ABOUT TAIWAN (R.O.C) Area: 36,194 square kilometers Population: 23.54 million Religion: Buddhism / Taoism / Christianity / Catholicism / Islam Languages: Mandarin / Taiwanese / Hakka / Aboriginal President: Dr. Tsai Ing-Wen Language: Mandarin / Taiwanese / Hakka / Indigenous Languages Time Zone: Taipei GMT+8 General Information Taiwan is located in between the southeastern coast of the Asian continent and the East Asian islands distributed among the western Pacific Rim. Taiwan is endowed with steep mountain ranges; therefore, great altitude differences occur throughout the island. The mountains mostly run from north to south. The highest point is Yushan Peak of the Yushan Mountain Range, which reaches an elevation of 3,952 meters above sea level making it the highest peak in Northeast Asia. Since mountain areas cover the majority of the island, Taiwan s ecological resources are abundant. The plains of Taiwan are relatively narrow and found only in the western region and the longitudinal valley along the east coast. These also happen to be the most densely populated areas in Taiwan. Climate Taiwan enjoys a subtropical climate with warm weather all year round. Taiwan is extremely suitable for traveling, as the annual average temperature is a comfortable 25 ºC (77 ºF) with lowest temperatures ranging from 12 to 17 ºC (54-63 ºF). The rainy season, May and June, typically herald the start of the summer, which last from May through September, are usually hot and humid with daytime temperatures from 27 ºC to 35 ºC (80.6-95 ºF). In general, visitors should wear lightweight clothing from April through November, sweaters and coats are necessary only from December through March and in air-conditioned restaurants, cinemas, etc. 0
Electricity Taiwan uses electric current of 110V at 60 cycles, appliances from Europe, Australia or South-East Asia will need an adaptor or transformer. Many buildings have sockets with 220V especially for the use of air conditioners. ungrounded sockets grounded sockets Tax Refund Service Foreign visitors, who spend NTD 2,000 or more on goods at one single authorized TRS-labeled store on the same day, are eligible to show their entry document to the shop assistant on the purchase date to request for the tax refund form. Tax Refund Service Counters located at the airports, please find here: www.taxrefund.net.tw Currency Taiwan s unit of currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (), which has five denominations in paper money and five in coins. Paper money comes in 2000, 1000, 500, 200, and 100 denominations. Coins come in 50, 20, 10, 5,and 1 denominations. 2000 1000 500 200 100 1
1. Airport Taipei has two international airports: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and Taipei International (Songshan) Airport. Each offers convenient direct links to all major countries. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport No. 9, Hangzhan S. Rd., Dayuan Township, Taoyuan, Taiwan(R.O.C.) Service Counter: +886-3-398-2144 (Terminal 1 Service Counter) +886-3-398-3274 (Terminal 2 Service Counter) Taipei International Airport (Songshan Airport) No. 340-9, Dunhua N. Rd., Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan (R.O.C.) Service Counter: +886-2-8770-3430 (International) +886-2-8770-3460 (Domestic) 2. Taxi A large number of taxis are available in most major cities. Basically, taxi fares in all major cities are set by the local city government itself, and there are few variations. The meter may not be used for out-of-town or long-distance travel; travelers are advised to confirm the charging method before getting in a taxi. 3. Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Visitors can easily take a day trip between Kaohsiung and Taipei by Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR). Currently12 stations are operating on the THSR line down Taiwan's western corridor: Nangang, Taipei, Banqiao, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, and Zuoying (Kaohsiung). Tickets can be purchased at http://www.thsrc.com.tw 2
4. Metro Taipei (MRT) The mass rapid transit system (MRT) in Taipei and Kaohsiung, together with the metropolitan area's dedicated bus route network, forms a convenient transportation system. Auto ticketing slots can be found in all MRT stations, providing ticketing services (Coin changers are equipped in all stations.) Single-Journey Ticket price ranges from 20 to 65 depending on travel distance. A 200-dollar "One-day pass" purchased from service booth will allow unlimited travels among all MRT lines within one day. Please make full use of One-day pass if you are in desire of visiting spots along MRT lines. 1) Single Ticket 2) Easy Card To make a transaction with your Easy Card, pass the card over the sensor area marked with the or logo. The correct value will be deducted automatically. When traveling on a public transport system, you should abide by the transport operator's regulations. Please Note MRT running hours: 6:00 to 24:00 To provide passengers a comfortable and safe ride, smoking, drinking & gum chewing are strictly prohibited in MRT area. Please locate pets in hand-carry cage; police dogs and guide dogs are excluded. Religion Taiwan is highly diversified in terms of religious belief, with the practices of Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Mormonism, the Unification Church, Islam, and Hinduism, as well as native sects such as Yiguandao and others. The country not only respects traditional faiths but also opens its arms to other types of religious thought from the outside. 3
For the most part, the traditional religions practiced in Taiwan are Buddhism, Taoism, and folk religions; except for a small number of purely Buddhist temples, however, most of the island's traditional places of worship combine all three traditions. Today all sorts of deities are worshipped in the same temple, forming one of the unique features of religion in Taiwan. Confucius is another important part of religious thinking in Taiwan. Confucius was China's most famous and beloved teacher, advocating the practice of rituals and the worship of ancestors. Emperor Yuan of the Western Han Dynasty (207 B.C. - A.D. 24) built the first shrine dedicated to Confucius, and after that many more temples were constructed as a mark of respect to the sage. External religions first arrived on Taiwan in the early part of the 17th century when Catholicism and Protestantism were introduced by Spanish and Dutch missionaries. Presbyterianism is perhaps the Protestant branch of Christianity that has played the most prominent role in Taiwan's history. Popular attractions in Taiwan Popular attractions in Taiwan Yangmingshan National Park The only park in Taiwan has volcanic geography and hot springs. Total area of the park is 125 hectares, designed in traditional Chinese style. The natural beauty of the part has won it the reputation as urban forest and the Taipei garden. Take the MRT to Jiantan Station (Exit 1), continue by Bus Red-5 to Yangmingshan stop. Then take Bus No. 108 to Tourist Center stop. TAIPEI 101 TAIPEI 101 is the largest engineering project ever in the history of the Taiwan construction business. The design transcends the uni-body concept and is based on the Chinese number 8, a numeral long considered lucky in Chinese culture. Take Taipei MRT to Taipei 101 / World Trade Center Station (Exit 4). 4
National Palace Museum 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. Take Taipei MRT to Shilin Station (Exit 1), transfer Taipei City Bus (No. Red 30) to National Palace Museum stop. Longshan Temple (Lungshan Temple) It is for worshiping Guanshiyin Budda and other divine spirits. The doors, beams, and poles are beautifully decorated. There is a pair of bronze dragon poles in the front hall, four pairs of dragon poles in the middle hall. The sculptures are delicate. Among them, the well and Budda setting in the main hall are highly appreciated. Take MRT to Longshan Temple Station (Exit 1). Ximending The most characteristic hiking area is the first area in Taipei for pedestrians. It includes Ximen Red House, Tattoo Street, Film Street, KTV, Wannian Building, Wanbian Department Store, Eslite Bookstore and all kinds of boutique shops. Take MRT to Ximen Station (Exit 6). Guang Hua Digital Plaza &SYNTREND Guanghua shopping malls first as a second-hand bookstore placement site began operation, now have developed into a vast information products business district, electronic street. It is often compared with Tokyo, Japan's Akihabara, and you always can easily make a good buy Guanghua shopping malls and Syntrend. Take MRT to Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station (Exit 1). 24-Hour Toll-Free Travel Information Hotline: 0800-011765 5