Taiwan is also a popular tourist city, and there are many people traveling to Taiwan every year. Here are some questions about what people are more concerned about when they go to Taiwan, most of them are still about transportation, so you can read more about it.
Q1What documents do I need to apply for when traveling to Taiwan?
A1
To travel to Taiwan (free trip), you need to apply for the "Mainland Residents Entry and Exit Permit to Taiwan" (referred to as the Taipa), individual travel endorsement (G visa), and then apply for the "Republic of China Entry and Exit Permit for Taiwan" (referred to as the entry permit). That is, "two certificates and one endorsement".
The GVP and the tourist endorsement need to go to the Exit-Entry Administration Office by themselves, and the required documents can be found on the Exit-Entry Office website, and the processing fee is 30 yuan per GVP and 20 yuan per tourist endorsement.
Tips:
At present, there are 47 cities open for mainland residents to visit Taiwan under the Individual Visit Scheme, and residents with household registration in these cities can apply for individual travel to Taiwan. In addition, those who work in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen and have paid social security continuously for more than one year or are students can travel to Taiwan under the Individual Visit Scheme even if they are householders of other places. The following is a list of cities that have opened up the Individual Visit Scheme:
Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Jinan, Xi'an, Fuzhou, Shenzhen, Shenyang, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Suzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shijiazhuang, Changchun, Hefei, Changsha, Nanning, Kunming, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, Taiyuan, Guiyang, Yantai, Harbin, Zhongshan, Dalian, Wenzhou, Nanchang, Wuxi, Haikou, Hohhot, Lanzhou, Yinchuan, Changzhou, Zhoushan, Huizhou, Weihai, Longyan, Guilin, Xuzhou.
After you have applied for the "Chase" and travel endorsement, you can apply for the "Entry Permit to Taiwan" through a qualified travel agency. The cost of the Entry Permit varies from travel agency to travel agency, and can be handled on Sobo and major travel platforms. In addition, the tourist endorsement is valid for 6 months and the Entry Permit is valid for 3 months. Travelers can stay in Taiwan for no more than 15 days from the next day of entry.
Q2 Do I need travel insurance to go to Taiwan?
A2
The possibility of accidents cannot be ruled out during travel, and the cost of medical treatment in Taiwan hospitals is generally high for uninsured travelers. Therefore, for the safety of yourself and your family, you can buy travel insurance that suits you according to the destination you are traveling to and the tour you will be participating in.
Q3 How do I get to Taiwan?
A3
There are three ways to reach Taiwan: there are direct flights from major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, which are time-saving and convenient; some people go to Hong Kong for connecting flights to Taiwan, which will be cheaper; and from Xiamen, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, etc., there are regular passenger ferries to and from Taiwan's main island, which is also a popular way to reach Taiwan that departs overnight and is inexpensive.
Q4 What is the weather like in Taiwan?
A4
Taiwan's climate is relatively mild, with few extremes of weather except for the occasional typhoon in June-August. The average temperature in January in the north is about 15°C, in the south it is 20°C, and in July the average temperature across Taiwan is about 30°C. Therefore, you can go to Taiwan with mainly summer clothes and a few long-sleeved clothes. In addition, it rains frequently in Taipei in winter and the weather is more overcast, so you can prepare a thicker jacket. And be sure to pay attention to sun protection.
Q5 When is the best time to visit Taiwan?
A5
Taiwan has a subtropical climate, so it's great to travel there all year round. However, because of the cold and wet winter and the typhoons in summer, the best time to travel is in spring (March-May) and fall (September-November). Taiwan also has major department store anniversary celebrations in October with great discounts, which is great for shopping.
Q6How do I book a hotel in Taiwan?
A6The tourism industry in Taiwan is more developed, from high-class hotels to bed and breakfasts are very much available, and booking is very convenient, with a variety of APPs available for booking hotels.
Q7 What about B&Bs in Taiwan?
A7
Taiwan's tourism industry is more developed, so both for hotels and B&Bs are more strictly regulated, coupled with the unique local customs, the quality of B&Bs in Taiwan is basically very high, and it is recommended that when you go to Taiwan, you experience the local B&Bs.
Q8What are the must-have items to bring to Taiwan?
A8
There are quite a few must-have items when traveling to Taiwan. Documents such as your ID card, the GCR, the Entry Permit to Taiwan, and a travel insurance policy are a must-have. Depending on the weather conditions in Taiwan, you should also prepare the appropriate clothing. In addition, it is recommended to bring cold medicine, diarrhea medicine, anti-mosquito medicine and other emergency medicines
Q9 Do I need to buy a cell phone card to go to Taiwan?
