Country Facts
Capital
Taipei City
Size
36,197 km2 (13,976 sq mi)
Time Zone
GMT+8
Population
3,950,214
Currency
The New Taiwan dollar
Taiwan: A Journey Through Lush Landscapes and Living Traditions
Taiwan is an island of remarkable contrasts. At Earth Trip, we craft Taiwan bespoke holidays that explore this diversity with expert precision. Our approach avoids the typical rush of mass-market tourism. Instead, we prioritise slow, thoughtful exploration. This pace allows you to connect genuinely with the island’s heritage, from the vibrant, historic alleyways of Taipei to the emerald, mist-covered heights of Alishan.
A Land of Timeless Discovery
Beyond the well-known skyline of the capital, Taiwan offers a serene depth that rewards the discerning traveller. When you book Taiwan bespoke holidays with us, you choose a journey designed to reveal the island’s authentic soul:
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Journalistic Perspective: We design your itinerary with the keen insight of a travel writer. For instance, we ensure you visit remote tea plantations or coastal villages when the crowds are elsewhere.
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Heritage-Led Stays: We move past generic luxury. Instead, we partner with boutique heritage properties and traditional guesthouses. Consequently, these stays provide an intimate perspective on Taiwan’s unique architecture and warm, understated hospitality.
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Purpose-Driven Exploration: We emphasise responsible tourism. Because you choose Earth Trip, your travel directly supports local guides and the custodians of Taiwan’s fragile mountain and coastal ecosystems.
Why Earth Trip?
As your specialist travel partner, we manage the intricate logistics that often complicate independent travel. This includes private transport through the rugged Central Mountain Range and securing expert-led tours of Taiwan’s hidden temples. We know that the pace of your journey is paramount. By balancing the intensity of the landscapes with manageable, thoughtfully paced exploration, we ensure your experience remains reflective and restorative.
Crafting Your 2026-2027 Taiwanese Expedition
Perhaps you seek private guided tours of the island’s ancient forests. Alternatively, you may desire a personalised exploration of coastal geology. In either case, our team is here to craft a journey that reflects your passion for discovery. We invite you to see the difference that Taiwan bespoke holidays can make to your upcoming adventure. Because our itineraries are crafted from firsthand field research, not standard templates, your experience will be as unique as the terrain itself.
Enquire today to begin your tailor-made Taiwanese adventure with Earth Trip.
Reasons to visit Taiwan:
- Stunning Landscapes: Taiwan is known for its diverse natural beauty, from lush mountains and hot springs to dramatic coastal cliffs. Taroko Gorge, Alishan, and Sun Moon Lake are some of the most iconic destinations.
- Rich Culture and History: Taiwan has a unique blend of Chinese traditions, indigenous heritage, and modern influences. Historical sites like Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, temples like Longshan, and indigenous cultural experiences offer a rich historical and cultural tapestry.
- Night Markets and Street Food: Taiwan is a food lover’s paradise. Night markets, such as Shilin and Raohe, offer an array of street foods like bubble tea, beef noodles, and stinky tofu. The food culture is a significant draw for visitors.
- Modern Cities and Technology: The capital, Taipei, is a bustling metropolis where visitors can explore world-class museums, shopping districts, and Taipei 101, once the tallest building in the world.
- Hot Springs and Wellness: Taiwan is renowned for its many hot springs, including those in Beitou and Jiaoxi, perfect for relaxation.
- Festivals and Events: Taiwan celebrates a range of festivals throughout the year, including the vibrant Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and the Lunar New Year, offering unique cultural experiences.
- Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, cycling, and water activities are popular, especially in areas like Kenting National Park for beaches, Yushan for mountain climbing, and Penghu islands for water sports.
Preparing For A Trip To Taiwan?
Visa Information / Entry requirements to Taiwan
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Taiwan’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Taiwan set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Taipei Representative Office in London or the Taipei Representative Office in Edinburgh. Entry procedures are being regularly reviewed, so may change at short notice.
Passport validity requirements
To enter Taiwan, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Visa requirements
You can spend up to 90 days in Taiwan without a visa. You can extend this by a further 90 days once you have arrived in Taiwan. You can get more information on entering Taiwan without a visa (‘visa-exempt entry’) from the Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs. This applies if you travel:
- as a tourist
- to visit family or friends
- to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
If you plan to stay in Taiwan for longer than 180 days, you must have a visa before you arrive. If you stay beyond the time given on your visa, you will get a fine and risk being deported from Taiwan.
There are specific rules for naturalised British citizens born in the People’s Republic of China and holders of British National (Overseas) passports wishing to enter under the visa waiver scheme.
You should contact the Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs or Taiwan National Immigration Agency for further information.
Applying for a visa
If you are in the UK and need a visa, apply at your nearest Taipei Representative Office. If you are in Taiwan, apply through the Taiwan National Immigration Agency.
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Tourism Health Information – Taiwan
Before you travel check that:
- your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
- you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Emergency medical number
Call 119 and ask for an ambulance.
Unlike in the UK, an ambulance crew will not usually include a paramedic.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Vaccine recommendations and health risks
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
- check the latest vaccine recommendations for Taiwan
- see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page
See what health risks you’ll face in Taiwan.
There has been a significant increase in cases of dengue fever in the south of Taiwan (including the cities of Kaohsiung and Tainan). Take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. See key updates from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control.
Medication
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
If you’re bringing any prescribed medicine into Taiwan, bring the prescription issued by your doctor, hospital or clinic that shows the medicine is for your personal use. The amount of medication you bring must be consistent with the amount stated on the prescription. You cannot bring cannabis oil or cannabis-derived medication into Taiwan, even if it’s legally prescribed elsewhere.
For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, contact the Taipei Representative Office in London.
Healthcare facilities in Taiwan
Taiwan’s health and dental facilities offer a range of routine, emergency and outpatient services. Some have English-speaking staff. Hospitals operate on a ’pay as you use’ basis. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment in Taiwan including possible repatriation.
FCDO has a list of English-speaking doctors in Taiwan.
There is also guidance on healthcare if you’re living in Taiwan.
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Weather & When To Go To Taiwan
Read More On Visas
Tailor-Made Holidays
At Earth Trip we will design and plan your personalised itinerary according to the exact requirements of your trip. Whether you prefer to be on a mountaintop or under a waterfall; wake up in the middle of a jungle or have a picnic with locals in the tea plantations – we select the accommodation and activities in order to suit not only your preferences, but also your budget.
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