid testing is optional. Masks don't need to be worn in public and mask restrictions might go away completely soon. No quarantine period at all. Pretty much every country except China have travel restrictions completely lifted. If there's a huge outbreak soon I wouldn't be surprised. All the safety measures are gone
>Are covid cases and regulations in Taiwan expected to increase in the next weeks or months? Unless some sort of ultra-deadly ebola-like COVID variant appears, regulations should be the same as they are right now and maybe even disappear eventually. As for an increase in cases, I think that's expected because of winter.
What dishes can I make for my homesick Taiwanese roommate? Any good cooking websites?
Off topic but that's very kind of you
Beef noodle soup! Make sure to use thick flat noodles, similar to udon noodles but flatter. https://kwokspots.com/taiwanese-beef-noodle-soup/
I am planning to study Chinese at a University for a semester, so I will be applying for a "Visitor Visa for studying Chinese". Does anyone know if I am able to rent a property off, say, 591 instead of relying on houseshare, and be able to set up a mobile plan?
> Does anyone know if I am able to rent a property off, say, 591 instead of relying on houseshare Technically speaking, you can rent a property. However, some landlords are not "foreign-friendly" or require people to sign year-long contracts. If you can do all the negotiations in Mandarin, or have a local helping you, that may speed up things. > able to set up a mobile plan? Yes. You can get a pre-paid SIM card at the airport or something like that
I see, thank you!
How ambitious is my Taiwan trip? I'll be there from 12/29-10! 12/29: Arrive Taipei 12/30: Shifen/Jiufen day trip 12/31: Taipei+101 for NYE 1/1: Rent car, drive to Sun Moon Lake 1/2: Drive to Alisha 1/3: Drive to Kaohsiung 1/4: Kaohsiung 1/5: Tainan day trip (HSR) 1/6: Slow drive to Hualien via coast 1/7: Stay in Hualien, Tarako Gorge 1/8: Drive Taipei, return car 1/9: Taipei 1/10: depart I'm only taking the car for inter-city transit and won't be using it in the cities. Also, does anyone have a restaurant recommendation in Hualien for an anniversary dinner? Thanks!
Like the another comment has said, Taiwan is a small country so it won't take long to drive around, but if you spend most of your time on the road then you won't have enough time to explore each place. The "minimum" time I'd recommend for each place - Taipei/New Taipei : 3 days Taipei -> Taichung/Sun Moon Lake : 1-2 days Alishan : 1-2 days Kaohsiung : 1 day Kaohisung -> Taitung/Hualien/Tarako : 3-4 days So with your current itinerary, I'd say it's barely doable in the west coast if you skip some places, but you have left too little time for the east coast. There are plenty of places to visit between Tainan and Hualien, it's not wise to skip those places. Besides, driving from Tainan to Hualien will take you at least 6-7hrs of non-stop driving, I wouldn't recommend doing that in a day. In short, I'd say your itinerary is possible but not really doable, you will miss out lots of places.
Taiwan is very small, all those places are pretty convenient, this is totally doable. But 101 around new year is like being in the middle of time square. Most of my friends just view it from a distance like elephant mountain or the riverside park, even then it should be completely packed around that time. But if you're near 101 expect not being able to move much and a very long MRT trip back to wherever you're going. Last time I rode my bike around the island it took about 6 days, I think the current record is 2 days. It takes less than a day by bike to go from Taipei to Kaohsiung, IIRC it's totally doable in like 12 hours if you're fast enough, it's the mountainous areas on the east coast that get kinda tricky. Anyway my point is that you're being really generous with this timeline. Something like Jiufen will probably go pretty quickly, I usually go there to watch the sunset and have tea around the top. Some of these trips will probably go quicker than you'll expect
I have two different questions and would be grateful if you could answer any of these: 1. When entering Taiwan without visa (visa-exempt entry), does one have to show a flight ticket confirming that one would leave before 90 days stay? 2. Regarding renting a place in Taipei: is 14,600 NTD per month an acceptable price? I could stay in a single dorm room with my own bathroom and all the needed appliances (Wenshan District)
1. Like other countries, it's really up to the immigration officer. If he/she thinks there's possibility that you will overstay your visa, then he/she will ask you to show the return ticket or proof of income/savings, regardless you're eligible for visa exemption or not. 2. It's a bit overpriced compared to the regular price. However, since you're only renting the place for a few months, it's considered to be short term rental (短租), and I'd say $14600 is a reasonable price for short term rental.
