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warmpi Joined: 27 Jun 2006 Total posts: 2 Gender: Unknown |
 Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:15 am Post subject: anybody from taiwan? need travel advice. Post Rating: 0 |
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so i'm going to taiwan in a few days for the first time ever.
is there any advice you'd give to an asian who doesn't speak a word of mandarin?
(e.g. how to not get ripped off, how to not get food poisoning, etc. etc.)
thanks!
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| Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 2:23 pm Post subject: Re: anybody from taiwan? need travel advice. Post Rating: 0 |
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| warmpi wrote: | so i'm going to taiwan in a few days for the first time ever.
is there any advice you'd give to an asian who doesn't speak a word of mandarin?
(e.g. how to not get ripped off, how to not get food poisoning, etc. etc.)
thanks! |
i'm not from taiwan, but i've been there many times. of course, i have the advantage of being able to speak mandarin. however, i was once there with several other people who weren't able to speak mandarin at all or not well. so if you have any questions, i may be able to help you.
i think the most important thing to mention is that the people in taiwan are extremely friendly to foreigners...especially if you look like a foreigner. some of the people i mention who weren't able to speak mandarin were able to travel the island by themselves, sometimes with the kind help of locals.
however, you mention that there might be concerns of getting ripped off. if you don't speak the language, then you'll definitely be at a disadvantage when bargaining for prices. what can you do? not much. unless you bring a local to help bargain for you, they'll smell blood in the water, so to speak. even i had problems, because they could hear my accent. the best thing to do is to go to places with fixed prices as much as possible. however, sometimes you might see something from a sidewalk vendor that you want. well, just do your best to bargain.
you also mention concern about food poisoning. taiwan used to have a huge problem with hep A, but they've taken steps to decrease the problem. one thing you'll notice is that many places use plastic utensils and paper plates. it seems bad from an environmental standpoint, but the good thing is that it cuts down on the transmission of diseases that might come from improperly washed utensils/plates. so you can be proactive and try to only eat at places that you see are using disposable silverware. the other thing you can do to be proactive is to just look at a place before sitting down to eat. i once was eating at a "restaurant" and after sitting down and ordering, i noticed that there were dogs climbing all over the other tables and chairs. needless to say, i was expecting to get food poisoning, but luckily nothing happened.
you didn't mention how long you would be there, but it might be worth it get an easycard. you can use this card when traveling on bus or by MRT, so it is very convenient. speaking of the MRT, i think it's a very easy way to travel to be able to see all the touristy sights, and even some non-touristy sights. also, every stop has its name in english clearly written, and they announce it in english at every stop. it's a little harder, but not impossible, to travel by bus.
another concern is that you will be going during the summer season, which is extremely hot. i don't know where you're from, but it may surprise you just how hot and humid taipei can be. and not every place is air conditioned, even in taipei and especially if you travel to smaller cities. so be sure to stay hydrated and look out for places that have air conditioning. you may very well have to stop for a while in one of those places to eat shaved ice or something.
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warmpiJoined: 27 Jun 2006 Total posts: 2 Gender: Unknown |
| Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:21 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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thanks for your reply
ya from what i've read and heard, it's going to be smoking hot. so i'm guessing it'll be strictly shorts and t-shirts? (i'm a guy btw).
i hadn't heard of the easycard, but i'll be sure to look for it when i get there. as per the bus, i think i'll just go the safe route and stick a map in front of the busdrivers face and point to stuff.
generally the tap water isn't good to drink though right? better off boiling?
and ya i'm hoping to buy some electronics while i'm there (it is taiwan after all, right? heh). phones, or even a laptop maybe. do you know where the best place would be to go without getting ripped off?
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doudoujaneJoined: 28 Jun 2006 Total posts: 3 Gender: Unknown |
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| Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 3:44 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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@warmpi: yup, i'd expect you to be living in your shorts and t-shirts, and taking breathers in air-conditioned shops.
as for transportation: i don't know if i'd recommend buses for you if you'll have to resort to the map thing. first of all, you'd have to know which bus to take. many bus stops have more than one bus, and unless things have changed, they aren't in english. in addition, the signs don't have maps on them, just a line detailing the route and stops. here's an example. but if you're staying somewhere where people can help you by telling you which bus you need to take...hopefully someone will help you by telling you which stop to get off. the MRT is very convenient unless you want to visit some out-lying areas.
for food/water: i don't know where you'll be staying, but a lot of places have water coolers - with cold, room and hot water. i don't know cause i've never stayed in a hotel, so maybe they'll have them and maybe they won't. in that case, you'd probably be better off buying your water/drinks. it's pretty cheap anyways, and there are convenience stores and drink vending machines everywhere. btw, don't forget to visit the night markets. the major one to go to, of course, is Shilin, but you can also visit Gongguan or even Xi Men Ding. i don't know where you're living, but all these locations are easy to reach by MRT. and they are a part of the Taiwan experience. 
for electronics: i can't really help you there, since i've never really bought electronics. i do know that it won't be cheap. i remember trying to buy a cellphone with some friends, and they just wanted a cheap one to use. even with a calling plan, it was pretty expensive. computers will be in chinese, i believe. but you might find something you want. if you want to make sure you're not getting ripped off, it might be better for you to go with someone or to get it from a reputable store.
