Taiwan is what is left over from China before the communist revolution. The two countries technically never signed a peace treaty. Taiwan remains guarded by US troops and has a strong military presence of their own. Taiwan ranks among the richest countries in the world. Two of the largest laptop producers originate in Taiwan. The Taipei 101 not so long ago was the tallest building in the world. For a relatively small island, Taiwan offers a multitude of attractions.

Travelling info

All visitors traveling to Taiwan must have a valid passport in order to visit the country. Some national is allowed to visit Taiwan without the requirement of obtaining a visa and may stay for a period of up to 30 days whilst all others must obtain a visa prior to entering the country. All visitors who decide to drive in Taiwan must have their national driving permit and an international driving permit. Beware that an IDP is only a translation of the original document and cannot be used as such. Both documents must be present whilst driving. After the first 30 days of driving in Taiwan, an IDP needs to be renewed. Public transport is very developed in Taiwan and is a cheap alternative to driving.

Travelling hazards

Driving in Taiwan is generally safe. There is an extensive highway system around the island, particularly on the western coast. Roads in the mountainous region can be quite steep and narrow. Drivers usually obey the road rules however pedestrians should be careful when crossing the roads as drivers do not always stop.

Environmental hazards

The Formosan black bear is the largest land animal inhabiting the island of Taiwan. Although black bears tend to be aggressive, Formosan black bears usually retreat upon sighting humans. Approaching them up close may result in a defensive attack. There are three venomous snakes, these are the Chinese cobra, many banded kraits and Daboia siamensis. All of these have venom potent enough to kill humans although fatality is quite low due to antivenom distribution efforts to all clinics and hospitals. When hiking in Taiwan, particularly in the hills and mountains, beware of the giant hornets. These flying beasts will not hesitate to sting and are fearless and territorial. Their sting may be lethal regardless of whether the person is allergic or not. Swimming off the Taiwan coast may be very dangerous, this is not due to any marine creatures but rather due to the strong rip which can pull an experienced swimmer away from the shore very fast. Taiwan is situated in a vulnerable position. The country experiences frequent earthquakes which are particularly dangerous to the congested cities. Tsunamis and typhoons also strike the island along with floods.

Health hazards

There are currently no outbreaks of any diseases in Taiwan. There are however several vaccines which are recommended for safe travel. These are the routine vaccines also known as the MMR vaccines, hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis and rabies vaccine. Taiwan has an excellent public healthcare service which is covered by mandatory insurance included in the taxes of the Taiwanese citizens. Public healthcare does not provide free service for expats. Private Taiwanese healthcare is also among the best on earth providing excellent service to its patients. Private healthcare, however, comes at a greater expense. To cover for medical services it is strongly recommended to purchase medical insurance.
In case of an emergency dial 119.

Crime

Taiwan is among the safest countries in the world. There is extensive CCTV coverage throughout Taiwan (25,000 cameras in Taipei, 24,000 in Kaohsiung, and 34,000 in New Taipei City). The network of security cameras at traffic intersections, commercial establishments, and public areas of hotels and residential buildings means that most activity occurring outside of the home can be monitored and recorded. The extensive coverage plays a significant role in deterring the majority of criminal activity, and most streets in Taiwan are generally safe. This, however, does not deter discreet crime such as pickpockets particularly in very crowded places or on public transport. Violent crime is exceptionally rare both during the day and night making Taiwan one of the lowest risk places for violent crime. Attitude towards drugs in Taiwan is strict. Mere possession may lead to lengthy prison sentences.

Summary

Taiwan is certainly a place for those who want to experience non-communist China and witness the greatness of Taipei and surrounding places. Not only Taiwan boasts some of the most futuristic technological advancements, but the natural beauty and incredible culture. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.roc-taiwan.org/sa_en/post/111.html
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/taiwan