Taiwan is the literal midpoint between Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia. This is evident if you look at a map, but also if you travel around Asia. It’s about as far from Taipei to Tokyo or Seoul as it is to Bangkok or Hanoi; if you must take a connecting flight—and doing so is often financially advantageous—Taiwan is the place to connect.
Over the years, to be sure, I’ve also found that Taiwan balances out Southeast Asia’s rough edges with the ironed creases of Northeast Asia. In Taiwan, you can enjoy a relaxed travel (or living) experience at a cost close to what you’d pay in Malaysia or Indonesia, but without so much of the riff-raff.
This all got me to thinking: How would a direct Taiwan vs Southeast Asia comparison shake out? Let’s find out together, shall we?
For Me, Loving Taiwan Took Time
A decade ago, if you asked me whether Taiwan or Southeast Asia had my heart, the latter would’ve won hands down. I’d visited Taiwan, and was even pretty fond of the country, declaring it as “the real China” in a post on my original travel blog. At the same time, I didn’t necessarily see the value in exploring Taiwan more deeply than I had, whereas Southeast Asia was a place where I pined to spend more time. And where I did spend more time, expatriating myself to Bangkok (for a second time) in early 2017.
Living in Bangkok changed me in many ways, and not just because it caused me to take an interest in forex trading and other such pursuits. Most notably, I realized that the trade-off of the laid-back energy and “ease” of living in Southeast Asia was a lack of predictability, even safety. When I thought about where to put down my anchor next, Taiwan increasingly seemed like the only correct answer.
Ways to Compare Taiwan with Southeast Asia
Cost and value
Surprisingly, I’ve found that costs in Taiwan are more or less in line with the pricier destinations of Southeast Asia, which is a nice coincidence if you’ve spent a lot of time in Thailand: The THB and TWD have more or less the same exchange rate vis-à-vis major world currencies. By contrast, even though Taipei is much more expensive than cheaper Southeast Asian cities like Da Nang or Siem Reap, the value and ROI are much higher here, thanks to better infrastructure, a higher level of safety and security and more predictable immigration policies.
Getting there and away
If you’re coming from Australia or Europe, there are plenty of nonstop flight options to reach both Taiwan and Southeast Asia; from the Americas, it’s much faster (and, in the case of North America, much more direct) to reach Taiwan. The real place Taiwan shines versus Southeast Asia, however, is getting away once you’re there. Whereas Singapore or Saigon can require an overnight flight to reach Osaka or Okinawa, Taiwan is basically three hours by plane from most major airports in both Southeast and Northeast Asia.
Safety and security
Southeast Asia is a pretty safe region when you’re talking about violent crime, but many travelers there (especially inexperienced ones) find themselves vulnerable to scams, traffic accidents and…domestic disputes. Taiwan, by contrast, is a developed country, one defined by law and order. You simply aren’t going to be taken advantage of or need to bribe your way out of something; you’re also unlikely to face severe bodily harm taking to the country’s roads, or even if you find yourself in a natural disaster.
Things to see, do and eat
I could write an entire blog about deciding between Southeast Asia or Taiwan on this front—I have, as a matter of fact. But in general, I’d probably give the win to Southeast Asia here, even if it isn’t apples and oranges—we’re comparing a sub-continent with a small island. In particular, Taiwan’s beaches leave a lot to be desired, both compared to those in countries like Thailand or Indonesia alone, and certainly compared to the entire Southeast Asian landmass. Food-wise, I’d also say that Taiwanese food (which is basically just Fujian-style Chinese food) lacks flavor and variety compared to Southeast Asia’s cuisines.
Weather
All of Taiwan is sub-tropical, with the southern portion of the island properly tropical. You don’t get a proper “winter” anywhere on the island, but this is certainly evident in Kaohsiung or Taitung. At the same time, much of Taiwan can still feel dreary and, well, wintry between December and March, which simply isn’t the case of most of Southeast Asia. Likewise, Taiwan’s rainy season (or rainy seasons—different parts of the island have different ones) can seem longer and less relenting than those in Southeast Asia, both in terms of long-term duration, as well as how long it rains on a given day.
Why Taiwan Wins for (Most) Expats
As you might guess, I vastly preferred living in Taipei over Bangkok. Paradoxically, however, this wasn’t because of how different Taiwan proved to be. Rather, it was because I could enjoy many of the creature comforts I had living in Southeast Asia, but with more comfort and fewer creatures. From gay nightlife, to street food, to immigration issues (or lack thereof) and the ease of exploring the region, Taiwan simply made a better base than Thailand.
As I discussed Southeast Asia vs Taiwan with other Western expats, it became clear that I wasn’t alone in this. While I occasionally encountered someone who left Taipei or Kaohsiung for Saigon or KL, the opposite was almost always true. As people grew older, they craved security and stability in equal measure to freedom and excitement. All those things are achievable in Southeast Asia, but Taiwan simply strikes a better balance between them.
Other FAQ About Southeast Asia and Taiwan
Why is Taiwan not part of Southeast Asia?
Taiwan is not geographically part of Southeast Asia because it’s too far north and east, being much closer to Shanghai or Seoul than it is to either Saigon or Hanoi. At the same time, I would argue that Taiwan strikes a perfect cultural balance between its Northeast Asian neighbors and Southeast Asia, in spite of the latter being farther away.
Is Taiwan or Southeast Asia better for travelers?
I love Taiwan and Southeast Asia for different reasons. I choose Taiwan when I need a measure of predictability and reliability, but still want to enjoy vibrant scenery, delicious street food and a sense of relaxation. I choose Southeast Asia when I crave utter wild abandon, or when I need the guarantee of hot, tropical weather year-round.
Should I live in Taiwan or Southeast Asia?
When speaking of them as travel destinations, I have basically equal love for Taiwan and the nations of Southeast Asia. The older I get, however, the more I realize that the comparable reliability, safety and security Taiwan offers is indispensable in any place I plan to call home.
The Bottom Line
When comparing Taiwan vs Southeast Asia, there’s no obvious winner. While I can safely say that I prefer living in Taipei over Bangkok, Taiwan’s edge over Southeast Asia is simply not as clear in short-term travel situations. Moreover, even in situations where I prefer Taiwan, it isn’t a substitute for Malaysia or Myanmar—I still need to spend a certain amount of time in each place every year to feel fulfilled as a traveler. Need personalized help striking the right balance as you plan your Asian adventure? Consider hiring me as your Travel Coach, and letting me sweat the details of your trip.
