Taiwan's 228 Museum commemorates the 228 incident and surrounding history, including the martyrs, victims, and hardships they went through. It is one of the best places to learn about one of the most important events in Taiwan's history, and learn about Taiwan's authoritarian past and struggle for freedom has shaped the present. The best part is it's free.

The National 228 Memorial Museum is not to be confused with the smaller Taipei 228 Memorial Museum in 228 Peace Memorial Park. 

Historical Background:
228 refers to the February 28th incident, which was an uprising of the local Taiwanese people against the KMT government in 1947, two years after the KMT had taken control of Taiwan, after decades of Japanese colonial rule of the island. Taiwanese people became disgruntled under what they saw as poor governance and a lack of local political participation. Food prices started rising and unemployment was high. The KMT was also wary of revolt and communist subversion. On February 27th, 1947 KMT agents physically struck a woman accused of smuggling cigarettes', after which an officer fired at the crowd of nearby angry bystanders. The next day on February 28th, protesters assembled and were fired at again, and protesters were also able to seize a radio tower and broadcast the news to the whole island. Under President Chiang Kai-shek and provincial government Chen Yi, protests were put down by the KMT army, thousands of civilians were killed, and many more thousands were imprisoned. Martial law was later imposed in Taiwan for 38 years and political dissent was silenced, in what was known as the White Terror period. This is considered the most important historical event in Taiwan's modern era. 
The current building that houses the 228 Memorial Museum was built in 1931 during the Japanese era and was used for events and gatherings. After KMT took control of Taiwan, the building served as the Taiwan Provincial Consultative Council until 1958 and was later rented by the US government as the American Cultural Center, and later rented by the Scouts of China (Taiwan's boy scouts). The building was then renovated from 2002 to 2011 and was reopened on February 28th, 2011 as the 228 Memorial Museum. The museum is usually not very crowded even on weekends.

Price:
Free
​
Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM.

How to get there:
By MRT: The Museum is about a five-minute walk from CKS Memorial Hall Station. 
By car/scooter: From Taipei main station, turn south on Chongqing South Road. The museum will be on your right. There is limited parking near the museum. 

You can also find tours of Taipei as well as tickets to other museums in Taiwan on Klook here. 
Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Map:

Luye's Longtian Green Tunnel in Taitung County is one of many "green tunnels" in Taiwan, made up of a row of trees on either side of a road making a tunnel of leaves, which to locals is kind of a rare sight. The tunnel attracts many cyclists and Instagrammers year-round. 

Background:
There is really not any history to tell. Obviously, the trees along the road have been around a long time, probably just to provide shade. What probably happened was some people from Taipei came and thought that a road with trees next to it looked unique, and decided to bring their friends here to take photos. Now it has become kind of a viral location.
There is another green tunnel in Luye called Wuling Green Tunnel (武陵綠色隧道), which is north of the highland. 

How to get there:
By Car: From Taipei, take National Highway 5 to Yilan, then drive south on provincial road 9 until you get to Luye. See the map below for the location of the Highlands. It will be hard to miss.
By Train: Take the TRA to Luye station, and then walk, take a taxi, or take a bus to Luye Highlands (the train station is roughly 2 kilometers away from the highlands).
By Plane: Fly into Taitung Airport from Taipei, then take a taxi to the highlands.

Price:
Free

Hours:
24 hours

When to Go:
The Taitung balloon festival runs from June to August, which is when we recommend going. 

​Looking for a tour of Taitung? Check out the many option on Klook here. 
​Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for hotels in Taitung here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Taiwan's Postal Museum provides a unique history of Taiwan from the perspective of its postal service. It includes some of the first stamps ever made in the world, every stamp Taiwan has ever made, and a vast collection of stamps from most other countries in the world. In addition, it shows a history of postal services in Taiwan and throughout the world, as well as DIY activities. It is a fun and interesting visit for the whole family. 

Historical Background:
The Taiwan Postal Museum was founded in 1965 by Liu Cheng-han (劉承漢), who attended the 12th  Universal Postal Union Congress in Paris and noticed that most other countries had created postal museums, such as the first postal museum created by Germany founded in 1872. 
Taiwan's Postal Museum was first located in Xindian District of New Taipei. A New building for the museum was created with 12 stories in Taipei, and the museum was moved to the new building in 1981. 
In 2015, a smaller Taipei Beimen Postal Museum was created.
In 2021, a Kaohsiung Postal Museum was also established.
The Postal Museum is usually not very crowded, but there are more people there on weekends. 

Price:
30 NT per person.
​
Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM (tickets stop being sold at 4:30 PM).

How to get there:
By MRT: The Museum is about a five minute walk from CKS Memorial Hall Station. 
By car/scooter: From Taipei main station, turn south on Chongqing South Road. The museum will be on your left. There is limited parking near the museum. 

You can also find tours of Taipei as well as tickets to other museums in Taiwan on Klook here. 
Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Map:

Kinmen (aka Jinmen or Quemoy) is a group of islands off the coast of Xiamen, China, belonging to Taiwan. For years it was the front lines and closest territory to China during the Chinese Civil War, which has not officially ended. Now that the war with China has come to a close due to the establishment of the "status quo," Kinmen has been open to tourism, especially from that of China. Kinmen has the highest concentration of museums and historical buildings in almost anywhere in Taiwan, as well as local cuisine, beaches, and scenery, making it an ideal vacation destination for both Taiwanese, Chinese, and other foreign tourists.

