Тайвань

Mandarin Chinese is the main language. It is written in traditional Chinese characters, not the simplified characters used in mainland China. Taiwanese Hokkien and Hakka are also widely spoken, especially among older generations. English is common in Taipei's tourist areas, on MRT signage, and at hotels. It drops off quickly outside the main cities. Learning to recognize a few characters, or keeping a translation app handy, makes ordering food and reading menus much easier.

Prepaid SIM and eSIM plans are sold at the airport, convenience stores, and telecom shops. Setup is quick, with no extra ID hurdle beyond showing a passport. Coverage is strong island-wide, including in the mountains. Signal can weaken in remote gorges and on some outer islands. Taiwan has no internet censorship. Social media, messaging apps, and international news sites all work normally.

Tap water meets treatment standards, but old pipes in some buildings mean many residents still boil or filter it before drinking. Bottled and filtered water are both easy to find. Pharmacies are widespread in cities and well-stocked, and many pharmacists speak some English. No special vaccinations are required for entry. Routine vaccinations should still be up to date. A doctor's advice is worth seeking before a trip that includes rural hiking or remote islands.

Many nationalities can enter Taiwan visa-free for short stays. This includes the United States, Canada, most of the EU, the UK, Australia, and Japan. The visa-free stay is typically up to 90 days for tourism. Travelers from countries without visa-free access can apply for a visitor visa at a Taiwan representative office before departure. A passport valid for at least six months beyond the stay is generally required.

Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.

Remove your shoes before entering someone's home. Many guesthouses and temple inner halls expect the same; look for a shoe rack at the entrance as a cue. Modest dress is respectful at temples, covering shoulders and knees. A slight bow or nod is a polite greeting; handshakes are also common in business settings. Bargaining is unusual in shops and night markets, where prices are normally fixed. Ask before photographing people, especially at temples during active worship.

Lunar New Year is the biggest holiday. Many shops, restaurants, and attractions close for several days, and transport gets fully booked. It falls in late January or February, so plan around it if your trip overlaps. Most shops and restaurants open daily, including Sundays. Smaller family-run businesses sometimes close one day a week.

• By train: The Taiwan Railway network and the high-speed rail (THSR) connect all major west-coast cities. The high-speed line cuts Taipei to Kaohsiung to about 90 minutes. Book seats online or at the station; reservations are recommended on weekends and holidays. Taiwan High Speed Rail
• By air: Domestic flights mainly serve the outer islands, Kinmen County and Penghu County. Flying saves hours over a ferry.
• By bus: Long-distance coaches reach towns the railway does not, including mountain areas like Alishan. They are often cheaper than the train.
• By metro: Taipei and Kaohsiung both have modern metro systems. A rechargeable EasyCard works on trains, buses, and metro across most of the island. Just tap it at the gate — no need to buy single tickets.

Breakfast in Taiwan is often a quick stop at a street stall. A soy milk drink and a savory pancake or rice roll are typical, eaten on the way to work. Lunch and dinner center on rice or noodles with several small shared dishes. Eating out is so affordable that many people cook at home only occasionally. Night markets are where the food culture is most visible. Rows of stalls sell everything from grilled skewers to shaved ice, often eaten standing up or at shared tables.

Signature dishes include braised beef noodle soup, oyster omelets, and soup dumplings, alongside night-market staples like stinky tofu and pan-fried dumplings. Bubble tea, invented in Taiwan, is sold on nearly every street corner. Fresh fruit and shaved-ice desserts are popular in the heat. Betel nut stands are common roadside sights, though the habit is aimed at locals rather than visitors.

Most everyday eating happens at small family-run restaurants, food courts, and night-market stalls. Sit-down restaurants are less common for daily meals, and portions are often meant for sharing.

Northern Taiwan: Taipei is the capital and the usual starting point. Its landmarks include Lungshan Temple, National Palace Museum, and Taipei 101 Observatory, which anchors the skyline. New Taipei surrounds the capital and includes Jiufen Old Street in the hillside village of Ruifang District. Keelung is a busy port city and a common stop for cruise passengers.

Central Taiwan: Taichung is Taiwan's second city, known for its art spaces and food scene. Sun Moon Lake is the island's largest lake, ringed by mountains and popular for cycling and boat rides. Alishan is a mountain area famous for sunrise views, tea plantations, and old-growth forest.

Southern Taiwan: Tainan is Taiwan's oldest city, with centuries of temples and colonial-era forts. Kaohsiung is a modern harbor city with a growing arts district. Hengchun is the gateway to Kenting National Park, Taiwan's beach and diving destination at the island's southern tip, home to National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium.

East coast and outer islands: Hualien City sits beside Taroko National Park, with its marble gorges and mountain trails. Taitung City is a quieter base for the east coast and nearby Green Island. Kinmen County and Penghu County are outlying island groups reachable by short flight, each with a distinct history and slower pace.