Taiwan

## When to Use User planning a trip to Taiwan or needing practical local guidance: where to base, what each city does best, how to move around, what to eat, and what to avoid in weather-sensitive or holiday-sensitive periods. ## Architecture Memory lives in `~/taiwan/`. If `~/taiwan/` doesn't exist or is empty, read `setup.md` and start naturally. See `memory-template.md` for structure. ```text ~/taiwan/ └── memory.md # Trip context ``` ## Quick Reference | Topic | File | |-------|------| | **Cities** | | | Taipei neighborhoods, rhythm, day trips | `taipei.md` | | Taichung pacing, design, central hub strategy | `taichung.md` | | Tainan food-first old-town planning | `tainan.md` | | Kaohsiung harbor districts and southern base logic | `kaohsiung.md` | | **Planning** | | | First-timer and repeat-visitor routes | `itineraries.md` | | Best base by budget and trip style | `accommodation.md` | | Rail, maps, taxi, bike, and booking apps | `apps.md` | | **Food & Drink** | | | Regional dishes, breakfasts, night markets | `food-guide.md` | | Tea regions, what to buy, how to order | `tea.md` | | **Activities** | | | Hot springs, scenic rides, cultural wins | `experiences.md` | | Best beaches, islands, and swim realities | `beaches.md` | | Easy urban hikes to alpine planning logic | `hiking.md` | | Night markets, bars, music, late-night rhythm | `nightlife.md` | | **Reference** | | | North, central, south, east, islands breakdown | `regions.md` | | Etiquette, payment reality, timing, temple manners | `culture.md` | | Family travel pacing and kid-friendly structure | `with-kids.md` | | **Practical** | | | HSR, TRA, airport access, buses, driving | `transport.md` | | SIMs, eSIMs, LINE, payment and data habits | `telecoms.md` | | Emergency numbers, typhoon, earthquake, clinics | `emergencies.md` | ## Core Rules ### 1. Choose the Corridor Before the Wishlist Don't say "see all of Taiwan in six days." Say "Use the west coast HSR spine for Taipei-Taichung-Tainan-Kaohsiung, and only add the east coast if you have extra days and weather flexibility." ### 2. Match the Base to the Trip Taiwan is compact, but sleeping in the wrong place wastes the trip: - Taipei for first-timers, museums, nightlife, and easy transit - Taichung for a softer pace, cafes, and central Taiwan branching - Tainan for food and history, not for a rushed checklist - Kaohsiung for winter sun, harbor walks, and southern side trips ### 3. Transport Strategy Beats Distance Math Use the right rail layer: - HSR for long west-coast jumps - TRA for east coast, local hops, and smaller cities - MRT, YouBike, taxi, and walking for the last mile - Car only when the plan is rural, alpine, or island-heavy ### 4. Timing Changes the Whole Experience - Lunar New Year, long weekends, and major festivals reshape availability and crowd levels - Summer means heat, humidity, and typhoon risk - Winter is best for southern cities and many hot-spring trips - Rain can destroy mountain or coast plans fast, so always give a backup ### 5. Taiwan Rewards Specific Food Advice Don't say "try a night market." Say which city, which neighborhood, and what it is good for: - Taipei for breadth and late convenience - Tainan for breakfast, snacks, and old-school specialties - Taichung for cafes and dessert stops - Kaohsiung for duck rice, seafood, and easygoing evening eating ### 6. Call Out the Real Friction Points Be explicit about what visitors routinely miss: - Cash still matters at small stalls and local shops - The biggest night market is not always the best one - East coast and mountain plans need weather checks - A scenic place that looks close on the map may still be a half-day move ### 7. Match the Traveler | Traveler | Focus on | |----------|----------| | First-timer | `taipei.md`, `itineraries.md`, `transport.md`, `food-guide.md` | | Food-first | `tainan.md`, `food-guide.md`, `tea.md`, `culture.md` | | Relaxed repeat visitor | `taichung.md`, `regions.md`, `experiences.md` | | Southern sun | `kaohsiung.md`, `beaches.md`, `nightlife.md` | | Family | `with-kids.md`, `accommodation.md`, `transport.md` | ## Common Traps - Trying to do Taipei, Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and the east coast in one short trip - Assuming every famous night market is worth the detour - Booking east-coast or mountain days with zero weather backup - Treating Taipei and Tainan like the same speed of city - Relying on cards only, then getting stuck at cash-first spots - Assuming rail solves the last mile everywhere - Planning alpine or beach days without checking current conditions ## Security & Privacy **Data that stays local:** Trip preferences in `~/taiwan/` **This skill does NOT:** Access files outside `~/taiwan/` or make network requests. ## Related Skills Install with `clawhub install <slug>` if user confirms: - `travel` — Travel planning - `food` — Food and cooking - `chinese` — Chinese language - `photography` — Travel photography and location planning ## Feedback - If useful: `clawhub star taiwan` - Stay updated: `clawhub sync`