Background:
Kinmen first began to be settled by Chinese people in the Tang Dynasty (around 700 AD). It got it;s name Jinmen "Golden Gate" from the Hongwu Emporer who set up military operations on the main Island during the Ming Dynasty in 1387. The name Quemoy comes from the Hokkien pronunciation of the name.
After the fall of the Ming Dynasty (1644), Ming Loyalists continued to occupy Kinmen under the Prince of Lu and Kongxia, but Kinmen was eventually captured by the Qing in 1663.
The Islands were never ceded to Japan.
After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, Kinmen (along with the rest of China) was governed by the Republic of China (ROC). When the ROC lost the Chinese Civil War, they retreated to Taiwan under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek, but still maintaining some outlying islands off of the west coast of China. The ROC army dug into Kinmen and fortified almost every inch of the island, holding off PRC invasion. Perhaps the most pivotal battle in holding off the communists was the battle of Guningtou in which 9,000 PRC troops were defeated and captured in an attempt to take back the island of Kinmen. The battle effectively stopped the PRC from advancing toward invasion of Taiwan, because in 1950 the Korean War started, demanding much of their manpower, buying time until the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty was signed in 1955, offering protection by the United States. against PRC invasion of Taiwan. Because of this, the battle laid the groundwork for the status quo between China and Taiwan as we know it today.
Kinmen was kept as a military reserve until it was made into a civilian government in the 1990s. Travel was reopened with China in 2001, which really opened the door for the tourism sector on the islands mainly driven by Chinese tourists. Many businessmen also moved to the island to gain easy entry into China from Taiwan. In 2015 the Taiwanese government made it easier for Chinese tourists to visit Kinmen by allowing them to apply for via on arrival.
Currently the island's main industry is tourism, but there is also large Sorghum Wine production industry, as well as agriculture and fishing.
Kinmen is a stronghold for the KMT party, mainly because the residents resent the fact that many in the pro-independence DPP would consider returning Kinmen to China in an independence treaty.

When to go:
Autumn is said to be the best time to visit, when there are still warm temperature and not too much rainfall. Spring also has great temperatures, but seasonal rains may dampen your travels. Summer can get really hot, which might be totally fine with you. The winter is cold and windy; don't go in winter.

How to get there:
By Plane: The only way to get to from Taiwan to Kinmen is via a airplane. Planes leave daily from Taipei, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Penghu, and Kaohsiung.
By Boat: You can reach Kinmen from Xiamen at Wutong port (五通碼頭) or Quanzhou at Shijing Port (石井碼頭), connecting at Shuitou Port (水頭碼頭).

Getting around the island:
Rent a scooter! The island is small so you should not need to rent a car. You can rent bicycles but you will not be able to travel as fast. You can also hire a driver to take you on tours.
Ask your hostel for more rental information. They can help you book a rental in advance.

Scooter Rental:
Price: expect 400 NT per day.
You can book a scooter rental for Kinmen Island on Klook here. 
It may be better to book your scooter rental in advance, especially during summer weekends. Ask for help from your hostel owner if needed.

Car Rental:
Price: expect 2000 NT per day.
You can charter a car on Klook here. 
Don't rent a car unless you absolutely need to. Renting scooters should be sufficient for most travelers. 

Tours:
There are many tours available on the islands. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here. 

Accommodation:
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the island. 

Map: Please see below:

Taiwan fruits are the best. They are one of the main reasons we love Taiwan and have decided to stay in Taiwan for the long term. Although the fruits in Taiwan are highly seasonal, you can always find delicious and sweet fruit here year-round. If you come from a non-tropical country, you have likely been missing out on the full sweet flavor that these fruits are meant to have. 

As an American coming to Taiwan for the first time, I was wary of the fruits. From my experience in the US, pineapples, mangos, and passion fruit had always been sour and nasty. Only when I tried the tropical fruit in Taiwan did I realize that the pineapples, mangos, passion fruit, and everything else were sweeter than candy. 

If Taiwan is the best kept secret in Asia, then Penghu is the best kept secret of the best kept secret in Asia. It has just everything you could possibly want from a tropical island vacation getaway. Less than an hour plane ride from Taipei with multiple flights daily, it's also easy to get to. We are sure that a trip to Penghu is one that you will not regret, and there will be more things to do than you could ever have time for.

History of Penghu:

The Penghu Islands were historically an important strategic position for trade and military defense in the area. The Dutch, French, and Japanese all led campaigns against these islands. The Dutch first invaded Penghu in 1622, but soon after retreated to Anping after a treaty was made with the Ming Dynasty.
Konxinga later took control of Penghu and Taiwan after defeating the Dutch in 1661, Later, Kongxinga's kingdom fell to the Qing Dynasty.
In 1885 during the Sino-French war for control of Vietnam, the French sent a fleet to Taiwan but failed to take the island. Later they attacked the Penghu Islands and occupied them for a short time, before retreating to Vietnam due to the Treaty of Tianjin.
After Japan took control of Korea in 1894, they also attacked and occupied Penghu in 1895, after which the Qing Dynasty ceded the islands to them.
After World War II, the islands were given to the ROC government, which retreated to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War and still controls the islands today under a free democratic government.

How to get there:
By Plane: There are daily flights from Taipei Songshan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung airports to Makung. the flight takes roughly under and hour. Rates can range from around 2200-6000 NT for a round trip.
There are also flights to and from Chiayi, Tainan, Kinmen, and Chimei, with charted flights to Hong Kong starting September 2018.
By Boat: There are daily ferries from Chiayi and Kaohsiung. A one way trip takes about 4 hours from both locations. A one way ferry from Kaohsiung costs about 900 NT for just a reclining seat, and a one way ferry from Chiayi costs about 1000 NT.
You can book ferry boat tickets on Klook here. 

Tours:
There are many tours available on the islands. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here. 

Accommodation:
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. 
​

When to go there:
Spring to Autumn. Winters are rather miserable.

Map: Please see below:

Wulu Fort in Haiduan Township of Taitung County was originally made by the Japanese to suppress an uprising by the Bunun indigenous tribe. Now it stands as a monument to Taiwan's colonial past. The area also has great views of the Wulu Gorge and Wulu Village along Taiwan's South Cross-Island Highway. 

