LANGUAGE
    Mandarin is the official language in the Republic of China, though other dialects are also spoken. The most commonly used foreign language is English. Taxi drivers, however, generally only speak Mandarin or Taiwanese.

CURRENCY
    The Republic of China's unit of currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). Bill denominations are NT$2000, NT$1000, NT$500, NT$200, and NT$100. Coin denominations are NT$1, NT$5, NT$10, NT$20, and NT$50. As of January 2007, the exchange rate was quoted around NT$32.7 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 for room guests at most international tourist hotels.

CREDIT CARDS
    Hotels, department stores, airlines, large stores and restaurants accept major credit cards, however, you can still withdrawing in the ATM which has the following sign:

    Cash is generally preferred elsewhere.

BANKING HOURS
    Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE
    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." International calls can be made from private cell phones, public IDD phones, or hotel IDD phones. International direct dialing rates are calculated every six seconds. The international access code is 002, 005, 006, 007, 009, and 019. For example, you need to dial 002-1-415-555-1212 to reach directory assistance (555-1212) in San Francisco which has the area code of “415” and the country code of “1”. For incoming calls, Taiwan’s country code is 886 and Taipei’s city code is 2. To reach Taipei Grad Hotel outside Taiwan, one would need to dial 886-2-2886-8888 after dialing the international access code.

    Rental cell phones are available at CKS international airport if your cell phone does not support GSM900 or GSM1800, the systems supported in Taiwan.

CLIMATE
    Taiwan's climate is subtropical, with average annual temperatures of 19℃ (66℉) in the north and 21℃ (69℉) in the south. Autumn, from September through November, is usually cool, with average temperature from 20℃ to 24℃ (68℉ to 75℉). The real-time weather report of Taiwan can be found at the website of Central Weather Bureau (http://www.cwb.gov.tw/).

TIME ZONE
    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.worldtimeserver.com/

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
    110 volts A. C. 60 Hz. Power socket type:

CUSTOMS
    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 / TAXES
    Tipping is optional. It is usual, however, to tip hotel porters and for restaurant service. A 10% service charge and a 5% value-added tax are added to room rates and meals.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS