About Taiwan

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About Taiwan

Taiwan's total land area is only about 36,000 square kilometers (14,400 square miles). It is shaped like a leaf that is narrow at both ends. It lies off the southeastern coast of mainland Asia, across the Taiwan Strait from China-- an island on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean. To the north lies Japan; to the south is the Philippines.

Taiwan (Mandarin: 臺灣 or 台灣),also known, especially in the past, as Formosa (from Portuguese: Ilha Formosa, "Beautiful Island"), is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. Taiwan is a solitary island on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean.

Climate

Taiwan enjoys warm weather all year round. The strongest fluctuations in weather conditions are during springs and winters, while during summers and autumns the weather is relatively stable. Taiwan is extremely suitable for traveling, as the annual average temperature is a comfortable 22 degrees Celsius with the lowest temperatures ranging from 12 to 17 degrees Celsius (54-63 Fahrenheit). During the summer (June to August) typhoons sometimes approach or land the country.

Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau: http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V7e/forecast/taiwan/Taipei_City.htm

Time Zone

Taiwan is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+8) and does not practice daylight saving time during summer.

Currency, Credit card, Traveler's Check and Cash

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at government-designated banks and hotels. Receipts are given when currency is exchanged, and must be presented in order to exchange unused NT dollars before departure. For further Bank of Taiwan Foreign Exchange Rate information please visit Bank of Taiwan Foreign Exchange Rate

 

Major credit cards such as American Express, Master Card, Visa, and Diners Club are accepted and traveler's checks may be cashed at foreign-exchange banks, some tourist-oriented businesses, and (by room guests) most international tourist hotels. Cash can be withdrawn from the ATM which has the same logo on your cards. Cash is generally preferred in most places in Taiwan.

 

Many Taiwan's local stores do not receive Traveler's Check, therefore travelers who have Traveler's Check, please exchange for NT dollars.

General Transportation

-Taxi: The rate for taxi in Taipei city is NT$70 for the first 1.25 kilometers and NT$ 5 for each additional 250 meters. A "waiting surcharge" for each 1 minute and 20 seconds is added to NT$ 5, when the taxi is stopped. In addition, NT$20 surcharge is added between 11p.m. and 6 a.m. Different rates apply in other areas

 

-MRT: The Metropolitan Rapid Transportation (MRT) system run by the city government provides the most convenient commuting service between downtown and suburban of Taipei. For more information please visit website at http://english.trtc.com.tw/

Visa

Electricity

Taiwan uses electric current of 110 volts at 60 cycles, appliances from Europe, Australia or South-East Asia will need an adaptor or transformer. Many buildings have sockets with 220 volts especially for the use of air conditioners.

Business Hours

GovernmentWeekdays08:30~12:30
13:30~17:30
WeekdaysClosed
BusinessWeekdays09:00~18:00
Department StoresOpen almost daily11:00~21:30
ShopsOpen almost everyday10:00/11:00 ~ 21:00/ 22:00
Convenience StoresOpen daily24 hours a day
RestaurantsMost open dailyLunch 11:00~14:00
Dinner 17:00~22:00
(afternoon tea at 14:00-17:00)

VAT Refund Guidelines for Foreign Travelers

‧Requirements for VAT Refund

  1. Foreign travelers holding passports from countries other than the R.O.C., travel documents or R.O.C. passports without personal ID numbers attached.
  2. Foreign travelers who make purchases of at least NT$3,000 on the same day from the same Tax Refund Shopping(TRS)-posted store, are eligible for a refund of the 5% VAT paid on those purchased goods. To claim the refund, they must apply at the port of their departure from the R.O.C. within 30 days following the date of purchase, and they must take the purchased goods out of the country with them

Emergency

Useful Phone Numbers

Emergency Numbers(Free Service)

Fire, Ambulance119
Police110

Emergency Hospitals

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