
Taiwan
T'ai-wan

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Customs and Culture
Customs and Culture
Cultural Attributes
Great importance on the concept of "face"." "Face" roughly equates to Western concepts of status and respect. Chinese people regard the respect of their elderly, peers, and colleagues as a matter of utmost importance. Conversely, to be humiliated or embarrassed in public is to be regarded with great shame. Taiwanese people are usually reserved, refined, and friendly.
Matters that foreigners may regard as funny may be a source of great humiliation to a Chinese person and it is therefore always necessary to be conscious of the public image of the person they deal with. Difficult situations should always be handled delicately and without showing anger. Never raise your voice, as this would cause the person you are angry with to lose face.
To shout at a Chinese person in public, correct them in front of their peers or raise your voice in public would cause them to lose face. Try to avoid situations that place a Chinese person on the spot. One of the most common ways for a Chinese person to gain face is to spend vast sums of money on food and entertainment.
If you are taken out to dinner by Chinese people, always compliment your host on his/her choice of restaurant, the quality of food, and entertainment, even if they personally criticize these things. This will give them face in the eyes of the other people at the table. An individual's actions reflect on the entire family.
In Business "Guanxi" (relationships or connections) is of paramount importance. Chinese prefer to deal with people they know and trust. Chinese people are superstitious about the number four, which signifies death.
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Social Customs & Etiquette · Diet · Family · Dating Customs · Recreation
Holidays
Republic Day
10/10Independence
Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution
Christmas
12/25Christmas
December 25 is not officially celebrated or legally recognized in Taiwan as Christmas, but it is inadvertently the Constitution Day, the date of the signing of the Constitutions of the republic of China in 1947. Despite this, there are still unofficial celebrations of Christmas. The Christmas trees are called "Trees of Light.” Christian children of Taiwan decorate their trees at home with colorful ornaments, made from paper in the shapes of flowers, chains and lanterns. They hang muslin stockings in the hopes that the Christmas Old Man will fill them with gifts and treats. Santa Clause is translated in their language as 聖誕老人, read as shengdan laoren, which means Christmas Old Men.
Christmas is referred as the Spring Festival by the non-Christian Chinese who celebrate with various festivities that include eating and paying homage to their ancestors. Aside from the gifts, red packets or red envelopes with money inside are passed out during the Chinese New Year’s celebrations. Red packets are also known as the money used to suppress or put down the evil spirit during this period.
The Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, or the Chinese New year often called the Lunar New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. This starts on the first day of the first month based on the Chinese calendar and ends on the 15th. The origin of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. Every family should thoroughly clean the house to sweep away any ill-fortune in hopes to make way for good incoming luck. Red color paper-cuts and couplets with popular themes of “happiness”, “wealth”, and “longevity” adorn the doors and windows.
Supper is a feast with families on the Chinese New Year’s eve. Foods range from pigs, to ducks, to chicken and sweet delicacies. Buddha’s delight (simplified Chinese: 罗汉斋; luóhàn zhai) is an elaborate vegetarian dish served by Chinese families on the eve and the first day of the New Year. Ingredients are cooked in soy sauce-based liquid with other seasonings until tender.
The family will end the night with a colorful array of fireworks and noisy firecrackers to drive away bad luck. The next morning witnesses children greeting their parents with a healthy and happy new year, and receiveing money in red paper envelopes. The Chinese New Year is often accompanied by loud, enthusiastic greetings of Gong hei fat choi which loosely translates to "Congratulations and be prosperous". Though this may be different from Christmas in some way, the Chinese New Year tradition has the same spirit of forgetting all grudges, and sincerely wishing peace and happiness for everyone
Dates of Interest
- October 10th
Celebrated on October 10th, this is Taiwan's National Day, commemorating the establishment of the Republic of China (ROC). Festivities include flag-raising ceremonies, parades, fireworks, and cultural performances.
How do people greet each other in Taiwan?
A slight nod of the head shows respect; handshakes are becoming more common, especially in business, but greetings are typically accompanied by polite small talk about health, family, and work.
Do
- Say "ni hao" for hello, or "nin hao" for older people or formal settings
- Address people by formal title, such as "xiansheng" (Mr.) or "taitai" (Mrs.)
- Greet and acknowledge the elderly first
- Make small talk before moving to the main topic
Don’t
- Don't interrupt or speak too loudly
- Don't assume bowing is expected—it is not common
Good to know
- Politeness and respect are highly valued
- First impressions carry great weight
What are the dining customs in Taiwan?
