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Last updated: May 2020
When you think of traveling in Asia, you probably think of backpacking in Vietnam or Thailand or relaxing on the beaches of Cambodia. Right? Well, have you ever considered Taiwan? Traveling to Taiwan is truly the trip of a lifetime and one that not many tourists have discovered yet. It’s a tiny island country compared to China, its colossal neighbor, and boasts a perfect combination of jam-packed cities and natural delights.
Taiwan is very much a tale of two sides: the east side of the country is covered with mountains, lush greenery, and national parks. There’s almost no train lines or highways running through this side of the country (only along the coastline), so head here to enjoy unspoiled beauty at its finest. Hiking is popular, and the beaches in the south and southeast of the country are a surfer’s paradise.
The west side is the urban side, and home to Taiwan’s famous cities including Tainan, Taichung, and the capital, Taipei. Taiwan’s west side truly feels like a different world than the east, as you can become lost in the hustle and bustle of these densely populated cities. But don’t let the crowds put you off, as there’s so much to explore, from colorful temples to impressive monuments and fantastic museums. And don’t forget about the night markets: these are a culinary highlight of Taiwan. Follow the crowds and sample some amazing beef noodles, sweet sausages, egg pancakes, or tofu pudding for yourself!
They say that good things come in small packages. Taiwan is one of the smallest countries in Asia, yet has plenty to offer. Whether you’re looking for an exciting city, a calm beach, or a mountain adventure, Taiwan has it all. To help you on your way, we’ve put together a rundown of Taiwan’s highlights. Discover the best locations that the country has to offer, along with some top tips about the best places to eat and sleep!
Taiwan experiences some pretty extreme weather conditions during the summer. Summers are very hot and humid, with temperatures higher than 95 F (35 C) and very high humidity. You can also expect very heavy rainfall and typhoons. And although the winters are not particularly cold (rarely does it get colder than 50F or 10C), this is when the country experiences the most rainfall. With that being said, the best time to visit Taiwan is during the spring (around March to May), or autumn (September to November).
Now that you know all the useful information that you’ll need before your trip to Taiwan, here’s the fun stuff! First up, did you know that there’s a 7-Eleven convenience store almost on every corner in Taiwan, even in the smaller and more remote areas? In fact, Taiwan ranks second in the world for the ratio of 7-Eleven’s per person, coming second only to South Korea.
Prepare to get grossed out a couple of times in Taiwan. For example, much of the country still has very old plumbing and sewage systems. This means it’s quite common to find a bin next to the toilet, where you’re supposed to drop your (used) toilet paper instead of flushing it down the toilet!
And lastly, don’t get excited if you hear a van playing jolly music as you’re walking down the street. It’s not an ice cream van as you might imagine, but a garbage collection van!
Hi there!
We are Jacob and Taylor. Travel is our passion and we love sharing our experiences here at The Travelling Souk. Our hope is that you would be inspired by this little blog to try something new, embrace an adventure, and live life to the fullest.