hi there ! former 師大 MTC student now at an A1/A2 level and looking to study full time again but missed the MTC Cutoff. I’ve heard that CCU near Da’an Park is good but was looking for some reviews !

Hundreds of people gathered inside the old Tainan Railway Station on Friday evening to commemorate the final service of the aboveground station, before a large crowd gathered underground at the new station on Saturday morning to celebrate the inauguration of the underground service.

Thank you for all the ground-level journeys, Tainan Station.

Hey all!

Visiting Taiwan in a few weeks and was hoping to buy a Taiwanese made baseball glove. Does anyone know any brands and where I could buy one? I know they generally stock lots of Japanese gloves, but I'd love a Taiwanese made glove specifically. Thanks so much!

I’m from the UK and will be travelling to Taiwan in December. I previously visited South Korea and was really interested in the cosmetic dermatology and dental treatments available there, so I’m wondering what the options are like in Taiwan for tourists.

I’ve had a look online at some clinics and prices, and while they seem fairly reasonable compared to the UK, they don’t seem that cheap compared to what I was expecting. I’ve also found it a bit harder to find detailed information and reviews about clinics in Taiwan compared to Korea.

I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has experience with either cosmetic/dermatology treatments (e.g. hydrafacial, lasers, skin treatments, Botox, etc.) or dental treatments (e.g. whitening, cleaning etc).

A few things I’m curious about:

• Quality: How does the standard of treatment compare with Korea? Are there good clinics and dentists that are used to treating foreign patients?
• Pricing: Are the prices I’m seeing online generally representative, or are there better-value options that are harder to find online?
• Finding reputable clinics: What websites or platforms do people use to research clinics and read reviews in Taiwan?
• Tourists: Is it straightforward to book appointments as a foreign visitor, particularly if you don’t speak Mandarin?
• Recommendations: Are there any clinics or dentists in Taipei (or elsewhere in Taiwan) that you’d recommend based on personal experience?

I’m not necessarily looking for the absolute cheapest option, as quality and safety are more important, but I’d love to know whether Taiwan is worth considering for these treatments compared with Korea or just sticking with the UK.

Just for some background information I'm still a beginner in Mandarin. I have studied in Shanghai before but I wouldn't say my Mandarin is the best. But I'm planning on applying for PhD programs soon and the countries I'm looking at is the US (my home country), Canada, and Taiwan. I'm hoping to get out of the US though. But I'm interested in getting a PhD in social psychology of sex and gender and already have research experience in this area. Would anyone recommend studying this in Taiwan? I was particularly interested in Taiwan so I can immerse myself into the culture and continue my Mandarin studies.

Hi everyone!

I'm a 28-year-old French guy currently working in France, and I'm looking for a change of scenery. I'd like to spend around 6 months in Taiwan in 2027 to learn Mandarin, ideally in Taipei or Taichung.

I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the information online. I've been out of school for a long time, and I'm struggling to understand the different universities, language centres and programs available. I'm not particularly academically confident, but I'm motivated and would like to learn in a structured, supportive environment with a reliable school.

Financially, I think I can make it work. I'd also like to have my own room or apartment rather than staying in a student dormitory or shared accommodation.

I'd really appreciate your advice:

• Which Mandarin schools would you recommend in Taipei or Taichung?
• Which offer a reliable, well-structured program for around 3-6 months?
• Is it still possible to apply for 2027?
• What budget should I expect for tuition and private accommodation?

Any advice or personal experiences would be very welcome. I'm just trying to find a trustworthy school and figure out where to start.

Thanks a lot! 🙂

Me and my family will be staying in Taipei from mid of November for a few month and both of my kids (daughter 8 yrs, son 6 yrs) are really into soccer. They play in a soccer team back home and want to practice in Taiwan as well. Can you recommend any clubs/teams in Taipei where they could practice with other kids of the same age? They speak decent Mandarin so language should not be an issue. Thank you so much for your help!

Hi. I’m not asking for medical advice per se. I’m asking for people’s experiences and lifestyle habits with food there. Any tips or experiences.

I have unfortunately been diagnosed with prediabetes and high cholesterol. I’m very devastated. I am moving to Taiwan in a matter of weeks. Not only will that be a big adjustment, I have to completely change my eating habits. Things feel intense right now.

If anyone here has either or both, I’d be grateful to hear how you manage the food and cuisine. I am coming from a Mediterranean diet/food.

I understand Taiwan has vegetables and fruit lol. I’m more asking how you have managed these condition. Was it hard for you? What was easy or difficult?

Please be respectful. No mocking. I’m already processing a lot and don’t need any blame or jokes.

Do you have suggestions for Taiwanese brands that are for running/cycling? Pls reco any shops to visit that is cheaper to buy there 🫶

Sidenote: any other for perfume and shoes too would be nice!

不好意思之前有網友跟我反應標題的表達有問題，所以我需要重新發。

我想找一個2025年1月在日本鎌倉偶遇的1989年出生的台灣的哥哥。

不知道他還記不記得我，應該是2025年1月22日，我們拼團從東京去鎌倉–橫濱玩。

那時候在車上偶遇3個來自台灣的哥哥，很熱情很友好。晚上回來的時候大家混熟悉了在車上聊的很開心。

那時候有一個很友好的小哥哥我很想跟他交朋友，他說我看起來很小問我多大，然後說自己是1989年的，我很驚訝。

他還跟我分享了他2019年在東京跟青年旅舍的舍友不期而遇3個男生一起去迪士尼遊玩的經歷。

他可能來自臺南，或者台灣南部，因為聽他說他們期中有一個朋友在臺南買了房子

其實我的想法很單純，就是那個哥哥跟我聊完天我感覺他的生活很自在很逍遙，人很樂觀，跟他相處很快樂。他分享的他的生活好像是我渴望的追求的樣子，這兩年裏我有一些決定好像也有他當時帶給我的影響，如果這位哥哥看到了我的帖子，願意跟我交朋友，我會很開心。不知道還有沒有希望。

Given that the current ROC flag wasn't originally designed for the island of Taiwan itself, a lot of alternative flag concepts have floated around over the decades (the World Taiwanese Congress flag, the green island silhouette, the Indigenous patterns, etc.).

