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Here is a quick overview on Taiwan
Taiwan (China) is the main island of a group of 78 islands. It is dominated by the Central Mountain Range covering 75 per cent of its land area and running its full length north to south on the eastern seaboard. Over 100 peaks exceed 9,850 feet with the highest being Yu Shan (Jade Mountain) at 13,041 feet. Most of the mountain areas are quite heavily forested. About 25 per cent of the country is alluvial plain, most of it on the coastal strip. The Pescadores (Fisherman's Isles), which the Chinese call Penghu, comprise 64 islands west of Taiwan (China) with a total area of 49 square miles. The offshore island fortress of Quemoy (Kinmen) and Matsu, form part of the mainland province of Fukien.

Passports and Visas
Customs and Duty Free
Customs and Social Profile
Money Matters
Health Matters
Language
Geography
Contact Addresses
General Information

a. Nationals of countries, except Denmark, Finland and Ireland who do need visas, and nationals of Costa Rica and New Zealand for up to 14 days.
b. You are eligible to apply for a Landing visa on arrival at CKS International Airport or Kaohsiung International Airport, on condition that you are holding tickets for an onward destination, and have no criminal record. The Landing visa is valid for 30 days and cannot be extended. You must provide a passport-size photograph and pay a fee of NT$1500. Nationals from countries who have a reciprocal agreement with Taiwan receive this visa free of charge.
c. Passengers arriving at Kaohsiung International airport (including those arriving from China (PR), may apply for a temporary entry permit at the Kaohsiung Station Aviation Police Bureau. They must convert the permit into a visa at the Bureau of Consular Affairs or its Kaohsiung Office. If they fail to do so, they will not be allowed to depart or subject to a fine.

Restricted entry and transit: Nationals of the People's Republic of China are not normally permitted to enter Taiwan.

Regulations and requirements may be subject to change at short notice, and you are advised to contact the appropriate diplomatic or consular authority before finalizing travel arrangements. 

Customs and Duty Free
The following items may be imported by persons over 20 years of age without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 454g of tobacco; 1 bottle (not more than 1 liter) of alcoholic beverage; other goods for personal use up to the value of NT$20,000 (NT$10,000 for passengers under 20 years of age).

Prohibited items include narcotics, arms, ammunition, gambling articles, non-canned meat products, fresh fruit and toy pistols. Publications promoting communism are prohibited, as are items originating in the People's Republic of China, Albania, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cuba, Korea (DPR), Laos, Romania, Vietnam and members of the CIS. 

All baggage must be itemized and declared in writing.

Money Matters
Currency - In Taiwan the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$ = 100 cents) is the national currency. Notes are in denominations of NT$1000, 500, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of NT$50, 10, 5 and 1, and 50 cents.
Currency Exchange - All travelers are required to make a currency declaration in writing together with the baggage declaration. Unused currency can be reconverted on departure, on production of exchange receipts.
Credit & Debit Cards - Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops.
Travelers Checks - These are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers checks in US Dollars.
Currency Restrictions - Free import of foreign currency is allowed, subject to declaration. The export of foreign currency is limited to the equivalent of US$5000 or up to the amount imported and declared. All exchange receipts must be retained. The import and export of local currency is limited to NT$40,000 and a permit from the Ministry of Finance is required for amounts over NT$8,000.
Banking Hours - The normal banking hours are Mon-Fri 0900-1530; Sat 0900-1200.

Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare.  Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! Current Exchange Rate: Check Today's Exchange Rate

Language

I have found that it helps to know at least a little bit of the language as I travel in other countries. You do not have to be able to be a fluent speaker, but knowing a few key words and phrases will really help. I have found that, although almost everywhere I go I can find someone who speaks English, knowing just a few words of the local language can really be a help. And, it lets others know I am at least interested in their language. Visit the Getting Away Language Learning Center where you can find out how to learn another language, or where to purchase books, dictionaries, electronic translators, software and more

Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.

Health Matters
Health insurance is recommended for all travelers to Taiwan. Emergency health care is available at the Adventist Hospital in Taipei. Imported medicines are expensive, but locally produced and manufactured medicines are plentiful. Special precautions should be taken for the following:
Cholera - 2: A cholera vaccination certificate is a condition of entry if arriving or having passed through an infected area.
Malaria - There have not been any recent outbreaks, but, if you want to be on the safe side, special precautions should be taken. However, the government of Taiwan does not believe that malaria is a problem at this time.
Typhoid - Special precautions should be taken even though there have not been any reported outbreaks.
Polio - There is currently no problem, but you may want to take special precautions just in case.
Yellow Fever - No special precautions are recommended, but 1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of travelers arriving from infected areas.

