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Taipei is situated in a basin in northern Taiwan that was inhabited by aboriginal peoples until settlers from China moved into the area about 300 years ago.
Eastern Taipei was largely underused fields until the nineteen-seventies, when the city began to develop the area as a financial and commercial district. Here, the modern face of Taipei shines through, with its glass and steel skyscrapers, wide boulevards, and the world’s tallest building, Taipei 101.
Taipei also boasts dozens of world-class performance venues, where you can enjoy world-class theater and concert events. The city also offers a wide range of other diversions -- shopping malls, nightclubs, live-music bars, quality hotels, and exotic restaurants.
Access
There are two international airports in Taiwan:
- Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
The Taipei TTY Airport is the main gateway of Taiwan. It can be accessed via over 190 non-stop and direct flights from 56 major cities throughout the world.
https://www.taoyuan-airport.com/english/index.jsp
- Taipei Songsang Airport
Situated in Metropolitan Taipei, the Taipei International Airport is the hub of domestic air transportation. It is easily accessible from the town centers.
https://www.tsa.gov.tw/tsa/en/home.aspx
Climate
Taiwan experiences a subtropical climate, with summers from the month of May to September. The annual average temperature is a comfortable 22 degrees Celsius (71 Fahrenheit).
Time Zone
Taiwan is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
Currency
The currency of Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). The exchange rate in recent months is around NT$31 for US$1, foreign currencies can be exchanged at the banks, airport and hotels. Payment by major credit card is accepted almost everywhere around Taiwan.
- Taiwan uses an electric current of 110 volts at 60 cycles. Many buildings also have 220-volt sockets.
- Visitors with appliances of different voltages are urged to bring adapters with them.
Tipping & Tax
Sales tax is included in the listed price in Taiwan
Tipping is not customary in Taiwan, but some hotels and restaurants automatically add a 10% service fee to the bill.
- Taiwan High speed Railway
The THSR goes through 8 main cities along the western part of Taiwan at the moment.
Taiwan High speed Railway (https://www.thsrc.com.tw/en/?lc=en )
- Railway
Trains on the round-the-island rail network provide extremely convenient services. Tickets may be purchased three days in advance
Ticket information: https://www.railway.gov.tw/en/
Taipei City Transportation
Taxi
Taxis are the most convenient way to travel within Taipei City. Taxi charges start at TW$70 (approx. US$2.1). An additional TW$5 (approx. US$0.15) will be charged after the first 1.65 km or the first 2 minutes and for each additional 300 m or 1 minute.
MRT
The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system run by the city government provides the most convenient commuting service between downtown and the suburbs of Taipei. .
Website: www.trtc.com.tw
