21 Secrets About Living In Taiwan To Know Before Moving

Taiwan is a beautiful, exciting country, with a lot of foreign nationals living there.

Before you pack your bags for the move to Taiwan (or even for a short holiday on a visitor visa), there are a few things that you should know:

Sections

1. English is widely spoken

In the larger cities, you will find English is widely spoken, and a quarter of the population has a basic understanding of English.

If you head out of the cities, you might find there is a language barrier, especially in the South, where it is harder to find people who speak English. Most Taiwanese people speak Mandarin, Hakka, and Hokkien. Mandarin Chinese is considered the official language.

2. Taiwanese cuisine

Your average Taiwanese person loves food and loves cooking. Most expats will find delicious food whether you go to a restaurant or grab a quick snack from a street food vendor. Taiwanese food has been inspired by other East Asia countries, including influences from Japan and China.

There are plenty of markets (more about that later) where you can find delicacies and affordable produce.

Stinky tofu is a dish that many expats may want to avoid, but it is traditional in Taiwan and does not taste as bad as it seems. It is fermented tofu and is delicious when served with pickled cabbage and chili sauce.

3. The weather varies quite a bit

Unlike in western countries, Taiwan has a typhoon season with non-stop rain and high humidity levels. If you are mentally prepared for the rainy season, you will find that Taiwan has a lovely climate throughout the year.

Summers are wet, but the warm winters make up for it, and with ocean breezes on the west coast you will find that it is never unbearably hot in Taiwan. There are also mountainous regions where it can get rather cold.

4. Taiwanese customs and etiquette

Unlike most western countries, Taiwan is a melting pot of customers. Taiwanese culture is a mixture of Chinese culture, modern technology, Japanese colonial influences, and western commercialism.

Other expats will tell you that Taiwanese people are some of the friendliest people you will come across. They are hospitable, but they will expect the same levels of hospitality if you are invited to their homes. It is best to take a gift along to show your appreciation.

And remember – don’t wear shoes inside someone’s house!

5. World-famous night markets

The night markets in Taiwan are a must-see experience. They are more than just a shopping destination – they are explosions of colors, smells, tastes, and music. There are hundreds of night markets across Taiwan, from the famous Shilin Night Market (shown above) to smaller markets in local towns.

6. The costs of living in Taiwan

Here is a breakdown of the cost of living in Taiwan.

A family of four can expect to spend $2,800 a month (NT$81,565.72) on monthly expenses, excluding rent. A single person will fork out about $773 (NT$22,154.78) a month, excluding rent.

Rent is on average $470 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city and $1,153 for a three-bedroom apartment in the city.

7. One of the safest countries in the world

If you are moving to Taiwan, you don’t have to be too concerned about your safety. Taiwan was ranked the second safest country in the world according to the 2020 Crime Index by Country. It is also the happiest country in Asia!

8. Work-life balance

Because of the rich culture in Taiwan, you will find there is a lot of emphasis on a healthy work-life balance. Taiwan is known for spiritual retreats and meditation is widely practiced. There are also a lot of Buddhism centers where residents can go to restore their mental and emotional balance.

Taiwan has about 15 public holidays throughout the year, and employees are also offered annually paid leave, to ensure a proper work-life balance. Employees may not work more than eight hours a day or 40 hours a week, and employees must take a 30-minute break every four hours.

9. They have musical garbage trucks

Once you enter Taiwan you will see that it is mostly clean and free of litter. This is because of the initiatives taken by the Taiwanese government to ensure everyone is responsible for their trash.

The garbage trucks arrive at night, alerting residents of their arrival by playing a song (almost like an ice cream truck!), and residents must take their trash outside and throw it in the truck themselves.

10. Getting around in Taiwan

Depending on where you are, getting around Taiwan can be super easy or a frustrating experience. The weather also tends to greatly influence your ability to enjoy public transport.

Taiwan has a fairly efficient train system, as well as buses that travel between cities. For fast transport between major cities, you can take a domestic flight. There are also ferries departing to the offshore islands.

11. Visa and permit requirements

If you are moving to Taiwan, you probably want to work there. Here is what you require to work in Taiwan:

Taiwan work permit – which allows you to work in Taiwan.
Taiwan work visa – which allows you to travel to Taiwan for work.
Taiwan Residence Permit (known as an Alien Resident Certificate) – which allows you to travel to and live in Taiwan long term.

If you plan to live in Taiwan permanently, you will require a resident visa.

There are restrictions on who can move to Taiwan. See here for more information on work visas and who can work in Taiwan.

12. White symbolizes death and is worn at funerals

White symbolizes death and red is worn at weddings because it symbolizes love and romance to Taiwanese citizens.

13. Taiwan is the land of scooters

It is estimated that there are over 11 million scooters in Taiwan, making it the largest number of scooters per capita.

Cities are adapted for scooters – there are separate scooter lanes, blocks at traffic lights where scooters can park ahead of cars, and scooters are allowed to park on sidewalks.

