[Travel Taiwan] How to Pack for Taiwan

Hello world! This is Lenny, reporting from Taiwan :)

Packing is an activity that requires a lot of common sense and a bit of background knowledge. How long is your trip? Is your destination an tropical island or in the mountains? Does the ways of living there differ drastically from what you are used to? All these questions, and about a thousand more, can help you determine what to bring and what not to bring when packing for a trip. In this post, I'll talk about some things you should keep in mind when packing for a trip to Taiwan, also offer a few suggestions on what to throw into your bag.

First, 3 Important Things to Keep in Mind...
Taiwan is a well developed country. Taiwan has all the basic modern infrastructure like flushing toilets and tap water.

There are lots of imported goods available, most prices are reasonable. (A can of Coke is about $1 USD )

Most times of the the year, it's hot and humid, which also translates to scorching sun and heavy rain. We do have winters and cold currents though. See my post on weather in Taiwan.

Clothes&Shoes
It's best to pack light breathable clothing, T-shirts and shorts are typical for locals, skirts and tank tops are acceptable too.  In the summer when it's hottest, I strongly advise against wearing skinny jeans or any crotch-hugging garment, or your private parts will suffer. There are always maxi dresses and skirts if you don't want to bare your legs! Always bring along a light jacket or shawl in case the air-conditioning gets too intense. If you are in Taiwan during the winter, bring items you can layer and maybe one warm coat. There is NO central heating systems indoors.
Contrary to European customs, it's commonly acceptable to bare your legs (not your butt cheeks), but any sign of a cleavage or boobs will make people stare. Going bra-less is not okay! 
There are no religious taboos regarding the way you dress, at least to my knowledge, no need to cover up when going in most temples.
Sometimes showing too much skin might not be suitable, e.g. dining with elders, work setting, churches......
Flip flops and sandals are increasing in popularity and worn everywhere, but some places still see them as inappropriate and will not allow anyone wearing them inside, e.g. The Presidential Office, expensive restaurants, libraries......make sure to avoid flip flops if you are going on a governmental tour.
Most people in Taiwan dress casually on a daily basis and dress up in special occasions. 
Leave at home:
Heavy coats
Tight, thick clothing 
High heels
Bring your own:
Tank tops
Shorts
Light jacket/cardigan/Scarf (perfect for avoiding sun exposure or keeping warm in air-conditioned places)
Hat 
Handkerchief/Small towel (if you sweat heavily)
Purposeful outfits (fancy restaurant/clubbing/business meeting)
Buy upon arrival:
Sunglasses (sunglasses can be found in night markets and they cost around USD$10)
More tank tops and shorts (night markets offer lots of options. Do note that most items are free size a.k.a. tiny Asian size, so they may not be for those who are taller or wider.)

MAKEUP
In Taiwan your face will probably sweat a lot and become oilier than usual, so I recommend choosing a base that won't slip around or using a powder/spray to set your makeup. Another common woe in this weather is smudged eye makeup. It's best to use something that is less prone to smudging. 
If you are comfortable being barefaced and does not have plans to go to fancy restaurants or official meetings, you can definitely leave all your makeup at home, since it's completely normal for Taiwanese girls to not wear makeup. Plus, you can use the spare space in your luggage to buy makeup gems that are made in Taiwan!
Leave at home:
non-smudge-proof eyeliners
bright lip colour (if you don't want to get too much attention)
Bring your own:
setting powder/spray
blotting powder/paper
foundation 
Buy upon arrival:
Eyeliners (lots of Taiwanese brands offer smudge-proof eyeliners in a variety of colours)
Blotting paper (cheap and available in drugstores)
More makeup! Even if you have no interest in Taiwanese brands, there are lots of Japanese and Korean brands available in Taiwan.

SKINCARE
Unless you have extremely dry skin like me, you shouldn't worry too much about moisturizing. It's best to keep things light on the face to avoid that uncomfortable tacky feeling. Wipe off sweat diligently and wash face daily to prevent sweat-induced blemishes.
Always wear loads of sunscreen and/or carry an umbrella. Since I don't like sunscreen, I always have an small umbrella with me because it's perfect for shielding sun and rain, both of which we got plenty. There are lots of sunscreen brands at drugstores, but their prices might not be as cheap as your home country.
Leave at home:
Heavy-duty moisturizer
Bring your own:
Face wash
Dry shampoo
Deodorant (Deodorants are sold at drugstores but brands are limited.) 
Sunscreen 
Buy upon arrival:
More MIT skincare products!

