Korean Job Discussion Forums

brento1138 · Joined: 17 Nov 2004

Hello everyone.

After my trip to Tokyo, I am thinking of hitting up Taipei. I have a good friend who lives there, and offered free accommodation. Also, he will have a week off and will be able to travel around the island with me. Have any of you experienced Taiwan's winter? My friend warned me that Taipei is "rainy as hell" in the winter. I don't want to just spend too much time indoors, or holding an umbrella.

So, would you recommend a two week trip to Taiwan? I'd spend a few days in Taipei and the rest just traveling around the island with my buddy.

outofkorea · Joined: 01 Jul 2007

Meet your friend in Thailand.....

brento1138 · Joined: 17 Nov 2004

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

I went to Taiwan (or rather Taipei) for a week last February and I was miserable. It wasnt freezing, but it was cold and it rained constantly everyday without a single ounce of sunlight. I almost went into a state of depression by how dull it all felt.

On the other hand, a guy I met went to the southern coast of Taipei and he had an amazing time so I guess it's where you go and what you plan to do there.

spaceman · Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Location: South South Korea

Southern Taiwan is pleasant at that time. Head for the Kending area. Warm enough to swim, maybe do a spot of surfing. Southern Taiwan is south of the Tropic of Cancer. The southern cities of Kaohsiung and Tainan are also nice at that time of year. North Taiwan (Taipei, Taizhong) can get quite cold.

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

I've been to Taiwan three times (to Hualien, Kaohsiung, and Taipei a few times), and really enjoy it there. In spite of the complaints you'll read about from westerners about traffic, noise, and dirtiness, I found it quite mild compared to what we're used to in Korea. Taipei's definitely worth seeing, and you can easily spend a week in and around the city.

It's a good trip in the spring, but just be aware that it'll be fairly cold in February. I went a couple Februarys ago and, like an earlier poster said, it was cold, overcast, and rainy the whole time. We had to search a nearby market to find extra sweatshirts. You can have a good time, but just be prepared that it won't be as warm, and as nice, as it will be a few months later.