Google is freely accessible in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau. These countries are not behind mainland China's Great Firewall. A VPN is not necessary to use them, but travelers might still want to use a VPN for additional security while abroad.
As of May 2025, Google was the leading search engine in Taiwan, dominating the market with an overwhelming share of about 80.18 percent across all devices. Its popularity among mobile phone users was even higher, taking 87.63 percent of the search engine market in the same period.
According to Freedom House, technical censorship "is not routine in Taiwan". The U.S. Department of State stated in a 2012 report, "There are no official restrictions on access to the Internet or credible reports that the authorities monitor e-mail or Internet chat rooms without judicial oversight."
Since 2019, Taiwan has banned TikTok, Douyin -- the Chinese-language version --and RedNote from government devices and official premises over national security concerns.
Which Countries Do Not Allow WhatsApp Calls? If you're unsure if a country has banned WhatsApp, this guide should help answer your questions. No, WhatsApp is currently not banned in Taiwan.
Trump’s EMERGENCY LIVE: ‘Official WAR Against…’: US President Announces After Signing New Law
Which country blocked WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is generally inaccessible in North Korea which has blocked Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and other platforms since 2016. North Korea has one of the world's most strictly controlled internet systems. Russia started restricting WhatsApp from Wednesday.
A reliable messaging and communication app is crucial for business, socializing, or simply staying in the loop. The most popular social platform in Taiwan is LINE.
Heroin, morphine, opium, cocaine, coca leaves, poppy, poppy seeds, amphetamine, marijuana, marijuana seeds, marijuana derivatives containing over 10 ppm of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), derived products of the said materials, etc. are prohibited.
Unlike mainland China, Google works normally in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. You can use all Google services freely in these places, including Search, Gmail, Maps, and YouTube – without needing any special tools or VPNs.
Yes, your cell phone is likely to work in Taiwan if it supports the local network frequencies and standards. However, compatibility can vary based on your device and carrier. To ensure your phone will work seamlessly, let's delve into the specifics: GSM Bands: In Taiwan, GSM networks are mostly used.
The office building will provide Googlers with space along with labs for our hardware engineering efforts — helping make Taiwan the largest hardware engineering hub outside the U.S. Tap the link in bio to learn more!
Google Maps is an essential app for Taiwan travelers, revolutionizing navigation worldwide. With its offline mode, tourists can download Taiwan maps in advance and explore without an internet connection, ideal for areas with limited coverage.
Overall, English is not widely spoken in Taiwan, and less than 1 in 10 adults describe themselves as fluent. The vast majority of Taiwanese people can't hold a conversation in English, but close to 1 in 2 know at least a few basic phrases.
The crime rate is low in Taiwan. Violent crime is rare. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs. Ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times.
No, WhatsApp is free to use internationally. You only need an internet connection to send and receive messages, make phone calls, and share media. If you use it connected to a WiFi network, it will be entirely free. However, if you use it while connected to a mobile data plan, it will consume your data.
When it comes to traveling around urban areas, taxis (or Uber), bus, mass rapid transit “MRT”, and the national bicycle sharing system “YouBike” will be your best options. If you want to travel into rural areas, between cities, or explore the mountains, a variety of public and private transport options are available.
Yes, WhatsApp remains blocked in mainland China as of 2025. Users cannot send messages or make calls without using a workaround like a VPN or travel eSIM.
WhatsApp had a penetration rate of approximately 97 percent among messaging and chat app users in India and Italy. Phone messaging users in Australia presented the lowest usage share of WhatsApp, with only 33 percent of mobile phone messaging app users reporting engaging with the Meta-owned app.
Taiwan loves foreigners — unless you are the “wrong” kind. That thought crossed my mind when I encountered weird behavior from a store clerk; my questions were ignored and their attitude was unwelcoming. Yet, the moment a white foreigner walked in, their attitude changed. They became cheerful, polite and eager to help.
You can also use the Taiwan local SIM Card to fulfill your internet needs while traveling there. Using a Taiwan SIM Card makes it easy for you to stay connected, since using the country's local provider will give you a more stable and smooth communication.
