The Taipei Sugar Factory (aka Wanhua Sugar Factory Park, Tangbu Cultural Park 糖廍文化園區 or Taisugar Taipei Warehouse 臺糖臺北倉庫​) is a historical sugar refining Factory in Wanhua District of Taipei City. It was the only sugar refinery built north of Taoyuan during the Japanese rule. Now it has been converted into a museum and cultural center with DIY activities for kids and is a popular attraction in the area.  

Background:
In 1901, during the Japanese era, the first sugar factory in Taiwan was built in Qiaotou. At its height, it was producing 18,000 tons of sugar per year.
Established in 1911, the Taipei Sugar Factory was the only sugar refinery built north of Taoyuan during the Japanese rule. However, due to the Pacific War and the subsequent shortage of sugarcane and labor, the refinery was shut down in 1943.
After the fall of sugar production in the late 1900s, due to the reduction of available land and the growing cost of producing sugar in Taiwan, many sugar factories began to shut down.
The factory and its equipment were gradually dismantled, leaving only the warehouses, which were later used by the Taiwan Sugar Corporation. In 2003, the Taipei City Government designated three remaining warehouses and an old platform from the refinery as municipal historic sites. In 2011, the area was renamed the Tangbu Cultural Park.
Since 2000, in November each year, the Tangbu Cultural Park has hosted the annual "Bangka Sugarcane Festival 艋舺甘蔗季," which includes performances, sugarcane-cutting competitions, and various cultural activities celebrating the area's sugar industry heritage.
Due to its convenient transportation from both the MRT and TRA, the Sugar Museum has become a popular attraction. ​
​
Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM
Please note that the museum is closed at noon from 12:30 to 1:30 and then last admission is at 4:30 PM. 
Closed Mondays

Price:
Free 

When to go:
Anytime, it never gets really crowded here.

Where to stay:
High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Nangang Marriott (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). 
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.
​
How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: The Museum is down the street from Wanhua TRB Station. There is limited parking nearby.
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. 
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 Bus/MRT: The museum is within walking distance of Longshan Temple MRT Station on the Blue Line or Wanhua TRB Station.  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 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. 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. ​​
​
Map:
​Please see below:

Love At First Bite was a Chicago-style pizza restaurant in Da'an District of Taipei. It was known as the best Chicago-style pizza in Taipei. After 9 years of operations, the restaurant closed after their lease with the landlord ended. Hopefully, the restaurant will open again in a new location soon. 

Background: 
Love At First Bite opened in 2014 and closed on November 12th, 2023.
The boss suggested that a new location would open soon, but no further information has been given.

Hours:
Permanently Closed

How to get there:
It's closed. No longer open. You can't get there anymore. 

Taipei City Mall, also known as Taipei Underground Street, Miki Plaza, Y District Underground Mall, Y區地下街, or Taipei Main Underground Shopping Street 台北地下街 英文介紹, is the largest underground shopping area in Taiwan roughly between and around the underground red line Zhongshan MRT, Airport MRT, and Taipei Main Station. It is like four shopping malls in one. Here one can purchase clothing, toys, electronics, handicrafts, and more. Its location underground between underground public transportation rail lines makes it a convenient and popular place for shoppers. In this blog, we will share our experience including a detailed map of the area.

Background:
Taipei City Mall opened on March 29, 2000, and is one of several underground shopping streets in Taipei. The mall provided relocation space for 810 tenants from the Zhonghua Shopping Mall which was demolished in 1992.
The Taipei Underground Mall is located beneath Section 1 of Civic Boulevard (Zhengzhou Road), stretching from Beimen Station on the Taipei Metro Songshan-Xindian Line to the Tamsui-Xinyi Line. The mall spans 825 meters and covers an area of 35,738 square meters.
The Taipei Underground Mall has a total of 28 entrances and exits, 14 on the north side and 14 on the south side. All are labeled with the letter Y. 
Taipei City Mall is even known as the “Akihabara of Taipei”. In addition, Taipei City Mall is open throughout the year and is unaffected by changes in weather. It is a great place for kids and families.
It also connects with the Zhongshan Underground Mall, Taipei Station Mall, and Station Front Mall. 
The area includes Taipei Underground Street Mall (Zone Y), MRT Zhongshan Underground Mall (Zone R), Zhongshan Underground Book Street (Zone R), Station Front Metro Mall (Zone Z), Taipei Main Station Underground Mall (Zone M), and Xinzhongshan Linear Park. There are endless toy shops, video game stores, clothing stores, bookstores, and restaurants in the area.