Meals are important for building relationships and "face," and there are strict conventions around chopstick placement.
Do
- Lay chopsticks horizontally across the rim of the bowl between courses
- Compliment your host on the restaurant, food, and entertainment
- Toast with "Kan-pie" (bottoms up)
Don’t
- Never stick chopsticks vertically or at an angle in the rice bowl—it resembles funeral incense and is highly inauspicious
Good to know
- Hosts often gain face by spending generously on food and entertainment
- Karaoke is popular entertainment, especially at business dinners
What etiquette should I know in Taiwan?
The concept of "face" (status and respect) is central; humiliating someone in public brings great shame, and relationships ("guanxi") are paramount.
Do
- Handle difficult situations delicately and calmly
- Compliment your host to help them gain face
- Present and receive gifts and business cards with both hands
- Study a business card for several seconds when receiving it
Don’t
- Never raise your voice or shout at someone in public
- Don't correct someone in front of their peers
- Don't write on the back of a card or immediately pocket it
- Avoid placing a person on the spot
Good to know
- Chinese people are superstitious about the number four, which signifies death
- Chinese prefer to deal with people they know and trust
- Social visits usually happen in the home, where you may be offered tea or a soft drink
How should I dress in Taiwan?
Western-style, conservative, and neat clothing is common; a suit is most appropriate for business.
Do
- Wear a suit for business
- For less formal settings, men can wear smart pants, shirt and tie; women a skirt and blouse
- Present yourself well, prioritizing cleanliness and neatness
Good to know
- Taiwanese place great emphasis on appearance
What gestures should I be aware of in Taiwan?
Good posture and respectful body language matter; some casual Western gestures are inappropriate.
Do
- Maintain good posture—men sit with both feet on the floor, women cross legs at knees or ankles
- Show respect to elders by covering your left fist with your right hand and raising both to your heart
Don’t
- Don't put your arm around someone's shoulder or wink
- Avoid touching a child on the top of the head
How does family life work in Taiwan?
Family includes children, parents, extended family, elders, and ancestors, with roles traditionally set by age, gender, and generation.
Good to know
- The father is traditionally the breadwinner with unquestioned authority
- Mothers take primary responsibility for children, with help from extended family
- People are comfortable sitting or standing close together due to crowded living conditions
- An individual's actions reflect on the entire family
What do people do for recreation in Taiwan?
Popular activities include golf, ping-pong, basketball, soccer, softball, badminton, karaoke, and gyms, with families spending weekends together.
Good to know
- Senior men gather for the old men's tea ceremony (lao-ren ch'a)
- Older women play ma-jong to stay mentally active
- Families often picnic in the country on weekends
- Evening night markets are popular and lively
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports
Photos of Taiwan
Photos of Taiwan
Travel and Tourism
Travel and Tourism
- Travel Alert Status
- Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Currency
- new Taiwan dollar (TWD)
- Time Difference
- UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Climate
- The Tropic of Cancer bisects the island, so the climate is sub-tropical with temperatures ranging from 12 to 35 degrees Celsius (54-95 degrees Fahrenheit). Northern Taiwan has two long seasons (summer & winter) and two short seasons (spring and autumn). Spring, mid-March to mid-May, is mostly sunny and mild with brief spells of cloudy skies and rain showers. Spring's average daily temperature is 17-25C or 62-77F. Summer, mid-May through late September, is hot with an average rainfall of 10 inches a month, mostly from afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Autumn, late September to early November, is characterized by mild temperatures and afternoon showers. Winter, November through mid-April, is characterized by low cloud drizzle, fog, and occasional winds. The daily temperatures range between 17 - 24 degrees C (62-75F) in November, dropping to 12 - 19C (54 - 66F) in January and then rising to 14 - 22C (57 - 72F) in March. Occasionally, the temperature drops below 1OC (50F), especially in mountainous areas. The typhoon season usually starts in mid-June and lasts through October. An average of 12 typhoons form in the Western Pacific each year. The average daily temperature range in Taipei is 21 - 29C (70 - 84F) in May; 24 - 35C (75 - 95F) in July and August; 23 - 33C (73 - 91F) in September; and 20 - 27C (68 - 81F) in October. Kaohsiung enjoys a milder, drier winter than Taipei, but summer temperatures average about the same. As a result of its subtropical position and heavy rainfall, Taiwan's natural landscape is constantly green with varied hues of forest, shrubs, and coarse tropical grass. All but the peaks of the highest mountains are covered with vegetation.
