Experiencing Taiwan

Culture

The culture of Taiwan is a hybrid blend of Confucianist Han Chinese cultures, Japanese, European, American, global, local and indigenous influences, which are often perceived in both traditional and modern understandings. The common socio-political experience in Taiwan gradually developed into a sense of Taiwanese cultural identity and a feeling of Taiwanese cultural awareness, which has been widely debated domestically. Reflecting the continuing controversy surrounding the political status of Taiwan, politics continues to play a role in the conception and development of a Taiwanese cultural identity, especially in the prior dominant frame of a Taiwanese-Mainlander dualism. In recent years, the concept of Taiwanese multiculturalism has been proposed as a relatively apolitical alternative view, which has allowed for the inclusion of mainlanders and other minority groups into the continuing re-definition of Taiwanese culture as collectively held systems of meaning and customary patterns of thought and behavior shared by the people of Taiwan.

Between the 1960s and the 1980s Taiwan's culture was commonly described in contrasts between Taiwan (Free China) and China (Communist China), often drawing from the official tropes of Taiwan as a bastion of traditional Chinese culture, which had preserved “true” Chinese values and culture against the “false” Chinese culture of post Communist China. The KMT fostered a myriad of programs designed to promote a Chinese ‘”cultural renaissance”. These programs involved subsidized publication of Chinese Classics, the symbolic functions of the National Palace Museum, promoting famous prewar scholars to prominent positions in government and academic institutions, textbook and curriculum design with a focus on the official view of “traditional” Chinese culture and involvement in social and community events and the exemplification of Confucian ideology intertwined with Sun Yat-sen thought.

Bentuhua or Taiwanese localization/indigenization has become, arguably, the most important symbol of cultural change over the past twenty years. Bentuhua describes the social and cultural movement by the people of Taiwan to identify with Taiwan’s unique historical and cultural legacy and, it has been argued, to reject the prior many of the prior symbols of “authentic” Chineseness the KMT promoted as an authoritarian government. Bentuhua has often been associated with Taiwan Independence and Taiwanese nationalism.

Karaoke is incredibly popular in Taiwan, where it is termed KTV (Karaoke Television). This is an example of something the Taiwanese have drawn, on scale, from contemporary Japanese culture. Pachinko is another example. During typhoons, many young Taiwanese will spend the day away singing karaoke or playing mahjong. Many people enjoy watching miniseries collectively called Taiwanese drama.

Since 1999 hot springs, known as w箱uán in Chinese and onsen in Japanese, has been making a comeback thanks to efforts by the government. Over 100 hot springs have been discovered since the Japanese introduced their rich onsen culture to Taiwan, with the largest concentration to the northernmost part of Taiwan island.

Anime and manga, is very popular in Taiwan. About 92 percent of teenagers read manga on a daily basis. Manga are called Manhua in Taiwan. It is common to see a manga rental shop or a manga store every couple of streets in larger cities.

Boasting 8,058 convenience stores in an area of 35,980 km² and a population of 22.9 million, Taiwan has the Asia Pacific’s and perhaps the world’s highest density of convenience stores per person: one store per 2,800 people or .000357 stores per person. In Taipei, it is not unusual to see two 7-Elevens across the street or several of them within a few hundred meters of each other.  Because they are found everywhere, convenience stores in Taiwan provide services on behalf of financial institutions or government agencies such as collection of the city parking fee, utility bills, traffic violation fines, and credit card payments. Eighty-one percent of urban household shoppers in Taiwan visit a convenience store each week. The idea of being able to purchase food items, drink, fast food, magazines, videos, computer games, and so on 24 hours a day and at any corner of a street makes life easier for Taiwan’s extremely busy and rushed population.

Business Customs

BUSINESS CARDS -- Formal business introductions in Taiwan are not complete without an exchange of business cards. It is advisable for foreign visitors to have their cards printed in both English and Chinese (using traditional Chinese characters, not simplified). There are numerous printers in Taiwan specializing in printing these indispensable business aids. They offer accurate, low-cost service, with card orders normally being filled within days. Since cards are required on nearly every business occasion, it is a good idea to carry a number of them at all times.

Taiwan weather is humid throughout the year. Light clothing is recommended during May-October while a light jacket and sweater may be needed in the winter season. Outside of the office, dress can be rather informal on most occasions. For the summer season, businessmen usually wear short-sleeved shirts and ties. However, a suit and tie are advisable for more formal situations. TIPPING -- In most instances, tipping is not necessary. A 10% service charge is usually added to restaurant and hotel bills, eliminating the need for gratuities in such situations. It is, however, relatively common to leave the change when a bill is paid. Porters at hotels and airports customarily receive tips for their services. Approximately NT$50 - NT$100 per item of luggage is acceptable. It is not necessary to tip in taxis unless assistance with luggage is rendered, but most drivers do appreciate being allowed to keep small change.

