9 Motives To Fall In Really like With Taiwan

Taking into consideration all that Taiwan has to present — from world-renowned cuisine to spirited evening marketplaces to a fascinating sizzling springs culture — it would seem that the very little island country would be on vacation bucket lists close to the globe.

From my experience, even though, that is not the situation. When I was scheduling my journey to Taiwan a number of decades back, I frequently encountered issues about my destination, with close friends from time to time puzzling Taiwan with Thailand.

Just after I spent time going for walks the lively streets of Taipei, soothing in calming very hot springs in the north, and sampling every wide range of seafood conceivable, I came to the summary that Taiwan is vastly underappreciated.

On the additionally facet, that can lead to an air of authenticity that you commonly really do not get in extra-visited places. My vacation companions and I sometimes went times without the need of looking at a further English-talking tourist, which led to a feeling of cultural immersion.

All through that time, I observed so quite a few matters to appreciate about Taiwan, and right here are nine of the finest.

1. No Visas For Limited-Phrase Stays

Formally acknowledged as the Republic of China, Taiwan is positioned 100 miles off the southeastern coast of China (the People’s Republic of China) and shares a amount of traits with its huge neighbor. Between them is the use of the Mandarin language.

Luckily, these similarities do not lengthen to China’s visa necessity for a lot of intercontinental visitors. When I frequented Taiwan, I needed only my United States passport. Taiwan’s website for consular affairs states that nationals from the U.S., Canada, Australia, and most European countries are qualified for visa exemption for stays of up to 90 days.

That indicates that a lot of site visitors to Taiwan can sample amazing foodstuff and customs that have been motivated by China devoid of the cost or trouble of a visa.

Streets of Taipei.
Cindy Barks

2. The Streets Of Taipei

The funds metropolis of Taipei is a sprawling metropolis of about 2.6 million individuals, and its streets can appear to be clogged with rushing cars and scooters. But on a going for walks tour of the town, you are going to see Buddhist temples dating back to dynastic instances appropriate along with narrow alleys lined with street-meals booths presenting thick-slash noodles and fluffy dumplings.

Taiwan’s tourism web page refers to its cash city as a “cultural kaleidoscope” that will take readers from chaotic night markets to neon road lifestyle to the a single-time tallest building in the globe.

Amid the not-to-be-skipped stops on a tour of Taipei are the Shilin Night time Current market, the Yangmingshan National Park, the Taipei 101 skyscraper, the Lungshan Temple, and the National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.

Pro Tip: Alongside with browsing the vacationer internet sites, I also propose wandering the streets and checking out the regional searching scene at the ubiquitous 7-Eleven merchants, which are incredibly very well stocked with excellent snacks and comfort products, as nicely as the several modern electronics retailers and stylish outfits stores. 

3. The Historic City Of Jiufen

As a lover of mountainside mining cities, I could not wait to check out Jiufen, a historic seaside town found about an hour northeast of Taipei.

The charming town did not disappoint. Regarded for its “Old Street” that winds amidst the town’s steep cliffs, Jiufen options a stunning assortment of foods booths peddling every thing from grilled snails to ice cream sandwiches to conventional teas.

Whilst Jiufen’s record dates again hundreds of years, it gained a put on the planet map in the 1890s when gold was discovered there. Soon, the mining outpost had grown from a handful of citizens to 4,000 households, and it turned recognised as a “little Shanghai.”

Though the town’s fortunes faded with the decrease of mining functions immediately after Environment War II, it was rejuvenated in current decades as a filming location for well known films, these kinds of as 1989’s A Metropolis of Unhappiness. Right now, Jiufen appeals to countless numbers of holidaymakers who flock to the Outdated Street, wandering the winding alleyways that are adorned with vibrant lanterns.

While Jiufen is acknowledged mostly as a foodie location, the town is also a good place to store for souvenirs like good quality teas, bamboo cooking utensils, lovable coin purses, and quirky Howdy Kitty trinkets.

Professional Idea: Jiufen can be reached by train and bus from Taipei. Guidance are offered listed here.

Signs for hot springs.
Cindy Barks

4. The Sizzling Spring Culture

Ranked among the world’s top rated 15 scorching spring areas, Taiwan has a number of the all-natural springs concentrated in the northern region. For a fun and comforting flavor of Taiwan’s sizzling spring society, head to the Jiaoxi Township, positioned about an hour northeast of Taipei.