Price:
Free

Hours:
​About 11 AM to 9:30 PM every day.
Hours of individual shops may differ.

Tours in Taipei:
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 KKday here or Klook here which are both great tour websites that can connect you with the right tour and tour guide for you. 

Activities in Taipei:
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 Klook here or KKday here. ​

Hotels in Taipei:
We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, or Kayak here). 
We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, or Kayak here).
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.

How to get there:
By MRT: You can access the underground mall via Beimen MRT Station, Taipei Main Station, Zhongshan MRT Station, or Shuanglian MRT Station. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. 
By Car/Scooter: There is paid parking nearby Taipei Main Station. 
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.  
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Click here or 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 bike 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. ​
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Mangoes are one of the best aspects of living in Taiwan. Taiwan mangoes are the best. They are simply the king of fruit. Also, many mango varieties can only be found in Taiwan. The only downside is Mango season only lasts for a few short months during the summer in Taiwan. In this guide, we…Read More

Typhoon Gaemi is the worst Typhoon to hit Taiwan in nearly a decade. It caused five deaths in Taiwan, dumped over a meter of rain in the mountains, and caused work and school to close for over three days in some areas. In this blog, I will detail some of the major events and overall…Read More

Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival is the premiere sand art display in Taiwan. It is easily accessible by public transportation (TRA Gongliao Station), and at the beach, you can find beautiful golden sand, a large shallow swimming area, and tons of food options within walking distance. It is definitely worth a trip this summer...Read More

With over 677 people killed in Taiwan, Typhoon Morakot (also known as the 88 Flood 八八水災) was the most deadly Typhoon ever to hit Taiwan in recorded history. It also broke records for the highest rainfall of any Typhoon in Taiwan’s history, a total of over 3 meters of rain (3060 mm in Alishan), with…Read More

Some people out there may confuse Taiwan with Thailand, however they are two very different countries. In fact, there are so many differences that we can’t even list them in this article. To help you differentiate between Taiwan and Thailand, we have laid out the key differences that you need to know here. I have…Read More

Happy Ghost Month! In Taiwan and many other Asian countries where Buddhism or Taoism is practiced, ghost month (鬼月 Guǐ Yuè), or the seventh month of the lunar calendar, is an important festival when it is believed that the dead come to visit the realm of the living, and it is an important time for…Read More

Mid-Autumn Festival (aka Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival) is one of the major festivals in Taiwan and is also an important holiday in cultures throughout Southeast Asia. In this blog, we will tell you how this festival is celebrated in Taiwan, how you can celebrate it, as well as other activities that will take place…Read More

May Hakka Snow Hakka Food (五月雪-客家私房珍釀) restaurant is a Michelin-star-rated traditional restaurant in Xinyi District of Taipei City. Popular dishes here include salt chicken, braised pork, cuttlefish, and more. It is definitely worth a trip if you are in Taipei...Read More

Hakka Kitchen (廚房客家美食) is a traditional Hakka Chinese restaurant inside a more commercial district of Zhongshan district, on an alley with many other food options near Nanjing Fuxing MRT Station on the Green Line. The defining feature of the restaurant is the giant photo of Jensen Huang, apparently the most important person to ever eat…Read More

