Destination:
Taiwan

Overview

Situated off the coast of mainland China, the mountainous island of Taiwan teems with people in massive urban developments, but at the same time hides some picture-perfect, breathtaking vistas and natural attractions. Jet into the airport at the capital, Taipei, and the island below greets you with majestic peaks, rolling hills and plains, basins and inlets, tropical beaches and green forests.

At the foot of the mountains cluster the crowded industrial cities and towns. Modern, high-rise buildings play backdrop to numerous traditional folk festivals, and ancient temples sit alongside glass-fronted boutiques in the bustling streets. Old and new live in harmony in Taiwan, and visitors will be enthralled as much by the bustling metropolis of Taipei as with the array of natural attractions throughout this relatively small island.

In the six national parks there are thousands of species of wildlife, 20 percent of which are rare or endangered, including the Mikado pheasant, the Hsuehshan grass lizard and the Formosan rock monkey. Unique experiences include taking a ride on the Alishan train, one of only three mountain railways in the world, and hiking up northeast Asia's highest mountain, Jade Mountain, and taking in the spectacular sunsets above a sea of clouds. With its volcanic origins, tropical climate and Polynesian flavour, Taiwan has deservedly been dubbed the 'Hawaii of Asia'.

Taiwan has long had an uneasy relationship with its larger neighbour, China. In 1684 the island became the refuge for the remnants of the deposed Ming Dynasty and when Mao's Communists forces took control of China in 1949 the nationalist leaders, and over one million supporters, fled to Taiwan. Economically, the island quickly became an Asian success story but its independence from China was never recognised by many governments - primarily due to the Republic's greater political and military firepower. Many Taiwanese would like an eventual reuniting with mainland China, but not on the terms suggested by their dominant cousins.

Basics

Electricity
Electrical current is 110 volts AC, 60Hz. Two-pin flat blade plugs and one with a third grounding pin is used.

Language
Mandarin is the official language of Taiwan, but Taiwanese is often spoken and English is generally understood.

Health
Taiwan health regulations require that travellers arriving from infected areas carry vaccination certificates for yellow fever. Travellers are advised to have up-to-date jabs for hepatitis A and typhoid, and it is advisable for most long-term travellers 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.

Tipping
Tipping is not customary, although if offered it will be accepted. Baggage handlers at hotels and the airport will be pleased with some loose change. Hotels and restaurants will usually add a 10% service charge to the bill.

Safety
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.

Customs
The concept of 'saving face' is very important in Taiwanese culture, and tourists should try to avoid embarrassing locals. Self-control is another key aspect to Taiwanese culture, and losing your temper or creating a public spectacle is highly frowned upon. Relationships in Taiwan are built around mutual benefit, and the exchange of small gifts is common. Taiwanese customs include a number of superstitions, including prohibitions of writing a person's name in red, pointing at cemeteries or graves, whistling at night, or giving a gift of shoes, umbrellas, clocks or knives. Remove your shoes before entering a person's home. Physical contact with strangers is considered impolite.

Business
Doing business in Taiwan is a pleasure for those who value high work ethics and technologically-savvy business partners. Taiwan has traded heavily with the West for many years and business formalities have melded over time. However it is important to observe and respect the cultural heritage to which many firmly cling. Confucian values tend to dictate business etiquette and common practice in Taiwan. The majority of businesses in Taiwan are medium-sized and family-owned, meaning that the paternal head of the family is always consulted - this can result in business decisions taking longer than expected. Two important aspects of business culture in Taiwan are face and 'Gianni' (relationships). Face relates to dignity - that of a person or a company - and informs all social and business interactions. It is important to keep, or save, face at all times. Never correct a colleague and if someone makes a mistake don't expect them to correct themselves. Relationships are an integral part of most business cultures and Taiwan is no exception. Gift-giving and taking business deals slowly are central aspects to building and maintaining good business relationships in Taiwan. When giving gifts, its general practice to give a simple gift to all members involved in a meeting, and a better gift for the most important member of the party. When receiving a gift, it is polite not to open it in front of your hosts. Always accept invitations to events outside of normal business hours, as this is when relationships are built. Don't make direct or prolonged eye-contact with someone who is in a very senior position. However, be sure to always direct the conversation to the most senior person in the meeting. Punctuality is expected in all meetings. Shaking hands, for men and women is common nowadays, but a bow goes a long way as a sign of respect. Business hours are from 9am to 5.30pm from Monday to Friday. Business cards are exchanged often and should be printed in both English and Taiwanese. Work clothes tend to be formal and conservative. Men wear dark suits; women wear modest dresses and skirts rather than pants. Taiwanese is the language of business and hiring a translator is often a necessity.

