ABOUT TAIWAN

General Information

Taiwan lies off the southeastern coast of mainland Asia, across the Taiwan Strait from China - an island on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean. Many airlines fly to Taiwan, making it the perfect travel destination. Taipei is Taiwan's largest city as well as its economic, political, and cultural center. It is a modern cosmopolitan metropolis with a lively and diversified face, filled with exuberance.

Time zone

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

Official Languages

Standard Chinese 

National Languages

Mandarin / Hokkien / Hakka / Formosan / Matsu / Wuqin / Taiwan Sign Language 

Dialing Code

International Regional Code: +886 2 (Taipei).

Currency

The monetary unit is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD). The exchange rate is approximately NTD 30 to USD 1 (as of April 2024). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the airport, government-designated banks and hotels.

Credit Card

Major credit cards such as Master Card, Visa, and JCB 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.

Electric current

Voltage of the alternating current comprises 110V with 60 Hz frequency.

Climate

At the time of the Summit, Taipei's average temperature is a comfortably warm 28°C (72 °F), ranging from a low of 25°C (76°F) to a high of 32°C (89°F).

Culture

The cultures of Taiwan are a hybrid blend from various sources, incorporating elements of the majority traditional Chinese culture, aboriginal cultures, Japanese cultural influence, traditional Confucianist beliefs, and increasingly, Western values. 

Tipping

Tipping generally isn’t very common in Taiwan, although it is appreciated. Most restaurants add a 10% service charge.

Water

Drinking water served at hotels and restaurants is distilled or boiled. Tap water is suggested to be boiled before drinking.

Travel in Taiwan

In spite of being a small island, Taiwan has a special geologic structure that has created an endless variety of prodigious scenery.

For further information, please visit "The Heart of Asia, Taiwan".

Transportation

The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSPR) connects major cities in western Taiwan between Taipei and Kaohsiung. Opened on January 5, 2007, the 345 Km-long rail system has become an important part of Taiwan's transportation network.

Model: THSR 700T.

●Electrical power: 25kV AC, 60 Hz single-phase.

●Cars: 12 car sections, 9 powered and 3 unpowered.

●Capacity: 989 seats (standard car 923 seats, business car 66 seats).

●Maximum speed: 300 km/hour.

●Maximum acceleration: 2 km/hour/second.

Website : http://www.thsrc.com.tw/en/?lc=en

Hours: 06:00 - 24:00 everyday

Service hotline: 886-2-4066-3000

Constructed in the late 19th century, Taiwan's railway system has been developed so extensively over the years that many routes are in fact no longer used today. The railway system has long been connecting cities to the country side. The history behind the railway system brings a sense of romanticism to railway trains. While the traditional railway system does not travel as fast as the newly opened high speed rail system, traditional trains cost less than half the price of high speed trains, easily making them a favorite among backpackers and railway fans.

Website: https://www.railway.gov.tw/tra-tip-web/tip

Hours: 06:00 - 24:00 everyday

Service hotline: 886-2-2381-5226

◆ Useful Links

Branded as Taipei Metro, is a metro system serving Taipei and New Taipei, Taiwan, operated by government owned Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation, which also operates Maokong Gondola.

Taipei Metro was the first metro system in Taiwan. The initial network was approved for construction in 1986 and work started two years later. The first line opened in 1996 and by 2000, 62 stations were in service on three main lines. Over the next 9 years the number of passengers had increased by 70%. Since 2008, the network has expanded to 117 stations and the passenger count has grown by another 66%.

The system has often been praised for its safety, reliability and quality. It has become effective in relieving traffic congestion in Taipei, with over two million trips made daily. The system has also proven effective as a catalyst for urban renewal.

Website: https://www.metro.taipei/cp.aspx?n=AE0EC5DA7D0804D4

Hours: 06:00 - 24:00 everyday

Service hotline: 886-2-2720-8889

Place to visit in Taipei

Taipei is Taiwan's economic, political, and cultural center. It is a modern cosmopolitan metropolis with a lively and diversified face, filled with exuberance.

From the world's tallest building (2004~2010) to the biggest collection of Chinese art, Taipei invites you into a world of fascinating contrasts - a mix of the modern and traditional, with a generous dash of energy and friendly smiles to make this one of your most memorable trips to Asia.

