The region's largest nightmarket is Shihlin in Taipei, an Aladdin's cave of weird and wonderful food, clothing and souvenirs. Tainan is a good place to pick up traditional handicrafts or Buddhist souvenirs.

What to Buy

If you visit one of Taiwan's nightmarkets, look out for interesting snacks like squid kebabs, oyster omelettes and fancy milkshakes - all part of the experience. Markets are also good places to buy reasonably-priced clothing, as many of the clothes in Taiwanese shopping malls are fairly pricey. The only problem for many Westerners is likely to be finding something to fit.

Good buys throughout Taiwan include lacquerware, porcelain and ceramics, many of which can be bought at a fraction of the price elsewhere. Jewellery and trinkets made from veinstone and jade are also very common, and many come in unique designs, though you need to look out for fakes. Taiwan produces some good quality handmade shoes and slippers too, and textiles are often relatively cheap. Crickets and other insects woven from grass make cheap, lightweight souvenirs.

Tea and incense are also excellent buys but the massive price ranges may be confusing for a foreigner unfamiliar with the different qualities. Incense, for example, can range in price between NTD50 to NTD6,000 per catty (a unit of weight dating back to colonial times equivalent to around 600g). Tea is an obvious souvenir, and entire tea sets, though perhaps not all that useful when you get back home, can make beautiful ornaments.

Store Hours

Shops in Taiwan are generally open from 10h00-22h00 Monday to Saturday, although many also open on Sundays. Bargaining is not usual outside of markets.

Tax Refund

There is a sales tax of 5% on goods and services in Taiwan. Tourists can avoid paying taxes and duty at Duty Free Department Stores on production of a valid passport. The Republic of China does not operate a tax refund scheme for foreign tourists.