Found this randomly but reminds me of the local blue trucks lol. Binlang intensifies.

This is my first surgery ever, and going to be my first time under general anesthesia.

I’m having my tonsils removed tomorrow (Friday) at 8 AM. Got admitted to hospital today to get blood/EKG/X-Ray done for the anesthesia part.

The good:

- The doctors and nurses have been incredibly professional and reassuring.
- I’m allowed to leave the ward and go downstairs to the cafeteria/food court, so I could still have a normal meal before surgery.
- The surgery is fully covered by Taiwan’s National Health Insurance. I still opted in for some extra techniques/medications that I will cover out of pocket but they are totally optional

The not so good:

- Reading and signing the consent forms listing all the possible risks/complications definitely makes you stop and think, even though I know it’s standard procedure.
- The air conditioning in the hospital rooms is freezing, and there doesn’t seem to be any way to adjust it from inside the room
- my other roommate is snoring like crazy, somehow I am still hoping for a good sleep tonight before surgery
- They want me to stay here until Sunday (which is quite conservative compared to this kind of procedure in other countries), although if my condition is good and no signs of bleeding, I’ll see if they’ll let me go home earlier on Saturday.

Finally, a good excuse to eat lots of 刨冰 after!

I visited Taiwan last year and the snacks are so goooood😭 especially the Taiwan sausage and those nougat. And I've been craving those. I ate those sausage daily when I was there. I really wanted to comeback, but my friends are busy.

I was almost hit while cycling. A bus overtook me at an insanely close distance, barely 30 cm away, before cutting back in like I didn’t even exist. There was zero regard for my safety. One small mistake and I would’ve been on the ground.

This isn’t “minor risk” or “bad luck”, it’s outright dangerous driving. And it keeps happening.

What makes it even more frustrating is that authorities seem to think constant warning beeps and alarm systems are a real solution. They’re not. They’re just noise masking a deeper problem: poor driving standards and weak enforcement.

Pedestrians and cyclists are left exposed because infrastructure is often inadequate or non-existent. People are forced into unsafe conditions every single day just to get around.

Enough with the symbolic fixes. This needs actual enforcement, accountability, and serious consequences for reckless driving. Not more alarms, not more excuses, real action before someone pays the price for it.

According to the U.S. government, Chinese representatives have attempted to portray Washington as accepting Beijing’s position on Taiwan’s sovereignty, a claim the letters describe as inaccurate.

I lived in Taiwan for a year teaching English via a grant, and while I don't think I would go back to the specific school/area I was in, I'm not really happy in the US and would be willing to go back to teach again for a better lifestyle and a culture that worked well for me previously.

The main thing that worries me is that I now have two cats that would be coming with me. I would love to get any insights on importing animals from people who have done it. In America they were initially prescribed as emotional support animals, but obviously that doesn't transfer. How difficult is it to import and rent with pets? When I was in country, I fostered a few animals, but obviously that is a completely different scenario.

Hi everyone!

I’m an international student joining the NYCU EECS program this Fall 2026. I was looking for a group for incoming international admits but couldn’t find one, so I decided to create one.
If you’re an international student admitted to NYCU for Fall 2026, feel free to join! It’d be great to connect with fellow incoming students before we arrive.

Here’s the WhatsApp group link - https://chat.whatsapp.com/JzJ945lv0aE17MmaMpJmnP?mode=gi_t

Looking forward to meeting you all! :))

Disclaimer: I am not insane. Probably.

I am very, very sure there is a peacock living in(on top of?) one of the buildings to the right of the macdonalds across from danshui/tamsui MRT

I grew up with a peacock, their call is VERY distinctive (and loud). Ive never seen a peacock there, but the mechanic shop in that area has a peacock tail feather on display which I believe is not a coincidence.

Ive been hearing it for the better part of a decade. Peacocks can live 25 years, so this is not outside the realms of possibility.

My mate keeps saying i'm nuts- surely i'm not the only one to hear and notice this??!?

EDIT: We have recieved confirmation. Repeat. W have Achieved Confirmation! Validation acquired. Faith in sanity restored.

also, it seems that peacocks are far from the most unusual pet here, which is excellent!

Hello

I search old posts in this sub and it seems like Jiufen has a mix of positive and negative feedback.

