Interesting Things to Know About Taiwan

1.    Taiwanese Are Obsessed With Food

Taiwanese people have a deep passion for food, and they consume almost everything edible. For example, night markets are very popular in Taiwan, where you can find great food at cheap prices.

You would be wise not to eat before going to one so that you will have room because the options available are endless (and very likely delicious). Taiwan has more Michelin-star restaurants than any other country, and you will find it difficult to even walk around the city.

2.    People Are Extremely Polite

Even though Taiwanese people are busy with their own lives, they make time for others to be friendly and offer help. If you’ve ever needed something (directions, help with shopping bags), you can count on at least one person offering assistance, even if it is just directions. Try asking for help in the street sometime!

3.    They Are Self-Conscious About Bullying

Though there are many rumors about bullying in Taiwan, it is actually not as common as people make it seem. Some people will gossip about it, but almost everyone you meet will laugh at the rumors or be very defensive of Taiwan. Taiwanese people are aware that Western media portrays them as bullies, and they want to show the world the truth instead.

4.    People Like To Queue Everywhere

Taiwanese people like lining up for everything – from going to a restaurant to getting coffee at a cafe and even just walking down the street. Taiwan is also home to many 24-hour restaurants because of how important food is for Taiwanese people – almost as much as lining up.

5.    Taiwanese Are Extremely Family-Oriented

Though it may seem like an exaggeration, Taiwanese people are family-oriented. The majority of people you meet will mention their parents or siblings in some way, and they often talk about how much they love them.

Taiwanese people treat their elders with the utmost respect, and there is a general sense that all Taiwanese are extremely close to each other because of shared cultural experiences.

6.    There Are Two Official Languages

Taiwanese has become the official language of Taiwan by law, but that’s not all there is. Many Taiwanese still speak Mandarin because it was the official language prior to being recognized, but that doesn’t mean all Taiwanese are fluent in it.

The majority of people you will see in Taiwan who work in business and customer service will be fluent in both languages (and occasionally one more), although many cannot speak English. If you encounter a Taiwanese person who is not fluent in Mandarin and does not want to speak Taiwanese, you can always try English.

7.    It’s Easy For Westerners to Get Around Taiwan

Taiwan has a public transportation system that covers the entire island, and most places of interest will be easily accessible by bus or train (although you may have to transfer to another bus or train). You will also find taxis everywhere, and it is relatively cheap (depending on your bargaining skills) to get around by taxi.

If you are not near a bus stop or train station, don’t fret; scooters/mopeds are very common in Taiwan and can be easily rented. However, it will be difficult for westerners to get around Taiwan by scooter/mopeds because of the traffic laws, but I’m sure you can figure that out if you try.

8.    Taiwan Has a Thriving Nightlife

Taiwanese people love going out at night, and it’s very popular in Taiwan to go bar hopping in the city. This is especially true on the weekends, where you will find people out until early in the morning (or even all night long).

Taiwan is also home to many clubs and lounges, and they usually require a small fee for entrance that includes one or two drinks. Clubs/lounges in Taiwan are generally westernized and cater to westerners, so it shouldn’t be difficult to get in or figure out the dress code if you’re a foreigner.

People from around the world visit Taiwan every year to explore five most visited places in Taiwan.  It’s a beautiful country with a rich history and culture that is surprisingly not well-known outside of Asia.  Most of these top attractions are located on or near the island’s western coast, while some lie further east.

7 Most Visited Places in Taiwan

Living in Taiwan is relatively easy as an expat. If you’d love to visit this this country, it’s crucial you know the best places to visit. Without further ado, below are the seven most visited places in this wonderful country.

1)    The Taroko Gorge

If you visit Taiwan, put the Taroko Gorge on your list of places to see.  It’s an 18-kilometer long canyon cut deep into marble rock with cliffs that tower more than 300 meters above the gorge floor.  The stone walls lining the paths are marbled with visible swirls of colors, including white, black, purple, and yellow.  The area is so beautiful it’s been designated as a national park.

2)    Kenting National Park

Taiwan is home to many gorgeous beaches with powdery sand, swaying palm trees, and clear blue water that feels wonderful against your skin.  One of these hot spots is the sandy beach of Kenting National Park, where you can enjoy surfing, sunbathing, and swimming.  The plentiful sunshine here makes the area a hot spot for water sports, while a popular night market offers a wide range of delicious snacks.

3)    Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is known as the “Most Beautiful Waterfall Under Heaven,” and that’s definitely true.  Lush forests and towering cliffs surround this mountain lake.  You can get there by taking a cable car up the steep face of Jade Mountain, or if you prefer to avoid heights, buses run regularly from Shueishe in Nantou County at the base of Jade Mountain.

