What is Taiwan known for?

Taiwan has everything a traveler could wish for. A country of contrasts, it`s known for both its bustling cities and its tranquil mountain retreats. For those who prefer the cities, you will have lots of opportunities to sample many delicious foods and teas and get some unique souvenir shopping in at the country`s many night markets. Taiwan has a strong folk cultural tradition, which you can experience by attending one of Taiwan`s numerous festivals, many of which are held in and around Buddhist and Confucian temples. (There are over 12,000 temples in Taiwan!) Going back to those who like tranquility, you can enjoy a dip at the 100+ hot springs all over the island, which comes in handy after a long day of hiking and mountain climbing. Speaking of tranquility, there`s nothing quite like the blissful feeling you`ll have on Taiwanese beaches; the island`s coastline and waters some of the most beautiful in Asia.

What are the best places to visit in Taiwan?

The top three most popular places to visit in Taiwan are Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Kenting. Taipei, in the north, is the country`s buzzing capital; Kaohsiung, its second-largest city, and Kenting, home to a large national park, are located in southern Taiwan.

When is the best time to visit Taiwan?

Generally, the best time to visit Taiwan is from October to April when the weather is warm and dry (for the most part) across the country. This is the time when the popular cherry blossom season begins (typically in March) which is a fantastic sight to see in the mountain town of Alishan. The high travel season for tourists in Taiwan is July and August with high rates for travel and accommodation. This time of year also brings some of the highest temperatures and humidity and lots of crowded attractions. The Chinese New Year (typically February) is also a very busy, crowded and expensive time of year to travel to Taiwan when accommodations sell out in advance. For more information, see Best Time to Visit Taiwan.

How many days should I spend in Taiwan?

We recommend approximately 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in Taipei.

What is the best way to get around Taiwan?

We recommend seeing Taiwan by car and by train.

By Car: Over the last 50 years, Taiwan has built a very advanced nationwide road network, with highways connecting the entire densely-populated western coast, and smaller roads connecting the east coast with the west. It is possible to drive by highway from the north to the south of the island along the western corridor. Signs are labeled in Chinese and English.

By Train: Taiwan has a very advanced rail system, thanks due in part to cooperation with train developers in Europe and Japan. Rail lines connect all areas of the country and are administered by the Taiwan Railways Administration. This company is broken up into two daughter companies: Taiwan Railways, which operates the vast network of lines stretching across the island; and Taiwan High Speed Rail, which connects Taipei and Kaohsiung. There are local light rail and/or metro services in Taipei, New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taoyuan, and Taichung.

What is the currency of Taiwan?

The currency of Taiwan is the New Taiwanese dollar (written in shorthand as NT$). U.S. dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for New Taiwanese dollars upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at many locations throughout the country. For more information, see Tipping in Taiwan.

Do people speak English in Taiwan?

Taiwan`s official language is Mandarin Chinese. The Taiwanese dialect of Chinese spoken here is called Hokkien. English is a popular foreign language and you will most likely find people who speak English in Taipei and in the north of the country. It becomes less and less common to find English speakers the further south you go in the country, but you will find someone around to help you even if you encounter a few people who cannot communicate with you. We suggest you learn a few common phrases in Chinese such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.