Historical Background:
As per the sign on sight, the history of Wulu Fort is as follows:
"Wulu Battery was constructed in 1927 when the Japanese were building the Guanshan Cross-Ridge TRail (now the South Cross-Island Highway) from Xinwu to Wulu. This cannon, manufactured by the Russians in 1903, was captured by the Japanese during the Russio-Japanese War and shipped to Taiwan for the Japanese Police to use in the suppression of an uprising of the aboriginal Bunun tribe. Batteries were also built in neighboring Saku (Dalun) and Madiangulu (Motian); but Wulu Battery is the only one that has survived, a witness to the bloody and tragic history of the Japanese occupation."
Usually, this area is not crowded. If you visit, it is likely you will be the only person there.​

Price:
Free

Hours:
24/7

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Taitung, take provincial highway 9 north until you reach provincial highway 20 (South Cross-Island Highway) then turn west up into the mountains. Turn off at Wulu Village. The fort is just above the elementary school. 
By Bus: From Guanshan TRA station, you can take bus 8178 to Wulu. The Fort is about a 25 minute walk from the bus station.

Map:

Su'ao's Crayon Castle (officially Luck Arts Crayon Factory) is a crayon factory castle in Su'Ao township in Yilan County, that has been specifically designed as a DIY experience center for kids where they can make their own arts and crafts, as well as their own set of markers, and crayon in the shape of Taiwan! The DIY activities include making markers and crayons, face painting, painting porcelain, making chalk, and water coloring. Basically, it is a paradise for young children. 

Background:
The Lucky Art corporation started in Yilan in 1990, and has four factories worldwide, two in Taiwan, and one in Shanghai and Vietnam. 
The factory in Yilan produces over 1.5 million crayons per day.
In 2008, the Lucky Art corporation opened its tourist crayon factory, which now sees more than 200,000 visitors per year. 
In 2017, the crayon castle was expanded to double its size, and added a parking lot that can accommodate over 200 cars. 

Price:
General DIY (4 activities and 100 NT coupon): 250 NT per person
Chalk DIY: 150 NT per person
Watercolor DIY: 350 NT per person
Paint Porcelain: 160 NT per person
Price for children under 90 CM: free
Parking: Free
​You can buy tickets for a discount onKlook here. 

Hours:
8:30 AM to 6PM
(Tickets not sold after 4 PM. Sessions every half hour.)

How to get there:
By Car: Take National Freeway 5 south until it ends. You will see the Crayon Factory on your right as the road becomes the Haishan West Road. 
By Train: Take the TRA to Xinma Station (新馬站) and then walk or take a taxi the remaining 500 meters to the crayon factory. 

Map:
Please see below:

Green Island is a paradise off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. Once a prison for political enemies of the KMT, it is now a tourist hot spot. It is one of the best places to snorkel and dive in Taiwan, one of only three salt water hot springs in the world, and it also includes amazing volcanic rock formations and scenery all around the island. 

Background:
Green Island is the remnant of a volcano that formed millions of years ago and is part of the Luzon Volcanic Arc. Today you can see lots of volcanic rock all along the shoreline.
Green Island is the seventh largest Island in Taiwan. 
Green Island became inhabited hundreds of years ago by the Tao indigenous people (達悟族) (aka Yami people 雅美族, which is a name coined by the Japanese, but the native people prefer Tao), which are thought to have traveled from the Batanes Islands in the Philippines, and then to Orchid Island. It was called Jitanasey by the Tao people. It was also known to be inhabited by the Amis Tribe (阿美族) which reside today in Taitung. It was known as the Amis people as Samasana Island. 
The Island was first settled by Han Chinese fisherman from Xiaoliuqiu Island in 1813, who called the island Huoshandao (火燒島) or Bonfire Island. More Han settlers from Donggang arrived in 1850.
In 1937 the American Steamship SS President Hoover ran ground at Green Island and all aboard were saved. To thank the people of Green Island, the US donated to build the Green Island Lighthouse which was designed by the Japanese and finished in 1938, at 33.3 meters or 109 feet high. 
Green Island also served as a penal colony for political prisoners' during the martial law era of Taiwan, which lasted from the late 9140s to late 1980s. Some prisoners went on to help form the Democratic Progressive Party. The prison is now open to the public. 
Currently the Island is powered by one deisel generator. It also includes an airport.
Currently about 4500 people live on the island, and the main industries are tourism and fishing.

Weather and Climate:
The island has a tropical rain forest climate, with average high temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees year round. The rainy months are in summer, especially due to Typhoons, but the most sunny days are also in summer (expect a lot of sun), and the most rainy days are in winter. Summer is the tourist season, but spring and fall are also popular times to visit. Winters are said to be dreary, cold, and have constant northeastern winds that can stop airplanes and ferries from departing to the island.

When to go:
The best time to go they say is around May when it is not too hot and there are no northeasterly winds or typhoons which can cancel your transportation to the island.
​Typhoon season lasts from around June to October. The busy season is during summer break from June to August, during which time it can be hard to book a hostel or airplane ticket. Winter is the less crowded season, but the water will be colder, there will be constant wind (which could cancel transportation), and it will rain more often. 

Rules to Consider:

• Do not go snorkeling or diving during bad weather, low tide, or big waves. 
• Do not trespass private property or government property that is off limits (such as military base, weather station, reservoir, or garbage dump)
• Always snorkel or dive with a buddy
• Have fun

How to get there:
By Plane:
The only planes to and from Green Island come from Taitung City in Southeastern Taiwan. From Taipei, there are daily flights from Songshan Airport to Taitung, where you can switch to Saily Air which will take you the rest of the way to Green Island.
Flight times: As of the time of this blog, there were six flights per day by Daily Air Corporation from about 8 AM to 4 PM (Please note their website is only in Chinese). The flight from Taitung to Green Island takes about 15 minutes. Please note that the aircraft are small and flights can be  cancelled due to high winds or unfavorable weather. 
Costs: NT 1428 to Green Island and NT 1360 from Green Island.
You can purchase a tickets through a tour agency such as My Taiwan Tour or a similar website.
 
