Practical Information for visiting Northern Taiwan

Taiwan has outstanding connectivity. Coverage for mobile networks is complete with 5G across the north from Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and Far EasTone, including in the metro tunnels and on the mountains.

Tourist SIMs with unlimited data are sold at Taoyuan airport on arrival and are inexpensive — a passport is required. This is the simplest option and is what most visitors do.

Free public Wi-Fi — iTaiwan and Taipei Free — covers stations, libraries and public buildings, and cafes and convenience stores all have it.

Fixed broadband is fast and Taipei is a comfortable place to work remotely.

There are no access restrictions, and Taiwan has among the freest internet in Asia.

Northern Taiwan is extremely safe. Violent crime is rare, theft is uncommon, and walking alone at night is normal. The hazards are natural.

• Typhoons from July to October. Warnings are clear and widely broadcast; when a land warning is issued, stay indoors, expect transport to stop, and do not go to the coast to look at the waves.
• Earthquakes are frequent and usually minor. Know the drill: get under something solid, stay away from windows, and do not use lifts afterwards.
• Scooters are the main road hazard — they come from every direction, often on pavements, and turn without warning. Look carefully before stepping off a kerb.
• Mountain weather on Yangmingshan changes fast, and the volcanic areas emit hydrogen sulphide — stay on the boardwalks.
• Rip currents on the north coast, where swimming is prohibited at many beaches.
• Landslides on mountain roads after heavy rain.

Taiwan has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, and Taipei’s hospitals are excellent, modern and inexpensive by western standards. Visitors pay out of pocket at rates far below American or European equivalents, and travel insurance is still worth having.

Vaccinations: routine cover is sufficient. There is no malaria.

Dengue occurs in Taiwan but outbreaks are concentrated in the south; the north is low risk.

Heat and humidity in summer are the most likely problem — heat exhaustion comes on quickly when the overnight low is 28°C and the air is saturated.

Hot springs: the sulphur springs at Beitou and Yangmingshan are strongly acidic; do not soak for long, keep your head out, and avoid them if you have heart problems.

Air quality is moderate in the north and worse in winter when pollution drifts across from the mainland.

Tap water in Taipei is treated to a high standard; most locals still boil or filter it.

No eating or drinking on the metro — including water, and including on the platforms. This is enforced with fines and is the rule visitors most often break.

Queue properly, stand on the right of escalators, and give up priority seats, which are respected scrupulously even when the carriage is full.

Rubbish: public bins are scarce by design. Carry your litter, and recycle where bins exist.

Hot-spring etiquette: wash thoroughly before entering, no swimwear in single-sex pools, tie long hair up, no towels in the water.

Temples: enter by the right-hand door and leave by the left, do not step on the threshold, and ask before photographing worshippers.

Shoes off in homes and in some restaurants and guesthouses.

Politics: Taiwan’s status is a live and sensitive matter. Listen rather than pronounce.

Emergency numbers: 110 for police, 119 for ambulance and fire. Operators may have limited English; the 24-hour travel information line on 0800-011-765 is English-speaking and can help or translate.

Medical. Taipei’s major hospitals — National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei Veterans General, Mackay Memorial — have international departments and English-speaking staff. Costs are low and treatment is prompt; keep receipts for your insurer.

Typhoons: the Central Weather Administration issues sea and land warnings, and a land warning means public transport and offices close. Follow it rather than trying to travel.

Earthquakes: alerts are pushed to phones automatically, sometimes seconds before shaking starts. Do not be alarmed by the alarm.

Lost property is genuinely likely to be recovered; report it to the metro office or a police station.

Most countries maintain a representative office rather than an embassy in Taipei; find yours before you need it.