Taiwan

guide to

tell me more about TAIWAN!

Taiwan is a chinese majority country in Asia and is one of the most popular Asia exchange destination, especially for chinese speaking students. The nightlife, street food and shopping scene of Taiwan will definitely amaze you! The capital of Taiwan is Taipei, the home of one of the tallest building in the world, the Taipei 101.

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EDUCATION IN vietnam

Depending on your area of studies and needs, there are over 18 universities in Taiwan. The National Taiwan University, located in Taipei is one of the most popular and largest university in Taiwan. Constantly ranked as the top 100 university in the world according to QS University rankings 2019 , the university offers an array of discipline and is among the most prestigious in Taipei.

The university is one of the most popular exchange destinations around and is considered as a gateway between the college students of the east and the west!

WHAT DO taiwanese SPEAK?

Taiwanese speakers mandarin and writes in traditional Chinese. Most Taiwanese are also educated in the English language. The main dialect used in Taiwan is Hokkien. Mandarin speakers in general should have no issues trying to communicate effectively in Taiwan!

However if you are not a native mandarin speaker, fret not! Here are some basic phrases that you can easily grasp to help you survive your first days in Taiwan!

Currency in TAIWAN

The official currency of Taiwan is New Taiwan Dollars (NT). The currency exchange rate between the US Dollar (USD) and the NT is about 1 USD: 30 NT.

You can check out the live exchange rates between USD and NT here.

WEATHER IN taiwan

The average temperature in Taiwan is at a comfortable 20-23 degree celsius throughout the year.The average temperature in the hottest month is at about 33 degree celsius in May to August while the average temperature in the coldest month would be around 13-17 Degrees in December and January.

Source: Holiday Weather

PLACES OF INTEREST

1. Taipei Zoo

The Taipei city zoo is the home to one of the largest collection of wildlife animals in Asia. Located convenient near the metro line, it is extremely accessible through Taipei’s efficient metro line system. Admission fees to the zoo is also extremely affordable, at approx 2 USD for adults and for us students only 1 USD dollar, which makes it one of cheapest zoo in the world to visit!

Look at the adorable PANDAS! The Taipei Zoo belongs to a club of a very exclusive number of zoos with the world with a Panda collection. Zoos with panda collections are extremely rare in the world as the endangered species requires extremely delicate care which many zoos are unable to constantly provide.

2. Taipei 101

The Taipei 101, constructed in 2004 was the tallest building in the world at the point of completion. Scaling nearly 440m, the gigantic skyscraper signifies the economic prosperity of Taiwan and has been a clear landmark in the city of Taipei. The view from the viewing platform of the skyscraper is simply breathtaking!

3. ShiFen

Shifen is a village district located at the outskirts of Taipei (accessible via approx 1 h 30 mins of train ride from Taipei city centre). At Shifen, you can experience a different Taipei, away from the hustle of the cities and where life seems to be more laid back. Shifen is also one of the only places in Taiwan where you can set off the “Tian Deng”, or sky-lantern. Legend has it that when you pen down your wishes on a sky lantern and sets it off to the sky, your wishes will be transported to the heaven, read by the deities which will make your wish come true!

4. Leofoo Village Theme Park

The Leofoo Village Theme Park is the largest theme park in Taiwan. At the theme park, you can find some of the most thrilling theme park rides in Asia. The central attraction of the park is “Screaming Condor”, an U-shaped roller coaster ride that is exhilarating and might even be nerve wrecking to some, so be warned!

PLACES to eat

Taiwan is definitely the paradise for food! With the different night markets available in all parts of Taiwan, there is no way you could miss out on the food. Here are five local delights that you must try in Taiwan!

1. Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice Bowl (more commonly known as Lu Rou Fan)

Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice Bowl, which is more commonly known as Lu Rou Fan in mandarin, is one of Taiwan’s most iconic dishes. The braised pork is made up with a perfect ratio of lean meat and fatty meat which melts in your mouth instantly. The harmony of the piping hot jasmine rice and the braised pork will send your taste buds to heaven!

This dish can be easily found in almost all night markets or restaurants in Taiwan. Here is our favourite pick amongst all:

Address: Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice

No. 10, Section 1, Roosevelt Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100 (Near Chang Kai-Chek Memorial Station)

Opening Hours: 8:00am – 1:00am, Daily

Source: Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice

2. Taiwanese Vermicelli Noodle Soup with Oyster (also known as Oyster Mee Sua)

Taiwanese Vermicelli Noodle Soup with Oyster, also known as Oyster Mee Sua, is a very popular noodle soup dish in Taiwan. If you are already sick of rice in Taiwan, this will be an alternative meal you can choose to go for! The main ingredients used in this dish comprises of simply oysters and vermicelli noodles. A tip for you: to make this dish more flavourful, you can choose to add some vinegar to it!

Similarly to Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice, Taiwanese Vermicelli Noodle Soup with Oyster can also be found easily in any night markets.

Here’s the most popular pick that we are recommending you to go:

Address:

Ay Chung Rice Noodles – Xi Men Ding

No.8-1 Emei Street, Taipei, Taiwan

Opening hours:

Monday - Thursday: 1000 - 2230

Friday - Sunday: 1000 - 2300

Source: Ay Chung Rice Noodles

3. Taiwan Baked Cheese Potato

In recent years, this particular dish has gained popularity as a Taiwan street snacks, that can be easily found in the night markets. Taiwan Baked Cheese Potato includes a base of baked potato soaked with a very generous portion of cheese. For the toppings, you can choose from ham, tuna, bacon etc., depending on what the store offers. The cheese that oozes out of your mouth will make you crave for another serving after finishing your first!

Prince Cheese potato is our no.1 to-go store as it offers the best form of Taiwan Baked Cheese Potato!

Address:

No.1 Jihe Rd

Taipei 111

Taiwan Shilin Night Market, Shilin

Opening hours: 1600 - 0100, Daily.

Source: Prince Cheese

nightlife in taiwan

Taipei city can be considered one of the city with the most vibrant night activities in Asia! With the countless number of night markets (Ye Shi) and nightclub destinations, we assure you that there is no such thing as a “boring night” in Taipei!

1. Night Market: Raohe St. Night Market

At Raohe St. Night Market, you can practically taste all the delicacies in Taiwan and enjoy the best of night market shopping experience all at one location! The night market is one of the largest and most organised in Taiwan. With over 400 stores within the night market, be prepared to eat and shop your hearts out!

2. Night Club: BABE18

BABE 18 Taipei is one of the most popular clubs among youths that it almost became synonymous with clubbing. With a slate of famous local and international DJs to hype up the night, we assure that you will have a BEAT-TIFUL- night!

On top of fantastic music and a large dance floor, one most attractive feature of BABE 18 would be…FREE FLOW DRINKS!

Yes you got us right! BABE 18 is one of the only few clubs around that offer a menu of free drinks to fuel you through the night!

Source: Taiwan Nights