You may also think that road rules do not apply to scooters (although it does!). You will see scooters driving over red lights, driving into oncoming traffic, and going over pedestrian crossings without slowing down.

14. Get ready for a lot of earthquakes…

Taiwan is situated on two tectonic plates, making earthquakes a fairly frequent occurrence. There are more than a thousand earthquakes each year, although most are very small.

Buildings in Taiwan have been constructed with earthquakes in mind, such as the Taipei 101 in New Taipei City, which is the tallest building and also resistant to earthquakes.

15. …and Karaoke

A favorite pastime for the Taiwanese is karaoke. You will find karaoke bars across the country, and a lot of locals will have karaoke parties at home to celebrate birthdays.

In larger cities, you’ll even find small karaoke booths with just one or two seats (shown above). These booths are often located on the sidewalk, but they’re enclosed by a small glass door to give you a modicum of privacy.

You’ll also find these booths near metro stations, cinemas, department stores, and even in some hotels!

16. The first Asian country to make gay marriage legal

In 2019, lawmakers in Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage, which was a first for Asia. This is in start contrast to Mainland China, where the Chinese Government is yet to legalize gay marriage.

Taiwan has a large community of LGBTQ+ people, and Taipei has the largest gay pride events in Asia.

17. 7-Eleven’s are everywhere

You will find convenience stores almost everywhere, especially 7-Elevens. There are also other popular stores, like OK Mart and Family Mart, but after the US, Taiwan has the most 7-Elevens in the world.

These convenience shops are perfect for city life as they provide you with food, coffee, electronics, top up your cellphone data, and printing facilities – you can even buy domestic plane tickets!

18. They have a festival dedicated to ghosts

The Hungry Ghost Festival (called Zhongyuan Jie, Gui Jie, or Yulan Festival in the local language) is on the 15th night of the 7th month according to the Chinese lunar calendar.

In accordance with Buddhist and Taoist traditions, this festival celebrates deceased ancestors who are believed to come out during this month.

19. Don’t flush your toilet paper

Visa holders in Taiwan may be confused to see a little bin filled with toilet paper in most bathrooms in Taiwan. This is because it is widely frowned upon to flush toilet paper down the bathroom in Taiwan, instead, it must be disposed of in the bin.

This is because it is reported that Taiwan’s plumbing system is not capable of handling toilet paper – it will cause blockages and breakages.

However, changes to plumbing and modern toilets have made it possible for people to flush toilet paper – in fact, the government is encouraging residents to do so! Although most people have a habit of throwing out their toilet paper, by flushing it there is a reduced risk of bacteria spreading and the costs of garbage disposal services will be reduced.

20. A technologically advanced country

Taiwan is ranked 17th in terms of technology, making it one of the best tech countries in the world. Countries are ranked according to technological expertise, development of new technologies, and the ability to come up with innovations.

Thanks to these metrics, Taiwan has outranked countries that are considered tech giants – like Japan, Qatar, and Malaysia.

21. There’s a very large expat community

According to an Expat Insider Survey, Taiwan ranked 1st out of 59 countries as the best expat country. This is based on the quality of life, job security, local economy, medical care, and happiness in general.

The excellent healthcare system and high safety rating of Taiwan make it a draw for expats from across the world.

It is also a beautiful country, with national parks (the Taroko National Park is a must-see), surf beaches in southern Taiwan, mountains in central Taiwan, large cities, and finger-licking-good food.

Expats find the locals incredibly friendly toward foreigners, and this makes Taiwan one of the friendliest Asian countries for foreigners to visit.

FAQs

What is Taipei City known for?

Taipei City is the capital of Taiwan, and through colonization, it has a lot of external influences. This can be seen in the variety of historical sites and cuisines offered in the city.

Because of this rich history and diversity, Taipei is called the “tourism powerhouse” of Taiwan. There is so much to do and see, including traditional Chinese and Japanese architecture, night markets, tourist attractions, and colonial buildings.

Is the Taiwan dollar a restricted currency?

The New Taiwan Dollar is a restricted currency, which limits the trade of this currency. Fund transfers in New Taiwan Dollar are not allowed outside of the country.

Where do most expats live in Taiwan?

Most expats settle in Taipei, the largest city found in north Taiwan. It offers a lot of international and English schools, and there are also a lot of international countries based there. This makes it easy for expats to find a job. There are also a variety of restaurants and stores, which will cater to the whims of homesick expats.

How many major cities are in Taiwan?

There are 15 major cities in Taiwan, including:

New Taipei City
Taipei
Kaohsiung
Taichung
Tainan
Hsinchu
Keelung
Chungho
Taoyuan
Zhongli
Sanchung
Fenshan
Tucheng
Hsintien
Chiayi

Final Thoughts

Most expats who move to Taiwan do not regret their decision. It is a very safe country with amazing foods (especially stinky tofu and beef noodles) and a variety of main cities. Whether you are an English teacher with a work permit or a businessman trying to get Taiwanese citizenship, you will find the list above helpful to prepare you for your move to Taiwan.