Language: The language mainly spoken in Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese, but you’ll also hear other languages like Japanese, and some English (especially as more ex-pats live on the island).

Taiwan also has its local languages of Hokkien and Hakka which are quite prevalent as well.

Despite English not being common outside of Taipei, traveling around is still doable. Taiwanese people are extremely helpful and friendly to foreigners.

Currency: The national currency of Taiwan is the New Taiwan dollar. The U.S. dollar goes far in Taiwan, making this country a very affordable destination.

Credit Cards & ATMs: The most commonly accepted credit cards in Taiwan are Visa and Mastercard. You may see some establishments accepting American Express. Discover cards are rarely accepted in Taiwan, so I would avoid traveling with this credit card.

ATMs are widely available throughout the country and most operate on a 24-hour basis. You may run into ATMs that only accept Taiwanese cards, but you’ll find that most will accept foreign debit cards easily.

Electricity & Plugs: Taiwan has the same electrical standard as the United States and Canada. The power plugs and sockets are Type A and B. The standard voltage is 110V and the frequency is 60 Hz. If you’re coming from the U.S. or Canada, you can use your electrical appliances in Taiwan without using a voltage converter.

Safety: Taiwan is an extremely safe country for all travelers, even solo female travelers. Violent crimes against tourists are a rare occurrence. In larger metropolitan areas like Taipei, petty theft is a possibility so be aware of your personal belongings.