TAIPEI GUIDE TAIPEI GUIDE MONEY Currency: New Taiwanese Dollar (TWD/NT) = 100 Bottle of water at supermarket (1.5 liter) – 30 Essential Information cents. NT Money 3 Domestic beer (0.5 liter, draught) – 50 NT The easiest way to get Taiwanese money is to use Cappuccino – 80 NT Communication 4 This enchanting metropolis always seems to the ATMs that are literally on every corner or in Gasoline (1 liter) – 32 NT be busy, never slowing down or taking time to 7-Elevens (part of the international Plus or Cirrus Hostels (average price/night) – 400 NT Holidays 5 relax. Taipei has all the typical characteristics networks). You can also exchange money in the 4* hotel (average price/night) – 4000 NT banks (second most common option) or in hotels, Car-hire (medium-sized car/day) – 3000 NT Transportation 6 of a contemporary Asian global city: an excel- lent public transportation system, a glitzy cen- but the rates are not as good there. Private ex- Food 8 tral business district with signature skyscrap- change offices are not widespread in Taiwan. Tipping ers, overwhelming shopping malls and busy Tipping is not customary in Taiwan. The restau- Events During The Year 9 nightspots. Major cards (Visa, Master Card, JCB) are widely ac- rants usually include a service charge in the bill. Despite the erratic traffic, overcrowded streets cepted and paying with them is very convenient However, it is usual to tip bellhops in good hotels 10 Things to do and pollution, Taipei has also an amiable face in Taiwan. Amex and Diners club are accepted at (around 100NT) or staff in expat bars/clubs. of night markets, back streets, beautiful tem- fewer places – always check the stickers on the DOs and DO NOTs 11 ples and friendly people – your days here will door. Activities 13 pass unusually quickly and very pleasantly. And when you get tired of the urban chaos, Tax Refunds . there are plenty of outdoor options in the ar- Foreigners are eligible to apply for a VAT refund eas surrounding the city – mountains, gorges (5%) for goods that were purchased at shops and and hot springs resorts. department stores registered as a part of the Tax Refund Shopping (TRS) chain in the minimum Emergency Contacts Time Zone amount of 3000 NT per single day and store. Medical emergencies, fire: 119 CST (UTC/GMT +8 hours), no daylight saving Keep in mind that you need to fill in a tax refund Police emergency number: 110 time. form and have it confirmed in the store, and then Weather reports: 166 present the goods together with the forms at the Contacts customs office upon your departure. Tourist Contacts Prices Tourist information hotline: +886 2 2717 3737 By Asian standards, Taiwan is an expensive coun- Travel information hotline (toll-free, 24/7): try and Taipei an expensive city. Budget travellers 800 011 765 can save a lot of money by sleeping in dorms and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport: +886 eating on the streets in the night markets and lo- 3 383 2194 cal noodle shops. Kaohsiung International Airport: +886 7 Meal, inexpensive restaurant – 80 NT 805 7888 Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant, three-course – 600 NT Combo Meal at McDonalds – 117 NT 2 3 COMMUNICATION HOLIDAYS Electricity The country code for Taiwan is +886, the city code January 1 – Founding Day The standard electricity supply in Taiwan is 110-120V, for Taipei is 2. Chinese New Year (1st day of the 1st lunar 60 Hz. You should check your electronic devices month) carefully to see if you need a voltage trans- Internet February 28 – 228 Peace Memorial Day April 4 – Women's Day & Children's Day former. The most common socket types are Getting connected has never been easier: there’s North American Non-Grounded and North Amer- a brand new system of free Wi-Fi hotspots all 15 days after the spring equinox – Tomb ican Grounded with one round and two flat pins. around the city centre covering all the important Sweeping Day You might need this adapter even if coming from hubs. All you need to do is to set up an account Dragon Boat Festival (5th day of the 5th lunar the US/Canada as the grounding and polarisation at Taipei Free (www.tpe-free.taipei.gov.tw) If you month) can differ – check your devices in advance. need a regular Internet café, those are plentiful Mid-Autumn Festival (15th day of the 8th lunar and easy to find too. However, these look more month) October 10 – National Celebration Day Languages like “gaming cafés” since most people visit them Chinese New Year's Eve (the last day of the The main spoken language is Chinese, namely to play online games on a steady connection. 