Taiwan - Wikivoyage, the free collaborative travel and tourism guide - Taïwan — Wikivoyage, le guide de voyage et de tourisme collaboratif gratuit

Republic of China ​((zh)中華民國)
Lantern Festival at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial
Flag
Information
Capital city	Taipei
Altitude	Between 0 and3 952 m
Area	36 191 km²
Population	23 000 000 hab. (2011)
Density	635,52 inhab./km²
Nice	Taiwanese)
Form of State	Semi-presidential regime
Official language	(zh)Mandarin
Other languages	Taiwanese, hakka
Cash	New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)
Religions	Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity
Electricity	110 V/ 60HZ, US plug
Telephone prefix	886
Internet suffix	.tw
Flow direction	Right-hand drive
Spindle	UTC 8
Location
24 ° 0 ′ 0 ″ N 121 ° 0 ′ 0 ″ E
https://www.taiwan.gov.tw/ Official site
edit

Taiwan Where Taiwan, in official form Republic of China (in traditional Chinese : 中華民國, in pinyin : Zhōnghuá Mínguó), and formerly called Formosa, is an island-state ofEast Asiade facto independent administered by the government of the Republic of China since 1949.

In addition to the main island of Taiwan (臺灣) proper, the Republic of China also administers several other small islands including Penghu (Pescadores), Kinmen and Matsu. The island of Taiwan is made up of several regions with complex histories and different cultures.

The Taiwan Strait separates the island from the Mainland china known as the People's Republic of China, which officially claims sovereignty. Taiwan has more than 300 mountain peaks with more than 3 000 m altitude. The highest of them being the Yu Shan (Jade Mountain) which culminates at 3 952 m, making it the fourth highest in theEast Asia. The large number of mountains makes it a popular place for hikers. Tourism in Taiwan remains underdeveloped, apart from Chinese tourists and neighboring countries who come there for gastronomy and, temples and shops, there is no mass tourism.

Understand

Geography

Taiwan is an independent but unrecognized state. Since 1949, it has been effectively administered, under the name of the Republic of China, by its own government.

The island, crossed by the tropic and abundantly watered by the monsoon in summer, and is formed, to the east, of high mountains and, to the west, of intensely developed hills and plains (sugar cane, rice, vegetables and fruits). The industrial sector (textiles, electrical and electronic equipment, plastics, toys), with an export vocation, has become the engine of an economy which has experienced spectacular growth.

Weather

Taiwan enjoys atropical climate, hot and rainy most of the year.

April to September is the summer monsoon period, with heavy rains and typhoons. Due to the high humidity, the heat is sometimes painful. The temperature can reach up to 30-35 ° C, especially in large cities that suffer from air pollution (density of crowds, traffic jams during rush hour ...).

From October to March, the north of the island and the mountainous regions are still watered by the winter monsoon rains. The south remains much drier. In the capital Taipei, temperatures are around 30 ° C in summer and 20 ° C in winter.

Story

The island was colonized by the Chinese inXII^e century. The Portuguese, who discovered it in 1590, gave it the name of ’Ilha Formosa (Formosa), but cannot be established there. Happier, the Dutch founded Anping on the west coast (1624) and repulsed a Spanish attempt on Keelung (1642). The Chinese pirate Koxinga seizes the island (1661), which becomes an autonomous principality; but, conquered by the Manchu emperors, the island becomes Chinese (1683). In 1860, the West obtained the opening of Taiwan to the influence of Catholic and Protestant missionaries. Following the massacre of Japanese fishermen stranded on the coast (1871), a Japanese army corps, commanded by Saigo Tsugumichi, landed in the South (1874), then evacuated it after payment of compensation. During the Tonkin War, Admiral Courbet, for the rice blockade, occupied Keelung, but Lespès failed before Tanshui (1884). During the peace of 1885, France gave up the island, which the Japanese annexed by the peace of Shimonoseki (April 1895). During World War II, they made Taiwan an invasion base. At the Cairo conference (1943), Jiang Jieshi (Tchang Kai-shek) was promised the restitution of Taiwan, which took place in September 1945.

