FAQ

Your presence is our present! We're asking you to spend time and money coming to Taiwan for this wedding. We're not asking for any material presents, just your undying devotion.

Please avoid all red or white outfits. Please check back later for dress code by event. We'll add it to the Schedule tab when it's ready!

The easiest option is to use an eSIM, which lets you download a data plan straight onto your phone. But make sure your phone is not carrier locked!

Taiwan has a very high food safety standard! You can safely eat street food.

The water is safe to drink, but most locals prefer to boil or filter it due to aging pipes. You can also buy bottled water (or tea) at any convenience store.

Taiwan (particularly Taipei) is very friendly for these dietary restrictions: vegetarian, low sodium, vegan (Buddhist), low carb, and heart healthy. There are even restaurants specializing in halal food!

Cleo would like to point out that shrimp is exceedingly common. Please double check dishes for shellfish; tiny shrimp are a common ingredient in fried rice, stir fry, and some soups.

For allergies, please carry a printed card in Traditional Chinese stating your allergies to show at restaurants. Restaurants will be able to accomodate most restrictions, but please note that cross contamination rules in Taiwan are much less strict than they are in the US.

The following dietary restrictions may be more challenging: gluten free, peanut allergies, and soy allergies.

Please send Cleo a note if you have any concerns or need assistance!

No! Particularly in the cities, many people speak excellent English. Streets and transit are signed in English, and most restaurants have multi-lingual menus.

But even so, we do recommend you download the Google translate app, making sure that Traditional Chinese is available offline.

Taiwan has terrific public transportation, including the MRT (subway) in Taipei. You can pay for transit with Apple Pay or Google Pay, or you can pick up an EasyCard at MRT stations or convenience stores. Additionally, Ubers, taxis, and bike shares are readily available.

  • Cash
  • Credit Cards
  • Easy Card (preloaded transit card)
  • LINE Pay

Taiwan has very strict drug laws which can result in fines or arrests. Prohibited drugs include certain ADHD medications, cannabis (including CBD), narcotics, and amphetamines. Controlled substances like sedative (zolpidem) and opioids require a doctor's prescription and may require advance approval from the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration for entry.

Please check your medications ahead of time!

The CDC recommends that travelers to Taiwan are vaccinated for Hepatitis A (just as is recommended for many part of Asia, Central and South America, and Eastern Europe).

Here is the U.S. Department of State's travel summary for Taiwan (did you know Cleo interned at the State Department??).

Taiwan is extremely safe. You will be statistically safer in Taiwan that you are in the U.S. Street and violent crime are rare, but please exercise normal precautions, such as avoiding deserted areas at night.

Taiwan has a sophisticated and low cost medical system. You will be able to receive medical care if you need it, and many doctors speak English.

Although your visit will not fall during typhoon season, typhoons and floods do impact Taiwan. Taiwan is also prone to earthquakes, although most are not life threatening.

Taipei is reasonably accessible, particularly in the newer build areas. Public transportation, major tourist attractions, and modern hotels have accessible infrastructure (elevators, ramps, escalators, etc.).

Older neighborhoods and small shops and restaurants are not usually very accessible, usually lacking elevators and ramps. The sidewalk and pavement is sometimes very uneven in these areas.

Outside of Taipei and major cities, accessibility may be more challenging, although achievable with advanced planning.

If accessibility is a concern for you, please reach out to Cleo to make a plan!

Remember that small shops and vendors will bargain with you. It’s expected! Most chain and department stores do not allow bargaining, although they may give you a volume discount.

  • Asian skincare and beauty products
  • Jade, jewelry and art, clothes, stationary
  • Tea and specialty snacks
  • Imported items from Japan, Korea, and China (avoid US Tariffs)
  • Taiwanese indigenous crafts
  • Not a good deal:
    • European or American designer goods
    • Electronics - do a price comparison before buying in Taiwan

Things that are cheaper in Taiwan:

  • Massages!
  • Many medical procedures and screening tests, including allergy testing, dental treatments and teeth cleaning, blood panels, etc.
  • Certain medicines, including inhalers
  • Eye glasses and contacts
  • Many beauty and cosmetic services, including facials, laser skin treatments (scars, acne, aging), eyebrow microblading, hair and scalp spas, color analysis, and more
  • Clothes tailoring, shoe and suitcase repair