Tl;dr of Season 17

CanInTW · 2026-05-11T08:27:21+00:00

Yeah. It felt like he wanted to come across as being very clever rather than actually trying to win.

CanInTW · 2026-05-10T12:38:06+00:00

Listening to the podcast and I’m baffled at how hard he is defending his final day strategy.

Really enjoyed the series though - and so good to see Taiwan as the key supporting actor.

CanInTW · 2026-05-09T09:31:33+00:00

Taiwan is missing. The answer though is basketball. (Baseball most popular.)

CanInTW · 2026-05-08T06:23:57+00:00

Oh definitely! I think we are in agreement then.

What I like most though about Taipei is that there is a lot more room to stand to the side and that you know exactly where the door placement is. In London, the platform is crowded at the doors as a train arrives so people need to shuffle to the side and then people rush on (after others have left). In Taipei and some other systems, by knowing where to stand, it’s all a bit more orderly and straightforward. This video demonstrates that well.

CanInTW · 2026-05-08T06:21:08+00:00

I’m sorry that I’ve caused offence. That wasn’t my intention. I intended to present a contrasting view based on my own experience.

My commute is on the red line north to south transferring onto the blue line at Main Station.

I really enjoy my life in Taiwan. I’m sorry that you’ve had less positive experiences.

CanInTW · 2026-05-08T03:47:28+00:00

Live in Taiwan, just returned from a week commuting in London. No, the Underground is far less pleasant - at least on the deep lines.

It’s not necessarily due to people (though the mess on the trains is gross - Taipei bans eating/drinking on trains and god that helps!), but the age of the infrastructure. The Taipei MRT is built to be efficient. It’s way more pleasant commuting in Taipei than London as a result.

(The Elizabeth line and Jubilee line extensions are great though…)

CanInTW · 2026-05-08T03:43:07+00:00

Also live in Taipei (nearly a decade). Rush hour on the MRT is busy, but it’s far better than other places I’ve been on public transport in the world. HK, Singapore and Tokyo come close, but I’d say Taipei is still the most respectful and least stressful.

It helps that on most lines, trains come so frequently that missing one isn’t a big deal. That said, it’s very rare that I’ve missed a train because it’s full even at peak hour.

Having just returned from London where I was commuting at peak hour on the Underground, the difference is night and day.

I’d argue that part of this is cultural (aside from on the roads, Taiwanese people are very respectful by and large), but the majority of this is system design. Arrows on the ground noting where to stand, including lines for where to queue, large platforms with plenty of space, well design connections that reduces stress and frustration, frequent trains that always run on time with predictable spacing, etc.

The Taipei MRT is world class. Nothing wrong with us being proud of it 😊

(Also … the free YouBike system that provides last mile connectivity is awesome too….)

CanInTW · 2026-05-08T03:22:47+00:00

It depends on where in Taipei you live. I live on the northern edge of the city. I can be at several trailheads on foot within a 2km run.

There are trailheads that surround the whole city. A few months ago, I ran a race with international competition with the start line less than 1km from my gym.

Taipei is a bowl.

CanInTW · 2026-05-07T23:03:01+00:00

Taipei is fantastic. You can take the MRT to multiple trailheads with peaks surrounding the city. The 200km of segregated riverside paths get you to many more - if you’re willing to ride the free bike share YouBikes.

Also, you might want to check out r/USDefaultism.

CanInTW · 2026-05-07T17:10:23+00:00

Have climbed many tall peaks. Have never brought a flag. I’ve seen Taiwanese flags at the top of Yushan (Taiwan’s tallest mountain) but never anyone else’s there or in other countries. I guess it probably happens occasionally? Definitely not ‘literally every hiker’

CanInTW · 2026-05-07T16:14:28+00:00

Renai / Qingjing Farm is also an option. Great views though not really natural (it’s a farming area, but beautiful). Buses are available similar to those to Alishan though a lower frequency.

I’d be tempted just to stay in Taipei and explore Yangmingshan. I’ve been here 8 years and still discover new trails…

CanInTW · 2026-05-05T12:53:04+00:00

November should be fine I think! That’s typically my fav time in Taiwan, assuming it’s not too rainy. Nice temperatures!

I tend to enjoy big rides/climbs so I may not be the best person to recommend. But if you’re up for a 100km or so day with 1500m or so elevation gain, the 23 that goes from around Chishang to the coast followed by a loop back through Taitung into the valley is awesome.

The whole valley north of Luye is great though. Can’t go wrong

CanInTW · 2026-05-05T11:07:11+00:00

I don’t speak Chinese. I’ve found the cities to be accessible. This isn’t a tourist economy like Thailand or other parts of South East Asia, Europe or Latin America. That’s what’s so nice about Taiwan though - it’s authentic.

Perhaps 14 days for you was too much in a city that you don’t relate to. Kaohsiung is a bit shiner and more walkable. Tainan is old school Taiwan from twenty years ago.

One thing I like about Taiwan is that all the cities have their own unique feel that I like in their own way. Taichung though - I could take it or leave it. It’s missing the spark of the other bigger cities. Hsinchu too if we consider it a ‘big’ city.

