About Taiwan

Location

Taiwan lies off the southeastern coast of mainland Asia, across the Taiwan Strait from China - an island on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean. Many airlines fly to Taiwan, making it the perfect travel destination. Taipei is Taiwan's largest city as well as its economic, political, and cultural center. It is a modern cosmopolitan metropolis with a lively and diversified face, filled with exuberance. Whether you're just stopping over a route to another Asian destination, or planning a longer stay, Taipei is a many-faceted treasure that will call you back again and again.

Transportation

While trains and high speed rails are regarded as the fastest public transportations between cities in Taiwan, taxi and buses offer local transport services in most cities. At Taipei and Kaohsiung, MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) connects the main shopping, entertainment and business areas of the city and is the most convenient way to get around.

Climate

Taiwan enjoys warm weather all year round. Weather conditions fluctuate during spring and winter, while in summer and autumn the weather is relatively stable. Taiwan is extremely suitable for traveling, as the weather is warm and pleasant. The temperature is around 19.6°C ( 67.28°F) to 14.2°C ( 57.56°F) in February.

Language

Mandarin is the official language. English is spoken quite extensively.

Time Zone

Taiwan is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Tipping

Sales tax is included in the listed price in Taiwan. Tipping is not customary in Taiwan, but some hotels and restaurants automatically add a 10% service fee to the bill.

Electricity

Electricity in Taiwan is 110 Volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. However, the shape of a socket varies between countries, a portable plug adaptor may be necessary. The flat blade attachment plug is generally accepted.

Water

Drinking water served at hotels and restaurants is distilled or boiled. Tap water is suggested to be boiled before drinking.

Currency and Banks

Taiwan’s currency is the New Taiwan dollar (NT$). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at hotels, airports and banks. Major credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, AMEX) are widely accepted, and traveler’s checks may be accepted by tourist-oriented shops and at most international tourist hotels and banks. Banks operate from 09:00 to 15:30, Monday through Friday and closed on weekends and public holidays.

Telephone & Wi-Fi

Public telephones are easy to find in Taipei. Free public Wi-Fi service is available across Taipei city both indoors and outdoors. The SSID of Wi-Fi access is TPE-Free. Visitors who wish to use the service can set up an account with valid passport or entry permit at twelve Tourist Information Center at Taipei included Taipei Main Station and Songshan Airport. To check the free public Wi-Fi service in Taipei, please click here.
In addition to the free Wi-Fi access, payable Wi-Fi accesses are also available in most of 7-11 convenience stores across Taiwan, and in coffee shops and restaurants like Starbucks or McDonald’s. Prepaid access cards can be purchased over the counter at the stores, and the costs vary.

Dialing Code

International Regional Code: +886 2 (Taipei)

VAT Refund Requirements

  • Foreign travelers holding non-ROC passports, ROC passports without registered household, or a re-entry permit.
  • Foreign travelers who make purchases of at least NT$2,000 on the same day from the same Tax Refund Shopping (TRS)-posted store and who take the purchased goods out of the country with them within 90 days of purchase.

Where to Claim Your Refund:

  • The Tax Refund Service at Airports/port terminals: Tax Refund Service Counters located at the airport/ seaport.
  • On-site Small-amount Tax Refunds: Authorized "Taiwan Tax Refund"-labeled stores.
  • Designated Counter for Tax Refund Service: Designated Counters for Tax Refund Service.

For further details, please visit the E-VAT Refund website.

Procedures of Claiming Tax Refunds:

  • Before your luggage check-in, please take your passport and Tax Refund Claim Form to the E-VAT Refund machine or Tax Refund Service Counter, to prove your foreign identity and check the Tax refundable receipts. The Tax refund system will instruct you if the goods need to be examined by the Customs or not.
  • If your goods need to go through the Customs, the machine will print out a checklist. Please visit the customs counter with the following documents and the checklist:
    -  The checklist (printed by the E-VAT Refund machine)
    -  "Tax Refund Claim Form."
    -  Personal documents (passport, travel documents, entry/exit permits or temporary entry permit.
    -  The uniform invoices noted with "tax-refundable goods" or "the last 4 digits of your passport number."
    -  The goods you purchased.
  • Please obtain the receipt "Tax Refund Assessment Certificate for Eligible Goods Purchased by Foreign Travelers" printed out by the machine or given by the Service Counter and go to the designated banks or cash counters located at departure airports/ seaports for your tax refund.

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Travel in Taiwan

In spite of being a small island, Taiwan has a special geologic structure that has created an endless variety of prodigious scenery. A wide range of tours based on different themes are available at Taiwan Tourism Bureau site: