Taiwan

Asia

Taiwan

Taiwan compresses a startling range into a compact island: Taipei's night markets sizzling with stinky tofu and bubble tea sit a few hours from the marble gorges of Taroko and misty peaks laced with tea plantations. Cities run efficient and friendly, temples send incense curling into the air between convenience stores, and the east coast's rugged shoreline feels a world away from the tech-driven capital. Food here is a national obsession, and eating your way through it is half the trip.

Why go thereFood Markets & bazaars Nature & landscapes Hot springs Sacred sites Culture & heritage Architecture & cities Mountain hiking Volcanoes Cycling Nightlife & music Beaches

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Niurou mian

Braised beef shank and noodles in a soy-and-spice broth, the island's defining bowl.

Lu rou fan

Rice under slow-braised minced pork belly, the cheapest and most common meal.

Xiaolongbao

Thin-skinned soup dumplings folded in eighteen pleats, perfected here for export.

Main destinations

Other destinations

Comfort in January · by notability

Food & drink to try

Niurou mian

Braised beef shank and noodles in a soy-and-spice broth, the island's defining bowl.

Lu rou fan

Rice under slow-braised minced pork belly, the cheapest and most common meal.

Xiaolongbao

Thin-skinned soup dumplings folded in eighteen pleats, perfected here for export.

Stinky tofu

Tofu fermented in brine then fried, served with pickled cabbage at night markets.

Gua bao

A steamed bun folded around braised pork belly, pickled mustard and peanut powder.

Oyster omelette

Small oysters fried in a starchy egg batter and covered in sweet red sauce.

Danzai mian

A small bowl of noodles with minced pork and a shrimp, from Tainan.

Sanbei ji

Chicken cooked down in equal sesame oil, rice wine and soy with whole basil.

Ba wan

A translucent chewy dumpling filled with pork and bamboo, steamed then fried.

Cong you bing

Layered scallion pancake griddled until it flakes apart in the hand.

Oa mi sua

Thin noodles in a thick broth with oysters or intestine, eaten with a spoon.

Yan su ji

Popcorn chicken fried with basil and dusted in pepper salt at the night market.

Tie dan

Eggs braised and air-dried repeatedly until small, dark and chewy, from Tamsui.

Zhenzhu naicha

Milk tea with chewy tapioca pearls, invented in Taichung in the 1980s.

Feng li su

Buttery shortcrust around dense pineapple jam, the standard gift to take home.

Tai yang bing

Flaky Taichung pastry filled with malt syrup, best eaten with unsweetened tea.

Baobing

Shaved ice with mango and condensed milk, or with beans and jellies.

Danbing

A thin egg crêpe rolled around cheese or bacon, breakfast in every neighbourhood.

Gaoliang

Sorghum spirit from Kinmen, drunk at over fifty percent and toasted in one.

Dong ding

Rolled high-mountain oolong, floral and buttery, brewed many times in a small pot.

Entry & health

Set your passport

worldstandards.eu ait.org.tw english.police.gov.taipei

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

Tipping is not customary in Taiwan and is neither expected nor required; restaurants typically add a 10% service charge to the bill (especially at hotels and higher-end establishments), so extra tipping isn't needed. Cafés, taxis, and street food stalls generally do not expect tips, though rounding up or leaving small change is appreciated but optional.

Remove shoes before entering someone's home, some guesthouses, and certain temples—look for shoe racks at the entrance.
Use both hands (or at least your right hand) when giving or receiving business cards, gifts, or money as a sign of respect.
Avoid pointing with your index finger or sticking chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice, as this resembles funeral incense offerings.
Smoking is banned indoors in most public places, including restaurants and MRT stations, with fines for violations.
Queue politely and let passengers exit before boarding public transport; the MRT enforces designated priority seating and no eating/drinking on trains.
When visiting temples, dress modestly, keep voices low, and don't walk through the center of the main door (traditionally reserved for deities).

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for Taiwan — mobile data the moment you land.

via Airalo

Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

via EKTA