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Bustling night markets, colorful festivals, and savory food-- Taiwan is a mixture of these and they are the reasons why tourists go back for again and again. Discover all the hidden gems from old streets, taste all the local dishes, and get lost in the city. By the time your trip is finished, you’ll be longing for the peacefulness of the temples, picturing the beauty of the landscapes, and craving for Taiwan’s food.

At A Glance

For a small country in Southeast Asia, Taiwan offers an enormous amount of possibilities. From its culture and history to its arts and religion, Taiwan’s attractions are centered around these and its people. One of the things to do in your visit to Taiwan is to visit temples, palaces, and national parks. These are ideal places to learn about their history and culture. But before going to any place, it’s important that you familiarize yourself with some basic information. It doesn’t hurt to learn about the most commonly used phrases like “how much?” or “how to go to--?” Aside from these, a country’s currency is one of the need-to-knows. Taiwan’s currency is the New Taiwan Dollar. NT$ 1.00 is equivalent to Php 1.67. With this in mind, you’ll be ready to explore one of the lands of the Republic of China— Taiwan.

How to Go to Taiwan

You may have your Taiwan itinerary ready but there’s still the question of how you’d get there. The most convenient way to travel is by plane. From Manila, Philippines, it only takes about 2 hours to arrive in Taiwan! Direct flights from Manila to Taipei are offered by Cebu Pacific Airways, Air Asia, China Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Eva Air. It’s now up to you which airline you choose to carry you to your travel destination.

Getting Around

Exploring Taiwan is a lot easier when you board a train. Their railway system is efficiently connected throughout the whole island. It’s safe and comfortable, so you can just sit back and enjoy the view as you wait for the station you’ll get off. In case you’re not much of a fan of trains, there are also intercity buses at your disposal. Taxis and car rentals are also available. Aside from these, there are also public bicycles which you can rent throughout the city. This is a great way to get to know the city while exercising and reducing carbon footprint.

Tourist Attractions

Travelling nurtures one’s soul. The best way to connect a place you’re visiting is to take time to get to know sights and try to talk to the locals. Here are some of the must-see places in Taiwan that are sure to give you all the feels.

• Taipei 101

One of the tallest buildings in the world and one of Taiwan’s pride, this building has a uni-body design that’s inspired by Chinese number 8. This number is considered a lucky number for the Chinese community. It has an observatory on the 89th floor which offers an unobscured view of the city and the Taipei Basin. It also has a mall where you can shop for luxury goods, fashion, and experience fine dining.

• National Palace Museum

Take a glimpse of the past and admire the riches of China. The National Museum holds the biggest collection of Chinese art treasures from nearly 5,000 years ago. Most of the artifacts were a part of the Chinese Imperial collection which began in the early Song dynasty.

• Taroko National Park

Marvel at the beautiful mountains and marble canyons cut by the Liwu River at the Taroko National Park. Trek the trail in search of some of the parks famous waterfalls. Admire the scenic natural sights and pay homage to an old Atayal Village in Tianxiang.

• Shilin Night Market

Let your hair down for a night and visit one of the most visited night markets in Taiwan. Tourists flock to this place in search of a gastronomic adventure. This is where you’ll find authentic Taiwan cuisine for an affordable price. Hop from one stall to another until you get your fill. Aside from food, you can also find shops related to furniture, clothes, photos, and pets.

• Rainbow Military Dependents’ Village

Take Instagram-worthy pictures that are sure to make your feed colorful. The paintings on the houses and walls of this village were painted by Grandpa Rainbow, Mr. Huang Yung-Fu. This unique village is located in Taichung City. While you’re in the area, don’t forget to try the Miyahara Ice Cream.

Travel Seasons

The best time to visit Taiwan is during the Autumn season. Taiwan’s weather will be cooler and the typhoon season, which is from June to September, is almost over. Rains will be less frequent and sunny days are plenty. The Moon Festival and the Double Ten day are also celebrated during this time. There will be lots of festivities that’ll make your Taiwan tour an unforgettable experience. Winter in Taiwan is also a busy one. With the temperature rarely dropping below 10 degrees, it’s cool enough but not very cold to be out and about.

Taiwan Travel Tips

• Purchase an EasyCard when touring Taiwan. This can be used on the MRT, convenience stores, supermarkets, Youbikes, and parking lots. This card works like a prepaid credit.
• Always bring an umbrella. The weather is fickle even in Taiwan. It may be sunny in the morning but there's always a possibility of rain in the afternoon.
• If you're planning to hike, you have to secure a Foreigner's Mountain Pass from the ROC Mountain Association. A guide will accompany you on your hike.
• Taiwan uses 110 volts at 60 cycles of electric current. They have a two-hole socket for plugs with flat prongs and a three-hole socket for plugs with two flat prongs and one round prong.