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About Taiwan
Transportation
- CKS airport
(Taipei airport)
- Taipei
bus and transportation information system
- Metro Taipei (Municipal
Rapid Transit system): If you would like to experience the beauty of
Taipei by yourself, the most economical and logical way for you is
to use the Metro rapid transit system (MRT). The Taipei MRT system
is well indicated with English signs. The ˇ§Taipei MRT Tourist
Information and Mapˇ¨ which is available at each station serves as a
useful guide for you to explore many interesting places in Taipei.
Tickets van be purchased from ticker machines in MRT stations. The
fare is based the trip distance and start at NT$20. Those planning
frequent trips can buy a one-day ticket for unlimited travel within
a day at MRT stations for NT$200.
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Bus: The bus system is reliable and efficient
in Taipei. There are more than 300 bus lines and the major transfer
hub is around Taipei Main Station. The bus system is extremely
comprehensive, but can be difficult for non-Chinese readers.
Destination signs on all buses are in Chinese, are the bus
schedules. Most bus drivers do not speak English. The fare for
travel is NT$15 per section. Most bus services operate until 23:00.
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Taxis: Taxis are available 24 hours a day in
Taipei. They all have yellow color and charge by the distance of
travelerˇ¦s trips. It is recommended that you have the name of your
hotel written in Chinese on a piece of paper before your hotel, as
few taxi drivers speck English. In the CKS International airport,
you could go to the information desk of Tourist Information Desk
right in the lobby to ask for assistance or any further information.
In Taipei city, the rate for taxi is NT$70 for the first 1.5
kilometers and NT$5 will be added to every additional 300 meters. A
20% surcharge is added from 23:00 to 6:00 next morning. There is no
need to tip the driver. Women passengers are advised to call a taxi
company for pick-up at right for safety reasons.
Sites
Tourism and culture events
Living
- Foreign exchange (Taiwan
use "New Taiwan Dollars, TWD)
- Weather bureau
- Others
- Bank: Banks are open 9 A. M. to 3:30 P. M. on the weekdays.
- Government offices: Government offices are open 9 A. M. to
noon and 1:30 P. M. to 5:30 P. M. from Monday through Friday.
- Shops: Shops, shopping malls, restaurants, etc. are mostly
open from 10:00~11:00 to 21:00~22:00.
- Language: The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin
Chinese, though other languages are also spoken. Many people can
speak some English (the most widely studied foreign language),
but taxi drivers general speak only Chinese and Mandarin.
- Tax: Value Added Tax (VAX) is levied on most goods at a
standard rate of 5% and is included in the price. In major
tourist hotels, a 10% service charge is sometimes levied on
rooms, meals or other services, and will be added to the bill.
- Tipping: Tipping is optional. However, tips are usually
given for restaurant services and to hotel porters.
- Voltage: The electric power is 110 volts, 60 cycles, AC.
- Mobile phone network: GSM 900MHz/1800MHz
- Public telephone service: Public telephones are either
coin-operated or card-operated. All local and domestic
long-distance calls are timed. The basic charge for a local is
NT$1. Telephone cards can purchased in most convenience stores.
International Direct Dial (IDD) calls can be made by dialing the
international access code 002 + country code + are code (without
the preceding ˇ§0ˇ¨) + local number. Just dial the 8-digital
numbers for calls inside Taipei (area code ˇ§02ˇ¨); dial the area
code (ˇ§03ˇ¨ for Hsinchu) plus the number if you dial to places
outside Taipei. International reverse-charge and credit-card
calls can be made through dedicated telephones located at
international airports and major hotels. For English-speaking
directory assistance in Taipei, please call 106. Copy and
telefax facilities are available in most convenience stores,
major post offices and tourist hotels.
- Safety: Although we are proud of the low rate of crime in
Taiwan, it is our responsibility to remind you that burglary,
pick-pickers, and robbery are not unknown. It is wise to take
some precautionary measures during you stay in Taiwan,
especially when you are in a crowded are or when you are alone
in a remote area. Be prepared by keeping photocopies of your
passport, other identification, and credit cards. You should
exercise caution when crossing streets because some drivers
might not respect your right of way.
Useful phone numbers
- Emergency (No coins are required when using public telephones
for these two numbers)
- 110 for Police
- 119 for Ambulance
- CKS Intˇ¦l Airport Tourist Service Center
886-3-383-3666
- Metro Taipei Service (8:30-17:30)
886-2-2536-3003
Tourism Bureauˇ¦s Tourist Information
886-2-2717-3737
- Directory Assistance in English
886-2-2311-6796
- Foreign Affairs Division, Taipei Office
886-2-2381-8341
- Government Information
Office 886-2-2322-8888
- International Operator Assistance 100
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