The envoys from the Guomindang, welcomed on their arrival, behave as in a conquered country, openly considering the islanders for "collaborators" of the Japanese occupier or for second-class Chinese. In addition, they bring with them all the defects that undermine the regime on the continent: galloping inflation, massive unemployment, widespread corruption. In February 1947, a riot in Taipei resulted in a general insurrection on the island. The governor then negotiates with elected representatives of the population who demand, in a certain confusion, the withdrawal of the nationalist forces and real autonomy. But military reinforcements sent from the continent from March 5 indulge for ten days in a ruthless repression, which will be extended as usual until 1954 by a permanent white terror. We are talking about 10,000 to 20,000 victims.

On July 14, 1987, the lifting of martial law, imposed on the island by Jiang Jieshi on May 19, 1949, opened a new era in the political life of the Republic of China. After the death of Jiang Jingguo on January 13, 1988, and the appointment as successor of an original Taiwanese, Lee Teng-hui, the dismantling of the repressive apparatus of the Guomindang accelerated.

In the years 1990-1995, political life developed in a freer climate, especially in the South, around Kaohsiung. On February 28, 1995, Lee Teng-hui officially apologized for the 1947 crackdown, erected a monument dedicated to the victims, and made the anniversary of the tragedy a non-working day. After the local elections in November 1997, the DPP became the island's leading party with 43.32% of the vote, ahead of the Guomindang, 42,12 %.

The question of relations with the People's China becomes central, but controversial and contentious following a meeting organized in Hong Kong in November 1992 between representatives of the Association for Relations across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) for Beijing, and the Two-Shore Exchange Foundation (SEF) for Taipei. What will be referred to as the "1992 consensus" - both sides recognize the principle of "one China" but interpret it differently - will result without being recognized by the DPP. On three occasions, the communist regime confirmed its determination by organizing military maneuvers aimed at intimidating Taiwan (July and August 1995, March 1996).

The rapprochement with China therefore takes place in several stages: in November 2008, during a historic meeting since the end of the war between Communists and Chinese nationalists 60 years ago, the Taiwanese President receives Chen Yunlin, Chinese leader of the China-Taiwan Relations Department. The following month, the first concrete sign of the warming of relations between the two countries, China and Taiwan inaugurated their first daily direct air links and direct maritime and postal services across the Strait were established. Finally, the crowning achievement of this rapprochement, a framework agreement for economic cooperation (ECFA) liberalizing trade between the two countries (abolition or reduction of taxes on hundreds of products) was signed in June 2010 and entered into force in September.

In January 2012, outgoing president Ma Ying-jeou was re-elected for a second term while the Guomindang won the legislative elections. Invested in May, the president wants to continue the policy of peaceful rapprochement with the People's Republic of China within the framework of the status quo (defined by the formulas "no unification, no independence and no use of force" and " A Republic of China, two regions ”) while Taiwan is now the leading foreign investor in mainland China, which has become its leading trading partner.

In January 2016, at the end of an electoral campaign focused more on economic issues (linked to the slowdown in growth due in particular to the slowdown in the Chinese economy) than on relations with Beijing, the DPP returns to power following a resounding victory in the presidential and legislative elections. Its president, Tsai Ing-wen (who was beaten in 2012), the first woman to become head of state, won 56% of the vote against 31% for the candidate of Guomindang, plagued by divisions and weakened since 2014. With 68 seats out of 113, the DPP won a majority in the Legislative Yuan for the first time. Particularity of this election, the party of the new power (NPP), founded by the rock singer Freddy Lim in the wake of the “sunflower movement” and bearer of the aspirations of the youth for a participatory democracy (of which the candidate obtains 12% of the vote in the presidential ballot), entered parliament with 5 seats.

In her inaugural speech on May 20, the President set among her priority objectives a reform of the Taiwanese economic and social system as well as the resumption of trade talks, including with a view to Taiwan's association with the TPP. Regarding cross-strait relations, if it calls for a "positive dialogue" between the two governments, its reference to the "1992 consensus" remains evasive and cautious, the term "consensus" not being pronounced even if this "fact. historical ”is recognized, while it recalls as an essential foundation of the dialogue with China respect for the Taiwanese Constitution and democratic principles. A position deemed "incomplete" by Beijing who welcomes with coldness and reserves this victory.

Although having an autonomous government since 1949, Taiwan is not recognized as independent by most of the countries of the world which maintain diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, the latter considering Taiwan as one of its provinces.

