Main Page
From Taipei Travel Adventure
[edit] AdventureHotels.travel
While still growing and improving, AdventureHotels.travel is already the internet's biggest and most comprehensive Pacific Rim travel and hotel portal, and with good reason. Adventure Hotels offers a new but simple concept in hotel reservations that tremendously benefits both you, the traveller, and the hotel. We have thirty-nine of the internet's most popular Pacific Rim (and other) destinations for you to choose from. Some of our destinations are huge, and very comprehensive, covering areas as large as SouthPacificHotels.travel.
And finally, our specialty! Through a rigid qualifying process of former guest reviews, we have narrowed down your search to the best value-priced, independently-operated, eco-friendly Taipei and Taiwan hotels available.
[edit] No middlemen
Most internet portals will list any hotel as long as it pays the middleman (a chain hotel central reservation system, or the Global Distribution System (GDS) like hotels.com, travelocity, expedia, orbitz, etc.) a huge 20% to 40% commission for each reservation. All of our qualified and listed hotels pay us only an annual listing fee. We make nothing on your reservation.
[edit] Our hotels need to qualify to be listed
Our hotels need to undergo a rigorous qualification process to be listed on our websites. In fact, only about 15% of all hotels qualify. We don't list a lot of hotels, just the best ones. The four step qualification process includes:
- Pricing: all Adventure Hotels must have average prices under US$200, $150 or $100 (depending upon the location) per night double occupancy, but most are far less. Because good quality hotels in Taipei and Taiwan tend to be expensive, however all hotels listed on this site are under US$150, but most are far less. We have determined that there is no need for you to pay more for fine quality, well-located accommodation.
- All Adventure Hotels listed are independently owned and operated which means the owners must personally demonstrate they try harder to satisfy their guests. Often the personal service and advice they offer is worth the price of accommodation alone. Adventure Hotel owners are excited about their hotel and facilities, and it shows. They not only provide excellent accommodations, facilities and services for the price they charge, but also, they have painstakingly put together an attractive, informative website proudly displaying their wonderful hotel (and prices) on the first page (or two) of the search engines. Prices are important and forcing you to contact the hotel to obtain them is annoying. Our hotels do not rely on costly middlemen to send them a steady stream of guests like cattle through a feed lot, making you feel like a statistic (which you are). Adventure Hotels' philosophy is simple. If the hotel doesn't rely mainly on word of mouth, nor have the wherewithall to attract and keep its own guests by providing comfortable, clean, updated accommodations and facilities, and make guests feel welcome and appreciated, then the hotel probably doesn't have the genuine interest to make your stay an authentic, warm, real, and a problem-free experience.
- Former guest reviews: all Adventure Hotels listed have undergone a series of former guest reviews, guests who lay out the truth (as they see it) and the cream hotels that we list have risen to the top positions...don't just take our word on it, trust the opinions of former guests!
- All Adventure Hotels are eco-friendly (to some extent) and must meet minimum requirements of sustainability. Categories include recycling, composting, using renewable energy, conservation of the environment and indigenous cultural promotion, employing local help with chances for upward mobility, buying local produce, reinvesting profits in the local area, informing guests of eco-friendly travelling practises, and generally encouraging visitors to observe, listen, understand and empathize rather than see, hear, take pictures and boast. If visitors prefer the familiar comforts of home, they need to ask themselves why they are traveling?
[edit] Locate the perfect hotel at any destination
From each listed hotel's website, you are able to contact the hotel(s) directly. Ask a real person for multi-night and multi-room, child and senior discount; a quiet room or a top floor room with a view; or to be accommodated close to the pool; extra blankets, towels or pillows; or have them recommend and book a tour or car for you in advance; you can request a romantic bouquet of exotic flowers with a note attached waiting in your room, or a chilled bottle of champagne; or ask questions about the surrounding area, dining, nightlife, laundry services or luggage storage, or a possible early check-in or late check-out. You can't do any of this when you book through a middleman!
[edit] We have done the work for you
Now, confidently make your reservations your way by dealing directly with the hotel, and holding the hotel accountable for what they promised. Though our listed hotels are highly recommended and qualified, if your hotel doesn't live up to your expectations, send us an honest and realistic review, to warn others. However, if it meets or surpasses your expectations, be kind and send us a positive review. These hotels depend on YOUR word of mouth, eliminating the costly middlemen, and saving everyone money. Both you and the hotel win. In fact, the only people that lose are those greedy middlemen.
[edit] Taipei and Taiwan Crash Course
Taipei City, Táibei Shì, is the capital of the Republic of China. However, it is Taiwan's center of politics, commercial, mass media, education, and pop culture.
Taipei City, with Taipei County surrounding it, and nearby Keelung City form the Taipei metropolitan area but are administered under different local government bodies. Taipei City is a special municipality administered directly under the Republic of China (ROC) central government, while Taipei County and Keelung City are administered as part of Taiwan Province. Taipei refers to the whole metropolitan area, while Taipei City refers to the city proper. According to the census data collected in January 2007, the population in Taipei City (excluding Taipei County) is 2,630,872. The major industries in the city include electrical and electronic equipment, textiles, metals, ship-building, and motorcycles.
To understand Taipei, one needs to understand Taiwan or the Republic of China (ROC). Taipei is on the northern part of the Island of Taiwan in east of mainland China. Taiwan is also referred as the territory under control of the ROC (Republic of China), governing the Taiwan island, Lanyu or Orchid Island plus Green Island off the coast of Taiwan, and the Pescadores Islands in the Strait of Taiwan, and the islands of Kinmen and the Matsu off the coast from the mainland.
[edit] Pre-recorded history and the earliest settlement
Taiwan has been populated by more than a dozen aboriginal tribes. The evidence of the earliest human settlement on Taiwan Island reaches back about 30,000 years, though perhaps the first people who inhabited Taiwan were likely genetically different from those there today. About 4,000 years ago, the present Taiwanese ancestors inhabited Taiwan, and are genetically from Malay and Polynesia. Austronesian is what linguists classify their language. In the 1200s, Han Chinese fishermen began settling in the Pescadores but the island's forbidding tribes with little to trade became an unattractive option to all but the hardiest adventurer or fisherman barter trading until the 1500s.
Ancient Chinese records indicate that the Han Chinese knew of the island of Taiwan since the third century, because of giving islands offshore names such as Greater Liuqiu or Lesser Liuqiu, though these names have been definitively matched to Taiwan. A Ming Dynasty admiral Cheng Ho is rumoured to have visited Taiwan from 1403 to 1424.
The Portuguese in 1544 sighted Taiwan and called it 'Ilha Formosa' or 'Beautiful Island'. They did not habitate Taiwan and were only content using their outposts for trading in Kyushu, Japan.
[edit] The Dutch and Spanish enter the picture
Out of Batavia (Jakarta) the Dutch East Indies Company in 1624 started the a European-type government on Taiwan's, leading it into the new world. Not only did they collect taxes, they were friendly with the Formosans, and they tried to make them Christian, and learn the language of the Dutch. Amsterdam now has a museum of these exploits and advances showing that they that they actually established orphanages on Taiwan, something very rare in Asia at the time. Today, the Dutch influence in Taiwan is seen in Anping, a district of Tainan City where the Fort Provintia is presently looked after and called the Red-topped Tower, and also Tamsui has Fort Anthonio, a part of the Fort San Domingo museum complex, still being the best-kept minor fort (redoubt) antwhere on earth of the Dutch East India Company. The British later used it as their consulate until they severed relations with the KMT.
The Dutch decided to start a massive importation of labourers from the Fujian province of China. They used Tayoan City (where 'Taiwan' came from) at today's Anping. Dutch military efforts were centered around Castle Zeelandia, a fort which is still well-maintained today. The Dutch colonists took advantage of the indigenous people to help hunt the Formosan Sika Deer (know as Cervus nippon taioanus i biology books) inhabiting Taiwan, to near extinction, save for a tiny population that is being maintained under captivity with a program to reintroduce them into southern Taiwan's Kenting National Park. The skin of the animal was taken to Japan to be processed before reaching the USA and Europe.
Though the Spaniards habitated northern Taiwan for nearly two decades, they were driven out by the Dutch, without any remains, both of their forts destroyed. The only evidence of Spanish habitation in the area is the name of Cape of San Diego in the eastern-most section of Taiwan, derived from the word 'Santiago'.
Keelung and the Pescadores Islands were occupied by the French of a brief time from 1884 to 1885. Their admiral, Amédée Courbet was the military governor but died there after making peace with the Chinese. Hias remains were dug up and returned to France in the 1960s after ties were severed with the KMT and any relations with Taiwan.
Led by Lord Koxinga, the son of a southern Fujian priate/merchant in 1662, both naval and troop forces were able defeat the Dutch in southern Fujian, expelling them from the island. After the Ming dynasty fell, Koxinga headed for Taiwan being a Ming loyalist, and established the Kingdom of Tungning from 1662-83. Koxinga made Tainan his capital starting generations to the Qing Dynasty of raids against the mainland in order to recoup it, never receiving help from the Japanese Shogunate.
In 1683, the Qing Dynasty annexed Taiwan as part of the Fujian province following the defeat of Koxinga's grandson by a Chinese armada. The Chinese had continued trouble with piracy and vagrancy, so sent adherents to the farthest reaches of the Qing empire enforce several proclamations controlling migration and respecting indigenous land rights. Causing several conflicts, many Southern Fujian migrants came to Taiwan to rent huge plots of indigenous land under often marriage contracts, while the frontier between tax-paying lands and savage lands shifted further eastward, so some aborigines joined while others escaped further up in the mountains. The majority of the Taiwanese population today came from these migrants.
The Chinese government changed Taiwan's status in 1887 to a province rather than being an addition of the Fujian province, number twenty in China, and Taipei as its capital. This now meant a drive for modernization including a railroad and postal service starting up in Taiwan.
[edit] Japanese take control
Starting around 1592, Japan continuously claimed ownership over Taiwan (which they complimentarity called Takasago Koku, meaning 'Country of High Sand', after they adopted a policy of territorial expansion. Korea was successfully invaded, however attempts to sovereigntize Taiwan became futile mostly due to to endemic diseases like malaria and cholera not to mention the fierce opposition of the aborigines.
Even as late as 1871, a Okinawan boat became shipwrecked in southern Taiwan and their crew of fifty four sailors were all beheaded by the Paiwan savages. When Japan asked for compensationfor the misdeed from the Qing China government, they rejected it because they said the shengfan aboriginals were not within Chinese jurisdiction. This opened the doors for Japan to take over Taiwan, and sent 3000 troops to Taiwan. Few died in battle, and the Japanese took over, however, about six hundred died from indemic diseases.
After China's loss in the First Sino-Japanese War from 1894-95, the Treaty of Shimonoseki gave Taiwan and its Pescadores Islands in perperuity to Japan. Residents wanting to remain citizens of China had two years to sell their possessions and leave for mainland China. Not many Taiwanese thought this was possible, and stayed, but this didn't quell the underground movement to rid the island of the Japanese. The Japanese made Taiwan (Taihoku) their center of government, destroying much of the buildings done in exquisite Chinese architecture form. Today, a lot of Japanese structures are still seen dating from this period.
Pro-Qing China officials proclaimed Taiwan to be the Republic of Formosa resisting Japanese take-over, but this movement was brought under control by Japanese forces. The Taiwanese were subjugated to working in factories and on plantations, exporting their produce and enhancing the wealth of Japan.
