10 Reasons You Should Live in Taiwan

9/26/2023

Taiwan is one of the best places for expats to live, due to its high standard of living, friendly environment for western foreigners, convenience, great food, and amazing sites. In this blog, I will give you the top ten reasons why you should live in Taiwan.

Basic Taiwan Travel Tips:

There is no need to tip in Taiwan. It is not part of the culture here.
Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar, and many transactions such as for street food still require cash. For more information, check out our guide to the New Taiwan Dollar here.
Get yourself a SIM card or portable WiFi such as from Gigago here so you can stay connected and don't get lost in the city.
If you are from a country that does not have a 90-day visa-free program with Taiwan, consider getting your visa sorted with Ivisa.com. You can also check out our immigration FAQ here.
Get travel insurance in case of unforeseen events. You can compare prices on Insubuy here.
The electrical voltage is 110V.
Get yourself an Easy Card, so you can travel easily on the MRT, Train, HSR, Youbike, and even shop at convenience stores. You can also book a Taiwan travel pass on Klook here.
For more travel tips, check out our foreigner survival guide here.

Hotels in Taiwan:
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Tours in Taiwan:
There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy in Taipei that will take you to multiple destinations and arrange transportation. For more information, you can check out Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here, which are both great tour websites that can connect you with the right tour and tour guide for you.
Here are some of the most popular tours of Taiwan on TripAdvisor:

How to get around in Taiwan:
Taiwan's transportation system is convenient and safe. There are many options you can consider to get around in Taipei below:
By Train: Gets you to the city center of all major cities in Taiwan. It is about 800NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. Roughly half the price of the HSR. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here.
By HSR: (High-Speed Rail) – Gets you quickly from north to south. Besides Taipei and Kaohsiung, most of the stations are far from city centers. It costs about 1500NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. You can book tickets to the high-speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here.
By MRT: (Mass Rapid Transit, Metro train, subway) – Easily gets you around Taipei and Kaohsiung. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Bus: Buses can be tricky. Long-range buses such as Ubus and King Bus are easier to understand and cheaper than the local train. They can take you to the city center of every city throughout Taiwan and to remote tourist destinations such as sun moon lake. A long-range bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung is about 500 NT. You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook h ere. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here.
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD.
By Car: If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.
By Scooter: Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. â€‹You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here.
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here.

Okay, now let's get this list started!

Let's get started.

1. Nice People 人友善

Taiwanese people are some of the most friendly people in the world to foreigners and strangers. This has to do with Chinese cultural values of saving face, as well as the love of other cultures that Taiwan has. This is not to say that they are friendly to all foreigners, but to the typical westerner, they show interest because of you are from a rich country, you know English, and culturally there is not discrimination.

2. Safe 安全

Taiwan is one of the safest countries in the world. Besides effectively containing the COVID-19 pandemic, it was named in the top global peace index and was named the safest country in the world in 2016. People are not allowed to own guns in Taiwan. You don’t need to worry about getting mugged in the street when you are here, being racially profiled by police, or walking alone on the street at night. People here are nice to people they don't know, especially if they are from a vibrant (rich) foreign country. Also, Taiwan is politically stable, even with pressure from China. In addition, Taiwan is environmentally conscious and has good air and water quality.

3. Convenient 方便

Taiwan is one of the most convenient countries in the world. There are almost 10,000 convenience stores, putting them in walking distance for most people. It is hard to tour Taiwan without seeing a 7-11, Family Mart, OK Mart, or Hi-Life everywhere you go. These stores also let people pay their bills with cash, purchase travel tickets, print pictures, ship and receive packages, buy everyday items, and much more.
In addition, Taiwan has some of the most convenient public transport anywhere, from the MRT, lots of buses, to the train and high speed rail.
Also, health clinics are everywhere, and even if you don’t have insurance a checkup is very affordable. A normal checkup is no more than $30 USD, and if you are enrolled in NHI, the copay will range from $2 - $8 USD.

