Expatriate Forums in Taiwan

Taiwan tourism · Guest Home Country: countryx

TRAVEL IN TAIWAN INFORMATION & TIPS

DO'S & DON'T IN TAIWAN

DO

Do be aware that signs in English are few and far between and extremely rare outside the major cities. A map and guide book indicating the Chinese characters for your destinations are helpful...

Do be aware that coral has been banned for export so don't buy coral jewelry...

Do attend a puppet SHOW even if you don't understand the language the skill of the puppet masters is amazing...

Do be prepared for some of the world's scariest driving when in Taipei. People make left turns FROM any lane, and the thousands of motor scooters on the roads make the traffic seem liquid they leave no space unfilled around the cars. Meanwhile, the taxi drivers are watching the TVs they have mounted on their dashboards you'll see more close calls in one hour of Taipei traffic than you'll see for the rest of your life. And don't be surprised if traffic confrontations turn violent during our last trip, we saw one driver threaten another with a gun...

Do be somewhat cautious of snakes while hiking in the hills. Taiwan has a large assortment of the world's most poisonous snakes (though most are timid)...

Do try rice wine...

Do attend what is commonly though incorrectly known as a "Peiping," or "Beijing," Opera (each city has its own version of this classical entertainment), which features exquisite costumes, music and singing...

DON'T

Don't be shy about asking people for directions. Many people speak at least some English, especially younger people. In fact, many Chinese long for a chance to practice their English. Being asked for help by a foreigner might make their day...

Don't leave your chopsticks sticking straight up and down in your rice bowl, as they suggest joss sticks, which are associated with death...

Don't assume you have the right of way as a pedestrian, even if the light is yours. Traffic will not yield to you...

Don't assume that there's nothing to do at night. Nightlife ranges FROM discos and movies to circuses and mime theater. It seems there's a karaoke or video bar on every corner...

Don't be surprised if you later learn that your 45-minute taxi ride could have been walked in less than five minutes. Some taxi drivers can't find anything off the main streets, while others see your ignorance as an opportunity to profit....

Tipping : Don't tip taxi drivers, but do expect 10% to be added to restaurant and hotel bills.

SAFETY TIPS

Aside FROM normal security precautions like locked, card-readable doors and optional safety deposit boxes, most hotels in Taipei do not employ special security practices. The doors to the individual rooms are locked, and there are normally small safes either in the rooms or at the cashier's desk in the lobby.

However, there are no impediments to non-guests walking the halls of the guest floors. Hotels with underground parking normally have elevators to the upper guest floors, so a person can drive INTO the underground parking, leave a vehicle, and access the guestrooms without passing the lobby.

Larger international hotels often hire a security manager, often a retired police officer, whose duties normally include handling disruptions or unruly guests in the hotel's bars. Rarely is the security manager asked to tighten security in guestrooms. The exception is when celebrities come to visit Taipei, and guards are posted on the floor or outside a guestroom.

Stay in reputable hotels. Less than four-star hotels sometimes allow pimps to call guests and offer the services of prostitutes. This unsavory practice is not hygienic and leads to traffic in the halls, and the business traveler coming back FROM a night of drinking or entertainment might find himself being approached. Impaired judgement (i.e. drinking or jet lag), language difficulties, etc. might lead to a misunderstanding.
Securing your laptop and other valuables

Theft of intangible property is on the rise in Taiwan, and laptop computers are a prime target for theft now, both for the hardware and the information stored therein. Exercise caution when using the hotel's Business Center, and make sure valuable information is stored on disks and not on the hard drive of communal computers. Be careful to print as little information as possible as it is sometimes possible to retrieve previously printed documents.

The visitor should exercise common sense to safeguard his property. Hotels are rarely the targets of break-ins, but valuables such as passports and important documents should be checked in at the front desk.

If the visitor is the victim of robbery or theft, he should notify hotel security and make sure the robbery is reported to the police. In Taiwan, it is possible for the police to investigate a case without actually opening a case file. The visitor must ensure the case file is opened or the case dies with the visitor's departure. Should the lost items be of great value, the visitor's embassy or consulate should be informed. The robbery or theft case of a visitor may not be investigated thoroughly and satisfactorily, but at the very least the hotel should compensate for the loss.

Outside the hotel

Taiwan is still very safe and there is little chance of someone being accosted or robbed. It is still wise, however not carry too much cash.

Soft drugs such as speed, ecstasy, and sometimes cannabis are popular in nightspots in Taipei. Rarely does the visitor encounter someone high on drugs, as the penalties are quite serious and drug use is normally limited to non-public places.

Women's safety

On the whole, Taipei is not dangerous, and the taxis drivers are not known for being violent. But women should try to stay in the nightclubs and bars within or near their hotels. The Ziga Zaga in the Grand Hyatt, for instance, is a fine place. For those who want to see the town at night, it is advisable to be back in the hotel by midnight. Streets start to empty after 1 a.m., even on weekends, and whereas nightspots are usually safe and secure, the taxi ride back to the hotel is more dangerous after midnight. If possible, a woman should stay with a GROUP when going out.