The Japanese enhanced the quality of sugar cane, and brought hardy Japanese rice seeds (Horaimai), another success story after years of experimentation and research. Taiwan also supplied the Japanese empire with pineapples, bananas and high-quality timber used by many of the major Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines on Japan. The poor Japanese and Koreans were , for the fisrt time, able to consume cheap sugar, once the right of nobles only.
Though they had relatively friendly relations between Japanese and Taiwanese, Japan had some lingering suspicion that the Taiwanese would support China if given an opportunity, and thus never drafted any Taiwanese before WWII. Koreans, on the other hand, were drafted and even allowed to enter officers school. Many attractive women from Taiwan, Korea and Japan were forced to be sex slaves to service the Japanese Imperial Army throughout WWII. The Taiwanese were always classed as second and third class citizens, while actual Chinese were outcasts. Armed uprisings were basically snuffed out by the 1920s, but intellectuals met through many cultural assocations, and some of the finest writing ever produced were inspired during this era.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese were pleasantly surprised at the quality of a Taiwanese soldier, particularly the indigenous, who were honored and rewarded for their valor, including being kamikazes.
[edit] Republic of China - sounds weird, doesn't it!
After Japan's humiliating defeat in WWII, they signed the Instrument of Surrender on August 15th, 1945. As part of the Allied Command two months later, the ROC troops agreed to accept this formal surrender by Japan in Taihoku.
The 'Taiwan Restoration Day' was announced by Taiwan's ROC administration, led by Chiang Kai-shek. In the beginning, they were welcomed as liberators by the Taiwanese, however, te new government soon became very unstable and corrupt, seizing private property and establishing government monopolies of many industries. Compounding these problems with hyperinflation, the Chinese Civil War, and a lack of confidence due to political, cultural and language differences between the Taiwanese and the mainland Chinese, a loss of popular support for the new administration soon followed, culminating in a series of severe fights and clashes between the ROC administration and the Taiwanese. On February 28th, 1947, the bloody 228 (the date) Massacre occured in the Republic of China and was suppressed by the Kuomintang (KMT) government. Ten thousand to twenty thousand civilians were killed.
The Kuomintang (KMT) led by Chiang Kai-shek, left mainland Chinain 1949 for Taipei, after losing the Chinese Civil War to the Communist Party of China (CPC), the ROC government was moved to Taipei but still claimed sovereignty over all of China and Mongolia. On the mainland, the Communists established the People's Republic of China (PRC), claiming to be the sole body representing China (including Taiwan) and saying the ROC government was illegitimate. About 1.3 million refugees left mainland China, mainly of soldiers, KMT party members, and very importantly the intellectual and business leaders from the mainland, and arrived in Taiwan. Also, they brought with them to Taiwan literally the entire gold reserve and foreign currency reserve of mainland China. This unprecedented influx of human and monetary capital laid the foundation for Taiwan's later dramatic economic development.
Since this time, Taiwan has been governed by a party/state dictatorship with the KMT as the ruling party. The Kuomintang government, on December 7, 1949 under Chiang Kai-shek made Taipei the capital of the ROC. However, military rule continued with little to no difference between the government and the party, with public, government and party property all interchangeable. Government workers and party members were the same, and government workers such as teachers were required to become KMT party members. Party workers were paid by salary and given retirement benefits similar government employees. All other parties were illegal, and political opposition was persecuted, imprisoned or executed.
Rooted in the 228 Massacre on Taiwan on Feb.28, 1947 where ten to twenty thousand died, hence the name, the 'White Terror' describes the suppression of political dissents and public discussion of the massacre under the martial law from May 19, 1949 to July 15, 1987. During the White Terror, around 140,000 Taiwanese were imprisoned or executed for their real or perceived opposition to the Kuomintang (KMT) government led by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, according to a recent report by the Executive Yuan of Taiwan. Some prosecuted Taiwanese were labeled by the Kuomintang as 'bandit spies', meaning spies for Chinese communists, and punished as such. The White Terror left many native Taiwanese with a deep-seated bitterness towards the Kuomintang, Chiang Kai-shek, and sometimes the mainlanders. Fear of discussing the 228 Incident and the White Terror gradually decreased with the lifting of martial law in 1987, culminating in the establishment of an official public memorial and an apology by President Lee Teng-hui in 1995.
With the beginning of democracy, personal political status within Taiwan has come to the forefront and is a controversial issue. Previously, any discussion of alternate political persuasions was taboo under the ROC.
During the 1960s and 70s, the ROC began to grow into a prosperous, industrialized country with a dynamic and strong economy, and became one of Four Asian Tigers yet maintaining the single-party authoritarian rule. During and because of the Cold War, many Western countries and the United Nations presumed the ROC was the sole legitimate government of all of China yet was only the de-facto government of Taiwan. But in the late 1970s, most nations switched recognition to the Peoples Republic of China (why rock the boat?)
[edit] Modern
Chiang Kai-shek's son Chiang Ching-kuo became the eventual successor, and began to liberalize Taiwan's political system. The Democratic Progressive Party was formed illegally in 1986 but was inaugurated as the first opposition party in Taiwan to balance against the KMT. A year later Chiang Ching-kuo eliminated martial law (he knew what side his bread was buttered).
Chiang Ching-Kuo died in 1988, and his successor was President Lee Teng-hui whom continued to reduce government authority, handin it over to native Taiwanese democraticizing the government. Lee put Taiwan through a process of localization where the only local culture and history was promoted over the larger China point of view. Such reforms included printing banknotes from the Central Bank instead of the Provincial Bank of Taiwan, and basically disbanding the Taiwan provincial government to be a fedetralist one. The members of the Legislative Yuan and National Assembly who elected first in 1947 to represent mainland political units, were made to resign in 1991. Taiwanese language restrictons in the media and in schools were also lifted as well.
The ROC transitioned into a semi-democracy over the 1990's. Chen Shui-bian, in 2000, a Hakka Taiwanese, was elected as president and is now serving his second and final term. A division in Taiwanese politics has evolved between the 'Pan Blue' Coalition (parties led by the Kuomintang favoring eventual Chinese unification), and the 'Pan Green' Coalition (those parties under the Democratic Progressive Party wanting eventual Taiwanese independence). These ideological differences may weaken as democracy takes a hold of the whole region.
[edit] Taipei's history
The Qing Dynasty governor of Taiwan in 1884 made Taipei the provincial capital, and the quaint market town started to boom. Strategicall nearest Japan in the north, it thrived even more since 1895 when Taiwan ceded to Japan in 1895. Haphazard expansion resulted in the destruction of some of it's finest Chinese architecture, exquisite qwalls and older buildings. This is not to say the Japanese didn't add their own masterpieces including the Presidential Palace and also National Taiwan University. But once again with the coming of the KMT in 1945, things were uverturned again.
With the arrival f millions of mainlanders, depressing Soviet-style block apartment buildings were built, and have dominated part of Taipei's landscape until recently.
Taiwan strated to boom in the 1980s, as incomes rose and a nuevo riche took over wanting more quality and sophistication in their infrastructures and government services. Tree-lined boulevards were laid out, and higher-quality apartment blocks were built, exquisite restaurants and bars, malls and entertainment complexes have become part of the cityscape, to this day.
Taipei's population including the suburbs is over seven million, confident, friendly and feekling safe. Though Taiwan and Taipei are not get considered major global tourist destinations, it is a wonderful place to visit or live. In spite of its size, Taipei has no 'unsafe' neighbourhoods, even at night, and this is an attraction in itself.
They divide the downtown area into the traditional West Side with its narrow streets and typical roadside vendors and quaint, small shops, while the East Side has metamorphosized into the modern part of Taipei, with super malls, and classy restaurants, chic boutiques and cliquey cafes, similar to any world-class international city.
[edit] Geography of Taiwan
The island of Taiwan lies some 120 kilometers off the southeastern coast of China, across the Taiwan Strait, and has an area of 35,801 square kilometers (13,823 square miles). The East China Sea lies to the north, the Philippine Sea to the east, the Luzon Strait directly to the south and the South China Sea to the southwest. The island is characterized by the contrast between the eastern two-thirds, consisting mostly of rugged mountains running in five ranges from the northern to the southern tip of the island, and the flat to gently rolling plains in the west that are also home to most of Taiwan's population. Taiwan's highest point is the Yu Shan at 3,952 meters, and there are five other peaks over 3,500 meters. This makes it the world's seventh-highest island.
The shape of the main island of Taiwan is similar to a sweet potato seen in a south-to-north direction, and therefore, Taiwanese people, especially the Min-nan division, often call themselves 'children of the Sweet Potato'. There are also other interpretations of the island shape, one of which is a whale in the ocean (the Pacific Ocean) if viewed in a west-to-east direction, which is a common orientation in ancient maps, plotted either by Western explorers or the Ching Dynasty.
Taiwan's climate is marine tropical. The northern part of the island which takes in Taipei has a rainy season that lasts from January to late March during the southwest monsoons. The entire island succumbs to hot humid weather from June until September, while October, November and December are arguably the most pleasant times of year. The middle and southern parts of the island do not have an extended monsoon season during the winter months, but can experience several weeks of rain, especially during and after Lunar New Year. Natural hazards such as typhoons and earthquakes are common in the region.
[edit] Environment and pollution
With its high population density and many factories, some areas in Taiwan suffer from heavy pollution. Most notable are the southern suburbs of Taipei and the western stretch from Tainan to Lin Yuan, south of Kaohsiung. In the past, Taipei suffered from extensive vehicle and factory air pollution, but with mandatory use of unleaded gasoline and the diligence of a new environmental protection agency, the air quality of Taiwan has improved dramatically. The motor scooters which are ubiquitous in Taiwan, especially older or cheaper two-stroke versions, also contribute disproportionately to air pollution in Taiwan.
Land and soil pollution has decreased as Taiwanese industry moves out of heavy industry; however, several toxic sites continue to pose challenges. Solid waste disposal has become less of a problem as a nation-wide recycling movement has taken hold, especially with support from Buddhist charity organizations.
Water pollution remains a problematic issue. Nearly 90% of sewage waste in Taiwan is dumped into waterways untreated. Several rivers are so heavily polluted that it would take billions of dollars to clean them.
[edit] Natural resources
Because of the intensive exploitation throughout Taiwan's pre-modern and modern history, the island's mineral resources (eg. coal, gold, marble), plus wild animal reserves (eg. deer), have been virtually exhausted. Moreover, much of its forestry resources was harvested during Japanese rule for the construction of shrines (using particularly firs) and has only recovered slightly since then. The remaining forests nowadays do not contribute to significant timber production mainly because of concerns about production costs and regulations of environmental protection.
Camphor oil extraction and cane sugar production played an important role in Taiwan's exportation from the late nineteenth century through the first half of the twentieth century. The importance of the above industies subsequently declined not because of the exhaustion of related natural resources but mainly of the decline of international market demands.
Today, a few natural resources with significant economic value are retained in Taiwan, which are essentially agriculture-associated. Domestic agriculture (rice being the dominant kind of crop) and the fisheries retain importance to a certain degree, but they have been greatly challenged by foreign imports since Taiwan's accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001. Consequently, upon the decline of subsistent importance, Taiwan's agriculture now relies heavily on the marketing and exportation of certain kinds of specialties, such as bananas, guava, lychee, wax apples, and high-mountain tea.
