Taipei Archives - Pale Ale Travel

The Legal Drinking Age in Taiwan Explained

December 7, 2023December 7, 2023Taiwan, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

Consistently named as one of the best places to live for expats and one of the most underrated travel destinations, Taiwan is a vibrant, convenient, culturally rich, and downright fun island that should definitely be on your radar. Contributing to its unique eclectic soul and draw is a burgeoning (and now thriving) alcohol and nightlife scene that is not only affordable but domestically and internationally driven.

You’ll find everything from quirky craft beer and whiskey bars nestled in back alleys of popular university areas to bass-thumping nightclubs and upscale rooftop lounges, all the way to lively stir-fry restaurants (rechao – 熱炒) with dedicated ‘beer girls’, all-you-can-drink whiskey-green tea karaoke lounges, LGBTQ+ friendly bars (in Ximending), and British pubs for weekly quizzes, pool leagues, and more.

I first took a dawgz trip to Taiwan when I was 21 years old (while living in Hong Kong) and wasn’t sure of what the alcohol restrictions were or if I should even worry at all. It is still one of the most memorable (from what I can remember) trips of my life. I then moved to Taiwan for three-plus years in 2015. Three formative years – rife with love, bian dangs (Taiwanese homestyle food on the go), post-work night market strolls, and of course, booze (of all types, brands, and sizes).

If you’re traveling (or considering moving) to Taiwan and don’t want to miss out on any of it, you may be wondering, “What is the legal drinking age?”

Below, I’ll dive into Taiwan’s legal drinking age along with important drinking laws and tips that you should know before traveling to the island known as ‘Formosa’ (Taiwan’s main island).

6 Date Ideas For Couples in Taipei

June 7, 2020December 1, 2022Asia, Taiwan, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

Whether you live in Taipei or are simply passing through, there are no shortage of fun date activities for couples (or even first dates) looking to spend some quality time together (or get to know one another). From incredible hiking trails and night markets, to international film houses and Japanese izakayas, all the way to rowdy arcades and quirky cultural parks, Taipei has it all, you can’t go wrong.

I’ve compiled a list of 6 of my favorite date ideas in Taipei, Taiwan, for you to choose from for your next date night (or day).

6 Cafes For Digital Nomads & Freelancers to Work From in Taipei, Taiwan

January 8, 2020April 22, 2024Asia, Coffee & Cafés, Taiwan BigBody Leave a Comment

Ranked as the best city in the world to live in for expats, there’s no surprise as to why digital nomads and freelancers are flocking to Taipei (and Taiwan in general) by the dozen (thousands? Tens of thousands?). And, with Taiwan’s introduction of their new ‘Entrepreneur Visa’ in 2018, I don’t foresee this mass migration to Taiwan stopping anytime soon. Aiding this push and solidification at the forefront of best cities to live in the world is Taipei’s bustling and diverse cafe culture.

Below are 6 of my favorite cafes and what I consider some of the best cafes for digital nomads and freelancers to work from in Taipei, Taiwan.

What I Spent Per Month in Taipei, Taiwan

November 18, 2019August 19, 2020Asia, Taiwan, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

Curious about how much you can expect to spend per month in Taipei, Taiwan? Well, then this post is kind of for you. Sort of…

If you read the rest of the blog, then you’ll know that this is not a budget travel blog. While I do have some budgeting advice, and don’t mind saving a dollar here and there, I can be a bit careless with spending. Below is an expense breakdown of what I spent per month in Taipei, Taiwan, as a mid-twenties (single at point) male who enjoys his fair share of beers, BBQ, and baozi (包子).

How Much Does a Luxury Service Apartment Cost to Rent in Taipei, Taiwan?

November 18, 2019December 28, 2023Asia, Taiwan, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

I lived in Taipei for several years and have mixed emotions about it. It was a time of stress, heartache, happiness, and growth. Ultimately, it was crucial for getting me to where I’m at now professionally and emotionally, so I will always be thankful for my time there. Anchoring me down and keeping me levelheaded was my apartment at Taipei W110 – a luxury service apartment based in the heart of Xinyi District and a stone’s throw away from Taipei 101 (the world’s tallest building from 2004 until 2010).

Taipei W110 was one of the best apartments I’ve ever lived in, so I thought I would help answer some common questions you might have about how much a luxury apartment in Taipei costs and what it comes with.