Xiaoliuqiu may be the best tropical island vacation getaway in Taiwan. Despite this, the only way for tourists to get to Xiaoliuqiu (Lamay Island) is via a 15 to 30-minute ferry ride. Many ferries travel to and from the island daily, and there are two ports to choose from. The whole process may seem complicated, but in this guide, we will make traveling to Xiaoliuqiu via ferry easy for you.
I have travelled to Xiaoliuqiu over ten times (over 20 ferry trips) and I have spent over a month on the island. There are a few things I wished I had known earlier in regards to taking the ferry that would have made the trips easier, which is why I have created this guide.
​Full blog: https://taiwantravelblog.com/xiaoliuqiu-lamay-island-ferry-guide/

Taipei Martyrs' Shrine (also known as the National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine 國民革命忠烈祠, Yuanshan Martyrs' Shrine 圓山忠烈祠, or Dazhi Martyrs' Shrine 大直忠烈祠​) in Zhongshan District of Taipei City is dedicated to honoring fallen heroes of the Republic of China. Traditionally known for honoring fallen ROC soldiers who fought against the Japanese and Communists in China, but lately, other citizen heroes have been added to the shrine. Located near the Yuanshan Hotel and Dazhi MRT, it is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei. 

This shrine is not to be confused with Nangang Martyrs' Shrine, which is also known as the Taipei Martyrs' Shrine. 

Background:
Before the Martyrs' Shrine was established, it was formerly a Japanese Shinto Shrine called Taiwan Gokoku Shrine, which enshrined Taiwanese soldiers who died in battle and were honored at Japan's Yasukuni Shrine.
Taiwan was once home to hundreds of Shinto Shrines during the Japanese era. After the ROC took control of Taiwan, many of these shrines were either destroyed or converted into Martyr's Shrines. 

After the ROC took Taiwan, President Chiang Kai-shek deemed the original Taiwan Gokoku Shrine too simple and lacking in dignity for honoring the martyrs of the ROC. He ordered its reconstruction led by General He Yingqin, a senior commander of the ROC Army. The architectural style is modeled after the Hall of Supreme Harmony in Beijing’s Forbidden City. ​
The Taipei City Martyrs' Shrine was established in 1969 under President Chiang Jing-kuo, the son of Chiang Kai-shek, who is also buried here. 
​For more information on the history of this shrine, you can check out Josh Ellis' Blog here.

The shrine honors over 400,000 soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives during various periods, including the founding of the Republic, the campaigns against Yuan Shikai, the Constitutional Protection Movement, the Eastern Expeditions, the Northern Expedition, anti-Communist operations, anti-Japanese efforts, and the isolated troops in Thailand and Myanmar.
Besides the bodies of soldiers killed in action here, there is also the grave of Lin Qingjuan (林靖娟) who was also considered a martyr and honored here for losing her life trying to save preschool children from a terrible incident in which a preschool bus caught on fire. You can listen to that story on Formosa Files here.
In addition, 7 doctors and nurses who died in Heping Hospital during the SARS epidemic in 2003 are also honored as martyrs here.
As per Article 8 of the "Martyrs' Shrine Sacrifice Regulations," issued by the Executive Yuan in 1969 and revised in 1999, a martyrs' shrine is required to be established in the capital city of the central government. March 29 and September 3 are marked for ceremonies of all martyrs' shrines in Taiwan, with the president leading the national ceremonies at the capital shrine.
The area is very popular, especially on weekends and holidays, and the site attracts many foreign tourists. ​

Hours:
9 AM to 5 PM every day

Price:
Free

Tours:
You can book a tour shrine and nearby sights on Klook here, or KKday here.

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: The Shrine is a big square building in Taipei near Shilin and Neihu on the Keelung River. There is not a lot of parking nearby and you may have to walk quite a distance from the nearest parking lot. 
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. 
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 Bus/MRT: The shrine is about a 20 minute walk from Dazhi MRT Station. From the MRT Station, you can also take bus 902 or another bus that will get you there in about ten minutes. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor 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. 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. 

Map:
Please see below:

The Miramar Mall in Dazhi, Zhongshan District of Taipei, is the largest shopping mall in northern Taiwan, with a distinctive giant Ferris wheel on top of it. Here you can shop, eat at restaurants, enjoy a movie, and much more. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei.   

Background:
Miramar Mall opened in 2004. Before it was built, the area where it stands was once the Keelung River, which was rerouted, and the land here was reclaimed in the early 2000s. At the time, it was the largest building project on top of the new reclaimed land near the Keelung River. 
It is the largest shopping mall in northern Taiwan and has the fourth largest Ferris Wheel in Taiwan at 80 meters tall, 120 meters off the ground level. 
The mall is nine stories high and includes an IMAX theater. ​


Hours:
11 AM to 10 PM every day. 
Ferris Wheel: 1 PM to 10 PM every day.

Price:
Free entrance:
Ferris Wheel: 150 NT on weekdays or 200 NT on weekends and holidays. 
You can buy discount tickets on Klook here or KKday here. 

FAQ:
Click here for the National Palace Museum's official FAQ. 

Tours:
You can book tours on Klook here or KKday here. 
​
Hotels in Taipei:
High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). 
We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). 
Budget Hotels: We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com hereor Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). 
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.

How to get there:
By MRT/Bus: Take the MRT to Jiannan Road on the brown line. The mall is just one block away. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. 
By Car/Scooter: From central Taipei drive over the Dazhi Bridge and keep going until you see the mall. There is paid parking nearby. 
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. 
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 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. 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. 
​
Map:
Please see below:

Applying for credit cards in Taiwan can be scary and confusing. Many banks may reject you outright or ask for a Taiwanese guarantor to co-sign on the card. However, there are many banks in Taiwan that do not require a guarantor and are friendly to foreigners. There are also many great credit card deals out there in Taiwan that can help you save money, receive special, benefits, and earn rewards. In this blog, we will list some of the best credit cards out there for foreigners in Taiwan.
​
Full blog: https://taiwantravelblog.com/taiwan-credit-card-guide

The Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei (aka Moca Taipei) is a former Japanese colonial school building and also served as Taipei City Hall before it was converted into a modern art and exhibition space in Datong District Taipei. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei. 

Historical Background:
The building where the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei is currently housed was originally built in 1921 by the Japanese Jian Cheng Elementary School (Kensei Shogakko). The building was made using red brick western style architecture with classical and baroque elements.  
In 1945 when the KMT took over rule of Taiwan, it was converted into Taipei City Hall and was used for that purpose until 1994. After that, the building and Jian Cheng Junior High School which sits behind it were both renovated. 
The museum opened to the public in 2001. Since then, the museum has hosted numerous international exhibitions from artists around the world. 
The museum is popular on weekends, especially for elementary students who have free admission.

Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM. 

Ticket Price:
100 NT per person.
​You can book discount tickets on KKday here. 

Museum Website:
https://www.moca.taipei/en/

Tours:
​You can book discount bundle tickets to multiple museums in Taipei on KKday here or Klook here.

Hotels in Taipei:
We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). 
We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here).
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.

How to get there:
By MRT: The closest MRT station is Zhongshan Station and is about a five minute walk. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Car/Scooter: Driving or taking a scooter there can be hard because there is limited paid parking nearby. 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. 
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 Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes. 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. 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. 

Map:
See below:

Lihe Eco Park is a small park built on a hill near Liuzhangli in Da'an District of Taipei. The park connects to Fushoushan Park and has swings, slides, hiking trails, and great views of the brown line MRT. It is definitely a spot worth visiting in Taipei. 

History:
Lihe Eco Park was built over an old mountain village and the Daan Cemetary No. 8 gravesite in the area, which were demolished in 2017 to protect people from a potential landslide. After the land was reclaimed by the government, the area was converted into an Eco Park with native plant gardens including Chinese tallow trees, fringetrees, and chinaberry trees. A memorial was also created for the former residents on the hillside. 
The park is usually not crowded due to its distance from the nearest MRT station.
The park is connected by trails to Fuzhoushan Eco Park.

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

Tours:
You can book a Private Street Food Tour of Taipei on TripAdvisor here. ​
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. 

Hotels in Taipei:
We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). 
We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here).
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.