[edit] Energy resources
Taiwan has significant coal deposits and some insignificant oil and gas deposits. Electrical power generation is nearly 50% oil-based, less than 10% natural gas, less than 10% nuclear power, and about 35% hydroelectric power, with the remainder from renewable energy sources. Nearly all oil and gas for transportation and power needs must be imported, making Taiwan particularly sensitive to fluctations in energy prices. Because of this, Taiwan's Executive Yuan is pushing for 10% of energy generation to come from renewable energy by 2010, double from the current figure. In fact, several wind-farms built by American and German companies have come online or will in the near future. Taiwan is rich in wind-energy resources, both on-shore and off-shore, though limited land area favors offshore wind resources. Solar energy is also a potential resource to some extent. By promoting renewable energy, Taiwan's government hopes to also aid the nascent renewable energy manufacturing industry, and develop it into an export market.
[edit] Travel Info
[edit] Visa Information
Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, Irish, British and nearly all European Union members are permitted to enter Taiwan without a visa for thirty days or more if the expiry date on the passport is longer than six mnths away. To get more info, click on Consular Affairs Bureau
[edit] Domestic Flights
Taiwan has four national airline companies, all having medium-sized airplanes to get around Taiwan rapidly. Normally you do not have to book your flight in advance, as they are quite frequent. There are regular flights originating from Kaohsiung and Taipei but it may be impossible to fly between domestic airports. The new highspeed rail service is giving the domestic airplane companies some stiff competition as it stops at all the big cities. Consider flying to get to any islands, or places a long way from Taipei. Fares are reasonable, and the service is generally OK. The Taipei domestic airport is called the Song Shan Airport located north of Taipei. Taxis can easily take you there.
[edit] Rail Option
Around the island tourist railway passes are available on a normal train allowing the holder to get off and on a certain number of times for one price. You can buy them at most of the larger train stations, but remember, your passport may be needed to make the purchase.
[edit] Getting around Taipei
All scheduled international flights are served by Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in nearby Taoyuan County. Songshan Airport at the heart of the city serves mostly domestic flights, with the exception of some charter flights. Express buses into Taipei will run you about US$4, while a taxi is more like $30.
Taipei's public transport system MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), now also known as Metro Taipei, incorporates a light rail system based on VAL technology with its conventional metro. Both are currently undergoing significant expansion. Unlike most rail transport in Taiwan which follow the Japanese practice and have trains running on the left, the Taipei public transport system runs its trains on the right.
Taipei Main Station is the largest Taiwanese railway station and also functions as the nexus for the MRT system.
An extensive city bus system runs throughout the city to serve areas not covered by the MRT system. It is very efficient for foreigners as destinations and stops are displayed in English. Sometimes buses require payment upon boarding, sometimes upon exiting. Many routes, due to their length, could require payment upon both boarding and exiting. Riders of the city MRT system are able to use their MRT passes on buses, making the bus system effectively an extension of the MRT system. The pass, known as an Easy Card, contain credits that are deducted each time a ride is taken. The Easy Card, Taipei's equivalent to Hong Kong's Octopus Card, is extremely convenient since it is read via proximity sensory panels on buses and in MRT stations, thus eliminating the need for the passenger to remove the card from his or her wallet or purse.
To get around, taxis are certainly the easiest and most flexible way, and are everywhere. Taxis are cheaper than most world cities, but far more than the mass transit offered. If you don't speak Chinese, you'll need to write your destination down for him to read, as few speak any English. They charge more using their meters during rush hours and a night. Tipping is not necessary, or expected. Fares start at about NT$80. If you sit in the front seat, the law requires you to buckle-up. At night, it is recommended to use a reputable taxi company. The toll free taxi hotline is 0800-055850, which is maintained by Department of Transportation.
A quintessential form of transportation in Taipei (and much of Taiwan) is the ubiquitous motor-scooter, somewhat analogous to the motorcycles found in other industrialized nations. However, motor-scooters are not subject to all conventional traffic laws, and generally thread between cars and occasionally through oncoming traffic. A loophole in Taipei's motor vehicle laws ensures that in any accident between a motor-scooter and another vehicle, the other vehicle is at fault. For these reasons, scooters are perhaps the most convenient way for locals to navigate through their city. In Taipei, as of 2006, the only place legally renting scooters and motorbikes to foreigners is [http://bikefarm.j321.com/rental.htm the Bikefarm], which is run by a very friendly and helpful English guy called Jeremy.
If you're just learning to drive a scooter on the streets of Taipei, it would be a good idea to practice a bit on a back road or alley until you have a feel for the scooter - attempting to do so in this busy city could easily be fatal. Certainly, things can get pretty hairy on Taiwanese roads and Taipei in particular has narrower more congested roads than many other cities. However if you know what you're doing, it's the perfect way to get around in a city.
Another option is to rent a motorcycle. Many foreigners swear by their 125cc Wild Wolf motorcycles, and a trip around the island on a motorcycle can be a great way to see the island up close.
An international driving license is required for driving in Taiwan and may be used for up to 30 days, after which you'll need to apply for a local permit. Some municipalities may impose additional restrictions, so check ahead with the rental shop. VIP Rentals in Taipei is quite happy to rent cars to foreigners, and will even deliver the car to a given destination. A deposit is often required, and the last day of rental is not pro-rated, but calculated on a per-hour basis at a separate (higher) rate.
Going around the island, the numbered highway system is very good. Most traffic signs are in international symbols, but many signs show names of places and streets in Chinese only. The highways are in excellent shape with toll stations around every 30 km. Currently a car pays NT$40 when passing each toll station on a highway. Prepaid tickets may be purchased at most convenience stores, allowing faster passage and eliminating the need to count out exact change while driving.
[edit] The language
A mix of Taiwanese (Minnan), Mandarin, Hakka and other "Chinese" languages are spoken on the island, as well as several aboriginal Austronesian languages. Taiwanese is the mother tongue of 60% of the population. In the North where there is a large concentration of so-called "mainlanders" (those whose families came to Taiwan from China in the mid 20th century), most people speak Mandarin as their primary language (although Taiwanese is spoken in abundance), but in the South of the island, Taiwanese is far more common.
In Taipei, people generally speak a little English. The children often understand more English than their parents, especially with the emphasis on English language education today. However, attempts to speak Mandarin or Taiwanese will be met with beaming smiles and encouragement.
[edit] Taipei Attractions
While Taipei is not a major tourist destination and is visited principally by business travelers, there are a number of attractions for the visitor within Taipei City:
- The Taipei 101 is a new financial center in Taipei. The Guinness Book of Records certified it as the world's tallest building in October 2003. It is a 101-floor landmark skyscraper dwarfing the reast of Taipei. Designed by C.Y. Lee & Partners and constructed by KTRT Joint Venture, it is currently the tallest building in the world by three of the four standards designated by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Its original name was Taipei Financial Centre, based on its official Chinese name: the Taipei International Financial Center, Táibei Guójì Jinróng Zhongxin. The building is the 2004 recipient of the Emporis Skyscraper Award. Taipei 101 was named as such, not for first year university courses, but because it contains 101 floors.
The National Concert Hall
- The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall - is a memorial for the late President Chiang Kai-shek. It shares the grounds of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park with the National Concert Hall and National Theater and is one of the city's defining landmarks. The main building is white with four sides. Its roof, rising 70 meters above the ground, is octagonal with blue glazed glass tiles. The blue and white colors of the building and the red color of the flowerbeds provide the symbolism found in the flag of the Republic of China. Two sets of white stairs, with a total of 89 steps representing Chiang's age of death, lead up to double doors, 16 meters high and weighing 75 tons.
Taipei City at night
Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall
At the top of the stairs is a large vault containing a bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek. Behind him are inscribed the words "Ethics, Democracy, Science" and Chiang's accompanying writings. On the side walls are inscribed "The Purpose of Life is to further improve the general life of Mankind" and "The Meaning of Life is to create and sustain subsequent lives in the universe". The vault is under guard during opening hours (9 A.M. to 4 P.M.) by an honor guard drawn from a branch of the ROC military and rotated periodically among the branches. The ground-level of the memorial has a library and museum that displays photos and mementos of Chiang Kai-shek's life.
- The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall - is a memorial to the Republic of China's Father of the Nation, Sun Yat-sen, and was completed on May 16, 1972. As the hall was opened in the very beginning, its main displays were revolutionary events of the national father at the end of the Qing Dynasty. Recently it became a multi-purpose social, educational and cultural center for the Taiwanese public. The ROC government started construction of the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in 1964 commemorating the great character Father of the Republic of China, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, whose revolutionary career, and philosophy were the blueprint for a modern China.
Main campus of National Taiwan University
It served as a place to pay tribute to te Father of the Republic, but also for other purposes such as cultural, educational, artistic, academic, and recreational. In 1965, Chiang Kai-shek officiated the ground breaking ceremony. Chiang modified construction plans to emphasize Chinese architecture, and was completed in 1972. The solemn and majestic building is situated in Chung-shan Square Park surrounded by fine lawns and flowers gardens.
The exterior of the hall contains has decorative historical walls. It has many wide open spaces where the people of Taipei often go to relax.
The interior of the hall includes a main hall entrance with a statue of Sun Yat-sen and many exits to other parts of the hall, containing historical artifacts. Every hour, there is an entertaining and highly formal changing of the guards that is a common tourist attraction.
- The National Palace Museum - is an art gallery and museum containing artifacts of ancient China. It should not be confused with the Palace Museum (note the absence of the word "National"), which is the Forbidden City in Beijing. Both institutions derive from the same original institution, which was split in two as a result of the Chinese Civil War. The National Palace Museum in Taipei holds one of the largest collection of Chinese artifacts and artwork in the world.
National Palace Museum
The museum has reopened on Christmas of 2006 after an extensive renovation project. The renovation project lasted for four years, during which two thirds of the museum were closed. Three "Grand View" exhibits in honor of the reopening will run from 2006/12/25 ~ 2007/03/25: Ju Ware from the Northern Sung Dynasty, Painting and Calligraphy of the Northern Sung, and Sung Dynasty Rare Books.
- The Grand Hotel - built in 1973, is a famous landmark in Taipei. It isowned by the Duen-Mou Foundation of Taiwan, a non-profit organization, and has played host to many foreign dignitaries that have visited Taipei. After Chiang Kai-shek's retreat to Taiwan in 1949, Chiang felt it was difficult to accommodate foreign ambassadors, as there weren't any five-star hotels in Taipei. Thus he wanted to build an extravagant hotel to treat foreign guests. His wife Soong May-ling suggested to build it on the old Taiwan Hotel on Yuanshan Mountain, the site of the ruins of the Taiwan Jinja, a Shinto shrine during the Japanese rule. Chiang decided on Chinese palace-style architecture to promote Chinese culture to the West through its extravagance.
Grand Hotel Taipei
Taipei-based architect Yang Cho-Cheng came up with the design of the new hotel. The hotel was established in the May of 1952, but it was expanded several times before it became the landmark as it is known today. The swimming pool, tennis court, and the membership lounge were constructed in 1953, and Golden Dragon Pavilion and Golden Dragon Restaurant opened in 1956. The Jade Phoenix Pavilion and Chi-Lin Pavilion opened in 1958 and 1963, respectively. In 1968, the hotel was rated as one of the world's top ten hotels by the US Fortune magazine. And finally, in the Double Tenth Day of 1973, the main Grand Hotel building was completed, making it an instant Taipei icon.
In 1995, a disastrous fire broke out on the roof during necessary reconstruction and refurbishment, and because neither ladders nor high pressure pumps could reach the fire, the roof and the upper floors were destroyed. Not until 1998 did the hotel recover from the damage and became fully reopened to the public. Following the fire, the two dragon heads on the roof were rotated 180 degrees to point inwards. As dragons are traditionally a symbol of rain and water, this was intended to symbolize preparedness against a future fire.
