International Education Expo 2009
Notes for Visitors
NOTES FOR VISITORS TO TAIWAN Welcome to Taiwan. We hope the information below will be useful.
1. Taiwan ………………………………………………………………………………….…P.2 2. Entry Requirements…………………………………………………………..………….P.2 3. Arrival in Taiwan………………………………………………………………………….P.2 4. BC Taipei office address……………………………………………………………..….P.3 5. Getting to the office……………………………………………………………………....P.3 6. Security and Safety……………………………………………………………………....P.3 7. Money Matters…………………………………………………………………………….P.4 8. Weather…………………………………………………………………………………....P.4 9. Natural Disasters……………………………………………………………………..…..P.5 10. Voltage……………………………………………………………………………………P.5 11. Telecommunications……………………………………………………….………..….P.5 12. Transport…………………………………………………………………………….…..P.6 13. Shopping…………………………………………………………………………………P.6 14. Eating Out………………………………………………………………………………..P.7 15. Equal Opportunities…………………………………………………………………..…P.7 16. Health and Safety…………………………………………………………………….…P.8 17. Tipping……………………………………………………………………………………P.8 18. Religions……………………………………………………………………………….…P.8 19. Languages………………………………………………………………………….....…P.8 20. Departure Tax……………………………………………………………………………P.8 Annex. 1 Taipei Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) …………………………………..………P.9 Annex. 2 British Council Taipei office map……………………………………………… P.10
The United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).
Taiwan The island of Taiwan is situated about 160 km/100 miles off the South East coast of China. Its main culture is Han Chinese but with a distinct local flavour drawn from its own indigenous tribes, the large ethnic minority Hakka population and foreign influences over many centuries, especially from Japan and, more recently, the United States. Taiwan’s tropical landscapes are home to natural hot springs and some of the tallest mountains in Asia. For more information on Taiwan please visit the Taiwan Tourism Board website: www.taiwan.net.tw Entry Requirements
Visitors to Taiwan must hold a passport of no less than six months validity unless otherwise stipulated by treaty or agreement. Visitors from the following countries will be eligible for visa-exempt entry to Taiwan R.O.C. where they can obtain a Visitor’s Visa for a period of 30 day upon arrival at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Kaohsiung International Airport, and Taipei Songshan Airport and the 30 days' duration of stay starts from the next day of arrival and is not extendable. Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, *Ireland, Italy, *Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands , New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, *U.K. , U.S.A. and Vatican City State. Passport holders of India, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, who also possess a valid visa or permanent residence certificate issued by U.S.A., Canada, Japan, U.K., Schengen Convention countries, Australia or New Zealand. Travelers meeting the above qualifications and having never been employed in Taiwan as blue-collar workers, have to first register information concerning their documents and personal data into the “Advance Online Registration System for the Visitors of Nationals from Five Southeast Asian Countries to Taiwan”. Upon completion, the printed confirmation is used to validate the traveler during the boarding and the immigration check. During the immigration check, travelers who can not show a valid visa or permanent resident visa issued by one of the aforementioned developed countries will not be admitted into the country. Visitors from other countries must obtain a visa for Taiwan before arrival and should read the notes on the Procedures for Nationals of the Designated Countries Applying for Visitor Visas in the ROC included in the Bureau of Consular affairs site below. Such visitors will need to have a Taiwanese sponsor before being granted a visa. Duration of stay: - The 30 days' duration of stay starts from the next day of arrival and is not extendable. Travelers must depart by the end of the said 30 days. Visa-exempt entry cannot be converted to other types of visas. - However, aliens entering the R.O.C. through visa-exemption may apply for a visitor visa within the visa-exemption period on the following conditions at the Bureau of Consular Affairs and branch offices of MOFA. - Japanese, U.K. and Ireland passport holders can stay 90 days.
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- U.K. passport holders please go to "Notice for British Passport Holders Who Entered Taiwan Visa-Free and Are Applying for an Extension of Stay".
For more information, please check with Bureau of Consular Affair (BOCA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://www.boca.gov.tw/np.asp?ctNode=529&mp=2 or your local Taiwan R.O.C. embassy/consulate or representative office for the latest visa status.
