About Taiwan |
Climate
Taiwan’s subtropical climate, with generally warm temperatures and Northern Hemisphere Summers (June-September) and Winters (November-March) Summers can be hot and wet, although rainfall is often limited to afternoon and evening storms. Winter temperatures are mild and the only snowfall is on Mountain peaks. |
Location
Taiwan is located in Southeast Asia, to the southwest of to the west is the Taiwan Strait beyond which is China. Luzon Strait is to the south and the Philippines is further south, a natural conduit to the rest of Asia from the Pacific.
It is 386 kilometers spanning north to south,and spans143 kilometers east to west, shaped like a potato and topography is similar to a plantain leaf. The Central Mountain Range extends from north to south, and is covered in forests.
The island is composed of hills, plateaus, seaside valleys and basins. It has excellent biodiversity and contains a frigid zone, temperate, subtropical and tropical areas. All shades of green can be found on the island. |
Population
Taiwan has a current population of just over 22 million. The most heavily populated city is Taipei with more than 2.7 million people. Other large cities are Kaohsiung with 1,435,000 residents, Taichung with 860,000 and Tainan with 708,000. |
Electricity
Electricity is 110 Volts, 60 cycles AC. Visitors should carry a multi-plug adaptor for local sockets. Ensure that your appliances and chargers can be switched to 110 Volts before using them. |
Currency & Credit Card
The currency of Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD, but also referred to as TWD), known locally as NT, yuan or kuai.
Taiwanese currency is fully convertible and there are no restrictions on taking currency into or out of the island.
Most hotels and department stores accept credit cards, generally Visa and Master Card. Diners Club or American Express cards are often rejected. |
Food
Generally speaking, the foods of Taiwan are derived from mainland Chinese cuisines. It is possible to find Szechuan food, Hunan food, Beifang food, Cantonese food and almost every other Chinese cuisine on the island. Taiwan also has many of its own local specialties. Perhaps because of its long isolation from mainland China and distance from other parts of the world, most cities and towns in Taiwan are famous for special foods. |
Drink
As Taiwan is a subtropical island with the south part in the tropics, it cannot hurt to drink a lot, especially during summertime. Drink vending machines can be found virtually averywhere and are filled with all kinds of juices, tea and coffee drinks, soy milk and mineral water. |
Emergency Phone Numbers
Police: 110 Fire/Ambulance: 119 |
Time
Taiwan is GMT+8 and does not have seasonal time variation. |
Stay Healthy
Westerners should be cautious of relatively undercooked food. Many Taiwanese restaurants offer plates of raw, sliced red meat and uncooked seafood that are brought to the table and either barbecued or simmered in a pot of stock. As this constitutes a staple of the Taiwanese diet, any bacteria that may remain doesn't affect the locals, but can wreak havoc with foreigners. The best policy is to make sure you cook the food in a manner to which you are accustomed.
Don't drink tap water without boiling it, though it's safe for brushing your teeth.
Drugs are freely available for minor ailments at drug stores.
The quality of the hospitals in Taiwan is excellent and on par with those found in the West. Long term residents with an 'alien registration card' can avail themselves of the very convenient and efficient national health service, which covers treatment and medication using both Western and traditional Chinese medicine. However, this is not available to short term visitors on tourist visas. |
Holidays and Festivals
The main holidays and festivals in Taiwan may be divided into two major categories : Festivals are associated with the traditional lunar calendar whereas official holidays are celebrated according to the western calendar. The lunar festivals developed from the customs of China's past, and to the celebrants, these occasions are a time for recalling one's cultural origins and remembering the wisdom of early ages. Such festivals include the Chinese New Year Festival, and Lantern Festival, all symbolic of discarding the old and ushering in the new; the Dragon Boat Festival, a time for warding off evil and strengthening the body; the Ghost Festival, when the outcasts from the underworld are given salvation; the Mid-Autumn Festival a celebration of the full moon and unity of mankind; and Double Ninth Festival is to remember the elders.
Official commemorative holidays are primarily based on the achievements of the people and are celebrated to remember events important to the development of the nation. These occasions include the Founding Day of the Republic of China; 228 Memorial Day; Women's Day; Youth Day; Children's Day; Tomb Sweeping Day; Armed Forces Day; Teachers' Day; and days commemorating the decisive events of the Taiwan's history, including Double Tenth National Day; Taiwan's Retrocession Day; and Constitution Day to name a few.
Both traditional festivals and commemorative holidays and Festivals in Taiwan are celebrated not only in a style unique to the region, but more importantly, in a way that both exhibits the significance of each occasion and fosters the hope of peace on earth. |
Hot Springs
Taiwan offers the perfect solution for anyone wanting to relax and recharge their mind and body- naturally. There are many geothermal hot springs throughout Taiwan. The warm waters of these springs, heated and charged by the earth's own energy, are believed to soothe, revitalize and reinvigorate the body.
Some of these springs have been diverted into bathhouses and health spas where the waters can be enjoyed in pools and private bathrooms, and other traditional treatments are also offered.
Others remain completely natural, in forests and alongside rivers, and are ideal spots to relieve tired muscles on a long hike through the wilderness.
The nearest springs to Taipei are at Beitou- accessible on the main MRT line. Visitors can see the source of the springs in the bubbling sulfur of “Hell Valley”, then visit the Bathhouse Museum, an original spa once used by the Japanese- including World War two Kamikaze pilots who were given a luxurious break at Beitou before being sent on their final missions. |
Nine rules for bathing hot springs
1. Take a shower before bathing in hot springs to maintain the cleanliness of the water.
2. Women should avoid bathing in hot springs during their menstrual period.
3. Be sure to test the temperature of the water with a finger or toe before getting in to make sure the hot springs are not too hot.
4. Avoid bathing in hot springs 30 minutes before eating a meal, and one hour after a meal.
5. Do not drink alcohol while bathing in hot springs .
6. Make sure there is enough air circulation in indoor hot springs facilities.
7. Do not soak in hot springs for too long. Generally, 30 minutes each time is the limit, and one should not bath in the springs more than three times per day.
8. Be sure to drink plenty of water before and after soaking in hot springs . Drinking sports drinks is also recommended.
9. People with heart diseases and pregnant women should not soak in hot springs . |
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