TAIPEI : THE CAPITAL CITY

Taipei is located in northern Taiwan, covering 271.77 square kilometers, with a population of over two million. In terms of both the fine art and the culinary art, Taipei is definitely one of the cultural centers of Taiwan. The National Palace Museum exhibits the greatest collection of priceless Chinese art, while the city's many antique shops, galleries, jade markets and jewelers' offer works of art for sale. The variety of exquisite dishes at Taipei's thousands of restaurants and eateries enticingly demonstrate why Taipei is famed as the gourmet's capital of Asia. (Transport and Travel in Taipei)

LANGUAGE

Mandarin is the official language in the Republic of China, though other dialects are also spoken. The most commonly used foreign language is English. Taxi drivers, however, generally only speak Chinese.

CURRENCY

The Republic of China's unit of currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). Bill denominations are NT$1000, NT$500, NT$100, and NT$50. Coin denominations are NT$1, NT$5, NT$10 and NT$50. As of February 2002, the exchange rate was quoted around NT$35 to one US Dollar. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the airport upon arrival, or at government-authorized banks, tourist hotels, and large department stores. Receipts are given when currency is exchanged, and must be presented in order to exchange unused NT Dollars before departure. Traveler's checks in major currencies may be cashed at some tourist-oriented businesses and for room guests at most international tourist hotels.

CREDIT CARDS

Hotels, department stores, airlines, large stores and restaurants accept major credit cards, however, you can still withdrawing in the ATM which has this sign .

Cash is generally preferred elsewhere.

BANKING HOURS

Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE

One local call from a pay phone costs NT$1 for 1 minute, after which additional coins are needed or the line will be automatically disconnected. On private phones, the overseas operator may be reached by dialing "100." Direct dialing is available to some phones, after first dialing the prefix "002." International direct dialing rates are calculated every six seconds.

CLIMATE

Split in half by the Tropic of Cancer, Taiwan has a tropical climate in the southern and western plains and subtropical climate in the northern and mountainous regions. The average temperature is 22 Centigrade in the north and 24.5 Centigrade in the south. The average temperature in November is about 22 Centigrade. Summer is from May until September, and the winter, from December to February, is mild. Taiwan is sub-tropical in the north of the island. The temperature of spring season ranges from about 15 degrees Celsius to 22 degrees Celsius with humidity of 78%. Please prepare suitable clothes.

TIME ZONE

Taiwan is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and does not practice daylight saving time in summer. You can check Taiwan's local time and the time difference from your local time via this link:
http://www.worldtimeserver.com/

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

110 volts A. C. 60 Hz.

CUSTOMS

Personal items are free of duty. Visitors over 20 years old may bring in, duty free, 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 0.5 kg of tobacco, one bottle of liquor and one used camera.
Gold cannot be exported without a permit issued by the Ministry of Finance. Passengers arriving with gold and silver and planning to take it out at departure must declare it and leave the items with Customs until they leave Taiwan.

TIPPING/TAXES

Tipping is optional. It is usual, however, to tip hotel porters and for restaurant service. A 10% service charge and a 5% value-added tax are added to room rates and meals.