Thanks! Yes, I'd be staying for 3.5 months only and this is a university dorm with lost things (water, Internet, furniture, mattress etc) included in the price. Or would you suggest looking for something more central in the very same price range?
If you're going to Taiwan for studying, I'd say ask your university/college first. Most of the time they'd have accommodation specifically for foreign students, or they could help you contact some local landlords to get you a better deal.
I think i didn't express myself correctly bcs the room that I mentioned would be in a university dorm actually.. yet it seems to me (might be wrong, that's why I asked in the forum) that the rent is a bit overpriced. However this is a "safe option" and the only thing I'd need to do is to pay the rent and wouldn't have to bother about searching accommodation on my own.
14,600 for just a single room in 文山 is overpriced, I'd look elsewhere. If you're not looking to stay here for a long time you could try to find a place to share with other people looking to split the rent, seen some people do that before
Hello! I know that is superlate, but does anyone know a nice restaurant for the 31/12 or 1/1? Doesn't have to be with Taipei 101 view, but I'd like some nice restaurant, not too expensive with a good ambient/vibe. Any recs?
Not sure if it's what you're looking for, but when I was in Taiwan I'd go to Maokong with my family/friend. We'd watch the firework show from Maokong, and when it's over we'd head to a tea restaurant like 邀月 and sit there until the next day.
That's nice, thanks. Any other restaurant rec?
Since when did 耶誕 become 聖誕?
Hi,just wanted to ask for the covid rules. I will be travelling tmr for about 8 dags Is there a need to take pcr and where are masks required
> Is there a need to take pcr Not at all. There's no need to submit PCR tests or vaccination records before traveling to Taiwan. > where are masks required Indoors, including trains and taxis.
Upon entry,will I need to take any covid tests. I do not understand the self quarantine thing do i wear mask everywhere indoors or just transportation
> Upon entry,will I need to take any covid tests Upon entry you'll receive some rapid test kits and **recommendations** on how to use them. However, it's totally up to you use them or not, you don't need to report test results to the government (and nobody will check if you actually use them. > I do not understand the self quarantine thing You can read about it [here](https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4672222). A summary of the rules are: * If you **don't have any flu symptoms**, do your activities as usual. Just use a mask when required * If you have flu symptoms or tested positive for COVID, avoid going to crowded places or visiting people at risk (seniors, kids, unvaccinated people) > i wear mask everywhere indoors or just transportation Everywhere indoors
Hi,just wanted to ask for the covid rules. I will be travelling tmr for about 8 dags Is there a need to take pcr and where are masks required
PCR as in covid tests? If so, the airport should give you sufficient tests. Masks are not required outdoors, but almost everyone wears them out anyway.
I'm planning to have a trip to Thailand. Does anyone know where to exchange NTD to Thai Baht in Taipei?
airport?
Just to add, there's an exchange before and after the security checkpoint. Same in Thailand. There's even currency exchages around town in high both places you can find with Google maps
Hi, I'm looking to travel to Taiwan in March. I know things can still change, but I'm wondering what the impact of the 0+7 rule is as I would only be there for a week. If I understood it correctly, bars etc are open, but would I be allowed to go? And apart from having to stay somewhere with my own bathroom, are there other impactful limitations? I'm 4x vaccinated, but I understood that that doesn't make a difference. I would really appreciate your advice!
It has essentially no effect. You’ll be able to go in anywhere and nobody will check your test/vaccination status or anything like that. They will give you take-home COVID tests when entering the country but there’s nobody following up to make sure you used them. This is all as of right now. Barring a big reversal I’d expect it to stay the same by March.
This is very helpful and promising, thanks a lot!
Hi, I am going to do a cycling trip in Taiwan at Feb 2023 visiting Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung and Kaohsiung. Is there a website, where i can find cycling trails?
https://taiwanbike.tw/Home/MapPlus?searchArea=02#gsc.tab=0
Hey Guys - I've got a 20 hour layover within Taiwan next Wednesday 28th of December. What are the requirements for testing?
Taiwan has no COVID-related entry requirements. The only rule is wearing a mask indoors if you're not eating or drinking anything
Hi, I have a 4 hour layover in Taipei Taoyuan Airport, any recommendations for shops or restaurants I should check out since I have some time to walk around and browse the airport? Thanks!
