Taiwan is a small country in East Asia that spans 13,000 square miles. It lies northeast of Vietnam, north of the Philippines, southwest of Japan, and east of China, separated by just 100 miles of sea.
This small island is hilly with stunning scenery. No wonder the Portuguese, upon discovering Taiwan, called it “Ilha Formosa”, meaning “beautiful island”. To this day, you’ll still find souvenirs bearing the word Formosa — a reminder of its historical discovery and inclusion on world maps.
A Brief History of Taiwan
While the Portuguese discovered Taiwan in 1582, it was the Dutch who decided to conquer the island in 1624. Two years later, the Spaniards also attempted to occupy Taiwan.
The Spanish ruled for 20 years before being expelled by the Dutch. However, after another 20 years, the Dutch were ousted by the Ming Dynasty from China. Twenty years later, the Qing Dynasty took over and ruled Taiwan for 212 years until the Japanese claimed victory in 1895.
After World War II, Japan returned Taiwan to the Republic of China (ROC). At that time, China was in the middle of a civil war between the nationalists and the communists. The nationalists, realizing they would lose the war, relocated to Taiwan and formed a government there. Meanwhile, the communists established the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland.
So, is Taiwan part of China? The island’s independence remains a topic of ongoing debate, with Taiwan operating as a self-governed state.
Travel Essentials for Taiwan
- Time Zone: Taiwan follows UTC+08:00.
- Currency: The official currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD/TWD).
- Country Code: Taiwan’s two-letter code is TW, and its flag features a red background with a dark blue rectangle containing a white sun in the top left corner. The flag was adopted on May 5, 1921.
Getting to Know the Taiwanese
The people of Taiwan are called Taiwanese. Before foreign colonization, the island’s native population shared similarities with the indigenous groups of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
During Dutch and Spanish rule, Chinese migrants from Fujian and Guangdong were invited to Taiwan for cheap labor in sugar and rice farming. Today, Taiwan’s population of 23.57 million makes it one of the world’s most densely populated countries.
Though most Taiwanese resemble the Chinese, some indigenous groups still display features similar to Filipinos.
Taiwanese Personality
During my visit, I found the Taiwanese to be disciplined, hardworking, and good-natured. For example, during a day tour to Jiufen and Shifen, our driver — who had previously worked in the Philippines — spoke both English and a bit of Filipino, which made our trip even more enjoyable.
While shopping and dining, I noticed their attentiveness. When I accidentally spilled sauce on my hand, a vendor immediately handed me a tissue — a small but thoughtful gesture that made my experience memorable.
Most Taiwanese can speak basic English, especially those in the corporate world. The island’s official language is Mandarin.
I also had two former Taiwanese officemates in the Philippines. While they seemed reserved at first, they eventually became close friends, often treating me to food or inviting me to the movies. One even shared a delicious homemade dessert with our entire office — and to this day, I still don’t know what it was, but it was amazing!
Religion
The primary religions in Taiwan are Buddhism and Taoism.
Taiwan Known For
Taipei 101
Taipei 101 held the title of the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2010. Its construction began in 1999 and was completed in 2004. With 101 stories, this iconic structure can often be spotted from hotels in Taipei. Visitors can also tour the Taipei 101 Museum to learn about its construction or experience its high-speed elevator — a thrilling ride not to be missed.
Bubble Tea
Thank Taiwan for inventing milk tea in the 1980s! Inspired by cold coffee in Japan, Liu Han-Chieh decided to serve cold Chinese tea with tapioca balls, giving birth to bubble tea.
For an authentic experience, visit Chun Shui Tang, where the drink originated. While they haven’t expanded internationally, they continue to serve 80 unique drink recipes to maintain bubble tea’s rich flavor.
Asus and Acer
Taiwan’s economic miracle blossomed after the martial law era ended in 1975. From a struggling agrarian state, Taiwan transformed into a technology powerhouse. Companies like Asus (founded in 1989) and Acer (founded in 1976) were born from this period of economic growth, solidifying Taiwan’s status as an Asian Tiger.
Taiwanese Food
Taiwan’s night markets are filled with incredible food options like beef wagyu, gua bao, ice cream burritos, and even rice-stuffed chicken.
Though I regret not trying stinky tofu, it’s a must-try for adventurous foodies. Its pungent smell may be off-putting, but locals swear by its rich flavor.
Vegetarians will also find Taiwan accommodating, as Buddhist cuisine offers plenty of meat-free options.
Jiufen
Jiufen became famous after being featured in a 1990 film. This charming mountain town takes about 2-3 hours to reach by foot. Fortunately, the hike is filled with shops and street food to keep you entertained along the way.
Taiwan Travel Tips
Packing for the Weather
Footwear Advice
Power Supply
Internet Access
