In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Taiwan transitioned to a democracy, with the first direct presidential election held in 1996. Since then, Taiwan has developed into a vibrant democracy with regular elections and a multi-party system, though tensions with China remain a central issue in Taiwanese politics. Environmental concerns, such as air pollution, waste management, and limited natural resources, also pose challenges for Taiwan’s future economic growth. However, the government has worked to address these issues through green technologies, infrastructure investment, and sustainability initiatives. The country is a queenwin casino global leader in technology, particularly in the fields of semiconductors, electronics, and information technology.

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Travelers heading to Kenting can use the direct and frequent bus service from Kaohsiung airport that connect with flights arriving from Taipei. Flagging down a car might work on a country lane with little or no public transportation, but doing so on a major road might lead to confusion, with the driver assuming that you are in trouble. The East coast around Hualien and Taitung enjoys a reputation for being especially good for getting rides. Taiwanese people are very friendly and helpful, so striking up a conversation with someone at a transport café or freeway service station may well see you on your way.

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Drivers generally cannot converse in English or any other foreign language (such as French, German, Japanese, etc.) or read Westernized addresses (except for special Taoyuan airport taxis). Get the hotel staff or a Taiwanese friend write out your destination in Chinese, and also take a business card from the hotel. Taiwan Tourist Shuttle is a set of distinctly branded bus routes (some intercity, some local) that serve tourist sites, and are generally easier to use than regular routes. The official website offers route maps, timetables and recommended itineraries, but is somewhat confusing to navigate. The Alishan Forest Railway is an 86 km narrow gauge railway running from Chiayi to Alishan, with branch lines running from Alishan to Chushan and Shihou. Originally build by the Japanese for logging in 1912, it is today operated as a heritage railway for tourists, taking about 5 hours to get from Chiayi to Alishan and 4 hours for the return journey.

Taiwanese calendar

Democratization began in earnest through the 1980s and 1990s, culminating with the first direct presidential elections in 1996, and the first peaceful transition of power between two political parties in 2000. Taiwan, island in the western Pacific Ocean that lies roughly 100 miles (160 km) off the coast of southeastern China. It is approximately 245 miles (395 km) long (north-south) and 90 miles (145 km) across at its widest point. Taipei, in the north, is the seat of government of the Republic of China (ROC; Nationalist China). In addition to the main island, the ROC government has jurisdiction over 22 islands in the Taiwan group and 64 islands to the west in the P’eng-hu (Pescadores) archipelago.

Taiwan: Thousands evacuated ahead of Typhoon Fung-wong

• For visitors, it may be helpful to have your hotel or accommodation host suggest some routes for you and circle your destination on a map, then show it to the bus driver to make sure you’re on the right bus.
• Some smaller towns that do not have TRA bento stalls at in their stations have privately-owned shops selling bentos near to the railway station, and these often feature some local specialties.
• Generally speaking, the foods of Taiwan are derived from mainland Chinese cuisines.
• Many drinking shops also provide at least NT$5 off for filling their drink with your water bottles to encourage people to use fewer disposable drink bottles.
• To consume it, bite and spit off the cap at the top of the nut, then chew the rest of the bundle.
• Most Taiwanese people enjoy their breakfast in breakfast bars (早餐店), which are almost everywhere.

Vegetarians are better catered for in restaurants and variety than in most other countries. In order to protect the environment, a government policy rules that plastic bags cannot be given freely at stores in Taiwan, but have to be bought (at a flat rate of NT$1)—bakeries being an exception as the items need to be hygienically wrapped. Foreign visitors may claim a VAT refund if they spend a minimum of NT$2,000 per day per participating store.

• Despite the deep mistrust many Taiwanese have of the communist Chinese government, most locals bear little to no animosity towards individual mainland Chinese visitors.
• Other key rivers include the Tamsui River in the north, which flows through the capital, Taipei, and the Love River in Kaohsiung, which is central to the city’s geography.
• If you’re on a budget, the cheapest food can be found in back-alley noodle shops and night market stalls, where you can get a filling bowl of noodles for around NT$35-70.
• Although the vast majority of the population is ethnically Han Chinese, the indigenous Austronesian inhabitants maintain their own cultures, and the legacy of Japanese colonial rule still pervades much of Taiwanese life.
• The Negrito were eventually assimilated and displaced 5,000 years ago by Proto-Austronesians who arrived from the east coast of mainland China, predominantly from what is now Fujian province.
• Rice, noodles, and seafood are staples of the diet, while vegetables and fruits are abundant due to the island’s fertile land.

