ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
U.S. citizens seeking entry as tourists or visitors are required to present a valid passport that will remain valid for the period of their intended stay to travel to Taiwan. Visas are not required. You must also possess a confirmed return or onward air ticket. You may enter Taiwan without a visa for up to 90 days if your passport is valid for more than 90 days. If your passport has less than 90 days of validity remaining, you will be able to stay in Taiwan for a time equal to the expiration date of your passport. No extensions or changes of status are permitted under any circumstances. Make sure that you have enough empty pages for entry and exit stamps in your passport to ensure your entry and exit. Travelers should be careful not to stay beyond the date permitted to avoid difficulties when departing the country.
For more updates and other information, please visit:
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/taiwan.html.
Please note: Each traveler is fully responsible for bringing and acquiring travel documents (e-tickets, hotel and travel vouchers, etc.) necessary for their itinerary. Suppose you are not a citizen of the United States. In that case, your entry requirements may vary. Please get in touch with the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited and obtain the requirements for entry.
ARRIVAL INFORMATION
Please refer to the instructions given in your itinerary confirmation.
Territory Information
Capital: Taipei
Population: 23,580,712 (2022 est.)
Location: East Asia
Largest Cities: Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Tainan
Religion: Buddhist and Taoist 93%
System of Government: Multiparty democracy
Map of Taiwan
Time Zone
Taiwan operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), plus 8 hours.
At 9:00 am, anywhere in Taiwan, it is:
• 8:00 pm same day in New York – Eastern Standard Time (EST)
• 7:00 pm same day in Chicago – Central Standard Time (CST)
• 5:00 pm the previous day in San Francisco – Pacific Standard Time (PST)
• 3:00 pm the previous day in Hawaii – Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HAST)
*Note: Add one hour to local time during Daylight Savings Time.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
A good source of health information for travelers is the Center for Disease Control (CDC). You can visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov. You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Sightseeing may require, at minimum, the ability to walk at a moderate pace for a mile or two and the balance and agility necessary to climb stairs, enter and exit buses and boats, and navigate uneven or cobble-stoned streets. Some sightseeing stops do not have elevators or wheelchair access. Bring medications in their original, clearly labeled containers. A signed and dated letter from your physician describing your medical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea. If carrying syringes or needles, have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity. When on vacation, it is always wise to watch what you eat and drink, but please do not drink tap water while traveling in Taiwan. Most hotels will provide complimentary bottled water; additional bottled water can be purchased throughout your trip.
Taiwan’s unit of currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$), available in the following denominations: Banknotes: 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100 NT$; Coins: 50, 20, 10, 5, 1 NT$. You can exchange foreign currency at authorized agencies such as banks, exchange offices, and hotels. Major credit cards such as American Express, Master Card, Visa, and Diners Club are accepted but expect to pay in cash at most family-owned restaurants and small shops. The exchange rate is constantly changing. The current exchange rate is approximately 1 USD = 29 TWD. For the most updated exchange rate, please check http://www.xe.com.
The standard electrical voltage in Taiwan is 110/220 volts and 60 hertz. Bringing an adaptor is a good idea if you plan to use electronics (i.e., cell phones, laptops, cameras, etc.) during your trip.
Taiwanese cuisine has numerous variations and styles, some of which are influenced by their Chinese and Japanese neighbors. The country’s geography also affects its food, as seafood is found frequently in their dishes. Rice, soy, tofu, pork, chicken, and seafood are all common ingredients in Taiwanese cuisine. Beef is not as popular as other forms of meat because of the large population of Buddhists and Taoists. However, these days due to large influxes of people, Taiwanese beef noodle soup has become one of their most popular dishes.
Bakeries in Taiwan are also very popular, specializing in sweet Chinese pastries or Western pastries that are altered to match local taste buds. Cuisines also vary by region in Taiwan, as each city or town has its specialties in food. The best place to experience authentic Taiwanese food is at their night markets. Night markets are prevalent here, and you will find countless selections of street foods and snacks at reasonable prices.
Mandarin Chinese is the official language of Taiwan, but it is not the only language spoken. Many people also speak Taiwanese, Hakka, Formosan, and Japanese. English is often taught as part of their curriculum and is the most widely spoken foreign language.
WEATHER
Since the Tropic of Cancer divides the island of Taiwan right through the middle, weather conditions can vary significantly from the north to the south. The north has a subtropical climate with moderate temperatures, while the south has a tropical climate with generally higher temperatures. Summers in Taiwan are hot throughout the country, with June to August being the hottest months when temperatures can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters in the north often witness much rainfall, while winters in the south are less prone to rain. The coldest months are from January to March, with temperatures reaching about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Taiwan is also a humid region that can be noticed all-year round. Taiwan experiences a typhoon season from June to October, which tends to be more active on the east coast.
Average Temperatures
All temperatures in Fahrenheit (°F)
| Month/City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hualien | 59 - 70 | 60 - 71 | 63 - 75 | 68 - 79 | 72 - 83 | 76 - 87 | 77 - 89 | 77 - 89 | 75 - 86 | 71 - 82 | 66 - 77 | 61 - 72 |
| Kaohsiung | 59 - 74 | 61 - 77 | 65 - 81 | 71 - 85 | 76 - 87 | 78 - 89 | 79 - 90 | 78 - 89 | 77 - 88 | 74 - 85 | 68 - 81 | 62 - 77 |
| Sun Moon Lake | 57 - 72 | 58 - 74 | 62 - 77 | 67 - 81 | 70 - 84 | 72 - 86 | 73 - 88 | 73 - 87 | 72 - 85 | 69 - 83 | 64 - 79 | 59 - 74 |
| Taichung | 54 - 71 | 56 - 72 | 60 - 77 | 67 - 83 | 72 - 87 | 75 - 89 | 77 - 91 | 76 - 90 | 74 - 89 | 70 - 86 | 63 - 80 | 57 - 74 |
| Tainan | 58 - 72 | 60 - 74 | 64 - 78 | 72 - 83 | 76 - 87 | 79 - 89 | 80 - 90 | 80 - 89 | 78 - 89 | 74 - 86 | 68 - 81 | 60 - 74 |
| Taipei | 56 - 66 | 57 - 67 | 60 - 72 | 66 - 79 | 72 - 85 | 76 - 89 | 79 - 93 | 79 - 92 | 76 - 88 | 71 - 81 | 65 - 75 | 58 - 69 |
| Taitung | 63 - 72 | 64 - 73 | 66 - 76 | 71 - 81 | 75 - 85 | 78 - 87 | 80 - 89 | 79 - 89 | 77 - 88 | 74 - 83 | 70 - 79 | 65 - 74 |
OTHER INFORMATION
This will be contingent on your preference and the time of year you travel. Generally, we suggest that travelers pack lightly and bring comfortable, casual clothes in natural, “breathable” fabrics because of the humidity. Choose versatile styles that can be layered. A lightweight (preferably non-plastic) raincoat or poncho is a good idea, especially during the rainy season, and a sweater or lightweight jacket for when the weather cools down or in air-conditioned buildings. A sturdy pair of walking shoes is a must, as sandals may not be comfortable for some sightseeing activities. Some hotels have pools, so you may want to pack your swimming suit. Do not forget to bring sunblock, sunglasses, insect repellent, pocket packs of tissues, a sunhat, an umbrella (for both the sun and rain), and any medications you may need. Most hotels offer reliable laundry and dry cleaning services.
In most areas in Taiwan, you will generally find that most people dress similarly to those in the United States and Europe. Wearing comfortable, casual clothes such as short-sleeved shirts, polo shorts, etc., are great for sightseeing. When visiting a Buddhist temple, one should dress politely in modest and conservative clothing as a sign of respect, as they would at any other religious place.
Hotels may impose a hefty charge on international calls. Check your hotel’s policy before placing any calls. You can use a calling card from your local, long-distance carrier to avoid hotel markups. Several United States cell phones manufactured today can operate overseas on the GSM (Global System for Mobile) standard. We recommend contacting your cell phone service provider to determine if your phone runs on the GSM and what activation may be required. In Indonesia, reception on any cell phone can be unreliable and unpredictable. In some locations, transmission is not possible at all. If access to e-mail is critical during your trip, please check availability in advance. Most hotels have business centers or in-room WI-FI service, and surcharges may apply.
The nationwide emergency phone numbers are:
Ambulance: 119
Fire: 119
Police: 110
- Lonely Planet Taiwan by Robert Kelly
- The Rough Guide to Taiwan by Stephen Keeling
- National Geographic Traveler: Taiwan, 3rd edition by Phil MacDonald
- Two Trees Make A Forest by Jessica J. Lee
- Bestiary by K-Ming Chang
- Formosan Odyssey: Taiwan, Past and Present By John Grant Ross