Custom travel to Taiwan

Taiwan is one of Asia's most surprising destinations, a 36,000-km² island off China's coast, 23 million inhabitants, vibrant democracy since 1996, high-tech economy (TSMC manufactures 60% of world semiconductors), exceptional gastronomy. A unique mix of Chinese heritage, Austronesian aborigines (16 ethnicities), and Japanese colonial heritage (1895-1945, still visible). Taipei (capital, Taipei 101, Shilin and Raohe night markets), Taroko Gorge (19-km marble canyon), Sun Moon Lake, Tainan (Dutch heritage 1624), Kaohsiung, Alishan (sea of clouds, forest train). Renowned Taiwanese cuisine (xiao long bao, beef noodle soup, bubble tea invented here). 10-12 days for a complete discovery.

Highlights

• Taipei: Taipei 101 and night markets
• Taroko Gorge (national park, marble)
• Sun Moon Lake (sacred, peaceful)
• Alishan: sacred mountain and sea of clouds
• Tainan: former historic capital
• Taiwanese cuisine (street food, xiao long bao)

Sample itineraries

When to go

October-April is the best period (cool and dry, 15-22 °C). Avoid June-September (frequent typhoons, rains, 30 °C+ heat). May and September are pivot months (sometimes comfortable, sometimes rainy).

• Mild winter (December – February), All sites, Chinese New Year festivities (January-February)
• Spring (March – May), Cherry blossoms at Alishan, Lantern Festival
• Humid summer and typhoons (June – September), To avoid for adventure travel
• Autumn (October – November), All sites, maples at Cameron, Alishan

Practical information

One of the world's safest countries (almost zero crime). No visa for French citizens < 90 days. Cards accepted everywhere, EasyCard for transport and 7-Eleven. Tap water drinkable in Taipei (but Taiwanese prefer filtered). Rechargeable EasyCard (transport + 7-Eleven, FamilyMart payments). Limited English outside Taipei and hotels (but very helpful Taiwanese, translate via phone). Tipping not customary (rare). Typhoons (June-September), check weather. Frequent but mild earthquakes (Taiwan is on Ring of Fire).

Frequently asked questions

When?

October to April is the best period, cool and dry (15-22 °C), ideal for visiting every site without the heat or typhoons. Winter (December-February, 15-20 °C) stays mild and coincides with Chinese New Year festivities in January-February. Spring (March-May, 18-25 °C) is the perfect season, with cherry blossoms at Alishan and the Lantern Festival. Autumn (October-November, 20-25 °C) offers equally ideal weather and fewer crowds, with Alishan's maples in color. Avoid June to September, the hot and humid season (28-35 °C) marked by frequent typhoons; May and September remain pivot months, sometimes comfortable, sometimes rainy.

How long?

10 days allow the classic, most chosen itinerary: Taipei (3 nights, Taipei 101 and night markets), Hualien for Taroko Gorge (2 nights), Sun Moon Lake (2 nights), then Tainan (2 nights, former capital and temples), before returning to Taipei by high-speed train. For the complete itinerary, plan 14 days to add Alishan (2 nights, forest train and sea of clouds at sunrise) and Kaohsiung (2 nights, Lotus Pond and Dome of Light). For a short, food-focused stopover, 6 days are enough to combine Taipei (3 nights, night market food tour, Din Tai Fung) and a Taroko excursion via Hualien (2 nights).

Budget?

Expect from €2,200 per person for 10 days in Comfort (4★ hotels like Sheraton Grande or Hotel Quote in Taipei, Silks Place Taroko, boutique hotels in Tainan, THSR and main sites included). The Premium level starts at €3,800 for 10-12 days, with the Mandarin Oriental Taipei, still Silks Place Taroko and Lalu Sun Moon Lake, joined by a private French-speaking guide. The Exclusive level, from €6,500 for 10-14 days, adds a Mandarin Oriental suite, a Lalu villa, a food tour with a Michelin-starred chef, and a private high-mountain tea tasting. Add €800-1,200 per person for a Paris-Taipei round-trip flight in Economy (China Airlines, Air France).

Visa?

No visa is needed for European Union, UK, US, and Canadian citizens for a tourist stay under 90 days: a passport valid at least 6 months after the return date is enough. No particular health formalities are required on entry. Taiwan does offer an optional but recommended electronic registration before arrival to speed up immigration. Also check that your travel insurance covers medical costs on site, as Taiwan's healthcare system is excellent but charges foreign visitors.

Family?

Yes, from age 8. Total safety, fun night markets, suitable Taroko park, welcoming Taiwanese.

How to get around?

The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR), Taiwan's own TGV at 300 km/h using Japanese Shinkansen technology, links Taipei to Kaohsiung in 1 h 30 over 350 km, the country's backbone. The traditional train (TRA) serves Hualien for Taroko and Alishan mountain; UNI Air domestic flights also reach Hualien in 1 h from Taipei. In Taipei, the MRT metro, as efficient as Hong Kong's, complements buses and taxis, with a rechargeable EasyCard also valid at 7-Eleven. For Taroko and Alishan, with their winding mountain roads, I systematically recommend a private car with driver rather than self-drive rental; driving is on the right, but signage, mostly in Chinese, complicates self-driving for a first trip.

English spoken?

Limited outside Taipei and hotels. Very helpful Taiwanese, use phone translation. Learn a few Mandarin words.

Difference with China?

Taiwan has been a vibrant democracy since 1996, with a free-market economy (the island is home to TSMC, which manufactures 60% of the world's semiconductors) and among Asia's highest levels of press freedom, very different from the mainland Chinese regime. Political tensions with Beijing, which claims the island, have existed for decades but have never affected traveler safety: Taiwan remains one of the world's safest countries, with almost zero crime. The only natural hazard worth knowing is seismic, the island sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences frequent but generally mild earthquakes; modern buildings, including Taipei 101, are designed to withstand them.

Combine?

Yes: Taiwan + Japan (Taipei-Tokyo 3-h flight), Taiwan + Hong Kong (1 h 30 flight), Taiwan + Philippines, Taiwan + South Korea.

Tips?

No, not customary (rare). Service included in upscale restaurants.

How do I pay on site: card or cash?

Bank cards are accepted almost everywhere, hotels, restaurants, and larger shops. The rechargeable EasyCard, originally designed for transport (MRT, buses), also works as a payment method at the ubiquitous 7-Eleven and FamilyMart convenience stores found throughout the country. Still, keep some cash in Taiwan dollars (TWD) for night markets (Shilin, Raohe), where most stalls only take cash. Tipping isn't customary in Taiwan, including in restaurants, as service is usually already included.

Which region should I prioritize for a first trip to Taiwan?

The Classic Taiwan itinerary, Taipei, Taroko, Sun Moon, Tainan (10 days, the most chosen) covers the essentials for a first trip: Taipei for urban life and night markets, Taroko Gorge for spectacular nature, Sun Moon Lake for serenity, Tainan for history and, according to locals, the country's best street food. If you have a little less time or want a short, food-focused stopover, the Taipei and Hualien itinerary (6 days) concentrates Taipei and a Taroko excursion. Alishan and Kaohsiung, further south, naturally join in from 14 days for returning travelers or those with more time.