About Taiwan
Taiwan, the Kingdom of the Butterfly, was christened FORMOSA or "beautiful island" by Portuguese marines in the 16th century. Hundred and sixty kilometers from the southeastern coast of China, located midway between Korea and Japan to the north and Hong Kong and the Philippines to the south, Taiwan is a natural gateway for travelers to and within Asia. For more information, please visit the website of the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan at http://www.tbroc.gov.tw
About Taipei
Located in northern Taiwan, Taipei is a city brings together the traditional and the new, the cutting edge and the conservative. Taipei offers areas of spectacular natural beauty, streets lined with shops selling all kinds of products, bustling night markets, countless restaurants with Chinese gourmet and numerous international hotels. National Palace Museum in Taipei houses the world’s finest collection of Chinese art. Taipei 101 building was the tallest building in the world and the landmark in Taipei, it shows the modern and contemporary side of Taipei. Taipei is certainly a city that has so many things to offer to its guests, no matter it’s for business or pleasure. If you would like to learn more about Taipei, please visit Taipei City Government online at http://english.taipei.gov.tw/
Visa information
For more information about Visa please visit : Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) or the following pages :
Countries eligible for Visa-exempt entry
Landing Visas
If you are from mainland China, please visit the website and fill in the application forms.
Currency
The local currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (currency code: TWD/ common abbreviation: NT$). The current exchange rate is approximately TWD 30 : USD 1 (as of 1 Febuary, 2012). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at airports and a number of hotels and government-designated banks. Major credit cards (Mastercard, VISA) are widely accepted, and traveler’s checks may be accepted by a number of tourist-oriented shops and at most international tourist hotels and banks. Useful currency converter website: http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Electricity
Taiwan's electric current is 110 V, 60 Hz which is the same as the U.S. and there are two type of receptacle: Type A, please see: http://electricaloutlet.org/type-a Type B, please see: http://electricaloutlet.org/type-b
Time Zone
Taiwan is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) Useful world time and date converter website: http://www.timeanddate.com/
Climate
Taiwan enjoys a subtropical climate, with warm, mild weather the year round. The average temperature of Taipei during the conference is around 27°C (80°F). Please go to Central Weather Bureau for more information.
Airport Transportation
Bus and taxi services are available at the Taiwan TaoYuan Airport (TTY Airport). Bus Service The bus fare is about NT$145 to get to Taipei from the TTY Airport. For more information please visit website at http://www.taoyuan-airport.com/english/Publish.jsp?cnid=100150 Taxi Service The cost is approximately NT$1,200 ~ NT$1,500 to get to Taipei from the TTY Airport. For more information please visit website at
http://www.taoyuan-airport.com/english/Publish.jsp?cnid=1218
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 40 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/
Business Hours
For the most government agencies’ office hours are from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays. Banking hours are from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm from Monday to Friday. Private companies are usually more flexible with their working hours. Most stores remain open until late both on weekdays and weekends, and there are plenty of 24-hour convenience stores around the city.
Taxes
A 10% service charge and a 5% value-added tax are mostly added to room rates and meals. No tipping is needed when diet in a restaurant.
Taiwan, the Kingdom of the Butterfly, was christened FORMOSA or "beautiful island" by Portuguese marines in the 16th century. Hundred and sixty kilometers from the southeastern coast of China, located midway between Korea and Japan to the north and Hong Kong and the Philippines to the south, Taiwan is a natural gateway for travelers to and within Asia. For more information, please visit the website of the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan at http://www.tbroc.gov.tw
About Taipei
Located in northern Taiwan, Taipei is a city brings together the traditional and the new, the cutting edge and the conservative. Taipei offers areas of spectacular natural beauty, streets lined with shops selling all kinds of products, bustling night markets, countless restaurants with Chinese gourmet and numerous international hotels. National Palace Museum in Taipei houses the world’s finest collection of Chinese art. Taipei 101 building was the tallest building in the world and the landmark in Taipei, it shows the modern and contemporary side of Taipei. Taipei is certainly a city that has so many things to offer to its guests, no matter it’s for business or pleasure. If you would like to learn more about Taipei, please visit Taipei City Government online at http://english.taipei.gov.tw/
Visa information
For more information about Visa please visit : Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) or the following pages :
Countries eligible for Visa-exempt entry
Landing Visas
If you are from mainland China, please visit the website and fill in the application forms.
Currency
The local currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (currency code: TWD/ common abbreviation: NT$). The current exchange rate is approximately TWD 30 : USD 1 (as of 1 Febuary, 2012). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at airports and a number of hotels and government-designated banks. Major credit cards (Mastercard, VISA) are widely accepted, and traveler’s checks may be accepted by a number of tourist-oriented shops and at most international tourist hotels and banks. Useful currency converter website: http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Electricity
Taiwan's electric current is 110 V, 60 Hz which is the same as the U.S. and there are two type of receptacle: Type A, please see: http://electricaloutlet.org/type-a Type B, please see: http://electricaloutlet.org/type-b
Time Zone
Taiwan is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) Useful world time and date converter website: http://www.timeanddate.com/
Climate
Taiwan enjoys a subtropical climate, with warm, mild weather the year round. The average temperature of Taipei during the conference is around 27°C (80°F). Please go to Central Weather Bureau for more information.
Airport Transportation
Bus and taxi services are available at the Taiwan TaoYuan Airport (TTY Airport). Bus Service The bus fare is about NT$145 to get to Taipei from the TTY Airport. For more information please visit website at http://www.taoyuan-airport.com/english/Publish.jsp?cnid=100150 Taxi Service The cost is approximately NT$1,200 ~ NT$1,500 to get to Taipei from the TTY Airport. For more information please visit website at
http://www.taoyuan-airport.com/english/Publish.jsp?cnid=1218
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 40 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/
Business Hours
For the most government agencies’ office hours are from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays. Banking hours are from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm from Monday to Friday. Private companies are usually more flexible with their working hours. Most stores remain open until late both on weekdays and weekends, and there are plenty of 24-hour convenience stores around the city.
Taxes
A 10% service charge and a 5% value-added tax are mostly added to room rates and meals. No tipping is needed when diet in a restaurant.
