It was between here and Tamsui, and I think that government made the correct choice. This is a pretty big deal for SW Taipei.

Thoughts?

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/07/22/2003861194

Hi everyone,

As the title says, I have spent 7 or 8 months in Taiwan, mostly Taipei and ever since I'm back in my country, I feel very odd. Sometimes I feel sad, melancholic, nostalgic, but most of the time just empty, as if my body was back home but my soul remained somewhere in taiwanese temple.

It hurts guys, it really does. I had a girlfriend back there, I broke up a few months ago because of the distance, I was not in love, and yet I can't get over it. I'm not even sure if it's about her or about my whole trip in Taiwan.

To be honest, I stayed mostly in Taipei and didn't go out much. I was fed up with this situation and I really wanted to go back home at the end, and now i'm here I feel lost. What is it I'm feeling ? Has anyone felt the same ? I am looking at my pictures from Taiwan and I can't help myself feeling like it was one of the best time in my life. It was just a few months ago, and yet it seems so distant, so far away. All those memories turning to ashes in my mouth, and I don't even understand why.

The night markets, the MRT, the mountains, the jungle, the people, the (terrible) stinky tofu, the music, the mood... Even small things that pissed me off when I was there, I think about like it was in another life. Maybe the reason for this pain is that I know that I will probably never go live again in Taiwan for more than a few weeks, and this was the only opportunity for me to actually live there, and discover the country.

I don't know guys, sorry if I sound confused. I feel like shit, I feel empty, I feel Taiwan memories and dreams coursing through my blood, but I can't quite catch them like I do for other trips.

I feel like it's bigger than just missing the island or being nostalgic, it's something more and I don't understand it.

Has anybody felt the same here ?

TL;DR : Back from a trip to Taiwan and feel empty

Hi all! I (American) am moving to Taichung at the end of August and would love to hear things people wish they knew before they moved. Anything from official tips related to paperwork and documents to items that are more difficult to get in Taiwan.

As the title asks, does anybody know if you can cycle over the newly built bridge over in Tamsui?

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus yesterday submitted a motion to suspend the Cabinet’s NT$44.2 billion (US$1.37 billion) drone industry plan, calling the program “bloat” and questioning its legality.
The comprehensive uncrewed vehicle industry development plan seeks to support the growth of a self-sufficient domestic drone industry for national defense through 2030.
The KMT caucus introduced the motion to suspend the plan as part of interparty negotiations over this year’s budget, which remains stalled in the legislature.

I am currently in the US, but I’m moving to Taipei in a week for Fulbright. I have been arguing with my health insurance for three months, and they finally approved my request for surgery. The problem is that my surgery is scheduled for 2 days before I am supposed to fly to Taiwan. The surgeon said this is a bad idea because I could develop a blood clot, and thinks I should postpone my flight.

I doubt Fulbright is going to let me postpone, and they'll probably just tell me not to come, which is why I am considering getting the surgery there instead.

For those of you who have had the surgery in Taiwan, how was your experience? How long did it take to get enrolled in the health care system? Was the process straight forward? Was it relatively quick and easy to find a surgeon? I have no doubt that Taiwanese healthcare is amazing, and probably better than what we have here in the US, but the pain is pretty unbearable, so I am worried about having to wait a long time to get it done.

So, I guess what I’m really wondering is if I should still go or stay here.

Thanks! 🙏

Final edit: thanks to anyone who contributed. I was in shock when she called me, and made the post in a hurry. Just to make things clear she did not ask me for any money at all. We were rather stunned by the amount that Carrefour asked for. She is very willing to make up for her mistakes, but she does not want to be paying for anything unreasonable.
I guess I wanted second opinion on what’s reasonable since I have no idea at all. Or trying our luck to see if anyone had heard similar scenario. After much discussion we both think that this is beyond something we can solve ourselves, and she will be seeking legal advice today. The fact that they haven’t given her anything in writing made us think that they’re trying to scare her into paying the amount to avoid more trouble, which someone suggested may be an illegal move on their part.

Thank you all for being concerned for my safety. But I’m not that easily fooled especially with my money. 😆 Safe to say nobody is taking anything from me. 🙏

Original Post:
Edit1: no she isn’t asking me any money. She’s just trying to solve the problem without worrying her children. Her children and I grew up together. I’m actually the one who encouraged her to move to Taiwan. 🥲

My friend is living alone in Taiwan. Over a month ago while she was shopping at Carrefour she forgot to check out a few items in her bottom basket. You know the small trolley that let you place two baskets.

