The majority of the population is of Han Chinese descent, specifically from the Hoklo and Hakka ethnic groups. These groups arrived in Taiwan during different historical periods, contributing to the country’s cultural diversity. There are also indigenous groups in Taiwan, collectively known as the Formosan peoples, who have lived on the island for thousands of years. These indigenous groups, numbering around 2% of the population, are divided into several tribes, each with its own distinct languages, customs, and traditions. Giant Bicycles Corporation operates a large network of bicycle retail stores that offer rentals for as little as NT$100 per day, if requested one week in advance. Also, rented bicycles can be picked up at one station and given back another station.
- The Taiwanese love to snack and even many restaurants advertise xiaochi (小吃), literally “small eats”, the Taiwanese equivalent of Cantonese dim sum.
- Fung-wong has brought heavy rains and triggered floods in Taiwan, with water rising above waist level in several parts of the country.
- Since then, Taiwan has developed into a vibrant democracy with regular elections and a multi-party system, though tensions with China remain a central issue in Taiwanese politics.
- The President is popularly elected every four years for up to two terms, and is the head of state.
- Macau residents using a Portuguese passport may enter visa-free like other Portuguese passport holders.
- Japanese visitors can expect a particularly warm welcome as most Taiwanese admire Japanese culture, and modern Taiwanese culture continues to be heavily influenced by that of Japan.
What happened? A timeline
Reserving tickets well in advance is recommended when traveling with the train on weekends, especially for long distance travel. Slower (but more frequent) commuter trains without reserved seating are also available. Train timetables and online booking (up to 2 weeks in advance) are available on the TRA website.
Citizens of Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau
Costs in Taiwan are generally lower than in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong, but higher than in Southeast Asia and mainland China. For a budget traveler on a bare-bones budget, NT$1,000 will get you by for a day, but you’ll probably want to double that for comfort. A meal at a street stall may cost NT$50 or less, a meal at a Western fast food restaurant will run you about NT$150 and at the fanciest restaurants, you can expect a bill in excess of NT$1,000. On the high end of the spectrum, hotel rooms at a swanky hotel might cost NT$5,000 or more. Taxis are quite reasonable and often have a set fare for common destinations, so ask in advance and haggle if you disagree.
However, mainland Chinese citizens are not permitted to transit through Taiwan. Citizens of Japan need only present a passport with at least 3 months’ validity (rather than 6 months’ validity) upon entry. Citizens of the United States can enter Taiwan on a passport with less than 6 months’ validity on the date of arrival by supplying a passport photo and paying a fee of NT$5,600. Especially in Taipei, younger people generally speak a basic conversational level of English.
Military service age and obligation
The main Taiwanese full-service carriers are EVA Air (長榮航空), flag carrier China Airlines (中華航空), and Starlux Arilines (星宇航空). While China Airlines used to have a poor safety record, things have improved greatly since 2003, and today, it is just as safe as the major Western European airlines. The only Taiwanese low-cost carrier is Tigerair Taiwan (台灣虎航) under the China Airlines Group. Traditional paper versions are still available at ports of entry and on incoming flights. Hong Kong and Macau residents who have an online entry permit are exempt from filling arrival cards. For example, a Mainland Chinese citizen who studies in the United States, had returned to Shanghai and plans to visit Taiwan during the stay in Shanghai.
- Indigenous languages can mostly be heard on the East Coast and its offshore islands, as well as at higher elevations in the mountains.
- Taxi drivers are generally friendly towards foreigners, and a few of them take the opportunity to try their limited English skills.
- In the East China Sea, the ROC claims the group of islands it calls Diaoyutai, which also are claimed by Japan as Senkaku and by the People’s Republic of China as Diaoyu.
- For example, a Mainland Chinese citizen who studies in the United States, had returned to Shanghai and plans to visit Taiwan during the stay in Shanghai.
- All people schooled after 1945 are generally fluent in Mandarin, though older people from rural areas often have a very thick accent.
- Also, do not use your chopsticks to spear your food or move bowls and plates.
Many parents who send their children to schools to be taught English expect the teacher to look like they are from the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, and so on, and so the decision on the part of the school managers is mainly about economics. Perhaps due to its political ambiguity and lack of global presence, Taiwan has traditionally not been a significant destination for Westerners, though this is changing. Nevertheless tourists from Japan and Hong Kong have been visiting Taiwan in droves for a long time, and they are being joined by an increasing number of Koreans and Southeast Asians. The island is home to many cultural attractions, with an excellent selection right in the capital.
Traditional pastimes
An international driving license is required for driving in Taiwan and may be used for up to 30 days, after which you’ll need to apply for a local permit. Some municipalities may impose additional restrictions, so check ahead with the rental shop. VIP Rentals in Taipei is quite happy to rent cars to foreigners, and will even deliver the car to a given destination. A deposit is often required, and the last day of rental is not pro-rated, but calculated on a per-hour basis at a separate (higher) rate. From Taoyuan Airport (TPE), buses are a much more economical option but if you want a direct route Taoyuan airport drivers are the best choice. They’re quite comfortable and get you to your destination as quick as possible.