Places to Avoid

Snake Alley has been cleaned up quite a bit over the past few years, but if there is one place to avoid, this is it. Snake Alley is located in an old part of town with small streets and traffic congestion. Again, there is little chance you will encounter a problem on the street, but the less time you spend in a taxi at midnight the better, and Snake Alley is not located near any major hotels. It will take an effort to get there.

Visitors are not encouraged to engage in sexual activities with local sex workers, as many are not local women but immigrants who have few rights when it comes to providing service to clients.

MONEY & COSTS

Currency : New Taiwan dollar (NT$)

Meals

Budget : US$2-8
Mid-range : US$8-20
Top-end : US$20-50

Lodging

Budget : US$10-20
Mid-range : US$20-100
Top-end : US$100 and upwards

Costs in Taiwan for the traveller are on a par with a good number of European countries, reflecting the rise in the standard of living on the island. However, Taiwan is still cheaper than Japan (which isn't saying much). If you stay in youth hostels, live on noodles and travel by bus, you could get by on US$15 to US$20 a day. If you want a bathroom of your own, a few souvenirs, a couple of taxi trips and a decent feed or two a day, budget US$35 to US$50 a day. Staying in Taipei will cost you more than heading out INTO the country.

Travellers' cheques and cash can be changed at international airports and large banks, but you'll have trouble with travellers' cheques in rural areas. Stick to US dollars for cash and cheques if you can - other currencies will cause you problems. When changing cheques, shop around, as commission costs can vary widely. For the most part, only larger banks such as the International Bank of China (CBC) and Bank of Taiwan can change money. There are no legal private money changers in Taiwan, but if you're stuck some jewellery shops will change cash. Major international credit cards can be used at big hotels and flash restaurants or to get cash advances at your card's offices.

Tipping is not the done thing in Taiwan. The only people who really expect you to shell out are hotel bellhops and airport porters, who will expect about US$1 a bag. Big hotels and restaurants will stick 10 per cent service charge and 5 per cent value added tax on your bill. Taiwan is not a third world country, so don't expect to haggle yourself a bargain - you may be able to get a slight discount (around 10 per cent) in street markets and small shops.

DEALING WITH EMERGENCIES

Taiwan is generally a safe place in which to travel and work although the wise traveller will always be prepared for an emergency. If you are planning an extended stay it would be wise to register your presence in Taiwan with your country's local consular office. A number of countries maintain a register of their nationals for assistance in emergency situations. Be aware though that if you are a dual national and enter Taiwan on a Taiwanese passport rather than your foreign passport, you may not be entitled to the full benefits of consular assistance.

If you are an Australian citizen requiring immediate help in an emergency or extremely urgent circumstances in Taiwan, you could approach or telephone the Australian Commerce and Industry Office during office hours.

You should in any event acquaint yourself with emergency procedures for dealing with typhoons and earthquakes.

In cases of other emergency, contact can also be made with the 24-hour Foreign Affairs Police in Taipei on (02) 2556 6007. We also include a page with other useful telephone numbers.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need consular assistance, it is very important that you provide us with full details of your situation and advise us promptly of any subsequent developments relevant to your case.

POLICE AND CRIME

Taiwan is a fairly safe place, especially compared to some Western cities; street muggings are rare. However, the Taiwanese are aggressive drivers, so don't expect cars to stop for you merely because you're crossing the street.

Take basic precautions against petty crime. Avoid flashy displays of wealth, and dress and behave conservatively. Leave most of your cash, traveler's checks, jewelry, and your camera in your hotel safe. Carry photocopies of your passport instead of the original. Carry cash in a money belt, and use credit cards or traveler's checks for most transactions. Walk with your bag away FROM the street to avoid HAVING it snatched away by motorcycle thieves. Never carry a stranger's baggage.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Medical, Fire 19
Police 110

HEALTH

Taiwan is an advanced society with high standards of health, hygiene, and public safety. However, traffic is a health hazard and a leading cause of death in urban settings. (Bronchitis, Taiwan's number one disabling illness, is traffic related.)

Hepatitis A and B are rare but do exist here. travelers' diarrhea is common to first-time visitors, brought on by the change in diet and water quality. Don't drink tap water or use it to brush your teeth, and don't use ice cubes. Don't eat raw fruits and vegetables unless they've been washed in a chlorine solution or peeled. Stick to cooked and hot food.

Taiwanese doctors are first rate, and if you need a doctor, your hotel may be able to refer you to one. Hospitals in Taiwan expect to be paid a deposit before treatment.

COMMUNICATIONS

Dialing Codes

International country code : [886]

Selected city codes : Kaohsiun (7), Taipei (2)

Dialing Taiwan FROM Overseas

To dial Taiwan FROM overseas, dial your country's international dialing code, then 886 (the country code for Taiwan), then the city code and finally the number. If you were dialing Kaohsiun FROM the United States, for example, you would begin with 011, then 886, then 7 (the city code for Kaohsiung), and finally the number of the person or office you were trying to reach.

