Taiwan is a strange meshing of Western and Asian cultures. Some you will find familiar, others almost incomprehensible. You can have fun in your free time here doing some of the things you enjoyed back home and you will also discover recreational outlets you won't find anywhere else.

KTVs
Karaoke Clubs. One of the most popular pastimes, if not the most popular Taiwanese pastime. Waiting lists for rooms can sometimes be as much as an hour on weekends. These clubs are arranged into rooms of various sizes where friends can gather to sing songs with microphones in front of a big screen TV, play drinking games, eat food, and play cards. If you like to sing English songs of the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s, or you have an urge to sing songs by the Carpenters, Mariah Carey, or the BeeGees, this is the place for you. All the most popular Chinese songs of the day are there for singing. This can be a great way to practice your Chinese, too.

Live Music
Live music shows are becoming more and more popular, but the clubs usually have high cover charges. For rock fans, Taiwan's own Wu Bai and China Blue are an outstanding bands that perform regularly around Taiwan. TU Jazz Pub in Taipei has a very good New Orleans style Blues Band that has a lead singer/sax player from New Orleans who can really play.

Concerts and Theater
Chinese and Western Opera and Classical performances can be attended almost any evening at the National Concert Hall and National Theater in Taipei.

Outstanding performances are happening all the time; YoYo Ma, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavorotti, The Brecker Brothers, The Canadian Brass, The King's Singers, The Royal Philharmonic, The Moscow Boys Choir, and The Harlem Ballet have all headlined performances in recent years. Rock concerts are usually limited to bands like Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Abba and Air Supply type bands. However, in 1996, Stevie Wonder, The Cranberries, Sting, and Mr. Big gave concerts.

Movies
Movies are now arriving in Taiwan just a couple of weeks behind openings in the U.S. and cost around NT$240. They are not overdubbed in Chinese like they are in other countries in Asia but have subtitles along the bottom of the screen: a much better alternative. Some of the Hong Kong and Taiwan movies are great entertainment, even if you don't understand a word - the action speaks for itself.

Pubs/Dance Clubs
In every major city there are some good western style pubs and beer houses where you can go play pool and darts, or sit and talk with friends. In Taipei, Roxy Plus, 45, TU, Absolute, DV8, and the Bushiban are all popular pubs to hang out in. Dance Clubs and Discos are extremely popular places to go and people watch and see Taiwan's young adults having fun. KK disco attracts between 4,000 and 6,000 people an evening. There are many of these clubs and their popularity changes monthly. If you like these kinds of places, ask anyone where the best clubs are this month and they'll steer you in the right direction.