November 67
Rukai Black Rice Festival. The Rukai tribe's major festival, is named in honour of what was once their
staple diet but is rarely seen today. Instead, offerings are made for abundant harvests, a traditional time
for marriage proposals and weddings. The most significant ceremony is held at Duona, usually in late
November, in Maolin National Scenic Area.
Birth of Bodhidharma Lunar October 5. Honours the legendary Buddhist monk, also known as the
Tripitaka Dharma Master, traditionally credited as the founder of the meditative Chan – or Zen as it's
known in Japan and the West – school of Buddhism—rites performed at the Chung Tai Chan Monastery
near Puli.
Sun Yat-sen's Birthday is November 12. Marks the birthday of Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Republic of
China and the Chinese Nationalist Party, who is commonly known as the father of modern China.
Qingshan's Birthday Lunar October 22. Celebrates the birthday of the King of Qingshan (Green
Mountain), believed to ward off pestilence and dispense justice in the underworld—ceremonies held at
Taipei's ornate Qingshan Temple.
December
Puyuma Ear-shooting Festival is a Celebration of the Puyuma tribe, traditionally a test of archery skills.
Rituals are held near Zhiben, to the south of Taitung.
Constitution Day, December 25. Commemorates the passage of the Constitution of the Republic of China
on December 25, 1946. The national flag is flown throughout the country, but these days Christmas is
celebrated.
Visas and border crossings
Always check the embassy website of the country you visit for visa requirements and border crossing
procedures as these can change unexpectedly.
At the time of writing the following applied:
Most visitors get 30—60-day visa-free entry into Taiwan, depending on your country, please check their
website. If a visa is needed beforehand, it can be applied for online. E-visas are also available in a
limited number of countries.
Traffic and Road conditions
Please remember that Taiwanese drive on the right-hand side of the road. The tropical heat can make
long-cycle touring a challenge. The best time for cycling in Taiwan is autumn. All the police stations along
the way are unofficially bike aid stations, so if you need to rest, use the toilet, fix your bike or ask for
directions, stop at a police station.
Health and safety hazards – (please check the CDC websitehttps://wwwnc.cdc.gov)
The dengue virus is a leading cause of illness and death in the tropics and subtropics. As many as 400
million people are infected yearly. Dengue is caused by any one of four related viruses transmitted by
mosquitoes. Unfortunately, there are not yet any vaccines to prevent infection with the dengue virus,
and the most effective protective measures are those that avoid mosquito bites.
Inoculations
Infectious diseases are a rare cause of serious illness in Asia. However, becoming ill on the way is
relatively common and may include respiratory infections, diarrhoea, and dengue fever. Most of these
illnesses can be either prevented or treated locally. Always pack personal medication. Getting a rabies
shot before going on a cycling holiday may be a good idea. If we encounter a rabid dog, he will most
likely go for those pedalling legs! Under normal circumstances, a chasing dog will soon lose interest
when you stop pedalling.