Exotic culture, breathtaking scenery, priceless art, a variety of different cuisines, and friendly people make Taiwan an excellent destination for tourists. Travelers can enjoy themselves in comfort with fast and convenient transportation, excellent hotels, and clean restaurants. Unfortunately, many visitors to Taiwan never go far beyond Taipei, and thus deprive themselves of rich cultural experiences and the island's scenic wonders.

Northern Taiwan:
Where Ancient and Modern Coexist

A leisurely train ride up Mount Ali in the springtime exposes tourists to the sight and smell of cherry blossoms in bloom.

　

Taiwan's "economic miracle" has modernized Taipei, but the city still maintains traditional lifestyles, making it a fascinating destination for visitors.

Taipei's National Palace Museum 國立故宮博物院 has the world's largest collection of oriental art treasures, spanning over five millennia of history. Much of the immense collection of jade, porcelain, paintings, and bronzes is regularly rotated, so each visit is unique. The museum has regular English-language guided tours which begin daily at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Self-guided tape tours in English and Japanese are also available.

The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall 中正紀念堂 in Taipei is the island's most impressive monument to the late president. The massive marble memorial hall dominates beautiful gardens, graceful pavilions, and placid ponds. A Ming-style arch at the main entrance is flanked by two buildings: the National Theater 國家劇院 and the National Concert Hall 國家音樂廳.

To appreciate the vitality and striking ornamentation of one of Taiwan's oldest and most famous temples, Longshan Temple 龍山寺 is highly recommended. Stone columns, with figures dancing on the backs of intricately carved dragons, support a heavily-ornamented roof.

The World of Yesterday 昨日世界 offers visitors displays of mythology, ancient toys, games, and handicrafts. Traditional operas, craft demonstrations, and folk arts are presented on Sundays and holidays. The World of Yesterday is located on Jhongshan North Road 中山北路 across from the Taipei Fine Arts Museum 臺北市立美術館, which hosts exhibitions by both international and domestic artists.

The Lin Family Garden at Banciao 板橋林家花園 (林本源園邸) is Taiwan's best example of Cing dynasty architecture and gardens. Originally a Fuchien 福建 merchant's house, the garden is landscaped with exquisite pavilions, towers, cottages, bridges, artificial mountains, and placid pools, offering views of distant mountains.

North of Taipei is Yangmingshan National Park 陽明山國家公園, where visitors can find waterfalls, volcanic craters, lakes, steaming hot springs, and springtime cherry and azalea blossoms. Well-maintained walkways and trails lead to the park's main scenic spots, which offer picnic and recreation areas.

Other areas of northern Taiwan beyond the borders of Taipei City are rich in country beauty. At Yeliou 野柳, or "Wild willows," on the northern coast west of Keelung 基隆, wind and water have carved the rocks into a variety of unusual shapes.

The coastline east of Keelung, set aside as the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area 東北角海岸國家風景區, is one of the loveliest regions on the island. A notable feature of this area is the magnificent sandstone promontory that rises from the sea at Longdong 龍洞. Farther down the coast, pure white sand and azure waters make the Fulong Seaside Park 福隆海濱公園 one of Taiwan's best beaches. Next to Fulung is the Yanliao Seaside Park 鹽寮海濱公園 whose scenic area maintains a Cing dynasty footpath. Sailing, surfing, camping, and fishing equipment can also be rented.

Taiwan's largest camping area was opened in 1991 at the most beautiful part of the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area. Longmen Riverside Camping Resort 龍門露營渡假基地, a short distance from Yanliao and Fulong, provides sightseeing, water sports, camping, and bicycling.

Tourist boats now take visitors on the "blue highway" connecting Ilan County and Taipei County.

A historical fort, fresh seafood, and beautiful sunsets make the quaint seaside town of Danshuei 淡水 a popular day trip from Taipei. Old-fashioned shops along the main road give visitors a feel for the town's history. Oxford College and Mackay Hospital, which were both built in the late 1800s by Western missionaries, are still in operation. Fort San Domingo, known as the "Red-haired Fort" 紅毛城, was built by the Spanish in 1629, occupied by the Dutch in 1642, leased to the British in 1867, and bombarded by the French in 1884.

Danshuei has many seafood restaurants, with large selections of fresh delicacies on display. Some of the restaurants are built along the Danshuei River to provide diners with a riverside view of Danshuei's sunset.

Wulai 烏來, just south of Taipei, is an aboriginal enclave where visitors can enjoy hot springs, witness the traditional dances and ceremonies of Taiwan's Atayal tribe, and view a powerful waterfall cascading through lush vegetation.