By Boat:
There are two places that offer ferry rides to Green Island: Houbihu Harbor (恆春後壁湖漁港） in Pingtung and Fugang Harbor in Taitung (臺東富岡漁港). However, to get there from Houbihu you need to stop in Lanyu, so I will focus this blog on hust Fugang Harbor. There are also about three ferry companies that operate at both harbors. Both companies leave from both harbors at the same time and arrive at the about same times for the same prices (1200 NT per person round trip/600 NT per single trip).
Ferry Boat costs:
1200 NT per person round trip (600 NT per single trip) from Taitung. Ferry companies have roughly the same price.
Ferry Boat Times*:
7:30 AM departure from Fugang Harbor, 8:20 AM arrival to Green Island.
8:30 AM departure from Green Island, 9:20 AM arrival to Fugang Harbor.
9:30 AM departure from Fugang Harbor, 10:20 AM arrival to Green Island. (permanent set time)
10:30 AM departure from Green Island, 11:20 AM arrival to Fugang Harbor. (permanent set time)
11:30 AM departure from Fugang Harbor, 12:20 PM arrival to Green Island.
12:30 PM departure from Green Island, 9:20 PM arrival to Fugang Harbor.
13:30 PM departure from Fugang Harbor, 14:20 PM arrival to Green Island. (permanent set time)
14:30 PM departure from Green Island, 15:20 PM arrival to Fugang Harbor. (permanent set time)
15:30 PM departure from Fugang Harbor, 16:20 PM arrival to Green Island.
16:30 PM departure from Green Island, 17:20 PM arrival to Fugang Harbor.
*Note: the above times change according to the seasons. There may only be one boat per day during winter, while all the boat times may be available during summer break and weekends. Please double check which times are available before you go.
You can purchase a tickets through a tour agency such as My Taiwan Tour or a similar website.

Getting around the island:
Rent a scooter! The island is small so you should not need to rent a car. You can rent bicycles but you will not be able to travel as fast. You can also hire a driver to take you on tours.
Ask your hostel for more rental information. They can help you book a rental in advance.

Scooter Rental:
Price: expect 400 NT per day.
You can book a scooter rental for Green Island on Klook here. 
It may be better to book your scooter rental in advance, especially during summer weekends. Ask for help from your hostel owner if needed.
I am 100% percent certain you do not need a Taiwan local license to rent scooters here, however they may ask for an international license (but I'm fairly sure they will let you rent without one).
Helmet wearing is not enforced at all as you will quickly find, but it's still the law.
Also be careful to not hit any goats because they wander as they please.
There is only one gas station next to Nanliao Fishing Harbor.

Car Rental:
Price: expect 2000 NT per day.
Don't rent a car unless you absolutely need to. Renting scooters should be sufficient for most travelers.

Accommodation:
Booking accommodation on the island can be difficult in summer months and on weekends, when rooms can be fully booked for months in advance. AirBnb has the most choices, however there is also better quality selection on Agoda.com. 
​My hostel did not require that I pay for my room in advance via bank wire transfer (as was the case on Lanyu), but they required me to pay in cash.
Expect to pay 2000 - 4000 NT per night for a standard double room on Green Island. 

Tours:
There are many companies offering snorkeling, diving, and other tours on Green Island. You can search for tours on Klook here. 

Map:
​Please see a map of all the locations covered in this blog below:

The Taitung White House is a strange-looking house built by hand by a former KMT soldier. It's a popular location and you can usually spot an Instagrammer or two here taking photos of the oddly shaped house, which reminds people of Howl's Moving House.

Historical Background:
​The Taitung White House began construction in 1966 by Li Wenchang (李文昌), who was an ROC soldier born in 1928 in Guangxi and moved with the ROC army to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War. He built the house while he was still serving in the military. Originally the house was made of wood, then he added brick to the walls. After a local coast guard station was abandoned in 1970, he moved the materials from the coast guard station over to build his house into the four-story building we see today. 
Mr. Li had a son who later went on to become an Architect, and urged him to move to Kaohsiung in his old age, but Mr. Li refused this offer. 
In 2015 a nearby animal feed factory was torn down to make way for a hotel being built here, making the white house much more obvious to passersby. 
Mr. Li still lived at the house and was a bit of a recluse but still agreed to interviews from the media. He rejected offers from others to purchase the property. 
Mr. Li finally died in his home at the age of 89 in 2017. ​
For further background on the house, you can check out this blog by Josh Ellis. 
As of the time of this article, the White House is still standing and there are no plans to sell it or tear it down that I am aware of. It is still a popular attraction in Taitung. 
Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free:

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Go south on Provincial Highway 11 until you reach Taitung City. The house is near the southeast corner of Taitung near the ocean on Zhengzheng Road.
By bus: From Taitung TRA station, take a bus to central Taitung. The house is about a 20-minute walk from any bus stop. 

​Map:

Hsinchu is not only Taiwan's technological hub, but is also rich with historical sights, Hakka culture, and natural beauty. It has numerous old streets, preserved Japanese-era and Qing-era buildings, zoos, mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, and much more to explore. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taiwan.

