Before visiting Taiwan, I made a detailed itinerary for Taipei and the north of Taiwan, eager to visit temples, night markets, and enjoy a tea ceremony. But what I experienced in Taiwan in that one week was so much more: how communities function together, the consideration and respect for others and in public spaces, and the subtle social interactions that you can only notice after spending a few days there.
Culture in Taiwan is understood through social cues, unspoken societal rules, and communication etiquette in daily life. So here’s a guide on Taiwanese culture, including fun facts and important things to know for a more meaningful, respectful trip.
History of Taiwan
Over centuries, Taiwan was colonised by the Dutch, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese.
The strongest influence in Taiwan is Chinese, due to migration; in the 16th century, Chinese fishermen started moving to Taiwan.
Taiwan was under China’s last imperial dynasty, the Qing Dynasty, for 268 years, but when the dynasty collapsed, it went under Japanese colonial rule. After Japan surrendered at the end of World War 2, it returned Taiwan to the Republic of China (ROC).
Why is Taiwan called the Republic of China?
During the Chinese Civil War, the ROC government fought with the communist party and ultimately lost in 1949. The People’s Republic of China (PRC), now simply known as China, was formed, and the ROC, along with 1.2 million Chinese people, moved to Taiwan following its loss.
This is why Taiwan is also known as the Republic of China (ROC).
However, the communist party has never ruled over Taiwan, and while the PRC claims Taiwan as a province of China, Taiwan functions as a completely independent country.
The ROC name stuck because the PRC has threatened military action for any official signs or requests of “independence”, which a change of name would imply. However, Taiwan’s government says the country is already independent, and there’s no need to request it.
And while the PRC refuses to maintain diplomatic ties with anyone that recognises Taiwan as an independent country, many countries are able to maintain unofficial relationships with Taiwan, while only 12 countries officially recognise Taiwan.
Important: And this is why it’s a touchy subject to call Taiwan “China” or imply that it’s a part of China. The people of Taiwan consider themselves Taiwanese, not Chinese, though there is strong Han Chinese (as well as Japanese and Indigenous Austronesian) influence there.
Fun fact: The main island of Taiwan was historically called Formosa, a name given by Portuguese sailors in the 16th century, formosa meaning “beautiful”. It’s still sometimes referred to as Formosa.
Fun facts about Taiwan
- Taiwan is the island with the largest number of mountains in the world.
- Taiwan is subtropical, but it snows on its mountain peaks.
- Bubble tea (also called Boba tea) originated in Taiwan in the 1980s.
- Taiwan is known for tea, specifically oolong tea, which grows nicely on its mountains.
- Referred to as “the land of convenience”, Taiwan proves this by being the country with the highest number of convenience stores, which include 7-11 and FamilyMart, where you can also pay bills, buy event tickets, and use as a delivery pick up location.
- Taiwan is so often confused with Thailand (even CNN made the mistake) that they have a stamp with the words “incorrectly mailed to Thailand”.
- The world’s first cat cafe originated in Taiwan and is called “Kitten Coffee Garden”. Unfortunately, this started a trend of animal cafes, which is highly unethical because the animals rarely have the right space or care to feel comfortable, or they’re wild animals like capybara that should not be held captive in the first place. So, unless an animal cafe focuses on rescuing and promoting the adoption of domesticated animals like cats and dogs, it’s best to avoid it to prevent the animals’ suffering.
The Indigenous people of Taiwan
Taiwan is home to 24 million people, but a very small percentage of the population is Indigenous. The Indigenous people of Taiwan (Austronesians) have been living there for over 15000 years, but today they make up 3% of the population. There are 16 officially recognised Indigenous people in Taiwan, with the largest populations being Hualien and Taitung.
If you’re visiting Taipei (here’s a list of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Taipei) and are short on time, the most popular Indigenous village to visit is Wulai village. You can easily do a day trip to Wulai and see the museum, enjoy Indigenous Taiwanese food, and learn about the traditional arts and crafts.
Important: Using the word “aborigines” is offensive, and the right term is Indigenous, and the word should be capitalised.
Culture in Taiwan
Family life in Taiwan
- Family is very important in Taiwan. In rural areas, it’s common for 3 generations to live in the same house.
- Ancestor worship is stronger than religions like Buddhism, Taoism, or Christianity.
- Respect towards elders is a huge part of Taiwanese culture.
- Always greet the oldest person first when greeting people or when being introduced.
Freedom of life in Taiwan
Taiwan is the most democratic country in Asia (and among the top freest countries in the world). In 2019, it became the first country in Asia to allow LGBTQ+ marriages.
Taiwan is also considered one of the safest countries in Asia to visit, especially for solo women travellers. Violent crime is relatively rare, which makes visitors and locals alike feel safe and free to explore in peace.
Food culture in Taiwan
Food has a huge presence in Taiwanese culture, and you’ll see this easily at the night markets, where people go to not just have dinner but to socialise, hang out, and enjoy family time. Food (especially seasonal fruits) are often gifted as presents and snacks.
The most famous Taiwanese dishes and treats are
- Beef noodle soup
- Fried chicken (either served as popcorn chicken or as huge cutlets)
- Bubble tea (bubble tea was invented in Taiwan in the 1980s)
- Pineapple cake (also invented in Taiwan)
Another notable feature in Taiwanese cuisine is their breakfast, which is an important daily meal. You will see local people lining up around the block at popular breakfast food stalls and restaurants (Fu Hang Soy Milk in Taipei is one of the most famous breakfast locations), but thankfully, lines tend to move fast and very efficiently. Just be ready to order when it’s your turn and simply state the number associated to the dish you want.