Communications
Taiwan's international access dialling code is +886 and the outgoing code is 002 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00244 for the UK). City/area codes are in use, e.g. 2 for Taipei. Six network operators provide mobile telephone services in various regions using either GSM 900 or 1800 networks. Internet cafes can be found in Taiwan's cities and towns, and most hotels in Taipei have Internet access in their guestrooms.

Duty Free
Travellers aged over 20 may enter Taiwan without paying customs duty on 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 454g tobacco, 1 bottle of alcohol (maximum 1 litre), and a reasonable amount of perfume. Travellers are also permitted to bring personal goods valued up to NT$20,000 duty free (or NT$10,000 for those under 20 years). Guns, narcotics, fresh meat and fruit are prohibited.

Currency

Taiwan's currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD), which is divided into 100 cents. Foreign currencies and travellers cheques (American Express, Citibank or Thomas Cook) 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. Banks are open Monday to Friday. US dollars are the preferred currency. ATMs are plentiful but not all accept international bank cards.

TWD 1 =

US$ 0.03

£ 0.02

C$ 0.03

A$ 0.03

R 0.28

EUR 0.03

NZ$ 0.04

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Health

Health Overview
Taiwan health regulations require that travellers arriving from infected areas carry vaccination certificates for yellow fever. Travellers are advised to have up-to-date jabs for hepatitis A and typhoid, and it is advisable for most long-term travellers 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.

Visa

Americans


UK nationals


Canadians


Australians


South Africans


Irish nationals


New Zealanders

Passport/Visa Note
All travellers entering Taiwan require confirmed return air tickets or proof of onward travel. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Contacts

Taiwan Tourism
Taiwan Tourist Office: +886 2 594 3261 (Taipei) or www.tbroc.gov.tw

Foreign Embassies in Taiwan

Taiwan Embassies

Regions and Cities

Taipei

Taipei, the capital of the island nation of Taiwan, is hot, crowded, chaotic and cosmopolitan, one of the Asian 'tiger' cities that throbs with life day and night. The city skyscrapers reach up from a basin in the north of Taiwan, which is separated from the Chinese mainland by the narrow Formosa Strait. For decades the recognition of the independence of Taiwan has been an issue domestically and internationally, and the dispute is still simmering. Taipei itself has grown from a swampy farming settlement into a modern metropolis in an extraordinarily short time, most of this development having taken place since World War II. The latest engineering feat to grace the city's ever-rising skyline is the soaring Taipei 101 tower (so-named because of its 101 floors), which not only serves as an amazing tourist attraction for those with a head for heights, but is also the city's international financial centre. Down on the ground the districts of Taipei swarm with a conglomeration of cultures going about their business in streets choked with unruly traffic. The city is packed with excellent restaurants (it is renowned among gourmands), magnificent hotels, glitzy shopping malls, wonderful museums, temples, spas and peaceful gardens. As the sun goes down the night markets open up, usually packed with tourists and bargain-hunters who throng the alleyways in the heavy, humid night air.

Taipei is also crammed with bars and nightclubs, and its red light district in Zhong Shan is one of the most legendary in Asia. When the city becomes too stifling, visitors can head for the hills to the north west to relax at one of the spas built to utilise the Bei Tou area's hot springs, or take a hike through the Yang Ming Shan National Park.