Taiwan First Impressions: Good News - They're Super Friendly to Foreigners!

[Lorraine Rau]

Hello everyone! I'd like to share some fresh experiences for those planning a trip to Taiwan.

Regarding convenience, Taiwan deserves a big thumbs up!

• For us travelers coming from mainland China or other places, visiting Taiwan is extremely convenient.
  • Most notably, the reservation process is super easy: no matter if it's a restaurant, bar, or massage service; you can easily make a reservation using foreign phone numbers on the "inline" app or website; SMS verification codes are also accessible.
  • We even managed to book a gym session by sending a private message directly to the gym on Instagram.
  • In contrast, most regions in Japan require local phone numbers and a basic understanding of Japanese for any reservation.
  • Payment methods are also extremely convenient:
    • Credit cards are accepted at most restaurants, with Apple Pay available at shopping centers and convenience stores.
    • Ridesharing via Uber is extremely convenient, while public transportation can be handled with a "Yoyo Card," which is akin to our traffic cards (available for purchase and recharge at convenience stores).
    • English signs and translations are also common, with much information on buses and bus stations available in English.
  • However, it is worth noting that some small shops or street stalls might only accept cash. Therefore, it would be best to bring along some Taiwanese currency too!
  • In summary: obtain an eSIM card for internet access, carry a credit card, and prepare some cash, and there's nothing stopping you from enjoying your time in Taiwan.

Taipei's appearance is old but orderly!

• Overall, Taipei has that somewhat ancient charm, yet is exceptionally clean, orderly, and neat.
  • What caught me off guard was its excellent accessibility features: at the Taipei Palace Museum (home to numerous ancient Chinese treasures), some exhibits contain sign language interpretation via their electronic guides; at Yangming National Park (a popular tourist attraction near Taipei), even the buses inside the park provide special spots for wheelchair passengers, while the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park (formerly an old cigarette factory, having been transformed into an art zone), features unisex restrooms.
  • Note however that some small streets and alleys lack sidewalks or, at best, poorly-proportioned ones; hence, walk carefully around cars and motorbikes.
  • Although Taipei should be expensive, there are still many low-rise buildings and houses scattered throughout.

Eating and drinking experiences, purely off the cuff:

• The food here seems to be on the lighter side compared to my spicy palette from southwest China.
• Around 90% of breakfast stalls seem to offer egg pancakes, roasted baozi, or sandwiches instead of the diverse options one would expect here.
• It feels like Taipei has a lot of foreign restaurants, particularly Japanese cuisine, coming close to or surpassing the number of Chinese restaurants.
• Night markets are genuinely lively, with countless snacks available. However, they can feel suffocating and overcrowded in the summer with their high temperatures (above 30 degrees), especially since we witnessed the hard work of stall owners who remain busy near the flames.
• Nevertheless, Taiwan's fruits are amazing — definitely try them out! They include mangoes, wax apples, and custard apples, so sweet!

Taiwanese people really enjoy puns - those amusing plays on sounds in Taiwanese language.

In summary, my trip was indeed enjoyable, and I look forward to returning during winter for a better experience!

[Glenn Ryan PhD]

This feels so much like Japan... I mean, really Japanese.

[Robyn Monahan]

Have you ever seen Japanese streets look so messy and run-down?

[Beatrice Thiel]

Developed places tend to be quite similar, but Taiwan has this extra warmth and a strong sense of human connection.

[Johnathan Schmeler]

Yes, it's incredibly difficult. They're very strict with the process.

[Roosevelt Reynolds]

Is independent travel allowed again?

[Katrina Sporer]

I don't think so. I could because I was entering from overseas.

[Daisy Hermiston]

That's a really great and fitting summary.

[Kay Oberbrunner]

You're welcome to visit often!

[Courtney Hickle Jr.]

Wow, I didn't expect Taiwan to be so prosperous!

[Ms. Alberta Moen]

Are you being sarcastic?

[Byron Larkin]

Taiwan is in an earthquake zone, so isn't it natural to have more low-rise buildings?

[Mr. Otis Schaefer]

It's not just because of earthquakes that there are many low-rise buildings. It's largely due to private property ownership. Many landlords set their conditions too high, leaving no profit for developers, which makes urban renewal difficult. Steel-structured high-rises are actually much more earthquake-resistant than brick low-rises.

[Howard Legros]

Run-down, you think? I feel like it evokes different layers of memories. If everything was replaced by modern skyscrapers, I think I'd be sad to see some of those youthful memories fade away.

[Linda Dietrich]

Hi, I was wondering, are massages generally cheaper over here?