Taiwan

What you need to know before you go

    Taiwan may be a fairly small island, but it’s packed with an incredible degree of diversity. It’s one of the most densely populated areas in the world, yet has huge tracts of beautiful wilderness. At the same time as being a fantastic destination for fashion and shopping, it’s just as popular for its hiking trails and outdoor pursuits.

    The different cities and counties of Taiwan each have their own unique character and culture. Taipei is naturally the most lively and cosmopolitan, while Nantou has the most interesting history, Yilan has the friendliest people and Hsinchu is the most artistic. With the help of an ultra-modern public transport system, getting from one of the island to the other is very easy and affordable, so you can enjoy all of these different destinations and more within a single trip.

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    What to see & do in Taiwan

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    The choice of things to do in Taiwan is excellent, and includes a surprising amount of outdoor activities. Despite being one of the most densely populated places in the world, large areas of the island are still delightfully untouched, especially around Nantou and Yilin counties. You’ll find great hiking trails, fishing spots and even some excellent surfing beaches on the coast. However, Taiwan is perhaps more famous for the cityscapes... Read more

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    Where & what to eat in Taiwan

    Taiwan’s restaurant and dining scene is growing in popularity across Asia as tiny back-alley outfits grow to become international franchises. On the island itself, virtually every corner restaurant offers a mouth-watering selection of noodles or rice dishes, and will tempt you into trying a morsel of the hot soupy noodles made in every way possible. Notable noodle dishes include the steaming hot Hsinchu rice noodles, Nantou slender noodles... Read more

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    Where to shop & what to buy in Taiwan

    Taiwan is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Asia. With its incredible amount of shopping malls, Taipei is a great place to find clothes, fashion accessories, footwear, electronic products and virtually everything available under the sun. Except that you don’t have to be under the sun while you shop – you can enjoy the air-conditioned coolness and modern conveniences. At the other end of the spectrum, Taiwan is... Read more

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    Where to go & what to do at night in Taiwan

    Taiwan’s nightlife scene is mostly concentrated in Taipei. The array of things you can see and do after dark there will be more than enough to keep you entertained. The pubs and clubs here are of a world-beating standard, and there’s the added entertainment of karaoke lounges, which are especially popular with locals. Taiwan is also famous for its night markets, and these are just as good in the... Read more

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    Useful information

    Taiwan is undoubtedly one of the most famous islands in Asia, thanks to its remarkable people, culture and natural landscapes. While heavily westernised, it helps to know a little Mandarin, Hokkien or Cantonese to make your travels easier. Otherwise, you can stick to English because most of its locals in major cities are well-versed in this language. The best time to visit Taiwan is during the months between October... Read more

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