Taipei is the capital of Taiwan, a dense and walkable city of night markets, hot springs, temples, and mountain trails set in a basin ringed by green hills. Its skyline is anchored by Taipei 101, while the National Palace Museum holds one of the world's great collections of Chinese imperial art. Taipei pairs an efficient metro, a famously food-obsessed street culture, and easy access to hot springs and tea-growing hills within the city limits.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Remove shoes when entering a private home and some tea houses; slippers are usually provided
At temples, walk in through the right-hand (dragon) door and out through the left (tiger) door, and avoid stepping on the threshold
Incense is offered in odd-numbered sticks, and visitors can simply observe without taking part
Offer and receive business cards and gifts with both hands
Queue on the MRT, stand on the right of escalators, and eat or drink nothing in stations (fines apply)
Household rubbish is collected by trucks with a musical jingle; public bins are scarce, so carry litter until a bin appears
Taiwanese opera (gezaixi) is often staged on temple forecourts during deity birthdays and is open to onlookers
Tea is served in small cups; tapping two fingers on the table is a common way to thank the pourer
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Greet with a slight nod or a light handshake and use 'Nihao' (hello)
- Dress modestly in temples: shoulders and knees covered
- Use both hands to give or receive cards, gifts and money
- Stand to the right on MRT escalators and give priority seats to older and pregnant passengers
- Carry cash (NT$) for night markets, temples and small shops
- Try local food with an open mind, including stinky tofu, oyster omelette and bubble tea
- Use the shared serving chopsticks or spoons at group meals where provided
- Learn a few Mandarin phrases; Taiwanese speakers appreciate the effort
Don't
- Do not stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice, which resembles incense offerings for the dead
- Do not give clocks, umbrellas or white chrysanthemums as gifts, which carry funeral or separation associations
- Do not point feet at altars or deity statues, or touch people's heads
- Do not tip in restaurants (a 10% service charge is often already added)
- Do not eat or drink on the MRT, including water
- Do not photograph worshippers praying at close range or use flash inside the main temple halls
- Do not describe Taiwan as part of the PRC in casual conversation, as political identity is a sensitive subject
- Do not litter at night markets; use the marked bins and stalls
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- Nod or light handshake; use titles plus surname (e.g. Chen Xiansheng, Mr. Chen) with people older than oneself.
- Dining
- The eldest or host starts first; food is shared; slurping noodles is acceptable; leaving a little on the plate signals a full stomach.
- Dress
- Casual is normal; cover shoulders and knees at temples; a light rain jacket is useful in most months.
- Gifts
- Bring fruit, tea or snacks when visiting a home; avoid clocks, umbrellas and sets of four (the number four sounds like 'death').
- Business
- Punctual meetings and formal card exchange; 'face' matters, so public criticism is avoided.
- Tipping
- Not expected; a 10% service charge is added at many hotels and mid-range or upscale restaurants. Taxi drivers round fares to the nearest NT$10 as a courtesy.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
你好
Hello
Nǐ hǎo (nee how)
謝謝
Thank you
Xièxiè (shyeh-shyeh)
不好意思
Excuse me / Sorry
Bù hǎoyìsi (boo how-ee-suh)
這個多少錢?
How much is this?
Zhège duōshǎo qián? (juh-guh dwoh-shao chyen)
太貴了
Too expensive
Tài guì le (tie gway luh)
廁所在哪裡?
Where is the toilet?
Cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ? (tsuh-swaw dzai nah-lee)
我吃素
I am vegetarian
Wǒ chī sù (waw chih soo)
好吃
Delicious
Hǎo chī (how chih)
買單
The bill, please
Mǎidān (my-dan)
我聽不懂
I do not understand
Wǒ tīng bù dǒng (waw ting boo dohng)
乾杯
Cheers
Gānbēi (gan-bay)
再見
Goodbye
Zàijiàn (dzai-jyen)
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Taipei.
Main: Folk religion blended with Taoism and Buddhism is most common; Confucian rites, Christianity, Yiguandao and other faiths are also practised.
Sites: Longshan Temple, Baoan Temple, Xingtian Temple, Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple and the Taipei Confucius Temple.
Holy Days: Deity birthdays follow the lunar calendar; Lunar New Year, Ghost Month (7th lunar month) and Qingming are the busiest.
Conversations: Religion is treated casually and inclusively; visitors are welcome to observe respectfully, and cross-strait politics is best left for locals to raise.