Assistance Numbers

Directory Assistance (English) (02) 311-6796

International Operator 100

CALLING WITHIN THE COUNTRY

Local Calls

Three minutes cost NT$1 for a local call, thereafter you will be automatically cut off, meaning you must deposit more coins and dial again.

Long Distance Calls

You may place long distance calls FROM both public and private phones. Area codes are in effect for different countries in Taiwan and all start with "0." Domestic discounts apply between 7p.m. and 7a.m.

International Calls

Public phones with the ISD label indicate direct international dialing capability. These phones can usually be found around bus and rail stations or the telephone company. Also try the International Telecommunications Administration (ITA) offices for faxes, cables, and telexes. The ITA main office, open 24 hours, is located at 28 Hangchow South Road, Section 1 in Taipei. Discounts for international calls take place between midnight and 7a.m. Don't be fooled, however, discount rates will be more than heftily doubled if calling FROM a hotel phone. To reach an overseas operator for collect or calling card calls, contact your long-distance carrier at home for your home country access numbers

AT&T USA Direct 0080-10288-0

MCI 0080-13-4567

Public Telephones

Pay phones are everywhere, but it's best to use the digital-display models, which are newer and more reliable.

Calling Cards

Cards cost NT$100, and can be found at most shops where you see phones. Ask for a dianhua ka.

CALL BACK

You can (potentially) save significant sums when calling in Taiwan by using one of the call back services listed below. Fees for call back services vary widely, depending on the company and the type of service required. Be sure to CHECK with these companies before leaving to compare rates.

FAX

Fax machines are extremely popular. Virtually all hotels have fax capabilities.

POSTAL SERVICES

The postal service is excellent. Airmail to Europe and North America usually takes five to seven days. It is illegal to send cash through the mail.

Hours of service

Monday to Saturday 8a.m. to 5p.m.

TELEGRAMS

Telegrams can be sent FROM any hotel and most post offices.

LOCAL CUISINE

Szechuan dishes

Szechuan dishes is distinguisted by the clever use of various spices. Spicy ingredients such as fennel seed, chilli, coriander are often applied to the hot dishes. Chicken, river fish, shelfish, smoked duck are popular in Taiwan. Other Shanghai dishes include drunken chicken, anchovies, sliced yellow fish, deep-fried sweet baby eel, stewed chicken with fried bean curd and etc.

Chaochou dishes

Chaochou a district within Canton province, has its unique style of cuisine quite different from Cantonese food. A Chaochou meal begins with a small cup of Tieh Kwun Yin tea to clean the palate and stimulate the taste buds. Shellfish dishes, shark's fin soup, steamed goose in soy sauce are famous in Taiwan. Chaochou food is described as gusty and hearty, and chefs pride themselves on their skills in vegetable carving.

Shanghai dishes

Seafood is an outstanding feature of Shanghai cuisine. Shanghai dishes are actually refined combinations of delicious dishes from neighboring provinces. For the most part, Shanghai food is lightly spiced and relatively oily, and its sauces tend to be rich and slightly sweet. Popular Shanghai dishes are Beggar's chicken, drunken chicken, stemed crab, fried prawns, vinegar fish and steamed crab.

Cantonese dishes

Cantonese food is less spicy, more colorful and is usually stir fried, which preserves both the texture and flavor. Favorite dishes include whole steamed fish, poached chicken, roast duck, roast pigeon, braised shark's fin with greens, while a snack with dimsum and Chinese tea can also be delighful experience in Cantonese food.

Taiwanese dishes

Taiwanese cooking is an interesting branch of Eastern style, with a strong Japanese influence. Taiwanese cuisine is dominated by seafood and noted for its large variety of soups. Good choices are poached shrimp or squid, grilled eel, fried shrimp rolls, grilled clams and turtle soup.

Roasted Peking duck - Peking dish

Peking-style meals usually include vegetable dishes, soups, tofu (soybean curd) and fish. The best known and most typical dish is Peking duck, marinated roast duck fattened specially for the table, roasted in a special oven, and served with pancakes, spring onions or leeks, and sweet bean sauce. The food is mild in taste, is often slightly oily, vinegar and garlic are common ingredients; it is frequently fried, stewed or braised. Noodles and dumplings are also popular food in

Hunan dishes

Hunan dishes is either spicy and hot or sweet and sour. It is comparable to Szechuan cuisine, but oilier. Steamed dishes are particularly popular such as honey ham with dates. Favorite Hunan food includes preserved meat, shrimp wrapped in lettuce and bamboo cup chicken.

Mongolian barbeque

Mogolian barbecue originated among the nomads of Mongolia and has been refined to a new level of excellence in Taiwan. Mongolian barbecue consists of meat, poultry and vegetables.

Crispy Green Onion Pancakes

These flaky flat breads can be found in street stalls throughout northern China and in Taiwan. Although the bread requires patience and labor, it is such a delectable treat that it is well worth the effort.