Information to Help You Plan a Trip to Taiwan
Here's a bunch of information that you should know before planning your trip to Taiwan.
For more information, visit one of these guides:
Otherwise, below the tables, you'll find a lot of blog posts to help you plan your visit.
| Can I Enter Taiwan Without a Visa? | Refer to the government’s website |
| Vaccinations Needed | None required, but here are recommended ones |
| Legal Drinking Age | 18 years old |
| Legal Smoking (Tobacco) Age | 20 years old |
| Vaping Legality | Illegal |
| Marijuanna Legality | Illegal; listed as category 2 narcotic |
| Can You Drink the Tap Water? | Yes |
| Do You Need to Tip? | No |
| Do I Need to Fill Out an Arrival Card? | Yes; online version available |
| Is it Safe to Visit? | Yes |
| Should I Carry My Passport? | Yes |
Many people will tell you to boil water before drinking. This likely applies to water in apartment buildings with water towers. Otherwise, Taiwan uses chlorine and other water treatment methods used in countries like the US.
Here’s an example of a water quality report from Taitung.
| Best Month to Visit | Between September and November |
| Primary Way to Pay | Cash |
| How Much Cash to Carry | NT$3,000 (at least) |
| Currency | New Taiwan Dollar (分, NTW, NT, or $) |
| Country-Wide Free Wi-Fi | iTaiwan (how to connect) |
| Driving Side | Right |
| Dress Code | None |
| Official Language/s | Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, 16 indigenous languages. |
| Primary Religion | Buddhism (35.3%) |
Types of Toilets in Taiwan:
Sitting
Bidet
Squatting
Important: Some places will tell you not to flush toilet paper. Many Taiwanese people do not flush toilet paper. Instead, they throw it in the trash can in the bathroom stall.
Plug Types:
Types A and B
(Image sources: CIA Factbook)