Taiwan is one of the friendliest countries in the world for foreigners.
People are welcoming, the food brings strangers together, and the island is small enough that you're never far from a community event or gathering. And yet, many expats in Taiwan — whether they're here for work, study, or just a change of scenery — find themselves spending most of their time with the same small group of people, or worse, mostly alone.
The problem isn't that Taiwan is hard to break into. It's that nobody tells you where to start.
This guide is here to fix that.
Why Making Friends in Taiwan Is Worth the Effort
Beyond the obvious reasons — having people to explore the night markets with, someone to call when you're not sure how to navigate the healthcare system, a group to travel with during long weekends — building genuine friendships in Taiwan gives you something harder to quantify.
It gives you a real experience of the place.
Knowing Taiwan through friends, not just through tourist attractions, is the difference between visiting a country and actually living in it.
5 Ways to Meet People in Taiwan
Method 1: Language Exchange
This is the most established form of cross-cultural socializing in Taiwan, and for good reason — it works.
The format is simple: you help someone practice English, they help you practice Mandarin (or Taiwanese Hokkien, or Japanese, or whatever you're after). Both sides have something to offer, which removes the awkward imbalance that can come with cold approaches.
Where to find language exchange partners:
Tandem and HelloTalk — Apps that match you with language partners. You can start online and meet in person once you've established a connection.
In-person language exchange events — Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung all have regular language exchange meetups. Search Facebook events or Meetup.com for current listings.
University language centers — If you're near a university, many have programs that pair international students with local students for language exchange.
Language exchange works especially well if you're introverted or uncertain about your Mandarin, because the structure gives you an automatic reason to talk.
Method 2: Join English-Friendly Events and Groups
Taiwan has a growing ecosystem of events conducted in English — and these naturally attract a mix of expats and locals who want to practice English or meet international people.
Worth checking out:
Toastmasters — Multiple chapters across Taiwan run meetings in English. High expat membership, structured but social.
English book clubs — Regular discussion groups in Taipei and Taichung centered around English-language books.
International volunteering — Environmental and education-focused volunteer programs often include foreign participants.
Bilingual gatherings on MatchBridge — Gatherings specifically designed for Chinese and English speakers to meet, which makes the language barrier a non-issue from the start.
The advantage of structured events is that you don't have to manufacture conversation — the activity provides the context.
Method 3: Use a Social Matching Platform
If you don't know where to start, or if your schedule doesn't fit any of the regular events, a social matching platform is the most flexible option.
MatchBridge supports both Chinese and English and has users from around the world, including locals in Taiwan who are specifically looking to meet international people. You can:
Browse gatherings posted by locals and join ones that interest you
- Post your own gathering with an English description to attract bilingual participants
- Set up your profile in English so Taiwanese users can find you easily
- This works especially well if you've just arrived in Taiwan and haven't built up a network yet. You don't need existing connections — just an interest and a willingness to show up.
Not sure how to organize a gathering? Our complete guide to creating a gathering walks you through the whole process.
Method 4: Show Up to the Places Where People Gather
Some parts of Taiwan have a noticeably higher concentration of expats and internationally-minded locals. Spending time in these areas increases your chances of organic encounters.
Places worth frequenting:
Cafés in Da'an and Xinyi districts in Taipei
- The Qinmei and Caowudao areas in Taichung
- Coworking spaces in major cities — these tend to attract remote workers, entrepreneurs, and creatives from many backgrounds
- Restaurants and cafés near international schools
- The key is becoming a regular somewhere, not just passing through. Familiarity lowers the barrier to conversation significantly.
Method 5: Engage on Social Media — Then Take It Offline
Many expats in Taiwan are active on Instagram and Threads, documenting their life on the island. Engaging genuinely with their content — sharing your own perspective on Taiwan, commenting on things you relate to — is a low-pressure way to start a connection.
The transition from online interaction to in-person meeting is easier than it sounds, especially if you've already established some common ground through comments and shared interests.
A Note on Language
One of the most common fears expats have about socializing in Taiwan is that their Mandarin isn't good enough.
Here's something worth knowing: most Taiwanese people are genuinely delighted when a foreigner tries to speak Mandarin, regardless of fluency level. And most locals who want to meet international people are also eager to practice their English.
You don't need to be fluent in either direction. The effort to connect — in whatever combination of languages — is usually enough.
Start Somewhere This Week
The hardest part of building a social life in a new country is inertia. Every week you don't reach out is a week of potential friendships that didn't happen.
Pick one method from this list. Try it this week — not next month, this week.
If you want a platform that makes the first step easier, MatchBridge is a good place to start. Free to join, available in Chinese and English, open to users worldwide.
Looking for more general advice on meeting new people? Read our guide on how to make new friends as an adult.
Which Cities in Taiwan Are Best for Meeting Foreigners?
Taiwan is a small island, but the density of expats and internationally-minded locals varies significantly by city. Knowing where to go makes a real difference.
**Taipei** has the highest concentration of foreigners in Taiwan. Da'an, Xinyi, and Zhongshan districts are home to large numbers of expats working in tech, finance, and education. Language exchange events and international community gatherings are most frequent here — if you want volume, Taipei is your best bet.
**Taichung** has been attracting a growing number of foreign teachers and long-term residents. The Qinmei and Caowudao areas have a relaxed, international café culture that makes starting conversations feel natural. The pace is slower than Taipei, which many people find easier for building genuine connections.
**Kaohsiung** has the open energy of a port city. The expat community is smaller than Taipei's, but concentrated around Yancheng and the Pier-2 Art District — a creative, social scene where people tend to be more approachable and community-oriented.
**Hualien and Taitung** attract a steady flow of foreign travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. If hiking, surfing, or cycling is your thing, the outdoor communities here are some of the most naturally social in Taiwan — shared activities break down barriers faster than almost anything else.Wherever you are in Taiwan, MatchBridge can help you find gatherings happening near you — no matter which city you're in.