4. Relatively Low Cost of Living 生活費不高

The cost of living in Taiwan is relatively low, and Taiwan has one of the best standards of living in Asia and the world. Take a look at some of the commodities prices in Taiwan here: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Taipei

5. Fun 好玩

Because Taiwan is so convenient and has such a developed transportation system, it is easy to travel and have fun. Two thirds of Taiwan is covered in mountains. It has the highest mountain in East Asia (Jade Mountain), and the world's deepest marble gorge (Taroko Gorge). You can also visit Kenting’s tropical beaches, beautiful beaches and snorkeling locations on outer islands, to Hot Springs in nearly every county, to hot air balloon rides, to night markets and endless shopping. Check out our blog index for more places you should check out.

6. Amazing Food 美食

Taiwan has some of the best local food anywhere. It is sweet, flavorful. We love Taiwan food! Don’t be the expat that eats at McDonald’s for every meal. There is so much delicious food everywhere!

7. Weather 天氣

The weather is nice most of the time throughout the year. Winters are not too cold and summers have lots of sunshine to go around. The Tropic of Cancer lies across the middle of Taiwan, giving Taiwan a humid subtropical climate in the north, and a tropical monsoon climate in the south. Temperatures in the north vary from 14-20 °C (57-68 °F) in the winter and 26-34 °C (78-93 °F) in the summer, while in the south temperatures vary from 16-24 °C (60-75 °F) in the winter and 26-32 °C (78-89 °F) in the summer on average. The most rain falls in the summer time across Taiwan, with Typhoons bringing torrential rains during that time.

8. Beautiful Natural Scenery 大自然美景

Taiwan is full of beautiful beaches, mountains, waterfalls, hot springs, rivers to go river tracing, open fields, canyons, and forests. Also there are hundreds of thousands of waterfalls, and unique geological formations like Moon World pictured above. Two thirds of Taiwan is mountains so there is quite a lot of nature to explore.

9. Learn Chinese 學習中文

Taiwan is a great place to learn Chinese. Not only does almost everyone here speak Mandarin Chinese, it's also a free democratic nation where you can express your views freely. Taiwan also has one of the highest concentrations of universities in the world and is very accepting of foreign students. See our FAQ on student life here.

10. Great Public Transportation 非常好的交通設施

Taiwan has an extremely convenient and efficient public transportation system. In Taiwan it’s easy to go anywhere on the island within hours. There is a railway that encompasses the entire island, as well as high speed rail along the west side connecting the major cities. Most major cities in Taiwan also have airports, with 4 international airports in total. Freeways and expressways also cover most of the island, which makes it easy to get to place to place by car or bus. It is so easy to travel in Taiwan that one can have a business meeting in Taipei in the morning, and travel via high speed rail for a relaxing afternoon on a tropical southern beach.

5 bonus reasons...

11. World Class Healthcare 世界級的健保

Taiwan has recently received a lot of press for its great response to the Covid-19 outbreak. But Taiwan has had a world class universal healthcare system for decades, known as National Health Insurance (NHI). People have long been coming to Taiwan for "medical tourism," due to Taiwan's low cost and high quality medical care. In this article we will answer common questions about Taiwan's healthcare system and why it is perhaps the best in the world. For more info, check out our healthcare FAQ here.

12. Amazing Beaches 超美的沙灘

Taiwan has some amazing beaches. It's a tropical island, and sandy beaches can be found all along the coastline. Popular water activities include surfing, snorkeling, diving, kite surfing, paragliding, etc. There are also many coral reefs, sea turtles, giant clams, and tons of tropical fish to explore in the ocean waters near Taiwan. Some of the best beaches and ocean views are also on Taiwan's outer islands.

13. Mountains 山景

Two thirds of Taiwan are filled with mountains, and Taiwan has the highest mountain in East Asia (Jade Mountain). Due to constant rain and Typhoons, Taiwan has thousands of rivers and waterfalls to explore, and river tracing is a popular sport here. Also Taiwan is home to the world's deepest marble gorge (Taroko Gorge). There are also countless high mountain trails, including 100 peaks over 3000 meters, and countless other minor peaks that are worthy of hiking.

14. Cultural and Historical Sights 文化及歷史景點

Taiwan is full of interesting and amazing historical buildings and sites. In a short 400 years, Taiwan has been ruled by the Dutch, Koxinga, Qing Dynasty, Japanese, and the ROC, each leaving a unique historical record behind. Also, Aboriginal peoples have been living in Taiwan for many millennia, with their own unique history, customs, cuisine, and culture. Taiwan provides a lifetime's worth of cultural sights and history to explore.