Arrival in Taiwan Most of you will be arriving in Taiwan by air at either Taoyuan International Airport which serves Taipei in the north of the island, and the Kaohsiung International Airport which serves Kaohsiung in the south of the island. Taoyuan International Airport is situated about 25 miles southwest of Taipei, taking about 50 minutes to reach the downtown. Airport Bus The easiest way into Taipei is by the airport bus that departs from both terminals of Taoyuan International Airport. The bus goes to major hotels as well as Taipei Sung-Shan domestic Airport and Taipei Main Station where it is possible to transfer to train, High Speed rail, MRT, bus or taxi. The cost should be about NT$ 125 and the journey takes about 50 minutes. Buses run every 20 minutes from 5 am to 12 midnight. Taxi There are many taxis at Taoyuan airport. A taxi from the airport to Taipei will cost about $1300 NT including toll fees on the highway. There are regular bus services between Kaohsiung International Airport and Kaohsiung Train Station departing every 15mins from 6.00am to 10.00pm. The fare is NT$12 one way and takes about 30mins. Taxi service is the main mean of getting into city centre from the airport and is available between 0600 to midnight hours. For more information about Taiwan’s main international airports, please check with Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport or Kaohsiung International Airport
BC Taipei office address British Council Taipei 2F-1, 106 Xin Yi Road Section 5, Taipei Taiwan11047 T +886(0)2 8722 1000 F +886(0)2 8786 0985 www.britishcouncil.org.tw Regular opening hours: • 9 am to 8 pm, from Monday to Friday • 9 am to 7 pm on Saturday • 9 am to 4 pm on Sunday (English Courses Only) For emergency enquiries or assistance, please contact: British Council Taipei Christine Skinner, Country Director – Office line: +886(0)2 8722 1007 Nancy Lan, Office Manager – Office line: +886(0)2 8722 1046 or Mobile: +886(0)988 287 213
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British Trade & Cultural Office 26F, President International Tower, No. 9-11 Song-Gao Road, Taipei Taiwan 11073 T +886(0)8758 2088 F +886(0)8758 2050 http://ukintaiwan.fco.gov.uk
Getting to the office The easiest way to travel from your hotel to the office is by taxi. Our office is located diagonally opposite Taipei 101 on Xin Yi Road. On the ground floor of our building there is a prominent Japanese restaurant called Peony. If you decide to try the MRT (underground train), the station for the office is Taipei City Hall – Exit 3. From there the office is a ten minute walk.
Security and Safety Taiwan is a relatively safe county but all visitors are advised to visit the FCO travel advice before travelling. Their website is: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/taiwan It is also recommended that you lock cars and hotel rooms, do not display valuables and do not accept drinks bars from strangers.
Female Travellers Taiwan is generally a safe place for women travellers, although the usual sensible precautions apply and it is best to avoid walking alone late at night. Always keep enough money aside for a taxi back to your accommodation. Be careful not to leave your drinks unattended in bars.
Money Matters
Currency Legal tender is the New Taiwan dollar (NT$) with the exchange rate currently at approximately ÂŁ1 = $51 NT Your hotel will have currency exchange service but the exchange rate is normally lower than the bank rate. The easiest is therefore to change local currency at the airport ATM machines. Credit cards Credit or charge cards such as American Express, Diners, MasterCard and Visa are acceptable at most establishments; and there should be no surcharge, but you should be aware that less expensive and some other popular restaurants will not accept credit cards. If in doubt you should always be prepared to pay your bill in cash.
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Bank hours Banks operate between Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 3:30pm. ATMs There are many ATMs in the big cities, most of which accept foreign cards. Convenience stores, such as 7-Eleven, MRT stations and the Taipei airports all have foreign card friendly ATMs.
Weather Taiwan has a subtropical climate, giving it cool but pleasant winters and very hot summers. The most popular time to visit is from the middle of September to the end of February, when the weather is cooler. The climate is quite sunny for much of the year, with sunshine hours averaging six hours a day in winter to seven or eight in summer. The whole island shares the tropical monsoon climate experienced on mainland China. Spring (March to mid-May): Temperatures and humidity rise gradually in spring. Evenings can be cool but lightweight jackets suffice. The average temperature ranges from 14oC-27oC (57oF-80oF), humidity about 82%. Summer (late May to mid-September): Tends to be consistently hot and humid with temperatures ranging from 24oC-33oC (75oF-91oF) and humidity near 84%. Air conditioning becomes essential, especially in the cities where the effects of the relentless heat is most noticeable. Autumn (late September to early December): From the end of September, the temperature begins to drop, although air conditioning is still frequently used. Short sleeves can be worn until December. The average temperature ranges from 15oC-28oC (64oF-82oF), humidity about 72%. Winter (mid-December to February): Winters are mild with low humidity at 72%. Though the temperature ranges from 14oC-18oC (57oF-68oF). There are occasional cold days, though the temperature doesn’t often remain cold for long periods. Jumpers and warm layers are often needed.