How to get there:
By MRT: Take the red line to Liuzhangli MRT station. The park is about 15 minutes or a 1 KM walk away. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Car/Scooter: There is limited free parking in front of the park. It may also be very difficult to drive a car up the narrow alley to the park and you may end up scraping you car.  
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. 
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 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. 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. 

Map:
Please see below:

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. 

For a comparison of banks in Taiwan, you can check out our Taiwan Bank Comparison Guide here. You can also check out our Taiwan credit card guide here. ​

Note: 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. 

Luodong Night Market is the largest night market in Yilan and is one of the area's top tourist destinations. The night market covers a large area and usually is packed with people. Delicacies here include mutton soup, shaved ice, duck noodles, and onion pancakes. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Yilan.

Background:
Luodong Night Market was created in 1990 as part of the local government's plan. The main part of the night market was built in front of a movie theater, so moviegoers could go get food after seeing a movie. Soon a few stalls became many, and the night market soon turned into the large sprawling area that we see today. The night market covers areas along Minsheng Road, Gongyuan Road, and Minquan Road, and also sprawls onto Tianjin Road, Zhentai Street, Xingdong Street, and Zhongshan Road Section 3. 

Hours:
3 PM to 12 AM every day.

Price:
Free

Tours and Activities:
You can purchase tours and tickets for many activities in Yilan such as Lanyang Museum, Turtle Island, Yilan Children's Festival, Toucheng Leisure Farm, Daxi Fishing Port, Caoling Tunnel, and many others through KKday here or Klook here. 

Accommodation:
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands.
We have stayed at and recommend Ying Shih Guest House, a resort in Datong Township near Taipingshan and Fan Fan Hot Spring (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), and Jiaosi Hotspring Hotel, a hotel with hot springs in each room (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Trip.com here). We have also stayed at Toucheng Leisure Farm, a recreational farm and experience center in Toucheng (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, on Klook here, or on Trip.com here).

How to get there:
Bar Car/Scooter: From National Freeway 5, turn west on provincial highway 9 toward Luodong. There is paid parking near Zhongshan Park. Looking for scooter rental in Yilan? You can search KKday here or Klook here to look for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals in Yilan, you can also search KKday here or Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
By TRA: The night market is about 200 meters away from Luodong TRA station. You can book tickets to travel to Yilan via inter-city bus on KKday here.. You can book tickets to Yialn via high speed rail (HSR)  on KKday here.  
Bicycle rental: 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 search on KKday here, and search for tours on KKday here or Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. ​

Map:
Please see below:

Taiwan is a safe, inexpensive, and convenient place to give birth. Taiwan has a world class healthcare system, capable doctors, and top of the line medical facilities. If you are hesitant about whether or not you want to give birth in Taiwan, let me tell you now that there is nothing to worry about, and having a baby in Taiwan will be fine. I have created this brief guide here for you so that you can understand a little more about what it is like to give birth in Taiwan.
 
Forward: Please note that I am writing this blog and FAQ section from the perspective of an American father, married to a Taiwan National, covered by Taiwan's National Health Insurance. I have recently gone through the birth of two children in Taiwan, born in 2017 and 2020. One was born in a private local clinic and the other was born in a public city hospital. 

This blog will begin with my experience, and at the end there is a frequently asked question (FAQ) section.

Ruifeng Night Market (aka Rueifong Night Market) is currently the largest and most crowded night market in Kaohsiung, and in my view the best. It is located right next to the Kaohsiung Arena MRT station, making it a convenient place for tourists to visit. Here you can find every kind of traditional Taiwan night market food you could ask for, such as fried squid, fried octopus balls, papaya milk, milk tea, and chicken and beef steak, as well as games, clothes, and other shopping. 

Background:
Ruifeng Night Market has about 1000 stalls, and includes over 21 rows of stalls. Parking is available next door at the Kaohsiung Arena in Zuoying District of Kaohsiung. 
The name Ruifeng comes from Ruifeng Street in Gushan District of Kaohsiung, where the night market was originally located. After about 10 years there, due to lack of convenient transportation the night market was relocated to its current location near the MRT, where it has remained for about 20 years. 
The night market is near many high schools and universities, so the crowds here are mostly younger. 
The night market is one of the largest in Kaohsiung, and certainly could be the winner of most crowded night market in Sothern Taiwan. 

