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Location and Topography

Famous for its mountains and forests, Taiwan is situated in the Pacific Ocean about 160 kilometers (100 miles) from the southeastern coast of the Chinese mainland. Taiwan is located about the midway between Korea, Japan and the Philippines. Taiwan is a natural gateway for travelers to and within Asia.

Shaped approximately like a tobacco leaf, Taiwan is 394 kilometers (245 miles) long and 144 kilometers (89.5 miles) wide at its broadest point. The Central Mountain Range bisects Taiwan from north to south and about two-thirds of the island is covered with forested peaks. So the landscapes of Taiwan include rocky view and coast scenery, also rich in mountains. The rest of the island is made up of foothills, terraced flatlands, and coastal plains and basins. Taiwan province includes the Penh Archipelage-a group of 64 islands previously known as the Pescadores-and 21 other islands. The measure of area is around thirty six thousand square kilometers, just as the same size as Netherlands.

Owing to stable political situation and prosperity, also a main point of Asian communication, Taiwan is one of the favorite traveling spot all the time.

Climate

Taiwan's climate is subtropical, with average annual temperatures of 22*C (72*F) in the north and 24*C (75*F) in the south. Summers, from May through September, are usually hot and humid with average daytime highs from 27*C to 35*C (81* to 95*F). Winters, from December through February, are short and mild, with average lows from 12*to 16*C (54* to 61*F); snow falls only on the quite higher mountains.

In general, during April to November tourist only need light and easy dressing; but need to bring heavy clothing as sweaters and coats in winter.

At the end of 2004, Taiwan's population exceeded 23 million, which makes the island one of the world's most densely populated places. Except for the approximately 390,000 aborigines, the people of Taiwan originate from the Chinese mainland. According to that, Taiwan is full of different and various culture divisions.

The national language of the ROC is Mandarin Chinese, though other dialects are also spoken. English is the most widely studied foreign language, but Japanese is quite popularly spoken.

Taipei has a variety of language schools offering Chinese lessons, from inexpensive classes taught by the hour to college courses for credit.

In the whole world, Taiwan is the main place for preserving Chinese culture. Near Taipei city, National Palace Museum keeps innumerable priceless treasures.

Water and electricity

The voltage in Taiwan is 110 volts, 60watts (AC). The tape water is drinkable, but usually the drinking water are supposed to be distillated or boiled, especially offered by hotels and restaurants.

There are lots of modern traffic facilities in Taiwan, such as highway, railroad, subway (MRT) and so on, all are very convenient. Besides, domestic airlines are well-developed. The flight schedules between main cities are highly tight, good for those who long to travel fast.

The Republic of China's unit of currency is the New Taiwan dollar (NT$). The exchange rate is fluctuated around NT$34 to US$1. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at government-designated banks and hotels. Receipts are given when currency is exchanged and better to keep it, because usually will be requested to present during exchanging unused NT dollars before departure.

Major credit cards are accepted and travelers’ checks may be cashed at some tourist-oriented businesses and at most international tourist hotels. American Express travelers checks can be cashed at the American Express office, 2F, No. 214, Tunhua N. Rd., Taipei, Tel: (02)2715-1581.

The standard tip is NT$50 per piece of luggage. A 10% service charge and a 5% value added tax (VAT) are automatically added to room rates and all meals. All other tipping is optional.

All the government organizations and institutions work during Monday to Friday, even banks. And the departments always open daily from 10 or 11AM to 9: 30PM.

The Tourism Bureau's Tourist Information Hot Line provides a wide range of assistance, in Chinese and English, on travel in Taiwan. Information in languages other than Chinese or English is available as needed. The hot line is operated every day of the year from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Taipei time). The telephone number is (02)2717-3737, and calls can be made from anywhere in the Republic of China on Taiwan or the world.

The Hot Line's computers contain a wealth of information on scenic areas, transportation, timetables, hotels, restaurants, Chinese folk and fine arts, and other cultural activities, as well as emergency assistance, accidents, lost and found, language problems, and complaints. Callers can obtain printed copies of the information they have requested.

The Tourism Bureau's Travel Information Service Centers provide comprehensive information to tourists planning travel to North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The information includes principal tourist attractions, manners, customs, traditions, and prudent safeguards to take.

