{"id":101557,"date":"2024-07-25T20:06:22","date_gmt":"2024-07-25T12:06:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chinatours.com\/?page_id=101557"},"modified":"2024-12-23T12:57:05","modified_gmt":"2024-12-23T04:57:05","slug":"shopping-in-taiwan","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.chinatours.com\/taiwan-tours\/shopping-in-taiwan\/","title":{"rendered":"Shopping in Taiwan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shopping in Taiwan? Well, let\u2019s just say it\u2019s the opportunity to enjoy a little magic on your travel adventure around this delightful island. Between the fabulous food, unique culture, idyllic landscapes, and lovely people, we\u2019re certain you\u2019ll discover more than a treasure or two to keep as a beautiful travel memento from your holiday. Because if shopping in Taiwan teaches you anything at all, it\u2019s the fact there is shopping, and there is Taiwan shopping.<\/p>\n

Once again our team has been on the ground researching for the very best that Taiwan shopping has to offer so we can answer all the important questions like\u00a0what should I buy as a tourist to Taiwan?<\/em>\u00a0or\u00a0what\u2019s the best keepsake from shopping in Taiwan?<\/em>\u00a0You can relax because we\u2019ve done all the work to make your visit to Taiwan – and your shopping while you\u2019re there – fun, fulfilling, and the perfect way to remember your holiday. Wherever you decide to travel, we\u2019ve covered it, so settle in and make notes for your trip.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Find these treasures on our Taiwan tours<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Shopping for treasures in Taiwan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Taiwan tea: Which should you choose?<\/h3><\/div>

Taiwan tea: Which should you choose?<\/h3>

A visit to Taiwan would hardly be complete if tea wasn\u2019t involved. On your travels you\u2019ll discover a deep reverence and love for this life-giving beverage. Whether it\u2019s on the mountain top tea plantations or an inner city teahouse, not only must you try a local brew or two, you\u2019ll want to take some home as well. It\u2019s hardly surprising to learn that tea remains one of the top ten souvenirs in Taiwan, which makes it almost mandatory to carry home a box of Taiwan tea. With so many varieties to choose from, best that you consult a local expert in one of the many tea shops. Taiwan is famous for its teas, so it pays to do a little research to understand the differences between oriental beauty tea, dongding oolong tea, Alishan Mountain tea, and Taiwan high mountain tea. Better still, why not book a dedicated\u00a0Taiwan tea tour<\/a>\u00a0and visit some of Taiwan\u2019s most famous tea destinations.<\/p>\n<\/div>Explore More<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Pineapple cakes<\/h3><\/div>

Pineapple cakes<\/h3>

One of the best things you can take home from your trip to Taiwan is the island\u2019s famous pineapple cake. A pastry with a sweet surprise in the form of a pineapple paste at the delicious gooey center, we dare you to eat just one. They literally are quite moreish! This lovely sweet treat does double duty as a charm for good luck and fortune to anyone who devours it. All the more reason to enjoy more than one and take home extras. You will find take home packs presented in airtight containers, making them a beautiful gift and easy to travel with.<\/p>\n<\/div>Explore More<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Taiwanese mochi<\/h3><\/div>

Taiwanese mochi<\/h3>

Gooey, chewy, and glutinous, these rice cakes are a sweet dessert. Mochi come with various fillings, ranging from fruits to red bean paste and crushed peanuts. They also come coated with peanut powder or sesame seeds. There are even grilled mochi, and the very creative milk mochi. You will even find mochi added to a shaved ice dessert. Best consumed hot, explore the night market of your destination for a delicious local experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>Explore More<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Taiwanese peanut nougat<\/h3><\/div>

Taiwanese peanut nougat<\/h3>

It\u2019s hard to go past Taiwan\u2019s famous crunchy, chewy peanut nougat as a take-home-from-your-holiday treat. With so many brands to choose from – quite literally there\u2019s a different variety in just about every destination, from Taipei to Kaohsiung – we feel compelled to make a recommendation here. If you must choose only once, go with the iconic brand Sugar & Spice. Considered among the best in the world, Sugar & Spice nougat is a popular favor for newly married couples, but we figure that travelers to Taiwan deserve a treat too. Packaged and sealed for long life, these make the perfect gift for family and friends on your return home.<\/p>\n<\/div>Explore More<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Mini sky lanterns<\/h3><\/div>

Mini sky lanterns<\/h3>

Travel through Taiwan and you can\u2019t help but appreciate the beauty and light of the lanterns which adorn light posts, shops, and lanes alike. And when you visit any souvenir stall or shop, you\u2019ll find a selection of mini sky lanterns to choose from. If, however, you\u2019re a stickler for originals, then make your way to Shifen in the Pingxi District. It\u2019s here you can join locals and travelers celebrating the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival. And in Shifen Old Street, where there is a live, working railway track running through the shops on either side of the tracks, you can light and set free a lantern at any time, complete with good wishes for the future. There\u2019s something magical about lighting a lantern and we can see how this tradition has endured, so if you\u2019d like to share it with a loved one, pack a mini sky lantern to take back home.<\/p>\n<\/div>Explore More<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Taiwan glove puppet<\/h3><\/div>

Taiwan glove puppet<\/h3>

If you have children or grandchildren at home, then a Taiwan glove puppet is the quintessential Taiwan treasure. A form of Chinese opera and one of Taiwan\u2019s oldest cultural traditions, glove puppetry is still performed today as it relays stories of popular folklore that have been shared for centuries. Find Taiwan glove puppets and other lovely handcrafted items at the Puppetry Art Center of Taipei and Bu Diao (Chang Yi Fang). These make a delightful piece (or pieces!) for the avid collector of cultural art and craft.<\/p>\n<\/div>Explore More<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Oil paper umbrella<\/h3><\/div>

Oil paper umbrella<\/h3>

Umbrellas have long been appreciated for their practical value, but in Taiwan, the beauty and art of umbrellas is esteemed too, not least because of the good luck they are said to bring the owner. Traditional oil paper umbrellas have been used by the Han people for well over a millennia, while perhaps the most famous Hakka cultural icon is the Meinong oil paper umbrella. Always colorful, hand-painted, and uniquely designed, for the lover of beautiful things, these make a very special travel memento. If your itinerary permits, we highly recommend visiting the Meinong district in Kaohsiung. Not only is it a beautiful town richly steeped in Hakka culture, it is home to the collectible Meinong Oil Umbrella.<\/p>\n<\/div>Explore More<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Taiwan pottery and ceramic<\/h3><\/div>

Taiwan pottery and ceramic<\/h3>

Pottery and ceramic ware are part of the Taiwan DNA, so we had to include this on the Taiwan shopping list. If you\u2019re like us and love beautiful, delicate things, Taiwan will delight. With unique pieces integrating creative influences from mainland China, Japan, and even the West, you will find many studios and stores specializing in pottery and ceramics. Committed creatives can even try their hand at a lesson or two. A visit to Yingge, the center of pottery and ceramics is a must if you are a serious fan of fine porcelain and love the thought of taking home a one-of-a-kind treasure. And if you can\u2019t settle on just one, then be sure to make space for more in your travel home luggage.<\/p>\n<\/div>Explore More<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Taiwan teaware<\/h3><\/div>

Taiwan teaware<\/h3>

If you discover only this about Taiwan tea – it must be enjoyed in just the right teaware – then you are on your way to becoming a local tea connoisseur. Equal parts practical and reverential, Taiwan teaware allows the ceremony of drinking tea to be fully appreciated, from the selection of tea leaves to the pouring and consuming of an elixir that has kept locals healthy and calm. You will find teaware in many forms and crafted from various materials. If you prefer something fine and delicate, choose from porcelain, glass, jade or crystal. If metals are more your thing, then you\u2019ll find teaware made from silver, tin, copper, iron, and stainless steel. And if it\u2019s teaware that more rustic, there are ample choices made from clay or bamboo. Yingge, the center of pottery and ceramics on the island, is your best option, but you will find many destinations across the island that will more than satisfy your teaware needs.<\/p>\n<\/div>Explore More<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Taiwan traditional crafts and indigenous artworks<\/h3><\/div>

Taiwan traditional crafts and indigenous artworks<\/h3>

Taiwanese culture is characterized by a rich pedigree of traditional art and crafts that have been functional, decorative, and symbolic to the local people for centuries. Despite contemporary life with its hyper connectivity and global reach, traditional Taiwan arts and crafts are still practised and appreciated. Beautiful and unique handwoven items made from sustainable materials, such as the alpinia, bamboo, tree bark, and dried ginger stems, can be found off the beaten track if you do your research. Visit boutique craft studios such as\u00a0PateRongan Art<\/a>, located in Xinshe (about an hour from Hualien), or Alpinia , which is in Hualien city itself. At both these outlets you\u2019ll unearth wonderful authentic examples of local traditional artwork lovingly brought to life by artists dedicated to keeping local culture front and center. In addition to these staples, there are also beautiful artworks to be found in the easily recognisable indigo-dyed materials, floral Hakka fabrics, Amis handwoven scarves, and indigenous cross stitch artworks. With these, and other unique pieces such as beaded handicrafts or the island\u2019s well known wood or stone carvings, there is bound to be something that catches your eye and makes its way back home. Contemporary craftsmen continue these much loved expressions of artistic and cultural heritage, often melding the old and new in ways that have broadened the appeal of Taiwan\u2019s traditional crafts. Local artists are supported by the government and communities, through regular festivals, and at local markets, so be sure to check with your guide on the ground to identify which of these align with your travel itinerary. You definitely don\u2019t want to miss out on the vibrant creative scene during your travels in Taiwan.<\/p>\n<\/div>Explore More<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Markets in Taiwan<\/h2>\n\n\n

Yet another aspect of Taiwan\u2019s universal appeal is the choice of local markets that are the delight of the traveler who likes to explore for something truly special. You the thing! It\u2019s that travel memento you simply couldn\u2019t walk away from. Well, you\u2019re sure to find \u2018it\u2019 wandering the stalls at Taiwan\u2019s many markets. Make a note of our recommendations here and slot them into your travel itinerary. You won\u2019t regret it!<\/p>\n\n\n

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<\/span>\"Taipei\"
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Taipei<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s such a myriad of markets in Taipei, it\u2019s hard to know how to condense the list, but we\u2019ve tried that here with our guide\u2019s \u2018best of\u2019 list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more<\/summary>\n