Hours:
About 8 PM to 2 AM
Closed Mondays and Wednesdays. 

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 17 north to Kaohsiung Arena MRT station and turn left. There is paid car parking nearby and free scooter parking near the night market. Looking for scooter rental in Kaohsiung? You can check out KKday here or Klook here to search for options. You can check also out our scooter rental guide here.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can search KKday here or Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.
By MRT: Take the Kaohsiung Red Line MRT to Kaosiung Arena station. The night market is about a three minute walk from the station. You can book tickets to travel to Kaohsiung via inter-city bus on KKday here.. You can book tickets via high speed rail (HSR)  on KKday here.  

Accommodation
We have stayed at and recommend Chao She Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here) IHI Sanduo Travel Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), and Mingli Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Klook here, or Hotels.com here) which are three inexpensive and high quality choices in downtown Kaohsiung. I also have stayed at and recommend Kaohsiung Meinong Rabbit Paul Homestay B&B (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here), a quiet B&B in rural Meinong, and Chengching Lakeside Resort​ (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com or Trip.com here)and the Grand Hotel Kaohsiung (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here) which both offer breakfast buffet and free entrance into Chenqing Lake Park. I have also stayed at the 85 sky tower which offers great views of the city; you can search for rooms in the 85 sky tower on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Trip.com here).
Find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands.

Tours:
You can find more tours and activities in Kaohsiung such as Meinong Hakka Museum, Ski School Indoor Ski Slope, Lotus Pond, Shoushan Zoo, former British Consulate, E-Da Theme Park, and many more on KKday here or Klook here.

Map:
Please see below:

Tamsui Old Street (aka Danshui Old Street or Tamshui Old Street) is a street in Tamsui District of New Taipei famous for its delicious food and historical atmosphere. It is one of the most popular and well known old streets in all of Taiwan. Some local delicacies here include A-gei, iron eggs, fried squid, and other seafood. 

Background:
Tamsui Old Street developed alongside the Tamsui Harbor, which was opened in 1860 during the Qing Dynasty as part of the Treaty of Tientsin which ended the Second Opium War. It was one of only eight ports in the entire Qing empire that was open to trade with the west. As a result, it became a focal point for trade in Taiwan. It was also the western terminus of the Danlan Old Trail, which was a network of roads and trails that sent tea and other goods from Yilan to Tamsui. It remained an important port until it started to silt in during the 1900s, and after the construction of Keelung Harbor. 
There are also a number of important historical buildings near Tamsui Old Street such as Fort San Domingo, Hobe Fort, and others. 
Tamsui Old Street has always existed next to the old harbor, and recently there have been projects from the local government to improve tourism, such as widening roads and making a riverside walkway. 
With the completion of the Red Line MRT with its terminus in 1997 right at the edge of the old street, Tamsui became an extremely popular destination for residents in greater Taipei and remains to be so today. 

Hours:
Every day 11 AM - 8 PM.

Price:
Free

Tours:
You can book a tour of Tamsui on KKday here or Klook here.
You can book a tour to Taiwan's North Coast on  KKday here or Klook here.

Activities:
There are many activities available around Tamsui such as, SUPing, Sand Bar Digging, Lover's Tower, Sailing, Yachting, and more on KKday here or Klook here.

Hotels in Tamsui:
We have stayed at and recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, Klook here, Trip.com, Kayak here, or Hotels.com here). 
We have also stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, Trip.com here, or Kayak here).
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.

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The old street is near the Tamsui MRT station. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. Looking for scooter rental in Tamsui? You can search on KKday here or Klook here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. ​
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search KKday here or Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and you have arrived. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from KKday here or Klook here. ​You can also book an MRT travel pass on KKday here or Klook 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 KKday here or Klook here.. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. ​

Map:
Please see below:

Qingtiangang in Yangmingshan National Park is a large grassland that lies on top of an old lava terrace. It is famous for the water buffalo that congregate here to graze and is one of the most popular areas in the park. Besides enjoying views of wild water buffalo, there are also many hiking trails and historic trails nearby. Overall it is a family-friendly destination and one of the most popular attractions in Taipei City.

