ICUDR

Taipei City, where the 2005 International Symposium on New Drug Development will be held, is the capital and also the political, economic and cultural center of Taiwan. The population of Taiwan numbers is more than 22 million. Taipei city covers an area of 271.77 square kilometers. Behind its modern infrastructure, you will be impressed by its traditional culture and hospitality.

In Taiwan, the weather in November is cool and the temperature difference in one day may change from 26℃ to 18℃ at average. Please bring a light coat for the cool night.

For further information regarding weather condition, please check the website list below.
● http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V4/index.htm (Chinese)
● http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V4e/index.htm (English)

● Banks:
Banks are open 9 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. on weekdays.

● Government offices:
Government offices are open 9 A.M. to noon and 1:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. from Monday through Friday.

● Shops:
Shops shopping malls, restaurants, etc. are mostly open 10:00 ~ 11:00 to 21:00 ~ 22:00.

● Taxi
Taxis are available 24 hours a day in Taipei. They all have a yellow color and charge by the distance of travelers' trips. It is recommended that you have the name of your hotel written in Chinese on a piece of paper before you leave your hotel, as few taxi drivers speak English. In the CKS International airport, you could go to the information desk of Tourist Information Desk right in the lobby to ask for assistance or any further information. In Taipei city, the rate for taxi is NT$70 for the first 1.65 kilometers and NT$5 will be added to every additional 300 meters. A 20% surcharge is added from 23:00 to 6:00 next morning. There is no need to tip the driver. Women passengers are advised to call a taxi company for a pick-up at night for safety reasons.

● Bus
The bus system is reliable and efficient in Taipei. There are more than 300 bus lines and the major transfer hub is around Taipei Main Station. The fare for travel is NT$15 per section. Most bus services operate until 23:00.

● Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) System in Taipei
If you would like to experience the beauty of Taipei by yourself, the most economical and logical way for you is to use the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRT). The Taipei MRT system is well indicated with English signs. The "Taipei MRT Tourist Information and Map" which is available at each station serves as a useful guide for you to explore many interesting places in Taipei. Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines in MRT stations. The fare is based on the trip distance and starts at NT$20. Those planning frequent trips can buy a one-day ticket for unlimited travel within a day at MRT stations for NT$200.

Metro Taipei Service Hot Line: 0800-033-068; (02) 2536-3001 (8:30 -17:30)
http://english.trtc.com.tw/
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¤ The Shuttle buses between Terminals I and II of the CKS International Airport

Free Shuttle Bus:
For the time being, free shuttle-buses transport passengers and Airport personnel between CKS Terminals I and II. The People Moving System (PMS) is scheduled to take over this function in December 2001. When CKS Terminal III is complete, the PMS line will extend into a U shape to serve all three terminals.
Shuttle Bus Stops:
Terminal I: On the north side of the Departure Hall.
Terminal II: On the southeast side of the Arrival Passenger Reception Area facing Terminal.
Service Hours:
06:00~02:00, every 10-30 minutes in accordance with flight departures and arrivals.
Service Line: 03-3982773.

MORE INFORMATION

Taxi:
Taxi is available at all times from the Chiang Kai-Shek (CKS) International Airport to Taipei City. Costs are approximately NT$1,200(US$37~38).
Please link to http://www.cksairport.gov.tw/CKSeng/transportation/taxi_e.jspto check detailed information about taxi.
Buses:
Six bus companies now provide frequent service between CKS International Airport and important destinations around Taiwan. They are as follows:
Taiwan Bus Corp; Evervoyage; Toward You Air Bus; Fe Go Express; United Highway Bus; Taoyuan Bus Corp.
      * Where to buy bus tickets?
           Taoyuan Bus Corporation: Fare paid on the bus.
        Other buses: Ticket counters are located in the Arrival Passenger Reception Areas of both Terminals.
      *Bus Platform?
          Terminal I: On the southwest side of the Arrival Passenger Reception Area.
        Terminal II: On the northeast side of the Arrival Passenger Reception Area on the first floor of the
                             terminal.
      *Price?
        Adult single fares vary from NT$110 to $140.
        For detailed information: http://www.cksairport.gov.tw/CKSeng/transportation/taipei_e.jsp

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The local currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD). The current exchange rates are 1 USD @ 33.6 NTD and 1 EUR @ 39.5 NTD. Major foreign currencies can be exchanged at CKS Airport and the Grand Hotel. Paper money is currently available in NT$100, 200, 500, 1,000 bills. Coins have NT$1, 5, 10, and 50 denominations. Major credit cards are accepted in many shops, but traveler's checks might be accepted only in tourist-oriented shops and hotels. Hotels, department stores, airlines and major restaurants accept international credit cards, which include VISA, American Express, Diner's Club and Master Card.

Value Added Tax (VAT) is levied on most goods at a standard rate of 5% and is included in the price. In major tourist hotels, a 10% service charge is sometimes levied on rooms, meals or other services, and will be added to the bill.

Tipping is optional. However, tips are usually given for restaurant services and to hotel porters.

The official language of Taiwan is Chinese, though other languages are also spoken. Many people can speak some English (the most widely studied foreign language), but taxi drivers general speak only Chinese.

We have 30 days visa waiver policy for following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., and U.S.

Requirements:
1. A passport valid for at least six months
2. A return plane ticket or a plane ticket and a visa for the next destination, and a confirmed plane seat reservation for his (her) departure.
3. No extension after 30 days. If you are not from the counties mentioned above, you need to apply Visa. Detailed information: http://www.boca.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1305&CtNode=109&mp=2

● CKS Int'l Airport Tourist Service Center 886-3-383-3666
● Tourism Bureau's Tourist Information 886-2-2717-3737
● Directory Assistance in English 886-2-2311-6796
● Foreign Affairs Division, Taipei Office 886-2-2381-8341
● Government Information Office 886-2-2322-8888
● International Operator Assistance 100

In case of emergency, please dial 110 for Police; 119 for Ambulance. No coins are required when using public telephones for these two numbers.

Public telephones are either coin-operated or card-operated. All local and domestic long-distance calls are timed. The basic charge for a local call is NT$1. Telephone cards can be purchased in most convenience stores. International Direct Dial (IDD) calls can be made by dialing the international access code 002 + country code + area code (without the preceding "0") + local number. Just dial the 8-digit numbers for calls inside Taipei (area code "02"); dial the area code ("03" for Hsinchu) plus the number if you dial to places outside Taipei. International reverse-charge and credit-card calls can be made through dedicated telephones located at international airports and major hotels. For English-speaking directory assistance in Taipei, please call 106. Copy and telefax facilities are available in most convenience stores, major post offices and tourist hotels.