　

General Information for Visitors Climate Taiwan's climate is subtropical, with an average annual temperature of 21.7 deg C (71.2 deg F) in the north and 24.1 deg C (75.7 deg F) in the south. Summers, which last from May through September, are usually hot and humid, with daytime temperatures ranging from 27 deg C to 35 deg C (80 deg - 90 deg F). Winters, which are from December through February, are short and mild. Snow falls only on the island's higher mountains. Currency The Republic of China's unit of currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$ or NTD). The exchange rate, around NT$35 to US$1 (as of Dec. 2002), has fluctuated greatly in recent years. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at government-designated banks, hotels, and shops. Time Differential All territories under the ROC government's control, including Taiwan, the Pescadores, Kinmen, Matsu, Orchid Island, and Green Island, are in one time zone, which is UTC +8 hours. The ROC observes the same time standard year-round, i.e., there is no daylight-saving time during the summer months. Language The national language of the ROC is Mandarin Chinese. Many people can speak some English and Japanese, but most taxi drivers do not. Credit Cards & Traveler's Checks Major credit cards (including American Express, Carte Blanche, MasterCard, Diners Club, and Visa) are accepted, and traveler's checks can be cashed at hotels, tourist-oriented restaurants, souvenir shops, most department stores, and the local branches of the issuing banks. Tipping The standard tip is NT$50 per piece of luggage at airports. A 10 percent service charge is automatically added to room rates, meals at hotels, and most restaurants. All other tipping is optional. Business Hours Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. Most commercial firms are open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. Department stores are open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday - Thursday, or 11 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and before national holidays. Most other stores are open daily from 9 or 10 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. Government offices are open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. Electricity & Water Electrical power used throughout Taiwan is 110-volt, 60-cycle AC. Drinking water served at hotels and restaurants is distilled or boiled. Vaccinations Vaccinations are not normally required for entry into Taiwan.

　

Just an hour south of Taipei, visitors can take a one-stop tour of China's Great Wall, Beijing's Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. Window on China 小人國 displays 130 of the best-known structures in both Taiwan and China in miniature, and an added section features famous buildings from all over the world. With careful attention to detail, thousands of living trees and shrubs are shaped and grown to sizes proportional to the various buildings. Window on China also has a garden, restaurants, snack bars, a tea house, an amusement park, and souvenir shops.

Ancient Buddhist temples, shrines, and monasteries reminiscent of times long past are perched on the cool, verdant hills of Lion's Head Mountain 獅頭山, which is located about halfway between Taipei and Taichung.

A short trip through the lush countryside southwest of Taipei brings visitors to the small town of Yingge鶯歌, which produces hand-painted replicas of elegant Ming (1368-1644) and Cing (1644-1911) vases. Yingge is Taiwan's ceramics center, and the narrow streets are lined with shops selling an endless variety of wares ranging from simple earthenware tea sets to delicate statues. Some of the factories provide tours, allowing visitors to watch potters working the clay and artists painting vases. The information desk at the Yingge Town Hall can help arrange such tours.

For those who enjoy shopping, night markets offer fun and a lot of local color. Products include casual clothes, fruits, snacks, and novelty items. The night markets with the best bargains in food, fashions, and curios in the Taipei area include the Shihlin 士林 night market, located north of the Grand Hotel; the Gongguan 公館 night market, near National Taiwan University; the Shihda 師大 night market, on Shihda Road 師大路 off of Heping East Road 和平東路; the Huasi Street 華西街 night market; the Tonghua Street 通化街 night market, near the World Trade Center; the Raohe Street 饒河街 night market, in the Shongshan 松山 district; and the Cingguang 晴光 market, which is off of Jhongshan North Road.

Central Taiwan:
Cliffs, Clouds and Cataracts

Central Taiwan displays the full range of the island's beauty: mountain lakes and shining seas, roaring rivers and steaming hot springs, lofty snow-capped peaks and lush tropical valleys, and emerald forests and craggy ravines.

Taichung is the major city in this region and is one of Taiwan's main business centers. Taichung's location, quality hotels, museums, cafes, and convenient transportation make it a good starting point for trips to many of the island's tourist sites.

Encore Garden 亞哥花園, a masterpiece of landscape gardening, is located just ten kilometers northeast of Taichung. In addition to a tremendous variety of flowering plants, the garden also has snack bars, a children's playground, hiking trails, and camping and barbecue sites. In the evenings, a fountain lit by multicolored lights pulses to the rhythm of music.

A giant Buddha statue sits on Bagua Hill 八卦山 overlooking Changhua City 彰化市, southwest of Taichung. Inside the hollow statue are dioramas illustrating Buddhist teachings, and visitors can also view the surrounding area through the statue's eyes. South of Changhua is the quaint old town of Lugang 鹿港, or "deer harbor," one of Taiwan's most important historical and cultural centers. Lugang is noted for its impressive Matsu and Longshan temples, as well as for the annual four-day Lukang Folk Arts Festival, which begins usually three days before the Dragon Boat Festival.

The Central Cross-island Highway 中橫公路, Asia's most beautiful mountain road, winds its way from just outside of Taichung, over the Central Mountain Range, through Taroko National Park 太魯閣國家公園, and down to the island's east coast. The route offers travellers broad vistas across cloud-filled valleys, mist-shrouded peaks, starry skies, beautiful sunrises, delightful forest walks, rushing mountain streams, and hot springs.

A sea of lotus and water lilies, framed by surrounding mountains, brightens the Taiwan landscape. (Courtesy of Pan Kun-sun, Tourism Bureau)

　

Southeast of Taichung lie some of the region's most popular scenic spots. Emerald waters, jade mountains, temples, hiking, boating, and a picturesque pagoda can all be found in the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area 日月潭國家風景區. At the nearby Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village 九族文化村, groups from Taiwan's major indigenous tribes perform traditional songs and dances with ancient musical instruments and use traditional tools to make handicrafts. Beauty and serenity make the Sitou Forest Recreation Area 臺大溪頭實驗林場, located south of Sun Moon Lake, another favorite getaway.

Nearby Mount Ali (Alishan) 阿里山 is well known for its view of the sunrise over a sea of clouds. Blue peaks rise from a fleecy gray ocean, which is gradually painted in vivid colors by the sunrise as the clouds dissipate. Visitors can reach Mount Ali from Chia-I City 嘉義市 by rail or bus, and though the bus is faster, the scenery along the 72-kilometer railway ride is worth a three-hour trip.

Some 15 kilometers away from Mount Ali is Mount Jade (Yushan) 玉山, which at 3,952 meters is Northeast Asia's highest peak. Yushan National Park 玉山國家公園, which is dominated by Mount Jade's massive slopes, is Taiwan's largest national park. Mount Jade's towering main peak can be reached from Mount Ali or via an ancient trail known as the Batong Pass Road 八通關古道.

Southern Taiwan:
Bucolic Scenes from the Past

　

Two of the major attractions of Kenting National Park are its beautiful beaches and interesting rock formations. (Courtesy of Kuo Rong-rong, Tourism Bureau)

　

Southern Taiwan is a study in contrasts. Bustling modern cities with all the latest amenities are surrounded by the pastoral panorama of old Taiwan.

Tainan, the island's oldest and fourth largest city, has the unhurried atmosphere of a small country town. Famous today for its unusual snacks, it is also filled with reminders of the city's past: gates, memorial arches, remnants of forts, and temples that date back three centuries or more.

More than 200 temples in Tainan provide some of the best remaining examples of southern Chinese architecture in Taiwan. They range from the serene Confucian Temple 孔廟 built in 1666 to the elaborate new Temple of the Goddess of the Sea 聖母廟 at Luermen 鹿耳門, a complex built by some of Taiwan's finest artisans.

Tainan's other major historical sites include Fort Zeelandia 安平古堡 and Fort Provintia 赤崁樓, both originally built during the Dutch occupation in the 1600s, and the "new" Eternal Fortress 億載金城, built by the Chinese in 1876.

Directly south of Tainan is Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second largest city, foremost industrial center, and largest international port. In addition to offering excellent shopping, dining, and night life, Kaohsiung is also close to many notable tourist attractions. One such attraction is Mount Longevity 壽山, whose hillside temples, pavilions, shaded terraces, and city view make it worth a stop. Cheng Cing Lake 澄清湖, just north of Kaohsiung, features a pagoda, islands, pavilions, tree-lined pathways, and a variety of recreational facilities. Both the graceful Spring and Autumn Pavilions 春秋閣 and the nearby Dragon and Tiger Pagodas 龍虎塔, all of which stand in the placid waters of Lotus Lake 蓮池潭, are also worth a view. Beside the lake are temples dedicated to Confucius and the God of War.

About an hour's drive northeast of Kaohsiung is the island's tallest image of a Buddha, which gazes over the surrounding rice paddies in the countryside. The huge, 120-meter-tall gilded statue is surrounded by 480 life-size, gold-colored Buddha images near the entrance to the Light of Buddha Mountain (Mt. Foguang) 佛光山, home to one of Taiwan's largest temple complexes and the island's center of Buddhist scholarship.

　

Moon World 月世界, an area of banana and jujube orchards, bamboo groves, and fish ponds, is named for its lunar landscape of sharp-peaked clay hills with steep, deeply eroded slopes and sawtooth ridges. One of the most interesting sights here is the unpredictable "mud volcano," a small crater filled with thin, cold mud through which gas bubbles occasionally rise to the surface. A deep rumble gives a warning just before the gas bursts through, whipping the mud into a bubbling gray mass that spills out of the crater.

The southernmost point of Taiwan, which is a two-hour drive from Kaohsiung, forms a crescent known as the Hengchun, or "eternal spring," