Business
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40%
- VAT
- 5% (Included in shelf prices)
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $120,000 TWD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $4.8M TWD / $150k USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $85,000 TWD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $3.4M TWD / $107k USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $110,000 TWD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $6.6M TWD / $210k USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $80,000 TWD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $4.8M TWD / $152k USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $100,000 TWD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $8.0M TWD / $253k USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $75,000 TWD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $6.0M TWD / $190k USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (Standard Taiwan rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 21% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Territorial for non-residents; residents taxed on worldwide income above $6.7M TWD
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, implemented since 2023
- Property Tax
- 1.2% to 3.6% based on usage and value
- Property Transaction Tax
- Land Value Increment Tax and House and Land Transactions Income Tax (up to 45% based on holding period)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Taiwan Gold Card offers 50% income tax reduction on salary above $3M TWD
Essentials
- City
- Magong City, Penghu County, Taiwan
- Population
- Approximately 105,000 (County-wide)
- Internet Speed
- Average 100 Mbps; Chunghwa Telecom fiber is widely available in Magong
- Currency & Banking
- New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). 1 USD ≈ 31.5 TWD, 1 EUR ≈ 34.2 TWD
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for direct drinking; use boiled or filtered water
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, FarEasTone (available at Magong Airport)
- Banking for Expats
- Bank of Taiwan, Land Bank of Taiwan; Revolut works via ATM withdrawals
- Accommodation
- Boutique B&Bs (Minsu) are the standard; Discovery Hotel for high-end stays
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate. Major hotels and 7-Eleven accept cards/LinePay; local markets are cash-only
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local Minsu booking via Line; average $800 - $1,200 USD/month
- Budget Accommodation
- Penghu Backpackers Hostel (approx. $600 TWD/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Magong City Center (Zhongyang Old Street area) for accessibility
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Guanyinting Waterfront area for reliable Wi-Fi and evening sunsets
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Penghu Youth Hub (Magong) – community-run space for digital entrepreneurs
- Best Cafe for Work
- Semi-Circle Cafe (半日閑) – quiet atmosphere with reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Penghu Startup Meetups at the Penghu Creativity Lab
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Taiwan Facebook groups; local surf/dive meetups at Shanshui Beach
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- FindTaxi or Line Taxi (Uber is not operational on the island)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Dayen Scooter Rental (near Magong harbor) - $400 TWD per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Shanshui Beach (Magong) – white sand and popular for surfing
- Top Regional Airline
- Mandarin Airlines, UNI Air
- Top International Airline
- Fly via Taipei (TPE) or Kaohsiung (KHH) using EVA Air or China Airlines
- Highway Access
- County Road 203 (connects Magong to Xiyu via the Great Cross-Sea Bridge)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Magong Port (Ferries to Kaohsiung/Chiayi) and Magong Airport (MZG)
- Public Transport Passes
- EasyCard or iPass (accepted on Penghu Shuttle Bus)
- Regional Travel
- Daily ferries from Magong to Cimei and Wangan islands ($450-$600 TWD)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Tri-Service General Hospital Penghu Branch (Magong City)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Local community classes at the Penghu Activity Center
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- World Gym (Magong Branch) – modern equipment and short-term passes
- Laundry Services
- Seicand Self-Service Laundry (open 24/7 in Magong City)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Foodpanda (widely used in Magong city center)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Penghu Pumpkin Rice Noodles and Cactus Ice Cream (Easy Coast Ice)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Loving Hut (Magong) – reliable vegan chain
- Best Dessert Spots
- Jade Crown Grass Jelly (玉冠嫩仙草) – legendary local dessert
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Beichen Market (Morning market for fresh fruit and local snacks)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Shopee Taiwan, PChome (shipping takes 1-2 days longer than mainland)
- Grocery Delivery
- PX Mart (Poya) online shopping for local delivery
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Minsheng Road area; 'Beast' Bar for craft cocktails
- Local Brewery
- Penghu Craft Brewery (specializes in Cactus-infused beers)
- Wine Bars
- Discovery Hotel Pier3 Bar (selection of imported wines)
- Street Food Stalls
- Magong Night Market (seasonal) and Zhongyang Old Street
- Popular International Cuisine
- Addict Seafood (Italian-Taiwanese fusion), Long Men Seafood
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Penghu Great Cross-Sea Bridge and Qimei Double Heart Stone Weir
- Museums & Art Venues
- Penghu Living Museum ($80 TWD entry)
- Historical Sites
- Tianhou Temple (Taiwan's oldest Mazu temple)
- Religious Sites
- Guanyin Pavilion – significant Buddhist site and fireworks venue
- Annual Events
- Penghu International Ocean Fireworks Festival (April to June)
- Cultural Districts
- Zhongyang Old Street (Historic architecture and shops)
- Theater Venues
- Penghu Performing Arts Center
- Local Markets
- Magong Fish Market (visit at 4:30 AM for the auction experience)
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic performances at waterfront bars during summer
- Street Art
- Erkan Historical Village (Traditional murals and coral stone houses)
- Cooking Classes
- Penghu Kitchen (Seaweed and seafood traditional cooking)
- Art Galleries
- Penghu Marine Biology Research Center Art Hall
- Historic Buildings
- Xiyu Western Fortress (Qing Dynasty military site)
- Local Heritage
- Traditional Huazhai stone houses in Wangan
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Kuibishan Geopark (Moses Parts the Sea tidal walk)
- National Parks Nearby
- South Penghu Marine National Park (accessible by boat)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Magong Coastal Bike Path (stretches along the western shore)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Fenggui Blowholes for coastal sound and spray
- Birdwatching Locations
- Maoyu and Caoyu islands (Sea bird sanctuaries)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Aimen Beach (permitted in designated BBQ areas)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- 7-Eleven 'Black Cat' (Takkyubin) service is the most reliable
- Tech Repair Services
- Tsann Kuen 3C (Major electronics retailer in Magong)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Penghu County Gymnasium
- Language Classes
- Private tutors via local university (National Penghu University of Science and Technology)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Penghu County Library (Quiet, air-conditioned, good Wi-Fi)
- Community Centers
- Penghu Activity Center (Host to local workshops)
- Gaming Lounges
- Net cafes are available near the Magong bus station
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Gambling is illegal in Taiwan despite local referendums)