The rejuvenating and therapeutic homes of the water in the Jiaoxi region have been acknowledged given that historic instances, and today, there are numerous resorts and motels that present scorching spring experiences. The in a natural way sizzling h2o is mentioned to comprise effective minerals like potassium chloride, sodium sulfide, and potassium hydrogen carbonate.

Pro Idea: For a stellar warm spring/cuisine working experience, examine out Taiori, a tiny bed and breakfast that options in-room soaking tubs that can be filled with sizzling spring water. A stay also will come with multicourse foods in the night and morning. Remaining at Taiori is a little bit of a splurge, but the blend of foodstuff, peace, and scorching spring atmosphere certainly tends to make it value the charge.

5. Taipei 101

At 1,667 toes substantial, the Taipei 101 skyscraper was the tallest creating in the globe from 2004 right until 2010, when it was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa building in Dubai. Nowadays, Taipei 101 is the 10th tallest setting up in the globe.

The needle-like skyscraper, that includes a postmodernist architectural layout, can be noticed towering on the Taipei skyline from all over the town. It is also a awesome spot to check out — possibly for the commanding see of the town from the observation flooring, or for a extravagant shopping or eating knowledge at the Taipei 101 Shopping mall. 

6. The Gorgeous Shorelines And Islands

Owing to its spot surrounded by the East China Sea, the Philippine Sea, the South China Sea, and the Luzon Strait, the island of Taiwan is not missing in the beach front department.

From the black-sand Honeymoon Bay in the northeast to the well known white-sand Dawan in the south, Taiwan’s beach locations are diverse and plentiful.

For a seashore option about an hour and 15 minutes from Taipei, locals head to the popular Baishawan Seashore (Baisha Bay), which translates to “White Sand Bay.” The area is a warm spot for summer h2o enjoyable and bayside tours.

Taiwan is also recognised for its charming offshore tropical islets, administered by counties these as Penghu, Kinmen, and Lienchiang, the place blue skies and white-sand beaches await.

7. The Evening Marketplaces

If you’re in the current market for a stylish purse, some deep-fried squid, or a bit of smelly tofu, prospects are you will discover a thing you like at the Taipei night time markets.

Taiwan’s night time marketplaces are well known for their assorted goods, which includes apparel, extras, and house products, not to point out the large selection of tasty and exceptional treats. Depending on the marketplace, you will find oyster omelets, spring rolls, braised pork rice, hot stuffed dumplings, sliced noodles, and squid thick soup.

According to the Taiwan tourism web site, the country’s tremendous range of treats is one of a kind in the earth, and it illustrates the critical put that the food items lifestyle has in the life of the Taiwanese individuals.

Evening marketplaces are available all over Taiwan, but Taipei is in particular renowned for them and provides at the very least a dozen all over the metropolis. Between the best recognized are the Shilin Night time Industry, which specializes in stir-fried cuttlefish, fried buns, and shaved ice, and the Raohe Road Tourist Night time Marketplace, which specializes in oyster vermicelli, spare ribs stewed in organic soup, and pepper meat buns. 

Strawberry mochi.
Cindy Barks

8. The Intercontinental Delicacies Scene

From noodles and dumplings to sushi and fried squid, Taiwan has the Asian delicacies scene protected.

Taiwan prides alone on its selection of cuisine styles, which have been influenced by several distinctive international locations over the a long time. Together with its huge array of Chinese meals, other cuisines these types of as Indian and Thai are also well known and fantastic.

For dishes that are quintessentially Taiwanese, try the well-liked beef and noodle soup, regarded an essential convenience foodstuff all over the place, or the soup dumplings (xiao very long bao).

Pro Tip: The well-liked franchise Din Tai Fung, well known for its soup dumplings, originated in Taiwan, and the unique location can be uncovered on Xinyi Highway in Taipei.

Seafood in Taiwan.
Cindy Barks

9. The Refreshing And Assorted Seafood

With its straightforward obtain to the sea, it stands to purpose that Taiwan would have a sturdy seafood video game. As a lover of seafood, I was amazed by the unlimited alternatives and refreshing presentation available almost everywhere in Taiwan.

Guests seeking for an entertaining working experience and an astonishing assortment of contemporary seafood, sushi, and authentic condiments should really be absolutely sure to test out the Addiction Aquatic Improvement in Taipei.

Professional Recommendations: It’s challenging to go incorrect with eating choices in Taiwan. Nearly just about everywhere we ate, we have been served delicious, flavorful food items. But for a record of ideas, Taiwan’s tourism website suggests applying the Michelin Manual.

For strategies on how to prepare for a journey to Taiwan, look at out my short article How Taiwan Stole My Heart.