Do I need to bring toilet paper to Taiwan?

Can I throw toilet paper in Taiwan?

Can I throw toilet paper in Taiwan?

I just… I always throw it in the toilet. Is there another way?

I heard modern plumbing in Taiwan is built for it, for flushing toilet paper.

• I remember being told that years ago.
• Is it really that different?
• My grandmother always said to put it in the bin.
• Germs? Is that what it's about?

It feels strange thinking of other ways, like an extra step.

They encourage flushing now? Oh. Less cost, less bacteria. Makes sense, I guess.

• My family has been going to Taiwan for years.
• I was there in 2023. I flushed.
• Did I do something wrong back then?
• This makes me rethink everything.

Is it necessary to use toilet paper?

Necessary? Nah.

Consider alternatives. Water. Bidets exist. The Romans knew something.

• Toilet paper harms forests. Who knew trees mattered? My friend Dave, for one.

• It clogs pipes. Bad news.

• A bidet? Cleaner. More hygienic.

• Cost effective? Maybe. My water bill is high.

• Think about it. Smearing, not cleaning.

Plus, its paper. Its not exactly a great system. Isn't it? I think. Wait, what?

Do I need to carry cash in Taiwan?

Taiwan in 2024. Cash is king, still. Damn right. It’s not just probably. It's a fact. I learned that the hard way.

My trip last July... so many places, only cash. Visa? Forget it. The smaller street food stalls, definitely cash. Even some bigger places. It felt…limiting.

• Night markets – Cash is essential. I remember scrambling for change. Embarrassing.
• Smaller shops – Cash only. No exceptions. I saw tourists frustrated.
• Even some restaurants – It happened. I was stuck.

This isn't a maybe thing. It's a prepare-for-cash thing. Bring plenty. Don't be like me. Don't be foolish. It sucks to be caught short.

Do you have to bring your own toilet paper in China?

Okay, so, toilet paper in China. Right. Yep, you gotta bring your own toilet paper. Seriously.

I learned this the hard way. Last summer, June 2024, visiting my aunt Mei in Shanghai. Busy city, right?

We were at the Yu Garden. So beautiful! Until... nature called. I head to the public restroom, feeling confident.

Nope. Nada. Zilch. Not a single roll. Empty dispensers everywhere. Panic set in. Mild, but still, panic.

Thankfully, Aunt Mei, wise woman, always carries a little pack. Savior!

• Key takeaway: Always, always, ALWAYS pack your own.
• Specifically: Tissues, small pack of toilet paper, something.
• Where? Everywhere. Malls, parks, train stations. Seriously, everywhere!

It's not just about the TP, though. Disposal is key.

Don't flush it! Bins beside the toilets. That was weird at first.

• Why? Plumbing. Not built for paper.
• Hygiene? Maybe a little less… modern than what I am used to.
• Remember the bins!

Honestly, after a few days, it became routine. Part of the "traveling in China" experience, I guess. Now I even have a special travel pack for this. Never leave home without it, what a relief! You live, you learn. It wasn't too bad. And hey, Yu Garden was still gorgeous!

Do Taiwanese toilets have bidets?

Dude, you went to Taiwan WITHOUT a portable bidet? That's like going to a chili cook-off without your stomach lining. Seriously, Amazon's your friend. Next time, pack it like it's a life raft.

Taiwanese toilets? Bidets are rarer than a hen's teeth. Think finding a unicorn riding a unicycle. They exist, but don't count on it.

Cleanest public bathroom in Taipei? Haha. That's a funny one. Let's just say, prepare for adventure. Think less "spa day" and more "guerrilla warfare against unsanitary conditions." My aunt visited last year and was not impressed.

Hotels? Your best bet is to specify "bidet" in your booking. Otherwise, you're playing bidet roulette. It's a gamble, my friend, a high-stakes gamble involving your bottom.

Things to know:

• Portable bidets are your new best friend. Treat it like your passport.
• Expect the unexpected. Taiwanese bathrooms can be... a journey. Think Indiana Jones meets a plumber.
• Hotel bookings are key. Don't assume anything. Be specific. Really specific.

My cousin, Sarah, spent a week in Taipei in 2024, and she swore she saw a bidet in one place – a five-star hotel outside of the city, near a temple. Take that for what it's worth. She's also convinced that pigeons hold the secrets to the universe.

Do I flush toilet paper in Taiwan?

Heck yeah, flush that paper!

Seriously, the Taiwanese government's been preaching the gospel of flushing for, like, 16 years. Sixteen! You'd think everyone would be on board by now, right? Nope. Over half the population is still playing garbage can basketball with their used TP. It's wild.

• The Official Line: Flush it, flush it good! The government really wants you to.
• Why, you ask? Sanitation, duh. Nobody wants a poop-paper bouquet festering in a public restroom.
• Operation: Shiny Bathrooms: Back in 2017, they launched a whole plan to make public restrooms less... ew. It was called something official, involving restrooms.
• Cultural Resistance: Apparently, a lot of folks are still stuck in the old ways. Old habits die hard, like my uncle's obsession with wearing socks with sandals.
• Think of it this way: Flushing your TP is like giving your bathroom a little spa day. It's the least you can do.

Here's the deal, though: Taiwan's plumbing is generally built for it these days, but you might run into older buildings, especially in rural areas, where the pipes are about as robust as a wet noodle. So, use common sense, right? If it looks dicey, maybe chuck it in the bin. Just don't be surprised if someone gives you the side-eye.

Honestly, it's kinda like the whole chopsticks thing. Some people get it, some people just stab their food aggressively. Just do your best.

Is it better to use cash or credit card in Taiwan?

Cash reigns supreme in Taiwan, like a benevolent, if slightly old-fashioned, emperor. Credit cards? They're like the hip, young prince, popular in trendy restaurants and 7-Elevens.

Night markets and taxis? Cash is your knight. Forget plastic there. Think of it this way: cash is the fortune cookie of transactions. You never know what surprise you'll get!

• Cash is the real deal. Ninety percent real!
• Credit cards work at fancy places.
• Embrace the street food scene with cash.

And, oh yeah, my uncle who lives in Taipei still haggles with cash. It's a whole performance. I've seen it. Plus, you know, collecting those NT dollar coins is oddly satisfying. Maybe it's just me? Whatever.