The New Taiwan Dollar (NT$) is the official currency. It is circulated in one-, five-, ten-, twenty- and fifty-dollar coins, and one hundred, two-hundred, fivehundred, one-thousand, and two-thousand dollar notes. Since the relaxation of foreign currency controls in 1987, exchange between foreign currency and the NT$ has become relatively free, although it is still limited to authorized banks and dealers. Up to NT$60,000 and US$10,000 can be brought into or out of Taiwan by a foreign visitor. Amounts in excess of the above are required to be declared to the customs office when entering or departing the island. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the airport as well as at authorized banks and hotels. Receipts must be presented while exchanging unused NT dollars before departure. Internationally recognized credit cards are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops. The use of automatic-teller machines is very popular on the island, and many of these participate in international ATM networks. It should be noted that a surcharge is sometimes added when payment is made by credit card.

Travel Advisory

Taiwan has a low level of violent crime. Although visitors should take precautions to prevent violence, most streets of Taipei and other cities are generally safe at any hour. While violent crime is rare, Taiwan's pickpockets and thieves are extremely clever, so valuables should be properly secured. Taxi drivers, restaurateurs, store clerks and other service people are normally quite honest and often solicitous of the needs of non-Chinese speaking foreign guest. The people of Taiwan are generally friendly toward foreigners and often will go out of their way to assist visitors. For the latest information about Taiwan travel advisories, visit the State Department Consular Information Sheet for Taiwan at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/warnings consular.html. Emergency telephone numbers:

Fire / Medical: 119
Police: 110
English-Speaking Police: 2555-4275, 2556-6007 (24 hours)
English Directory Assistance: 106

Visa Requirements

Taiwan law provides several different options for foreign visitors, the choice of which depends on the length and purpose of the visit. U.S. citizens and citizens of 17 other nations may visit Taiwan for up to 30 days without a pre-arranged visa, provided they have a passport valid for at least six months after the proposed date of departure and an onward/return plane ticket with reservations off the island. No extensions of stay are permitted under this program.

A traveler may apply for a Landing Visa upon arrival and may be admitted for up to 30 days or up to the day the passport expires. No extension of stay is allowed.  A Visitor Visa is appropriate for tourism, business, or study and may be obtained at a Taiwan representative office abroad. It is usually valid for five years, allows multiple entries for stays of up to sixty days. A holder of sixty-day visas that do not bear the stamp “No Extension Will be Granted” may apply for a maximum of two additional 60-day extensions at the local city/county police headquarters. A flow chart about Visitor Visa application is available at the website www.boca.gov.tw. In order to work in Taiwan, a traveler must have a work permit and a resident visa.  Resident Visas are normally issued if the applicant has a valid
work permit or is married to a Taiwan national. Note, however, that a Resident Visa does NOT automatically convey permission to work in Taiwan. For that a separate work permit is required. When applying for Resident Visas, applicants must submit supporting documents or official letters of approval from a competent authority in Taiwan, together with completed application forms. Normally, foreign nationals make application through their domestic Taiwan agents, representatives or affiliates of their firms.

Telecommunications

In general, Taiwan's telecommunications systems are both efficient and convenient. Cities in Taiwan are equipped with public pay phones that can be used for both local calls and domestic long-distance calls. Phone-card telephones are available all over the island. Prepaid cards for these phones can be purchased from train stations, bus terminals, and convenience stores. International calls can be made from private cell phones, public International Direct Dialing (IDD) phones, or hotel IDD phones. Cellular phones are very popular, with many operators offering preferential rates or packages. The Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) has been the standard for cellular phone service. Facsimile is widely used everywhere in Taiwan. The main office of the Chunghwa Telecom Co.,
LTD. (CHT) provides 24-hour facsimile service. Most major hotels and business service centers offer facsimile and electronic mail services. Many convenience stores, such as 7-11, also provide facsimile services. Many networking companies also provide Internet services to meet growing domestic demand.

Transportation

Taiwan has two international airports: Taoyuan Airport in the north (about 40km from Taipei City) and Hsiao-Kang Airport in the south. Taoyuan Airport is the primary gateway to the island. The Kaohsiung airport offers regular flights to major destinations in the region. There are also several domestic airports and domestic airlines that provide fast and convenient connecting flights between Taiwan’s larger cities as well as outlying islands.

It generally takes about one hour to travel from the Taoyuan airport to Taipei City. Airport buses to Taipei depart from the airport every 20 minutes and tickets cost about NT$145 (approximately US$4.50) per person. Four bus companies currently provide the service to and from Taipei. Buses from the airport to Hsinchu, Taichung, Changhua, Tainan, and Kaohsiung are also available. Taxis are available at the airport. A 50% surcharge is added to the meter fare (highway tolls not included). The total cost of a taxi ride from the airport to Taipei is about NT$1,000-1,500 (about US$32-$48), depending on the destination. Many large hotels offer car or shuttle services from the airport to Taipei. It is, however, necessary to arrange such services when making hotel reservations. The Hsiao-Kang Airport is located 11Km from the Kaohsiung City. It usually takes about 20 minutes to reach the city. Metered taxis charge a NT$50 surcharge. Several bus services are available at low cost as well.