4)    Jiufen

Nestled in the mountains of Ruifang District, there’s a small town called Jiufen.  The village was once a hotbed for gold mining and is home to some wonderful tea houses where you can sit down and enjoy a cup while admiring the lovely views of nearby peaks.

Visitors come here to enjoy the unique atmosphere of Jiufen, but also to take the easy walk up to Gold Ecological Park, where you can see some beautiful flowers and ponds.

5)    Cingjing Farm

You’ll find Cingjing Farm in Nantou County near Sun Moon Lake.  Visitors come for three main reasons, including sightseeing, tea tasting, and lunch. There are plenty of animals to see, including goats, sheep, llamas, and even emus.  You can also enjoy some great food, including beef noodles, bread bowls filled with meat stew, and oden, which is Japanese fish cake soup.

6)    Maokong

While not exactly a major tourist attraction, Maokong is worth mentioning since many people visit for tea tasting.  Taipei has dozens of teahouses that offer delicious drinks that will rejuvenate you.  But aside from the tea, Maokong is home to beautiful mountain views and fantastic hiking trails where you can get away from all the city’s noise below.

7)    Penghu Islands

Located in the Taiwan Strait, Penghu is a group of islands belonging to Taiwan Province.   This area has many beaches, and the sea is calm enough for water sports like surfing.  It’s also a great destination for enjoying seafood, especially scallops, which are very popular here.

Frequently Asked Questions about Living in Taiwan

What is there to do in Taiwan?

Taiwan is a small island with plenty of adventures waiting to be discovered by the intrepid traveler. While you can’t go wrong with an evening spent wandering through one of Taipei’s lively night markets or a day spent hiking up Elephant Mountain, it would be a shame not to venture around the island and see what else Taiwan has to offer.

What is the work culture like in Taiwan?

Taiwan’s work culture can be best summed up by one word: busy. A common joke among Taiwanese people is that everyone works until they die. And while that might not be quite true, it doesn’t seem far off for most people who are employed full-time. Most of Taiwan operates on a 40 hour work week with at least one day off.

What is the cost of living in Taiwan?

Taiwan has a reputation as an expensive country, but with careful planning and budgeting, it’s possible to save some money.  Accommodation will eat up a large portion of your expenses, so if you can stand living with roommates, there are ways around spending thousands on rent each month.

What is public transportation like in Taiwan?

The Taiwanese love their conveniences, and if it can be done with less effort, they’ll do it for you. This is reflected in the public transportation system, which consists of trains, buses, and taxis that run everywhere throughout Taiwan. The train system is especially good because it is cheap and runs up to Taipei’s northern suburbs, where many expats live.

What does the average Taiwanese person look like?

Taiwan is one of the most ethnically homogenous countries in the world (Japanese occupation during WWII didn’t help either). Most people who live here are Han Chinese, so if you’re looking for diversity, Taiwan might not be your place. That being said, there are some pretty awesome things about living in a place where everyone looks the same.

Conclusion

Living in Taiwan can be a great experience. It is the only country in Asia where most people speak Mandarin, and it’s easy to find cheap food and drinks as well as English-speaking locals. Meanwhile, if you’d like to know more about what this country offers, follow this platform.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

When I first arrived in Taichung, one thing became abundantly clear: I’m a foreigner. No matter how long my hair is or what clothes I wear, people stop and stare when they see me walking around town. “The only way you won’t be stared at is if you’re with another foreigner,” my boss told me.

The number of expatriates who are living in Taiwan is on the rise, which is likely to create an environment where foreigners feel more comfortable about calling this island home. Informal polls showed that many expats tend to stay in Taiwanese cities like Taipei or Taichung for anywhere between three months and ten years.

The people here are mostly Taiwanese aboriginals, Han Chinese (the majority ethnicity in China), and other minorities. There is also a significant population of non-Asians, who often come for business or family reasons. Of this population, some stay in Taiwan permanently.

Living in Taiwan as an expat may be something you’d want to do for some time or on a more permanent basis. You might also be here only on vacation, but you’re looking at it from the perspective of possibly living here, right? Whether you’re here on a temporary or long-term basis, it’s worth considering the pros and cons of living in Taiwan. It might not be the right choice for everyone.

In many cases, it isn’t easy to go from being a tourist to someone who has moved permanently to another country. Have you been surfing the internet to know what moving to Taiwan in 2022 looks like? If that sounds like a yes, look no further, as we’ve got you covered here. Read further to know more!

Pros and Cons of Living in Taiwan

The island nation of Taiwan is perhaps best known for its dramatic mountain scenery, stunning beaches, and hospitable people. Located off the southeast coast of mainland China, it is a small country rich in culture and history.

It has also become an increasingly popular destination for expats looking to live abroad. However, before you pack up your bags and move to Taipei, there are a few things you should know. In this section, we will walk you through the pros and cons of living in Taiwan as an expat as of today.

