A trip to Taiwan that puts health on the itinerary

SHAH ALAM - A holiday in Taiwan could mean more than visiting hot springs, exploring night markets and trying local food, as Malaysians can now add health screenings to their travel plans in Beitou, Taipei.

A hospital and hotel in the district have teamed up to offer visitors medical assessments alongside their stay, giving travellers the option to look into their health while enjoying a holiday.

The initiative involves Taipei Beitou Health Management Hospital and Hotel Royal Beitou under the Taipei Wellness Clinic and Resort concept, promoted by the Taipei City Government through a public-private initiative.

Taiwan welcomed 385,787 Malaysian visitors in 2025, with more than 264,000 travelling mainly for leisure, according to Taiwan Tourism Administration statistics.

For some travellers, however, a health check-up could be another reason to include Beitou in their itinerary.

The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 found that 29.2 per cent of Malaysian adults had hypertension, 33.3 per cent had high cholesterol and 15.6 per cent had diabetes.

Some were also unaware that they had high blood pressure, cholesterol or glucose levels.

At Taipei Beitou Health Management Hospital, visitors can undergo several types of health assessments, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans, ultrasound and endoscopy.

The hospital also uses artificial intelligence-assisted medical imaging applications, with examinations supported by doctors, nurses, radiologists, dietitians and health-management personnel.

Taipei Beitou Health Management Hospital Chief Superintendent Dr Kon-Ping Lin said health assessments should be based on individual needs rather than having everyone undergo the same tests.

“Families put a great deal of thought into planning a holiday, planning where to stay, what to eat and how to make meaningful use of their time together.

“We believe caring for health can be approached with the same intention. The aim is not for everyone to undergo every available test. Health assessment should be appropriate to the individual. What is important is giving people the opportunity to better understand their current health, speak to a medical professional about the findings and know what they may need to follow up on afterwards,” he said.

Once the examinations are completed, doctors go through the findings with visitors during individual consultations.

The hospital's health-management team also provides guidance and follow-up consultations where needed.

More than just a regular health check

The hospital has also expanded its preventive health services to include Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), which examines a person's genetic information for insights that may be relevant to their long-term health.

However, genetic information is only one part of a person's health profile and does not determine whether someone will develop a particular disease.

Family history, lifestyle and existing health conditions must also be taken into account when interpreting the results.

Hot springs, food and sightseeing

Once the health assessments are out of the way, visitors can explore what Beitou has to offer.

The district is known for its hot springs, with attractions such as Beitou Park, Beitou Hot Spring Museum and Thermal Valley among the places visitors can explore.

Those with extra time can also head to Yangmingshan National Park, known for its volcanic landscape, walking trails and seasonal scenery.

Food is also part of the experience at Hotel Royal Beitou, where chefs work with dietitians to prepare meals for guests.

Visitors can also try traditional Taiwanese food, including the jiu-jia-cai banquet tradition.

For Malaysian Muslim travellers, Hotel Royal Beitou is listed by the Taiwan Tourism Administration as offering Muslim-friendly accommodation and dining.

Planning a health check-up overseas

Malaysian passport holders can enter Taiwan without a visa for stays of up to 30 days.

However, those planning to undergo medical assessments overseas should find out what tests they need and why they are recommended.

It is also important to check who will explain the results, when the reports will be ready and whether follow-up consultations are available if any health concerns are found.

Visitors should keep copies of their medical reports and share them with their regular doctors in Malaysia for further advice.