There are a vast number of reasons to visit Taiwan. As a country renowned for its breathtaking natural vistas, excellent cuisine, rich culture, and fascinating history, it is one of the world's most popular destinations.
But if you need another reason to visit the hotspot, a new program for travellers might provide more than a little push.
While they won't be gifted a free flight to the "Beautiful Isle," tourists can enjoy free money for visiting it.
That's right, the government will give people cash - with no strings attached -- to simply visit.
Taiwan, along with several other countries, implemented the program to incentivize travellers to visit following the COVID-19 pandemic. While the country fully reopened to travel in October 2022, tourism hasn't rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.
In February, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau announced that the country will give tourists NT$5,000 when they arrive, which works out to about C$222.26 including all taxes and fees. Of course, it isn't given in physical cash; visitors will be given an electronic ticketing card. But they may use it on food, accommodation, or other travel expenses during their stay, according to the Taipei Times.
While it isn't an astronomical amount of money, it should cover the cost of roughly three nights in a three-star hotel, based on recent hotel prices listed on Expedia.com.
The country hasn't said when the program will officially commence but will make an announcement soon.
Travel from Vancouver to Taipei, Taiwan on a budget
Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), is a modern country with a range of food options to suit every taste and budget. I visited the country for a 10-day stay in 2009 and found that Taipei was decidedly straightforward to navigate. The transportation system, the Taipei Metro, was fast and easy to figure out; we used it to visit a few of the most popular attractions outside of the city centre.
But you won't run out of things to do even if you decide to just stay in the county's capital on a short trip or stopover.
One iconic "must-see" attraction is Taipei 101 -- an awe-inspiring building that offers panoramic views of the sprawling metropolis. For some time after it opened in 2004, the statuesque structure was the tallest building in the world, soaring a staggering 1,6667 feet high above the ground.
According to the Taiwan Tourism Board, the structure of the building resembles "flexible yet persistent bamboo" rising to the sky, which "is a reflection of traditional Chinese building philosophy."
The board also notes that the country ranks among the top 15 in the world for its springs, with a variety of "hot springs, cold springs, mud springs, and seabed hot springs."
Taipei is also famous for its cuisine and there are a variety of restaurants to dine at across the city. Beef noodle soup is the "official dish" of the country but comes in a variety of styles and portions. I enjoyed a couple of hot pot meals in Taipei, as well as some savoury and sweet street food.
There are 15,000 temples spread across Taiwan, featuring a range of inspired, ornate architecture and colourful designs. They are "dedicated to hundreds of gods, folk heroes, animals, and even a pair of 17th-century Dutch Admirals," according to Lonely Planet.
Round-trip Vancouver flights to Taipei start at around $1,300 including taxes and fees.
Want to "get paid" to visit another world-class destination? Check out how you can use a similar program to visit a picturesque Italian region.
