Traveling to Taipei doesn’t have to seem like a great big Taiwanese mystery, if you have some handy books in your back pocket. There are a few that will help you navigate your trip to this interesting locale.

First, consider “National Geographic Traveler: Taiwan”, which will help you get a feel for the area before you head to Taipei. While it’s not a guidebook in the traditional sense – ie., it doesn’t list hotels, restaurants and offer opinions, prices and the like – it will help you get your head around your trip to Taipei while other books will help you plan the details.

For some of that detail planning, check out one of the Lonely Planet guides, which are always a favorite of travelers. “Lonely Planet: Taiwan” will give you some great ideas for day excursions, how to overcome the inevitable language barrier, and how to get around Taipei and other Taiwanese cities.

The “Taipei Insight City Guide” will help you plan specifically for your trip to the city of Taipei, with maps and a restaurant guide. This guide offers a four-page visitor orientation to help you get your bearings as soon as you touch down and a street atlas to help you find all the special Taipei features the book highlights. It’s portable size makes it a perfect travel companion.

 However if you do arrive without any information, please head for the Tourist information counter at the Airport or at the Taipei Main Station .There is plenty of free informative maps of Taipei, Taiwan and Various Main cities and tourist destinations.Most important: Check out theTaiwan Forum here at Trip Advisor. A lot of info on Hotels, Itineraries and reviews are already posted for your perusal.

Travel Pictorial - Country or Natural Wonder

Always browse any or all Travel Pictorial books about a country, region or a natural wonder of the world . You will find excellent photography to view at leisure. Check out any bookstore or library ( lending or reference ).

Travel Guide(s) - Country, Region or City

Always glance through any Travel Guide for the region you are planning to visit. You will always find some nuggat of useful information. The layout and content will always vary with the publisher. Every traveller should make it a priority to browse one or all of the guides listed below. It will be a great education to browse the layout and view the excellent photography. You decide which of the travel guide(s)  you like the best.

• DK Eyewitness Travel Guide(s)
• Insight / Discovery Channel Travel Guide(s)
• Lonely Planet Guide(s)
• AA Explorer, AA Key or AA Spiral Guide(s)
• Note: You will find about thirteen ( 13+ ) other publishing companies  travel guides in bookstores.  

Travel Books - Children or Junior

Browse the children's or junior section of your local library for travel and geography guides. You will find a variety of guides to countries, regions or natural wonders of the world. The majority of these guides will be less than fifty pages in length. They will contain an excellent overview of a country etc. They are an excellent introduction to travel for a novice traveller.

Travel DVD or Video Viewing

• These are a few ideas for finding Travel DVD's in your local area.
• Local Video Rental Store
• Local Library - Travel Video or DVD
• Any large music store will have a range of travel DVD's or  Video's on sale.
• Travel Video Store has an excellent internet site.
• BBC Video series website section
• Pilot Travel Guide series 
• National  Geographic Travel DVD or Video Series
• Escorted Tour Companies  DVD or Video's  e.g. Rick Steves' 
• National Tourist Bureaus MAY have a introduction Video or DVD on offer  or Photo Gallery on their Internet site