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Taiwanese people sometimes don't believe hitchhiking will work for longer distances (or they are maybe not familiar with the concept), so they might try to drive you to a train- or bus-station. Couchsurfing is also highly comes recommended. You will find possibilities in all provincesmost counties, and major cities like Taipei and Kaohsiung have weekly meetups and other events that you can show up to and ask around.
It might be useful Major cities have backpacker hostels for around NT$400 to have $600 per bed, and a double at a motorcycle helmet with youlow-end hotel runs up toward NT$1000. In areas frequented by domestic tourists, when hitchhikingthere are also many "minsu" (sometimes translated as "homestays" but really more like B&Bs or mini hotels). Rates vary, as but expect it is possible get lifts from motorcycliststo cost more than a hostel.
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Taiwanese people are very friendly and usually very honest. Waiting times to hitch are short and people often don't mind driving a bit further than the place where they needed to be. Very often, the drivers will also offer you a drink or even food. No matter how deep into the countryside you are, hitching is possible absolutely everywhere! You might find Taiwan to be the easiest place to hitch in the world.
Taiwanese people sometimes don't believe hitchhiking will work for longer distances (or they are maybe not familiar with the concept), so they might try to drive you to a train- or bus-station.
It might be useful to have a motorcycle helmet with you, when hitchhiking, as it is possible get lifts from motorcyclists.
==Language==
Taiwan's official language is Mandarin Chinese, and everyone under about 70 speaks it fluently (Taiwanese, a related language, is widespread but declining in use among young people, especially in the north and major cities). English is mandatory in schools, and most Taiwanese people under 40 will know some, but only a minority of them speak it confidently and well.
The next best thing is to have a smartphone on you to translate whatever you search into chinese characters and for the use of google maps. You can buy a SIM card (fareastone e.g.) for NT$350 giving you a credit of 150 for calling plus 1GB of mobile internet. The whole country offers excellent wifi services (restaurants, 7-11, Metro and bus stations). Free registration is often required. Search help for that.
==Sleeping==
Informal camping is very easy and safe in Taiwan. Occasionally you can be scolded for choosing a bad spot, but threatening or violent behaviour is unheard of. It is generally okay to pitch a tent on the grounds of public schools, even in some larger towns. Just ask the guard first (if there is one), and make sure to be gone before children arrive in the morning. Temple managers may be willing to let you camp on their grounds or terraces as well, and you're unlikely to have much trouble camping next to an unstaffed shrine (certain ones may be considered undesirable because of evil spirits, but any objections will stem from concern for your well-being, not anger). Empty lots are of course fair game as well.
== Cities ==