- Hua Shan Cultural and Creative Industry Center, 1 Bade Road, Sec 1. This former brewery has been transformed into a creative space in a park. The exhibitions here are well presented and imaginative and the theater performances, while less formal than at those at the National Theater, are still none-the-less first rate. The center also has a great cafe with outdoor seating -- an excellent place to watch Taipei at work and play over a cappuccino.
- Taiwan National History Museum, 2 Xiangyang Road. Tel:+886 2 2382 2699 (Nearest MRT station 'National Taiwan University Hospital' on the Danshui line. Located in 'Peace Park' (near Taipei Main Station) in a splendid baroque and renaissance style building. Opened in 1899, it was Taiwan's first museum and focuses on anthropology and the fauna and flora of the island.
- Miniatures Museum of Taiwan, B1, 96 Jian-gwo North Road, sec. 1. Tel:+886 2 2515 0583. A small private museum that is a monument to patience and a steady hand. The 40 bulb chandelier the size of grain of rice is one of the many impressive pieces on display. Address: Buses from Taipei Main Station: 307, 527 alight at Nanjing East Road and Jian-gwo North Road intersection. The museum is located in the same building as Thai Airways. Open: Tues-Sun 10AM-6PM (last admittance 5PM). Admission: adults - NT$180, concessions - NT$150, children - NT$100
- Museum of Tomorrow, 180 Civil Boulevard, sec 3. An artistic exhibition space cum store with lots of open space and selling such items as empty bottles labeled 'You Are Beautiful' and empty cans of 'Green Knowledge'. Exhibits change every few weeks. The museum also features an open-plan coffee shop. Open 24 hours. Admission free.
- The Presidential Building - has housed the Office of the President of the Republic of China since 1950. It is located in the Zhongzheng District of Taipei City. It formerly housed the Office of the Governor-General of Taiwan, during the period of Japanese rule.When the Japanese rule of Taiwan began in 1895, the Governor-General temporarily set up his office at the former Qing Dynasty secretariat in Taipei. As future development was planned for the island, the Governor-General decided to build a new administrative office. An architectural design contest was consequently held in 1906.
ROC Presidential Building
In 1910, Uheiji Nagano's architectural design was selected and was delivered to Tokyo, where revisions were made. They increased the initial six-story central tower to 11 stories and further improved the defense tower and corner towers. Construction began in June 1912 and was completed in March 1919 at a cost of 2.8 million Japanese Yen.
During the Second World War, the building suffered heavy bombing from the Allied Powers and was severely damaged. On May 31, 1945, during an American air raid on Taipei, bombs hit the front left side, main lobby, and northern sections of the Taiwan Governor-General's Office. The fire burned for three days, damaging large parts of the building. Forty-five days after the air raid, Japan surrendered.
The building was not repaired until 1947, when the Taiwan Provincial Government initiated a restoration plan funded through private donations. The restoration involved approximately 81,000 workers and was completed at the end of 1948, looking only slightly different from the original building.Since the timing of the restoration's completion coincided with the 60th birthday of President Chiang Kai-shek, it was renamed Chieh Shou Hall ("Chieh Shou" means "Long live Kai-shek".) Beginning in mid-1949, the building served as the southeast military affairs office and, following the retreat of the ROC central government from mainland China to Taiwan, it became the Office of the President in 1950. However, in 2006, the Chen Shui-bian-led government declared to cease the name Chieh Shou Hall and officially renamed it the President Building.
- The Longshan Temple at Wanhua - was built in 1738 by settlers from Fujian, China. It served as a place of worship and a gathering place for the Chinese settlers. The temple has been destroyed either in full or in part on numerous earthquakes and fires. In the spring of 1945, it was even hit by American bombers who claimed the Japanese were hiding armaments inside. Taipei residents have nevertheless consistently rebuilt and renovated it, and did so again after the close of the Second World War a few months later. Lungshan is seen as an emblematic example of Taiwanese classical architecture. Like most temples in Taiwan, the Temple worships a mixture of Buddhist, Taoist, and folk deities such as Matsu.
The Longshan Temple
- The Shilin Night Market - is a night market in the Shilin District of Taipei. It is the largest and most famous night market in the city. To get there by the MRT, you must take the Danshui Line to the Jiantan Station, not the Shilin Station. Like most night markets in Taiwan, the local businesses and vendors begin opening around 4 p.m. as students begin returning home from school, crowds reach their peak between 8 and 11 p.m. Businesses continue operating well past midnight and close around 1 to 2 a.m.
Temple in Shilin
With regards to food, it is a favorite focal point for Taipei's night life among residents and visitors alike. The night market encompasses two distinct sections sharing a symbiotic relationship: a section formerly housed in the old Shihlin Market building containing mostly food vendors and small eateries; and the surrounding businesses and shops selling other nonfood items.
Due to safety, sanitation, and fire hazard concerns, the old Shilin Market structure was demolished in October 2002 by the Taipei City government; the food vendors formerly based within the old structure were relocated to a newer temporary structure a few hundred meters away next to the MRT Jiantan Station.
- The Yangmingshan National Park - this is one of the six national parks on Taiwan, and is located between the City of Taipei and Taipei County.
It is the home of a famous writer, Lin Yutang, it was the summer residence of Chiang Kai-shek, several foreign diplomats have residences there, the Chinese Culture University, it was the meeting place of the now disbanded National Assembly of the Republic of China, and home of the Kuomintang Party archives. Yangmingshan also has an electronic listening post built in co-operation with the US government to keep an ear on the China.
Atthe Hsichih end of the National Park is the Wuchih Mountain Military Cemetery. The national park is known for its hot springs, cherry blossoms, sulfur deposits, and various hiking trails, (one over the extinct volcano on Seven Star Mountain). Originally called Grass Mountain, in 1950, Chiang Kai-shek renamed the the location Yangmingshan to honor Wang Yangming, a famous Ming Dynasty Chinese scholar /military official.
- The Taipei Zoo - was founded in 1914 as a private zoological garden by a Japanese citizen. The Japanese government in Taipei City, bought the property the following year, and opened it as a public park. After World War II, ownership of the park was passed to the Taipei City government. The zoo was moved to its current site in 1986 due to a need for expansion. The current site encloses 165 hectares, including 90 hectares open to the public. The director of the zoo is Chen Pao-Chung. It is sometimes referred to as the 'Muzha Zoo' because it is located in the former district of Muzha.
- The Taipei Underground Market - located in Taipei City, it is one of the most popular underground markets in Taipei City, and a great tourist attraction. It is under the Civic Boulevard. It is about 825 meters long, and has 27 exits/entrances. It is connected with Taipei's Main Station of the Taipei Metro and the Taipei Station of the Taiwan Railway Administration. There are a total of 187 shops in the market.
- The Ximending - is an attraction of the Wanhua District of Taipei. The historical spelling of this area was Hsimenting, which is based on the Wade-Giles romanization of Mandarin Chinese. The use of the character (cho) is unusual in a Chinese context; it is part of a ward in the Japanese municipal system. Ximending is one of Taipei's primary shopping districts, and serves as a center of counter-culture and trendy shopping, and is Taipei's main movie theater district. Trend-conscious young people spend a lot of time in this area, which boasts cinemas, CD shops, coffee houses and tattoo parlors. Older, retired servicemen of various sexual orientations known in Chinese as guài shùshu or guài yéyé, literally "strange uncle" or "strange grandfather" are reputed to frequent some of the fast food restaurants and coffee houses in the area, cruising the younger crowds and one another.
Ximending at Night
- Da-An Forest Park is the largest green space in the downtown area, and as the name implies, much of the area is covered with trees. In addition, there is a lake, gardens and an amphitheater, and tucked away on the northwest corner is a statue of Guanyin (aka Avalokitesvara), the Buddhist representation of compassion.
[edit] Attractions on the rest of the Island of Taiwan
[edit] Ali Mountain
Located in the northeast part of the Jiayi County in Taiwan Province, Ali Mountain is the general name of the eighteen hills including Zhu Hill and Tower Hill. The highest peak of Ali Mountain is Tower Hill at the height of 2,663 meters (about 8,736 feet). Ali Mountain is world famous for its 'five rare sites' including the Sunrise, the Ali Mountain Forest Railway, the famous Alishan Sacred Tree, the Grand Sea of Clouds, and the Flamboyant Cherry Blossom. It is said that one who has not been to Ali Mountain will never know its wonderful beauty.
The sunrise is a must for everyone who travels to Ali Mountain. Many have said “to miss viewing the sunrise on Ali Mountain is like returning empty after entering the Golconda.” The best place to view the sunrise is on the top of Zhu Hill. The place and time of the sunrise are different due to the changes of the four seasons. If you plan to view the sunrise it is best to ask the local people the time of sunrise, so you don't miss this magnificent opportunity. When the sun is rising slowly from the peak, it sends out the golden rays for a short time which provides a spectacular scene.
The Ali Mountain Forest Railway is regarded as one of three mountain climbing railways. Traveling along the 72-kilometer-long railway, the train climbs from sea level to 2,450 meters (about 8,038 feet) above sea level. Its gradient is one of the steepest on the planet. From the bottom of Ali Mountain to the top, the train crosses four forest areas – tropic, subtropical, temperature and the frigid zone. While traveling up the mountain the forest scenery is spectacular including eucalypt trees, coconut trees, conifers and the Frigid Zone forest.
There is a Chinese Juniper within the Ali Mountain forest area, standing some 53 meters (about 174 feet) high, and 23 meters (about 75 feet) wide. This Juniper is so huge that more than ten people can surround the circumference. One tree has a history of more than 3,000 years, and thus is called Alishan Sacred Tree. This most wondrous tree is a 'three-generation' tree. The three generations of this tree exist in the same trunk. Now since the first and second generations have faded, the third generation is still flourishing, maybe someday there will be a fourth. The forest on Ali Mountain creates a relaxed and pleasant environment for the people living in the cities nearby.
The sea of clouds and the cherry blossom should not be overlooked. If you want to avoid sunstroke, the comfortable climate in midsummer on Ali Mountain will be a good choice.
[edit] Mt. Yangming
Mount Yangming is located in the north part of Taiwan. and is the largest and most lovely natural area in the province. Offering volcanic sights, waterfalls, gorgeous natural valleys, many hot springs, and a plentitude of flora varieties.
The four seasons each bring a new environment, from rhododendrons, camellias, cherry blossoms and wild flowers in the spring (February and March) covering the whole mountain, and a Flower Festival occur. Thunderstorms in the summer bring beautiful rainbows across the valleys, maple trees turn red in the fall, making the mountain appear on fire, and in the winter, snow covers the mountain with cloudshen it snows in winter, the mountain will become completely white with misty clouds swirling over it.
They divide the mountain into two sections. The Front Mountain Park called Zhongzheng Gongyuan in Pinyin has beautifully designed bridges crossing over babbling brooks, pavilions, and flowers (in season) greet you as you walk along the trails. The Back Mountain Park is called Yangming Gongyuan in Pinyin. All of these places form a primitive and simple world to relax your mind and body. The Grass Mountain Waterfall is the best known in the area running all year. The Zhongshan Lou is an ancient architectural site in the northeast part of the park where Taiwanese leaders often have important events.
Amazingly beautiful Yangming Gongyuan is circled by Mt. Seven Star, Mt. Gauze Hat, Mt. Bamboo Lake, Mt. Zhongzheng, and Mt. Datun (a volcanic mountain). Mt. Seven Star has hot springs, and they are hot! They supposedly cure all sorts of diseases. Check out the Flower Clock, the twinkling Xiaoyin Pool, the round Seven Color Fountain, magnificent Guangfu Lou, and lots of waterfalls.
The warm, humid climate and volcanic soils have encouraged the development of several unique species of flora and fauna, so the area is rich in animals, insects and over twelve hundred plants species including gingko. Butterflies are the most popular insects with a hundred and thirty three varieties.
[edit] Jade Mountain
In the center of Taiwan Island, Jade Mountain extends to the west of the Central Mountain Range. It runs approximately north-south for about 280 km (about 174 miles). Most of the eleven peaks on Jade Mountain are over 2000 meters (about 6500 feet) high, so Jade Mountain has gained the name 'Roof of Taiwan'. In 1985, Jade Mountain National Park, which has Jade Mountain at the center, was opened to the public.
Jade Peak is the main peak of Jade Mountain. With an elevation of nearly 4000 meters (about 13,000 feet), it is not only the highest peak in Taiwan, but also the highest one in eastern China. In the winter, Jade Peak is often capped with thick snow which makes the entire peak shine like stainless jade, hence its name. At the top of Jade Peak, one can overlook the Taiwan Strait and the Pacific Ocean. Owing to its height and steepness, Jade Peak is recognized as the most prominent of Taiwan's 'Ten Peaks'.
One can climb the mountain on foot or drive a car to enjoy the landscape along the road. Any season of the year is fine to visit the mountain except at some times in the winter when roads are covered by snow. At this time it is too treacherous for climbers or cars.
One should also be well equipped before the climbing. Prepare clothes to resist the cold on top of the mountain and take medicine for mountain sickness. If one has any intention of rock climbing, ropes and hooks must be prepared. If it is possible, climbing with an experienced guide is a better choice. Before climbing the mountain, one must apply for permission. Make your visit an environmentally friendly one.
[edit] Sun Moon Lake
You will find Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan's largest nayural lake, located in Nantou County of Taipei City, surrounded by Mount Shuishe and Mount Dajian. The lake is nearly eight square kilometers averaging a depth of forty meters. The Island called Guanghua divides the lake into northern and southern sections. It gets its name due to the northern section resembles a rhomboid-shaped sun while the southern section represents a crescent-shaped moon.
The climate here is moderate and a major choice as a summer resort for the cool weather, and magnificent scenery, as the lake reflects nearby mountains. Rain or shine, winter or summer, the lake offers visitors a plethora of picturesque sights, especially at night when the water is bathed in moonlight touched with a layer of sheer fog, giving it the appearance of a haunted place.
Wenwu Temple is located near the north shore pating homage to Confucius (551-479 BC), General Yue Fei (1103-1142) of the Southern Song Dynasty and General Guan Yu of the Shu States in the Three Kingdoms from 221-263 AD. The splendid temple is tall in harmony with the surrounding mountains. Guanghua Island holds the burial place of Xuan Zang (602-664), a monk who went to India on foot to seek the sutra. And finally on the island, is a pavilion named for the Old Man Under the Moon (the God of Marriage).
[edit] Shopping
As in many Asian countries, night markets are a staple of Taiwanese entertainment, shopping and eating. Night markets are open-air markets, usually on a street or alleyway, with vendors selling all sorts of wares on every side. Many bargains can be had, and wherever prices are not displayed, haggling is expected. In Taipei there is a night market every night and in the same place. In smaller cities, they are only open certain nights of the week, and may move to different streets depending on the day of the week.
Every city has at least one night market; larger cities like Taipei may have a dozen or more. Night markets are crowded, so remember to keep your wallet in your front pocket! Shops selling the same items tend to congregate in the same part of the city. If you want to buy something, ask someone to take you to one shop and there will probably be shops selling similar things nearby. Bargaining is OK and expected in night markets and small stores. Computer chain shops and department stores normally have fixed prices, but at least in department stores you may get a "registered member discount" if you're shopping a lot. Anyway it's always worth a try!
When bargaining at small stores, please note that the agreed prices are normally cash prices. If you like to use a credit card, the seller normally wants to add anything up to 5% to the price as a "card fee" etc. The fee consists actually of the credit company's commission and also the local sales tax/VAT. Even if you pay cash, you normally don't get an official receipt, as then the seller would have to report and pay their taxes in full (tax evasion is rampant). If you ask for a receipt or "fa piao", you will get it but you may need to pay 2-5% more.
[edit] What to buy
Popular things to buy include:
Jade - Although it can be hard to know for sure if the item you're buying is real jade or not, some beautiful objects are sold. Taipei has a specific jade market dealing in jade and other precious stones.
Computers. Taiwan is a center of computer design and manufacture, so some places sell original equipment manufacturers' (OEM) items at good rates. In particular Taiwanese companies produce laptop computers under license to international companies and then sell the same items under different brands locally, effectively giving the same quality for much lower prices.
Peripherals such as cables and adapters tend to be noticibly cheaper also. It's best to go to tourist hangouts to buy your stuff as you might be saddled with Chinese documentation otherwise. Also, notebooks are typically only available with a Chinese or English keyboard.
Note: In order to protect the environment, a government policy rules that plastic bags cannot be given freely at stores in Taiwan, but have to be bought (at a flat rate of NT$1) - bakeries being an exception as the items need to be hygienically wrapped. Re-useable canvas and nylon bags are sold at most supermarkets.
[edit] Nourishment
Taiwan cuisine tends to come from mainland China. You can find Szechuan, Hunan, Beifang, Cantonese and most of the other Chinese cuisines on Taiwan. Taiwanese versions are generally more greasy, and genuine mainland cuisines are hard to find, especially Cantonese cuisine since few people speak on Taiwan. Taiwanese are love to use seafood and eggs.
But you will also find specialty foods at various locations on Taiwan, due to its long isolation from China. Ilan, for example, is known for mochi which is a snack of sticky rice often flavored with peanuts, sesame or different flavours. Yonghe, a suburb of Taipei is known for breakfast foods and soya milk. Sun cakes can be found in Taichung, a stuffed but sweet pastry. In Jiayi, the specialize in square cookies, or cubic pastry which are crisp-layered cookies made into squares and liberally sprinkled by sesame seeds.
You will find excellent bakery items on Taiwan, such as sour breads, whole wheat loaves and ciabatta.
Mahayana Buddhists who are the majority in Taiwan are vegetarians in conjunction to Buddha's teachings of compassion and non-violence. As a result, vegetarian restaurants are found all over Taiwan, from inexpensive buffet-style to organic or gourmet. Buffet restaurants are typical in most neighborhoods in the large cities. Unlike all-you-can-eat buffet restaurants charging one price, your cost is determined by how much the food weighs. Rice (brown and white) is separately charged, but cold tea and soup are free. US$3 to $4 will get you an excellent, filling and nutritious meal.
Even non-vegetarian restaurants are happy to keep the meat out if you request. "Wo chr su" means I'm vegetarian, "Wo bu chr rou" means you do not eat meat. Because Mandarin is tonal, you may need to try and say both to be understood, Acting also helps. If they refuse to get what you ordered, it is because their basic cooking involves pork fat or chicken broth.
Taiwanese are not big dairy people, therefore most dishes in Chinese-style vegetarian restaurants will be vegan.
You can find McDonalds and KFC if you must, plus convenience stores like 7-11 selling things like tea, eggs, sandwiches and hot and cold drinks.
If you are travelling on the cheap and want something really authentic, try the back-alley noodle shops or night market stalls, where a filling bowl of noodles goes for around US$ 1 or $2.
[edit] Drink
As Taiwan is a subtropical island with the south part in the tropics, it cannot hurt to drink a lot, especially during summertime. Drink vending machines can be found virtually averywhere and are filled with all kinds of juices, tea and coffee drinks, soy milk and mineral water.
[edit] Water
The general rule in Taiwan regarding drinking water is that it should only be drunk if it has been boiled (and preferably filtered). The locals do it, and so should you. If this is not possible, then you should buy bottled water.
In Taipei, the water board officially declares the water they treat to be safe to drink. However, even if you rely on official guarantees, you can not rely on the piping in every building to be up to the same standard. Unless the building is very new, you should regard tap water as being safe to drink only once it has been boiled for at least 3 minutes. At most MRT stations (the Taipei Underground) you can usually find a drinking fountain to refill a water bottle. The water here is officially guaranteed as safe to drink and should have a recent chemical analysis posted above, for those with extreme interest in water quality.
In Kaohsiung, most people do not drink the tap water, even after filtering or boiling, since the water contains trace amounts of arsenic that is detrimental to ones health. The locals obtain potable water using pumps that look like gasoline pumps that are strewn throughout the residential areas. However, according to Taiwan Water, the arsenic concentration of the water in Kaohsiung is about 0.0007mg/L?, which is much lower than the maxium limit promulgated by either U.S.or Taiwan EPA, and therefore they claim that quality of tap water in Kaohsiung is compliance with Drinking Water Quality Standards. If in doubt, follow the examples of the locals. However, irrespective of the arsenic problem, because water in Taiwan is generally stored in rooftop tanks, it definitely should be boiled before drinking. In other parts of Taiwan, water is generally safe to drink after boiling.
[edit] Alcohol
Traditional alcoholic drinks in Taiwan are very strong. Kaoliang is the most famous alcoholic drink. A distilled grain liquor, it is extremely strong, usually 140 proof or more, and often drunk straight.
Taiwan also produces many types of Shaoxing rice wine, which are considered by many as being some of the best in the world.
Taiwanese people enjoy beer on ice. A wide variety of imported beers are available, but the standard is Taiwan Beer, produced by a former government monopoly. It is brewed with fragrant penglai rice in addition to barley giving it a distinctive flavor.
[edit] Tea and coffee
Taiwan's speciality teas are High Mountain Oolong (Gau-shan wulong) - a fragrant, light tea, and Tie Guan-yin - a dark, rich brew. Enjoying this tea drank in the traditional way using a very small teapot and tiny cups is a experience you should not miss. This way of taking tea is called lao ren cha - 'old people's tea', and the name is derived from the fact that only the elderly traditionaly had the luxury of time to relax and enjoy tea in this way.
Pearl milk tea (Zhen-Zhu Nai-Cha) is a drink that most foreigners like. Its no longer a fad in Taiwan, but can still be found at nearly every coffee/tea shop. Look for a shop where it is fresh made. Just don't expect to see everyone in the homeland of pearl milk tea drinking it.
The cafe culture has hit Taiwan in a big way, and in addition to an abundance of privately owned cafes, all the major chains, such as Starbucks, have a multitude of branches throughout major towns and cities.
[edit] Soft drinks
Taiwan is a great place for fruit drinks. Small fruit-juice bars make them fresh on the spot and are experts at creating fruit-juice cocktails (non-alcoholic, of course). zong-he - mixed - is usually a sweet and sour combination and mu-gwa niou-nai is iced papaya milk. If you don't want ice say, chu bing and no sugar - wu tang.
Soy milk, or doujiang, is a great treat. Try it hot or cold. Savoury soy milk is a traditional Taiwanese breakfast dish. It is somewhat of an acquired taste as vinegar is added to curdle the milk. Both sweet and savoury soy milk are often ordered with you-tiao, or deep fried dough crullers.
There are a lot of pseudo health drinks in Taiwanese supermarkets and convenience stores. Look out for asparagus juice and lavender milk tea for example.
