Taiwan Travel Guide

Taiwan has its own immigration policy. US, UK, EU, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and many other passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. A mainland China visa has NO validity in Taiwan. Entry to Taiwan is managed by the National Immigration Agency of Taiwan. Always check the Bureau of Consular Affairs website for your specific nationality — the rules are straightforward but they do change. You will receive an entry stamp or a landing card on arrival, not a visa sticker. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay.

There are no direct passenger flights between Taiwan and mainland China at present. Travelers going from one to the other must transit through a third location — Hong Kong, Macau, Seoul, Incheon, or another regional hub. A flight from Shanghai to Taipei via Hong Kong takes about 5–6 hours total including the layover. This adds cost and time, so plan your itinerary accordingly. Travel between Kinmen/Matsu (Taiwan-controlled islands near the Fujian coast) and mainland China by ferry is possible for certain passport holders but is subject to specific regulations.

The New Taiwan Dollar (TWD, often denoted NT$). ATMs are widespread and most accept foreign cards (look for the Cirrus or Plus logo). Credit cards work at hotels, department stores, and larger restaurants, but night markets and small food stalls are cash-only. As of June 2026, roughly NT$32 = US$1. The EasyCard (contactless stored-value card) is accepted at convenience stores, MRT, buses, and some taxis — it is the best way to avoid carrying pocketfuls of change.

More than in mainland China, less than in Hong Kong or Singapore. MRT and HSR signage is bilingual (Chinese and English). Major tourist sites have English information. Younger people in Taipei often speak basic English, especially in cafes and shops. In night markets, pointing and smiling works fine — menus usually have pictures. Outside Taipei (Tainan, Kaohsiung, the east coast), English proficiency drops noticeably. Google Translate with the camera feature solves most problems. Taiwanese people are generally friendly and patient with foreign visitors trying to communicate.

Taiwan is a mid-range destination. Budget: NT$1,200–1,800/day (hostel, street food, MRT/bus). Mid-range: NT$3,000–5,000/day (3–4 star hotel, mix of restaurants). A bowl of beef noodle soup at a famous shop runs NT$200–350 (US$6–11). Night market meals: NT$100–300 for a full dinner's worth of snacks. HSR Taipei–Kaohsiung: NT$1,490 one-way. Entrance to most attractions: NT$50–250 (often free or cheap compared to Western equivalents). Taiwan is cheaper than Japan or South Korea, comparable to mid-tier Chinese cities, and more expensive than Southeast Asia.

It depends on what you want. Shilin is the biggest and most famous — it has the widest variety, but it is also the most touristy and prices have crept up. Raohe Street is my pick for food quality and atmosphere: the black pepper buns (胡椒餅 hújiāo bǐng) at the entrance are worth the queue. Ningxia is smaller, more local, and focuses almost entirely on food rather than shopping or games. Tonghua (Linjiang Street) is where locals go after work. Avoid Shilin on weekends — the main food court becomes a slow-moving crush of people.

Some sections have reopened but others remain closed or have restricted access. The situation changes as repairs progress. As of June 2026, Swallow Grotto (the most famous marble-walled section) is partially accessible. The Shakadang Trail and Baiyang Waterfall Trail have sections that may be closed. Always check the Taroko National Park official website within a few days of your visit — do not rely on guidebooks or older travel blogs. Even with closures, there is enough accessible to fill a full day. The visitor center at the park entrance has the most current trail status.

Exceptionally safe. Violent crime is rare. You can walk around Taipei at midnight without concern. The biggest risks are natural: typhoons (July–October), earthquakes (Taiwan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire), and dehydration on summer hikes. Download the Central Weather Administration app for typhoon and earthquake alerts. Scams targeting tourists are uncommon compared to many other Asian destinations. One thing to watch: scooter traffic is intense, and pedestrians should look both ways even on one-way streets.

October through December is ideal — the weather is dry and temperatures range 20–28°C. March through May is spring, with cherry blossoms in the mountains and comfortable temperatures, though rain increases. June through September is hot, humid, and the peak typhoon season; it is also when Taroko Gorge hiking is at its best (trails are driest). January and February are cool (12–18°C in Taipei) and can be damp. Chinese New Year (lunar calendar, usually late January or February) is a major domestic travel period — HSR trains sell out and hotels spike in price.

Start with beef noodle soup (牛肉面 niúròu miàn) — Lin Dong Fang or Yongkang Beef Noodle in Taipei are the classics. Bubble tea at its birthplace: Chun Shui Tang in Taichung or any of the hundred tea shops on every Taipei block. Night market staples: stinky tofu (臭豆腐 chòu dòufu), oyster omelette (蚵仔煎 é-ā jiān), pepper buns (胡椒餅 hújiāo bǐng), grilled squid, and coffin bread (棺材板 guāncái bǎn — a Tainan specialty, fried bread filled with chowder). For breakfast, find a local shop for dan bing (蛋饼, egg crepe) and warm soy milk (豆漿 dòujiāng). Xiao long bao (soup dumplings) at Din Tai Fung are the original — the Taipei 101 branch is the flagship. Pineapple cakes from Chia Te or SunnyHills make the best souvenir.