Other risks might include: Immunization against hepatitis A, B, diphtheria and tuberculosis is recommended. Japanese B encephalitis and visceral leishmaniasis can occur.

Regulations and requirements may be subject to change at short notice, and you are advised to contact your doctor well in advance of your intended date of departure and check with the appropriate tourist bureaus and counsels.

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilized. Or better yet, just drink bottled water. Milk is unpasteurized and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. I would suggest you just avoid dairy products. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

If you need medical care while you are away, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company and that you will therefore to pay in full for your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local embassy or representative. For compensation, you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. Visit the Getting Away Health and Safety Tips for Travelers page for additional information about insurance.

Customs and Social Profile
In Taiwan it is customary to greet others with a handshake. Casual wear, in good taste, is widely acceptable. Ancient festivals and customs are celebrated enthusiastically and traditional holidays are important. 

Entertainment is usually offered in restaurants, not at home. Visitors are not expected to entertain. 

Chinese culture in the form of drama, opera and art is very strong. Despite rapid industrialization and development, the way of life is very much Chinese, steeped in tradition and old values.

Tipping is not an established custom, although it is on the increase. Taipei hotels and restaurants add 10 per cent service charge and extra tipping is not expected. It is not customary to tip taxi-drivers. The standard tip for porters is NT$50 per piece of luggage.

Geography
Taiwan (China) is the main island of a group of 78 islands. It is dominated by the Central Mountain Range covering 75 per cent of its land area and running its full length north to south on the eastern seaboard. Over 100 peaks exceed 9,850 feet and the highest mountain is Yu Shan, or Jade Mountain at over 13,000 feet. Much of the country is heavily forested while about 25 per cent of the country is alluvial plain, most of it on the coastal strip. 

The Pescadores (Fisherman's Isles), which the Chinese call Penghu, comprise 64 islands west of Taiwan (China) with a total area of about 50 square miles. The offshore island fortress of Quemoy (Kinmen) and Matsu, form part of the mainland province of Fukien.

Contact Addresses

Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications
9th Floor, 280 Chunghsiao East Road, Section 4, Taipei, 106 Taiwan, China
Tel: (2) 2349 1500. Fax: (2) 2773 5487.
E-mail: tbroc@tbroc.gov.tw
Website: www.tbroc.gov.tw

Taiwan Visitors' Association
5th Floor, 9 Minchuan East Road, Section 2, Taipei, Taiwan, China
Tel: (2) 2594 3261 (information hotline). Fax: (2) 2594 3265. Website: www.tva.org.tw

Taipei Representative Office in the UK
50 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0EB, UK
Tel: (020) 7396 9152 or (09065) 508 947 (recorded visa information; calls cost £1 per minute). Fax: (020) 7396 9144.
E-mail: request@tro-taiwan.roc.org.uk
Website: www.tro-taiwan.roc.org.uk

Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO)
4201 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA
Tel: (202) 895 1800. Fax: (202) 363 0999 or 966 0825 or 895 0017 (visa section).
Offices also in: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Seattle.

Taiwan Visitors' Association
37th Floor, 405 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10174, USA
Tel: (212) 867 1632. Fax: (212) 867 1635. E-mail: tbrocnyc@aol.com
Website: www.tbroc.gov.tw
Offices also in: Los Angeles (tel: (213) 389 1158) and San Francisco (tel: (415) 989 7242).