Background:
Qingtiangang, literally meaning "Hill Holding up Heaven" gets its name from the KMT Qingtian garrison that once guarded the hills and grasslands here.  Officially it lies in Shilin District of Taipei, but parts of the grassland also lie in Jinshan District of New Taipei. The grassland lies 770 meters above sea level. 
The area known as Yangmingshan now was formed by volcanoes about 700,000 years ago, forming many mountains about 1000 meters or less in northwestern Taiwan. The park still features active volcanoes, vents, and hot springs.
The original name of the area was Caoshan (grass mountain 草山). During the Qing Dynasty, the area was used to harvest sulfur, and many of the hills were burned to help catch sulfur thieves, Qingtiangang likely being one of these areas. 
Sulfur mining at Dayoukeng Crater in Yangmingshan National Park started in the Qing Dynasty by a British mining company who first obtained the rights to mine here in 1897. Currently you can find lots of old mining equipment that were abandoned here. The Yulu Old Trail was built near Dayoukeng to transport mining materials, and extended over to Qingtiangang. Mining sulfur ended with the formation of Yangmingshan National Park. 
In 1927 during the Japanese era, Yangmingshan was made as the first national park in Taiwan, then known as Datunshan National Park Association. 
The area around Qingtiangang to Lengshuikeng was made into a ranch for water buffalo, and grass from Japan was planted here for them to graze.
In 1950 after the ROC took Taiwan, Chiang Kai-shek renamed the park after the philosopher Wang Yangming, and called the area Yangmingshan. 
The KMT kept the ranch at Qingtiangang and continued to maintain it. They also built bunkers here and kept a garrison of troops.
In 1985, after resolving many land disputes, Yangmingshan National Park was officially designated as a national park in the ROC era. 
In2018, a mother died after being pushed over by a water buffalo at Qingtiangang. In 2020, the family was awarded NT$3.96 million from the park and wooden fences were built around the grasslands shortly after. 
The water buffalo at Qingtiangang are actually closely watched and cared for. Although they roam free around Yangmingshan, they are watched over by the Agricultural Associations of Jinshan, Shilin, Yangmingshan, and Beitou, and well as the national park management.
In the winter of 2020 which was unusually wet, tens of cows began to die of malnutrition, therefore the park took steps to supplement the diet of the remaining cattle. Many cows were brought to lower eve lavations for rehabilitation before being released back to Yangmingshan. 
Due to its easy accessibility and nearby attractions such as Lengshuikeng and Qixingshan, it is a popular stop in Yangmingshan and has a parking lots and a visitor's center. In addition, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Taipei City. 

Hours:
The visitor's center is open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
​
Price:
Free
(car parking 30-50 NT， scooter parking 20 NT)
You can book tours to Yangmingshan on KKday here or here, or Klook here.

Tours:
You can check out tours to Yangmingshan such as a One-day Yangmingshan NP Beitou Hot Spring Park and Tamsui Tour Package,  Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei, One Day Hike around Yangmingshan, or Private Yangmingshan Volcano Tour and more on KKday here or Klook here.

Hotels in Taipei:
High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). 
We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
Budget Hotels: We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). 
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.

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From Taipei, take provincial highway 2A north to the Zhuzihu Lookout. Keep right until you reach the turnoff the the Qingtiangang parking lot. Car parking is limited on weekends and the number of cars allowed up the mountain is also limited. There is also paid scooter parking. 
On weekends this place can be the most popular place in the park, and cars can be backed up for up to an hour or more, so consider taking a scooter or bus. 
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Check out KKday here or Klook here, to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search KKday here or Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bus: From Beitou MRT Station, Take Little Bus 9 (小9) to Qingtiangang Station (擎天崗). You can book tickets to travel to Taipei via inter-city bus on KKday 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 KKday here or 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. 
​
Map:
Please see below: