a) Taiwan in Brief

Taiwan is situated in the Pacific Ocean about 160 kilometers (100 miles) from the southeastern coast of the Chinese mainland. Located about midway between Korea and Japan to the north and Hong Kong and Philippines to the south, Taiwan is a natural gateway for travelers to and within Asia.

Shaped roughly like a tobacco leaf, Taiwan is 394 kilometers (245 miles) long and 144 kilometers (89.5 miles) wide at its broadest point. The Central Mountain Range bisects Taiwan from north to south and about two-thirds of the island is covered with forested peaks. The rest of the island is made up of foothills, terraced flatlands, and coastal plains and basins. Taiwan includes Taiwan Island, the Penghu Islands --a group of 64 islands, and 80 other smaller neighboring islands and islets.

Population

Except for the Gaoshan ethnic group, the aborigines of Taiwan, the inhabitants of Taiwan are the descendants of immigrants from the Chinese mainland. Settlement proceeded from the area around Taiwan, in the south, northward and from the coast inland. From the latter Ming dynasty (early 17th century), until it was occupied by the Japanese in 1895, Taiwan was both the largest city and the capital of Taiwan. The population is so predominantly Chinese, most of whom are the descendants of immigrants from the southeastern Chinese provinces of Fujian and Guangdong; in addition, after the Kuomingtang fled to the island in 1949, there was a sizable immigration from other parts of China.

b) Visas

Foreign nationals holding passports or travel documents valid for more than six months may obtain tourist visas if they are in Taiwan for the purposes of sightseeing, business, family visits, study or training, medical treatment, or other legitimate activities.

Fourteen-day visa-free privileges are offered to citizens of 21 countries and 30-day landing visas are offered to citizens of 24 countries. For further information, please visit the website www.boca.gov.tw/english/index.htm

c) Currency and Exchange

The monetary unit is the New Taiwan dollar (NT$), which has five denominations in paper and four in coin. Paper money is in NT$2,000, NT$1,000, NT$500, NT$200 and NT$100 notes. Coins are in NT$50, NT$10, NT$5 and NT$1 denominations.

Each participant is entitled to depart with currency of up to US$5,000 in cash or the equivalent in other foreign currencies. Excess amounts must be declared to and recorded by the Customs. Also, up to NT$40,000 in cash may be carried. Larger amounts are allowed only if a permit has been obtained from the Central Bank of China.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at most banks, hotels and international airports.

Please visit the Currency Converter website at www.xe.net/ucc

d) Credit Cards

All major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants. The most widely accepted credit cards are Visa and MasterCard. Restaurants and shops generally display signs indicating which cards are accepted.

e) Banking and Business Hours

Banking hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Office hours for government agencies are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. Private companies are usually more flexible with working hours, and often decide their own schedule.

Please be informed that there are no public holidays on the dates of our seminar.

f) Electricity

Taiwan uses electric current at 110 volts AC/60 Hz. Many hotels also provide outlets for 220-volt appliances.

g) Drinking Water

Tap water in Taipei is soft, chlorinated, and not suitable for drinking. Most hotels and shops provide or sell boiled water and mineral water.

h) Time Zone

      Taiwan is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+0800).

      There is no daylight saving time in Taiwan.

i) Tipping and Taxes

Tipping is not customary in most places in Taiwan. A 10% service charge and a 5% value-added tax are added to room rates and meals.

j) Climate

Taipei has a subtropical climate, with an average temperature of 23.6 degrees centigrade(74.5 degrees Fahrenheit). Summer is from May to September and is characterized by scorching heat and high humidity. Average temperatures range from 25.2 to 28.6 degrees centigrade. Autumn is from October to November, with average temperatures ranging from 22.2 to 24.2 degrees centigrade. The island is affected by typhoons during summer, but they do not have a long-term impact. For more information on Taiwan's climate, please refer to the website of the Central Weather Bureau at www.cwb.gov.tw/V3.0e/index-e.htm

Earthquake Survival Tips

Taiwan is located in a seismically active region. In the case of an earthquake, the following measures are recommended:

1. Stay where you are and do not panic. Most quake injuries occur as people enter or leave buildings. The greatest danger is from falling objects just outside of doorways and walls.

2. Stay away from windows, mirrors, or glass that might shatter.

3. Stay away from stoves, heating units and fireplaces.

4. If you are indoors, get under a sturdy desk or table.

5. If you are outdoors, be sure to stay clear of electricity lines and poles, trees or   

    branches, external stairs or anything that might fall.

6. DO NOT try to use the elevators or stairs during a quake.

k) Transportation

From CKS International Airport to Taipei City  

  1.  Five bus companies now provide frequent service between CKS International

       Airport and Taipei, as follows:

      Taiwan Bus Corp; Evervoyage; Toward You Air Bus; Fe Go Express; United 

       Highway Buses.

  2.  Ticket counters are located in the arrival reception areas of both terminals.

  3.  Terminal I Bus stop/stand: On the southwest side of the Arriving Passenger  

       Reception Area.

  4.  Terminal II Bus stop/stand: On the northeast side of the Arriving Passenger   

       Reception Area on the first floor of the terminal.

  5.  Adult single fares vary from NT$110 to $140.

  6.  The journey time is about 1 hour in moderate traffic.

Taxi－The average taxi fare from CKS International Airport to Taipei is around NT$1,200（drivers are allowed to add a 50% surcharge over the fare shown on the meter for trips to the airport).There are many taxis operating in and around Taipei. All are yellow and display a light on the roof when vacant. The rate for taxis in Taipei is NT$70 for the first 1.5 kilometers and NT 5 for each additional 350 meters. A 20% surcharge is added between 11p.m. and 6 a.m. and a "waiting surcharge" for each 3 minutes is added when the taxi is stopped or is traveling at less than 5 kilometers per hour.

           MRT－The mass rapid transit system (MRT) in Taipei, together with the   

           metropolitan area's dedicated bus route network, forms a convenient transportation   

           system. The MRT currently has five lines in operation: the Brown Line (Mucha), the  

           Red Line (Tamshui), the Orange Line (Chungho), the Green Line (Hsintien), and the 

           Blue Line (Kunyang to Hsinpu). The five lines pass by a variety of attractions and 

           scenic spots, and visitors can take a leisurely journey around Taipei and its suburbs 

           by using the MRT system.

           Auto ticketing machines can be found in MRT stations, and all stations are equipped  

           with change machines. Single-journey ticket prices range from NT$20~NT$65 

           depending on the distance traveled. A 150-dollar "One-day pass" purchased from 

           service booths will allow unlimited travel along all MRT lines within one day.

           Please Note:

           ＊MRT operating hours－06:00~24:00.

              ＊To provide passengers with a comfortable and safe ride, smoking, drinking & gum 

               chewing are strictly prohibited in the paid area, and food consumption is only 

               permitted in designated areas.

           ＊Using a cellular phone is prohibited in the first and the last cars of the train.

           ＊Tickets are valid on the day of purchase.

           For more information, please check Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation (Metro Taipei) 

           at http://www.trtc.com.tw/englishnew/index.htm

           Buses－Buses are one of the most important means of transportation in Taipei, with 

           almost 200 routes stretching throughout the city. They run every 5-10 minutes and 

           operate on an express lane grid system, making transfers easy. Fares were last 

           adjusted on Aug. 20, 1997 and full fare per section is NT$15.

  l) Useful Phone Numbers:

     ＊Tourist Service Center: (02) 2717-3737

     ＊Bureau of Consular Affairs (MOFA): (02) 2343-2888

     ＊Chinese Operator: 104

     ＊English Operator: 106

     ＊Fire and ambulance: 119

     ＊Police: 110

m) How to dial international calls

International Direct Dialing from Taiwan

＊International dialing prefix (002)

＊Country code

＊Area code (omit "0")

＊Phone number

 International Direct Dialing to Taiwan

＊International dialing prefix

＊Taiwan country code (886)

＊Taiwan area code (omit "0")

＊Phone number

For more country code search and rate information please visit

  www.eyp.com.tw/rates/index.php?lang=engn)

Telecommunications 

In Taiwan, mobile phones are under the GSM system. When you travel to Taiwan and if you are using the same system, you will be able to make and receive calls to/from abroad with the international roaming service. However, another option for making calls while in Taiwan is to purchase a local SIM card. These are widely available throughout Taiwan from telecom companies and convenience stores. If you prefer the traditional method, public phones are also conveniently located. Public phones in Taiwan are divided into two types, coin and card. Coin phones accept coins in denominations of NT$1, NT$5, and NT10. For local calls, NT$1 buys one minute of phone time. Phone cards are divided into magnetic strip stored value cards and IC stored value cards, and can be used all over Taiwan. Magnetic strip cards sell for NT$100 each, and IC cards are available in NT$200 and NT$300 versions. The cards are sold in railway stations, bus stations, scenic spots, and convenience stores. For English directory assistance, dial 106.

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