Taiwan is a great location for a
family holiday. First of all, it is relatively underrated, and it is not
overflowing with tourists at any given time, which tends to be a problem when
visiting places in Europe, for example. Taiwan is a culture that holds family
in high regard, especially children, and offers a lot of places for them, such
as parks, playrooms, etc., especially in Taipei.
Talk quietly and carry a dictionary
Not every
place on Earth is full of English speakers. The chances are that the younger
Taiwanese generations might know a bit more of it, but in general you should be
learning how to get by without it or with the least amount possible. This
doesn’t mean that you can’t buy things – you can always use the international
language of trade, i.e. pointing your index finger at things and offering money
for them. However, keep your voice down, as being loud is considered very rude
in Taiwan. You will never hear the locals raising their voice, especially in
the metro, which is a place where people like to take a nap in while commuting.
Don’t forget the zoo
You might think you have seen
enough zoos in your life but do consider this one as an option. Taipei zoo is one of the largest in Asia and
your kids are guaranteed to love it. It boasts 90 acres of wildlife and you can
see flamingos, pandas, penguins, lions, and, of course, the inescapable
elephants. You can get there quickly by using public transportation.
Pre-schoolers can enter for free, while the adult ticket is around $2. Here’ a
hint for the zoo visit: there is a shuttle you can take up the hill – that way
you can keep going downhill on foot while checking out the zoo and ending up at
the entrance!
Places to stay
Family stays are always tough to
decide on. There are many options – you can find a place on Airbnb or look for a Taipei hotel that suits you best. Again, the
location itself should not matter much as the public transportation is well
connected. You can go from the cheaper options all the way to glamping at
places like The Kaida Grand Hotel Taipei. The variety of choice is wide and the
best part is that most places will be more than happy to accommodate kids.
Keep your hands to yourself – and keep the bills
Although very polite, the people
of Taiwan are not likely to react well to an attempt of a hug or a kiss on the
cheek. Even shaking hands is a custom that they are still getting to grips
with. Personal space is not to be disturbed. Also, don’t try to make small talk
to strangers, as it will likely surprise them and make them anxious, more than
endearing. Oh, and a quick note – keep all your receipts while you’re there
because, believe it or not, each of them is a ticket for the Taiwan lottery. The draw happens every two
months and you could be among the winners, even if you are a foreigner!
Check out the night markets
The name is pretty
self-explanatory – you walk around markets at night. The best part: it’s all
about having awesome street food. Walking around and eating – what better way
to get familiar with a culture? There are over 30 night markets in the greater
Taipei area alone! If you are unsure which to visit, then know that the
Michelin Food Guide put 24 Taipei night markets on their Bib Gourmand
selection, recognizing the quality of the food they are serving. These are
definitely interesting experiences that the entire family
can take part in and have a lot of fun.
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