At the orientation for Shi-Da yesterday a representative from the National Youth Commission came to introduce the Youth Travel Card. I had known of this card before but because I am over thirty years old I cannot apply. However, after seeing the presentation I really wanted to share the information because there are many special offers that make this card invaluable. The best thing about it is that anyone from the age of 15-30 can apply for it and it's free!

More information about the card can be found at the Youth Travel in Taiwan website (in English, Chinese and Japanese). About the card they write:

In order to encourage 15-30 year young people from home and abroad to explore Taiwan, promote study and travel and create a user-friendly travel environment, the National Youth Commission (NYC), in coordination with other government departments and the travel businesses, has put together a special discount network with bargain offers on admission tickets to tourist attractions, accommodation, transportation and food. To take advantage of these special offers, you need to get a Youth Travel Card (YTC) from the NYC.

All the necessary information comes in brochure with the card. You can apply for the card at the international airport, Taipei Railway Station and tourist information centres and youth hubs around Taiwan.

Some of the offers which are of special note are the Taiwan Youth Guesthouse Network. This allows holders of the card to stay at 25 government owned guesthouses around Taiwan on Sunday to Thursday nights for NT$500 or less. Details of the guest houses can be found on the website.

Also if you stay at any of the guesthouses for three nights you are eligible for a free 10-day TR Pass . This pass can also be purchased separately for NT$1,098 for ten days. This gives travellers a very cheap and convenient means to travel around Taiwan. Please note that the pass can only be used on Fuxing and EMU trains. These are the slower trains that stop at most stations.

The Youth Buddy Network offers half-day and full-day tours of attractions in Taipei, Hualian and Tainan. These tours are led by university students studying tourism related courses.

Another thing for young travellers to know is that Australian and New Zealand citizens aged between 18 and 30 are eligible to apply for a working holiday visa.

Also have a look at this recent article from the Taiwan Journal which has more about promoting Youth Travel in Taiwan. All in all there are many great offers and opportunities for young people travelling in Taiwan. I only wish I was still under 30 so I could take advantage of them!!