About Taipei

TAIWAN is a gorgeous place, surrounded by water and green hills across the entire island. The friendly locals add to its charm, making it a lively and welcoming destination. It's a blend of tradition and modernity, where ancient temples and busy night markets exist. Taiwan is a place of natural beauty, cultural richness and freedom. With its unique fusion of cultures, breathtaking scenery, diverse cuisine, exciting city life and well-developed hospitality industry, Taiwan is an ideal destination for many types of travelers. Citizens of more than 60 countries and territories are eligible for visa-exempt entry for a period of 30 or 90 days– Taiwan cordially awaits you!

Travel Information

Weather

Taiwan has a tropical maritime climate with hot summers and mild winters. The average temperature ranges from 20-30°C (68-86°F) in summer and 10-20°C (50-68°F) in winter. There is a high level of humidity throughout the year.

Taipei Weather in March during the congress:

Average Temperature: 16-22°C (60-72°F)

Expect mild and comfortable weather, with occasional light rain.
Time Zone

All territories in same time zone, GMT +8 hours (no seasonal adjustments)
Electricity

Taiwan uses electric current of 110 volts at 60 cycles, appliances from Europe, Australia or South-East Asia will need an adaptor or transformer.
Currency

The official currency in Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at government-designated banks and hotels. Major credit cards such as American Express, Master Card, and Visa are accepted and traveler's checks may be cashed at foreign-exchange banks, some tourist-oriented businesses, and most international tourist hotels.
Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Taiwan, but some hotels and restaurants automatically add a 10% service fee to the bill.
Tax / VAT

VAT Refund Requirements:
1. Eligible Applicants: Foreign travelers who enter the R.O.C. (Taiwan) with the following documents and stay for no more than 183 days from the date of Arrival:
  1. Passport of a country other than the R.O.C. (Taiwan)
  2. R.O.C. (Taiwan) passport without personal ID No. recorded.
  3. Travel documents.
  4. Exit & Entry permit.
  5. Temporary entry permit
2. Requirements for VAT Refund:
  
  With the entry document, foreign travelers who make purchases of at least NT$2,000 on the same day from the same designated stores with the "Taiwan Tax Refund"-label are eligible to request the "Application Form for VAT Refund." To claim the refund, they must apply at the port of their departure from the R.O.C. (Taiwan) within 90 days following the date of purchase, and they must take the purchased goods out of the country with them. More Information
Health System

Ranked as one of the best universal health care systems globally, Taiwan prides itself on having over 99% of its population coverage to residents and nationals. Satisfaction rates have an approval rating of over 80%, and many English-speaking doctors are available for any health concerns.

10 facts about Taiwan before you come

The Portuguese named Taiwan "Ilha Formosa" in the 16th century, which means "Beautiful Island," a name that reflects its lush landscapes and scenic beauty.
Taiwan's capital, Taipei, is known for its bustling night markets and the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper, which was the world's tallest building from 2004 to 2010.
The island is home to indigenous Austronesian-speaking peoples, with at least 16 recognized tribes, each with its own distinct language, culture, and traditions.
Taiwan is a leading producer of semiconductors and technology products, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) being the world's largest contract chipmaker.
The island has a high density of convenience stores, with 7-Eleven and Family Mart being particularly ubiquitous, offering a wide range of services beyond typical convenience store fare.
Taiwanese cuisine is diverse and influenced by various culinary traditions, including Chinese, Japanese, and indigenous. Popular dishes include beef noodle soup, bubble tea, and stinky tofu.
The island is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Taiwan has developed advanced earthquake engineering and public safety measures in response.
Sun Moon Lake, located in Nantou County, is Taiwan's largest lake and a popular tourist destination known for its serene beauty and the surrounding mountains.
The island is a leading destination for bicycle manufacturing and has embraced cycling culture, with extensive bike trails and the annual Taiwan Cycling Festival.
Taiwan is a major exporter of orchids, and its agricultural research and innovation have made it a leader in orchid cultivation and breeding.

Taipei Attraction

National Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum houses the world's most extensive collection of priceless Chinese art treasures, which spans China's nearly 5,000-year history. Most of the museum's over 600,000 art objects were part of the Chinese imperial collection, which began over 1,000 years ago in the early Song dynasty.
Xingtian Temple

This is a young temple, built-in 1967, with a simple and dignified appearance. In front of the hall is a censer with a somewhat unusual design, its two handles are shaped by flying dragons and its four sides are adorned with dragons' heads stretching toward the sky. The temple's courtyard is usually busy, with crowds of worshippers bowing their heads or kneeling in devotion. On the main altar, you will see offerings of only fresh flowers and tea since the temple forbids the killing of an offering of animals. The temple supplies free candles, and there is no donation box-a first for traditional religion in Taiwan!
Raohe Street Tourist Night Market

Raohe Street Tourist Night Market is located on Raohe Street, Taipei, 600 meters in length. This area was called Xikou and was a business center because of its location and transportation. However, with the development of transport, Raohe Street has become a secondary road, and the business has also declined. Therefore, the government set up a night market in 1987. It is the second tourist night market in Taipei. Various products and local foods are sold in the night market.