AboutLotta Danielsson-Murphy Expertise I can answer questions about trading with and doing business with Taiwan. I can also answer questions about traveling to Taiwan, particularly about traveling to Taipei, as well as general questions about history, language, culture, etc.
Experience
Relevant Experience I am the Vice President of the US-Taiwan Business Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to US-Taiwan trade/business. I speak Mandarin Chinese, lived in Taipei for nine months, and worked in Beijing for almost a year.
Education/Credentials International MBA (a.k.a. MIBS)-Chinese Track
University of South Carolina
I plan to visit Taipei for vacation during the Chinese/Lunar New Year period.
Please advise if it is a good time as I am worried that most of businesses
would be closed for the Chinese New Year holidays and there won't be any
shopping and/or places to eat.
Thanks.
Answer Hi Han,
While the city will be less crowded as people travel to their hometowns, and it will be fairly deserted, there will still be restaurants, markets, and shops open. Traditionally, all public places would shut down for a week, but in recent years that has changed and things shut down for perhaps only a few days. Museums and other public sightseeing spots will have reduced hours, though, so you will have to plan such visits carefully.
However, it could also be a very special time to be in Taipei. There are drama performances, special meals for the new year, dragon/lion dances, traditional folk craft/art exhibitions, etc. All things that you don't see any other time of year. If you are around for the Lantern Festival - marking the end of the holiday - that is a truly marvelous time as well.
So, while it would be different than traveling to Taipei at any other time of year, and you will be a little more restricted, I don't think that you have to worry overly much about it.