Natural Disasters Typhoons: Typhoons can occur between May and November, though they are most likely to be from July to September. During the typhoon season, Taiwan can suffer heavy rainstorms brought in from the South China Sea. Watch out for TV announcements during this time or go to the Central Weather Bureau website: www.cwb.gov.tw/eng/index.htm. Train and air travel is often cancelled when there is a typhoon warning and shops and offices may also be closed. Taxis and public transport usually manage to keep going. Earthquakes: Situated on the Eurasian and Philippine plate, Taiwan is prone to earthquakes. Most are hardly noticeable, however bigger quakes have occurred. The most powerful was in 1999, when thousands of people died. If a tremor does occur try to keep calm and take cover under a desk, table or against interior walls. Stay away from windows, outside doors or walls and beware of anything that could fall and hurt you, such as lighting, furniture or fixtures. If you are outdoors, stay away from buildings and overhead electrical cables. Remain in the open until the tremor stops. Do not use candles, matches or other naked flames during and after the tremor, as there might be a gas leak.
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Voltage Voltage in Taiwan is 110 volts, so a transformer will be needed to operate 220-volt appliances. Plug sockets usually use two thin flat pins, very similar to those found in the United States and Canada.
Telecommunications Most mobile phones from other countries can be used in Taiwan. When making local calls it is not necessary to dial the area code unless you are dialling from your mobile phone. When making local long distance calls, you must dial the area code. When making international calls, you need to dial international access code 002 or 012 or 019 first then dial the country code for the party being called then area code then the numbers. For example: for an international call to England, 002+44+20 (London area code) +7389xxxx Useful numbers include: Directory Enquiries in English:
106
Ambulance and Fire:
119
Police emergency:
110
Overseas operator:
100
Reverse-charge calls:
008
Weather:
166
Transport Getting around in Taiwan easy and inexpensive. Its public transportation system networks include air-conditioned bus services, Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), taxis and trains. Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) The MRT network is currently undergoing an expansion program that will link it with Taoyuan Airport. Since it’s introduction to Taipei, it has dramatically cut traveling time as well as traffic congestion. There are eight lines; please check the lines before getting on www.trtc.com.tw/e/index.asp It is possible to buy single journey tickets, costing on average NT$20-40, one day tickets costing NT$200 or an EasyCard for NT$500 (includes a NT$100 refundable deposit) or NT$300 for concessionaries (includes a NT$100 refundable deposit) which then offers a discount of 20% on a trip. Taxis Taxis use meters, you pay what is shown and receipt is available upon request. The first 1.5km costs NT$70 and thereafter is NT$5 per 300 metres. The standard of English among drivers varies considerably. It is a good idea to have your hotel address and your destination written in large Chinese characters. Taxi drivers are obliged to display their identification with their taxi number in the vehicle so if you experience any unreasonable charges or misdeeds make a note of their details along with the time and location and pass it to the foreign affair police department.
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High Speed Rail The High Speed Rail service, launched in January 2007, has dramatically cut the journey time between Taipei and Kaohsiung from 4 hours to 90 minutes. It currently serves eight stations (Taipei, Banqiao, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan and Zuoying) Bike Taipei City Government has recently launched the YouBike scheme where bicycles can be easily rented. There are 11 locations where bikes can be rented or returned across the city. The first 30 minutes are free, then each additional 15 minute period is charged at NT$10. You can chose between either short term membership ranging from between 1 and 5 days (NT$3000 deposit required (authorization only, not actually charged to the credit card bill) or long term membership which can last for 3 months, 6 months or a year (NT$3,000 deposit required).
Shopping Shops usually open from 10am to 9pm. Many big department stores open daily from 10:30am to 9:30pm. Most shops open on Sunday. Bargaining is a common practice in Taiwan, except in general department stores where prices are fixed. There is no price control and prices vary from shop to shop. There are many big shopping malls in Taipei. Just to name a few: •
Taipei 101 (opposite the office) XinYi Road MRT: Taipei City Hall
•
The Breeze Centre, Fuxing N. Rd. MRT: Nanjing East Rd
•
Takashimayeh Mall, 55, ChungCheng Road, section 2, ShihLin MRT: Shipai
•
Mitsukoshi, 11, Song-Shou Road MRT: Taipei City Hall
•
Asiaworld Shopping Mall, 100, DunHua North Rd., 2 F MRT: Nanjing East Rd
You might also want to visit the many Night Markets in Taipei including: •
Shilin Night Market, Wen Lin Road, Shilin. MRT: Jiantan
•
Shida Night Market, Shida Rd, Shida, MRT: Taipower
Eating Out There are three main food courts near our Taipei office. The basement of the Taipei 101 mall houses a range of restaurants and outlets which tend to be reasonably priced. The second is the slightly smaller mall in the basement of New York New York. Slightly further is the Mitsukoshi mall basement which has a similar selection. For a spectacular view of the Taipei skyline, you could try either two of the restaurants located on the 85 floor of Taipei 101. In the summer however, you may need to book up to a month in advance in order to get a window table.