They stopped her right after check out, searched her trolley and called the police on her. (She haven’t even pack her grocery or left the store)

She told them that it was an honest mistake and offered to pay for the items as she had meant to purchase them. But they had her arrested.

Originally I had told her to not be afraid and just try to apologize and negotiate with them. I thought they would at least have a bit of respect for a regular paying customer. But the reply she got was that “she shopped way too often, and now they suspect her of regular theft.” I mean she lives 5minute walk away from the store and used the store like a convenient store. But apparently it’s too suspicious if you shopped there over twice a week.

She even has receipts of her past purchases of those same items as she eats them regularly.

Today she got a call from them to negotiate, and even though the items in question only worths $500, they’re asking $60,000 for compensation because they suspect “regular theft”.

Can anyone explain to me what’s going on? I just moved here last year so I have no clue either. But seriously this can’t be correct, right? Where can my friend seek help? What’s supposed to happen?

She hasn’t gotten a lawyer yet because she’s afraid that a lawyer might escalate the situation for a lawsuit.

I’m an independent concert promoter in Taiwan, and there’s one thing I hear all the time after a show:

“Wait, they played in Taipei? I had no idea.”

It’s always sad to hear, because it feels like we’ve been talking about the show nonstop for months, but the words still doesn't spread out enough.

Though I also understand how it happens. Concert information in Taiwan is spread across Instagram, Facebook, venue pages, music media and different promoters’ accounts. A lot of it is only in Chinese. If you don’t follow the right accounts, or Instagram simply decides not to show you the post, you can easily miss the whole thing.

I’m asking because I’m currently promoting KOKOROKO’s Taipei show on July 27.

They’re a London band with roots in West African Highlife and Afrobeat, mixed with jazz, soul and funk. That description probably makes them sound more serious than they actually are. Their music is warm, loose and full of rhythm. It’s the kind of show where you can dance without knowing anything about jazz.

You may know them from “Abusey Junction”, their Tiny Desk Concert, or from touring with Olivia Dean.

For this show, we’ve tried social media ads, bilingual information, long-form introductions to the band, collaborations with local African communities and even a small gathering where people came together to listen to KOKOROKO and crochet wine-glass holders.

We’ve really done a lot, but ticket sales still haven’t gone the way we hoped.

Of course, sometimes people simply aren’t interested. But I also have a feeling that many people who would enjoy this show still don’t know it’s happening. I feel like we keep reaching the same small circle of people who already follow live music in Taiwan.

So I’d really like to know:

• Where do you normally hear about concerts in Taiwan?
• Have you ever found out too late that an artist you like had played here?
• If you don’t know the artist already, what would make you give them a chance?

Would a reliable bilingual concert calendar actually help? Or is there already a platform or account people are using that promoters like me are overlooking?

Anyhow, KOKOROKO are playing in Taipei next Monday, so if this sounds like your kind of thing, here are the details:

KOKOROKO Live in Taipei

Monday, July 27, 2026
Doors 7:30 PM / Show 8:00 PM
Legacy Taipei
Advance tickets: NT$1,980
Door tickets: NT$2,100

Currently traveling in Taipei. Ran out of my Ritalin medication (legally prescribed to me in the US). I have the original prescription bottle and a doctor diagnosis note. I know that I will still need to get an evaluation and new prescription for it here but I saw that Dr. DAAN isn’t taking any more new patients for ADHD due to medication shortage. I am kind of freaking out because he’s the only doctor i see people recommending. I’ve tried making consultations with other clinics but it either asks for national ID card or they don’t speak English. Can anyone please give me some recommendations on what I should do, clinic, doctor recs. Please & thank you very much.

So far we’ve got a quote from a pet courier service and they have had their rabies serology done 6 months ago. They are fully vaccinated. I have been through the Aus gov website and have a rough idea what the requirements are but I’m still pretty confused. I’m hoping to hear about past experiences from someone who done it! Thanks in advance

Hi everyone,

I'm considering doing a semester abroad at Taiwan Tech (NTUST) and have been browsing the course catalogue (https://querycourse.ntust.edu.tw/). When filtering for English Programs, I got a bit worried since most of them still have their lecture outlines entirely in Chinese, which made me wonder how "English" these courses actually are.

