12 Tools - for your daily kit in Taipei
[Note from the author : This list has been posted in 2018, a lot of things have changed since then. You can find an updated version of this list in our ebook.]
In short :
Tangible tools, basic informations and common apps for your daily kit in Taipei. This list is for people who plan to visit Taipei, whether it is for work or for holidays.
Here is all what you need to explore and enjoy the city, and most of it fits into your pocket:
Visa
If you come from most of EU countries, US, Japan, Korea or NZ you can stay up to 90 days without having any Visa, as a tourist.
If you want more info check this link, and double check on your country administration.
EasyCard
First thing to do when you arrive in Taipei : buy an EasyCard.
Go to 7/11 or Family Mart and ask for it (100NTD). You can even chose a funny one (mine is a Hello Kitty). Then ask to add credits on it, or do that on machines at the MRT (metro) station.
Use it for any kind of transportations: metro, busses, Ubike (public shared bikes) and even to pay some taxis. You can also use it to print documents or buy food and goods at any convenience store.
SIM card
Wifi is everywhere, but if you want to feel totally free you will need a prepaid SIM card. Go to Chungwa Telecom or Taiwan Mobile, then show your passeport and ask for the smallest 4G/LTE starter pack and pay 300NTD (8€/10$). You will have a sim card with 1.2 GB datas. You can add datas later, even from 7/11 stores.
For more detailed info check this page.
Taiwan Weather (app)
As weather is pretty moody in Taipei I recommend you to use the app Taiwan Weather. This is the most accurate app you can find. The data sets comes from public services (Central Weather Bureau). They include humidity, sunrise/sunset times, air pollution and even provides an alarm system, and informations about tymphoon and earthquake. They also share recommendations on activities you can do, according to the current weather.
Download it here.
Umbrella
Taipei is a humide city. And yes, it rains quite a lot, especially from november to mars. So you better have to get an ombrella. Buy a basic one at the 7/11 or Family Mart for around 200NTD (6.5$/5.5€).
Don’t give too much importance to it, it’s not an artefact. People drop it at the entrance of shops, store, café and bars. Do the same, and if you don’t find yours when you get out, take someone’s else, it’s pretty usual here.
Google Translate (app)
Many things are translated in english and some people, especially young generations, speak well english. But Google Translate can be a good friend or a good complement to body language, especially in certains circumstances : restaurant, taxi, pharmacies or shops or if you have some important message to deliver (ordering at the drugstore, having food allergies, being vegetarian…).
Download the app, and play with it by using the visual live translation feature. Not really accurate but pretty fun.
XE Currency (app)
1$ worth, more or less, 30 NTD and 1€ worth around 35 NTD.
You can easily do approximative maths to get the idea of prices (10 $/€ worth between 300 and 350NTD ), but if you are slow or lazy, like me, or if you want to be more accurate in your account management, just use a converter app, like XE Currency.
Download it from here.
Smile
That’s both free and helpful. Taiwanese people will smile to you, so just behave as normal human being, do the same. Learn, at least, how to pronounce “Hello” (Nǐ hǎo), “Thank you” (Xiè Xiè) and “Good bye” (just pronounce “bye bye!”) and you are (almost) good for everything. If you both smile and say these words you may feel a bit stupid or naive, but it’s part of the game no? People will appreciate it anyway.
Google MAP (app)
GMAP is super convenient, and very accurate in Taiwan especially for the transport systems. Don’t fear to take the bus, it works well in town. If you plan to take the taxi find a way to get your location in mandarin, otherwise you may end up being stuck in the taxi for 10 minutes before moving as most taxi drivers can’t read google map in english.
Yea, it sounds weird, I know. I am not for promoting Facebook (I don’t use it anymore...) but here in Taiwan it’s a very useful tool. Most of the best places don’t have a proper website, but a well updated Facebook page. Don’t be surprised if people you meet ask for your Facebook or Messenger account, it’s a common tool to be in touch with people.
Line (app)
No one use Wechat here, instead people use an app called Line. It’s from Japan, but it’s very popular in Taiwan. When you meet someone just ask for its Line ID or QR code. The app can look a bit messy at the beginning, but you easily get use to it. Plus it’s a pretty funny one. You can buy (and even submit and sell) your own stickers, but also joining groups, read the news, watching TV...
Scooter
Still my favorite transportation system. It’s not super easy to get tho. Most companies follow the rules (asking for a proper licence and passeport) and don’t provide assurances. You may have to go to your ambassy to translate your licence into a taiwanese version. Ugo provides good general advices about this on his blog. You can also ask if Jeremy still has some available scooters.
And if you feel like a connected dandy don’t rent a scooter, just buy a Gogoro - the best scooter on earth - and sell it before leaving.