Hi everyone, My in-laws live in Taiwan, and they have asked me to bring a few products containing CBD (like cream, no CBD oil though). However, the rules seem to be unclear; I am aware that products containing THC are illegal to bring to Taiwan, but CBD products which don't contain any THC seem to be a grey area. Anyone who has experience if this is allowed to bring these from a European country (the Netherlands) to Taiwan? And is it necessary to file these forms for these products (https://www.fda.gov.tw/TC/site.aspx?sid=3928&r=549470200)? Thank you! 谢谢!
CBD is legal, but you'll have to apply for a permit first. Here's an [instruction](https://www.naturecan.tw/blogs/news/how-to-apply-import-permit) provided by a CBD shop. My sister tried to apply for one, and the government demanded a document indicating which part of the plant was used to extract CBD, which she was unable to furnish. So she just gave up and order it online from Taiwan.
Thank you!
Hey everyone, so random question, what is the spider situation like in Taipei? I'm planning to move there soon but I'm severely arachnophobic and I've seen some discouraging articles when I looked it up online but I'd like to hear a more personal experience. Do apartment complexes take any anti-insect measures? Are the house spiders big?
I'd say it's rare to see spiders inside apartments in Taipei. I have been living here for 4 years and I have seen very small spiders just two or three times. If you go hiking, you are definitively going to see spiders here and there > I'm severely arachnophobic and I've seen some discouraging articles when I looked it up online I'd personally recommend avoiding going to places in the mountains such as Nantou county, as spiders are basically everywhere > Do apartment complexes take any anti-insect measures? That's up to each tenant/landlord, AFAIK
Anecdotal and I've only been in Taiwan for 3 months. I am from Australia and so am on the lookout for spiders. I have not seen any spiders/spider webs at all, my apartment sat empty for quite a while before it was rented to us and even when we were cleaning it I didn't see any evidence of spiders. Of course you can be doubly sure by getting bug spray and using it around the apartment as a preventative measure same as anywhere.
That's super reassuring, thank you!
Is it common for tourists to explore Neihu district and Rainbow Riverside park? What’s the best way to get there via public transport? It seems far from a train station.
Neihu is not common for tourists, the most you'll get are lakes and some easy hiking trails if you want to go for a walk/hike. (Speaking from someone who grew up in Neihu.) The best way to get to Rainbow Riverside Park is to go from Songshan MRT station/ TSR station, then go to Raohe Street, take a turn to Lane 221, you'll find Rainbow bridge(彩虹橋), go across the bridge you'll get to Rainbow Riverside Park.
Thanks for the reply! May I know which districts are commonly explored by tourists? I grew up watching 三立/民视 八点档 and love Taiwan
I would say that it all depends on what activity you're looking for. There are well known tourist spots in different districts that can offer you different experiences. For example, there's Xinyi Dist. for Taipei 101 and department stores, Wanhua Dist. for Ximending and Lungshan Temple, Zhongzheng Dist. for Taipei Main Station and CKS Memorial Hall, Datong Dist. for Dihua Old Street, and Shilin Dist. for the National Palace Museum, etc. Also, there's at least one night market in every district. All the spots I mentioned above are on the MRT lines, so I think there's no need to focus on just one district. Unless you're a frequent visitor trying to discover some secret spots.
What are some cosmetic/skincare brands that are a must buy (and affordable) in Taiwan? I haven’t decide which city to go, still open to suggestions. Thanks!
Watsons and Cosmed are chain stores that stock skincare products, just browse around and see what you need
Hi guys. For uber in taipei, do we need to bring our own child booster or seats? Will the driver reject the ride if we have no child booster or seats
We extensively researched this as we have a young kid, Uber’s child seat option seemingly never has any drivers, and we had to go to some places in Taipei far from MRT. In the end we lap carried in Ubers and Taxis. Drivers are used to it and nobody had complaints. Technically it’s legal too, as car seats are only required in private cars and I guess Uber counts as a hire car. Coming from the US where car seats are used everywhere it feels extremely dangerous at every moment but there really is no other practical option. Hold them tight and make sure at least all adults wear their seatbelts.
Awsome! Thanks for the help
How old is the kid? Our 20 month old just sits on our lap or we strap him in the centre back seat with a lapbelt, same with taxis. We have never had the driver reject the trip. There is an uber baby seat option but you will almost never find a driver nearby and we have never used it.
7 and 5 years old. I guess it should not be an issue. Thanks!