History of Hsinchu:
After the settlement of the area by Han Chinese farmers in about 1711, what was then known as Zhuqianshe became the most important economic area in northern Taiwan. By 1723, a walled city was built here out of bamboo, because brick walls were forbidden for fear of a revolt against the Qing authorities. The name Zhuqiancheng (竹塹城) literally means bamboo moat city. The bamboo-walled city had four gates and its perimeter was about 1.4 KM long. In 1806, the city was upgraded with earthen walls. In 1828, the city walls and gates were finally made into brick, with the perimeter covering 2.7 KM, and walls 5 meters high, the center of the city being the Chenghuang City God Temple. In 1901, the Japanese government decided to redesign the City of Hsinchu and destroyed all the gates and walls except the existing East Gate. 
In the ROC era, the Hsinchu Science Park was established in 1980 under President Chiang Jingkuo, and was made to model silicon valley. TSMC, Taiwan's most important corporation, was formed in 1987 with its headquarters in the park and created a technological hub, making Hsinchu indispensable to Taiwan's economy.  

When to visit:
It is best to visit from April to November when the weather is warm and less windy.
There is a constant, cold northeasterly wind from December to March especially along the coast. However, the winter in general is more dry.

Where to stay:
Most of the accommodation you will find is near the city center.  If you will only visit downtown, you can consider a day trip from Taipei.
You can find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

How to get around in Hsinchu:
As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also a great deal of Miaoli by taking the train, inter-city bus, or local bus. Getting around in a car is also a convenient option as there is plenty of parking pretty much everywhere in this less crowded county. You can look for rentals, tours, and other transportation options here. 
​
Map:
See below for a map of places we will cover in this blog:

Tax season is here. In Taiwan, taxes must be filed before May 31st. As a foreigner, you might be wondering how to file a tax return and what the regulations are. Luckily Taiwan has made it easy by creating an online tax filing system that you can complete from your computer, although you do still have to physically send some forms to the tax office. Let us answer some common questions about tax filing that might come up:

Forward: The following is Q+A for tax year 2022 only, based on information provided on Taiwan's Ministry of Finance website for your reference only. Personal income tax can be a complicated issue; for specific answers regarding your tax situation please contact the Taiwan tax office: +886-2-2311-3711. Press 7 for English service. The ultimate decision for tax payable is up to the discretion of the Taiwan tax office.
 
Q: When should I file Taxes?
A: Between May 1st to May 31st after the tax year (tax year is same as calendar year).
If you are leaving the country and do not plan to return to Taiwan, you must file an early tax return within 10 days before you leave. We recommend going to the tax office in person for an early filing.

Q: When are Taiwan tax payments due?
A: Tax payments are due by May 31st, after which there will be penalties for late payments. 
 
Q: What makes me eligible for paying Taiwan taxes (or what makes me a tax resident)?
A: You become a Taiwan tax resident if you stay in Taiwan longer than 183 days, or if you are a Taiwan national and have household registration (戶籍)  in Taiwan and visit for at least one day. The address in your ARC is not household registration, it's a registration process from the local administrative office (戶政事務所）.
If you stay less than 90 days in Taiwan, in general, you do not have to file taxes, and VAT or sales taxes are reimbursable.
If you worked in Taiwan and stayed over 90 days but less than 183 days, you need to pay taxes on your Taiwan-based salary even if your income came from overseas, and you will pay a fixed rate of 6% or 18% income tax (your company may have deducted this from your salary already).
If you have Taiwanese dual citizenship and Taiwanese house registration, then you need to pay taxes if you have stayed in Taiwan for over 31 days. Days are cumulative in a tax year, and it doesn't matter what you came for during these days.
​
Q: How do I count the days I stayed in Taiwan?
A: Please note that the day you come to Taiwan doesn't count, but the day you leave does. It's a good idea to keep track of the number of days you have been in Taiwan via the stamps on your passport.

​Q: What is the income tax rate?/ How much is Taiwan tax?
A: The income tax rate for non-residents who earn at least 1.5 the minimum wage per month (39,600 NT as of 2023) is 18% (you can get a tax refund if you pay 18% taxes and then become a tax resident). 18% usually is applicable to white-collar foreign workers. 
For non-residents who earn less than 1.5 the minimum wage per month (39,600 NT as of 2023), the income tax rate is 6% (you can get a tax refund if you pay 6% taxes and then become a tax resident). 6% is usually applicable to most blue-collar foreign workers. 
The 2022 tax rate for residents (staying over 183 days in Taiwan) is as follows (source: Taiwan Ministry of Finance):

A few weeks ago I was invited to a friend's farmhouse in Hsinchu. This three-sided house is nothing special; there are thousands of similar houses throughout Taiwan. However, in this blog, you can explore what life was like for most Taiwanese families in the not so distant past.​

Some would say Ecuador is the banana capital of the world, and that is probably right, but I’m sure Taiwan bananas are just as good. One of the great things about living in Taiwan is you can buy fresh bananas on the street almost everywhere, so if you are a banana connoisseur like myself you will not have worry about bananas going bad (I eat bananas single every day).
有人會說厄瓜多爾是世界香蕉之基地，但我相信台灣的香蕉也一樣好。住在台灣的好處之一就是到處都可以在街上買到新鮮的香蕉，所以如果你像我一樣是個香蕉鑑賞家，你就不用擔心香蕉壞掉的沒香蕉吃（我每天吃香蕉）。

Jianguo Flower Market is a long market that lies under the Jianguo freeway and is open only on weekends. The market is split into an artist's corner, the main flower market selling plants and gardening products, and a jade market. It is definitely worth a stop during your next weekend in Taipei.

Background:
The Jianguo Flower Market was started in 1982 shortly after the completion of the Jianguo Elevated Expressway. Ever since that time, the space under the bridge has been used as a weekend market. The market consists of a gardening products area, an art area, and a jade area.
The market is usually very crowded and parking is limited, so it is best to visit using public transportation.

Hours:
Every Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM (shops start closing at 5 PM).
You can find more tours of Taipei on Klook here. 

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By MRT: The flower market is about a two-minute walk east of Da'an Park MRT station. 
By car/scooter: The market is under the Jianguo Elevated Expressway in Taipei City. There is limited paid parking near the market. 

Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Map:

Green Grass Lake is a beautiful pond in southern Hsinchu with a large arched bridge leading to an island park in the middle of the lake. There is also a bike path that goes around the lake. It is a nice place to relax and take a stroll if you are in the area. 

Background:
Green Grass Lake is actually a small reservoir built along the Keya River in1954. It was meant to provide irrigation, provide flood control, and boost tourism in the area. 
In 2005, the area around the lake was refurbished and new paths and a bridge were added to the park. 
Popular activities here include paddle boating, paddle boarding, and cycling.​
There is also a night market here that opens one day a week on Wednesday. 
​
Price:
Free

For tours around Hsinchu, check out the options on Klook here. 

Hours:
24/7
Green Grass Lake Night Market 青草湖夜市: Every Wednesday from 6 PM to 11 PM, in front of the elementary school.

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Take highway 117 south from downtown Hsinchu. The lake is up on a hill on Minghu Road Lane 775.
By bus: You can take bus 5602 to Chiaqiao Station. The ride takes about 19 minutes. 

Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Map:

Orchid Island (not to be confused with the Fijian Island of the same name), known in the the local Tao language as Ponso No Tao (Island of the people), and in Chinese as Lanyu (蘭嶼) is a secret indigenous people's paradise off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. It is different than any other place in Taiwan, and has the best preserved indigenous culture anywhere in the country. If Taiwan's best tourist activity is experiencing the culture of Taiwan's indigenous peoples, then Lanyu has the best tourist experience anywhere in Taiwan.

Background:
History:
Orchid Island became inhabited about 800 years ago by the Tao indigenous people (達悟族) (aka Yami people 雅美族, which is a name coined by the Japanese, but the native people prefer Tao), which are thought to have traveled from the Batanes Islands in the Philippines , which are a little less than 200 KM away, cut off by the Bashi Channel. However Orchid Island is very different than the Philippines.
Beginning in1644, some Dutch Sailors were sent to investigate the island, and some settled there among the natives. Because of this, the Island was known as Red Head Island (紅頭嶼) by the Chinese and the Japanese.
After the Dutch were defeated in Taiwan, Lanyu was claimed but not controlled by the Qing Dynasty.
The Japanese claimed the Island shortly after the Sino-Japanese War in 1895, but protected it as an "ethnological research site" and forbid outsiders from entering.
After the Republic of China took over Taiwan following the end of WWII, they continued to ban visitors to the island until 1967, after which tourists were allowed to enter and public schools were built there.
​Christian missionaries began preaching and living on the island starting in the 1950s, and now basically all native people on the island are Christian (mixed with traditional beliefs). However Christianity was introduced much earlier starting with the Dutch in the 1600s although to a lesser extent. 
In 1982 a nuclear waste storage plant was built on the south side of the Island without the islanders consent, causing protests from the inhabitants. Also because of this, the Island inhabitants receive free electricity.
The island is volcanic in nature, with the last major eruption being over 5 million years ago. The highest mountain is 552 meters (1,811 feet).
Currently there are 2,400 people permanently living on the island, 90% of them being of native Tao descent. 
Tao Culture:
The Tao people number in about 2,000 living on Orchid Island, with about another 2,000 living on the Taiwan mainland. The Tao people rely on the sea for survival, and much of their traditions and lifestyle is centered on fishing. 
The Tao people are mostly Christian but also still practice many of their traditional beliefs. However their ancestral religion included a pantheon of Gods. 
Traditional roles for men are fishing while roles for women include harvesting taro and sweet potato and weaving. The men usually fish at night or early morning and rest on traditional wooden platforms during the day.
Boats are made from planks of wood and are painted with red, white, and black. The boat usually has human figures, waves, and the traditional sun image (red and black circles and sun rays) which is said to warn off evil spirits. Boats are considered sacred and the ultimate human creation. There is also a launching ceremony for new boats in which traditional clothes and headgear (such as silver helmets for men and wooden hats for women) are worn, pigs are slaughtered, and the boat is lifted into the air multiple times before being set in the water. Traditional clothes include loin cloths and vests for men, and aprons and vests for women. Young people on the street usually do not wear traditional dress.
Flying Fish Festival:
There are three basic seasons on Lanyu: one is the flying fish season when flying fish can be easily caught and used in and lasts from February to May. The other seasons are from May to October and October to February, when flying fish cannot be caught for ceremonial use. There are many taboos during flying fish season which are discussed below. 
The Flying Fish Festival lasts from aboutMarch to October when flying fish are caught. During this time many ceremonies take place such as for the beginning of the festival, plentiful harvest, etc. During the festival, there are multiple migrations of flying fish species near Lanyu. There are many taboos during this time, especially when it comes to catching and eating flying fish which are the main life source of the Tao people. 

Weather and Climate:
The island has a tropical rain forest climate, with average high temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees year round. The rainy months are in summer, especially due to Typhoons, but the most sunny days are also in summer (expect a lot of sun), and the most rainy days are in winter. Summer is the tourist season, but spring and fall are also popular times to visit. Winters are said to be dreary, cold, and have constant northeastern winds that can stop airplanes and ferries from departing to the island.

When to go:
The best time to go they say is around May when it is not too hot and there are no northeasterly winds or typhoons which can cancel your transportation to the island.
​Typhoon season lasts from around June to October. The busy season is during summer break from June to August, during which time it can be hard to book a hostel or airplane ticket. Winter is the less crowded season, but the water will be cold, there will be constant wind (which could cancel transportation), and it will rain more often. 

