What you need to know when planning Taiwan Trip (Read this before going Taiwan)

So you think you know everything about Taiwan?  In my previous blog post <Things to do when planning for Taiwan Trip (Grab your freebies!)> , you can prepare yourself before your trip.

Perhaps just like I am, this is your first time travelling to Taiwan. You are confuse and worried with so much information online?

Fear not, although I have not been to Taiwan in my life till this coming trip, I have compiled list of things to do from Taiwan tourism board and the many websites I scan through. Below is the summary points which you may use as a guideline when planning Taiwan trip.

Free Wifi in Taiwan 

Yes, I know being urban city life people, we can’t stand being away from our phone, feeling disconnected from the world. Although it maybe meant to be holiday, we may want to check important work emails, upload latest photos on social media sharing platforms. What we need is WIFI!

Jump for joy! Taiwan government now allow foreign visitors to log onto free wifi when touring around the country. All you need is to follow the steps below:

1) Register on the website before you depart!

– log on to: http://www.tpe-free.taipei.gov.tw/tpe/index_en.aspx

This service is only applicable to certain nationality if you want to register online. Open only to Singapore, France, Japan, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand and some other nationalities. Check out: http://www.tpe-free.taipei.gov.tw/tpe/EN-TPE-Guide_Passanger.html

2) When you arrive Taiwan, head to the Tourist Service Center. The most convenient location is Taipei Main Station. For the list of Tourist Service Center, log on to: http://www.travel.taipei/frontsite/en/cms/cmsAction.do?method=goCMSDetail&contentId=295&menuId=1030202

– show your passport and they will open your iTaiwan account

3) Open the link and key in your passport number which you had registered. Wireless Internet password will be your birth date. And off you go, use wifi with the account of i-Taiwan

Getting Around

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport ) in Taoyuan (about 40 KM from Taipei City).

TAIPEI METRO

Taipei Metro MRT running hours- 6:00~24:00

TAXI

NT$70 for the first 1.25 km and NT$5 for each additional 250 meters.

50% additional to meter charge needed for cab travel to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. It costs around NT$1,100 to travel from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei City.

Take bus from airport to hotel (Taipei city)

FARE:NT140 (40 mins to Zhong Xiao Fuxing MRT Station)

Taiwan high speed railway

Visitors can now easily take a day trip between Kaohsiung and Taipei. Currently eight stations are operational on the THSR line along Taiwan’s western corridor: Taipei, Banqiao, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan and Zuoying (Kaohsiung).

For list of stations, please visit:  http://www.thsrc.com.tw/en/destinations/des_route.asp

Taipei → Zuoying　  (1^st stop- last stop takes about 2 hrs). Costs about NT1,490 (S$65) for a one way ticket.

Going from Taipei to Hualien

There are 2 types of trains travelling between Hualien and Taipei. They are namely Tze-Chiang Limited Express and Chu-Kuang Express.

You can book these tickets 2 weeks before your intended date of travel online at the official Taiwan Railways Administration: http://www.railway.gov.tw/en/

The fastest way to go from Taipei to Hualien at only 2 hours 10 minutes. Look out for the Taroko Express Train.

Print out your online tickets and exchanged for the train tickets with the passport you had register at the counter. You can do so 30 mins before the train arrive.

MUST-EAT FOOD in Taiwan 

Street- Food:

• Pearl Milk Tea
• Oyster Omelet
• Stinky tofu
• Steamed dumpling
• Crushed ice mango dessert
• Taiwanese meatballs
• Crispy chicken cultet
• Taiwan Mian xian

Other than the usual street food, Sashimi (Japanese raw slices)  in Taiwan are relatively cheaper than most places. 1 good recommendation would be

ADDICTION AQUATIC DEVELOPMENT 上引水產

• 18, Aly. 2, Lane 410, Mínzú East Rd
  Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan‎
  臺灣臺北市中山區民族東路410巷2弄18號
  (Nearest MRT: Xingtian Temple)
• Mon – Sun: 6am – 12am

Categories: Asia Region

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