ALL YOU NEED FOR HOLIDAY

WEEKEND GETAWAY - TAIWAN GETAWAY - TAIWAN TRAVEL INFORMATION- ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Travel Information

Useful Information

Taiwan is located in the western Pacific Ocean 160 km (100 miles) off the southeastern coast of the Chinese mainland. Positioned midway between Korea and Japan to the north and Hong Kong and the Philippines to the South, this 35, 563 sq. kms. Island is a convenient gateway to Asia.

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.

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.

Taiwan is a highly tolerant society and is greatly diversified in terms of religious faith. Like China, Taiwan has 3 major religions- Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Other religious practices include Christianity, Mormonism, the Unification Church, Islam, and Hinduism, as well as native sects such as Yiguandao.

Most of the island's traditional places of worship combine all three of the major religious traditions. The Japanese occupation of the island saw widespread persecution of Taoism- seen as the embodiment of Chinese culture- which meant that Taoists had to secretly worship in Buddhist temples, leading to the creation of Taiwan’s uniquely united yet divergent faith.

Taoism

Taoism is China's main native religion, and many of its gods are deified persons and ancestors who made important contributions to society. The religion has its roots in the philosophical teaching of Laotze- a great thinker of the 6th Century BC.

The central principle of Taoist thought is the “Tao” or the “Way” a highly abstract notion of the way in which the world works. Taoists believe very strongly in the value of patience and tolerance and the virtue of inaction over action. In its simplest form, the belief of the Tao is summed up in the concept that water is capable of wearing down the hardest stone…. over time.

Buddhism

One of the world’s oldest religions, Buddhism came to China from India, as it spread far and wide throughout Asia.

The central belief of Buddhist teachings is the overcoming of human desire- the chief cause of the universal suffering that dominates all of life. By following a “path” of belief and principles the Buddhist can aim to achieve a higher plane of existence known as Nirvana.

Chinese Buddhism varies considerably from the pure Indian version with a number of Chinese sects combining both Buddhist and Taoist beliefs- the best known of this is called Chan- or by its Japanese name- Zen.

Confucianism

Although not strictly a religion, the teachings of the great Chinese Philosopher Confucius (551-479 BC) have become an important part of faith and personal beliefs throughout Asia- Taiwan included.

Confucius taught the worship of ancestors and the respect of elders and nobility, but he also believed strongly in a society based on merit and skills rather than privilege and inherited titles.

He is widely regarded as the father of civil society and social order, and his teachings and philosophy are highly valued in modern Chinese societies.

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

Taiwan’s official currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). Coins come in denominations of NT, 5,10 and 50 while notes are issued in values of NT,100, 500 and 1000.
Banks and Hotels will exchange most major currencies. Major credit cards are accepted in most Taiwanese cities and large towns.

Business Hours

Banks: Monday - Friday 0900 to 1530
Commercial Firms: Monday - Friday 0900 to 1700
Government Offices: Monday - Friday 0830 to 1230 and 1330 to 1730
Department Stores: Sunday - Saturday 1000/1100 to 2100
Most other stores are open from Sunday to Saturday: 0900/1000 to 2200

Communications

Payphones and hotel phones can be used for making local and Direct Dial International calls. Local cellphone networks can be used for roaming phone services- local SIM cards are widely available for travelers.

Business centres in large hotels offer phone/fax and internet services.

Internet; Cyber-cafes and Hotel business centres can be provide ready internet services. If you are travelling with your laptop you will need an International Direct Dial (IDD) line with an RJ-11 phone jack to access your ISP.

Mail: The standard rate for domestic letters is NT and NT for express delivery. International express mail services and parcel/package services are also available.

You can purchase your international calling card in advance from www.cheapcard.com.au.

Media

The majority of Taiwanese media is in Chinese, although an increasing number of cable TV channels broadcast English language channels including major news channels such as CNN- which can be found in many larger hotels.

Taiwan also has three local English language newspapers, Taiwan News, Taipei Times and China Post. There also English language news services on the ICRT (International Community Radio Taiwan).

Time

Taiwan is GMT+8 and does not have seasonal time variation.

Romantic Getaway - Weekend Getaway - Cheap Holidays

10 September 2010