Taiwan Travel Guide

Full Name

None

Former Name

Formosa

Capital City

Taipei

Government Type

multiparty democratic regime headed by popularly-elected president and unicameral legislature

Area Size

total: 35,980 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +8 hours

Climate

Taiwan's climate is marine tropical. The Northern part of the island has a rainy season that lasts from January to late March during the southwest monsoon, and also experiences meiyu in May. The entire island succumbs to hot humid weather from June until September, while October to December are arguably the most pleasant times of year. The middle and southern parts of the island do not have an extended monsoon season during the winter months, but can experience several weeks of rain, especially during and after Lunar New Year. Natural hazards such as typhoons and earthquakes are common in the region.

Geography

The island of Taiwan lies some 120 kilometers off the southeastern coast of mainland China, across the Taiwan Strait, and has an area of 35,801 square kilometers. The East China Sea lies to the north, the Philippine Sea to the east, the Luzon Strait directly to the south and the South China Sea to the southwest.

Languages

Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialect

Culture

The cultures of Taiwan are a hybrid blend of Confucianist Han Chinese cultures, Japanese, European, American, global, local and indigenous influences which are both interlocked and divided between perceptions of tradition and modernity. After the retreat to Taiwan, the Nationalists promoted an official interpretation of traditional Chinese culture over the local Taiwanese cultures. The government launched a program promoting Chinese calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, folk art, and Chinese opera. Since the Taiwan localization movement of the 1990s, Taiwan's cultural identity has been allowed greater expression. Identity politics, along with the over one hundred years of political separation from mainland China has led to distinct traditions in many areas, including cuisine, opera, and music. The status of Taiwanese culture is debated. It is disputed whether Taiwanese culture is part of Chinese culture or a distinct culture. Speaking Hoklo as a symbol of the localization movement has become an emblem of Taiwanese identity.

History

In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1946 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the native population within the governing structure. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of eventual unification - as well as domestic political and economic reform.

Travel Information

The national airline is China Airlines (CI). Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is 40km south of the city (journey time - 30 minutes). Buses depart for both Sung Shan (domestic) airport and the main railway station. Taxis and buses are available to the city centre. Airport facilities are duty-free shop, post office, car hire, bank/bureau de change, bar/restaurant and tourist information. Kaohsiung International (KHH) is 9km from the town centre. A regular bus service is available (journey time - 30 minutes). There is a taxi service to the town. Airport facilities are Duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change, post office and bar/ restaurant. Main ports: Keelung and Kaohsiung. Ferries run regularly between Keelung and Kaohsiung ports (Taiwan) and Okinawa (Japan). There are also sea links between Kaosiung and Macau.

Accommodation

There are over 500 tourist hotels in the country offering a broad range of accommodation and services.

Visa Requirements

Visas not required by nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA(provided they have no criminal record, have a confirmed return air ticket or documentation for onward travel, and seat reservation for departure) for stays of up to 30 days (this period cannot be extended), except the following: nationals of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia, who do require a visa. -Nationals of Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovak Republic are eligible to apply for a landing visa on arrival at CKS International Airport or Kaohsiung International Airport, on condition that they are holding tickets for an onward destination, and have no criminal record. The landing visa is valid for 30 days and cannot be extended. They must provide a passport-size photo of themselves with a completed application form and pay a fee of TWD1,200, plus a handling fee of TWD800. Nationals from countries who have a reciprocal agreement with Taiwan receive this visa free of charge. -Passengers arriving at Kaohsiung International Airport (including passengers arriving from China (PR), may apply for a temporary entry permit at the Kaohsiung Station Aviation Police Bureau. They must convert the permit into a visa at the Bureau of Consular Affairs or its Kaohsiung Office within three days. If they fail to do so, they will be subject to a fine. -Nationals holding British National (overseas) passports, if born in Hong Kong or Macau or if having previously visited Taiwan, may obtain a visa on arrival, valid for up to 14 days. -Nationals of countries not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Travellers intending to stay more than three months in Taiwan will be required to take an AIDS test. If the test is positive, they will be required to leave the country. Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals of countries referred to above. Validity of Single-entry visa: up to three months; up to two extensions of 60 days each may be granted by local police stations for certain applicants, if they have stayed in Taiwan for an initial period of at least 60 days and documents have been submitted that provide evidence for the necessity of an extension. These visas are valid for three months from date of issue. Multiple-entry visa (business purposes only): six months from date of issue. Landing: 30 days. A visa is not required by travellers continuing their journey by the same or connecting aircraft on the same day, provided holding confirmed onward tickets and the necessary travel documentation and provided not departing from the transit lounge. Apply to Visa section of Taipei Representative Office.

Getting Around

Far Eastern Air Transport, Mandarin Airlines, Transasia Airways and Uni Air are amongst the domestic airlines that run services to local destinations from Sung Shan Airport, Taipei. There are currently connections between Keelung and Okinawa. Services are also available between Taiwan and the islets. Services are provided to destinations all over the island by the Taiwan Railway Administration. The main tourist routes are Taipei-Taichung-Chiayi-Tainan-Kaohsiung, Taipei-Taichung-Sun Moon Lake, Chiayi-Alishan and Taipei-New Hualian-Taitung. Air-conditioned electric trains run at least hourly from Taipei to Kaohsiung; some trains have restaurant cars. Children under three travel free; children aged three to 13 pay half fare. Train tickets can be purchased at many major hotels in Taipei, as well as at the main railway station. Traffic drives on the right. There is an adequate road system joining all major cities. A highway links Taipei and Kaohsiung. Some main streets have English signs. Congestion can be a problem, and mudslides may block mountain roads. There are both local and long-distance bus and coach services. Long-distant buses are provided by Guo-Guang Bus Corporation, Union Bus, Dragon Bus, Free Go Bus Corporation and Aloha Bus. Reserve tickets 14 days in advance of travel date. Travellers should not take illegal highway buses provided by unlicensed companies. Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung are the main transferring stops. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive (metered). A 20% surcharge is charged 2300-0600. An extra charge is made for a taxi ordered over the phone and for luggage put in the trunk. The destination may have to be written in Chinese for the driver. It is not customary to tip taxi drivers. Car hire is available in major towns. Most hire fees do not include insurance. Travellers are recommended to hire a car with a driver. A number of private bus companies provide extensive services in Taipei. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, a monorail train, serves Taipei and its suburbs. Open 0600-0000, there are currently five lines in operation with stations situated by all major tourist attractions. Metered taxis are available in Taipei; tipping is not expected, but it is starting to come into practice.

Health & Safety

Vaccination certificates for yellow fever are required for entry to Taiwan from travellers arriving from infected areas. Travellers are advised to have up-to-date jabs for hepatitis A and typhoid, and it is advisable to be inoculated against Japanese encephalitis. Due to recent outbreaks of dengue fever, insect repellents and other measures to prevent mosquito bites are recommended for those travelling to the southern part of the island. Visitors should only drink bottled water and should be wary of potential food poisoning. Taiwan's medical facilities are first-class, but health insurance is recommended for travellers. Most visits to Taiwan are trouble-free. The country has only a low incidence of petty crime, and is considered safe. The only threats are natural ones, because the island is prone to typhoons and tropical storms, usually between May and November, as well as earthquakes and tremors. These are seldom severe, however.

National Holidays

1-3 Jan - Founding of the Republic of China and New Year's Day. 18-20 Feb - Chinese New Year. 28 Feb - Peace Memorial Day. 5 Apr - Tomb-Sweeping Day. 1 May - Labour Day. 19 Jun - (5th Day, 5th Moon) Dragon Boat Festival. 25 Sep - (15th Day, 8th Moon) Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. 10 Oct - National Day.

Currency

Taiwan Dollar (TWD)

Electricity

110v AC

Working Hours

Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8.30/9.00am - 5.30pm.

Emergency Numbers

119(ambulance/fire) 110 (police)