1. General Expat Resources
- Taiwan Subreddit (reddit.com/r/taiwan): A lively online community where expats, locals, and travelers share advice, ask questions, and discuss all aspects of life in Taiwan.
- Forumosa (forumosa.com): A popular online forum where expats can ask questions, share advice, and discuss everything from culture to legal matters in Taiwan.
2. News and Information
- Taipei Times (taipeitimes.com): An English-language news site covering Taiwan’s current events, politics, and culture.
- Focus Taiwan (focustaiwan.tw): A government-run English news site that provides reliable updates on local and national news.
- The News Lens International Edition (international.thenewslens.com): A platform that covers regional news in Asia, including Taiwan, with a focus on social issues and lifestyle topics.
- Taiwan News (taiwannews.com.tw): A news site offering comprehensive English-language coverage of Taiwan’s politics, business, lifestyle, and breaking news.
3. Language Learning
- ChinesePod (chinesepod.com): A great resource for learning Mandarin with podcasts and lessons designed for all levels.
- Pleco (pleco.com): A highly recommended Chinese-English dictionary app with features like flashcards and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to help with Mandarin. (Android | iOS)
- Chiayi University Language Center (ncyu.edu.tw): The official site for Chiayi University’s Language Center, offering Mandarin language courses for international students and foreign teachers.
4. Travel and Transportation
- Taiwan High Speed Rail (en.thsrc.com.tw): The official site for booking tickets and checking schedules for Taiwan’s high-speed rail network. (Android | iOs)
- Taiwan Railways Administration (tip.railway.gov.tw): The official site for local and regional train services in Taiwan, offering schedules and booking options. (Android | iOs)
5. Health and Medical
- Chiayi Christian Hospital (cych.org.tw): A well-known hospital in Chiayi offering a range of medical services, with an English-language site for international residents.
- St. Martin De Porres Hospital (stm.org.tw): A major hospital in Chiayi providing comprehensive healthcare services, with English-language information available.
- Chiayi Hospital (chyi.mohw.gov.tw): A public hospital in Chiayi offering a wide range of medical services.
6. Housing and Real Estate
- 591 Housing (591.com.tw): The most popular site for renting apartments and finding housing in Taiwan. While the site is in Mandarin, it is the go-to resource for all rental needs.
7. Weather and Typhoon Information
- Central Weather Administration (cwa.gov.tw): The official source for weather forecasts, warnings, and updates for Taiwan.
- Typhoon2000 (typhoon2000.ph): A comprehensive resource for tracking typhoons in the Pacific, including Taiwan.
- Taiwan School and Work Closures (dgpa.gov.tw): Government announcements for school and work closures due to typhoons and severe weather.
8. Food and Shopping
(Best used in their app forms)
- 7-Eleven Taiwan (7-11.com.tw): Taiwan’s most popular convenience store, offering everything from food to household items, with extensive services like bill payment and package pickup. (Android | iOs)
- PX Mart (pxmart.com.tw): A popular supermarket chain in Taiwan, known for its wide selection of groceries and household goods. (Android | iOs)
- Uber Eats Taiwan (ubereats.com/tw): For food delivery services across major cities in Taiwan, with a wide range of restaurant options. (Android | iOs)
- Foodpanda Taiwan (foodpanda.com.tw): Another major food delivery platform, providing access to local and international restaurants for quick delivery. (Android | iOs)