15. Support Free Democracy 支持自由民主

Another great thing about Taiwan is it has free democratic values that you cant find in other places in Asia (*cough* China). It has free speech and freedom of press. It was also the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. It is a free land of the free. So support freedom and democratic values by choosing to live here rather than in China.

For more pertinent information for foreigners new to Taiwan, check out our foreigner survival guide here.

Attractions in Taiwan:
There are many attractions that you can enjoy in Taipei such as Taipei 101 Observatory, Taipei 101 460 Skyline Observatory, Taipei Children's Amusement Park, Maokong Gondola, National Palace Museum, Yehliu Ocean World, Yehliu Geopark, National Museum of Marine Science and Biology, i-ride 5D cinema, Astronomical Museum, Miniatures Museum of Taiwan, Double Decker Sightseeing Bus, Miramar Ferris Wheel Ticket, Taipei Zoo, Heping Island Park, Ju Ming Museum, Yuanshan Hotel Secret Road, National Taiwan Museum, New Taipei Gold Museum, Futian Leisure Farm, Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence, Chi Po-lin Museaum, Beitou Museum, Tsao Wonderland, Railway Museum, Fort San Domingo, 13 Levels Archaeology Museum, Austin Land, Museum of World Religions, Formosan Aboriginies Museum, ASE Parent-child Park, teamLab Future Park, Yukids Island, VR Experience, Bat Cave, Neidong Waterfall, Candlestick Islet, Jurassic Snow Park, Zhonghe High5 Amusement Park, Longshan Temple, Xingtian Temple, Ningxia Night Market, Yansan Night Market, Meteor Garden, Yingge Old Street, and many more attractions on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.

Activities in Taiwan:
Don't forget that there are many activities available in Taipei such as Indoor Skiing, Rock Climbing, Hiking, Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, Archery, Ice Skating, Roller Skating, Tree Climbing, Urban Camping, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Escape Room, Shen'ao Rail Bike, Laser Gun Experience, Batting Cages, Bowling, Paintball, Flight Simulation Experience, Taipei Tram Driving Experience, Rail Simulation Experience, Taipei 101 Observation Deck activity, Strawberry Picking, Professional Photo Shoot, Body Relaxation SPA, Night Tour, Calligraphy Workshop, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.

Please like and share! If we forgot something, please tell us in the comments below!

You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.

1 Comment

Marcel

3/13/2022 01:47:32 am

I'm sorry to do this (I'm actually a very optimistice person); but, when I find something on the Internet touting all the good points about Taiwan, it really annoys me. The vast majority of foreigners, especially white foreigners from western countries, come to Taiwan and talk about how friendly Taiwanese people are. That is all well and good, except for the fact that they have no clue about a thing in this society called "FACE". This phenomenon is what largely regulates people's behavior (not only here but in every country with a large ethnic Chinese population). Due to this phenomenon, people will most definitely treat you as nicely as possible in order to "save face." I can't go on in much more detail (mainly because snowflakes are not willing to digest this), but if you could only learn to read Chinese, really learn it deeply, and see what these people say about you online, you would be beside yourself in disbelief.

I just want to close by saying: I came to this island very bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (lame as it sounds) with and studied hard to learn about the language and culture. Even so, I am treated as an ignorant foreigner and who is less than human. I've even been discriminated against by the government, more than once.

You can dismiss this all you want (as I'm sure you will -- since you're probably very superficial), but I am very, very disappointed. It is sad that this place is a democracy, yet it is really like a place without the values of democracy: equality, no societal hierarchy.

Like I said, I'm sure you will dismiss this and think of me as some kind of loser who is just angry at the world, but: when you're out and about, try to think to yourself how are people really treating you? Are they just satisfying their curiosity about a strange looking person? Do they genuinely want to be your friend and not just use you to practice their English conversation ability? Really, speak out against the discrimination that is present, stop hiding it like every white-faced foreigner! This is not some perfect utopia for God's sake!

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

If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.
You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.

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