- Airports
- 40
Read the full travel guide — health, safety, vaccinations, disease risk, sanitation, and transit details.
View full travel guideRecipes
Recipes
History
History
Historical Eras
Aboriginal & Early Settlement
13000 BCE – 1624
Austronesian aboriginal peoples inhabited Taiwan for roughly 12,000 to 15,000 years before significant outside contact. Sporadic migration from mainland China began around A.D. 500, and Portuguese sailors dubbed the island Ilha Formosa — 'beautiful island' — in 1517. These centuries established the island's indigenous cultural foundations before European colonial ambitions arrived.
European Colonial Era
1624 – 1661
The Dutch East India Company established a colonial administration in southern Taiwan in 1624, using the island as a trading hub linking Japan and the China coast. Spain simultaneously occupied the northwest coast from 1626 until the Dutch expelled them in 1642. Dutch rule accelerated the first major wave of Han Chinese migration from the mainland, driven by chaos during the collapse of the Ming Dynasty.
Koxinga & Qing Rule
1661 – 1895
Ming loyalist Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) expelled the Dutch in 1661 and used Taiwan as a base to resist Manchu rule, though his heirs submitted to the Qing Dynasty in 1683. The Qing administered Taiwan as a prefecture and elevated it to a full province in 1887, while steady migration from Fujian and Guangdong transformed the island into a predominantly Han Chinese society. Taiwan was ceded to Japan in 1895 following China's defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War.
Japanese Colonial Period
1895 – 1945
Japan governed Taiwan for fifty years under the Treaty of Shimonoseki, investing heavily in infrastructure, agriculture, and industrial development while enforcing cultural assimilation through compulsory Japanese education and the adoption of Japanese names. Resistance movements were suppressed, and aboriginal communities faced particularly harsh policies. Despite its exploitative character, Japanese colonial rule laid economic foundations that would later support Taiwan's rapid industrialization.
KMT Rule & Authoritarian Era
1945 – 1987
Taiwan reverted to Nationalist Chinese (KMT) control in 1945, but early governance was marred by repression culminating in the brutal suppression of the February 28, 1947 uprising, in which thousands were killed. Following the Communist victory on the mainland, Chiang Kai-shek relocated the Republic of China government to Taipei in 1949 with two million refugees. The KMT ruled under martial law from 1949 to 1987, while simultaneously executing land reforms and steering Taiwan toward becoming one of Asia's foremost export-driven economies.
Democratization & Modern Taiwan
1987 – present
The lifting of martial law in 1987 inaugurated a sweeping democratic transition; Taiwan held its first direct presidential election in 1996, and in 2000 a peaceful transfer of power to the Democratic Progressive Party marked the consolidation of multiparty democracy. Taiwan emerged as one of East Asia's economic 'Tigers,' a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing and technology. Cross-strait relations with the People's Republic of China remain the defining geopolitical tension, with questions of sovereignty and potential unification unresolved.
Overview
Taiwan’s aboriginal peoples, who originated in Austronesia and southern China, have lived on Taiwan for 12,000 to 15,000 years. Significant migration to Taiwan from the Chinese mainland began as early as A.D. 500. Dutch traders first claimed the island in 1624 as a base for Dutch commerce with Japan and the China coast. Two years later, the Spanish established a settlement on the northwest coast of Taiwan, which they occupied until 1642 when they were driven out by the Dutch.
Timeline of Key Events
1517
Portuguese sailors named Ilha Formosa (beautiful island), later known as Taiwan.
Portuguese sailors named Ilha Formosa (beautiful island), later known as Taiwan.
1624
The Dutch colonize the south of Formosa.
The Dutch colonize the south of Formosa.
1626
The Spanish colonize northern Taiwan.
The Spanish colonize northern Taiwan.
1661
Chinese Ming dynasty occupied Taiwan.
Chinese Ming dynasty occupied Taiwan.
1683
The Manchus (Tartars) conquer Taiwan which becomes part of the Chinese empire.
The Manchus (Tartars) conquer Taiwan which becomes part of the Chinese empire.
1884
French forces lead by Admiral Coubert invade northern Taiwan.
French forces lead by Admiral Coubert invade northern Taiwan.
1895
China cedes Taiwan to Japan.
