LANGUAGE
Overview
Chinese (Mandarin) is the official language. In addition, various dialects such as Taiwanese or southern Chinese Hakka are spoken. Many people speak some English in tourist areas. Taxi drivers generally only speak Chinese.
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following items can be imported into Taiwan duty-free (people aged 20 and over):
200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 500 grams of tobacco;
1 bottle (max. 1 l) alcoholic beverages;
Perfume for personal use;
Up to NT $ 20,000 worth of items for personal use (NT $ 10,000 for persons under 20) provided that the traveler’s last visit to Taiwan is more than 30 days ago.
Import restrictions
Electrical and electronic devices must be declared in writing upon entry.
Prohibited imports
Narcotics and drugs of all kinds (if certain medications are required, a doctor’s certificate is required), weapons, ammunition, toy weapons, fresh agricultural products (especially fruit) and meat products (fresh and canned), gaming articles, slot machines, lottery tickets, all kinds of forgeries and communist writings and goods made in communist countries.
Violations of the customs regulations with regard to fruit and meat / meat products invariably result in fines of between € 80 and € 400.
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Dial-up remote service. Public telephones from which long distance calls can be made are marked with a yellow sign. 100 must be dialed for international calls with an international operator. Further information can be found on the Chunghwa Telecom homepage (Internet: www.cht.com.tw/CHTFinalE/Web).
Cellphone
GSM 900 and GSM 1800. Network operators are Taiwan Cellular Corporation (Internet: www.twngsm.com.tw), Chunghwa Telecom LDM (Internet: Website: http://www.cht.com.tw) and Far Eastone Telecommunications (Internet: www. fareastone.com.tw).
Internet
Internet cafes are common. Internet providers are Asia Pacific Online (Internet: www.apol.com.tw) and Chunghwa Telecom / Hinet (Internet: www.hinet.net). Further information can be found on the Chunghwa Telecom homepage (Internet: www.cht.com.tw/CHTFinalE/Web).
Tourists and business people can use the Internet for free nationwide thanks to around 4400 “iTaiwan” WiFi hotspots. Travelers who want to use this service will receive their own account number and password upon presentation of their passport at a Taiwan Tourism Bureau Service Counter or Visitor Center. More information at Website: http://itaiwan.gov.tw/en and www.taiwantourismus.de.
Post Office
Airmail to Europe takes up to 10 days. The post offices of the larger cities also accept poste restante items. In Taipei World Trade Center, there is a post office.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Seagrass mats, hats, handbags, sandals, bamboo articles, Chinese musical instruments, costume dolls, hand-painted silk lamps, lacquer work, ceramics, teak furniture, grained stones, jade, ramie fiber mats, tin articles and handmade shoes.
Shop opening times: Mon-Sun 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Many shops are open at night.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
There is a particularly lively nightlife in Taipei. Karaoke bars are very popular. The hotels nightclubs offer dinner, dancing and shows. There are also often entertainment programs in smaller bars. Opera performances take place on the street. The Taipei National Theater stages ballets, operas and dramas. At numerous festivals, puppet pieces are performed in temples and villages. Cinemas show Chinese and foreign films. Teahouses are often open 24/7 and the night street markets, especially the Shihlin Night Market, are recommended. Taiwan is a province of China according to mysteryaround.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
The approximately 400 holiday hotels offer a wide range of accommodation options and services. Room rates vary between US $ 90 and US $ 150 per night; in smaller hotels US $ 30-50. The tourist office in Frankfurt / M provides more information. (see addresses). Many hotels are affiliated with the International Tourist Hotel Association of Taipei. Address: 8th Floor-1, 369 Fu Shing N Road. Tel: (02) 27 17 21 55.
Categories: Hotels are labeled with 1-5 »plum blossoms«, this classification roughly corresponds to the star system:
4 to 5 plum blossoms:50 hotels belong to this luxury class (25 of them in Taipei) and offer comprehensive services and extras such as tennis courts, swimming pools and beauty salons.
2 to 3 plum blossoms: The 80 hotels in this group are clean, comfortable and functional.
Camping
Campsites available.
Other accommodation options
Dorms and rooms are available in all major cities and in the most popular rural areas. A list of addresses is available from the Tourist Office (see addresses).