Taiwanese breakfast is usually savoury and the most popular items include
- Egg pancakes
- Soy milk
- Fried dough sticks
- Turnip cakes
The best way to discover Taiwanese food is to do a food tour with a local. This way you’ll know exactly what to try and avoid getting full from just 1 meal.
Education and work culture in Taiwan
- Taiwanese students spend the longest number of hours in school than any other students in the world (they spend about 9.5 hours at school per day, not counting the extra hours spent on extracurricular activities or tutoring lessons).
- Taiwanese parents are heavily involved in their children’s education.
- Teachers are very well-respected and revered in Taiwan.
- Taiwanese adults work long hours; in fact, they’re ranked 4th hardest workers in the world based on working hours.
Etiquette in Taiwan
Proper etiquette to follow in Taiwan
Taiwan is a collectivist society, where saving face and being considerate towards others are of the utmost importance. In fact, Taiwanese people are generally known for their politeness and respect for societal rules, especially in public.
General respectful etiquette to follow in Taiwan
- When receiving something physical, whether a gift, money, or business cards, use both hands as a sign of respect.
- Be humble and gracious. Humility is an important aspect of Taiwanese culture, so don’t show off or brag, and accept compliments graciously and humbly.
- If staying at a homestay in Taiwan, or even if you’re just visiting someone’s house (which is a great honour), always take your shoes off when entering. Keep outside shoes for the outside world, and wear inside slippers inside (PS: if you like cats and are staying in Taipei, OrigInn Space is the place to be; their orange cat Opan is a delight and very friendly).
- Do not open wrapped gifts in front of the gift-giver, as it may make you seem impatient or rude.
- Avoid hugs when greeting someone unless you know them well or there’s some existing familiarity. Either use handshakes, or do a small bow, or offer a nod and smile to greet someone, especially when meeting for the first time.
- Use formal titles (e.g. Doctor or teacher) rather than first names, unless explicitly told to.
- Maintain eye contact when conversing with someone.
- Avoid talking about politics, specifically Chinese-Taiwanese politics, unless initiated by a Taiwanese person.
Taiwanese etiquette in public and social settings
- Don’t shout or exhibit loud behaviour in public.
- Speak politely and respectfully, and avoid being too blunt.
- Don’t skip lines but instead queue and wait for your turn.
- Show respect and consideration towards others, especially elderly people.
Etiquette on public transportation in Taiwan
- Offer elder people your seats on public transportation.
- Don’t eat or drink on the metro, bus, or train in Taiwan.
- Don’t speak loudly on public transportation. No excuses even if you’re travelling with young children.
Cleanliness in Taiwan
Taiwan is an incredibly clean country, and although you might not see trash cans often in public settings, there’s no littering because people carry their trash with them and dispose of them at home (this is similar to Japanese culture, which makes sense as Taiwan was under Japanese colonial rule for 50 years).
When you do dispose of trash, make sure to throw it in the right bin, specifically food waste, recyclable trash (e.g. plastic and glass), and normal trash. Recycling is important here; in fact, Taiwan has one of the highest percentages of recycling in the world.
Fun fact: you might often hear trucks driving around playing music. I learned the sad way that these are not ice cream trucks but garbage trucks picking up trash.
Temple etiquette in Taiwan
- Dress conservatively when visiting temples in Taiwan (or any sacred and religious places for that matter). Don’t wear tight or short outfits, especially for women. Shoulders and knees should be covered too.
- Avoid PDA and exuberant behaviour.
- Do not film people without consent (this should be a global rule everywhere), especially people praying or performing rituals. And do not share publicly (e.g. on social media) without consent.
- Keep voices low and keep quiet as much as possible.
Hot spring etiquette in Taiwan
- Always rinse off before entering the hot springs. It’s a good idea to rinse off after as well.
- Most hot springs require guests to not wear anything, including swimwear. While most hot springs are gender-separated, if you still feel uncomfortable being completely naked, you can always book a private pool.
FAQs: culture in Taiwan
What are the most important cultural tips for visiting Taiwan?
Courtesy, politeness, and consideration are important facets of Taiwanese culture, even more so in public settings. When visiting Taiwan, make sure to avoid loud exuberant behaviour, be polite to everyone, especially the elderly, don’t take photos of people without consent, and follow temple etiquette when visiting religious places, such as dressing conservatively and keeping voices low.
What is Taiwanese culture like?
Taiwanese culture is a mixture of Japanese and Chinese cultures, with some mild Dutch and Spanish influence, all from colonial times. Taiwan was under both Chinese (during the Qing dynasty) and Japanese rule, and there were huge waves of migrants coming from China, and that’s why Taiwanese cuisine is so similar to Chinese food.
Is Taiwanese culture similar to Chinese culture?
Taiwanese culture is a mix of Japanese and Chinese culture, but aspects of Japanese culture show up more than Chinese culture in Taiwan, specifically orderliness, quiet public spaces, and holding on to personal trash to discard of at home. This could be because the most recent colonial ruler of Taiwan was Japan, up until 1945.