China ceded Taiwan to Japan under the Apr 17 Treaty of Shimonoseki. This followed a war over control of the Korean peninsula. Japanese occupation ended in 1945.
Read the full history profile — narrative overview, defining eras, and the complete timeline in one place.
View expanded historyInteresting Facts
Interesting Facts
When a child loses a tooth they throw their tooth on the roof.
The capital of Taiwan, Taipei, is built in a big, flat basin that used to be a lake.
The Chinese have an intricate culture which dates back at least 3000 years, making it one of the world's oldest surviving societies.
Taiwan has the second highest population density in the world. In downtown Taichung City, the population density is as high as 32,000 persons per square kilometre.
See every fact — trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits gathered from across the country.
View all interesting factsGeography and Environment
Geography and Environment
- Terrain
- eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west
- Climate
- The Tropic of Cancer bisects the island, so the climate is sub-tropica with temperatures ranging from 12 to 35 degrees Celsius (54-95 degrees Fahrenheit). Northern Taiwan has two long seasons (summer & winter) and two short seasons (spring & autumn). Spring, mid-March to mid-May, is mostly sunny and mild with brief spells of cloudy skies and rain showers. Spring's average daily temperature is 17-25C or 62-77F. Summer, mid-May through late September, is hot with an average rainfall of 10 inches a month, mostly from afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Autumn, late September to early November, is characterized by mild temperatures and afternoon showers. Winter, November through mid-April, is characterized by low cloud drizzle, fog and occasional winds. The daily temperatures range between 17 - 24 degrees C (62-75F) in November, dropping to 12 - 19C (54 - 66F) in January and then rising to 14 - 22C (57 - 72F) in March. Occasionally, the temperature drops below 1OC (50F), especially in the mountainous areas. The typhoon season usually starts in mid-June and lasts through October. An average of 12 typhoons form in the Western Pacific each year. The average daily temperature range in Taipei is 21 - 29C (70 - 84F) in May; 24 - 35C (75 - 95F) in July and August; 23 - 33C (73 - 91F) in September; and 20 - 27C (68 - 81F) in October. Kaohsiung enjoys a milder, drier winter than Taipei, but summer temperatures average about the same. As a result of its subtropical position and heavy rainfall, Taiwan's natural landscape is constantly green with the varied hues of forest, shrubs and coarse tropical grass. All but the peaks of the highest mountains are covered with vegetation.
- Natural Hazards
- earthquakes and typhoons
- Current Environmental Issues
- air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal
Read the full geography and environment profile — terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, land use, and international agreements.
View full geographyPeople & Demographics
People & Demographics
Religion
Languages Spoken
Chinese: Mandarin (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
- Mandarin
Population
- Population
- 23,593,794
- Nationality Noun
- Chinese/Taiwanese (singular and plural)
- Ethnic Groups
- Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%
Education
- Literacy Definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
Health Information
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- Life expectancy at birth in Taiwan ranks among the highest in Asia and compares favorably with leading developed nations worldwide. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy across the total population stands at approximately 80 years, with women typically living longer than men. Female life expectancy is approximately 83 years, while male life expectancy averages around 77 years. These figures reflect a modest but notable decline from pre-pandemic peaks, as COVID-19 and its downstream effects on healthcare utilization contributed to slight reductions in life expectancy across many high-income countries, including Taiwan. This strong overall performance reflects decades of investment in public health infrastructure, universal healthcare coverage, and rising living standards. Taiwan introduced its National Health Insurance program in 1995, which provides comprehensive medical coverage to virtually the entire population. The system has been widely credited with improving access to preventive care, early diagnosis, and treatment of chronic diseases, all of which contribute significantly to longer lifespans. Major causes of mortality in Taiwan include cancer, heart disease, and stroke — patterns consistent with other aging, high-income societies. The prevalence of these non-communicable diseases has prompted sustained public health campaigns focused on smoking cessation, dietary improvement, and regular health screenings. Taiwan's relatively low infant mortality rate, sitting well below 5 deaths per 1,000 live births, also contributes positively to overall life expectancy calculations. Taiwan's aging population presents both a testament to its healthcare success and a growing demographic challenge. The proportion of residents aged 65 and older has risen steadily and now exceeds 18 percent of the total population, placing increasing pressure on pension systems, elder care services, and the healthcare budget. Government planners have been actively developing and expanding long-term care policies to address the needs of a population that is living longer but may require more intensive medical and social support in later years. Urbanization, high educational attainment, and broad access to clean water and sanitation have all reinforced the conditions that support longer, healthier lives. Taiwan continues to perform well on international health indices, reflecting the combined effect of strong institutions, a culturally health-conscious population, and sustained policy commitment to public wellness.
