COUNTRY GUIDE
Taiwan
Night markets, mountain railways and easygoing cities, better with people to share them.
Studying in Taipei, working remotely in Taichung or travelling around the island: Unmapped helps you find your city, meet travelers, expats and locals, and join or start things together.
BASICS
Before you go.
- Language
- Mandarin, plus Taiwanese and more
- Mandarin is the most widely used. Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka and Indigenous languages are spoken too. English is common in central Taipei and less so elsewhere.
- Currency
- New Taiwan dollar (NT$, TWD)
- Cards work in larger shops and restaurants. Night markets and small eateries often prefer cash.
- Time zone
- UTC+8
- One time zone, no daylight saving time.
- Power
- Type A and B plugs, 110 V
- Flat two-pin plugs. Many chargers handle 110 V, but check older devices.
- Getting online
- eSIM, SIM or Wi-Fi
- Easy to set up at the airport, and coverage is good across most of the island.
- Emergency
- 110 police · 119 fire & ambulance
- Free to call from any phone.
GETTING AROUND
Easy to move, once you know how.
High-speed rail
High-speed trains run down the west coast between Taipei and Kaohsiung, stopping at Taichung, Chiayi and Tainan.
Conventional trains
Regular trains loop around the island, including the scenic east coast, and reach many smaller towns.
Metro and transit cards
Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taichung have metro lines, and rechargeable transit cards work on most buses and trains.
Buses and scooters
Buses reach mountain and coastal areas. Scooters are everywhere, so take care at crossings, and only ride one with a licence and experience.
CITIES TO EXPLORE
Where to start.
A few very different places to begin. You can explore any city in Taiwan through Unmapped. Search for it in the app.
Taipei
A green, easygoing capital with night markets, hot springs at the edge of town and mountains for weekend hikes.
Good for · Food · Work · Hiking
Find Taipei in the app (opens in a new tab)Taichung
A central city with wide streets, a strong café and design scene and a mild climate.
Good for · Cafés · Design · Longer stays
Find Taichung in the app (opens in a new tab)Chiayi City
A smaller city on the plains and the usual starting point for the mountain railway up to Alishan.
Good for · Mountains · Food · A slower pace
Find Chiayi City in the app (opens in a new tab)Tainan
The old capital, full of temples, lanes and food traditions, with a slower pace than the north.
Good for · History · Food · Walking
Find Tainan in the app (opens in a new tab)Kaohsiung
A port city in the south, with a revitalised harbourfront, art spaces and a warm climate.
Good for · Waterfront · Art · Winter sun
Find Kaohsiung in the app (opens in a new tab)Taitung
A laid-back city on the east coast, between mountains and the Pacific, with surf and Indigenous culture nearby.
Good for · Coast · Surfing · A slower pace
Find Taitung in the app (opens in a new tab)
GOOD TO KNOW
Small things that help.
Convenience stores
Convenience stores sell meals, top up transit cards and handle many small errands.
Night markets
Night markets are part of everyday life, not only for visitors, and each city has its favourites.
Temples
Temples are busy, everyday places. Visitors are welcome to look around quietly.
Typhoon season
Typhoons are most common from summer into early autumn and can disrupt travel.
Rubbish collection
In many neighbourhoods, rubbish trucks come at set times and play music as they arrive.
Tipping
Tipping is generally not expected. Some restaurants add a service charge.
UNMAPPED IN TAIWAN
Arrive knowing someone.
Open your next city before you land, then use it every day you're there.
Meet people before you land
Open Taipei, Taichung or Tainan before you arrive and see who is here now, who is arriving and who lives there.
Ask the City Chat
Every city can have its own City Chat. Ask about night markets, language exchanges or the best hiking trails.
Join or host something
Find meetups and day trips, or host your own, like a hike outside Taipei, a food walk in Tainan or a surf morning near Taitung.
Travel together
Share your route around the island by train, or post a Buddy Plan for a day trip, a class or a night out.
FAQ
Questions about Unmapped in Taiwan.
Can I use Unmapped outside Taipei?
Yes. You can explore any city in Taiwan through Unmapped, and every city can become a City Hub. The cities on this page are just a few places to start.
Can I find people to travel around the island with?
Yes. Share your route as a trip, or post a Buddy Plan, and see who else is heading the same way.
Can locals use Unmapped too?
Yes. Unmapped is for travelers, expats and locals, and many good plans start with someone who already lives there.
Can I explore a city before I arrive?
Yes. Open your next city, see who is arriving, join the City Chat and share your travel plan before you land.
Do I need to speak Mandarin?
No. Unmapped is in English, and City Chats are a good place to ask for help or to find a language exchange.
Looking for another country? Search any city in the world.
Sources & information
Information last reviewed: October 2026Location data: GeoNames (opens in a new tab) (CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab))Map: Natural Earth (opens in a new tab)Photo: Thomas Tucker (opens in a new tab) / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)
Travel information can change. Please verify important information with official sources. Country guides are provided for general information and do not constitute legal, medical, immigration or other professional advice. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Unmapped is not liable for losses resulting from reliance on the information provided. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
TAIWAN WITH UNMAPPED
Explore Taiwan with Unmapped.
Find your city, meet people there and join or start something. Available on iPhone and Android.