Population

Island population

The Taiwanese Interior Ministry estimates the population of Taiwan to be 23,594,000 inhabitants. This puts Taiwan at 52^e rank of the largest countries in the world in terms of population, and the 17th^e most densely populated country in the world with a geographical area of 36 193 km². Its average density is 649 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Most populated cities in Taiwan

The largest city in Taiwan is New Taipei , who counts 3,970,000 inhabitants. New Taipei should not be confused with the city ofTaipei, the capital of Taiwan. Taipei is completely surrounded by the city of New Taipei and has a population of 2,680,000 inhabitants, which makes it the 4^e largest city in Taiwan. Together with Keelung City, they form the Taipei Metropolitan Area, which has a total population of 7,046,811.

Other major cities in Taiwan are Kaohsiung (2,778,918 inhabitants), Taichung (2,752,413 inhabitants) and the town of Tainan (1,885,252 inhabitants). No other city in Taiwan has a population of more than 500,000 people.

Taiwan demographics

The vast majority (98%) of people living in Taiwan are Han Chinese, including around 12% of the population who are classified as Waishengren - people who fled mainland China after the Chinese Civil War (and their descendants). The remaining two percent are Taiwanese aborigines, descendants of the Austronesian peoples who dominated Taiwan until XVII^e century.

Holidays and public holidays

Observed dates of the Gregorian calendar 2016	Calendar type	Calendar date	French denomination	Chinese names	Remarks
1er January	Gregorian calendar	1er January	Foundation of the Republic of China (see also "New Year's Day »)	中華民國 開國 紀念日 / 元旦	Commemoration of the establishment of the Provisional Government in Nanjing.
February 7	Chinese Calendar	Last day (29/30) of 12e month	Chinese New Year	農曆 除夕	Chinese New Year's Eve.
February 8-12	Chinese calendar	The first 3 days of 1er month	Spring Festival	春節	Chinese New Year
February 29	Gregorian calendar	February 28	Memorial Day of Incident 228	228 和平 紀念日	Commemoration of the incident of February 28, 1947. On this day, all the country's flags fly halfway up as a mark of respect for those who have died.
March 29	Gregorian calendar	March 29	Martyr day	革命先烈 紀念日 / 青年節	Commemoration of the 10the revolutionary uprising of 1911
April 4	Gregorian calendar	April 4	Children's Day and Grave Cleaning Day	婦女節 、 兒童節 合併	Day dedicated to children's rights and the abolition of child abuse and murder.
1er may	Gregorian calendar	1er may	labor Day	勞動節 / 勞工 節
June 9	Chinese calendar	5e day of 5e month	Dragon boat festival	端午節	Patriot commemoration Qu Yuan.
September 15th	Chinese calendar	15e day of 8e month	Mid Autumn Festival	中秋節	Family reunification day
September 28	Gregorian calendar	September 28	Teachers' day	孔子 誕辰 紀念日	Confucius Birthday
October 10	Gregorian calendar	October 10	National Day / Feast of the Double tenth day (10/10)	國慶 日 / 雙 十 節	Commemoration of Wuchang uprising in 1911.
25 october	Gregorian calendar	25 october	Celebration of the handover of Taiwan	臺灣 光復 節	Japan relinquishes control of Taiwan and returns it to the Republic of China on October 25, 1945
October 31	Gregorian calendar	October 31	President Chiang Kai-shek's birthday	蔣公 誕辰 紀念日
12 november	Gregorian calendar	12 november	Sun Yat-sen birthday	國父 誕辰 紀念日	Also Doctors and Cultural Renaissance Day
December 25th	Gregorian calendar	December 25th	Constitution Day	行 憲 紀念日	Coincides with Christmas and the anniversary of the Constitution of the DRC in 1947

Regions

Cities

• 25.057121.5511 Taipei  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Alishan  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Hsinchu  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Hualien  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Kaohsiung  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Keelung  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Taichung  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Tainan  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Taitung  (last update Feb. 2018)

Other destinations

• Penghu (Pescadores)  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Kinmen  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Lanyu (Orchid Island)  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Ludao (Green Island)  (last update Feb. 2018)
• Matsu  (last update Feb. 2018)

To go

Formalities

By plane

The CKS international Airport is approximately 30 min from the center of Taipei and just under an hour from Hsinchu.

