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There are three international airports, Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH), Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), and Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA). The average flight time from Taiwan to major cities in the Asia-Pacific region is only two-and-a-half hours. A direct flight from the West Coast of the U.S. to Taiwan takes only 12 hours. The convenient international airport for the conference is the Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH).
Taiwan High Speed Rail (abbreviated THSR or HSR) is a high-speed rail line that runs approximately 345 km (214 mi) along the west coast of Taiwan, from the national capital Taipei to the southern city of Kaohsiung. With construction managed by a private company, Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC), which also operates the line, the total cost of the project was US$18 billion. At the time it was built, this was one of the world's largest privately funded rail construction schemes. (THSR On-line Booking)
The Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System (KMRT) is a rapid transit system covering metropolitan Kaohsiung, Taiwan. There are two lines in operation, which are Red Line and Orange Line. Two of Kaohsiung's MRT stations, Formosa Boulevard Station and Central Park Station, were ranked among the top 50 most beautiful subway systems in the world by Metrobits.org in 2011. In 2012, the two stations respectively are ranked as the 2nd and the 4th among the top 15 most beautiful subway stops in the world by BootsnAll. (Website)
Taiwan's unit of currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). Bill denominations are NT$1000, NT$500, NT$200, and NT$100. Coin denominations are NT$1, NT$5, NT$10 and NT$50. As of November 2013, the exchange rate was quoted around NT$29.5 to one US Dollar. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the airport upon arrival, or at government-authorized banks, tourist hotels, and large department stores. Receipts are given when currency is exchanged, and must be presented in order to exchange unused NT Dollars before departure. Traveler's checks in major currencies may be cashed at some tourist-oriented businesses and at most international tourist hotels.
There are over 10,000 convenience stores in Taiwan, including 7-11, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, and OK-Mart. They are all open for 24 Hours. ATM is set in most of them to provide financial service, however, it may charge some service fee when visitors use it.
Hotels, department stores, airlines, large stores and restaurants accept major credit cards. Cash is generally preferred elsewhere.
Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
One local call from a pay phone costs NT$1 for 1 minute, after which additional coins are needed or the line will be automatically disconnected. On private phones, the overseas operator may be reached by dialing "100." Direct dialing is available to some phones, after first dialing the prefix "002." International direct dialing rates are calculated every six seconds.
Taiwan is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and does not practice daylight saving time in summer. You can check Taiwan's local time and the time difference from your local time via this link: http://www.timeanddate.com/
Taiwan uses electric current of 110 volts at 60 Hz, appliances from Europe, Australia or South-East Asia will need an adaptor or transformer.
Personal items are free of duty. Visitors over 20 years old may bring in, duty free, 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 0.5 kg of tobacco, one bottle of liquor and one used camera. Gold cannot be exported without a permit issued by the Ministry of Finance. Passengers arriving with gold and silver and planning to take it out at departure must declare it and leave the items with Customs until they leave Taiwan.
Tipping is optional. It is usual, however, to tip hotel porters and valet parking assistants. A 10% service charge and a 5% value-added tax are added to room rates and meals.
Major cities have an abundance of taxis. Charges are NT$85 for the first 1.5km and NT$5 for each additional 250 meters. An additional NT$5 is charged for every 2-3 minutes of waiting, and a 20% surcharge is added to fares between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., NT$10 dollars tip needed for luggage placed in taxi trunk. Basically, taxi fares in all major cities are set by local government itself and vary slightly. Out-of-town or long-distance travels may not apply to meter charge; travelers are suggested to confirm charging method before getting on taxi.