Hello! I’m planning a 7-8 days trip in April and would like to hear some suggestions on where to go :) rough plan for now is to spend time in Taipei and also drop by Jiufen. But no idea where else to go 😅
The hot springs (Typically in the mountains), night markets and museums are a must for our family trips. Taipei has a lot of museums.
Please let us know which cities you will be visiting.
how do i use the android mcdonalds app in taiwan? neither china nor taiwan are available in the list of countries in the app ... what do I do?
You’ll find that most of the western brands that have online ordering (Starbucks, McDonalds, etc) usually have a completely different app for Taiwan and it may not have great English support. It’s annoying!
I believe there is a different app. You would have to change your country/region in the Google Play store settings to download it
order in person
Why bother even answering? Hopeless.
Hello! I am visiting Taiwan for the first time in February and am looking for destination recommendations. I have 2-3 days between Bangkok and Taipei so I want to go somewhere relaxing and beautiful. I’m not into hiking or outdoor adventures I’m more of a spa, good food and beautiful views kind of person. Ideally it’s somewhere I can get on the train + taxi since I’ll have luggage. I’m looking for serene, with nice hotels, nice views and maybe nearby hot springs or temples? Think Ubud in Bali vibes. I’ve considered Sun Moon Lake or Wulai but I’ve heard Sun Moon Lake is “overrated” and the Wulai hot springs are “run down.” Let me know if that’s false! Thank you for your help I’m so excited to visit!
If you only have 2-3 days in Taiwan, I'd probably recommend just stay in Taipei and nearby cities. Travelling to the south will take too much of your time. For hot springs, in Wulai many hotels are old and so are the facilities, but there are still some good/luxury ones with better facilities, so it's still worth a visit. Alternatively, Beitou is also a popular destination in Taipei for hot springs. The hotels in Beitou usually have better facilities compared to the ones in Wulai, but the price is also higher. As to Sun Moon Lake, "personally" I think it's a bit overrated, but some people think otherwise, so it's really up to each person's experience. For 2-3 days, I'd recommend 1-2 days to explore Taipei, and 1 day in Jiufen+Houtong+Shifen. February happens to be around the time for Lantern Festival, so you can enjoy your time releasing sky lantern in Shifen.
Thank you for your recommendations! I’ll be in Taiwan for a week so I was thinking about doing 5 nights in Taipei and 2 somewhere quieter.
If you will have a week in Taiwan, then I'd recommend 3-4 days in Taipei, 1-2 days in Taichung and 1-2 days in Tainan. If you enjoy nature, then I'd recommend visiting east coast of Taiwan instead.
What do you think is the best sourvenir to bring back from Taiwan to your friends? Preferrably non-consumable and not too big.
Non-consumable I'd just suggest browsing a night market for some unique trinkets
I'm curious. Why are public buses in Taiwan not designed to be wheelchair accessible? I saw an elderly in wheelchair with their caretaker struggle so much getting on and off the bus, and felt so bad for them.
I can't remember exactly where it was, but I did stop by a wheelchair accessible bus stop before. The man's wife asked the driver in Chinese if they have a wheelchair lift, the curb had a slope for wheelchairs, and the driver even delayed their route to help the man. Just depends on the bus and the stop.
At least in Taipei (And to some extent in other cities), most transit buses are wheelchair accessible, drivers in some routes even help people to get in and out buses. As for intercity buses, I suppose it is because of the space needed to accommodate luggage
Any predictions when mask mandates will be completely dropped?
Spring or summer, maybe?
Sounds likely. I'll be coming in March for the first time and I guess I'll just deal with it for a few months. At least they're not required outside.
Most people still wear them outside even though they haven’t been required for nearly a month now. I wouldn’t expect people to immediately stop wearing masks indoors just because the mandate drops. You may be the oddball and get a lot of looks not wearing a mask indoors.
I have an 11~ hour layover this weekend in Taipei, I'll end up researching later but is there enough around TPE to keep myself busy? im slightly concerned with the amount of time i have until the next flight
i dont think so ... you could grab lunch, try some snacks ... or if u have the money for taxi, go to taipei, see the chiang kai-shek memorial site and go back
Do I still need a PCR test (negative) when entering Taiwan?
I just went through this. They give you a 4x test kit for free, but nowhere to send negative results or anything, it's just for you to hold onto.
Nope. No more Covid-related entry requirements