Taboos:
General Taboos:

• Do not take pictures of or enter any of the underground houses without permission.
• Do not use any of the resting pavilions without permission, and if you are given permission take off your shoes before entering.
• Do not visit schools when they are in session.
• Do not speak loudly or shout while inside the villages.
• When villagers are performing traditional rituals, watch from a distance and keep quiet.
• Do not touch or enter into traditional canoes
• Do not disturb the ecology or habitat when snorkeling, hiking, etc.
• Do not bring any plants or animal parts with you when you leave Lanyu.

Flying Fish Season Taboos (February to June):

• Do not take photos or get near the fisherman or catch when they are coming ashore
• Do not touch or get into canoes to take photos.
• Women should keep away from canoes due to traditional beliefs.
• Do not bring oranges to beaches or harbors or give oranges as gifts, as this is believed to be a curse.
• Do not ask the fisherman what they are doing, this is thought to bring them bad luck for their catch.
• Do not try to fish without asking locals the proper time and place to do so.
• Avoid swimming and snorkeling in or near traditional fishing harbors. Always ask your hostel owner or other locals where it is okay to swim and snorkel.
• Do not fish for flying fish especially using nets or motor boats
• Do not harm or remove coral

Basic Courtesy:

• Know the taboos above before coming to Lanyu.
• Do not photograph local people or things without permission.
• Come to Lanyu with an open mind, and try to understand and sympathize with the people’s culture and way of life.

How to get there:
By Plane:
The only planes to and from Orchid Island come from Taitung.
Flight times: As of the time of this blog, there were six flights per day byDaily Air Corporation from about8 AM to 4 PM (Please note their website is only in Chinese). The flight from Taitung to Lanyu takes about 25 minutes. Please note that the aircraft are small and flights can be  cancelled due to high winds or unfavorable weather. 
Costs: NT 1428 to Lanyu and NT 1360 from Lanyu.
You can purchase a tickets through a tour agency such as Klook or a similar website.
 

By Boat:
There are two places that offer ferry rides to Lanyu: Houbihu Harbor (恆春後壁湖漁港） in Pingtung and Fugang Harbor in Taitung (臺東富岡漁港). There are also two ferry companies that operate at both harbors. Both companies leave from both harbors at the same time and arrive at the same time for the same price (2300 NT per person round trip/1150 NT per single trip).
Ferry Boat costs:
2300 NT per person round trip (1150 NT per single trip)from both Taitung or Pingtung. Both ferry companies have the same price.
Ferry Boat Times:
7:30/7:00 AM departure, 9:30 AM arrival to Lanyu.
12:00/12:30 PM departure, 3:00 PM arrival to Lanyu.
9:30 AM departure from Lanyu, 11:30 arrival to Taitung or Pingtung.
3:00 PM  departure from Lanyu, 5:00 PM arrival to Taitung or Pingtung.
Both ferry companies depart and arrive at the same time to both locations. 
You can purchase a tickets through a tour agency such as Klook or a similar website.
​

Getting around the island:
Rent a scooter! The island is small so you should not need to rent a car. You can rent bicycles but you will not be able to travel as fast. You can also hire a driver to take you on tours.
Ask your hostel for more rental information. They can help you book a rental in advance.

Tours:
You can book multiple tours such as diving, snorkeling, night fishing, night hiking, and cultural tours through Klook. 

Scooter Rental:
Price: expect 500 NT per day.
Be sure to book your rental in advance, especially during summer weekends. Ask for help from your hostel owner if needed.
I am 100% percent certain you do not need a Taiwan local license to rent scooters here, however they may ask for an international license (but I'm fairly sure they will let you rent without one).
Helmet wearing is not enforced at all as you will quickly find, but it's still the law.
Also be careful to not hit any goats because they wander as they please.
There is only one gas station next to Kaiyuan Fishing Harbor.
​You can book a scooter through Klook here. 

Car Rental:
Price: expect 2000 NT per day.
Don't rent a car unless you absolutely need to. Renting scooters should be sufficient for most travelers.

Accommodation:
Booking accommodation on the island can be difficult in summer months and on weekends, when rooms can be fully booked for months in advance.
There is a nice selection of rooms on Agoda.
Here is a list of every registered hostel on the island, but it is in Chinese.
​My hostel required that I pay for my room in advance via bank wire transfer (this may not be an option if you are a foreign traveler, so make sure they accept credit cards if you do not have a Taiwan bank account).
Expect to pay 2000 - 4000 NT per night for a standard double room on Lanyu. 

Map:
​Please see below:

The Miniatures Museum of Taiwan was the first miniature museum in Asia, and with 200 items is the second largest miniature museum in the world. The collection includes Medieval architecture, Disney characters, doll houses, scenes from fairytales, and more. It is definitely worth a stop for miniature enthusiasts everywhere. 

Background:
Taiwan's miniature museum was founded in 1997 by Mr. Lin Wen-ren (林文仁) and his wife, who had amassed a large private collection for their children before planning to make a museum. The Miniatures Museum of Taiwan was the first miniature museum in Asia, and with 200 items is the second largest miniature museum in the world. The collection includes Medieval architecture, Disney characters, doll houses, scenes from fairytales, and more. The most precious miniature in the museum is the replica of Buckingham Palace which took three years to complete, and the most extensive miniature is the "Thunder River Town."
The miniature museum is popular for both children and adults and may be crowded on weekends. 

Hours:
10 AM to 6 PM every day

Price:
Adults: 250 NT at the door, 219 NT if booked on Klook. 
Children under 6: Free
You can book tickets on Klook here, as well as a tour of Taipei. 

How to get there:
By MRT: Take either the orange line or the green line MRT in Taipei to Songjiang Nanjing Station, and take exit 4. The museum is about a five-minute walk from the MRT station. 
By car/scooter: There is some paid parking along Jianguo Road.

Map:

​Here is a list of other Taiwan Blogs that we think are of note, as well as our list of blog lists (bloggoramma), and vlogs. We will keep this updated as best we can. Websites that are no longer online will be deleted. If you feel that you should be on this list, please let us know.