[edit] Safely.travel
Taiwan is considered quite safe for travelers, including women at night. However, there is no crime like any public place you let your guard down. Crwoded night markets and festivals have their share of pickpockets. However, in general, the streets anywhere on Taiwan are quite safe and violent crime or muggings are unusual. Seldom will you see drunks in public, night or day.
Single women should still be cautious when taking taxis late at night. Although they are generally safe, have your hotel call you a taxi, and when you get in, write down the licence number of thye vehicle or driver. If you can arrange it, have a friend call you when you get home and let the taxi driver know, or have a friend go to the taxi with you, and be seen writing down the identification of the taxi. Try not to tell a taxi driver you precise address, just the nearby area, some taxi drivers have a criminal record and may want to check out what you have in the house.
Most police departments have foreign affairs police that speak English. If you are the victim of a major crime, it is wise to contact your government's office in Taipei about the incident. Police stations usually have a bright red light above their front door.
If you are new to travelling, or even if you have travelled the globe for years, I strongly recommend you check out the following link for some very interesting and informative reading about safe travelling in Taipei and Taiwan, and the Third World in general. It is an accumulation of original thoughts and experiences of several worldly travellers, just go to Safely.travel. It was written with the Third World in mind, where travelling disasters are around every corner, and a pre-emptor to what we may all expect someday in the First World as populations increase and desperate people become more brave and sophisticated in their survival techniques. It will make you aware of all sorts of scams, how to check into a hotel, advice for single lady travellers, advice for single men travellers, rip tides, credit card scams, driving in a foreign land, kidnapping, street people, you name it. It is an essential read for anyone travelling, and the most comprehensive discussion I know of!
[edit] Acts of God
During the summer and fall, Taiwan often gets hit with a few typhoons, and heavy rian from the monsoons. If hiking and mountaineering, check local weather reports before heading out. Rains can cause wash-outs and falling rocks because of the solf volcanic soil.
Taiwan is also prone to earthquakes, though seldom very strong, you may feel them in higher buildings. Fortunately, building codes are quite strict, but normal precautions should be taken during an earthquake such as opening the door to prevent it from getting jammed, taking cover in protected areas, and looking for any gas leaks after it is over.
You may run across some poisonous snakes on Taiwan such as the Russel's viper, who prefers to attack when feeling threatened. Other poisonous snakes like the bamboo viper, the banded krait, coral snakes, the Chinese cobra, the Taiwan habu, and the 'hundred pacer' are scared of humans, so if you make a noise as you are walking along, stamp your feet on the ground and so forth, they will tend to get out of the way.
[edit] Traffic
Like most third world countries, driving is new to many, and lack of respect for life and reckless driving lead to many accidents. When driving, yield to anyone who wants to cut you off, you are not in a hurry anyway. Especially in southern Taiwan, many drivers do not stop at red lights and stop signs, they just slow down a bit. Most motorcycles zip in and out of traffic like they have separate rules of the road. As a pedestrian, crossing the road can be a challenge, even if the green light is in your favour. Be careful of cars turning right on a red, and look both ways on a one-way street before crossing.
[edit] Emergency telehone numbers
- Police are 110
- Fire/Ambulance are 119
[edit] Staying healthy
- Westerners may want to be cautious with undercooked meat, where many Taiwanese restaurants serve plates of sliced raw meat and uncooked seafood brought to your table to be either bar-b-cued or steeped in a stock pot. The Taiwanese have built up a resistence to bacteria, but travelers can get as sick as a dog. Be sure to cook all meat how you are used to.
- Use bottled spring water as much as possible.
- Drug stores have all the usual thngs you may require, and a pharmasist is often a good source of information to advise what to take to get better.
- Taiwan hospitals are excellent, convenient and quite efficient, but are only available for free help if you are a legal resident with a National Health Card covering treatments and medications using Western as well as traditional Chinese medicine. This service is not given to tourists, not are major hospital expenses covered. If you think you may have a problem, carry travel insurance for potential health problems.
[edit] Respecting Taiwanese culture
Taiwan shares several cultural taboos with other East Asian nations.
- Do not stick your chopsticks straight up or even sticking into your bowl of rice. This is reminiscent of incense sticks at a temple, and has connotations of wishing death upon those around you. When putting down chopsticks, either place them on the provided porcelain chopstick rest (at fancier restaurants) or rest the chopsticks across the top of your bowl.
- Some Taiwanese are superstitious about anything connected with dying - unlucky things should never be mentioned.
- Do not write people's names in red. This again has connotations of death. When writing someone's English name, this is not a problem, but avoid writing Chinese names in red.
- Do not whistle at night. This is an "invitation to ghosts".
Untouched photo of the Juguang Tower in Kinmen
- Do not point at cemeteries or graves. This is also an "invitation to ghosts".
There are numerous taboos dictating that certain objects shouldn't be given to others, often because the word for that object sounds like another unfortunate word:
- Umbrellas, which in Mandarin sound the same as the word for "break up". Friends should therefore never give friends umbrellas. Instead, friends will euphemistically "rent" each other umbrellas for a tiny amount (NT$1, for example).
- Clocks. The phrase "to give a clock" ("song zhong"), in Mandarin, has the same sound as the word "to perform last rites." If you do give someone a clock, the recipient may give you a coin in return to dispel the curse.
- Shoes. Never ever offer shoes as a gift to old people, as it signifies sending them on their way to heaven.
- Knives or sharp objects, as they are made for or could be used to hurt the person.
- The Taiwanese are certainly not puritanical and enjoy a drink, especially the locally brewed Taiwan Beer and Kaoliang. However, Taiwan does not have a culture of heavy drinking and is rare to see anyone drunk on the streets. While over indulging in alcohol is not a social taboo as such (and some people do so at weddings), it is considered a sign of lack of self-confidence and immaturity, and doing so certainly won't gain you any respect among Taiwanese friends.
- You are expected to remove your shoes before entering a house. You will find some slippers to be worn by visitors next to the entrance door. It is likely to be the same ritual for bathrooms and balconies where you will be expected to remove your slippers to wear a pair of plastic sandals (though it is less shocking not to use the sandals by then).
- In southern Taiwan, and especially in public places, physical contacts of any sorts should be avoided.
- As you will get along with Taiwanese people, you are very likely to receive small presents of any sorts. This will be drinks, food, little objects... These are a very convenient way to lubricate social relations for Taiwanese people, and are specially commons betweens friends in their 20s. You should reply to any such presents with something similar, but it does not need to be immediate, or specific to the person (i.e. keep it simple). You are not expected to offer anything in return as a teacher (i.e. in a classroom environment) as long as the relationships stays formal. Beware of the sometime overly generous parents who can go as far as offering presents running in the thousands of NT$ and who will then expect you to take special care of their child (understand that their expectations will be considered as fair in Taiwanese culture).
- You are not expected to tip in hotels and restaurants.
[edit] Politics
Taiwanese society is rather polarized by allegiance between supporters of the two major political blocks informally known as "Pan-Blue Coalition" and "Pan-Green Coalition", although there are large numbers of people who are either centrist or who don't care. To simplify a complex situation, pan-blue supporters tend to be more favorable toward the idea of reunification with China and pan-green supporters tend to be more favorable toward the idea of establishing an independent Republic of Taiwan, among other differences.
Although there are some correlations, it is highly unwise to assume anything about a particular persons political beliefs based on what you think you know about their background. Also, the very brief sketch of Taiwanese politics obscures a large amount of complexity.Unless you know your listener well, it is unwise to say anything (either positive or negative) about the current government, about historical figures in Taiwanese history, about Taiwan's international relations, or about relations with mainland China. Some figures such as Sun Yat-sen are generally seen positively, but others (Chiang Kai-shek, Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian in particular) arouse very polarized feelings.
Some people will get very offended if you imply that Taiwan is part of China. Other people will get very offended if you imply that Taiwan is not part of China. Referring to the PRC as "Communist China" or "mainland China" rather than simply China will tend not to offend anyone. Referring to the Republic of China as a whole as "Taiwan Province" will draw a negative reaction from most Taiwanese. "Greater China" may be used in certain business contexts. Keep in mind however, that there are so many subtleties and complexities here that if you are talking about these things, you've already wandered into a minefield.
[edit] Betel Nut Beauties
Many of the highways on Taiwan have brightly lit booths beside beautiful, skantily dressed young ladies who surprisingly are not encouraging the world's oldest trade, but instead, they are betel nut beauties competing for your attention selling the mildly addictive stimulant betel nut. Moralists have banned the practice in Taipei and a few other counties both out of fears of a getting a bad international reputation, and more importantly, preventing traffic accidents from motorists staring at them rather than the road. Nonetheless, the practice is still going strong in much of the country. Binlang has a lot of this in the rural and working class areas. Betel nut stains your teeth blood red, but if you must try it, bite off the cap at the top of the nut, and spit it away then chew the rest of it. You'll need to spit frequently (such class!) and enjoy the numb high.
[edit] Contact
[edit] Getting Online
Internet cafes are plentiful, although you may have to wander around before finding one. Rather, Internet cafes in Taiwan should be called gaming cafes. Although people do surf the Internet, most people primarly go there for a smooth experience of online gaming. Each hour of Internet access/game play is cheap, coming in at around NT$20. Some machines in the internet cafes are coin operated. For free internet access in big cities, try out the local libraries.
In addition, a wireless internet accessing net covering all of Taipei City is available (it was free before May 2006 and is now payable at convenient stores in Taipei City) and Kaohsiung City is currently under construction; it already works in some huge MRT stations and on some special points. You will need some sort of login.
[edit] Media
Taiwan has a very free and liberal press. There are three daily newspapers available in English:
- the China Post
- the Taipei Times
- Taiwan News
Other news sources:
- TaipeiNews.net
- Taiwan Sun
- Taiwan Headlines
- Taiwan Journal
- the Taiwan Economic News
- Government Information Office's periodicals
- RTI (Radio Taiwan International)
Free magazines:
- Lifestyle - info on Taiwan relating to what's on and current trends - bilingual.
- Taiphoon - a magazine dedicated to promoting peace and environmental awareness in Taiwan - bilingual.
- Journey East - a travel & lifestyle magazine for northern Taiwan - bilingual.
[edit] Taipei and Taiwan hotels
As mentioned above, the following Taiwan hotels had to qualify to be listed here. They must be independently owned and operated, meet minimum eco-friendly requirements, rise to the top after a series of former guest reviews, and their average nightly double occupancy room rate must be less than US$150 per night. We have also listed budget accommodations as well as popular bed and breakfasts.
Click on any hotel website we provide, and talk to a real person. Avoid misunderstandings caused by a middleman. Before you make your reservation, you can request a multi-night or multi-room, child or senior discount; a quiet room, or a top floor room, or a room with a view; or if you wish to be accommodated close to the pool; if you want extra blankets, towels or pillows; or have them recommend and book a tour or car for you in advance; you can request a romantic bouquet of exotic flowers with a note attached waiting in your room, or a chilled bottle of champagne; or ask questions about the surrounding area, dining, nightlife, laundry services or luggage storage, or a possible early check-in or late check-out. Play one hotel against the other. You can't do any of this when you book through a middleman, and without the middleman's whopping 20% to 40% commission to pay, a hotel has far more flexibility in satisfying your requests! AdventureHotels.travel makes no commission from any reservation, and only charges a small annual fee to list the hotel on our websites.
It costs you nothing to enjoy the fruits of our labor, and the savings and advantages are up to you when you deal directly with the hotel!
