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TRAVEL GUIDE TO TAIWAN
Airport Taxes
The airport departure tax for Taipei is NT $300 (~ US
$10) payable in local currencies at the time of check-in for departure .
Baggage
On Domestic flights,
passengers are allowed 44 pounds of luggage per person. On International
flights, passengers are allowed two pieces of checked luggage. Excess
luggage fees will be charged if you check more than the stated
allowances, and these charges are your responsibility. At most
major airports, baggage carts are available for your luggage, usually
for a small additional fee.
Climate
and Clothing
Taiwan is a year-round destination but the best time to visit is October-March. May-September can be
rainy, humid and very hot. The island tends to be humid year-round and
receives rainfall during all seasons. In the south, June and July are
the hottest times; in the north, the coolest times are January and
February. The typhoon season runs July-September. Take along a sweater
or windbreaker for the evenings no matter when you visit.
Loose-fitting
cotton clothing generally fits the bill. The exception is from
mid-December to February, when the mercury might fall to a mild 10oC
(50oF). But even in the summer, it pays to bring along a
light sweater - air-conditioning in some restaurants and cinemas is
often turned up high. Rain showers are possible during the rainy season, so also be sure to pack a light waterproof
jacket.
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Communications
Public phones in Taiwan
are divided primarily 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$300 versions. The cards are sold in railway
stations, bus stations, scenic spots, and convenience stores.
International calls can be made from private cell phones, public IDD
phones, or hotel IDD phones. International calls are charged in units of
six seconds. The procedure for making international direct dial calls
from Taiwan is as follows:
1. Dial Taiwan's international access code, 002
2. Dial the country code of the country being called (1 for the U.S., 86
for mainland China, etc.)
3. Dial in the area code of the called party (leaving out the
long-distance recognition digit, "0"
4. Dial in the number of the called party. For operator-assisted
international calls, please dial "100." For international information,
call this free number : 0800080100.
Reduced price periods and fees for International Subscriber Dialing (ISD)
are as follows: 10:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m. daily, 12:00 noon Saturday - all
day Sunday - 8:00 a.m. Monday, and all day on national holidays.
Currency
Taiwan's unit of currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$), which has
five denominations in paper money and five in coins. Paper money comes
in NT$2000, NT$1000, NT$500, NT$200, and NT$100 denominations. Coins
come in NT$50, NT$20, NT$10, NT$5 and NT$1 denominations. The current
exchange rate is approximately US $1 to NT$33.
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.
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. ATM's are available
throughout Taiwan.
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Customs Regulations
According to related laws and regulations, the
luggage of inbound and outbound passengers must come under customs
supervision and control. Passengers should make accurate declarations to
customs officials regarding the luggage they carry into or out of the
territory. Please visit the
General of Customs
for more information.
Electricity
Voltage in Taiwan is 110 volts. For the average tourist, electrical equipment such
as hair dryers and shavers do not require converters.
Most major hotels provide hair dryers
and other amenities.
Food and
Water
Tap water is not safe to drink everywhere, especially in rural areas. We recommend you drink only bottled water. Mineral water including
major imported brands can be easily obtained from super markets,
convenience stores and other similar places.
Heath
Matters
There are no inoculations required for entering Taiwan from anywhere
around the world. Medical systems and facilities in Taiwan are well
established so that you can expect to receive a high standard medical
treatment, should you have a problem with your health during your stay.
Holidays
New Year's Day - Jan 1st
Foundation Day of the ROC - Jan 1st
Chinese Lunar year (3 days) Jan/Feb
Peace Memorial Day - Feb 28th
Tomb Sweeping Day - Apr
Dragon Boat Festival - Jun
Moon Festival - Sep
Double Tenth National Day - Oct 10th
Christmas Day - December 25th
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Passports and Visas
Citizens of 21 countries, including the United States, and Canada, do not require
Visas for entry into the Republic of China for stays up to 14 days.
If you wish to stay longer, you can apply for a
landing visa that allows a stay of up to 30 days upon arrival.
Time Difference
Standard Time in
Taiwan is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 13 hours ahead of Eastern
Standard Time, USA.
Tipping
Tipping is not
customary in most places in Taiwan. The one exception is tipping the
bellboy when you check into a hotel.
On private tours, gratuities of $5-$10 for travel
guides, $2-$3 for drivers per person per day is customary.
Transportation
All airport and sightseeing
transportation are included in our tours. Unless specifically
arranged, all sightseeing and transfers are provided via air-conditioned motor-coach.
transport systems are
efficient, safe, affordable and frequent
public in Taipei. Taxis and Rail service are two of the best ways to get around if you
wish to explore on your own. Rail stations and maps are written in both
Chinese and English and provide travelers a convenient way to travel
from Taipei. Buses, however, can be confusing as fare
structure and system of payment differ, not to mention destination signs
and bus schedules are all written in Chinese.
What to Pack?
Valid Passport.
Travelers Checks. Copy of Your Airline Ticket. Your Medicines. Departure
documents. Travel alarm clock.
Camera(s), batteries & films. Sunscreen/Tan lotion. Pocket size
Kleenex. Extra luggage locks/keys. First Aid kit. Soft, foldable
slippers. Extra set of eyeglasses. Folding Umbrella. Comfortable
walking shoes.
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