Banks open normally from 9:00 a.m. to 15:30 p.m. If you need to change money outside the usual banking hours, there are 24 hours exchange counters operating in the Kaohsiung International Airport and in the Grand Hi-Lai Hotel.
Taiwan is extremely suitable for traveling, as the annual average temperature is a comfortable 22 degrees Celsius with lowest temperatures ranging from 12 to 17 degrees Celsius (54-63 Fahrenheit), and the October average temperature of Kaohsiung is about 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 Fahrenheit). Participants of the CEPSI 2009 will enjoy a stable weather, since the weather in autumn season is stable in Taiwan.
Taiwan’s unit of currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$), which has five denominations in paper money and five in coins. Paper money comes in NT$2000, NT$1000, NT$500, NT$200, and NT$100 denominations.
Coins come in NT$50, NT$20, NT$10, NT$5 and NT$1 denominations.
For different currencies, please visit the Currency Converter at
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at government-designated banks and hotels. Receipts are given when currency is exchanged, and must be presented in order to exchange unused NT dollars before departure.
Major credit cards such as American Express, Master Card, Visa, and Diners Club are accepted and traveler's checks may be cashed at foreign-exchange banks, some tourist-oriented businesses, and (by room guests) most international tourist hotels.
Taiwan uses electric current of 110 volts at 60 cycles; appliances from Europe, Australia or South-East Asia will need an adaptor or transformer. Many buildings have sockets with 220 volts especially for the use of air conditioners.
The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese (Guoyu), but because many Taiwanese are of southern Fujianese descent, Min-nan (the Southern Min dialect, or Holo) is also widely spoken. The smaller groups of Hakka people and aborigines have also preserved their own languages.
The most popular foreign language in Taiwan is English, which is part of the regular school curriculum. However, when taking a taxi in Taiwan, it is advisable to prepare a note with your place of destination written in Chinese to show the taxi driver.
From north to south, Taiwan is littered with large shopping centers and department chain stores. Combining diverse leisure and entertainment facilities, these venues offer designer clothing, lifestyle products, food outlets, bookstores, movie house, wholesale warehouses, amusement centers, and others, providing the ultimate shopping environment.
Moreover, several theme streets have sprung up, exhibiting an exciting blend of history and style, including Taipei's Simending and Kaohsiung's New Jyuejiang commercial area, attracting different consumer groups. Other venues, including the weekend jade markets and computer lane in Taipei's Guanghua commercial plaza, are very good places to find unexpected bargains.
Aside from keeping up with the latest international trends, the local delicacies offered by each area constitute one major reason to visit Taiwan; for example, old food companies and century-old pastry shops have retained the unique tastes produced by local culture.
Foreign nationals may obtain tourist visas if they hold foreign passports or travel documents valid for more than six months in Taiwan for purposes of sightseeing, business, family visits, study or training, medical treatment, or other legitimate activities.
Visa requirements included one completed application form, incoming and outgoing travel tickets, one photo, documents verifying the purpose of the visits, and other relevant documents. Please apply your visa as early as possible.
30-day visa-free privileges are afforded to citizens of 31 countries (see Visa-Exempt Entry) and 30-day landing visas are afforded to citizens of 3 countries. (see Landing Visas)