A9
Mainland cell phones can be used directly in Taiwan by opening an international roaming service, but the rates for using the network will be slightly higher. If the number of travelers is small, it is recommended to buy a Taiwan cell phone card, which can be bought in advance in the mainland, or you can buy it when you arrive in Taiwan. If the number of travelers is large, you can also buy a portable WiFi to use. In addition, many places in Taiwan also have free WiFi, you can register to use.
Q10Where can I exchange Taiwan dollars? Do I need to exchange in advance?
A10
Taiwanese currency can be exchanged at the Bank of China on the mainland, as well as at several banks and airport bank counters in Taiwan. However, the exchange rate for exchanging Taiwan dollars on the mainland is lower, so if you need to exchange Taiwan dollars, it is recommended that you go to Taiwan to exchange Taiwan dollars again. You can also get a bank card with no fee for overseas UnionPay withdrawals in the mainland, and withdraw cash from ATMs in Taiwan when you arrive.
In addition, Taiwan's tourist attraction tickets, night markets, food stalls, and bed and breakfasts generally accept Taiwan dollars, while other shopping malls, hotels, and convenience stores can swipe UnionPay cards. Therefore, you don't need to prepare a lot of cash if you are traveling in big cities. However, if you are going to a relatively remote and backward area, it is still recommended to prepare a certain amount of cash.
Q11What is the consumption level in Taiwan?
A11
The overall consumption level in Taiwan is not high, about the same as Tianjin and Dalian in China. The cost of basic living, such as food and drink and daily necessities are not high, especially the cost-performance ratio of food and drink consumption is very good, but transportation and accommodation will be relatively more expensive. Overall spending in big cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung will be slightly higher, while spending in smaller cities like Kenting and Hualien is generally not as high.
Q12 Do I need to tip in Taiwan?
A12There is no separate tipping custom in Taiwan, but generally when spending money in hotels and fine restaurants, a certain service charge will be levied, which is usually stated on the price list or bill.
Q13What transportation options are available in Taiwan?
A13The transportation system in Taiwan is relatively well-developed, plus the area is not very large, making it easy to get around.
1)Intercity Transportation
The main modes of transportation are trains, coaches, and airplanes. Trains are the main mode of travel and are mainly divided into two types: high-speed rail and Taiwan Railway. The west is connected by high-speed rail from Taipei all the way south to Kaohsiung, while the east is operated only by the slower Taiwan Railway due to the steep mountainous terrain. Tickets can be booked on the Taiwan Railroad website, at train stations, and at 7-11. Long-distance buses are cheaper than other modes of transportation, travel between cities, are frequent, some routes operate 24 hours a day, and Taiwan's long-distance buses are more strictly regulated, making them a great way to get around. Since there is no high-speed rail in eastern Taiwan, some people choose to fly.
2)Transportation within the city
The main means of transportation are subways, buses and cabs. The subway in Taiwan is called "MRT", and currently only two cities, Taipei and Kaohsiung, have it. Buses are available in most cities in Taiwan, but due to the convenience of the MRT, buses and bicycles, buses are usually empty and the travel time between trips is large. Most cities in Taiwan offer convenient cab services. Major cities such as Taipei and Kaohsiung adopt metered fares, while other places are likely to use a bargaining system.
3)EasyCard
The EasyCard is essential in Taiwan, just like the Municipal Transportation Card on the mainland, it can be used not only for public **** transportation such as MRT and buses, but also for direct purchases at some convenience stores. The EasyCard is generally divided into the following three types, and for travelers, it is sufficient to purchase the most common one.
4)Bicycles
Bicycling is the most convenient and affordable form of transportation in Taiwan, and there are public bicycle rental points all over the city. Rental bicycles are inexpensive and can be rented by using your ID as collateral or paying a deposit of NT$2,000. There are also more bicycle rental stores of all kinds, so you can rent a bike to get around your city or to travel around the island.
Q14What is the security situation in Taiwan?
A14
The overall security in Taiwan is very good, and there is basically no problem walking alone at night in the cities. However, you should pay attention to your belongings in public **** places such as night markets and shopping malls where there is a large flow of people. In addition, if you encounter bad weather during your trip, be sure to change your travel plans according to the situation and stay away from the more dangerous mountainous areas and seashores. If you encounter an emergency, you can call 110 police.
