About • Culture • Weather • Transportation • Food • Attractions • Visa • Accommodation •
This guide is here to help international travelers coming to Taiwan — patches welcome!
- Taiwanese culture is a fusion of traditional Chinese, Japanese, and also Western influences.
- Taiwan is the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage 🏳️🌈.
- Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is a great place to explore both traditional and modern lifestyles.
- Most restaurants already include a 10% service charge, so tipping is not expected.
- Receipts in Taiwan double as lottery tickets with cash prizes drawn every two months.
Want to learn more? 👉 Check here for the official overview.
COSCUP usually takes place in the summer, around July or August.
During this time, Taiwan is typically hot, humid, and sometimes rainy — and yes, occasional typhoons might show up too.
Temperature range: 25°C to 33°C.
For more details, check out the Central Weather Administration’s official website.
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If you land at Taoyuan International Airport, take the Taoyuan Metro directly to Taipei Main Station.
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Once in Taipei, we recommend purchasing an EasyCard and topping it up for convenient travel. You can buy one at MRT Stations or convenience stores.
Note: To buy an EasyCard, cash payment is required, so please prepare some cash in advance!
Taipei is home to a vibrant street food culture. Here are some street foods you should try when you're in the city along with some recommended places to enjoy them:
Local Food
- A signature dish of Taipei, consisting of tender beef and chewy noodles in a savory broth.
- A popular street food made with fresh oysters, egg, and vegetables, topped with a sweet and savory sauce.
- Taiwan's world-famous drink made with tea, milk, and chewy tapioca pearls.
- Crispy deep-fried chicken pieces seasoned with salt, pepper, and basil.
- Deep-fried fermented tofu with a strong odor and incredibly rich flavor, usually served with pickled cabbage.
- A Taiwanese-style hamburger with braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, and ground peanuts wrapped in a steamed bun.
- A comforting dish consisting of rice topped with slow-braised pork in a savory soy-based sauce.
- Grilled sausage wrapped in sticky rice and served with garlic, cucumber, and soy sauce.
- Taiwanese-style tempura made from fish cakes, squid, and vegetables, served with a sweet sauce.
- Chewy fish balls served in a light broth, often accompanied by vegetables.
- Known for their massive fried chicken pieces, served crispy and juicy.
Food near NTUST
- Student Cafeteria: 📍 美德耐
- Gua Bao (Steamed Pork Bun): 📍 藍家割包
- Brunch, Light Meals : 📍 光一肆號
- Izakaya: 📍 狗一下居酒食堂（公館店）
- Shishlik Pita x Kebab: 📍 沙威瑪 中東料理
- Café: 📍 picnic café
Night Market
- Fried Chicken Cutlet: 📍 Hot-Star
- Oyster Omelette: 📍 Zhong Cheng Hao
- Scallion Pancake: 📍 郭家蔥油餅
- Cold Noodles: 📍 Good Friend Cold Noodles
- Papaya Milk: 📍 簡記木瓜牛奶
- Pepper Buns: 📍 Fuzhou Pepper Buns (pork pepper buns)
- Tangyuan: 📍 Yu Pin Yuan Iced and Hot Tangyuan - Raohe Branch
- Spareribs Noodles: 📍 楊排骨酥麵
- Sweet Potato Ball: 📍 快樂QQ球（地瓜球）饒河店
- Pork Liver Soup: 📍 Rong's Pork Liver
- Soybean Pudding: 📍 Beans Village
- Stinky Tofu: 📍 林記麻辣臭豆腐
- Pot Stickers and Dumplings: 📍 Fuyang Pot Stickers and Dumplings
Other Dietary Options
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The National Palace Museum houses one of the largest collections of art and historical artifacts rooted in traditional culture, offering visitors a glimpse into a rich and enduring cultural heritage. It is one of the most visited museums in the world. |
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Longshan Temple, located in Taipei’s historic Wanhua District, is one of the most famous temples in the area. With its intricate architecture and serene atmosphere, it’s well worth a visit. In the evening, you can also explore the nearby Huaxi Street Night Market to enjoy a variety of local delicacies. |
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Xiangshan, also known as Elephant Mountain, offers one of the best hiking trails in Taipei, with stunning views of the city, including Taipei 101. It's a popular spot for both locals and tourists looking for a scenic escape. |
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Huashan 1914 Creative Park is a vibrant cultural hub in Taipei, known for its art exhibitions, indie markets, and stylish cafés. It's just a 6-minute walk from Syntrend Creative Park and Guanghua Digital Plaza, a tech lover's paradise with the latest gadgets, gaming gear, and electronics. |
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Credit Cards
- Visa, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club: These are widely accepted across Taiwan, both at local and international businesses. They can be used for various transactions, from shopping to dining.
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Mobile Payments
- Line Pay: A widely used mobile wallet in Taiwan. It supports local and international cards, and is accepted at many stores, restaurants, and even vending machines.
- Apple Pay: A popular contactless payment method available for iPhone and Apple Watch users, enabling quick and secure transactions.
- Google Pay: This Android-compatible service is widely accepted for contactless payments at various stores, offering an easy way to pay directly from your phone.
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Cash (NTD - New Taiwan Dollar)
- Cash remains a prevalent payment method, especially for small transactions or in traditional settings. You can withdraw cash from ATMs, which are conveniently located throughout the island.
- Many businesses still accept cash payments, making it a flexible option for consumers.
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Stored-Value Cards
- EasyCard: A reloadable smart card mainly used for public transportation (MRT, buses, YouBike), but also accepted at convenience stores, some restaurants, and select attractions.
- iPASS: Similar to EasyCard, it's accepted in southern Taiwan and also works with transportation, shopping, and more.
These cards are convenient, fast, and can be topped up with cash at MRT stations and convenience stores.
2025 Taiwan Visa Invitation Guidelines
👉 Check it out here
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The Grand Hotel: A historic and majestic palace-style building, The Grand Hotel is one of Taipei’s most iconic landmarks. Located in the Yuanshan area, it offers a serene environment and overlooks the city skyline. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking to experience traditional culture and luxury accommodation.
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K Hotels Dunnan: Walking to MRT Liuzhangli Station takes just 10 minutes, and Tonghua Street and Linjiang Street night markets as well as Xinyi District’s Taipei World Trade Center are quite close.
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May Rooms Taipei NTU: Located next to National Taiwan University in the lively Gongguan district, the area is a food lover’s haven with plenty of local snacks and hidden gems. Both hostels and hotels are available, making it a convenient spot for all types of travelers.