Taipei 101 – the world's tallest building – is as good an introduction as any to the Taiwanese capital, proof positive of the city's prosperity and go-ahead attitudes. Yet Taipei is by no means all futuristic skyscrapers, but rather, it has many interesting neighbourhoods and a fair crop of historical sites.

Getting there
Taipei's main international gateway, now known as Taoyuan airport (886 3 398 3728; www.taoyuanairport.gov.tw) and lies around 40 kilometres west of the city. Songshan airport (866 2 8770 3460; www.tsa.gov.tw), which stands within the city limits, handles domestic flights and some international charters. Well developed bus (taiwantourbus.justaiwan.com) and rail (www.railway.gov.tw) networks link Taipei with the rest of the country.

Weather
Taipei's generally humid, subtropical climate contrasts distinctly with its winter season, when temperatures average 15^oC. The thermometer rises to 32^oC in summer, which is also the wettest time of the year. Expect typhoons any time between June and October.

Important Numbers

Transportation/Getting Around

* Remarks: The local currency is the NT dollar

Local Language
Learn more about local language from below.

Business and Finance
Taiwan's economy is dynamically capitalist – the island runs a trade surplus, and has the world's largest foreign currency reserves after China and Japan. Major businesses and investment houses have their headquarters in Taipei. The island's strong trade performance in 2006 pushed GDP growth rate above 4%, and unemployment is currently below 4%.

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