Let's say that a contest is held tomorrow, what would your submission be?

My humble suggestion would be to constitute the Gua Bao Republic

I’m doing my research these days to pursue masters in Taiwan, anything related to English / Education.

Perhaps some of you here are international students who did masters too, and I’d love to hear your insights.

1. schools with high chances of getting in? I’m considering NTUE, NTNU, NCYU, and NTCU

2. would it be easy for me to find part time teaching jobs if I’m in Taipei / Taichung?

3. which ones are really embracing more and more international students?

4. scholarships please, I’m Filipino btw

Thanks.

Been fighting with my internet speed all day struggling to download a video from line. Did a speed test and was surprised by the numbers. Granted, my phone is 3 years old but that shouldn’t impact speeds this much should it?

Hi, if anyone is interested I am looking for people to play Tabletop Simulator with on the evenings after work. Or if you are near Xinzhuang I also have a couple of physical games: Eldritch Horror, Pandemic, Jaipur, LOTR Duel.

This coming Sunday (10/25) is Taiwan's Retrocession Day, a public holiday. We invite you to spend it at Chan Grove in Beitou and join the last bilingual retreat for 2026.

You will get to meditate on the question of self and identity - "Who are you, really?" - while making dessert and enjoying fine tea.

Register here:

https://www.changrove.org/newsdetail_tw.php?id=21710

I have to do an international internship for my business degree this year. I would like to go to an international company either in China or Taiwan (Taipei).
For background: I have previously studied and done an internship in China, but I’ve only been on vacation in Taiwan.

I already know how hard finding an internship is in China, but I’ve found a great opportunity in Qingdao. Does anyone have experience living there as a foreigner? (I do speak Chinese, although not fluently) It looks like a great city but idk about social life/night life there?

This summer I also went to Taiwan and loved the more relaxed lifestyle. I’ve also been looking at internship opportunities there because I feel like there are more openings for foreign students compared to the mainland? Can anyone shed light on how it works getting an internship in Taiwan, how hard is it to get a visa approved for it, etc?

Hi everyone,
My wife is an Indian citizen with a valid US visa in her old passport. After marriage, she obtained a new passport with a different name. Her old passport is still available, and the new passport mentions the old passport number.

Note: Fictional names used below.

● Old passport and US visa: Priyaben Ramesh Sharma
● Marriage certificate: Priya Ramesh Sharma
● New passport: Priya Amit Mehta

We’re planning a tourist trip to Taiwan, and I have a few questions:

1. Can she obtain a Taiwan TAC using her valid US visa issued under her previous name?
2. If TAC is approved using her new passport details, could the airline deny boarding in India due to the name mismatch?
3. Would carrying both passports and the marriage certificate be sufficient?
4. Has anyone personally travelled to Taiwan in a similar situation?
5. I’m particularly interested in first-hand experiences with airline check-in and boarding, rather than assumptions.

Thanks!

Taiwan residents made more than 2.49 million trips to the Chinese mainland in the first eight months of 2026, up 19.63 percent year on year, according to the island's tourism department.

The mainland remained Taiwan residents' second-most popular outbound travel destination in the eight months, according to the department's latest figures.

Monthly trips to the mainland exceeded 300,000 from March through August, with double-digit year-on-year growth recorded in each month.

Overall outbound trips by Taiwan residents grew 15.24 percent in the first eight months, indicating that travel to the mainland expanded faster than outbound travel overall.

Travel preferences vary across generations, according to Sun, a student at Taiwan Normal University. Older travelers often join group tours to destinations such as Xinjiang and Yunnan known for picturesque landscapes, while younger people favor independent trips to cities such as Chongqing and Shanghai, sometimes inspired by posts on Xiaohongshu, a lifestyle-focused social media platform.

"People around me are traveling to the mainland more often, and many are happy to post photos and share their experiences on social media," Sun said.

A Taipei resident also surnamed Sun, who has visited the mainland several times, cited the shared language, convenient transportation, and cultural similarities as reasons for returning.

Tsai Tsung-yu, chairman of Taiwan-based Yu Sheng International Travel Service Co. Ltd., confirmed that his company's group tours to the mainland increased this year.

He attributed the destination's appeal to its varied landscapes and diverse food culture, which offer Taiwan travelers a broad range of experiences.

Hi, just sharing a little script I built and use to help me understand and learn Mandarin. It basically adds Zhuyin to all Mandarin text on web and shows translations if hovering over a word or selecting a sentence. It can also read the words or sentences aloud if you click on the speaker Icon or press the letter R (read).

https://github.com/ashirviskas/zhuyin-anywhere

It works on most websites. If it's broken on some website, let me know, I'll try to fix it. If you need some additional functionality, feel free to ask me here or on github page.

Happy reading!

p.s.

You can also use it on your Android smartphone with Firefox browser.

Hello fellow PH students!

How do you transfer your savings to your PH bank? I asked EEC and they said that only blue collar ARC holders can remit through them. Since we are student ARC holders, they said we can only do wire transfer through a bank. I can also do that but I'm weighing my options to have the minimum fees and best rates possible.