Pros

Many Foreign Languages Available For Study

Many international students who come to Taiwan opt to take courses in the Chinese language because of the diverse dialects and languages spoken in Taiwan. Mandarin is the official language of Taiwan, but Taiwanese Hokkien and Hakka are also popular languages among locals.

This means it will be easy for you to find a course of study that fits your needs since there are courses available in many different languages.

Safe and Peaceful Country

Taiwan is ranked as number 17 out of 142 countries in the 2017 Global Peace Index list. This high ranking means that it is one of the safest countries to live in as a citizen and foreigner. In fact, Taiwan is ranked as the world’s safest country, with Japan coming in second after Taiwan.

However, there are some cons to the peaceful nature of Taiwan. Many Taiwanese people complain that there is almost no culture or nightlife because everyone goes home early; this makes it difficult for expats to make friends.

Rich Cultural Activities

Taiwan has a rich cultural history that many expats and travelers can take advantage of by visiting various museums, monuments, and parks. For example, the National Palace Museum houses over 700,000 Chinese artifacts in its collection; it is one of the most prominent art galleries in Asia. Many people come to Taiwan to tour the museum to see these ancient works of art.

Moreover, people can also visit various temples and famous scenic spots. However, there are some cons to this rich culture; many visitors complain about the high prices for all these activities.

Beautiful Natural Scenery

Taiwan is a small island that has a lot of natural beauty. There are many mountains and scenic spots to explore; even people in the countryside enjoy the beautiful natural views every day. Also, there is a diverse variety of flora and fauna that nature lovers can appreciate.

However, there are some negative aspects as well. The overpopulation on an island with limited space means that there is a lot of air and water pollution.

Low Cost Of Living

In general, Taiwan has a low cost of living compared to other developed countries like the USA and the UK. For example, you can buy food for an entire week for only 100-300 NT dollars (equivalent). You can also get your haircut for 40 NT dollars, assuming you are willing to wait in line for a long time.

Moreover, transportation is also cheap in Taiwan, so foreigners do not need to spend so much money traveling around the island. However, there are some pros and cons with the low cost of living in Taiwan. For example, Taiwanese people complain that everything is too cheap and that there is a lack of good quality goods and services.

Delicious Food

Taiwan is a country that prides itself on its Taiwanese cuisine. Taiwan’s dishes include soy milk, oyster omelets, stinky tofu, and bubble tea. Many Taiwanese foods are sweet or salty to add flavor to the bland taste of some of the local cuisine. But there are also many healthy options available to anyone who visits.

Religious Freedom in Taiwan

Taiwan was the first Asian country in history to recognize religious freedom in its Constitution when it went through a constitutional reform in 2005. This means that regardless of your religion, you will be able to go about your day-to-day life without fear of persecution or attack. There are no Acts or documents that target a certain religion in Taiwan.

Broad Job Market

No matter what field you are in, Taiwan will have job opportunities. Many people work in the service industry, but there are many opportunities to be a writer or researcher at universities. It is easy for foreigners to find jobs in teaching English because of the large number of people who want to learn English. The Taiwanese government has even begun funding “The 100,000 Strong Initiative,” which grants universities with higher education programs in teaching English.

Cons

Taiwan, a beautiful country located in the Pacific Ocean, is known for its hospitable people and delicious food. However, not everything about this country is perfect. Here are five cons of living in Taiwan as an expat.

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Taiwan has always been quite liberal when it comes to beauty standards. This might seem like a positive thing, but it can be a bit overwhelming for people who aren’t used to it. Plastic surgery is also quite common here, emphasizing this beauty standard even more.

Earthquakes

Taiwan is located in one of the most earthquake-prone zones globally, and these natural disasters frequently occur – especially in the southern part of Taiwan. Since these earthquakes can be quite destructive, living in a house or apartment that is not earthquake-proof will put you at risk of injury and damage to your property.

Mandarin

Mandarin is the official language of Taiwan, but Taiwanese also has its own dialect, which many locals speak with each other. The benefit of learning Mandarin is that you will communicate with most locals who only speak Mandarin. However, the downside of learning Mandarin is that people will assume that you can’t understand Taiwanese, making them talk about you behind your back.

The Food

Taiwanese cuisine is tasty and unique; however, it might not be what everybody is used to. The biggest issue with Taiwanese food is its basis in meat; Taiwanese cuisine has very few vegetarian dishes. Also, since Taiwanese people like their food spicy, it might be quite difficult to find food that suits your tastes during the first few months after moving here.

Isolation

If you are single and looking for a company, chances are you will have a hard time finding what you are looking for. This is because Taiwan is generally an unfriendly place for people who don’t speak Mandarin Chinese to find love, friendship, or even just conversation. This also means that if you do not have many friends here, it might be hard to make them – especially since Taiwanese people are more homogeneous than other societies.