Discover Why Taipei is the #1 Place to Learn Chinese This Year

Why Learn Chinese in Taipei?

There are endless reasons why, but today we’ll introduce you to our favourite and most important ones.

Whether you’re a fan of traditional characters, modern architecture or a simple cup of bubble tea, Taipei has something for everyone!

And did we mention… NO VISA NEEDED – you can book a ticket and be here next week!

It’s really and truly a great place to learn the language and there are a lot more great cities nearby!

Why Learn Chinese in Taipei || Introduction to Taipei

Why Learn Chinese in Taipei|| Traditional Characters

Why Learn Chinese in Taipei|| Nearby Cities to Study Mandarin

Why Learn Chinese in Taipei|| Tradition meets Technology

Why Learn Chinese in Taipei|| Foreigner Friendly

Why Learn Chinese in Taipei|| Everyone Loves Taipei

Why Learn Chinese in Taipei|| Visa Free Travel

Why Learn Chinese in Taipei|| FAQs

An Introduction

Taiwan itself is an incredibly beautiful and diverse country, with Taipei as its capital.

Taipei has an estimated population of 2.49 million people

This charming city is incredibly modern with lots on offer – so studying in Taipei will give you the best chance to be able to explore this city properly.

It is home to the famous Taipei 101 building, as well as the world’s highest Starbucks – and maybe one of the only Starbucks you have to make a reservation in order to visit! (It’s worth it though).

There are countless attractions to visit in Taipei, as well as just simply strolling the streets, drinking the famous Bubble Tea and enjoying the hipster modern feel of this quirky capital city.

Don’t like the hustle and bustle of capital cities?

No problem. Take a stroll through one of the many parks located in the centre, or head just outside of the city centre to the mountain Yangmingshan, or chill out at the famous Beitou Hot Springs for a well-earned break from studying Mandarin.

As for Learning Mandarin…

When learning Mandarin Chinese, immersion in the country and language are arguably essential.

Textbooks and teachers abroad can teach you the basics, but when it comes to actually using Chinese in real-life situations, with its 4 tones and difficult vocabulary, using the language in the country is essential.

Learning Mandarin Chinese itself can be quite daunting, let alone a move to mainland China where the language, culture and people may all be completely different.

This puts off a lot of foreigners who want to begin learning Mandarin (it didn’t put our summer camp students off, check out their story with us below).

Learning Chinese in Taipei may just be the perfect solution to this. 

With aspects of both traditional China and a heavy Western and Japanese influence, Taipei attracts many who want to learn Chinese with its foreigner-friendly vibes and first-class language courses.

Here’s why you too should learn Chinese in Taipei.

Traditional Chinese Characters

Studying Mandarin in Taipei will be unlike studying Chinese anywhere else.

Taiwanese Mandarin is the same language as mainland Mandarin Chinese, however, in mainland China, there are a vast number of different dialects that make learning and using the language very difficult.

Travel from North to South and you’d think they’re speaking a different language entirely!

However, in Taipei, and neighbouring cities like Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, you just have one dialect to deal with.

If you’re feeling adventurous or have a particular interest in languages, you can also give learning Taiwanese (Taiyu/Daigi) a go.

This is an example of just one of the many indigenous languages spoken on the island, still used by much of the older generation and considered an important part of the culture.

Traditional Characters vs Simplified Characters

In Taipei, they use traditional Chinese characters, not simplified ones.

This reaps many benefits.

Don’t worry – just because they have a few extra strokes, it doesn’t mean they’re more difficult to learn!

DID YOU KNOW – Learning traditional characters before simplified characters can be beneficial, since the traditional characters still keep their original shape and more logical structure of the word the character is representing.

When it comes to which is best, learning traditional or simplified characters – the answer is always both.

Many who study in mainland China will not get to study traditional characters, and if they do it may be more difficult since they will only be surrounded by simplified ones.

You’ll definitely have an upper hand by studying traditional characters too.

Nearby Cities to Study Mandarin

Did you know there are several big cities and oceanside destinations near Taipei where you can study Chinese? You can even mix and match to make the most of your time here!

Here are some of our top picks…

Taichung

As far as locations go for studying Mandarin, Taichung might just be the best-kept secret.

Located in the middle of the island, Taichung is a bustling city home to 2.8 million people and is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery and the iconic Sun Moon Lake – the best of both worlds!

Taichung also has a few key advantages over Taipei.

Overall, the city has a lower cost of living and, even more appealing, is the fewer number of foreigners that live there.

In our experience, students who escape the ‘foreigner bubble’ almost always progress faster when studying Chinese.

👉Combine that with living with a local family in Taichung and your Mandarin will be turbo-charged like never before.

Last but not least – Taichung is the home of bubble tea! What’s not to love?

What to do in Taichung (+ Why You Should Visit)

What are the top things to do in Taichung? We’ve put together an ultimate guide to help you see the best sites in Taichung

Kaohsiung

There’s a reason so many foreigners relocate from Taipei to Kaohsiung – the great weather.

Taipei is notoriously rainy, but in Kaohsiung, the weather is generally warm and sunny you can visit the beach pretty much all year round.

People studying Mandarin in Kaohsiung can experience true linguistic immersion and enjoy the spectacular oceanside scenery.

For all you foodies out there – Kaohsiung is famous for having some of the biggest and best night markets.

Not to mention, the Tiger and Dragon Pagodas and Pier 2 Art Center are some of the coolest places to hang out after class!

What to Do in Kaohsiung || Your Ultimate 2025 Guide

Discover the best things to do in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. From island parties to night markets to art piers, we’ve got you covered with our detailed 2023 guide.

Tainan

If you’re a fan of history and culture – Tainan is really the place for you.

The whole island has a rich history and has previously passed through Japanese and Dutch ownership. There’s really no better place to experience this than in Tainan.

The city is also the most ‘traditional’ and you’ll have the chance to experience largely untouched Chinese culture every day.

It’s also extremely picturesque and you can wander through old Dutch forts that have been reclaimed by banyan trees and neighbourhoods full of small alleyways decorated with Chinese lanterns.

And of course – one of the beautiful night markets.

So really, why wouldn’t you want to study Chinese in Tainan?

Discovering Tainan’s Treasures: 9 Must-Visit Places in This Historical City

Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan and is teeming with history and culture. Here’s our ultimate guide on where to go and what to eat in the old capital

Tradition Meets Technology

Taipei is a city unlike any other.

It embraces Chinese culture with many elements of its traditional Chinese heritage found throughout the cities and countryside.

But, at the same time, it is at the forefront of technological and economic growth.

This gives you the best of both worlds and means you can delve into the past and catch a glimpse of the future!

Many of the traditional activities our students enjoy include playing Mahjong, visiting tea houses and (always a favourite!) releasing lanterns into the sky.

Foreigner Friendly

Taipei is famously foreigner-friendly.

Whether you’re lost on the metro or confused in 7-Eleven, the people of Taipei are usually more than happy to lend a helping hand.

VPN

You can browse the web freely without any VPN restrictions that you may encounter in mainland China.

Food in Taipei

Naturally, there are plenty of great options when it comes to Chinese food. That includes hotpot, Beijing duck and local favourites like beef noodles and braised dishes.

Due to its history with Japan, you can also find a great selection of more authentic izakayas (Japanese-style bars that sell snacks like skewers), ramen, sushi and Japanese BBQ.

Taipei is also home to many Thai and Vietnamese people- which means plenty of delicious options from these countries too!

However, there are times when we just need that Western fix of something from back home.

And luckily, in Taipei, you can find that too! That includes everything from more high-end Italian restaurants to fast food places like Subway and McDonalds.

Whether it be breakfast in Taipei, or dinner time – you will be well-fed!

Food in Taipei || Top 6 Foods You Simply Cannot Miss

Food in Taiwan is full of flavour and variety. Using a base of noodles and rice, with strong flavours and lots of meat (mainly beef and pork) and fish.

People in Taipei

The people of Taipei are incredibly friendly and welcoming to foreigners.

You may find a lot more English around than in mainland China, however, this does not impede your learning Chinese.

In fact, it can make it easier – since it is easier to make friends and practice your language this way.

Taipei acts as a great bridge between Chinese and Western cultures.

If you are looking for a foreigner-friendly place to learn Chinese, but still want to experience traditional aspects of Chinese culture, learning Chinese in Taipei is perfect for you. 

Everyone Loves It

It’s true, we challenge you to meet a foreigner who dislikes Taipei!

Taipei is widely regarded as one of the best places for an expat to live.

You know you always see those articles “Best place to live in 2025” etc… Taipei is a regular name on these lists, it’s no coincidence.

We were intrigued then, to see what our students thought of the city when we opened LTL Taipei…

No surprise, from the very start our students fell in love with the place.

In fact, many have extended their stays in Taipei out of sheer love for the city.

Taipei sells itself with its magnificent night market scene, wonderful polite people, delicious cuisine, and diverse scenery.

Need one final nudge? Check out what it’s like to study and explore Taipei with our safari classes.

Visa Free Travel

90 day visa free travel in Taiwan is offered to almost all countries in Europe, North America and Oceania

One of the biggest hassles of visiting mainland China is the visa application process, it can be time-consuming and is an additional cost you need to consider.

But for those visiting Taipei? Just grab your passport, book your Chinese course and hop on a plane!

For more details and to see if you’re eligible for visa-free travel, check out the government website.

Moving to Taipei || A Guide By Those Who Made The Move

Moving anywhere in the world can be a big task. Depending on where you come from, moving to Taiwan may create a big distance between you and your hometown.

Why Learn Chinese in Taiwan || FAQs

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BONUS | Want to study the local Taiwanese dialect known as Hokkien? We provide Hokkien classes in person and online.