Attractions
Overnight in the aquarium
The lovingly designed National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Checheng (website: www.nmmba.gov.tw ) is a destination for the whole family. Above all, animals that are native to the coast of Taiwan are shown, but belugas and penguins also live here. Because of the long queues, it is better to reserve tickets online in advance. A special experience is an overnight stay in the aquarium (Internet: sleepover.aquarium.com.tw ).
Mountain hiking
Geographically, a good two-thirds of Taiwan is made up of mountains, many of which are over 10,000 feet (3,000 m) high. Hikers will find numerous well-developed hiking trails. You can bathe in hot springs in various places in the mountainous regions. The mostly narrow valleys are flanked by steeply rising slopes and were made agriculturally usable in many places by terracing for tea and fruit cultivation.
- Usprivateschoolsfinder: Offers description downloadable image of national flag for the country of Taiwan. Also includes prehistory and history of this nation.
Drive along the east coast
A drive south along the east coast of Taipei to Hualien is scenically impressive. The coastal road winds along the sparsely populated east coast, which is separated from the western part of the island by high mountain ranges. The coastal mountains drop steeply towards the sea. Beautiful sandy beaches with turquoise blue water invite you to take a break.
A visit to the seafood restaurant
Excellent restaurants serving fresh fish and delicious seafood can be found along the entire Taiwanese coast. The traditional Taiwanese preparation uses surprisingly few ingredients, so that the taste remains unadulterated. You should definitely treat yourself to this taste experience.
Shopping
Overview
Seagrass mats, hats, handbags, sandals, bamboo items, Chinese musical instruments, costume dolls, hand-painted silk lamps, lacquerware, ceramics, teak furniture, figured stones, jade, ramie fiber mats, pewter items and handmade shoes. Shop opening hours: Mon-Sun 10am-10pm. Many shops are open at night.
Nightlife
Introduction
Taipei in particular has a lively nightlife. Karaoke bars are very popular. The hotels’ nightclubs offer dinner, dancing and shows. There are often entertainment programs in smaller bars too. Opera performances take place on the street. Ballets, operas and dramas are staged at the Taipei National Theater. During numerous festivals, puppet plays are performed in temples and villages. Cinemas show Chinese and foreign films. Teahouses are often open 24 hours a day and the night street markets, particularly the Shihlin Night Market, are recommended.
Culinary
Overview
All known Chinese cooking styles are represented; in addition to the local cuisine, Cantonese, Beijing, Szechuan, Shanghai, Hunan and Mongolian. Cantonese cuisine is more colorful and sweeter than that of other regions. Shrimp with cashew nuts, chicken marinated in onions, beef in oyster sauce and sweet and sour pork are popular. Desserts such as steamed meat-filled dumplings, preserves, spring rolls and tarts are very popular. Beijing cuisine is mild and combines fried or grilled meat (often prepared at the table) with vegetables in wafer-thin rice pancakes. Szechuan cuisine, which uses a lot of red pepper and garlic, specializes in tofu (made from soybeans), Eggplant with Garlic Sauce, Gungpao Chicken, Fried Crab in Pepper Sauce and Chicken with Gingko Nuts. Shanghainese cuisine uses mostly seafood and rich, rather salty sauces. In Mongolian cuisine, try huokuo (“hot pot” – meat dipped in sesame sauce, shrimp oil, ginger juice and bean paste) and grilled dishes. Local cuisine often features seafood in thick sauces. See Food & Drink in the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong chapters for more information.Restaurants/Bars: Table service is common, but some hotels also offer self-service. Western and Chinese specialties are offered in most of the hotel restaurants. Most bars serve at the counter.
Accommodation
Hotels
The approximately 400 holiday hotels offer a wide range of accommodation options and services. Overnight rates range from US$90 to US$150 per night; in smaller hotels 30-50 US$. The tourist office in Frankfurt/M. provides further information. (see addresses). Many hotels are affiliated with the International Tourist Hotel Association of Taipei. Address: 8th Floor-1, 369 Fu Shing N Road. Tel: (02) 27 17 21 55. Categories: Hotels are awarded 1-5 “Plum Blossoms”, this classification roughly corresponds to the star system: 4 to 5 Plum Blossoms: 50 hotels belong to this luxury class (25 of them in Taipei) and offer full services and extras such as tennis courts, swimming pools and beauty salons.
Camping
Campsites available.
Other accommodation options
Dorms and rooms are available in all major cities and in the most popular rural areas. A list of addresses is available from the Tourist Office (see Addresses).
Culture
Religion
Mainly Buddhism and Daoism (together 93%); also I Kuan Taoism, Christian and Islamic minorities. The Confucian doctrine is widespread.
Social Rules of Conduct
Manners: When greeting someone shakes hands. Discussions about the People’s Republic of China are common, but caution is advised. Despite the country’s rapid industrialization, the traditional lifestyle has been preserved, especially in the countryside. Formal attire is appropriate. Tipping is not common, but is slowly becoming the norm. Hotels and restaurants charge 10% service charge, an additional tip is not necessary. Taxi drivers expect tips. Smoking: Since mid-January 2009, there has been an absolute smoking ban in Taiwan almost everywhere. This affects hospitals, schools, theaters, libraries, office buildings, elevators, hotels, restaurants, karaoke bars, internet cafes, bus and train stations, and more Smoking rooms have also been closed at airports. Anyone who violates the ban risks a fine of up to €350.
Climate
Best travel time
Subtropical north with average temperatures of 16-33 °C, tropical south with average temperatures of 20-32 °C. Typhoons are most likely to occur in July and August. This is the time when most of the rainfall falls on the island.
Country data
Phone prefix
+886
Area (sq km)
36188
Population
23,816,775 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
647
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
112