12th lunar month) several dialects – Minnan / Taiwanese (Fujian State-owned companies and government offices province) and Hakka (southern China). In the Internet Resources close on these days but the majority of the shops larger cities, many younger people can speak Official Tourist Website (www.taipeitravel.net) remain open, at least for limited hours. Every- English at a conversational level. Expect the Travel Information (eng.taiwan.net.tw) thing shuts down during the Chinese New Year staff of tourist-related businesses and attrac- Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org) celebrations. tions to speak English fairly well. Many people are also proficient in Japanese, given the num- Opening Hours bers of Japanese tourists coming to Taiwan and The usual business hours for banks and post of- the history of the island. fices are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the week and 9 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays. Mobile Phones The standard mobile network (GSM/GPRS/3G) Shops and malls usually stay open until late, at has a very good coverage across the whole coun- least to 9 p.m. The night markets start up at 6 try including the mountains. Check with your p.m. and stay busy well into the night. operator in advance regarding compatibility if coming from a non-GSM standard country. Museums are generally open from around 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the precise opening hours In case you need a phone with a Taiwanese mostly vary. number, there are several solutions: first of all, pre-paid SIM cards are readily available at street vendors (try 7-11). If you don’t want to use your own phone, you can buy one very cheap at the countless markets or phone shops – but check thoroughly if it really works. You can also rent a phone, which is most easily done at the airport in the myfone kiosks. 4 5 TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION Public Transportation ence. The payment system is a bit complicated – advance and it is recommended to do so when the urban speed limit is 50 km/h Taipei public transportation system is amazing in- you may be required to pay when you get on or travelling on weekends or prior to holidays. always check both mirrors and both lanes deed, it is fast and convenient.There’s one down- off the bus. Just follow the way locals do it. You If you need to travel only to nearby cities, the com- when you turn side to it, though: it is not integrated and various also need to hail the bus as it is coming. A sin- muter trains are the best option – they run on a a light flash means: "I'm coming through" payment methods are in use. The fares are based gle bus ride costs 15 to 30 NT depending on how very frequent schedule and the tickets can be pur- wait a moment when the light turns green on distance and there are two ways how to pur- many zones you travel through. chased right on board. at an intersection – drivers often run the red chase a ticket. You can get regular one-way tick- Buses – there is a state-owned bus service as lights. ets at ATMs located at every MRT station – these Taxis well as private companies that offer a more convenient service (usually). Unfortunately, Walkability tickets are valid for the MRT only. When taking a Taxis are a quick, easy and relatively cheap way the system is not very comprehensible and bus, the fare is based on the zone system and you (when compared to other countries) of getting Taipei is an amazingly walkable city that can be can be sometimes chaotic, with only Chinese need to buy your ticket on board. around the city. Just search for the distinctive easily explored on foot. And when you get tired, maps and schedules at the stops. ’ yellow cars. All are equipped with meters stating you re never far from some public transport sta- tion. Be especially vigilant for cars and bikes on If staying in Taipei for more than a few days, you the exact fare. Driving might consider purchasing the TaipeiPass that the pedestrian crossings. Getting around on a If you plan on staying in Taipei only, car rental is is valid in MRT as well as in buses regardless of The starting fare is 70 NT for the first 1.25 km and bicycle can be a memorable experience, though not recommended – public transport is very easy the company – they will carry an identification 5 NT for every subsequent 250m. The fare can a bit dangerous maybe: there are no separate to use and efficient while the streets are often sticker on the door. The pass is very easy to use also vary according to the area and there are sev- lanes protecting bikes from vehicular traffic.