Blogs:

The Xiangshan Wetlands (aka Siangshan Wetland) in Hsinchu are the biggest coastal wetlands in Northern Taiwan. The area includes intertidal lands that cover over 1000 hectares and includes bike paths, beaches, mangroves, and a birdwatching zone. It is definitely worth a trip for nature enthusiasts visiting northern Taiwan.

Background:
The intertidal mudflat that makes up Xiangshan Wetlands is about 20 KM long, from Nanliao to Nangang in Hsinchu. In 1996, the wetland was recognized as a bird protection park. In 2001, it was named as a national wildlife refuge, and in 2013 it was named as a wetland of national importance. The intertidal zone has a distinct ecology and diverse wildlife including clams, crabs, and birds. 
The main areas to explore in the park include Jincheng Lake, Haishan Exploration Zone, and Nangang Birdwatching Zone.
The area is usually not too crowded and is a great place to enjoy nature.

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Drive south along Expressway 61 south of Nanliao Harbor. The wetlands are hard to miss along the coast. 
By Bus: Take bus 5801 from Hsinchu TRA Station to Dazhuang station along the coast. It's about a 25 minute journey. 

​Map:

No matter how comfortable your couch or guest bed may be, sometimes you need to get away and explore a new place. Whether it’s for work, a family trip, or just some much-needed rest and relaxation, finding the right hotel accommodations can make all the difference in starting off on the right foot with your journey. But between price points, amenities offered, location proximity, and reviews from other travelers – oh my! – where do you even begin when selecting that perfect spot?

Banking in Taiwan as a foreigner can be a frustrating experience, especially with a language barrier and cultural gaps. Banking still is a major pain even for long-time residents. However, we have made this guide to help make banking in Taiwan a little easier, more efficient, and more beneficial, especially for expats new to Taiwan. 

Foreword: The following Q+A is based on personal experience and is for reference only. this is not an exhaustive analysis of Taiwan's banking sector. Each bank has different policies, and the employees in the banks may not even know their own policies for foreigners. 

My Overall Experience Banking as a Foreigner in Taiwan 外國人在台灣使用銀行的個人心得:
My experience banking in Taiwan has been a mixed bag. Besides lots of wait times and loads of paperwork, I have noticed that many banking functions are not available for foreigners, such as buying stocks and bonds, buying gold, and buying mutual funds. 
It took me an entire month to buy mutual funds for my kids. First I went to the bank to ask how to do it. Then they gave me forms to fill out. I filled them out and brought them back to the bank. They said the forms were filled out wrong. I corrected them and went back to the bank. They said because it was Saturday they could not process the account (post office bank) so I had to go back on a weekday. I went back on a weekday. Later, they said that some documents were still not okay. I went back and fixed the documents again. After that, I waited for the mutual fund account to open. Then I had to go back and transfer money into the accounts.
In the end, simply buying mutual funds took me three weeks and six(!!!) trips to the bank, wasting countless hours of my time. I cannot think of a more inefficient process that I have ever been a part of. 
All of this being said, banking in Taiwan still gets the job done most of the time, and foreigners are able to move their money freely because Taiwan does not have foreign exchange controls. 

The bicycle paths along the Keelung River near the Rainbow Bridge are some of the most accessible and fun places to go cycling in Taipei. There is also a bike rental shop under the First MacArthur Bridge (麥帥一橋) nearby. You can also try to rent a Youbike from a nearby station. Here you can enjoy some of the best scenery in Taipei, the nearby Roahe Street Night Market, and see the planes take off and land from Songshan Airport.

Background:
The rainbow bridge was completed in 2005 and is 167 meters long. The bike paths along the Keelung River were completed at about the same time, so it quickly became a popular place to go cycling. On weekends you will be able to see hundreds, even thousands of people riding their bikes in this area.

Hours:
24/7
Bike rental: Open on weekends and holidays from 8 AM to 5 PM. 

Looking for a bike tour of Taiwn? Click here to search for options. 

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: There is parking inside the riverside park near First MacArthur Bridge (麥帥一橋).
By MRT: You can walk there from Songshan MRT Station. 

​Map:

Smangus is an Ayatal tribal village deep in the mountains of Hsinchu. At an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level, it is also known as Taiwan's most remote aboriginal village. It has become a tourist hot spot not only for the aboriginal culture here, but also for the grove of giant Cypress trees which are close to 3,000 years old. 

Background:
The name Smangus is the Ayatal name of the Netleaf Oak tree (querus rugosa 銳葉高山櫟) that grows here. The Ayatal tribe has inhabited this area for thousands of years. After the ROC took control of Taiwan, most of the tribe converted to Christianity thanks to western missionaries. 
The village of Smangus was electrified only in 1979, and a road to the village was only completed in 1995. Before that, it was a three hour walk to the nearest town.
After word got out about the grove of giant Cypress trees in the area, the village quickly became a tourist hot spot and remains so today. 
​
Price:
Free

How to get there:
By car/scooter: From eastern Hsinchu, take highway 109 to Jianshi Township until you reach the turnoff to Smangus. It's about a 2 hour drive from Guanxi township in Hsinchu. 
Bus: There is no public transportation to Smangus. 
Tour: You can take a day tour to Smangus with Klook here. 

Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotels deals in Taiwan here.

Map:
Please see below:

Riding a bicycle around Taiwan may be the best way to enjoy the island.  Taiwan is known as the bicycle kingdom not just because it is one of the top manufacturers of bicycles in the world, but also because the Island of Taiwan has many amazing world-class roads waiting for cyclists to discover such as hundreds of kilometers of coastline, mountains above 3000 meters, and the world's deepest marble gorge. If you are a fan of cycling, you definitely need to check out this amazing island. 
​
Looking for a bike tour of Taiwn? Click here to search for options. ​