Minor cities and towns do not have local buses, but have intercity routes that make frequent stops. Train stations are often in the centers of most cities and towns and serve as a convenient hub for most types of transportation. In addition, the train system allows you to bypass the highways, which can become extremely crowded on weekends and national holidays. The main downside is the lack of cross-island routes between the East Coast and West Coast; for instance, there is no rail line from Taichung to Hualien, so you will have to either drive, fly, or take a major detour via Taipei or Kaohsiung. However, Turkish citizens whose place of birth is listed as mainland China must proof that they reside in the passport-issuing country (i.e., Turkey) and are not citizens of mainland China.
Taiwan also imports raw materials, fuel, and foodstuffs, which are necessary for its manufacturing sector and to support its population. The country has extensive shipping connections and modern ports, such as the Port of Kaohsiung, which is one of the busiest in the world. Taiwan has a well-developed education system, with high literacy rates and a strong emphasis on academic achievement.

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If you are bitten by mosquitos, apply a small amount of ointment for irritation relief. Air pollution can be significant with the highest ratio of scooters per person in the world and a high west coast urban density. For reference the USA standard for fine particles (PM2.5) over 24 hours should be below 35 µg/m³. It is a good idea to use a mask that can filter fine particles (how to choose a mask), especially when traveling with the elderly or children. There are no laws against homosexuality in Taiwan and unprovoked violence against gays and lesbians is almost unheard of.
Authorities evacuated 8,326 people from their homes, the majority from eastern Hualien County, where a typhoon in September left 18 dead. The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin, but Taiwanese Hokkien and indigenous languages are spoken widely, especially in rural areas. The country’s multilingualism is an important part of its identity, with efforts to preserve and promote regional and indigenous languages alongside Mandarin.
Then on Thursday, China’s foreign ministry posted in Japanese and English on its X account, warning Japan to “stop playing with fire” and added that it would be an “act of aggression” if Japan “dares to meddles in the cross-Strait situation”. Over the past few days, China and Japan have been locked in an escalating war of words. Prior to the 1600s, Taiwan was self-governing, although there was no central ruling authority.
If you are still in need of a discount, send the ho(s)tel an email or WeChat/Line message quoting the online price. Some will give you 10 % discount on the online price this way, especially for same day short notice bookings. Generally, short notice bookings will give you a better price, since hotels are trying to sell their stock at a bargain price last-minute.
Try to keep some smaller denomination notes on hand to avoid the hassle of fighting with the driver for change. Only on Saturday morning/noon and Sunday afternoon faster trains are packed, and it might make sense to buy a more expensive reserve-seat ticket, if you do not want to stand for 3 hr, depending on your destination. Otherwise, you can freely use the EasyCard for fast connections without worrying (except for THSR). Early Bird tickets are sold from 28 days before the day, and the discount is up to 35% off.
In Taiwan most traffic lights have countdown timers to alert drivers when light will change from red to green. Taiwan often experiences typhoons (颱風) during the summer months and early fall, especially on the East Coast. Hikers and mountaineers should be sure to consult weather reports before heading into the mountains.
During the winter months, from November to February, the climate becomes cooler, especially in the northern and central regions. While the lowland areas in the south enjoy mild temperatures, the northern parts of Taiwan can experience temperatures as low as 10°C (50°F), and mountain areas may receive snowfall, particularly at higher elevations. This cooler season provides a respite from the intense summer heat and is ideal for tourists interested in hiking or enjoying Taiwan’s natural beauty.
Taiwan is home to major technology companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which is the world’s largest contract chip manufacturer, and Foxconn, which assembles products for companies like Apple and Sony. Taiwan is religiously diverse, with a mix of traditional Chinese religions, Buddhism, Taoism, and Christianity. Many Taiwanese practice a blend of Buddhism and Taoism, with elements of Confucianism also influencing cultural practices, particularly around family life and rituals. Temples dedicated to various deities are common throughout the island, and religious festivals, such as the Lantern Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, are widely celebrated.