|
Taiwan- Formosa, the beautiful island!
Formosa is what the Portuguese called Taiwan when they first saw the island’s verdant beauty in the 16th century. It is an island about 36,000 square km centrally located and only a short flight away to most major cities in Asia.
Taiwan boasts strong R&D capability, manufacturing and application know-how, and a fully integrated supply chain. Taiwan also offers professionals with technological advantages and sufficient human resources with solid academic training to build up global brands.
Taiwan, a fascinating mix of technological innovation and traditional Chinese and aboriginal cultures and cuisines, is also one of the only places on earth where ancient religious and cultural practices still thrive in an overwhelmingly modernist landscape.
Time
Taiwan Standard Time is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+8).
Climate
Taiwan enjoys a subtropical climate with warm weather all year round. The strongest fluctuations in weather conditions are during spring and winter, while during summer and autumn the weather is relatively stable. Taiwan is extremely suitable for traveling; the average temperature in May is around 21-26 °C (61-79 °F). T-shirt and a light cardigan are enough, with rainwear advised.
Currency and Banks
Major credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, AMEX) are widely accepted, and traveler’s checks may be accepted by tourist-oriented shops and at most international tourist hotels and banks. Banks open whole day from 09:00 to 15:30, Mon-Fri and closed at weekend and public holidays.
The official currency in New Taiwan Dollar (code: TWD; abbr. NT$)
1 USD≒30 TWD
1 EUR≒38 TWD
1 JPY≒0.36 TWD
1 KRW≒0.027 TWD
Voltage, Frequency and Plug/Outlet Type
Electricity in Taiwan is 110 Volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. However, the shape of a socket varies between countries, a portable plug adaptor may be necessary. The flat blade attachment plug is generally accepted.
Dialing Code
International Regional Code: +886 2 (Taipei)
Language
The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese and the native Taiwanese tongue, alternatively called taiyu or minnan hua, is still widely spoken as a first language by the island's dominant ethnic group, which originally hails from China's southern Fujian province. The most popular foreign language in Taiwan is English, which is part of the regular school curriculum.
Service Charge & Tipping
Tipping is not customary in most of places in Taiwan but consumer taxes are included with the price tag. There will be 10% or 15% extra charge of tax or service fee in all four-, five-star hotels and some of high-end restaurants, which applies to the accommodations and food.
Religion
"Folk religion" - a blend of ancient animist beliefs with the traditions of Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism - forms the core beliefs of most Taiwanese. Purer forms of Buddhism are also on the rise, along with Christianity.
Travel in Taiwan
In spite of being a small island, Taiwan has a special geologic structure that has created an endless variety of prodigious scenery. A wide range of tours based on different themes are available at Taiwan Tourism Bureau site: http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNO=0000210
|
