Language: Mandarin is the official language of
Taiwan, but Taiwanese is often spoken and English is generally understood.
Currency: Taiwan's currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD), which is divided into 100 cents. Foreign currencies and travelers cheques (
American Express,
Citibank or
Thomas Cook) 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.
Banks are open Monday to Friday. US dollars are the preferred currency. ATMs are plentiful but not all accept international bank cards.
Time: Local time is GMT +8.
Electricity: Electrical current is 110 volts AC, 60Hz. Two-pin flat blade plugs and one with a third grounding pin is used.
Communications: Taiwan's international country code is +886 and the outgoing code is 002 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00244 for the
UK). City/area codes are in use, e.g. 2 for
Taipei. Six network operators provide mobile telephone services in various regions using either GSM 900 or 1800 networks. Internet cafes can be found in Taiwan's cities and towns, and most hotels in Taipei have Internet access in their guestrooms.
Duty Free: Travelers aged over 20 may enter Taiwan with the following goods without paying customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 454g tobacco; 1 bottle of alcohol (maximum 1 liter); and a reasonable amount of perfume. Travelers are also permitted to bring personal goods valued up to NT$20,000 duty free (or NT$10,000 for those under 20 years). Guns, narcotics, fresh meat and fruit are prohibited.
Tourist OfficeTaiwan
Tourist Office: +886 2 594 3261 (Taipei) or www.tbroc.gov.tw
EmergencyEmergencies: 110 (Police); 119 (Ambulance).
Embassies
Embassy of the
Republic of China (Taiwan),
Washington DC,
United States: +1 202 895 1800.
Taipei
Representative Office,
London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7881 2650.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office,
Ottawa,
Canada: +1 613 231 5080.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Barton, ACT,
Australia: +61 (0)2 6120 1011.
Taipei Liaison Office,
Pretoria,
South Africa: +27 (0)12 430 6071/2/3.
Taipei Representative Office,
Dublin,
Ireland: +353 (0)1 678 5413.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office,
Auckland,
New Zealand: +64 (0)9 303 3903.
British Trade and Cultural Office, Taiwan: +886 2 8758 2088.
Canadian Trade Office, Taipei: +886 2 2544 3000.
Australian Commerce and Industry Office, Taipei: +886 2 8725 4100.
Liaison
Office of South Africa, Taipei: +886 2 2715 3251/4.
Ireland
Institute for Trade and Investment in Taiwan, Taipei: +886 2 2725 1691.
New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office, Taipei: +886 2 2757 6725.
