The City of Taipei

Taipei is located in northern Taiwan, covering 271.77 square kilometers, with a population over 2.5 million. It can be reached from most cities around the world by many international airlines.

As the capital city of Taiwan, Taipei is a vibrant blend of traditional culture and cosmopolitan life. Taipei is the political, economic, educational and recreational center of the country with large numbers of significant cultural sights located throughout the city. The variety of exquisite dishes at Taipei’s thousands of restaurants and eateries enticingly demonstrate why Taipei is famed as the gourmet’s capital of Asia.

For more information, please visit www.taipei.gov.tw ; www.taiwan.net.tw

Transportation

Taipei is geographically compact with plentiful taxis, buses and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). The conference venue ---the Grand Hotel and other hotels are easily accessed by a short ride via taxi or MRT within the Taipei city center.

Language

Mandarin is the official language in Taiwan, though other dialects are also spoken. The most commonly used foreign language is English.

Currency

The New Taiwan Dollar (NT$) is the national currency. Bill denominations are NT$2000, NT$1000, NT$500 and NT$100. Coin are NT$1, NT$5, NT$10 and NT$50 denominations.

Business Hours

Office hours for the most government agencies are from 8:30am to 5:30pm on weekdays. Banking hours are from 9:00am to 3:30pm from Monday to Friday. Most stores open until late hours both on weekdays and weekends and there are plenty of 24-hour convenience stores throughout the city.

Climate

Taiwan enjoys warm weather all year round and is extremely suitable for traveling, as the annual average temperature is a comfortable 22 °C with lowest temperatures ranging from 12 to 17 °C (54-63 °F). Therefore, with the exception of a few mountain areas where some traces of snow can be found during winter, no snow can be seen throughout Taiwan.

During autumn, from September to October with average temperature of 23°C (73°F)

, you can wholeheartedly enjoy the cool and soothing weather, while Taiwan's relatively warm and short winter, from November to February with average temperature of 15°C (59°F ), is the time for you to admire the beautifully colored maple trees. The cold fronts that reach Taiwan sporadically are greatly favored by the island's hot spring lovers.

Electricity Supply

Taiwan uses electric current of 110 volts at 60 cycles. Power socket type:

Tipping

A 10 percent service charge is usually automatically added to room rates and meals. Other tipping is optional, but rare, including for Taxis.

Visa

Foreign nationals may obtain tourist visas if they hold foreign passports or travel documents valid for more than six months in Taiwan for purpose of sightseeing, business, family visits, study or training, medical treatment, or other legitimate activities.

Visa-exempt entry is afforded to citizens of the following 31 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Costa Rica, Demark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K. and the U.S.A.