Life Expectancy
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- Life expectancy at birth in Taiwan ranks among the highest in Asia and compares favorably with leading developed nations worldwide. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy across the total population stands at approximately 80 years, with women typically living longer than men. Female life expectancy is approximately 83 years, while male life expectancy averages around 77 years. These figures reflect a modest but notable decline from pre-pandemic peaks, as COVID-19 and its downstream effects on healthcare utilization contributed to slight reductions in life expectancy across many high-income countries, including Taiwan. This strong overall performance reflects decades of investment in public health infrastructure, universal healthcare coverage, and rising living standards. Taiwan introduced its National Health Insurance program in 1995, which provides comprehensive medical coverage to virtually the entire population. The system has been widely credited with improving access to preventive care, early diagnosis, and treatment of chronic diseases, all of which contribute significantly to longer lifespans. Major causes of mortality in Taiwan include cancer, heart disease, and stroke — patterns consistent with other aging, high-income societies. The prevalence of these non-communicable diseases has prompted sustained public health campaigns focused on smoking cessation, dietary improvement, and regular health screenings. Taiwan's relatively low infant mortality rate, sitting well below 5 deaths per 1,000 live births, also contributes positively to overall life expectancy calculations. Taiwan's aging population presents both a testament to its healthcare success and a growing demographic challenge. The proportion of residents aged 65 and older has risen steadily and now exceeds 18 percent of the total population, placing increasing pressure on pension systems, elder care services, and the healthcare budget. Government planners have been actively developing and expanding long-term care policies to address the needs of a population that is living longer but may require more intensive medical and social support in later years. Urbanization, high educational attainment, and broad access to clean water and sanitation have all reinforced the conditions that support longer, healthier lives. Taiwan continues to perform well on international health indices, reflecting the combined effect of strong institutions, a culturally health-conscious population, and sustained policy commitment to public wellness.
Read the full people and society profile — demographics, health, education, religion, languages, and notable people.
View full people and societyGovernment & Politics
Government & Politics
Country Identity
- Country Name
- Taiwan
- Full Country Name
- Republic of China
- Local - Short
- T'ai-wan
- Former Name
- Formosa
Government Structure
- Government Type
- multiparty democratic regime headed by popularly-elected president and unicameral legislature
- Legal System
- based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
- Executive Branch
- chief of state: President LAI Ching-te (since 20 May 2024) and Vice President HSIAO Bi-khim (since 20 May 2024) head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) CHO Jung-tai (since 20 May 2024) and Vice Premier (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) CHENG Li-chiun (since 20 May 2024) cabinet: Executive Yuan appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 13 January 2024 (next to be held in January 2028); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier election results: LAI Ching-te elected president; percent of vote - LAI Ching-te (DPP) 40.1%, HOU Yu-ih (KMT) 33.5%, KO Wen-je (TPP) 26.5%
- Legislative Branch
- Taiwan's legislature is unicameral, consisting of the Legislative Yuan with 113 seats. Of these, 73 members are elected by popular vote from single-member districts, 34 are elected based on the proportion of island-wide votes received by participating political parties, and six are elected by popular vote among indigenous (aboriginal) populations. Members serve four-year terms. The National Assembly, which was formerly a standing body, was abolished following constitutional amendments ratified in June 2005, leaving Taiwan with a unicameral legislature. Elections: Legislative Yuan - last held on 13 January 2024 (next to be held in January 2028). Election results: Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - Kuomintang (KMT) approximately 35.2%, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) approximately 34.3%, Taiwan People's Party (TPP) approximately 22.1%, others approximately 8.4%; seats by party - KMT 52, DPP 51, TPP 8, independents and others 2. No single party holds an outright majority, resulting in a hung legislature in which the KMT and TPP have at times coordinated to check the DPP-led executive branch.