[edit] Our most qualified Taipei and Taiwan hotels under $150 (in order of value for money)
[edit] Taipei Hotels
By the number of 24 hour stores, one would get the impression Taipei and Taiwan never sleep. Taipei hotels range in quality from seedy to very luxurious. Keep in mind however that hotels which cater specifically to Westerners tend to be outrageously expensive, while comparable and much cheaper hotels are usually available, and most taxi drivers can take you to one. In particular, the airport hotel at CKS International charges about three or four times as much as a hotel in Taoyuan which is a half hour cab ride. Motels can be easily found in suburbs of major cities. A single room with attached bathroom will cost you about US$40 to 50 each day.
As in much of Asia, hotel beds in Taiwan are generally much harder than in the West. Only in the most upscale Western style hotels will you find beds any softer than a billard table. For the budget-minded, there are hostels in Taipei and most other sizeable cities. Camping is also available in many areas.
Especially when you visit the regions less travelled by westerners (mostly because there is no business there), don't be shy to walk in on the more pricy hotels, especially off-season. The Ceasar, the Chateau and the Howard Beach Resort at Kenting, for example, located at one of the nicest beaches of tropical Taiwan, can be of exceptional value if you stay there during wintertime, as the rooms not yet let for the night are offered far below their normal price at last minute.
We have tried not to list hotels under each region without their own website atleast on the first two pages of the search engines. I have also listed only independent hotels with prices below $125 per night, there is no reason to pay more, and have used a complicated system of guest reviews to determine the best value hotels, so you won't have to do the work. I believe, if the hotel doesn't have the wherewithall to proudly display and inform you about their hotel on the internet, they probably don't have the wherewithall to make your stay comfortable, a pleasure and problem-free.
- Waikoloa Hotel - Each room has over 50 square meters in size, constant temperature air conditioner, full radio station, King Size bed, wooden writing desk and stationary, TV with full satellite channel, 110V and 220V transformer, coffee and tea, and personal safe box to keep your valuables. Bathroom has a shower closet, standard bath tub or Jacuzzi. Each room has telephone line and individual ADSL computer socket to free access to internet, of course there is free mineral water and fresh flowers to let you have a relax moment while in tedious business trip. In order to fit the taste of our guests, we have five kinds of room in different decoration.
- Wonstar Hotel - Wonstar Hotel is conveniently located in the intersection of Zhonghua Rd and Hankou St where is just 10 minute away from the Ximen station of Taipei metro. Whether you are on a business trip or on a vacation, Wonstar Hotel will offer you the most unparalleled accommodation service with the best price to meet your needs. Besides, fully-Integrated tourism guide and brochure of Taipei City are also available at the front counter. Wonstar Hotel is always your best choice!
- Delight Hotel - Delight Hotel is situated at the best location in NanJing and DunHua business district with easy access to Taipei Arena, other well-known department stores, Interchange Accociation, Japan (IAJ), Chang Gung Hospital and Song Shang Airport. A retreat that makes our guests enjoy their trip within our cozy space and relax their mind and body to give away tiredness. Delight Hotel not only provides you with the clean and conformatible rooms but also great boraden business opportunities; you'd love the free easy access to the rapid broad-band internet in our rooms. Staying here, you'll find the difference after our brand-new renovation and feel the safety; Delight Hotel has passed the city government's safety test and is equipped with anti-bug-and tap device. Besides, we considerately offer our customers free breakfast buffet with both Chinese-style and western style foods.
- Royal Best Suites - The Royal Best Suites welcome guests from around the world with our elegant and classical decor, artistic corridors decorated with works of art and comfortable suites. Our staff's priority is to create a feeling that staying at Royal Best is truly an experience in warmth and pleasantness. At our hotel, every guest is equally honored, and you will be immediately impressed from the moment you step into our lobby. We have friendly receptionists to help our guests with our efficient check-in service. You receive a complimentary fruit basket and flowers upon arrival. We have personalized envelopes, letterheads for our guests use only. Let us be your home away from home.
- United Hotel - Minimalized, but not empty. Cool, but not cold, The United Hotel is the first of the Design Hotels in all of Taiwan. Decorated with luxurious corridor poles and beautiful crystal hanging ceiling lamps, the hotel uses soft and tender lighting hidden in the walls and materials taken from nature to form a simple and delicate atmosphere. The United Hotel aims to provide all travelers and businessmen an environment as comfortable as their own home. Located in a prosperous section of eastern Taipei, near the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taipei World Trade Center, Taipei International Convention Center, CTS, Hsin-yi Shopping District and a Taipei MRT station, The United Hotel is equipped with convenience in transportation and regional functions for both business and tourism. Distance from the CKS International Airport to the hotel is 55km, approximately 45 minutes by car. Distance from the Taipei World Trade Center/Taipei International Convention Centre is only 1 km or 3-5 minutes by car.
- Donghwa Hotel - Located right at the heart of Taipei commercial area, it's only 5 minutes to Domestic Airport and 10 minutes from Taiwan's primary north-south highway, our guests can have a fully convenience to anywhere of Taipei. When you stay in Donghwa, you are not feeling away from home, we will serve you like home. On demand of international customers, we always keep in our mind is to improve our service quality to fit our customers, not only in room decoration but just like limousine, city guide, free breakfast, free internet access, yellow page, city tour all are available in you stay with us.
- Shin-Shih Hotel - The Shin-Shih Hotel is home for business travelers. Located in Chung Shan district where combined with personal leisure and Chinese culture only two minutes away from MRT station. Shin-Shih Hotel provides unexpected quality service for all business travelers, free email and on line utility makes you comfortable during your stay. It is totally beyond your expectation.
- Rido Hotel - Rido Hotel evokes a kind, comfortable and carefree personal feeling, just like the sensation you would enjoy at home. The interior design throughout the hotel reveals a distinguished style; the lobby is filled with a magnificent, luxurious European ambiance, and our rooms have various cultural influences, each with its own unique characteristics. We hope you would think of us as a temporary palace in the city. Additionally, we face the 49-acre Da-Ann Forest Park so, by simply opening the window, you would immediately enjoy a carpet of green grass and beds of beautiful flowers. Experience a magnificent sunset, and as the stars fill the sky and the clouds blow a soothing wind, enjoy a relaxation one rarely finds in the bustling workforce.
- Green Peak Hotel - was established on November 9, 1968. Becuase of our diligence, we have the confidence from our clients. It is a commerce hotel that could let you ease your mind to live. We not only keep the faith, 'Best services, customers are always right', but make everyone feel at home. We spent a lot of money renewing our facilities gradually in these years and in this way we have another appearance. The hotel is situated in emporium of Taipei. It is convenient for our customers in business to work or exhibit in Taipei International Trade Center. And we offer the best facilities to make everyone enjoy the genial quality services. We have sixty rooms. Every room is comfortable and graceful. Every guest can use a personal computer or notebook to contact the internet in his room.
- Hotel Sunroute - Having hundred chain hotels experience, located in the very convenient business district of Taipei city, and 6 minutes walk from Mass Rapid Trans "Min-Chuan E. Rd. Station", the Sunroute Hotel Taipei will meet your needs for business stay in Taipei.
[edit] Recommended hotels in the rest of Taiwan
[edit] Kaohsiung Hotels
- Gear Hotel - Kaohsiung is the biggest industrial city in Taiwan, due to the presence of big name industries such as China Petroleum Company, China Steel Company and China Shipbuilding Company. However, the petrochemical industry is not as popular these days as it once was, and as a result, the Kaohsiung City Government.
- Garden Plaza Hotel - Kaohsiung Garden Plaza Hotel, located among the scenic spot and commercial center, is an all-purpose hotel for business and leisure. There's only twenty-five minutes from the Kaohsiung International Airport and three minutes from the Kaohsiung Train Station to hotel by car. From 1998 till today, Kaohsiung Garden Plaza Hotel was constantly awarded the best hygiene prize by Kaohsiung City Government yearly. It is also the best hotel recommended by the government during the period of the Kaohsiung lantern festival or other large activity held in Kaohsiung. The Hotel provides the unique and excellent environment of accommodation as well as its delicacy of food and beverage and it makes the hotel different from other hotels in Kaohsiung. In order to meet the guest's need, Kaohsiung Garden Plaza Hotel provides 200 comfortable rooms and various suites in both wings of the building. The hotel also offers diverse discounts based on the demand of guests. There are separate floors, such as business floor, leisure floor, lady floor and Internet-clan floor etc. The hotel expects that every guest stays in hotel can enjoy the most considerate and professional services.
- The Grand Hotel - Magnificent hotel at a reasonable price.
- Hotel Kingdom - Hotel Kingdom is located next to adoring Love River. The river is a minute walk from the hotel. The founder, Mr. Wu Yao-ting, is the first annual Ten Outstanding Young Persons winner. After 10 years of planning and developing, Hotel Kingdom opened officially in 1968. It is the first five-star international tourism hotel in south Taiwan. "Revering guests with all our sincere and respecting guests with all our heart" is Hotel Kingdom core strength to provide all guests personalized service.
[edit] Taichung Hotels
- Kao Yuan Hotel - The Kaoyuan group's in service industry specialty, Founded in 1995, for in accordance to the time demand, President Kao thought Taichung commerce population increasing sharply, the consideration which the transportation's convenience, afterinspected and the research in every way then builds KaoYuan Hotel in the Taichung urban district, we provided the most intimate service, also provides the present e plan concept advanced hotel, enable each traveling and the commercial passenger all to have the home away from home feeling, this is Kaoyuan hotel service idea "also must modernize except the service, except is clean also must be graceful, also must be convenient except the rest". Service industry is all different in each stage request, by the present said the hotel needs the position transportation convenience, also must have enough parking space and provides good dining service, spa's resting space, and the internet service.
[edit] Nantou Hotels
- Chengpoa Hotel - The majestic Cheng pao Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of central Taiwan's scenic area. It is the largest hotel in Nantou. Visitors can easily get to the Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village, Sun Moon Lake, Chi chi, Water Snake Kiln, Puli Wine Mill, Central Taiwan Temple, Clear Area, Mt. lu, Aowan Maple and Hehuan Mountain. This hotel has become a new landmark in Puli town of Nantou area. This modern, elegant, human oriented and comfortable hotel is a good place for relaxation and holidays. When you step into this splendid hotel, you will be impressed by the brand-new magnificent lobby, the thoughtful service of our receptionists, the Mt. Fuji style atrium, the fountain, the Chinese classic pavilions and the enchanting melodies flowing in the air now and again. Beside the lobby, a luxury and old style café with a harmonious tone supplies European style or typical cuisine made by renowned chefs, great for entertaining friends.
- Hotel Tilun Tonpo - a big tour county in Taiwan, not only has rich recreational tour resources, but also has beautiful and comfortable scenery. Therefore, Nantou has always been called " the Switzerland of Taiwan". Among so many towns and tour spots of the county, the natural scenery and human culture characteristic of Hsinyi Siang are most often mentioned by tourists. Tilun is located within the town of Tonpo where precious sources of all life existence are dramatically situated by the earth's most natural ecosystem of the Yushan National Park,the biggest National Park in Taiwan. Tonpo is famous for its aboriginal culture and thermal groundwater (hot springs). Tonpo town is relatively small and peaceful. Local people are Bunon, one of the ten aboriginal tribes in Taiwan, who are very friendly to foreigners. The resort is surrounded by unexplored forests, the unpolluted fresh air, clear creeks and the untouched wild animals. Accommodation options at Hotel Tilun Tonpo spa are equivalent to 3-star all suite hotel. The choice includes: 150 luxury rooms of a tribal design with the leisure living area, two hydropathics of the hot spring (one is indoor, the other is outdoor), a fitness room, a Chinese-cuisine restaurant and a hot-spring spa.