American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)
Section 7, Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan, China
Tel: (2) 2709 2000. Fax: (2) 2702 7675.
E-mail: aitarc@mail.ait.org.tw
Website: ait.org.tw

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO)
151 Yonge Street, Suite 1212, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2W7, Canada
Tel: (416) 360 8778. Fax: (416) 360 8765.
Website: www.rocinfo.org
Offices also in: Ottawa and Vancouver

General Information

Area - 13,902 sq miles.
Population - 21,870,876.
Capital - Taipei.
Government - Taiwan has been a Republic since 1947.
Language - The official language is Northern Chinese (Mandarin). Taiwanese is widely spoken, and English is taught as the first foreign language in schools.
Religion - Buddhism; also Taoism, Christianity and Islam.
Time - GMT + 8.
Electricity - 110 volts AC, 60Hz. You may want to take a converter and adapter just in case.
Communications - 
Telephone: Full IDD is available. The country code is 886. Outgoing international code is 002. There is an extensive internal telephone system.
Mobile telephone: GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Network operators include Taiwan Cellular Corporation (website: www.twngsm.com.tw) and Chunghwa Telecom LDM (website: www.chtldm.com.tw) and Far Eastone Telecommunications (website: www.fareastone.com.tw). You should not have any problems with mobile communications.
Fax: Facilities are widely available including at most of the larger hotels.
Internet and E-mail: Cyber cafés provide public access to Internet and e-mail services. ISPs include Asia Pacific Online (website: www.apol.com.tw) and Chunghwa Telecom/Hinet (website: www.hinet.net).
Telegram: Telegrams may be sent from the ITA office, 9th Floor, 290 Jung Shian E. Road, Sec. 4, Taipei (tel: (2) 2349 1625; fax: (2) 2771 7036) or one of four branch offices.

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Getting To Taiwan
By Air
By Sea

By Air
The national airline for Taiwan is China Airlines (CI). EVA Airways (BR) offers flights to destinations throughout Asia (excluding People's Republic of China), Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Other airlines serving Taiwan include British Asia Airways, Continental Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways.

Approximate flight time from Taipei to London is 14 hours. Add about another 6 hours for New York.

There are two international airports in Taiwan. Chiang Kai-shek-Taipei (TPE) is about 25 miles southwest of the city and it takes about 30 minutes to get to the city center. Airport facilities include an outgoing duty-free shop (0600-2330), post office, car hire, bank/bureau de change (0630-1900), bar and restaurant (0630-2200) and tourist information. Buses depart every 15 minutes for both Sung Shan (domestic) airport and the main railway station. Taxis and buses are available to the city center.

Kaohsiung International (KHH) (website: www.kia.gov.tw) is only about 4 miles from the city center. Airport facilities include an outgoing duty-free shop (0800-1900), car hire (0900-1900), bank/bureau de change (0900-1900) and bar/restaurant (0900-1900). A regular bus service is available (travel time - 30 minutes). There is a taxi service to the town.

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For Flights, Hotels, Cars, Cruises, Vacations, Tours and Travel Deals, Click on Global Travel International. If the link does not work properly, type www.gettingaway.globaltravel.com in the address line of your browser.

By Sea
You can arrive in Taiwan by the ferries run regularly between Keelung and Kaohsiung ports (Taiwan) and Okinawa (Japan). There are also sea links between Kaosiung and Macau.

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Getting Around In Taiwan
By Air
By Sea
By Rail
By Road

By Air
China Airlines, Eva Air, Far Eastern Air Transport, Formosa Airlines and four other domestic airlines run services to local destinations from Sung Shan airport, Taipei. However, unless you are in a hurry, you may want to travel within the country using surface transportation.

By Sea
There are reasonable connections throughout the island from local ports. For details contact port authorities.

By Rail
Services are provided to destinations all over the island by the Taiwan Railway Administration and this may be your best bet to get around. The main tourist routes are Taipei-Taichung-Chiayi-Tainan-Kaohsiung (a top-class service), Taipei-Taichung-Sun Moon Lake (with the last leg of the journey by bus), Chiayi-Alishan (with spectacular mountain scenery) and Taipei-New Hualian-Taitung (scenic coastal route). Air-conditioned electric trains run at least hourly from Taipei to Kaohsiung; some trains have restaurant cars. Children under three travel free while children aged 3-13 pay half fare. Train tickets can be purchased at many major hotels in Taipei, as well as at the main railway station.

By Road
The traffic drives on the right in Taiwan and there is an adequate road system joining all major cities. A good highway links Taipei and Kaohsiung. Some main streets have English signs which makes it a little easier to find your way around.

Bus: There are both local and long-distance bus and coach services. It is best to enquire locally for times and rates. In Taipei you will find a number of private bus companies that provide extensive services. Five lines of a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system and a monorail train system serve Taipei and its suburbs. 