Q15 Is it okay to speak Mandarin when traveling in Taiwan?
A15Of course it's OK, Taiwanese people basically speak Mandarin with a Taiwanese accent, and a few elderly people only speak Taiwanese. The local Taiwanese font uses traditional Chinese characters, which are not very different and are easy to read.
Q16What are the must-see attractions in Taiwan?
A16Taiwan, despite its small size, has a very detailed excavation of its attractions, which mainly focus on natural scenery and historical and cultural attractions.
The must-see natural scenery are: Beitou Natural Geothermal Hot Springs and Yangmingshan Park in Taipei, Xiziwan Scenic Area in Kaohsiung, Qingjing Farms and Sun Moon Lake in Nantou, Alishan, Qingshui Cliffs and Huadong Long Valley in Hualien, National Parks and Goose Alluanpi Park in Kenting, Green Island and other small islands.
Must-see historical and cultural attractions include the National Palace Museum and the CKS Memorial Hall in Taipei, the British Consulate in Taigu in Kaohsiung, and the Chi_Lou and Anping Ancient Fortress in Tainan.
Besides these attractions, Taipei's 101 Building and Ximending, Kaohsiung's MRT Belle Isle Station and Barge 2 Art Special Zone, Kenting's National Museum of Oceanography, and Taipei's neighboring towns of Pingxi and Jiufen are also well worth a visit.
Q17What are some classic Taiwan itineraries?
A17Generally, trips to Taiwan are based on semi-round-island or round-island tours, and the classic routes are as follows:
1)15-day counterclockwise tour of Taiwan around the island: Taichung-Taichung-Nantou-Kaohsiung-Kending-Hualien-Kaufen-Taipei
2)15-day clockwise tour of Taiwan around the island: Taichung-Kaufen-Hualien-Kending-Kaohsiung-Kaufen- Tainan-Nantou-Taichung-Taipei
3)7 Days Taiwan Semi-Circular Tour: Taipei - Jiufen - Hualien - Kenting - Kaohsiung
Q18What are some of the unmissable experiences in Taiwan?
A18
The most unmissable is to go to Taipei for the New Year's Eve concert and watch the 101 fireworks show. Also go to Taipei's Eslite bookstore to get a taste of the culture there. There is a lot of food in Taiwan, so a "full" tour of the country is a must. In addition, a mountain train ride to see the sunrise over Alishan, the sea of clouds, and the Sun Moon Lake will also be an unforgettable experience. Of course, the cosmetics in Taiwan are also very good, so it's good to go shopping. If you go to Taiwan in winter, it is highly recommended to take a dip in Taiwan's hot springs.
Q19What are the must-eat foods in Taiwan?
A19
I have to say, Taiwan is simply a foodie's paradise! Taste the most authentic Taiwanese food must go to the night market in each place, it is said that there are 400 night markets in Taiwan, and in these night markets, there are a lot of very good old and Taiwan snacks. There are also many very good restaurants in Taiwan, Yongkang Beef Noodle, A Zong Noodle Line, Din Tai Fung, Du Xiaoyue Danzai Noodle and so on.
For more food, check out the Dream Travel App, which has everything you could want from night markets to old-fashioned restaurants.
Q20 Are there any places in Taiwan that are good for hot springs?
A20
Of course there are! Taiwan is rich in geothermal resources and is a veritable hot spring paradise. There are many places in Taiwan where you can soak in hot springs. Beitou in Taipei, Jiaoxi Hot Spring in Yilan, and Sizhongxi Hot Spring in Pingtung are all quality choices for soaking in hot springs. Taiwan's unique Su'ao Cold Spring is distinguished from other hot springs by its 21-degree low-temperature mineral spring.
Q21What are some of the niche or cold spots in Taiwan?
A21
Taiwan itself carries a small freshness, so there are some unmissable literary experiences in Taiwan. Small towns such as Jiufen and Pingxi are becoming better known and are quite worth a visit. The Nuan Nuan Train Station from Fish Leong's "Nuan Nuan" music video is located on Taiwan's Yilan Railway line, and it's not to be missed either. Taiwan also has many cultural and artistic events, lectures, exhibitions and music festivals, so don't miss them if you like.
Q22What are some not-to-be-missed festivals in Taiwan?