This can be convenient if you want to go down the quiet east coast with a bicycle and back up the busy west coast with the train/bus. Many are supporters of the pan-green coalition and Taiwanese independence, spending all day listening to Taiwanese political talk radio. Also watch out for drivers who discriminate against other cultures such as taping “No Korean passengers” on their cars. In addition, if you see what looks like blood spewing from the driver’s mouth, or him spitting blood onto the street—not to fret–it’s merely him chewing betel nut (see box). Although the vast majority of the population is ethnically Han Chinese, the indigenous Austronesian inhabitants maintain their own cultures, and the legacy of Japanese colonial rule still pervades much of Taiwanese life. The highest are in the Chung-yang (Zhongyang, or Central) Range in the east, which extends along the island’s north-south axis and in many places descends to the shoreline.
Often this will be a LINE (a Japanese messaging app similar to Whatapp) contact. You should download and set up an account on LINE before traveling to Taiwan. One should also try Lei cha (擂茶; léi chá) a tasty and nourishing Hakka Chinese tea-based dish consisting of a mix ground tea leaves and rice. Some stores specialize in this product and allows one to grind their own lei cha.
These cost NT$2,800 for a standard pass, which does not allow you to ride on Tzu-Chiang trains, and NT$3,600 for an express pass, which allows you to ride on all TRA lines. The THSR passes may only be used by foreigners who are in Taiwan on tourist visas (or visa exemptions), and must be purchased from travel agents overseas before you arrive in Taiwan. Notice the difference between accessibility services and “senior or disabled tickets” – while THSR provides good accessibility service for senior or disabled passengers, the “senior or disabled tickets” with 50% off are special tickets for Taiwanese citizens only. If you need accessibility services such as finding handicap-friendly seats, consult the staff by online chat, phone, or on-site station desks. Bookings can be easily made by internet, and you can pay online or pay and pick up your tickets at almost every FamilyMart and 7-Eleven.
Meet Japan’s drum-playing, Thatcher-loving first female prime minister
Today the remaining indigenous peoples make up only about 2% of the population, while the other 98% are considered ethnically Han Chinese. Among the Taiwanese group, Hoklo (Minnan) speakers form the majority, which is about 70% of the population, while the remaining 14% are largely Hakka speakers. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications of Taiwan is the cabinet-level governing body of the transport network in Taiwan. In March 2019, 13.86 million were registered, twice that of cars.435 Both highways and railways are concentrated near the coasts, where the majority of the population resides, with 1,619 km (1,006 mi) of motorway. Railways in Taiwan are primarily used for passenger services, with Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) operating a circular route around the island and Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) running high speed services on the west coast.
All the TPE taxi drivers are interlinked by radio so they could be forewarned if there are police. Sometimes, if there are traffic jams and no police around, the driver will drive in the emergency lane. Taxis from TPE to destinations in Tao Yuan, parts of Taipei county and some other destinations are ‘allowed’ to add an additional 50% to the meter fare. Similar to Japan and South Korea, Taiwan also offers several rail passes to foreign tourists for unlimited train travel within a stipulated period.
To do this, you will need to show your passport and obtain a tax refund application form from the store. When departing Taiwan, bring the form to the tax refund counter or automated kiosk and follow the relevant instructions. If choosing to get your refund in cash, you will be issued a receipt that you will need to bring to the bank counter after your have cleared departure immigration to receive your refund. Bellhops in high end hotels and porters at airports are an exception and should be given NT$50 per bag. Tipping is also not expected in taxis and drivers would usually return your change to the last dollar. Most hotels and department stores accept credit and debit cards, generally Visa, MasterCard, and JCB.
There is no ferry from Kinmen to the main island of Taiwan, though flights may be reasonably priced. From Fuzhou (福州), China, there are two daily ferries to the Taiwan-controlled Matsu (馬祖) islands. Take bus 69 from Fuzhou train station to Wuyilu, then bus 73 to the end station Mawei harbor (馬尾港). No visa is required if you are connecting between international flights so long as you do not leave an airport’s secure area.
Taiwan celebrates a variety of festivals throughout the year, many of which have religious and cultural significance. The most prominent queenwin casino festival is the Lunar New Year, which is celebrated with family gatherings, traditional foods, and various rituals to ensure good fortune for the coming year. Other important holidays include the Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival. Taiwan’s culture is a blend of indigenous traditions, Chinese heritage, and modern influences. The island’s art scene is vibrant, with contemporary artists gaining recognition internationally.
The fee consists actually of the credit company’s commission and also the local sales tax/VAT. If you pay cash, you might not get an official receipt, as then the seller would have to report and pay their taxes in full. If you ask for a Unified Invoice (統一發票, tongyi fa piao), you will get it but you may need to pay 3-5% more.