FOOD/OTHER
Most Taiwanese food contains meat and/or lard, and the Taiwanese have very few food allergies, so if you have a specific diet you adhere to, such as Halal, vegan, non-dairy, etc., you may have to pack some snacks in case you can't find anything to eat. There are some vegetarian choices available, but the definition of "vegetarian素食" can vary greatly, so check beforehand if you are on a strict diet.
Almost everyone I know loves night markets in Taiwan and have no problem with the food, but I do know this one person who got a bad case of food poisoning after eating at a night market, though all his companions were fine, so pack some meds if you have a sensitive digestive system.
Taiwan is called fruit kingdom for a good reason, I suggest bringing a small knife so you can buy fresh fruit and cut them yourself instead of buying overpriced cut fruit at the market. 
It's really tempting to have drinks from tea shops and cafes everyday, but it's really not the healthiest habit, so try to drink water while you are here. Tap water is not drinkable straight from the tap, but is drinkable after being boiled, most hotels have electric kettles in their rooms. There are water fountains in most public facilities, bring a water bottle to avoid spending money on bottled water.  
Leave at home:
Weapons (Taiwan is very safe and carrying a weapon might get you in trouble, pepper spray is acceptable.)
Bring your own:
Tissue paper! Crucial! (most public toilets don't provide toilet paper. Bring at least a pack and then buy more at convenience stores/drugstores.)
Snacks for specific diets (Halal, vegan, non-dairy...)
Stomach Medicine 
Water bottle
Small Knife (check in luggage!)
Cable line (some older hotels don't have wireless internet and may not provide cable line.)
Tampons (always bring your own preferred brand, tampons are sold in drugstores but selection is limited. )
Buy upon arrival:
More tissue paper
Surgical masks (disposable and reusable surgical masks sold at convenience stores and markets, useful when you have allergies or a cold)
Umbrella (cheap umbrellas with tons of designs available)



I hope you have a better idea of what to pack for your trip to Taiwan after reading this post, and whether you end up using two huge cases or a small handbag, remember to save some space for Taiwanese goodies! Even if you are not a shopping person, there are still lots and lots of things to buy and try in Taiwan.

[Travel Taiwan] Internet & Telecommunication

When I travel, the most important thing to me besides my passport and visa is probably internet access.

[Travel Taiwan] Accommodation Overview

When I'm traveling,  even though I want to explore different options, I usually stay at a hostel or cheap hotel because it's the easiest way to go. I finally made a change when I stayed overnight at a jimjilbang in Korea and it was such a fun experience! The jimjilbang culture is definitely something unique and it let me understood Korean culture so much more. Taiwan offers some unique accommodation options too. There is a wide variety of choices, from luxurious hotels, to affordable hostels, to cheap or even free alternatives. Some are found only in Taiwan, and some can save you big bucks if you want to scrimp on accommodation costs. I hope this post will inspire you to take new routes when you come to Taiwan!

[Travel Taiwan] Setting Dates II: Holidays & Special Events

I always do my homework before traveling, and after perusing many travel forums, I noticed a lot of people complain about traveling on a certain date expecting to see festive streets decorated for the holidays filled with people, only to find empty streets because everyone went to celebrate in their own home. Entertainment in Taiwan is basically 24/7, but there are still times less optimal for travel, and I've put together a guide to the holidays and other special dates for you.

(see Setting Dates Part 1 here)

[Travel Taiwan] Setting Dates I: Weather & Seasons

One of the most difficult thing for me when planning a trip is setting the date. Will I be able to cope with the weather? Is there a massive sale going on? Is the town going to be packed with tourists like me? To make life easier for anyone looking to travel to Taiwan, I've compiled all related info into two parts (part deux coming on Thursday), hope it helps!

[Travel Taiwan] Money Matters III: Tipping & Tax Refund

[Travel Taiwan] Money Matters II: Costs and Prices

Taiwan is ideal for travel, because it has all the convenience of modernized cities, but its cost of living is relatively low.

[Travel Taiwan] Money Matters

Travel Taiwan is a series that covers any information related to traveling in Taiwan.

Hello world! This is Lenny, reporting from Taiwan J

When traveling abroad, whether you’re a champagne and yacht kind of person, or someone with the backpacker’s spirit, it’s always better to carry some cash with you, and today I am going to talk about some frequently asked questions about money in Taiwan.

What is the currency used in Taiwan?

The currency we use in Taiwan is New Taiwan Dollar, or NTD. Bills come in  NT$100, NT$200, NT$500, NT$1000, NT$2000; coins come in NT$1, NT$5, NT$20, NT$10, NT$50. 

The currency rate is about NTD : USD = 30 : 1, or NTD : EUR = 40:1.