A22There are many interesting festivals or months of activities in Taiwan, so let's talk about a few of them:
1) On the fifteenth day of the first month of the Lunar Calendar every year, the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is held in several towns and cities in the northern part of the country, which is a very good event, and it was once rated by the global media as one of the "must-visit" international festivals in your life. The festival has been recognized by the global media as one of the "must-visit" international festivals.
2)Every April, the Kenting Spring Music Festival is held in Kenting, so music lovers should not miss it.
3)Every June, the Taiwan Hot Air Balloon Carnival is held in Taitung, which offers great scenery and hot air ballooning experience.
4)October is the time of the year when department store discounts are the strongest in Taiwan, so don't miss it if you are a hand chopper.
Q23What are the best things to buy in Taiwan?
A23
The best things to buy in Taiwan are Taiwan's local medicinal cosmetics and maintenance products, as well as Japanese medicinal cosmetics. The masks of famous Taiwanese brands such as Morita Pharmaceuticals, My Beauty Diary, Pampered Beauty, Dr. Wu, etc. that are pretty good, as well as other pharmaceuticals and maintenance products are awesome. Some Japanese pharmaceutical brands such as Sophina, Kao, Shiseido, etc. are very cost-effective to buy in Taiwan.
Besides that, buying luxury and trendy brands in Taiwan is also great. Taiwan's tea is of very good quality, and some pastries and snacks are also very tasty, which are all worth buying.
Q24 What are the best places for shopping in Taiwan?
A24
Taiwan's better shopping is mainly in Taipei and Kaohsiung, which are two big cities that are more prosperous and have more shopping malls and brands. Shin Kong Mitsukoshi and SOGO department stores, which are found in almost every major city, are also a popular choice for tourists to buy branded goods. The main places to pick up Taiwan's medicinal cosmetics and maintenance products are Watsons and Kangshimai, some of which are even open 24 hours a day, making them very convenient. "Nippon Yaku Honpo"
It is a store that mainly buys original Japanese imports, and there are more than a dozen of them in Taiwan, where large and small Japanese color cosmetics and skin care series can be bought.
Q25What are the must-buy souvenirs in Taiwan?
A25
When it comes to Taiwan's souvenirs, pineapple cake is definitely the "No. 1 souvenir", with many flavors and very good taste, and the pineapple cake from brands such as Sugar Hill, Jade, and Sunrise are all very good. In addition, nougat is another most representative souvenir in Taiwan. Taiwan's mung bean cake is the second best souvenir after pineapple crisp, which can be bought in many long-established pastry stores and is very delicious. In addition, hemp_, Yilan duck ornaments, and Taiwanese tea are also very good.
Besides these food items, Taiwan's handmade soaps, souvenirs from the National Palace in Taipei, books from the Eslite Bookstore, and a variety of travel souvenirs are all great for companion gifts.
Q26How do I get a tax refund after shopping in Taiwan?
A26The following points should be noted for tax refunds in Taiwan:
1) Conditions for tax refunds
Purchase of NT$3,000 or more in the same day at the same TRS (Tax Refund Symbol) store, and those who leave the country with the accompanying goods within 30 days.
2)Tax Refund Methods:
a. Tax Refund at Airports and Ports: Present the goods, the receipt copy of the Uniform Invoice, the Tax Refund Detail Application Form, and the Entry Permit at the Customs Foreign Passenger Tax Refund Service Counter at the airport or port.
b. Small amount tax refund: On-site small amount tax refunds can be made at stores labeled TRS if the accumulated daily tax refund amount is less than NT$1,000.
c. Tax refunds are available at some stores within large shopping malls (Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, sogo, etc.) for purchases of NT$5,000 or more. Before making a purchase, please remember to ask about the amount of money that needs to be purchased for a tax refund and the steps for refunding the tax.
3) Airport and port tax refund process
a. In the same day in the same TRS store, the purchase of more than NT $ 3,000 in goods, and within 30 days of departure;
b. eligible for tax refunds, you need to ask the TRS store delivery of goods, the receipt of the unified invoice coupon, the details of the application form for a tax rebate (you must ask for a tax rebate application, or not be able to rebate the tax);
c.
c. On the day of departure, bring the purchased tax refund items, the original copy of the receipt of the unified invoice delivered by the TRS
store and the tax refund details application form, together with the entry permit issued by Taiwan, to the Customs Foreign Passenger Refund Service Counter at the airport or the port to apply for the tax refund;
d. The Customs Department will issue the "Tax Refund Details Approval Sheet" after verifying the validity of the tax refund, and then bring the sheet with you. After checking the validity, the Customs will issue a "Tax Refund Detail Approval Slip", and then bring the slip to the bank counter inside the Customs to receive the tax refund (only in NT dollars).
