See the True Taiwan: an insiders guide

There are a lot of threads in discussion forums which ask how much money is the bare minimum to get by in Taiwan. Since many countries now get up to 3 months of visa-free entry, there are a lot of backpackers looking to set up shop but not set their roots too deep, and students who are here for a short exchange. If you're in the 1 to 9 month category, this guide will prove to be best suited to you. The simple answer is if you plan to be in Taipei you will need 15,000 NTD or around 500 USD per month. If you live on the east coast or a smaller city you can get the number down to about 12 to 13,000 NT a month. Food and entertainment prices are generally the same, but your rent will be lower and quality of life a bit higher. Here's how it works out: Unless you're joining family, have a significant other, or some secret way to live for free, you'll need to pay rent somewhere. If you're staying in Taipei or New Taipei City for less than one year it will be hard to f...

Gaoliang (高粱酒) is a local sorghum based liquor that is a must try in Taiwan. With a small bottle (2 shots) costing just 50NT the only reason not to at least try a taste is that you don't drink anything with booze in it. Don't be confused though, Gaoliang comes in a range of qualities and prices and the more expensive stuff comes with dated bottles and carry heftier price tags. In Taiwan it is traditionally served into shot glasses where drinkers cheers each other and then drain it off in one go. The less time it spends in your mouth the better, at least for the majority of the world's drinkers. If you've got an iron pallet or you're used to drinking anything sorghum, you're going to LOVE this drink. The rest of you...well, just don't be surprised when you start coughing and grimacing. A gaoliang cup next to a standard shot glass. They hold roughly the same volume. If you've never had it before, Gaoliang packs a wicked punch both in ter...

The following is designed to be an open letter to the producers of Taiwan beer and its affiliated products. If you'd like your name on this letter too, send an email and let us know! To Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Company, makers of Taiwan beer, distilled spirits, and far less importantly, controllers of the booze and (to me not importantly) cigarettes; 親愛的臺灣菸酒公司人員您好， This letter is from one of your millions of customers in Taiwan who enjoys your alcohol  containing products and has had a generally positive experience. I am specifically impressed with your response to the increase in (arguably) higher quality imported beers which use far greater range of (expensive) ingredients. To this end I am sorry that the Taiwan dark beer failed to make it as a product. I miss this beer which I consumed (in high volume) circa 2010 and strongly believe with a bit more tweaking it could be brought back. I'm willing to concede that the palate of the local beer drinker is not accustomed t...