Go.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Taiwan
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Pickpocketing
Pickpockets operate in crowded areas like night markets and festivals. Remain vigilant of your belongings in these locations.
Phone fraud
Scammers target Chinese speakers via phone calls, sometimes posing as law enforcement. Do not send money unless you are certain of the recipient and purpose.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Smoking restrictions
Smoking is only permitted in designated areas. You will face a penalty fee for walking while smoking.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Tap water safe to drink: Yes
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Measles, Rabies
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
Visitors to the Republic of China (Taiwan) must obtain a visa or authorization in advance, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries whose nationals are eligible for visa on arrival. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months (except citizens of Japan and the United States who are only required to hold a passport valid for the entire duration of stay).
Passport validity required: 6 months beyond entry.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Taiwan, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
Taiwan has some of Asia’s most progressive policies on LGBT+ rights, and discrimination on the grounds of gender and gender identity is illegal. Taiwan’s Pride parade, held annually in October, is the largest regular LGBT+ event in Asia, attracting high numbers of participants from the region and internationally. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →Right now
In the news the last few days
- Japan quake shakes Kumamoto , the city anchoring TSMC ₹1 . 91 lakh crore expansion2026-07-29
- Japan PM confirms deaths , damage in Kumamoto earthquake2026-07-29
- TSMC Japan Plant Safe After 7 . 1 Quake2026-07-29
- TSMC Japan plant unscathed after 7 . 1 - magnitude quake ; operations being restored2026-07-29
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
A / B · 110V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 110 / ambulance: 119 / fire: 119
Tipping
Tipping is generally not practiced in Taiwan. Bellhops in high end hotels and porters at airports are an exception and should be given NT$50 per bag. Also, tipping to show appreciation for exceptional service is not uncommon. Tipping is also not expected in taxis and drivers would usually return your change to the last dollar.
Cash vs. Card
Most hotels and department stores accept credit and debit cards, generally Visa, MasterCard, and JCB. Diners Club and Discover cards are usually not accepted. American Express and UnionPay are between Visa and Diners Club, but they are close to the Diners Club situation.
Zoom in
One Taiwan city on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (6 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09