Taiwan

Taiwan is wonderfully easy to explore, especially if you combine city transit with fast intercity trains. In Taipei, the MRT is clean, frequent, and simple to navigate; use an EasyCard for MRT rides, buses, convenience stores, and many YouBike rentals. Cards can be bought and topped up at MRT stations and convenience stores. For longer journeys along the west coast, Taiwan High Speed Rail links Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung, while regular Taiwan Railways services reach smaller towns and the scenic east coast. Taipei Main Station connects MRT, high-speed rail, and regular trains, but allow extra time for its sprawling underground passages. Download offline maps before travelling through mountain areas, and check the last bus or train when visiting rural attractions. Hello’s trip planning tools can keep rail bookings, day trips, and hotel details together, while Hello eSIM lets you check live routes without relying on expensive roaming—buy and activate it before landing.

Taiwan’s food culture rewards curiosity. Start with beef noodle soup, pork-filled xiao long bao, scallion pancakes, oyster omelets, and chewy bubble tea. Night markets are the ideal introduction: Shilin is Taipei’s largest and busiest, Raohe Street is compact and easy to navigate, and Ningxia is especially good for traditional snacks in a less overwhelming setting. Look for pepper buns, fried chicken, grilled squid, sweet potato balls, and shaved ice, but arrive hungry rather than trying to sample everything at once. Stalls often accept cash, and portions are usually small enough to share. Carry tissues and hand sanitizer, since seating may be limited and queues can form quickly. Opening hours vary by market and day, so check before setting out. Hello’s expense splitting feature is useful when friends share a tableful of snacks, while budget tracking helps record spending in New Taiwan dollars (NT$) as the small purchases add up.

A first Taiwan itinerary can balance Taipei’s energy with slower landscapes beyond the capital. Spend a morning at Longshan Temple, wander historic Dadaocheng, and watch the sunset from the riverside before exploring a night market. For an easy escape, ride the MRT to Beitou for hot springs, or take a short train journey to Jiufen for lantern-lit lanes and mountain views. Nature lovers can continue toward Yangmingshan National Park, known for volcanic scenery, hot springs, and seasonal flowers. Further afield, Taroko-area travel, the east coast, Sun Moon Lake, and Alishan require more planning and weather flexibility. Avoid packing every destination into a rushed schedule: Taiwan’s winding roads and mountain transport can take longer than distances suggest. Organize reservations, train times, and backup plans in Hello’s trip planning workspace, and download key addresses in Chinese to show drivers or hotel staff.

Taiwan is generally welcoming and convenient, but a few habits make travel easier. Keep some New Taiwan dollar cash for traditional markets, small eateries, temple offerings, and rural transport, even when cards are accepted in larger businesses. Bring a reusable water bottle, comfortable shoes, and a light rain layer; showers can arrive suddenly, while summer heat and humidity are intense. At temples, dress respectfully, speak quietly, and avoid photographing worshippers without permission. Scooters are common, so look carefully when crossing roads and do not assume turning vehicles will stop. An internet connection is particularly helpful for translation, transit updates, and restaurant addresses. Hello eSIM can be purchased and activated before departure, helping you stay connected without roaming charges from the moment you arrive. Keep a note of your accommodation address in Chinese, and use Hello’s budget tools to monitor transport, food, entrance fees, and shopping in local currency.