4)Processing Flow of Small Tax Refund:
a. Conditions: Purchase goods of NT$3,000 or more at the same TRS store on the same day, with an accumulated tax refund of less than NT$1,000, and leave the country within 30 days;
b. After meeting the conditions for a tax refund, the TRS store can process the refund on the spot in addition to delivering the goods and the receipt coupon of the unified invoice. The refund will be issued in the form of New Taiwan Dollars (NTD);
c. On the day of departure, bring the purchased refundable goods, the original copy of the receipt of the uniform invoice delivered by the TRS
store and the on-site small refund details, together with the Entry Permit issued by Taiwan, to the Customs Service counter at airports or seaports for checking.
5) Other notes:
a. Departure from Taiwan must be from cities in Taiwan to other countries/regions. Tax refunds are not available for departures from one city to another within Taiwan.
b. If you choose to get your tax refund at the airport, be sure to allow at least 3 hours to avoid delays in boarding the airplane, as the waiting time is longer and you will need to check your baggage after getting your tax refund.
Q27What are some useful APPs for traveling to Taiwan?
A27
Google Maps (for navigation), Taiwan Railway eBooking (for checking shuttles and booking tickets), Taiwan Bus Pass (for checking bus information), ipeen AiReview Lifestream (Taiwan's Dianping), and Dream Travel APP (for looking at (look at attraction information, find food)
Q28What should I do if I get sick in Taiwan?
A28
Over-the-counter medicines are easily available in Taiwan. However, for uninsured travelers, they may face high medical expenses if they are involved in an accident or have a sudden emergency and need to be hospitalized. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase good travel insurance before departure. In case of sudden illness, call 119 for an ambulance.
Q29What are the customs or laws and regulations to be aware of in Taiwan?
A29Taiwan's culture is somewhat different from that of the mainland, and the following points should be noted when traveling there:
1) Taiwan implements a fairly strict smoking ban, with almost a total ban on smoking in rooftoped public ****places, and schools, museums, cultural and educational institutions, and recreational open-air squares also fall into the category of no-smoking areas. A fine of NT$2,000 to NT$10,000 will be imposed if found.
2)When waiting for a bus, you need to wave to the bus before the driver will stop at the platform, and when you get off the bus, you need to ring the dismounting bell inside the bus before the driver will pull over to let you off.
3)If you have any problems in Taiwan, please go to the police, they will be happy to help you out, especially in the more remote areas.
4)When using an escalator, please stand on the right side, the left side is the express lane for those who need to get through quickly. Also, walk and bike on the right.
5)Don't cross the street at will, but use the sidewalks or underpasses according to the rules. If you are seen by the police, you may be fined 300 NTD.
6)Taiwan's MRT has a clearly delineated "no food and drink zone", which generally includes the area within the entrance of the MRT station, even chewing gum, betel nut and drinking water are not allowed, and will be fined NT$1,500-7,500 if found by law enforcement officials.
7)Don't presume to ask Taiwanese people questions about their political leanings or take a stand on politics, which is considered extremely rude in Taiwan
Q30What are the tourist traps in Taiwan?
A30On the whole, the locals in Taiwan are very simple, but some popular tourist destinations will have a small number of rip-offs and deceptive behavior:
1) Some tourist attractions or sightseeing night markets, there are some fruit stalls specializing in pitfalls for tourists, often a few kinds of fruits to cut everything and then indiscriminately ask for hundreds to 1,000 Taiwan Dollars, so remember to ask the price of fruits before you buy them in these places. The first thing you need to do is ask for the price.
2)In Taipei Ximending and other popular shopping places, there will be some "forced sales gangs", they will let the students take some cheap items on the road touting, there are cute, chatting with you, and "love" as the reason for the sale of They also sell ballpoint pens under the pretext of "love". These kinds of things, when you see, waving your hand and walk away.
3)In popular tourist attractions, there are some stores specializing in the sale of fake gems, fake alpine tea stores, this situation usually occurs in the tourists with the group. If you want to buy this type of products, it is recommended to buy them in big shopping malls.
4)Taxis in Taiwan are explicitly required to charge by the jump meter, but when taking a taxi near attractions such as Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Kenting, some cab drivers will take a detour or even charge exorbitant prices without using the jump meter. So be aware of this situation in southern Taiwan.