On a boat

The government of Taiwan recently opened the boat lines to reach the province of Fujian in People's Republic of China.

Circulate

On a boat

It is possible to reach the Taiwanese islands by boat. Orchid Island (Lanyu) is accessible from Kenting and of Taitung. The departure for the green island (Ludao) will also be from Taitung even if some small boats offer trips between Hualien and Ludao. To access the island of Penghu, it is possible to take a boat from Kaohsiung Where Chiayi. Most of the islands are accessible By plane.

By plane

The following airports have scheduled flights and commercial lines.

Airport name	ICAO	IATA	Geographical coordinates
Major International Airport
25.076389121.2238891 International Airport of Taiwan Taoyuan  (last update jul. 2016)	RCTP	TPE
25.069444121.5516672 International Airport of Taipei  (last updated Apr 2018)	RCSS	TSA
22.576944120.353 International Airport of Kaohsiung  (last updated Apr 2018)	RCKH	KHH
24.264667120.6205814 Airport Taichung  (last updated Apr 2018)	RCMQ	RMQ
International Minors Airport
Airport Tainan	RCNN	TNN	22 ° 57′01 ″ N 120 ° 12′20 ″ E
National Airports
Airport Hualien	RCYU	HUN	24 ° 01′23 ″ N 121 ° 37′04 ″ E
Airport Chiayi	RCKU	CYI	23 ° 27′42 ″ N 120 ° 23′34 ″ E
Airport Lyudao	RCGI	GNI	22 ° 40′25 ″ N 121 ° 27′59 ″ E
Airport Hengchun	RCKW	HCN	22 ° 02′17 ″ N 120 ° 43′49 ″ E
Airport Kinmen	RCBS	KNH	24 ° 25′40 ″ N 118 ° 21′33 ″ E
Airport Magong	RCQC	MZG	23 ° 34′00 ″ N 119 ° 37′48 ″ E
Airport Beigan	RCMT	MFK	26 ° 13′26 ″ N 120 ° 00′09 ″ E
Airport Nangan	RCFG	LZN	26 ° 09′35 ″ N 119 ° 57′30 ″ E
Airport Lanyu	RCLY	KYD	22 ° 01′46 ″ N 121 ° 31′38 ″ E
Airport Pingtung	RCSQ	PIF	22 ° 41′43 ″ N 120 ° 28′40 ″ E
Airport Qimei	RCCM	CMY	23 ° 12′47 ″ N 119 ° 25′03 ″ E
Airport Taitung	RCFN	TT	22 ° 45′17 ″ N 121 ° 06′06 ″ E

By train

The high speed train connects the north to the south of the island on the west coast.

• Taiwan High Speed ​​Rail  – Company operating high speed trains. (last update jul. 2016)

By bus

Probably the best way to travel long distances in Taiwan. The coaches are very comfortable: large armchairs, individual screens, sometimes video games. The trip Hsinchu → Tainan costs for example 600 NTD for 3 h of road.

By car

The traffic is quite chaotic (watch out for scooters). Possibility of driving with an international license during a tourist stay; for a long stay (more than 30 days), it will be necessary to go through the Taiwanese authorities.

To speak

the Chinese Mandarin is the official language, but it is mostly spoken in the north. In the south, it is a dialect, Min-nan or Taiwanese, which is spoken by the majority of the population.

Most Taiwanese do not speak, or speak very poorly,English (except citizens frequently in contact with foreigners). Before taking the taxi, it is best to ask the hotel receptionist to write the destination in Chinese on a piece of paper.

To buy

The currency of Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar (元, NT $, dollar, yuan, TWD)

Eat

The culinary culture is a reflection of the history of Taiwan. The island is indeed recognized as the gastronomic capital of Asia. The food is very good, for all prices, from the small local restaurant to the gourmet restaurant. Taiwanese cuisine was first influenced by Aboriginal cuisine, then Chinese, then Japanese etc. Today you can find everything from American steakhouses to Breton pancakes. To find a good restaurant, you can trust the number of people waiting in front of or in the restaurant. The prices of local restaurants vary from TWD 50 (simple meal) to TWD 600 (elaborate meal)

Have a drink / Go out

Don't miss Taiwanese nightclubs. They are interesting meeting places where cultures meet at the rhythm of the night. In Taipei there are many night clubs for all ages.