The Tourism Bureau's Travel Information Service Centers provide comprehensive information includes principal tourist attractions, manners, customs, traditions, and prudent safeguards to take.

The tourism Bureau operates service centers at the ChiangKai-shekInternationalAirport in Taoyuan, Sung-shanDomesticAirport in Taipei, the new Taipei Train Station, and at the following locations:

Because Taiwan is located at the crossroads of some of Asia's busiest air routes, travel to and from the island is easy and convenient. Taiwan is served by airlines from Asia, Europe, South Africa, and North America. The island has two international airports, at Kaohsiung in the south and at Taoyuan in the north. ChiangKai-shekInternationalAirport at Taoyuan is 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) southwest of Taipei. Each outbound passenger must pay an airport departure tax of NT$300. International Airlines

Domestic travel is also easy and convenient. Inexpensive air-conditioned limousine buses depart the airport at Taoyuan every 15 minutes for both Taipei's SungshanDomesticAirport and the main railway station. Major hotels provide transportation to and from the airport for their guests.

Seven domestic airlines currently provide daily flights between Taipei and other major cities, as well as to nearby Green and Orchid islands and the Penghu Archipelago. Domestic Airlines

Taiwan has modern freeway and railway systems which make travel between major cities easy and convenient. Reliable express buses connect Taipei with all major cities and most major scenic spots, and reserved-seat. Air- conditioned express trains provide fast, comfortable service around the island. Fares for buses and trains are quite reasonable.

Travel time from Taipei in the north to Kaohsiung in the south takes five to six hours by train, four hours by bus, and 40 to 50 minutes by air from Taipei and three to four hours by train.

Taiwan has a number of international and domestic car rental companies. Credit cards or sizable deposits are required, as well as an international or Taiwan driver's license. Chauffeur-driven cars can also be rented, and international tourist hotels will generally make such arrangements for guests. The following Taipei companies offer rental cars :

Major cities have an abundance of taxis. Charges are NT$50 for the first 1.8 km and NT$5 for each additional 350 meters. An additional NT$5 is charged for every four minutes of waiting, and a 20% surcharge is added to fares between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., the price of radio cars, and carrying luggage in the boot adds NT$10. Most drivers do not speak English, so et is a good idea to have hotel personnel write both your dstination and your hotel's name and address in Chinese, along with the projected cost of each one- way trip.

Taiwan has hotels to fit every budget, from opulent international-quality tourist hotels to bargain“bed-and-board”hostels. The better hotels compete to offer the best services, and to encourage this competition the Tourism Bureau regularly evaluates the facilities and services of all tourist hotels on the island. The best are awarded four or five plum blossoms (the ROC*s national flower), which correspond to the stars awarded in the West.

The government has approved of 89 hotels in Taiwan as “international tourist”and “tourist”hotels. International tourist hotels (four and five plum blossoms) have larger bedrooms and better facilities; tourist hotels (two and three plum blossoms) have smaller bedrooms and facilities, and lower prices. Inexpensive hostels and youth activity centers (unrated) provide bed and board; many have private and dormitory-style rooms, and in some the staff speak very basic, if any, English.

Taiwan's quality hotels generally provide elegant shopping arcades (credit cards accepted ), magazine or book stands, hair salons,fitness centers, cocktail lounges or nightclubs, Western movies on guest-room TV's, complete business services (including business centers), and meeting and banquet facilities (for groups of two to 2,000). Hotel tour services are informative and helpful; they will assist guests in arranging everything from bus or airline tickets to round-the island tours.

Many of Taiwan's finest restaurants-though by on means all-are located in international tourist hotels, which generally offer several types of regional Chinese cuisines as wellas Western food, coffee shops or lounges. Quality hotel restaurants usually have excellent service, an elegant atmos-phere, and cuisine prepared by experienced chefs.

Travel agents and the ROC Tourism Bureau can provide specific information on each hotel's services and prices to make choosing one a bit easier.

International calls
Taiwan's country number is 886.If you want to make a international call in Taiwan, you can dial 002 or 012 through all the phones, including all the mobiles and all the public phones.
Domestic long-distance calls
You also can call by any phones, but need to plus an area number.
A local call
you still need to pay for the local calls, but no need to plus any area number.