[edit] Tainan Hotels
- The Tayih Landis Hotel - Tayih Landis Hotel Tainan is situated in the historic old capitol of Taiwan. The Landis hotel is prestigiously located in the bustling new West Gate commercial area, adjacent to one of the largest department stores in Southeast Asia. It is conveniently located near Tainan's major historic landmarks, including the Confucius Temple and the Chihkan Towers. The Tayih Landis Hotel offers 257 comfortable guest rooms and 49 suites. All the hotel rooms offer individual climate control, personal workstation with dataports and ADSL Internet connection, large flat screen televisions with satellite channels, three telephones, and marble bathrooms with a separate shower room. With its service philosophy, Tayih Landis Hotel provides each guest with a thorough yet warm service experience. It caters to all needs, from conferences and business meetings in Tainan to vacations, banquets, recreation and dining in Tainan. Tayih Landis Hotel in Tainan is just ten minutes from Tainan train station and a 20-minute drive from Tainan Domestic Airport and 30 minutes away from Tainan Science Industrial Park.
- Hotel Tainan - Hotel Tainan is located in the prime district of Tainan. The hotel is right across the street from the Tainan Railway Station and within walking distance to several bus stations, the post office, Shing-Kuang Mitsukoshi, Focus Department Stores and Min-Zu Shopping Center. Cheng Kung University and Central Park are also within a one-mile radius. It is extremely convenient for both business and vacation travelers and is the ideal place for a business conference, exhibition, seminar, wedding or a private party. Restaurants in the hotel have been certified from the highest national health bureau, HACCP , with praise for its "No Smoking" policy. Hotel Tainan routinely renovates its guest rooms, ensuring a comfortable stay at all times.
- Evergreen Plaza Hotel - Evergreen Plaza Hotel (Tainan) is close to downtown Tainan and is 15 minutes driving distance to Tainan airport and Ren-Der intersection. The Hotel covers 5,377 square meters, with 12 above ground floors and 4 underground floors. The total size of the building is 37342, 19 square meters. There are 197 rooms at Evergreen Plaza Hotel and six outlet restaurants including CHEERS (musical restaurant), Tasting the World (all you can eat buffet), Evergarden (Chinese restaurant), Gourmet Deli (western style restaurant), Lobby Lounge and Banquet Hall. In addition, Evergreen Plaza Hotel's facilities also include a fitness center, sauna, outdoor swimming pool and spa, etc.
- Taipung Suites - Opened on 19 January 2006 which located opposite Tainan City Hall No. 199 Yong Hua 2nd Street with its perfect union of style and convenience. After the state of the art renovation and with its exclusive central downtown location, which is only 15 minutes to Tainan Domestic Airport, 10 minutes to Tainan Train Station and 40 minutes to Tainan Science Based Park, 10 minutes to Tainan Technology Industrial Park, 3 minutes to Mitsukoshi Shopping Mall, 24-Hour Carrefour Supermarket, Starbucks, as well as historic sites of interest such as Confucius Temple, Anping historic area perfectly ideal for business, convention & leisure travelers.
[edit] Hualien Hotels
- Parkview Hotel - Between the mountains and the sea, the sweet fresh air floats over beautiful Hualien. Parkview Hotel with our hearty smile and service will lead you to the ultimate relaxation experience you have been longing for so long. Parkview Hotel offers 360 guest rooms with yielding bright, comfortable and yet elegant ambiance. There are a variety of accommodations to choose from, including double, triple, family, junior and deluxe suites. Hotel rooms enjoy both sea and our spacious garden landscape.
- Village Taroco Hotel - As a branch of the Leader Hotel, Village Taroko used to be a place for activities held by the RSEA Engineering Corporation, which abandoned the place for a long time. After a full renovation that gave the place a refreshing new look, it was officially opened in September, 2004. Situated on the Bruwan plateau and surrounded by mountains, plus the Liwu River passing by, Village Taroko is a heavenly sight. Village Taroko is designed to be a small tribal village with stand-alone aboriginal-style cabins that also have a traditional Japanese touch to it. The interior textile lamps and paintings are all aboriginal hand-made artifacts. The setting of the living room is unique in that it is placed outside so that guests can enjoy the surrounding beauty during the day and chat with family members under the starry sky at night. There are two types of suites: Grand-view Taroko Suite and Grand-view Tribal Suite. The Grand-view Taroko Suite comes with a double bedroom and bathroom; the Grand-view Tribal Suite is suitable for six to eight guests such as a family or student group.
- Rosestone Bed and Breakfast - a.k.a. Fortune Garden, is the home of the famous rosestone collector, Mr. Tsai Tzu Tseng. He has being indulging in the rosestone collecting business for over 20 years and is the greatest collector of the valuable rosestones. It is now a famous tourist resort and ideal place of lodging while you travel to Hualien. The Rosestone Hualien Minshuku is a Taiwanese Traditional Mansion with 12 rooms which is unique and tastefully decorated, spotlessly clean and maintained. Offers all modern amenities - air conditioned rooms, 24 hour hot/cold water, international telephone service, internet/email/fax services, laundry, TV with over 60 channels including all major international channels. We would like to invite international travelers to experience the city , scenery and tastes of Hualien from the comfort of this unique homestay.
[edit] Hsinchu Hotels
- Lakeshore Hotel - Lakeshore Hotel Hsinchu provides accommodation, dining, conference and banquet facilities, as well as health club to serve you the best. Lying on the banks of Ching-Tsao Lake, the scenic Lakeshore Hotel is next to National Highway No. 3, and just a ten-minute drive from downtown. Lakeshore also provides a convenient connection to business with only ten-minute drive to Hsinchu Science Park. Lakeshore Hotel has 377 classic guest rooms, and four fine dining restaurants providing Chinese, Western, Japanese and buffet style cuisines. Our versatile ballrooms offer an elegant setting for events of all kinds. Spacious parking area, business center, limousine and shuttle service are offered to satisfy all your needs. Finally, the 5,500 square-meter Lakeshore Health Club is the place to go to rewind and relax from traveling.
- Sol Hotel - Sol Hotel is centrally located at the prosperous Hsinchu city center's Tungmen business circuit. It is within the vicinity of Tungmen Gate and next to Foochen Riverside. A 5-minute walking distance from the Bus Terminal, the hotel is conveniently within walking distance to the various local famous attractions such as Hsin Chu Municipal Image Museum, Hsin Chu Municipal GlassMuseum, Lee Tze-Fan Memorial Art Gallery, and the Chenghuang Temple. There is ample parking facilities available at the hotel, at Tungda Parking Lot on the next street, and a spacious parking lot behind the Government Building. The hotel takes on a European architectural appearance coupled with classic oriental interior decoration. It houses up to 124 guestrooms with modern design and a comfortable atmosphere. Every room is fitted with telephone messaging and free broadband internet access. The 3rd floor Junior Suite is further equipped with a fax line and a microwave oven. The Business Center on the 1st floor provides personal computers, internet access, and meeting facilities; catering to meet all your business needs. In additional to the guestroom laundry services, there are also self-service washing machines, and a multi-purpose fitness center on the 3rd floor to provide all the convenience you need for a comfortable stay.
[edit] Changhua Hotels
- Formosa Hotel - Formosa Hotel is a ten floor, individual hotel building with two parking lots and various facilities. Only five minutes to the National Highway to Taipei, Tao-Yuan airport or Kao-Shuang Airport. You will find the Formosa as the most convenient and comfortable place to stay in Chang-Hua City. Thirty minutes to the Industrial Area if you are here on business. For sightseeing, historic and traditional Lu-Kang or Tien Wei Highway Garden is only a 25 minute drive. If you are here for meetings or conferences, downtown is only three minutes away. In your free time, you may enjoy the Hotel exercise room, internet, bar and biking in downtown or countryside.
[edit] About the author
By Jim Nealon, a lifelong friend
Canadian Eric Robinson and I lived in the same residence at the University of Waterloo, in Ontario, Canada in 1971. After graduating with a degree in Environmental Studies (BES), majoring in cultural geography, Eric, always a bundle of energy, backpacked around the world in 1974-75. He travelled mostly overland through thirty two countries, including working his way across the South Pacific on a Danish banana boat. He sent postcards and letters back to our group of friends, and we were always excited to read his amazing stories.
Between operating three different hotels in northern Ontario, he travelled (with his family in the later years) throughout much of the Pacific Rim from Japan to Thailand and Viet Nam, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, many South Pacific Islands, Chile, Peru, Columbia and all of Central America and Mexico between 1978 and 1992, compiling information about Third World Eco-Tourism Marketing for his post-graduate thesis at the University of Victoria on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. He finally made San Jose, Costa Rica home-base for himself and his two teenage sons in 1995, operating two more successful hotels, the Hemingway Inn in central San Jose, and presently Adventure Inn in the central valley closer to the airport. Over the past twelve years, Eric has founded three non-profit Costa Rica eco-hotel associations, with a total of over fifty independent hotels strategically located throughout the country. Through his writings, the internet and room, tour and car rental reservations, he has properly advised literally thousands of people with their travel plans, and has built up quite a repertoire of questions that he has direct experience with, or has researched and answered, regarding Third World travel.
Eric's interests, other than writing about his world travels, are his family first, photography, his dogs, establishing litter pick up programs for public school kids in San Jose, Costa Rica, and masters swimming, in which he is a world class competitor. His next competition is the World Championships in Perth, Australia in April, 2008.
Eric believes that honesty in marketing has longevity, telling you both the good and the bad. After seeing the
Though he knows he is often preaching to the converted, he suggests your stay and travels should impact minimally and only positively on the indigenous physical, cultural, economic and ecological setting. We all need to observe, listen, understand and empathize rather than see, hear, take pictures and boast. If we prefer the familiar comforts of home, ask ourselves why we are traveling? With this approach, future visitors will equally enjoy the experience of an exotic Third World adventure.
I hope Eric and I will always stay in touch. Sometimes I feel I live vicariously through him. These days we use e-mails and MSN. It is so refreshing to hear his thoughts, covered in humour, from whatever corner of the world he may be reporting from.
[edit] Adventure Hotels destinations and qualified hotels from around the world
[edit] Asian hotels
- Japan hotels
- Beijing hotels
- Macau hotels
- Macao hotels
- Hainan hotels
- Philippines hotels
- Manila hotels
- Hanoi hotels
- Bangkok hotels
- Chiang Mai hotels
- Koh Samui hotels
- Phuket hotels
- New Delhi hotels
- Kuala Lumpur hotels
- Jakarta hotels
- Bali hotels
[edit] Australian hotels
[edit] New Zealand hotels
[edit] Pacific Island hotels
[edit] Micronesia
- The Federated States of Micronesia hotels
- Marshall Islands hotels
- Palau hotels
- Northern Mariana Islands hotels
- Nauru hotels
- Kiribati hotels
- Guam hotels
[edit] Melanesia
[edit] Polynesia
- Cook Islands hotels
- Niue hotels
- Samoa hotels
- Tonga hotels
- American Samoa hotels
- French Polynesia hotels
- Easter Island hotels
[edit] Hawaii
- Hawaii in general
- The Big Island hotels
- Maui hotels
- Moloka'i hotels
- Lana'i hotels
- O'ahu hotels
- Kaua'i hotels
[edit] Central America
[edit] Central America hotels
- Guatemala hotels
- Belize hotels
- Honduras hotels
- El Salvador hotels
- Nicaragua hotels
- Costa Rica hotels
- Panama hotels
