Halloween is an important holiday in Taiwan, when some Taiwanese have Halloween parties and put up Halloween decorations. Even though this is still mostly a Western holiday, it goes to show the influence of Western culture on the island. In this blog, we will explain the history of the holiday, its significance, and how it…
The Wushe Incident (aka Mushe Incident or Wushe Rebellion) was one of the largest uprisings against the Japanese during their colonial control over Taiwan, as well as one of the last major uprisings. As part of the rebellion, 134 Japanese were killed, and 354 Seediq Indigenous people were killed in retaliation, which all took place…
Chuping Archaeological Site is the only well-preserved highland prehistoric village site on the island of Taiwan. Although the site is now just an empty field, you can still see the artifacts that are stored at the Museum of History and Philology at Academia Sinica. In this blog, we will explore the physical site as well…
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…
Labor Day in Taiwan is an important holiday in Taiwan when Taiwanese people celebrate their workforce. Before 2025, this holiday only applied to the private workforce. Starting in 2025, this day became a national holiday in which everyone, including government workers, has the day off from work or school. In this blog, we will explain…
Throughout the year, Taiwan is full of festivals and holidays. Besides the three major festivals and National Holidays when people are off from school and work, there are also many smaller religious festivals and events throughout the year. In this guide, we will provide a month-by-month breakdown of the major festivals and holidays in Taiwan….
Taiwan Constitution Day is an important holiday in Taiwan when Taiwanese people can remember the founding of their constitution, and also celebrate Christmas. Now Christmas is finally a national holiday in Taiwan! In this blog, we will explain the history of the holiday, its significance, and how it is celebrated now in modern Taiwan. 🏯…
Taiwan Retrocession Day (officially Taiwan Retrocession and Battle of Guningtou Victory Memorial Day 台灣光復暨金門古寧頭大捷紀念日) is a National Holiday in Taiwan, which celebrates the recovery of Taiwan from the empire of Japan. It also celebrates the Battle of Guningtou, the last time that the PRC tried to invade Taiwan. This holiday was recently reinstated as a…
Teacher’s Day is an important holiday in Taiwan when Taiwanese people celebrate the teachers in their lives by giving gifts and showing signs of appreciation. Starting in 2025, this day became a national holiday in which everyone has the day off from work or school. In this blog, we will explain the history of the…
A week ago, my Instagram @foreignersintw was hacked. Someone stole the password, changed the email, and added their own authentication app, so I was unable to log in. Luckily, I was able to contact Meta Support and resolve the issue. Here is the full story. 🏯 Planning your trip to Taiwan? 🌊 Here are some…
Whether you are coming to Taiwan for three days or for three years, it can be hard getting used to a new country, and new culture, and a new way of living. To help you out, we have prepared this guide to help you survive and thrive in this amazing country. 🏯 Planning your trip…
Having your own internet as you travel in Taiwan is essential for a great trip. Whether it is for map navigation, searching blogs, or communicating with friends and family, having a SIM card, eSIM, or portable Wi-Fi solution should definitely be part of your Taiwan travel plan. In this guide, we will compare the best…
Exploring Taiwan requires more than just public transportation; renting a vehicle or scooter offers unique access to scenic rural sights. Spring and autumn are ideal for visits. Rental options include gas scooters, electric scooters, and cars, with varying prices and requirements. Familiarity with local traffic laws is essential for safety. Most of all, many of…
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…
From my personal experience, banking in Taiwan as a foreigner can be a painful and confusing experience. To help foreigners choose the best banking options and have a more pleasant banking experience in Taiwan, we have created this Taiwan Bank Comparison. If you are stuck with a terrible bank in Taiwan, chances are there are…
Getting a credit card in Taiwan can make living on the island much more convenient. All major online retailers such as Shopee, PC Home, Momo, and many other retailers only accept Taiwan-issued credit cards, meaning that shopping online in Taiwan requires getting a Taiwan-issued card. Applying for credit cards in Taiwan can be scary and…
Sadly, due to a recent earthquake, much of Taroko Gorge, Hualien’s most famous landmark, is no longer accessible to the public. However, the visitor’s center is still open, and the road through Taroko is still open three times a day if you have your own vehicle. In this blog, we will take you on a…
Booking a hotel in Taiwan can be difficult and frustrating, especially if you are unfamiliar with the landscape and do not have any previous booking experience. In this blog, we will give you a basic overview of the hotel atmosphere in Taiwan as well as provide you with some basic tips to find the best…
As of January 2025, Taiwan rolled out a new “Digital Nomad Visa, (數位遊牧停留簽證)” which allows foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries to stay in Taiwan up to six months. Other requirements, such as an annual salary of at least USD 20,000-40,000 and a bank balance of at least USD 10,000, are also required. The visa does…
Exploring Taiwan requires more than just public transportation; renting a vehicle or scooter offers unique access to scenic rural sights. Spring and autumn are ideal for visits. Rental options include gas scooters, electric scooters, and cars, with varying prices and requirements. Familiarity with local traffic laws is essential for safety.
Throughout the year, Taiwan is full of festivals and holidays. There are three major festivals and many National Holidays when people are off from school and work; there are also many smaller religious festivals and events throughout the year. In 2025, four additional public holidays were added to the calendar. At times, it may be…
In April and May every year, in Taiwan, you can spot lots of fireflies (lightning bugs) in northern Taiwan as well as in mountainous areas in central and southern Taiwan. Checking out these mystical bugs can be a magical experience, especially if you have never seen them before. If you happen to be in Taiwan…
Camping is a great way to enjoy Taiwan while saving money. With two-thirds of the island covered in mountains, Taiwan has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. One of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of Taiwan is via camping. Below is a very basic level FAQ on camping in…
Are you wondering what to do, see, and eat during your trip to Taipei? We have all the answers here in this ultimate travel guide. From the abundant food options, night markets, historical sights, mountains, and natural beauty of the area, there are endless activities and sights to enjoy for any amount of time. About…
Taiwan is recognized as a bicycle kingdom and offers stunning routes for cycling enthusiasts, including coastal roads, mountain trails, and breathtaking gorges. Renting bicycles is convenient via services like Youbike, which operates at MRT stations, as well as road bike rentals at shops. Popular cycling routes include Sun Moon Lake and the Taipei Riverside Bikeway,…