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| Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 3:56 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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| warmpi wrote: | thanks for your reply
ya from what i've read and heard, it's going to be smoking hot. so i'm guessing it'll be strictly shorts and t-shirts? (i'm a guy btw).
i hadn't heard of the easycard, but i'll be sure to look for it when i get there. as per the bus, i think i'll just go the safe route and stick a map in front of the busdrivers face and point to stuff.
generally the tap water isn't good to drink though right? better off boiling?
and ya i'm hoping to buy some electronics while i'm there (it is taiwan after all, right? heh). phones, or even a laptop maybe. do you know where the best place would be to go without getting ripped off? |
I visited Taipei quite often so I know some nice places.
There is a place in Taipei where you can buy electronics like DVD-players etc cheaper. However it's a place where most of the things have no price tags and where you have to bargain. It's the MRT stop before Sogo coming from the main station. But if you don't speak Chinese I would recommend you to go to the department stores to electronics. However that place is really nice to buy Chinese and Japanese VCDs/DVDs. They are cheaper compared to the department stores and the variety is bigger.
As for food you should be careful at the beginning and bring along some medicine against diarea (sorry, not sure about spelling). Just to be sure. i love the food from the night markets etc. But these places are not the cleanest. Luckily my stomache is really healthy.
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| Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:56 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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^^gixo, you sound just like my parents.  they always say that if your stomach is strong, then you'll be able to eat in the night markets without a problem. i've never had a problem eating at the night markets or anywhere else in taiwan (and i've eaten at some shady places) but i agree. you should take some medicine with you, just in case. and also, as i mentioned, be cautious of what you eat. try new things, but if it doesn't look fresh or well-cooked, stay away.
as for that electronics place, hmm...the stop before sogo. sogo's stop is 忠孝復興 (zhong xiao fu xing), right? so the stop before that would be 忠孝新生 (zhong xiao xin sheng). that sounds like a good place to go. i wish i'd known about it the last time i was there. 
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| Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 6:46 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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| habukie wrote: | ^^gixo, you sound just like my parents. they always say that if your stomach is strong, then you'll be able to eat in the night markets without a problem. i've never had a problem eating at the night markets or anywhere else in taiwan (and i've eaten at some shady places) but i agree. you should take some medicine with you, just in case. and also, as i mentioned, be cautious of what you eat. try new things, but if it doesn't look fresh or well-cooked, stay away.
as for that electronics place, hmm...the stop before sogo. sogo's stop is 忠孝復興 (zhong xiao fu xing), right? so the stop before that would be 忠孝新生 (zhong xiao xin sheng). that sounds like a good place to go. i wish i'd known about it the last time i was there. |
haha, next time you know where to go. hehe, maybe we are there the same time. who knows?
yes, it should be the stop 忠孝新生. And I think you have to leave at exit 5 or so. But I am not sure about the exit. You have to ask. Oh and if you want to go to a night market, be sure to visit "wu fen pu". it's even bigger than "shilin"
yeah, if you have a strong stomach you can enjoy all the food in Taiwan. It's so yammy. Expect for "stinky tofu". it's disgusting. (once I smelt it at the street and started to eat backwards, how can people actually eat this and call it delicious?  ) The thing is that a lot of my friends who weren't accustomed to so much Asian food spent about 2 weeks at the toilet 'coz the stuff you get there is not as clean as in most of the Western countries.
@doudoujane
you are from Taiwan? Hmmm... if you have some time could you give us a hand sometimes with some tranlslations we are having? Pink-Mafia-FS is translating a TW-drama and we could need some extra-help with Taiwanese slang sometimes.
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doudoujaneJoined: 28 Jun 2006 Total posts: 3 Gender: Unknown |
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| Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 6:14 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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@doudoujane: it sounds like you're right in the thick of things. you're so lucky to live there.
hmm...you recommend Taipei 101? if i had to choose, i'd say that the places to visit in Taipei are (in no particular order):
1. National Palace Museum - i love the jade section. and the story about how the treasures got moved around until they ended up in taiwan is pretty nice as well.
2. Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial
3. Night Markets - great food and shopping. need i say more? good ones that i've been to are Shilin and Gongguan. i'm not sure if you can count Ximending as one...but it's a good area for shopping and entertainment as well.
other places to go if time permits:
1. Danshui (Tamshui) - it's a nice place to take a stroll
2. Hot springs - Peitou has some nice ones.
3. Temples - there are many in Taipei, but some bigger and more touristy than others.
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doudoujaneJoined: 28 Jun 2006 Total posts: 3 Gender: Unknown |
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WattstaxJoined: 28 Aug 2006 Total posts: 34 Location: near Schwerin, Germany Age: 26 Gender: Male |
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| Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 2:49 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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| Wattstax wrote: | Sorry, but what is Taipei 101?
The most important question for me is always the Hotel, because the flight is expensive, so I would like to save money in staying there. Do you know, if 2-star-hotels are good enough? I looked on asiarooms.com but the reviews are mostly from business travellers. What troubles me most is the fact, that many hotels doesn't seem to have any english-speaking staff 
habukie wrote:
| Quote: | | in addition, the signs don't have maps on them, just a line detailing the route and stops. here's an example. |
 That looks demoralising. |
Taipei 101? It's just the highest building in the world (right now)
Can't help you with hotels, sorry.
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WattstaxJoined: 28 Aug 2006 Total posts: 34 Location: near Schwerin, Germany Age: 26 Gender: Male |
| Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 3:03 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0 |
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gixo wrote:
| Quote: | | Taipei 101? It's just the highest building in the world (right now) |
now that you mention it - Please excuse my ignorance.
_________________
This is a wildly believed fact. - Fry (Futurama)
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