Why go to Taiwan? The 10 good reasons to go Taiwan
Shopping in the plural
To do your shopping for the year or to satisfy a craving, Taipei is the ideal city
An authentic destination
Taiwan remains very attached to Chinese culture, whose heritage it defends
The sports paradise
Hiking, mountaineering or marine activities, the choice is vast for sports enthusiasts
A year of celebrations
Chinese, aboriginal or national celebrations are celebrated all year round in Taiwan.
Breathtaking landscapes
Far from the urban jungle of Taipei, Taiwan offers beautiful and varied landscapes
An exceptional gastronomy
Influenced by Chinese and Japanese culture, Taiwanese cuisine is an art of living
Hot springs
Visiting one of the country's many thermal springs remains an experience not to be missed.
A memorable welcome
Curious, generous, welcoming... There's no shortage of adjectives to describe the Taiwanese
The treasures of the Palace Museum
A must for any visit to Taipei: 75% of the world's Chinese art is on display here.
Democratic values
As the only democracy in the region, Taiwan is open to the world and committed to freedom.
What to visit Taiwan?
Interview: My Taiwan
with Cyrille Charpentier, author of the guide
Cyrille Charpentier is a journalist for several French media and has worked with the editorial staff of Le Petit Futé for many years. Based in India, he travels regularly in Asia and the Middle East. A great lover of Chinese and Japanese gastronomy, he found the best addresses in Taiwan, to the great pleasure of our readers.
See the video of the interviewGood to know to visit Taiwan
Timetable
Most of Taipei's historic sites open from 9am to 6pm; in the provinces, hours may vary depending on the number of visitors and the season. The temples usually remain open in the evening, so that the faithful can come to pray after work. As for the national parks, they are open 24 hours a day, even if some attractions close in the early evening. During the week, most of the sites are quiet and rarely visited; on the other hand, weekend days can see large crowds.
To be booked
It is not necessary to reserve tickets for the vast majority of sites in Taiwan. That said, to be able to benefit from a French-speaking guide at the Musée national du Palais, it is best to request it in advance.
Budget & Tips
Throughout Taiwan, access to many monuments (historical or natural sites, temples, night markets...) is free. Museums are usually fee-paying (up to NT$350 for the National Palace Museum).
Main events
Events, religious festivals and national holidays are legion in Taiwan. But the most remarkable events to discover the country are undoubtedly the Chinese New Year, the national holiday of October 10th or the Taitung Festival of Austronesian Culture which takes place in July.
Guided tours
Many travel agencies offer tours of Taipei and its surroundings for one day or more, as well as more complete tours of the archipelago in several days. For monuments and sites of interest, it is possible, for an additional fee, to be accompanied by a guide (usually English-speaking). For French-speaking guides, it is better to go through an agency.
Smokers
In Taiwan it is strictly forbidden to smoke in all public places. There may be designated smoking areas outside the monuments.
Tourist traps
Taiwan is a safe country and the Taiwanese are mostly perfectly honest. It is therefore rare for tourists to fall victim to professional scammers. It should be noted, however, that a black market in counterfeit tickets for Tower 101 (sold for NT$150 near the metro station) has been reported by the authorities.