Taxi: These are plentiful and inexpensive (metered). The destination may have to be written in Chinese for the driver so you may want to have someone at reception at the hotel give you directions to where you want to go and also for the hotel. Metered taxis are available in Taipei; tipping is not expected, but it is starting to come into practice.

Car Rental and Hire: Car rentals are available in major towns as is car hire, if you want someone else to do the driving. If you do rent a car and drive, you will need an International Driving Permit and you will want to remember that traffic drives on the right.

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Cities, Towns, and Areas of Taiwan
Alishan
Hualien
Kaohsiung
Keelung
Kenting National Park
Lanyu
Lishan
Lotus Lake
Lungtan
Northeast Coast National Scenic Area
Orchid Island
Phuket Island
Taichung
Tainan
Taipei
Taroko Gorge
Yehliu
Wulai

Taipei
This is the principal city in the north. The city has expanded to four times its original size, making it the fastest-growing city in Asia. Some of the things you will want to see there would include: the National Museum of History, the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, the Taiwan Provincial Museum and Chung Cheng (Chiang Kai-shek) Memorial Hall, which is a fine example of classical Chinese architecture. The magnificent main entrance is more than 30m (100ft) high. 

One of Taipei's new attractions is a tour of the Fu Hsing Dramatic Arts Academy where traditional Chinese opera and acrobatic performers are trained and where they stage shows. Also new to Taipei is the City of Cathay, a replica of an ancient Chinese town which is located within the Chinese Culture and Movie Center.

The Lungshan (Dragon Mountain) Temple is dedicated to Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, and was built in 1740. The temple, one of more than 5000 temples and shrines in the country, is regarded as the island's finest example of temple architecture.

Among other outstanding buildings of classical Chinese architecture in Taipei are the Martyrs' Shrine, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and the Chungsham Building in the Yangmingshan district of the metropolis, 40 minutes drive from the center of Taipei, where the National Palace Museum can also be found; it houses the world's largest and most priceless collection of Chinese art treasures (over 6000 items). Yangmingshan National Park is famous for its cherry and azalea trees and attracts thousands of visitors at blossom time.

Phuket Island

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Keelung
A favorite for many visitors to Keelung is an imposing hilltop statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. The northeast coastal road offers a spectacular drive, passing the foothills of the Central Mountain Range and overlooking the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The traveler will pass through many small villages whose lifestyles have changed little with the advent of high technology. 

Yehliu
Another outstanding area is Yehliu which is noted for its fantastic rock formations (Queen's Head), Green Bay and Chinshan beaches, with full beach resort facilities and Shihmen Dam.

Wulai
Walai is a beautiful mountain resort south of Taipei. Wulai is the site of a hilltop park and of a village inhabited by aboriginals who, besides making and selling artifacts, give song and dance performances for tourists.

Northeast Coast National Scenic Area
This coastal scenic area is filled with unusual rock formations. As you might expect, it is a great place for swimming, diving, surfing, water-skiing and camping. It is also quite popular as one of the best places for seashore fishing and rock climbing.

Lungtan 
The "Window on China," which is what Lungtan is called, is about 33 miles south-west of Taipei. Here you will find interesting reproductions on a scale of 1:25 of historical and other notable Chinese sites.

Taroko Gorge
The Central area of Taiwan has some of the most varied landscape on the island. The east-west cross-island highway passes through spectacular mountain passes the most notable of which is Taroko Gorge, a ravine with towering cliffs shot through with extensive marble deposits.

Lishan
Located 6,381 feet  up on Pear Mountain is Lishan, a popular mountain resort. Other popular sights in the mountains include the Sun Moon Lake, the Chitou Forest recreation area, Yu Shan (Jade Mountain), and the alpine railway to Alishan.

Taichung
Throughout the central area there are numerous temples. The region's main towns are Taichung, one of the largest ports on the island, and Hualien in the east.

Kenting National Park
This is a popular forest recreation area boasting fine beaches, coral lakes, a bird sanctuary and, more recently, facilities for water sports and golf. All of this is set amidst a tropical coastal forest. 

Kaohsiung
This is the main industrial center of Taiwan and has the island's only other main airport, besides Taipei's Chiang Kai-shek. 

Tainan
Tainan is  the oldest city on the island, is known as the "City of 100 Temples." There are over 200 and among them are some of the best examples of Confucian temple architecture on the island.