Located in the finest district Taipei has to offer, TAIPEI 101 is the largest engineering project ever in the history of the Taiwan construction business. Supported by a dozen or so domestic businesses, the TFC Corp. was fortunate to have local and international experts in charge of the planning, and world-class architect C.Y. Lee was responsible for the design of the project. The design transcends the unit-body concept and is based on the Chinese number 8, a numeral long considered lucky in Chinese culture. Eight-floor structural units are connected one by one on top of each other to form the whole. This kind of rhythmic aesthetic is new to skyscrapers.

The sectional TAIPEI 101 employs a Mega Structure System for disaster and wind damage prevention. As every eight floor constitutes an autonomous space, wind effects on the surface seen in high-rise buildings are eliminated. The design of the foundation guarantees pedestrian safety and comfort. Resembling the flexible yet persistent bamboo that rises into the sky, the building is a reflection of traditional Chinese building philosophy. Inclining 7 degrees inwards, the structure increases in size as it gets higher. The transparent and non-reflective curtain walls are energy efficient and heat reflective, enabling those in Taiwan's tallest building to have a clear view of the world around them. High-tech materials and innovative illumination creates a see-through effect with transparency and clarity that facilitates the harmony between the building and its natural environment.

Opening Hours:

Observatory

Monday-Friday 11:00-19:00

Weekends and National Holidays 10:00-19:00

Travel Information:

For more information, please visit :

Taipei 101 

The National Palace Museum houses the world's largest collection of priceless Chinese art treasures, one which spans China's nearly 5,000-year history. Most of the museum's over 600,000 art objects were part of the Chinese imperial collection, which began over 1,000 years ago in the early Song dynasty. 

Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday 09:00-17:00

Closed on Mondays

Travel Information:

For more information, please visit :

National Palace Museum 

Jiufen is in New Taipei City's Ruifang District. Before its gold mining boom, the main economic activity was the harvesting and processing of camphor. Jiufen had 90 stoves for the camphor. Ten stoves were generally grouped together in a processing site. Therefore, over time these evolved into nine processing sites. The name "Jiufen" can be translated as "nine units" or "nine sections."

Jiufen used to be the center of gold mining. It is located within the hills in northeast of Taiwan. The village is next to the mountain and facing the sea. In 1890, someone struck gold near Jiufen. The poor village soon attracted prospectors of 4,000 families. The village once was gold city of Asia and called little Shanghai or little Hong Kong. However, with the decline of gold mining activities, Jiufen fades. Later, several movies chose to shoot here and the movies won international acknowledgement. For example, the film "A City of Sadness" has won first prize in Venice Film Festival and awakened people's memory of Jiufen. It seems that the prosperous old streets, buildings, mines and the glamorous gold digging days are flashing before our eyes. The place is whispering its golden past. Now, there are many unique teahouses in Jiufen. These teahouses are best stops during visit to this mountain village. Also, there is the beautiful ocean view of Keelung outer sea.

The most prosperous shopping district is Jiufen Old Street. It goes through most of the village. There are many visitors on the street. Along the street there are shops vending the most famous country snack of Jiufen, yam dish and various local dishes. There are some historical items well reserved. The trip to Jiufen is full of fun and delights. Jiufen has many accommodation places provided by local residents. If you were not in a hurry, you may want to pick a nice inn and stay for the starlight and fishing lights at night.

Travel Information:

For more information, please visit :

Jiuifen 

Yehliu is a cape of about 1,700 meters long formed by Datun Mountain reaching into the sea. When overlooked from above, the place is like a giant turtle submerging into the sea. Thus, it is also called "Yehliu Turtle." Because the rock layer of seashore contains sandstone of limestone texture and it is subject to sea erosion, weathering and earth movements, there is particular scenery consisting of sea trenches/holes, candle shaped rocks, and pot shaped rocks. The place is divided into three sections. The first section has rocks like Queen's Head, Fairy's Shoe and Candle. The second section has rocks like Bean Curd, Dragon Head. The third section has sea-eroded caves, seal shaped rock, etc. The place is suitable for geological study and field research. In addition, there is a statue of Lin Tien Jane in commemoration of the person's bravery of scarifying own live for saving others. The monument describes in details the touching story. 

Opening Hours:

Monday to Sunday 08:00-17:00

Travel Information:

For more information, please visit :

Yehliu Geopark