NT$20, NT$200 and NT$2000 are relatively uncommon, and on the rare occasion, some shops might not accept them, so keep this in mind when exchanging currencies. Don't fret when you get them though, they are probably legit! Very few counterfeit currency issues here. 

The best thing about NTD is that the size of the coins are in accordance to the value, with NT$1 being the smallest one, making it easy to differentiate the coins when you are caught at the supermarket with 20 people lined up behind you. (I'm looking at you Canada! what's up with dimes smaller than nickels?!) If all else fails, spread all your money on the counter and give the cashier a clueless look and they will help you, 99.9% chance they will not swindle you and take more than they should. (no promises though, don't sue me if they do) 

NTD is used only in Taiwan.

Picture courtesy of Taiwan.net.tw

Can I use USD or other foreign currencies in Taiwan?

In almost all parts of Taiwan, only NTD is accepted. However, in some popular tourism spots where the competition between shops is intense, e.g. Alishan or Sun Moon Lake, some shops will take USD, RMB, or HKD. This is illegal, and I won't advice running around with only USD or RMB. Other currencies are not accepted anywhere.

Where can I exchange money? 

Money exchange is only available at government-designated banks and hotels. (Click here for list of designated banks) Contact your hotel/hostel and ask them if they have the service.

IMPORTANT TIP : Most banks are only open Mon-Fri 0900-1530, so I would advise travelers to exchange at least some money before they depart for Taiwan, or, you can exchange your money at the airport, Bank of Taiwan(台灣銀行) and Mega International Commercial Bank(兆豐銀行) have booths at airports, but do take note of the operating hours if your flight has a extreme arrival time.

A common traveler's myth(?) is that banks have the worst exchange rates, but since there are NO private exchange facilities in Taiwan, there is not much difference. 

Airport currency exchange operating hours and map: (click them!)

Taoyuan Airport

Taipei Songshan Airport

Kaohsiung International Airport

ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE: NOT ALL CURRENCIES ARE ACCEPTED. USD is widely accepted, other currencies only accepted at aforementioned two banks (台灣銀行/兆豐銀行), and a few currencies are only accepted at the airport, such as Rupee. I have a ridiculous story on trying to exchange rupee in Taipei, and I hope no one will ever have to go through that again!

Older version of USD bills or stained bills might be charged a handling fee. (What's an old version? I have no idea. Check with the bank.)

Is there other currency exchange places available?

There are NO private money changers in Taiwan. If someone tells you otherwise, be suspicious. (or get some hard evidence to convince me, and I'll edit this post.)

How much money should I exchange? 

It all depends on your travel style and number of staying days. You can always exchange more later, or use other means of payment. Some necessary spending from landing to getting to the city:

Bus fare from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei: NT$125

Taxi fare from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei: around NT$1000 

Taipei MRT: around NT$25/ride

Taipei Public Bus: NT$15/ride

For further information on costs of Taipei please see Money Matters part 2. (coming soon!)

Can I use Credit Cards in Taiwan?

Yes! major credit cards like American Express, VISA, Master Card and JCB are all widely accepted. Obviously street vendors don't take credit cards, but convenience stores, some shops and restaurants don't take credit cards either, be sure to ask before you make a purchase. If you are caught at the counter with no cash to pay with, politely tell them so and ask where the nearest ATM is, then come back with the money after you make an withdraw from the ATM. (If you don't go back to pay then shame on you!)

TIP: An alternative to exchanging money at the bank is utilizing credit cards and ATMs. You can withdraw the amount you need whenever you wish, taking away the stress of carrying around lots of cash. There are ATMs in almost all convenience stores and all banks, so it's very convenient.

Check with your bank beforehand:
if it provides international withdraws;
if there are any additional handling fees;
it a different password is required to make withdraws.
Also take note of the daily withdraw limit of ATMs.

Bonus: Some travelers have noted that the ATM withdraws gives a better rate than exchanges at the banks!

What about Traveler’s Check?

Most stores in Taiwan do not accept traveler's check, please exchange it to NTD. Stick to cash and credit cards!

Conclusion

All in all, Taiwan is a pretty convenient place, (convenience is key) as it is highly modernized and international. Also the crime rate in Taiwan is pretty low compared to other countries, so I won’t worry about getting robbed. But don’t go around showing off your money either! If you are so unfortunate to get robbed or stolen from, report to the nearest police station immediately and those friendly non-English speaking policemen will do everything they can to help you. This is where a Chinese/Taiwanese-speaking friend will come in handy, so try to make friends when you're here!

Do you have any NTDs in your traveler’s trophy collection?

Do you have any money-related stories, good or bad, that happened in Taiwan?