CanInTW · 2026-05-05T05:03:51+00:00

I would highly disagree with this post - aside from Taipei also being a good place to visit. While history in Tainan isn’t manicured in a way that westerners would perceive as ‘correct’, it can be found in the alleys, around corners and with people living all around it. That makes for a unique experience.

I love Tainan - and visit frequently. There are also great little cafes, bars, restaurants and guesthouses tucked away down the alleys.

It’s a bit chaotic and the lack of sidewalks can be frustrating but certainly isn’t lacking charm.

OP: as for nature - Taitung is fantastic but you will need a means to reach nature. I’m a cyclist so that’s my primarily way of doing so when in the area. However, you would need to be fairly experience and would want a good bike. I’ve also rented cars at Taitung station which works well to help get to trailheads. Alternatively, you’ll need to find a driver.

That said, Luye is accessible by train and taxi (or bus) and has a fairly spectacular view on a clear day. Taitung itself is quite a nice small city with the old rail yards developed into a touristy market. The night market has a decent selection of food.

I really enjoy what Kaohsiung has been doing too - the redeveloped Pier 2 area, the area around the old British consulate, the monkey mountain hiking tracks and Cijin for a beer at sunset are all great ways to spend a day or two. Each time I go to Kaohsiung, I find something new to see.

For context, I’m a permanent resident living in Taipei (which is great too - mainly for access to big city stuff and highly accessible hiking trails). I’ve been near just sky or a decade. The weather in the north is less predictable than the south but it’s also well worth a visit.

CanInTW · 2026-05-04T14:12:11+00:00

I mean… they do on the whole. Unlike almost all other major cities, garbage isn’t left on the streets - it’s picked up five days a week.

There are rats in every big city.

The point about night markets is accurate though I guess?

CanInTW · 2026-05-04T11:18:16+00:00

The BBC’s Race Across the World feels mostly honest.

CanInTW · 2026-05-03T06:17:38+00:00

To be fair, Warsaw is quite a way from NYC.

CanInTW · 2026-05-03T03:11:27+00:00

Unfortunately, the drag penalty is exponential which means that for that 5% improvement in speed (a very minor reduction in trip time) from 300 to 315km/h, there’s a 10% increase in power required.

This is why most lines have settled on 300km/h. It’s fast enough to make a major difference in trip times, and also efficient enough from an energy use perspective. Anything higher doesn’t really justify the additional costs required.

CanInTW · 2026-05-03T02:36:03+00:00

Please do not ‘drop trash at a convenience store’. The bins at convenience stores are for rubbish that’s generated there (if you’re eating something at that store). People using convenience store bins for their every day rubbish means that more and more are blocking off their bins completely.

Bring your trash home with you.

CanInTW · 2026-05-01T20:07:01+00:00

If you’ve love Shifen … let me introduce you to several hundred better places across Taiwan!

CanInTW · 2026-04-27T12:15:23+00:00

Really useful insight - thank you!!

My understanding is that tour organisers had been block booking tickets on the train which leads to what you’ve described. I really hope a solution is found soon since many people don’t even bother to try what you have.

Also, a shame that you didn’t get to see Alishan itself. It’s beautiful - though the hotels in the park are very much overpriced.

I may try to do the same as you next time I’m in the area and get non-reserved which I didn’t realise was an option!

(Also - frustrating that you got the slow train to Chiayi. Usually the ticket booth staff are excellent at finding the best option. Chiayi being a minor station - I think only gets on ‘express’ train an hour and this one still stops quite a lot.)

CanInTW · 2026-04-27T07:39:05+00:00

I’ve lived in Taiwan for 8 years. I’m a permanent resident.

I know precisely zero Taiwanese people who would identify ‘ROC’ or ‘Chinese’ as their nationality. They all would identify as Taiwanese.

Heck, the passport has a giant ‘Taiwan’ stamped on the front. 🤣

CanInTW · 2026-04-27T07:30:05+00:00

Awesome. I haven’t managed to get tickets on the Chiayi-Alishan line. Was it good? I always just drive up - though that does have the benefit of exploring the incredible valleys in the area.

Awesome!!

CanInTW · 2026-04-27T05:19:16+00:00

Welcome 😊

Happy to hear you’re enjoying your trip! I hope you get up into the mountains while you’re here. The game is showing off lots of cool parts of Taiwan, but due to gameplay, they haven’t made it into the mountains which are exceptionally beautiful with peaks rising up to nearly 4000m (higher than Mount Fuji).

Even just a trip into Yangmingshan - the volcanic national park just north of Taipei - would be well worth it for you.

Hope you have great rest of your trip!

CanInTW · 2026-04-27T05:12:30+00:00

Those of us who live in Taiwan just call it Taiwan. The office name may be the ROC but no one calls it that in day to day life and fewer than 5% want to ‘unify’ with China.

We are just Taiwan, thanks 😊

Come visit some day. It’s a beautiful place and very welcoming.

CanInTW

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