Taiwan Travel Guide

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Shopping

One of the best ways to shop is to visit the night markets (see above). Purchases include Formosan sea-grass mats, hats, handbags and slippers, bamboo items, Chinese musical instruments, various dolls in costume, handpainted palace lanterns made from silk, lacquerware, ceramics, teak furniture, coral, veinstone and jade items, ramie fiber rugs, brassware, handmade shoes, fabrics and chopsticks (decorated, personalised sticks of wood or marble).

Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 1000-2200. Some convenience stores are open 24 hours per day.

Currency

New Taiwan Dollar (TWD; symbol NT$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of NT$TWD2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of NT$50, 20, 10, 5 and 1.

Currency Exchange

All travelers are required to make a currency declaration in writing together with the baggage declaration. Unused currency can be reconverted on departure, on production of exchange receipts.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Diners Club are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops.

Travelers Checks

Cashed in most hotels, restaurants and shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

The import and export of local currency is limited to NT$40,000 and a permit from the Ministry of Finance is required for amounts over NT$8,000. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited, although amounts over NT$10,000 must be declared on arrival. All exchange receipts must be retained.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1530.

Exchange Rate