Lanyu
Lanyu, or Orchid Island, is one of the smaller islands off the southeast coast and is the home of the aboriginal Yami, one of the world's last surviving hunter-gatherer tribes. 

Lotus Lake
Located in Kaohsiung is Lotus Lake, the site of the Spring and Autumn pavilions and of the Dragon and Tiger pagodas.

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Some Things To See And Do In Taiwan

Diving
Fishing
Hot Springs
Nightlife
Shopping
Special Events
Swimming

Nightlife
Taiwan has an abundance of nightlife, and Taipei in particular is lively at night. Western-style entertainment can be found in hotels, and in the many discos, clubs, restaurants and cinemas in Taipei. Popular amongst local people are KTVs, a type of sing-along club modeled on Japanese karaoke bars. Beer houses, which sell draught beer and snacks, are also a popular form of relaxation. The northern district of Tienmu contains a street of open-air beer houses. The visitor can also sample both traditional and modern tea houses, open all day and in the evening. 

In the tea-growing countryside around Mucha, it is possible to visit all-night tea houses and sip locally-produced teas such as 'iron Buddha' tiehkuanyin tea. High-quality meals and snacks are also provided. These tea houses are popular with local families, particularly on special occasions. 

In Taipei, there are night markets selling a variety of items, both modern and traditional. These are bustling with browsers and bargain hunters, whose persistence can be spectacularly rewarded. It is advisable to take a pen and paper to assist in the bargaining process, as most vendors speak only Chinese. Taipei's largest night market is probably Shihlin Night Market, famous for its good-value clothing and food. Snacks such as oyster omelets, pork liver soup and papaya milkshakes are available. Many shops are open at night.

Shopping
Visiting one of the night markets mentioned above is a must for anyone who enjoys shopping. Special purchases from Taiwan to have as memories of your visit would include Formosan sea-grass mats, hats, handbags and slippers, bamboo items, Chinese musical instruments, various dolls in costume, hand painted palace lanterns made from silk, lacquer ware, ceramics, teak furniture, coral, veinstone and jade items, ramie fiber rugs, brassware, handmade shoes, fabrics and chopsticks (decorated, personalized sticks of wood or marble).

Special Events
There are numerous festivals throughout the year, all with variable dates. For an up-to-date list, contact the Taiwan Visitors' Association. Here is but just a sampling:
January - Chinese New Year. 
February - Lantern Festival. 
April through May - Festival of the Birth of Matsu, Goddess of the Sea.
April - Tomb Sweeping Festival.
May through June - Burning of the Plague God Boats.
June - Dragon Boat Festival.
August through September - Ghost Month.
September - Birthday of Confucius.
October - Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, Double Tenth National Day.
November through December - Birthday of the King of Chingshan.

Diving
The best diving in Taiwan is off the islands around the coast, where the water is clearer and strong sea currents have kept pollution to a minimum. The sites at Green Island to the east include Nanliao, with beautiful coral; Chungliao Submerged Reef (suitable only for advanced divers), and Tapaisha. Orchid Island is surrounded by coral reefs and features several recommended dive sites. The coral reefs of the south and the Pescadores Islands are considered good skin diving areas. Sharks and barracudas are rare in the waters around Taiwan. For further information, contact the Chinese Taipei Diving Association, No 34, Sec. 2, Chih Shan Road, Taipei (tel: (2) 2883 9466; fax: (2) 2883 9468).

Swimming
The best time for swimming on the north coast is May to September; the south coast has warm waters all year round. Throughout Taiwan you will find many rivers and lakes, and, of course, the sea all which are good for swimming.

Hot Springs 
Throughout Taiwan you will find many good hot springs. Some of the sites are easily accessible and provide baths, hot tubs and hotel facilities. Check locally for additional information and directions. 

Fishing
Lakes, rivers, fish farms and the sea offer, for the most part, unrestricted fishing opportunities. Near Taipei there is good fishing at the Tamsui and Hsintien rivers, Green Lake and Shihmen Reservoir.

