Taiwan After Dark
August 6th, 2018
The sun has set but you know you won’t be able to sleep for a good few hours. You’ve no interest in hitting a bar, and you went to a top-notch restaurant for dinner so there’s no point in going to a night market. Department stores don’t do a lot for you, so what are […]
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When Rain Forces You Indoors in South Taiwan
July 20th, 2018
Between late September and early May, visitors to the southern third of Taiwan can expect long spells of dry, sunny weather. During the dry season, inclement conditions are not only surprising, but also make it hard to appreciate the history of Anping in Tainan or the grandeur of the Buddha Memorial Centre at Foguangshan. Fortunately […]
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Much More than the Great Outdoors! Rainy Day Attractions in North Taiwan
July 3rd, 2018
Like the weather in other parts of the world, Taiwan’s weather isn’t entirely predictable, and even if you’ve planned your trip with careful reference to climate data there’s a risk rain might be falling on the day you hope to venture into the mountains or out to the coast. This is more likely to […]
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Team-Building in the Hills of Taiwan: Life of Taiwan & Kelvin Chia Partnership
June 26th, 2018
This spring, Life of Taiwan (LOT) was honoured and delighted to make travel arrangements for the Kelvin Chia Partnership, one of Southeast Asia’s leading commercial law firms.
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Why You Should Visit Kaohsiung, Taiwan
June 7th, 2018
Citizens of Kaohsiung were delighted last month to learn their fine metropolis has been named by Lonely Planet (LP) the fifth best city in the world to visit in 2018.
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Do I Need a Visa For Taiwan?
October 17th, 2017
The answer is almost certainly ‘no’ if you come from North America or Europe, and you’ve no plans to work or study.
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Cash, Changing Money and Credit Cards in Taiwan
April 29th, 2017
Taiwan’s economy is still largely based on cash transactions, especially when compared to places like Australia and South Korea, so visitors should always carry a decent amount of paper currency. The good news is that almost every business can provide change if you pay for a small item with a NT$1,000 note, so there’s no […]
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Foot Massage Pushes all the Right Buttons
April 2nd, 2017
An ancient form of therapy enjoying a second wind, foot massage has been around for over 2,000 years old. What’s also called foot reflexology is described in classical medical texts, yet fits in well with modern concepts like ‘slow travel’ and ‘slow living’ (ideas better known in Taiwan as LOHAS, an acronym you may well […]
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Accessing the best of Alishan
March 21st, 2017
The high-altitude resort of Alishan has long been one of Taiwan’s most popular tourist destinations, thanks to an alluring blend of mountain scenery, pristine forests, indigenous culture and temperatures appreciably lower than the 30-plus degrees Celsius often experienced on the lowlands. For some, the narrow-gauge railway that climbs from 30 m (98 ft) above sea […]
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Visiting Taiwan in Spring, Part 2
March 6th, 2017
Tainan and Lugang are often described as Taiwan’s foremost ‘bastions of tradition’, and both are well worth visiting. However, if work or family commitments keep you close to Taipei during the spring, it’s still possible to immerse yourself in the customs and rites that dominated this society before its recent industrialisation. The best place to […]
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Visiting Taiwan in Spring, Part 1
March 2nd, 2017
Springtime visitors to Taiwan are guaranteed both warm, sunny weather and a number of lively festivals. In Taipei, daytime temperatures are typically 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit) in March. By the following month, it’s already 23 to 29 degrees Celsius (73 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit) in Kaohsiung. It’s no wonder city parks and the […]
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Getting a Sales-Tax Refund in Taiwan
February 9th, 2017
Foreign citizens visiting Taiwan can take advantage of the government’s sales-tax (VAT) refund system if they spend more than NTD3,000 in a single day at any participating shop no more than 30 days before leaving the country. Taiwan’s VAT rate is a mere 5% but on big-ticket items the savings could be significant. It makes […]
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