Taiwan
TaiwanEveryday basics
The numbers to save, and the voltage nobody warns you about.
Can you drink the tap water?
In Taipei, yes — the city's water department certifies it directly drinkable. That certification is Taipei's own, and it does not travel with you.
What number do I call in an emergency?
110 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance. If your phone has no usable signal, 112 still connects.
Do I need a plug adapter here?
Taiwan runs on 110V with flat two-pin sockets — the American pattern. European and Australian plugs need an adapter; some devices need more.
Are public toilets free, and where do I find one?
Free and easy to find — every metro station has one, and staff will let you cross the fare gates to reach it without paying again. The local twist is the paper: toilet paper goes in the bowl, and the bin beside you is for the paper that does not.
Where can I smoke, and where can't I?
Indoors is banned by national law, with one narrow exception for a properly sealed smoking room. The part that catches visitors is the vape: an e-cigarette is not merely restricted here, it is illegal to import, sell or use — and using one carries the same fine as smoking where you must not, NT$2,000 to 10,000.
Why can't I find a trash can anywhere?
Because household trash here goes hand-to-truck: collection happens at designated hours and locations, so the city does not run on public bins.
What happens if there's an earthquake or a typhoon?
You get warned, in English, by the state. The weather agency's app pushes an earthquake alert 10–15 seconds ahead of shaking and issues typhoon warnings every six hours.