Taiwan 101 - Guide to Visiting Taiwan

Taiwan is a Republic of China but has it's own government (facebook is also allowed), it is a pretty progressive country. Unlike the Phillipines (where Im from), it doesn't boast of a white powdery beach, but it does have beautiful beaches with deep-blue hues and a surfing paradise, scenic mountains and of course the ever romantic sunrises and sunsets (these are everywhere right?). According to a lady I met there, Taiwan is even more beautiful in the winter (because I can wear boots to my hearts content) and in the Spring because like Japan it has cherry blossoms.

This is one famous Tourist destination in the Northern part of Taiwan - Yehliu Geopark

Last August I visited Taiwan intially to climb a mountain but when that plan did not materialize I planned on visiting Penghu Island but then I didn't do that either because I didn't think I had enough time (and money), I took their promotional travel brochures and went to the South because I always wanted to behold sunsets and according to them the most beautiful one is in the South.

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Sunset in Kenting (South), not an excellent photo because I took it from a bus and you can see the reflections.

Here are the five things you need to know to Navigate Taiwan even if you have no idea where to go.

• Free Wifi

That's right, the city is really connected and if you are a tourist they will give you free access to the each city's Wifi. You can get the password at the Tourist Information while other Cities like Kaoshiong does not require one.

Here's a photo of me and the bike I rented in Kaoshiong along the Love River

• Bikes

One way to save up on your Taiwan trip is taking advantage of their bike rental programs. The rental process varies from every cit. In Kaoshiong Bikes are rented by the Government and the first hour is free, you do not have to buy their City's Easy Card (the one you can siwpe at train stations, buses and stores) as you can use your credit card. In Kenting, establishments rent  Bikes and they require cash while in Taipei they said that you have to use the City's issued Easy Card.

• Tourist Information

This is where you can talk to someone who can surely converse with you in English and ask for help/instructions. Their crew are really helpful and will advise you on the right thing to do if you ask them, like choosing where to go next or choosing which one to visit.

Locker differs in every Station as to the price and sizes.

• Lockers

Train stations in Taiwan have lockers at reasonable prices so if you are planning on dropping by a city and spend the night on a bus ride to another city the locker is of great help to make your journey more pleasurable. Don't worry if you are taking the bus, bus stations are located just next to a train station unless the city doesn't have trains yet - these cities are those that are on the southernmost part usually past Kashiong, like in Kenting. The key as always is ask.

Taipei Main Station, ain't it big?

• Train Stations

Train Stations are your safe haven when traveling to Taiwan, even with very few locals able to speak in English it is easy to navigate if you get help from the right place - the Train station. This is where you can access the Free Wifi and find the Tourist Information Center (they open at 9:00 and closes at 18:00) where you can find someone who can speak English and give you directions including what specific bus to ride, where and how far is the walk and where you can rent a bike. This is where you can browse for travel brochures and choose where to go if you haven't planned your trip, plus it can serve as your nearby mall to do your last minute shopping.

Here's my unsolicited advice,

There are destinations where you can only get to by either walking or riding a bike from the train/bus station unless you ride a taxi and Taxis in Taiwan are very expensive so make sure to get a detailed direction from the information center because unlike the Philippines they don't have those jeepneys and tricycles that takes to your specific destination.

When choosing whether to take the bus or the train you need to consider whether you want to be fast or save up on the fare. Always ask which is cheaper and how long the trip will be, though in some cities some destinations are only reachable by a train and at times just by the bus (southern part).

Taiwan Visa Application (for Filipinos)

I was really kind of wondering about what it really takes to get a visa because I haven't gotten one in my previous Asian travels. I was afraid too, that maybe they won't let me in but thankfully they did.

I googled like crazy on how to get one because I didn't want my tickets forfeited, some say its easy, some say its not. Well, it actually depends on your situation. I'd say visit a couple of Asian countries first, if you haven't had a visa for US, Canada, Australia, UK and those other wealthier countries. Still it is not impossible to get one even though you haven't been outside the Philippines because at the end of the day it depends on the consul's judgement.

The important thing you have to establish is that you are coming back, so a stable job most likely will get you to Taiwan. Adding the permission to Leave from your company to the COE adds to your chances. If you are a student, you'r school's certificate of admission can get you a long way.  Make sure to also provide a bank certificate to show that you can afford your trip.

Taiwan Embassy is located in Makati at the RCBC plaza, the complete address is this:
41F Tower RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Below are the steps and requirements to get a Taiwan Visa.

• Visit their form on this link: https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/BOCA_MRVWeb/subroot/MRVWeb0_form.jsp

The embassy's main website however is this : http://www.roc-taiwan.org/mp.asp?mp=1

• Fill-out the application form thoroughly, keep in mind that you have to put something on the address for Taiwan box even if you haven't booked a hotel yet, put in the address of the hotel/hostels that you want to book (there are a lot at Hostelworld.com). They only have a box for the given name, but be warned, it should also include your middle name that your application form will have your name exactly as it is shown on your passport.
• After submitting the form it will inform you of the time frame where you can still use the form as it expires.
• Prepare all your requirements as stated below from their website and submit.

1. An online Visa Application Form.
2. Two (2) passport size photos 1.5”x2” with white background (taken w/in the last three (3) months)
3. Passport valid for at least six months and old passport showing previous travels
4. Birth Certificate issued by NSO
5. Marriage Contract (if applicable) issued by NSO
6. Certificate of Employment
8. Financial statements of the applicant (Bank Book or Bank Statements)
9. Other Supporting Documents if required (You can show your Ticket if you already have one).
10. All documents submitted to this office should be Original and with 1 photocopy.

• Releasing of the visa is after three working days. 

Tips:

• If you made a mistake on your first attempt at fillig-out out the form but you have already submitted it online, it is ok do apply and fill-out another form. 
• Never forget your bank certificate, I read a blog online of a couple denied of a visa because of the lack of this.
• The Permissin to Leave is a letter from your company stating that you were allowed to leave on specific dates and in my case they even state the place I'm visiting.
• Photocopy everything except the application form that you filled-out online.
• Paste one of the passport size photos on the box on the upper left side of the application form you filled-out and place the other on a transparent plastic or just simply place it on top of all requirements when you give it to the embassy.
• You will pay for the Visa fee (2100 PHP) upon application.
• Most of the time there is no need for an interview/appearance at the embassy though sometimes they might, you will know this if they'd contact you, hopefully not.
• If you have no other government ID aside from your passport, you will need to have an extra 1000PHP that you can leave at the reception along with any other ID that you can get back after your visit of course. The reception is right at the entrance of the building (RCBC Tower 1) and the guard will point you towards it after you say where you are headed.
• Visa is valid for three months you can apply earlier than you scheduled flight.

If you are on of the below however, you won't need to apply for a visa according to their site.
Effective August 08, 2013, Philippine passport holders are exempted from visa and are allowed to stay in the Republic of China (Taiwan) for thirty (30) days provided that they have never worked in Taiwan as blue-collar workers and are currently holding valid visas or permanent resident cards of U.S.A., Canada, Japan, U.K., EU Schengen, Australia and New Zealand.
Qualified applicants may register for approval at https://nas.immigration.gov.tw/nase . Upon obtaining approval, please print out the Authorization Certificate and present it to the airline staff upon checking in at counter. For those who fail to show valid visas or permanent resident cards of the above-mentioned countries, ENTRY TO TAIWAN IS PROHIBITED.

I'll probably visit Taiwan again soon as I have unfinished business there. :)