Geography and Climate

Taiwan is an island approximately 394 kilometres long and 144 kilometres wide, situated roughly 160 kilometres off the southeastern coast of China. The island spans two climate zones, divided by the Tropic of Cancer, which crosses it at Chiayi: subtropical to the north, tropical to the south. Central Taiwan is dominated by mountain ranges, with peaks exceeding 3,000 metres, whilst the western plains host most of the population and urban centres.

Population and Languages

Taiwan has a population of approximately 23 million, a figure that has fallen slightly every year since 2020. The vast majority speak Mandarin Chinese as the primary language, which appears on all official signage and government communications. However, Taiwan’s linguistic landscape is richer than this suggests: around 80% of the population, some 19 million people, speak Taiwanese as a first or second language, though the share falls with each younger generation and is highest in the south. Around 5% speak Hakka, while considerably more are of Hakka descent, and indigenous communities maintain their own distinct languages (16 are officially recognised, with 42 dialects between them)¹. English proficiency varies considerably: you’ll find it more commonly spoken in Taipei and tourist areas, but less so in smaller towns and rural regions. The written language uses Traditional Chinese characters, which differ from the Simplified characters used in China.

Currency and Financial Practicalities

The official currency is the New Taiwan Dollar, abbreviated as NTD, TWD or NT$. As of September 2026, the exchange rate hovers around 31 TWD to 1 USD, though this fluctuates; check a current rate before you travel. ATMs are widespread in cities and accept international cards, making cash withdrawal straightforward. However, Taiwan remains more cash-oriented than many Western countries, particularly for smaller transactions. Credit cards are accepted at hotels, department stores, and chain restaurants, but night markets, local eateries, and traditional shops often prefer cash. Consider carrying a mix of both and withdrawing cash at convenience stores like 7-Eleven or FamilyMart, which house reliable ATMs with English interfaces.

Power and Time

Mains electricity is 110 volts at 60 Hz, with the flat two-pin type A and three-pin type B sockets used in the United States, Canada and Japan. If you are coming from the UK, Europe or Australia you will need an adapter, and appliances that are not dual-voltage will also need a converter. Taiwan runs on UTC+8 all year and does not observe daylight saving, so the offset from home never shifts mid-trip.