Best time to visit Taiwan

The Dragon Boat Festival takes place on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month – usually May or June – and finds contestants across Taiwan taking to rivers in a series of organised races to honour the life of former royal advisor and patriotic poet to the Chu dynasty, Qu Yuan. After becoming exiled, Qu Yuan discovered that not everyone shared his patriotism and so he took his own life in the Miluo River, on mainland China. In order to keep fishes, dragons and evil spirits from eating his body, local villagers took to the water and threw rice, banged drums and splashed their paddles. This tradition continues to this day with colourful dragon boats racing and making as much noise as possible.

Stick to central Taipei. Some of the suburbs surrounding central Taipei are really worth investigating further with lakeside walks in Neihu on the Wenhu Line and hot springs at Beitou on the Tamsui-Xinyi Line certain to provide a much more authentic example of life outside the capital. Of course, getting out of Taipei, completely, is also essential with trips south to the cities of Tainan and Kaohsiung offering cultural contrasts as you cross the Tropic of Cancer. Avoid stinky tofu. Although it really does live up to its name, stinky tofu actually tastes ok, sort of, and if you’re looking to experience Taiwan, like a local, then hold your nose, shut your eyes and open your mouth to a weird and wonderful world of 'unique' cultural cuisine. Skewered duck tongues, deep-fried chicken feet and the far more palatable, bubble tea and coconut snow ice, are all worth trying, if you’re brave enough. Keep yourself to yourself. Taiwanese folk are so friendly and all you have to do to meet someone is open a map or Lonely Planet and stand with a confused look on your face and a smiley student will pop along in no time at all. Although some teens can be shy and avoid chatting, unless pushed, there are plenty more who’d love the opportunity to practise their English as they welcome you to Taiwan and ask you questions about your stay as well as your marital status.

“If you like getting outdoors then you’ve come to the right place as outdoor adventure pursuits are very popular with Taiwanese. I'd recommend hiring a bike and cycling around Sun Moon Lake or hiking in any of the country’s nine national parks, as just a couple of excuses to get out and explore like a local.”