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Some Suggestions For Accommodations In Taiwan
There are around 400 tourist hotels in the country offering a broad range of accommodation and services. Prices range from US$30-50 a day for smaller hotels with US$90-150 a day being average. Many hotels belong to the International Tourist Hotel Association of Taipei and it would be good to check their rating for the hotel. Hotels are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 "Plum Blossoms" using a system equivalent to the more familiar 5-star system, with three Plum Blossoms being about average. For accommodations in Taiwan, click on Hotels and other accommodations in Taiwan

 

The Grand Formosa Regent Taipei - In a city where modern skyscrapers cast shadows on ancient palaces, The Grand Formosa Regent Taipei offers an elegant blend of traditional decor and contemporary comfort. Framed by the lush tropical parks of Taipei's main boulevard, the hotel offers quick access to the city's main business, shopping, and entertainment districts. And with ten of the city's top restaurants and lounges inside The Regent, a sumptuous array of Asian delicacies and continental cuisine is within close reach. The Grand Formosa Regent Taipei is everything you've come to expect from Regent.

For additional information, or to make a reservation, click on Regent Hotel Packages

 

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Asiarooms.com, Asia's leading hotel information and reservation service on Internet, can offer discounts of up to 75 % from hotels published rates. Getting Away and Asiarooms.com have teamed to give you the most powerful search tool for accommodations and is the leading travel reservation system in Asia, the Pacific, and Oceania to include Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. For accommodations, tours, and cruises, check Asiarooms.com first!

Youth hostels offer dormitory and non-dormitory rooms are available in major cities and in scenic areas. Campsites are available for camping and caravanning.

 

Book Hostels in Taiwan Online  You can also find a hostel almost anywhere in the world through Experience Paradise, a partner of Getting Away.

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Some Suggestions For Dining In Taiwan
Taiwan is one of the best places for Chinese food and dining. The Chinese describe their cuisine as an "ancient art of ultimate harmony: pleasing to the eye; mouth-watering; and a delight to the palate" and that is certainly the case for Taiwan. Culinary styles come from all over China including Canton, Peking, Szechwan, Shanghai, Hunan, Mongolia and Taiwan.

Taiwanese cooking is mostly seafood with thick sauces. It relies on garlic in the north and soy sauce in the south. Dishes include spring rolls with peanut butter, sweet-and-sour spare ribs, bean curd in red sauce, oyster omelets and numerous excellent seafoods.

Cantonese food is more colorful and sweeter than that of other regions and is my personal favorite. Dishes include fried shrimp with cashews, onion-marinated chicken, beef with oyster sauce and sweet-and-sour pork. Pastries include steamed dumplings stuffed with meat, sweet paste or preserves, buns, deep-fried spring rolls and tarts.

Pekinese cooking is mild, combining roast or barbecued meat (often cooked at the table), vegetables and flat pancake wrappers. Dishes include Peking duck, carp cooked three ways, steamed prawns, chicken-in-paper, diced chicken in heavy sauce, eels with pepper sauce and ham marrow sauce. 

Szechwan cooking is hot and spicy, based on red chili pepper and garlic. Dishes include Mother Ma's bean curd, aborigine with garlic sauce, Gungbao chicken, fried prawns with pepper sauce, and minced chicken with Gingko nuts. Fried breads make a pleasant change from rice.

Shanghai cooking is mostly seafood with rich salty sauces. Dishes include shark's fin in chicken, mushroom with crab meat, ningpo (fried eel), shark's fin soup and West Lake fish. 

Hunan has both spicy and steamed dishes including steamed ham and honey sauce, diced chicken with peanuts, steamed silver thread rolls and smoked duck. 

Mongolian cuisine comprises two basic dishes of Huoguo ('firepot' - meat dipped in a sauce based on sesame paste, shrimp oil, ginger juice and bean paste) and barbecue (various slices of meat and vegetables cooked on an iron grill and eaten in a sesame bun). 

Restaurants normally have table service although some hotels have buffets and barbecue lunches. Most hotels have restaurants offering both Western and Chinese cuisine and some of the larger hotels offer several styles of Chinese cooking.

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilized. Or better yet, just drink bottled water. Milk is unpasteurized and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. I would suggest you just avoid dairy products. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

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Some Favorites In Taiwan
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

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Some Interesting Links For Taiwan

Book Hostels in Taiwan Online  You can also find a hostel almost anywhere in the world through Experience Paradise, a partner of Getting Away.

Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.

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Date this page was last edited: Saturday, August 02, 2008 17:10:43

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mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com