Housing

Hotels of all levels according to budgets. It is possible to go to the guest rooms (guest houses) at tourist sites.

To learn

Taiwan is a favorite destination for many students wishing to learn Mandarin.

To work

Working in Taiwan as a foreigner is not easy, unless you have an expatriate contract obtained in your own country.

Otherwise, the main problem is immigration. Taiwan being an island, you will have to fly to renew your visa. Usually, the latter lasts three months and can be obtained in almost all neighboring countries. The easiest way is to go through the Hong Kong immigration office. However, this visa will not allow you to work legally in the country (although the authorities are not very careful as long as you remain discreet).

In most cases, foreign language teachers will be able to obtain a work permit via their school as well as an ARC (Alien Resident Card) valid for one year.

The jobs that you can find on site are as follows: teaching (90% of available jobs), non-professional modeling, hostess bar or more traditional establishments, translation. There are many foreign companies there, but you will need to build up a network of acquaintances before you can be introduced to these companies.

For information, an English teacher can earn close to 2 000 € (~ 2,210.31 Fr. - price of 04/27/2021) (~ C $ 2,994.5 - price of 04/27/2021) (~ $ 2,414.6 - class on 04/27/2021) (~ 1,311,212.07 F CFA - price of 04/27/2021) at the rate of 5 h per day and 5 days a week.

Communicate

Security

Taiwan is probably the safest place in Asia. The rules of practice for travelers are still to be respected. Avoid showing any outward signs of wealth, do not leave personal belongings unattended, etc. Single women should avoid crossing an underground at night, taking a taxi alone at night without, for example, showing the taxi driver that a friend has read the license plate or highlighting their cell phone or, in short, to use all the dissuasive means.

Government travel advice

• Belgium (Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation)  (last updated Apr 2018)
• Canada (Government of Canada)  (last updated Apr 2018)
• France (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)  (last updated Apr 2018)
• Swiss (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs)  (last updated Jan 2016)

Typhoons

The typhoon season runs from July to October. Typhoons particularly affect the southern slopes of the mountains. The passage of a typhoon causes floods, landslides and accidents in the city (scooters fall, commercial signs torn off). Alerts are given in advance by theCentral Weather Bureau, which provides information on the progression of typhoons, their intensity and the regions affected.

Health

The health system is high level and modern.

Vaccines

The recommended vaccines are the same as for other countries in East Asia:

• Hepatitis (A B)  – Vaccine - Twinrix® (last update jul. 2016)
• Japanese encephalitis  – A must do for a long trip to a rural area during the monsoon. Vaccine - Ixiaro (last update jul. 2016)
• Rage  – If you go to natural areas and outside cities (last update jul. 2016)
• Typhoid fever (Optional)  – For stays longer than 3 weeks. Vaccine - Typherix® or Tyavax® (combined typhoid hepatitis A) (last update jul. 2016)

These vaccines should be taken if you plan to go out of cities for a long time or if you are staying for more than 3 weeks in a place with poor sanitary conditions.

Medication

Medicines are available over the counter for minor infections in pharmacies. You can also find medicines that require a prescription in European countries (like inhalers and morning after pills) which are cheaper and available in pharmacies without a prescription.

In Taiwan you will find Chinese medicine and Western medicine, both of which are popular. However, for foreigners, it is better to orient themselves towards oriental medicine which will correspond more to the culture of the country of origin. The quality of Taiwanese hospitals is excellent and equals, if not surpasses, those found in the West. Taiwan's healthcare system is considered to be one of the best in the world. Doctors have a national health card which proves the training and ability to use Chinese and Western medicine. The locals have a health card allowing access to health care at a lower cost.

However, this card is not available for short stays (tourist visas) and it does not cover the main hospital costs. Most Taiwanese doctors are able to communicate in English, and indeed, many well-known doctors have graduated in the United States and are able to speak English fluently.