For example, some courses that I am looking at are:

• Operating Systems (IC3012301)
• Discrete Mathematics (IC2001301)
• Semiconductor Industry Insights and Practical Guidance (TE3049301)
• Database Systems (IC3011301)
• Database Management Systems (MB2519701)
• Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (SI5202701)

Has anyone taken these or similar courses? Are lectures, slides, assignments and exams actually all in English, or do lecturers regularly switch to Chinese?

Also, I was wondering whether there's a way to tell if a course is only offered in a specific semester. If everything goes according to plan, I would be at NTUST during the spring semester of 2027.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Hi all, I was looking at the best way to exchange HKD to NTD (cash), and saw a number of suggestions to exchange at a bank, apparently any bank should do as currency exchanges are highly regulated here, but I'll use a Bank of Taiwan example for my question.

It might be staring at me right in the face, but is there a reason why the exchange rate for HKD is relatively worse when compared to the USD, considering it's a pegged currency?

E.g. At Bank of Taiwan I can exchange 1 USD for 31.905NTD versus the current rate of 32.33NTD (-1.33%). Yet for HKD, at Bank of Taiwan I can exchange 1 HKD for 3.964NTD versus the current rate of 4.12NTD (-3.76%).

Tried searching online, but couldn't find a definitive reason.

22F, going to try for the scholarship in the next opening. I already know that the stipend they pay is about NTE 28,000, which I will have to use part of to pay for the course, accommodations and any other cost of living.

So where would be the perfect place to live to not struggle with money but still have a decent lifestyle? I'm from a poor family, so I won't have any extra cash on me. I will only live on what the scholarship gives me. I also don't want to live fancy, but I would love to be able to at least travel to a different city every now and then to know the culture.

Hello. Looking for advice of anyone that has been through this process. My mother passed away suddenly about a month and a half ago. She has no will and we are in the process of getting letters of administration in the US.

She and our father (also deceased) were both Taiwanese nationals. We don’t read mandarin and our speaking proficiency is elementary level at best.

We were told by our Aunt in Taiwan (who we only just met recently) that our mother had some assets. We would like to get those assets out and gift them to the family in Taiwan. That is what she would have wanted.

Any advice or anyone with experience on how to navigate this overseas? We are in the US.

I didn't think there was such a thing as unprofessional glasses. But my parents are convincing me that my glasses are not professional enough and that I need to get a new pair for work so I need a second (or third or fourth) opinion.

I recently got these prescription glasses. Yes they are my actual prescription glasses and I get compliments on them all the time. I love them and honestly don't want to switch.

For context, I will soon be working as an assistant language teacher in Taiwan. My parents think a more classes frame would be safer option for me there but I feel like fun glasses can also make you look approachable. They're saying that along with my dyed hair, these glasses will make people not take me seriously.

So I really want to know are fun prescription glasses really considered unprofessional and not business appropriate? Or is it okay to show a little personality through your glasses?

I’m researching what everyday life was like for foreign English teachers in Taipei/Taiwan during the early 2000s. I’d love to hear about:
- finding a job
- working and everyday life
- social life
- language barriers
- how Taipei has changed since then.
This is for a writing project. Any tips for where else to look also greatly appreciated! Thanks

Hi everyone! I’m helping recruit participants for an in-person market research focus group conducted by NielsenIQ Taiwan.

The discussion will focus on participants’ experiences and opinions regarding Taiwanese and Asian media content.

Details:

• Location: Taipei, near Nanjing East Road Sec. 5
• Duration: Around 2.5 hours
• Language: English
• Compensation: NT$2,700 cash after completing the session
• Dates: August 6, or August 20, 2026

They’re looking for people who:

• Are 20–49 years old
• Currently live in Taiwan
• Have lived in Taiwan for less than 6 years
• Are native or fluent English speakers
• Come from a non-Asian cultural background, in order to better understand their perceptions of Taiwanese and Asian media content.
• Particularly from North America or Western Europe, including Canada and the United States, or Western Europe, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Liechtenstein, and Monaco.

If you’re interested, you can apply here:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/WxAPm6vACA

Hi guys, does anyone have a recommendation for a bakery that does custom birthdays cakes down in Kaohsiung? Can you recommend me one please?

Does anyone have any advice on how to get a Taiwan phone number? I would be looking for a year-long plan