Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dangers & Annoyances
Feral dogs are common in the mountains. The best approach if they run after you is
simply to stop, place your bike in front of you, and remain calm or indifferent. Dogs may
snarl and bark but they will quickly grow tired if you don't give them any reason to get
excited. Throwing rocks or squirting dogs with water is counterproductive. More ex-
treme measures can result in a fine and/or Facebook shaming.
Drivers are used to scooters so you won't encounter aggression for being a two-
wheeled vehicle on the road. However, general driving skills are poor and vehicles cut-
ting across lanes when rounding bends, passing on the outside lane on blind corners and
driving too fast and carelessly are all common and potential hazards for cyclists.
Water Sports
Water sports have boomed in the past 10 years. The Japanese influence has spawned in-
terest in river tracing and surfing. Scuba diving, snorkelling and windsurfing are less
popular but top notch.
General dangers to be aware of include the fact that Taiwan has no continental shelf.
The deep blue sea is just offshore and dangerous currents and riptides flow around the is-
land. Do not swim at a beach unless you know for certain it is safe.
Hot Springs
Taiwan is ranked among the world's top 15 hot-spring sites and harbours a great variety
of springs including sulphur springs, cold springs, mud springs and even seabed hot
springs. Hot springing was first popularised under the Japanese and many of the most
famous resort areas were developed in the early 20th century. In the late 1990s and early
21st century hot-spring fever struck Taiwan a second time and most of the hotels and re-
sorts you'll find today are of recent vintage.
Before entering public hot springs, shower thoroughly using soap and shampoo.
Mixed pools require a bathing suit (there are no nude mixed pools in Taiwan). Bathing
caps must be worn in all public pools.
Random health checks show overuse at many hot-spring areas with hotels and resorts
often diluting natural hot-spring water, and even recycling water between bathers. This is
common around the world, even in Japan, and if you want to avoid it, remember that in
general the less developed the area, the purer the water quality. In popular spots go mid-
week when there are fewer bathers.
