I visit regularly the Taiwan Travel thread at PinoyExchange to help my fellow PEXers with their queries. And I noticed that posters often ask about basic information regarding Taiwan: weather, public transportation, tourist sites, hotel choices, culture, and more. So, I decided to make a page linking useful sites for planning one's travel in Taiwan. Personally, I've used these for planning my own trip last June. As I've said before, little research goes a long way; it will make anyone's travel plans smoother and more time-efficient.
1. Taiwan the Heart of Asia
Almost everything you need to know about Taiwan, from their Attractions, Festivals, Travel Suggestions, Tastes of Taiwan [you do know that Taiwan is widely regarded for its delectable snacks, right?], Accommodations, and Getting Around, are here in this comprehensive website.
For those who loves to plan do-it-yourself trips, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau website gives valuable information on how to reach a particular tourist spot via public and private transportation, as well as suggestions for DIY tours. For instance, the site has suggested itineraries for visiting Yangminshan Park.
2. Taoyuan International Airport
Do you want to know the operating time of the skytrain going to Terminal 2? Or, where to find the airport bus counters [with link to airport shuttle service providers, plus information on the pick-up and drop-off points]? Where the money changers are? Where to find the tourist information center? From where to locate a wash room to tracking down Hello Kitty, and to scoring a free half-day tour for transit passengers, the Taoyuan International Airport website has answers to these questions.
3. Taipei E-Bus System
For those who would use Taiwan's efficient bus system, this is the link to view. It has information on how to monitor a certain bus' route, like where is a certain bus right now and how long it will reach a certain stop. It comes in really handy. You can access the e-bus system via the internet, PDA and on mobile phones, too. I swear, it's a treat to see the bus moving every update, although I'm having difficulty seeing the rest of the e-bus application [it's java-based].
It also provides pictorial representations of the bus routes per bus number. Take for example this illustration of Red 30's service stops:
4. Taiwan High Speed Rail, Taiwan Railways Administration and Metro Taipei [MRT]
Book your tickets, familiarize yourself with the service routes and stations or check departures and arrivals, or even calculate fares for the MRT. You can even plan your Hualien tour with the Taiwan Railways Administration.
5. Easy Card
You now know where to search for information regarding Taiwan's public transportation; now, how do you pay for the fare? You can do it in cash, or buy tokens, or get an Easy Card. And where do you buy those pre-paid cards? At 7-Elevens and at the station, of course. Where do you top-up? Same answer. What's better? Taiwan unlimited pass or an Easy Card? It depends on your purpose and objective. However, the answers to these questions can all be found on the Easy Card website.
Tips: The Taiwan One-Day Pass [Gondola version] allows 3 trips to the Gondola; and the Easy Card [based on personal experience], on the Danshui ferry.
Tips: The Taiwan One-Day Pass [Gondola version] allows 3 trips to the Gondola; and the Easy Card [based on personal experience], on the Danshui ferry.
6. Bureau of Consular Affairs - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
For all your visa queries, including an explanation on the process of visa application. Check their list of consulates/embassies all over the world here.
7. Information for Foreigners [Immigration Department]
Who knew that there's such a site? The Information for Foreigners aims to help foreigners adapt to the local living environment and promote the quality of their life in Taiwan, not only for tourists, but likewise for residents, students and dependents. From statistical data, to electronic maps of important places and institutions such as banks, post offices, and hospitals, and to basic conversation class in Mandarin.
8. Central Weather Bureau
Is a storm coming? Will it rain during your trip to Taiwan? Want to know what time the sun will rise or set for viewing the sunrise in Alishan or the sunset in Danshui? Is it sunny in Yangmingshan, or is it raining in Kaohsiung? With real-time spot images and forecasts, trip planning based on weather conditions has never been this easy; especially since we send typhoons from our country to Taiwan's way. ;-)
9. Taipei Travel and Taipei Department of Information and Tourism
More suggestions for planning your DIY tours in Taipei, plus shopping, dining, cycling in Keelung, among others cycling tours, and tourist audio guides. Also, you can discover the beauty of Taipei through their reading materials here.
10. Go to Taiwan and Tour Taiwan
Still more FAQs, suggested activities with links to government administrations, for example, a tea adventure [as Taiwan is also famous for its tea, and I love teas!]; likewise by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, as with Tour Taiwan.
On the other hand, Tour Taiwan provides tour guide brochures, as well as tour suggestions, too. In fact, there is even a Love in Taiwan Wedding brochure for those who want to have their wedding photographs taken in scenic Taiwan which is quite popular. Also, for pop drama freaks like me, in love with Taiwanese drama series, they provide where to find some significant shooting venues. Do you love Jerry Yan? I do! This is where he shot some scenes in the series, The Hospital:
11. Kaohsiung Government, Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit and Kaoshiung Travel Online
I haven't been too fortunate to visit Kaohsiung but I've used these sites planning my trip-which-did-not-push-through-because-of-time-constraints.
I will try to update this page with more useful sites to help make you plan your travel to Taiwan. Good luck!