Respect

Traditions, customs and superstitions

In Asia, and more specifically in East Asia, customs and superstitions are numerous. Taiwan shares some cultural taboos with other countries inEast Asia, however some are country specific. Here are some rules to follow:

• When giving or receiving a business card (or any other important document), always take it (or give it away) with both hands and slightly tilting your head as a sign of respect. Receiving a business card with one hand is very disrespectful;
• some Taiwanese are superstitious about anything death-related - unfortunate things, possible accidents, etc. should never be mentioned. An important thing to note is that the number 4 (four, pronounced "if Where se») Is pronounced like death in Mandarin. It is therefore important not to say it. Some hotels have even decided not to have a “4” room. In comparison, the number 4 is the number 13 for some people in Europe;
• do not write the names of people in red. It is still a connotation of death. If you write it in English, this is not a problem, but you must not write the names Chinese in red ;
• do not whistle or ring a bell at night. This is an "invitation to ghosts";
• do not point fingers at cemeteries or graves. It is a lack of respect for the dead;
• not to point the finger at a person, it brings bad luck to the person concerned. If you need to designate someone to do it with at least 2 fingers or 1 hand;
• there are many taboos that dictate that certain objects should not be given to others, often because the name of the object sounds like a misfortune;
• umbrellas, which in Mandarin is pronounced like the word "rupture", are also a taboo subject. Friends should therefore never give umbrellas to other friends. Instead, the friends will 'rent' each other the umbrellas for a small fee (1 TWD (~0,03 € - course of 04/27/2021) (~ 0.03 Fr. - price of 04/27/2021) (~ C $ 0.04 - price of 04/27/2021) (~ $ 0.04 - class on 04/27/2021) (~ 19.47 F CFA - price of 04/27/2021), for example) ;
• give a clock (as a gift). The expression "give a clock" ( zhong song), in Mandarin, has the same pronunciation as "to perform the last rites". If you give someone a clock, the recipient may give you a coin in return to dispel the curse;
• the shoes. Never give shoes as a gift to the elderly because it means sending them on their way to heaven. This is only acceptable if the recipient knows it in advance and if the shoes are theoretically sold to him for a small fee of around 10 $ (~8,28 € - course of 04/27/2021) (~ 9.15 Fr. - price of 04/27/2021) (~ C $ 12.4 - class on 04/27/2021) (~ 5,430.35 F CFA - price on 04/27/2021) ;
• knives or sharp objects are also to be avoided as gifts since they are seen as objects to injure the person;
• Taiwanese are certainly not Puritans and like to have a few drinks, especially “Taiwan Beer” and “Kaoliang” which are local beers. However, Taiwan does not have a culture of heavy drinking and it is rare to see someone drunk on the street. Drinking alcohol is not a social taboo per se (and some people indulge in it at weddings). Drinking too much is seen as a sign of low self-confidence and immaturity, and it surely won't make you new friends;
• you are required to remove your shoes before entering a house. You will find slippers for visitors to put on next to the front door. It can be the same ritual for bathrooms, the balcony or even the toilets where you will be asked to remove your slippers to wear a pair of plastic sandals;
• if you become closer to Taiwanese, you are very likely to receive small gifts of all kinds such as drinks, food, small items, etc. This is a very convenient way to lubricate social relations between Taiwanese, and they are especially common among friends for young people in their twenties. You should respond to all of these gifts with something similar, but not immediately, or specifically to the person (you can give to the person's family). If you are a teacher, you are not expected to give anything back (eg in a classroom) as long as the relationship is formal. However, beware of sometimes too generous gifts from parents who can go as far as offering gifts of several thousand TWD and who will expect you to take care of their child (you must understand that their expectations are considered fair in the Taiwanese culture);
• you are not supposed to tip in hotels, restaurants and taxis, but bellboys can sometimes expect a small tip of 50 TWD (~1,49 € - course of 04/27/2021) (~ 1.64 Fr. - price of 04/27/2021) (~ C $ 2.22 - price of 04/27/2021) (~ $ 1.79 - class on 04/27/2021) (~ 973.66 F CFA - price of 04/27/2021) or more to carry your luggage;
• if you need to use a temple toilet, you should bow to any statues of deities you see whether you believe them or not. Most temples don't mind if you use the restroom, however they expect a minimum of respect from the temple and its deities. If you plan to give gifts (such as fruit) to statues of deities in the temple, it is recommended that you wash the fruit and your hands before the offering. Also, when entering and exiting a temple, do not walk directly on the doorstep (which is there to stop ghosts), instead try to step over it. Moreover. You must always enter on the right and exit on the left of the temple.