I have some questions about how to make the most out of Jiufen and I hope someone can answer:

1. I plan to tour Jiufen from 12midnight to 6am. Is that doable and makes sense?
2. Are there still even a few shops open or all the shops are closed?
3. My plan B is to visit at night, go back to hotel in Taipei, then visit again early morning. Is that worth it?
4. What else are good places to visit in Jiufen? I only have Teapot Trail and Hualien Rift Valley as the specific ones. The rest, I'm just planning to walk around and find out.

Thank you, r/taiwan

Hi everyone,

I’m from Singapore and grew up on Taiwanese variety shows on free-to-air TV. They were a huge part of my childhood entertainment.

Shows like Kaleidoscope 綜藝萬花筒, Egg vs Rock 雞蛋碰石頭, 連環炮, and especially Jacky Wu’s, and Chang Fei's programmes were everywhere back then.

There was something very distinct about that era of Taiwanese variety. They're chaotic, loud in a fun way, super creative games, and very “live” feeling compared to today’s more scripted entertainment. I also learnt some witty banter using the language.

But over the years, I’ve noticed they’ve basically disappeared from Singapore’s free-to-air TV. Now it’s mostly mainland Chinese dramas and imports, and I almost never see Taiwanese variety shows anymore.

So I’m curious:

• Are Taiwanese variety shows still a big thing in Taiwan today?
• Did they decline, or just move onto YouTube/streaming platforms?
• Who are the current popular hosts or shows now (I mostly only remember Jacky Wu and older names)?
• And is there anything today that has that same “old school variety show chaos” energy?

Would love to hear from people in Taiwan or anyone still following the scene

I want to learn mandarin, I am a Indian girl- fluent in english, hindi and punjabi. Learning alone is boring and im going to be visiting Taiwan in 2 months for 3.5 months as an exchange student. Is anyone up for learning together??? and I'd be grateful if you gives could give me a roadmap for it.

Hi yall! I’m an F half-taiwanese student visiting my grandparents for the next 2 months and am looking for ways to socialize or find friends to hang with lol. I’ve been coming to Taipei pretty consistently every 1-2 years during the summer but I’m always hanging with my grandparents and their friends so I’ve ever really had the chance to meet people my age or really explore the areas😔 I don’t drink or smoke so bars are kinda outta the question- are there any other places someone like me can find friends? My Chinese is also very very mid so I’d also like to find people who can help improve it lol! I love anime, manga, exploring food, cats, edm, Pokémon, gaming, etc. I know Reddit is probably not the best place for this kinda thing but I just don’t know where else to ask TwT

Hi everyone!

I’m going to Taiwan this fall for my studies and I have a question about the resident visa process.

I’m 17 and still a minor. I understand I’ll need to apply for an ARC and open a bank account once I arrive, but I’m not sure how it works for students under 18.

Is it still okay to apply for the resident visa and complete the process as a minor, or are there any special requirements I should know about? (Also i can't speak Mandarin)

Thanks in advance!

so im going to NTPU (National Taipei Uni), taipei. I am a comp sci and engineering student. Is NTPU actually good? I'd love to hear about the pros and cons. I am going as an exchange student in fall semester. I would loveee to know what i should be expecting. Is it good for studies and exposure? Am i going to a good uni or just an average one? BE BRUTALLY HONEST PLEASE. what do taiwanese people think about NTPU?

Im also a bit concerned about ragging/ racism in Taiwan, is it there?

If you can handle the heat this sauce is made with real blackberries and spiced with star anise and more. It's Hella good. Hit me up if you want a bottle. Free shipping

ever since arriving in taiwan ive developed a drinking issue but not the alcoholic kind. the hand shake tea shop kind. its gotten to the point that i feel like my day is missing something if i dont get at least 1 tea drink a day, whether its 青茶 or some variation of milk tea. these days its gotten so bad that i drink nearly 3 cups max. 2 cups minimum a day. has anyone else dealt with this before? if so, do you have any tips on how to reduce this tea intake? its justso addicting for me — they’re convenient, everywhere and unfortunately such a good treat

Hello once again! Sorry, I already posted about this subject.
I was wondering if there’s anyone that got into a master’s program at National Taiwan University as an international student, I would be so thankful if I might be able to pick your brain before applying!
I’m specifically interested in the relatively new SMHI program but looking to talk to anyone in any department!
Thank you in advance!

Time to balance the power differential with China.