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Equal Opportunities As the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations, the British Council develops relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds and has a global Equal Opportunities and Diversity policy. In Taiwan we are fully committed to the practice and the promotion of Equal Opportunities and Diversity through the work we do, the way we work, our staffing, our partnerships and our business contracts. Taiwan is a liberal society with a government committed to providing equal opportunities to all its citizens regardless of social status, gender, ethnic background or geographic location. Government reforms to improve access to education opportunities have been particularly successful and services for senior citizens are exemplary. All religions and spiritual practices are practiced in Taiwan and are not grounds for discrimination. Gay and Lesbian: Taiwan has a liberal approach to homosexuality and does not have any laws forbidding it. The government does not currently recognise same sex marriages, although this may change in the future. In Taipei, the most active gay and lesbian scene is in Ximen where there are several gay bars. Outside the cities you may encounter instances of mild homophobia. Disability There is good disabled access to the British Council office, but although such standards are common in modern shopping, business, education and government buildings, they are not consistent and disabled travellers will encounter access problems in older streets and shopping districts for example. Public transport, including airports and especially the high speed rail and MRT systems, has exemplary disabled access.
Health and Safety The Government states that tap water is drinkable in Taipei, although many people still prefer to drink boiled water, distilled water or mineral water. Normally, no vaccinations are required to enter Taiwan. However proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination is required if entering Taiwan within six days from of visiting an infected country. For a list of recommended vaccinations please visit the World Health Organisation website: www.who.int/ith/countries/chn/en/ (guidance is for China which represents Taiwan at the WHO) Taiwan is one of the safest places in Asia in terms of street crime, although burglaries do occur. Most hotels employ guards for extra security. Police officers usually have a poor level of English so foreign visitors may not get a lot of help if they are a victim of a crime. As in all places, you should avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Traveller's cheques or credit cards are preferable.
Tipping Tipping is not customary in restaurants or taxis but is appreciated. A service charge of 10% is added to the bill at most restaurants.
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Religion Taiwan enjoys a large degree of religious freedom with little to no governmental interference. It is common for different faiths to exist, even in the same family. Religions practiced here include Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity and Islam.
Languages Mandarin is the official language and the first language for many Taiwanese people, however Taiwanese (which is similar to the Fujianese dialect and is sometimes called Minnan) is also a common first language island-wide and is used most extensively in the South. There are also numerous speakers of Hakka and Austronesian languages are spoken by indigenous people. Like Hong Kong, Taiwan uses traditional Chinese characters for writing. The Pin-Yin romanisation system used in mainland China is generally not used in Taiwan. The Wade-Giles system or a range of alternatives is used instead and as a result there can be several versions of romanised spellings of the same word. This can lead to confusion for foreign visitors as, for example, the same road name may be spelt in several different ways even on the same map (e.g. ChungHsiao Rd/ZhongXiao Rd, JhongShao Rd). It is a good idea to carry your directions written in Chinese characters and if in doubt it is worth checking with your hotel.
Environmental and Green Policy Environmental issues are being tackled by the national and local government and these include: • Differentiated waste collection - Most residents in Taiwan are required to sort their rubbish into 3 categories – recyclables, food waste and other. Differentiated bins are found in most public areas and battery recycle bins are available in most convenience stores. • Reducing the use of plastic bags: Most convenient stores or supermarkets do not offer free plastic bags and customers are encouraged to bring their own shopping bags. • Reducing carbon emission: City Governments in Taipei and Kaohsiung have implemented the first Bike Sharing programme in Asia. Bicycles can be rented from offices located near some of the major MRT stations. British Council Taiwan has been running Green Team meetings since November 08 to raise staff awareness on the environment and improve the management of our resources. Actions taken so far include: a switch off campaign, recycling of paper in printers, timers on water dispensers and agreement from staff to set air con levels at 25℃in the office.
Departure Tax The departure tax in Taiwan is currently NT$300 it has to be paid to airlines at the check in counter if the amounts have not been included in your ticket. In most cases they have.
Enjoy your visit!
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Annex 1. Taipei Mass Rapid Transport (MRT)
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Annex 2. British council Taipei office map
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