- Judicial Branch
- Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with consent of the Legislative Yuan)
- Suffrage
- 20 years of age; universal
- Constitution
- 25 December 1946, amended in 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, and 2000
- National Holiday
- Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911)
Capital City
- Capital Name
- Taipei
- Capital - geographic coordinate
- 25 02 N, 121 31 E
- Capital Time Difference
- UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
the Chinese meaning is "Northern Taiwan," reflecting the city's position in the far north of the island
Military
Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces Command, Armed Forces Police Command
Embassy / Diplomatic Mission
The American Institute in Taiwan
No.7 Lane 134
Xinyi Road Section 3
Taipei, Taiwan
Telephone: (886) 2-2162-2000
Facsimile: (886) 2-2162-2239
The American Institute in Taiwan (Kaohsiung Branch Office)
No. 2 Chung Cheng 3rd Road, 5th Floor
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Telephone: (886) 7-238-7744
Facsimile: (886) 7-238-5237
Email: amcit-ait-t@state.gov
Duty Officer After-Hours Emergency Telephone: (886) 2-2162-2000. Press “0” or “*”.
Read the full government profile — flag symbolism, national anthem, and other national symbols.
View full government detailsEconomy
Economy
Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy that has become one of the most technologically advanced in the world, with the government gradually reducing its guidance of investment and foreign trade.
Snapshot
- Currency Name and Code
- New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)
- GDP — official exchange rate
- $323,400,000,000 (USD)
- GDP Real Growth Rate
- 2.58%
News & Weather
News & Weather
Current Weather
Latest News
China puts the ‘squeeze’ on Taiwan with new maritime patrols - Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera · 12h ago
Nvidia Staff Detained by Taiwan in China Chip Smuggling Case - Bloomberg.com
Bloomberg.com · 1d ago
Taiwan Detains Nvidia Staffer In China AI Chip Smuggling Probe - Forbes
Forbes · 1d ago
US-China chip smuggling tensions reach Taiwan; Nvidia offices searched, employee detained - The Times of India
The Times of India · 1d ago
AIT signals support with coast guard post - Taipei Times
Taipei Times · 2h ago
Japan thanks Lai for quake concern - Taipei Times
Taipei Times · 2h ago
Drones critical for national security: Lai - Taipei Times
Taipei Times · 2h ago
Limited-Time Special Spots Are Coming to IKEA Stores in Taiwan! - pikminbloom.com
pikminbloom.com · 2d ago
News via Google News
Climate Overview
The Tropic of Cancer bisects the island, so the climate is sub-tropical with temperatures ranging from 12 to 35 degrees Celsius (54-95 degrees Fahrenheit).
Northern Taiwan has two long seasons (summer & winter) and two short seasons (spring and autumn).
Spring, mid-March to mid-May, is mostly sunny and mild with brief spells of cloudy skies and rain showers. Spring's average daily temperature is 17-25C or 62-77F. Summer, mid-May through late September, is hot with an average rainfall of 10 inches a month, mostly from afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Autumn, late September to early November, is characterized by mild temperatures and afternoon showers. Winter, November through mid-April, is characterized by low cloud drizzle, fog, and occasional winds.
The daily temperatures range between 17 - 24 degrees C (62-75F) in November, dropping to 12 - 19C (54 - 66F) in January and then rising to 14 - 22C (57 - 72F) in March. Occasionally, the temperature drops below 1OC (50F), especially in mountainous areas.
The typhoon season usually starts in mid-June and lasts through October. An average of 12 typhoons form in the Western Pacific each year. The average daily temperature range in Taipei is 21 - 29C (70 - 84F) in May; 24 - 35C (75 - 95F) in July and August; 23 - 33C (73 - 91F) in September; and 20 - 27C (68 - 81F) in October.
Kaohsiung enjoys a milder, drier winter than Taipei, but summer temperatures average about the same.
As a result of its subtropical position and heavy rainfall, Taiwan's natural landscape is constantly green with varied hues of forest, shrubs, and coarse tropical grass. All but the peaks of the highest mountains are covered with vegetation.
Videos
Videos
1 curated YouTube videos.
Source: YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Taiwan?
How do people greet each other in Taiwan?
What are the dining customs in Taiwan?
What etiquette should I know in Taiwan?
How should I dress in Taiwan?
What gestures should I be aware of in Taiwan?
How does family life work in Taiwan?
What do people do for recreation in Taiwan?
What is the capital of Taiwan?
Where is Taiwan located?
What are Taiwan's ocean and sea borders?
What religion is practiced in Taiwan?
What is the currency of Taiwan?
What language is spoken in Taiwan?
What is the geography of Taiwan like?
What is Taiwan known for?
Last reviewed 2026

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