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Taiwan At a Glance
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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 15oC. The thermometer rises to 32oC in summer, which is also the wettest time of the year. Expect typhoons any time between June and October.
Important Numbers
| Ambulance | 119 |
| Fire | 119 |
| Police | 110 |
| Tourist In formation | 886 2 2349 1500 |
| or (emergency) | 886 2 2717 3737 |
Transportation/Getting Around
| Taxi |
Metro |
Train |
Bus | |
| Hotlines | Taxis are numerous and inexpensive compared to many international destinations. Taxi hotline 886 800 055850 www.taiwantaxi.com.tw |
Most of the metro lines are underground, with the exception of the Muzha line - a driverless elevated system running to the zoo. Metro Taipei 886 2 218 12345 www.trtc.com.tw |
The two major train stations are Taipei and Songshan. Taiwan Railway Administration 886 800 233 919 www.railway.gov.tw |
Buses are very efficient and all display names of stops and destinations in English. 886 2 2720 8889 www.taipeibus.taipei.gov.tw |
| Fare range/ destinations |
Basic fare is NTD70 for first 1.5 km. Every subsequent 300m is extra NTD5. Fares are 20% higher at night and during rush hours. |
NTD20-NTD65 for one way trip round town. Use EasyCard, a value-added card which can store value up to NTD5,000. Offers 20% discount on all rides. |
One-way ticket, regardless of destination within city limits is NTD13 (for both adults and children); roundtrip is NTD26. |
Fares are either NTD15 or NTD30. A sign on the bus will indicate which fare to pay. |
| Operating hours | 24 hours |
6.00 am - 12.00 am daily |
6.00 am - 12.00 am daily |
6.00 am - 11.00 pm daily |
| Car |
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| Hotlines | Hiring a car together with a driver is preferable as traffic is congested and the street system can be confusing. Asia Rent-A-Car Service 886 2 2500 6633 www.asiarent.com.tw |
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| Fare range/ destinations |
Rates range from NTD1,600 to NTD2,800 for 1-2 days. |
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| Operating hours | 24 hours |
* Remarks: The local currency is the NT dollar
Local Language
Learn more about local language from below.
| English | Local language |
| Hello | Ni hao |
| Goodbye | Tzai chien |
| Thank you | Xie xie |
| How are you? | Ni hao ma? |
| Fine, thank you | Hao, xie xie |
| What is your name? | Ni jiao shenme mingze? |
| My name is... | Wode mingzi jiao... |
| Nice to meet you | Hen gao xing jian dao ni |
| I'm sorry | Dui bu qi |
| Excuse me | Dui bu qi |
| You're welcome | Bu ke qi |
| Yes | Shi |
| No | Bu |
| Do you speak English? | Ni hui shuo yingwen ma? |
| I can't speak Mandarin | Wo bu hui shuo zhongwen |
| Help! | Jiao ming |
| I don't understand | Wo ting bu dong |
| Where is the toilet? | Xishouijian zai na li? |
| How much is this? | Duo shao qian? |
| Expensive | Hen gui |
| Cheap | Pianyi |
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%.
The above information is for reference only. They may be provided to HSBC by other persons or compiled by HSBC from information and materials provided by other persons. HSBC does not warrant the truth, reliability, accuracy or adequacy of the above information and HSBC assumes no liability for any reliance on them by you or any other persons. Please contact the relevant merchant, company or organisation for further details.
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