The New Taiwan Dollar is the official currency of Taiwan and is usually abbreviated as TWD, NT$, or NTD. The most commonly used denominations are NTD$100, NTD$500, and NTD$1000 notes, but NTD$200 and NTD$2000 notes are sometimes encountered. NTD$50, NTD$10, NTD$5, and NTD$1 coins are also widely circulated. Cash is commonly used in Taiwan, but most stores and other establishments now accept major credit cards, local stored-value cards (e.g., EasyCard and iPass), and digital payment systems (e.g., LINE pay and JKOPAY). Personal checks are not typically used in Taiwan for everyday payments.
Taiwan has a warm, humid climate and various terrains, including sandbars, plains, basins, hills, plateaus, and mountains. As a result, Taiwan is home to abundant animal and plant life, including various endemic species, and can be regarded as one large ecosystem. Taiwan is endowed with a multitude of mountains; more than 200 of its peaks are more than 3,000 meters high, making Taiwan a geographic wonder. In terms of marine ecology, Taiwan is home to several types of dolphins, including bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, and pantropical spotted dolphins, which can be seen jumping out of the Pacific Ocean along the east coast. Azure seas and magnificent coral reefs can be found in Kenting at the southern tip of Taiwan as well as on Green Island and the Penghu archipelago. Taiwan is full of amazing places waiting for you to discover.
The culinary culture in Taiwan is incredibly diverse, offering many traditional cuisines as well as countless modern fast casual dining experiences. Because Taiwan is where many world cultures converge, food from all corners of the globe can be found here, including Asian, European, and even Latin American. Taiwan is truly a foodie’s paradise and is one of the most vegan-friendly places in the world. In April 2017, CNN ranked Taipei among the world’s top 10 best cities for vegan cuisine.
Taiwan has one of the safest and most comprehensive national transport networks, which accommodates people’s sea, land, and air travel needs. No matter what kind of transport you plan to use in Taiwan, it will always be seamlessly connected to another convenient mode of transport.
Taiwan has more than 20,000 hospitals and medical clinics, providing high-quality and comprehensive health care at an affordable price. In the 2019 CEOWORLD magazine Health Care Index, Taiwan’s health care system was rated first, topping South Korea (second), Japan (third), Austria (fourth), and Denmark (fifth).
Updated: 2021-02-26