Once known as the manufacturing hub of Asia, Taiwan is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and one of the best places to experience Asian culture. Although things are much easier for tourists, as well as expats, then they were before, there are still some things you should know before heading to this beautiful island. So, here are the top 7 tips for visiting Taiwan for the first time:
Eat like a local
Taiwan is a nation of foodies and dining in one of the incredible night markets in Taipei is truly one of the greatest joys of travelling here, as these markets offer the quintessential Taiwanese eating experience and are the embodiment of popular modern culture in Taiwan. Just remember that it is perfectly acceptable to eat and walk while strolling through night markets, and that often it might be the only option.
Drink like a local
One of the most important things you need to know when visiting Taiwan is how to order iced tea, as you simply can’t visit the homeland of bubble tea without trying it. Iced tea shops can be found on almost every corner, and thankfully, most of them have menus in English or handy pictures you can point at, making ordering quick and easy. Another thing you might notice is that beer is sold almost everywhere in Taiwan, and it’s legal to drink just about anywhere. But despite this fact, most locals rarely walk around with a beer in their hand, so be polite and respectful and try to avoid this behavior.
Find the right accommodation
Sorting out where to stay in Taipei can be quite a challenge, as many tourists are often surprised by a large number of options available. While choosing a neighborhood, as well as accommodation, can depend a lot on what you are looking for and how long you are staying in the city, hotels such as the amazing Taipei hotel 台北酒店 might be the ideal option first-time visitors.
Follow the MRT etiquette
The Taipei MRT is a very safe, clean, fast and efficient metro system, which is considered to be one of the best in the world. One thing that makes it so great is that almost everybody follows the MRT etiquette, and you should too. Apart from not eating, drinking and smoking, don’t block or lean against doorways, always stand on the right side of the escalator and always be quiet and respectful.
Be polite, but not touchy
Even though politeness is a way of life in Taiwan, and is even taught in schools, bear in mind that most people are not comfortable with touching new friends or acquaintances, and they don’t tend to chat with strangers as much as Westerners do. Even many business people aren’t quite used to the handshake, which makes small nods and hand waves the best option for greetings and goodbyes.
Don’t worry about your clothes
Taipei is quite a liberal city when it comes to fashion, which means you probably won’t need to dramatically alter your appearance or worry about what to wear in Taiwan. You can get away with casual clothes almost anywhere except the fanciest restaurants, and short shorts, miniskirts and tank tops are all common and perfectly acceptable, even while walking around at night or visiting temples. However, beach clothing you might see backpackers around the continent wear is not common in Taipei, while going barefoot, even inside, is considered outright disrespectful.
Save all of your receipts
Several years ago, the local government introduced a bi-monthly receipt lottery as a way of encouraging businesses to record their transactions for taxing purposes. Every receipt has a lottery number, which is why you should always save them, as you just might be lucky enough to become a (Taiwanese dollar) millionaire. Alternatively, you could always put your receipts in one of the donation boxes found in many convenience stores, or even give it to a local, as most people here tend to hoard their receipts.
If you are planning a visit to the beautiful country of Taiwan, the abovementioned tips will boost your travel experience and help you have the most enjoyable trip possible.
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