Taxis are widely available in Taipei and other major cities. For most cities, a meter is used to calculate the fare. The basic charge is NT$70 for the first 1.5 kilometers, with an additional NT$5 for every additional 300 meters. In addition, there is an NT$5 charge for every two minutes for waiting, and a 20 percent nighttime surcharge is added to fares between 11 pm and 6 am. Several taxi services that can be booked over the telephone are also in operation. A surcharge of NT$10 is applicable on such calls. These services are generally considered safer and more reliable than individual taxis. All taxis have a surcharge of NT$10 for luggage service, and there is a surcharge of 20 percent in effect for two days before the eve of the Chinese New Year until the end of that holiday period. Since most taxi drivers cannot speak English, the visitor should always carry Chinese-language versions of both his hotel name card and that of his
desired destination.

Taipei boasts six Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines - the Danshui, Xindian, Zhonghe, Bannan, Muzha, and Xiaonanmen – in operation with a combined track length of 65.3 kilometers. Fares of NT$20 - NT$65 are charged for a full-route ride on the six lines. The six lines form a transportation network connecting downtown Taipei with the suburban areas of Muzha, Danshui, Xindian, Tucheng and Nangang. (website: http://english.trtc.com.tw) Kaohsiung has a mass rapid system with two line separately going north-south and east-west. The Taiwan Railway Administration operates an extensive rail network that is more than 1,000 kilometers in length. Tickets can be conveniently purchased through ticketing kiosks or ordered over the phone or on the internet. The island’s High Speed Rail System, which takes about 90 minutes from Taipei to Kaohsiung, has been in operation since December 2006. It is capable of carrying over 300,000 passengers in a single day of operation.

Bus services in major cities are extensive, but can be incomprehensible to the foreign visitor. A comprehensive long-distance bus system, run by Dragon Travel Corp., Fly Dog Bus Corp., Taiwan Motor Transport Corp., and United Highway Bus Corp., enables people to travel virtually anywhere on the island quickly, comfortably and at reasonable cost.

Limousines with drivers may be booked through hotels or car rental companies for about NT$9,000 (or over US$280) per an eight-hour day. Self-drive rental cars are also available at rates that start at around NT$2,000 (US$62.5) a day. An international driver’s license is required, as well as a credit card for a deposit.

Language

Mandarin is the official language on the island. Taiwanese is also commonly spoken, especially in the southern and rural areas. English is by far the most popular foreign language, and large numbers of people speak it with fluency. In particular, those working in hotels, business, or public organizations are likely to have a good command of the language. Moreover, many elder people, especially those educated before the Second World War, can also speak Japanese.

Health

As is true of many other tropical and sub-tropical areas, tap water in Taiwan should be boiled before drinking, although water quality is certainly improving in the major cities. Hotels and restaurants do provide drinking water, and bottled mineral water is widely available. Visitors should also take special care to wash all fruits and vegetables before eating and to avoid eating in any of the island's countless street stalls, for at least the first few weeks. There are several international-standard private and public hospitals and clinics. Taiwan also offers high-quality dental care, with most clinics being privately operated. The majority of doctors and dentists in Taiwan speak English well. Qualified foreign nationals with alien resident certificates and their family members can apply for coverage under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). Many Western brand-name pharmaceuticals are sold in Taiwan, often without prescription. In addition, a wide range of foreign and domestic over-the-counter nonprescription drugs are available. Visitors should, however, bring a sufficient supply of any specific medications that they might require. Emergency medical treatment can be obtained by dialing 119.

Business Hours & Holidays

Generally, business hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for office workers and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for factory workers. There is a one-hour lunch break in each case. Banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. without a lunch break. Most shops and retail stores open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Restaurants generally run from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. There are four national holidays and four festivals celebrated in Taiwan during which corporate and government offices are closed. Dates for the four festivals – Chinese Lunar New Year, Tomb-Sweeping Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid- Autumn Festival – change with the lunar calendar.

Temporary Entry of Materials & Personal Belongings

Personal belongings and household articles (excluding controlled or restricted articles) carried by inbound passengers may be granted duty exemption as follows:

• Each person, 20 or over in age, may bring in alcoholic beverage (1,000 cc or less without limitation on how many bottles), plus 200 cigarettes, or 25 cigars or one pound of tobacco.
• Articles that are already owned and used by the passenger abroad, as long as their customs value does not exceed NT$10,000 (about US$312.5) for each piece.
• Other articles for personal use (not including the articles mentioned above) if their total customs value does not exceed NT$20,000 (about US$625) for each passenger.

Samples carried by inbound passengers may be granted duty exemption if the total customs value does not exceed NT$12,000 (about US$375). Duty and in some cases the commodity tax and/or value added tax will be imposed on articles imported in excess of the exemption limit. Taiwan uses electric current of 110 volts at 60 cycles. Appliances from Europe, Australia or South-East Asia will need an adaptor or transformer. Many buildings have outlets with 220 volts especially for the use of air conditioners. Travelers are advised to carry personal medications.