We’re sometimes asked by those who book our bespoke private guided tours of Taiwan: ‘What do we need to bring?’ It’s an entirely reasonable question, as many of our clients have never set foot on the island and they’re intelligent enough to realise that — while Taiwan is quite similar in certain respects to China and Japan — it’s best not to make any assumptions.
First… some don’ts
Let’s begin by talking about those things you certainly shouldn’t try to bring to Taiwan. In addition to the usual drugs and weapons (when it comes to narcotics and firearms, the law is extremely uncompromising) you mustn’t pack any meat products.
Preparing offerings at a temple in Tainan’s Qigu District
To protect domestic livestock from disease, the authorities are very strict indeed. This prohibition applies to meat that’s been dried, jerked, or otherwise processed as well as raw or cooked meat. Last year, a man flying into Taiwan carried with him leftovers from his airline meal when he deplaned; as he approached customs, a sniffer dog detected the pork and chicken. Because he was unable to pay the NT$200,000 (equivalent to GBP4,751 / USD6,057) on-the-spot fine, he was sent home on the next available flight. The rules designed to protect Taiwan’s exceptional biodiversity from invasive species and unfamiliar pathogens are broad, so visitors should assume that all fruits, plants, and seeds are forbidden. This ban extends to herbal medicines, fresh ginseng, and spices.
Electronic cigarette devices (e-cigarettes aka vapes) and their liquids (e-liquids) are prohibited altogether. If you do smoke, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the price of conventional cigarettes in Taiwan compared to North America, Australia, and Western Europe.
In the unlikely event you carry a bundle of physical cash, bear in mind that — inbound or outbound — you must declare if you have NT$100,000-plus in Taiwanese currency, more than USD10,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency, or over 20,000 Chinese renminbi. If you don’t, the excess will be forfeited. Law enforcement agencies work hard to combat money laundering and every week or two there’s a confiscation at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
Health-care and self-care
If you’ll be carrying any prescription medicines, bring any related paperwork or packaging with you just in case you need a resupply. (This is another scenario where our guides can make life a lot easier.) If there’s a chance you’ll need an EpiPen, bring them from home (with a doctor’s letter or prescription) as they’re not easy to find in Taiwan.
Do you have a favourite deodorant/antiperspirant brand? Bring enough for your trip as you might not find it in Taiwan. There’s no particular reason to carry painkillers, imodium, ibuprofen, or antiseptic cream as every little town has at least one pharmacy selling these. The Great Tree and Watson’s chains are useful for over-the-counter medicines as well as eyedrops and similar products.
As of early 2025 the wearing of surgical masks had more or less returned to pre-pandemic levels. On crowded trains and buses at least one in three passengers will have a mask on, but these days there are no situations in which people will look askance at an obviously healthy person for not masking up. However, if you’re coughing noisily or sneezing a lot it’s a different matter — buy a packet of masks from any convenience store or drugstore.
When straying beyond the big cities, sunscreen and insect repellent are must-haves, especially in the warmer months. Be in the habit of carrying some water; if you don’t have a refillable bottle you can buy one here
The importance of dressing comfortably
The good news is that Taiwanese society is quite casual when it comes to clothing, even when it comes to entering places of worship. Men and women of all ages wear shorts when it’s hot and nobody bats an eyelid if a female bares her shoulders. Crop tops are fairly common.
In summertime you’ll see a lot of people in sandals or flip-flops, but they’re unlikely to set foot in a high-class restaurant without putting on proper shoes. Speaking of footwear, we strongly advise you to bring shoes that are both breathable and comfortable when you’re doing a good amount of walking. We don’t expect our guests to wear themselves out… but a lot of visitors to Taiwan find urban areas like Tainan’s historic centre and the Taipei neighbourhoods of Wanhua and Dadaocheng so engrossing that they start exploring after breakfast and keep going until 9 o’clock at night.
When packing clothes for Taiwan, bear in mind there’s a chance you’ll gain some weight while you’re here.
Bringing thinner garments is a good idea so you can add or remove layers during the day. Especially in high-elevation areas like Alishan, the morning can be downright chilly; by lunchtime, however, the sun will be out and the temperature could well be over 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). Shirts with collars and long sleeves are a good idea in terms of sun protection; if you forget to bring a hat you’ll be able to buy one easily enough. If the sun is fiercer than you expected just ask your guide for an umbrella (ours always carry spares) and use it as a parasol, like many Taiwanese do!
You may have read that in East Asia tattoos are associated with criminal gangs. That used to be the case, but over the past couple of decades plenty of young people have embraced tattoos (and body piercings) for reasons of fashion and self-expression. If you have tattoos, there’s no need to cover them up.
Shops in Taiwan offer a good range of clothes but you might not find something in your size (the average Taiwanese is a bit shorter and slimmer than the typical Westerner) or to your liking.
Devices and distractions
Do bring your smartphone and/or tablet and do carry it with you at all times. Free WiFi is available in every accommodation provider Life of Taiwan partners with, and also in many restaurants and tourist attractions. Google Maps is very useful in Taiwan’s cities and, if travelling without a bilingual guide, you’ll almost certainly need the translation function to decipher menus and information boards.
There’s so much to photograph and video that your device’s battery may run low long before you can get back to your hotel and recharge. If you didn’t bring your own power pack you can rent one from a 7-Eleven shop using a credit or debit card.
Taiwan’s reputation as a manufacturer of high-tech devices is well deserved but for visitors the island isn’t an especially good place to shop for such items. Prices aren’t necessarily lower than elsewhere and you might run into warranty issues when you take your new toy back home. Those willing to browse and bargain might find some good deals on camera equipment, however.
Finally, don’t worry if you end up packing quite a lot of stuff — or if you buying more during the trip than you expected. Our driver-guides are always very willing to help guests with their luggage. We want you to have the best possible travel experience. Contact us today to find out more about our private guided tours around Asia’s most exciting destination!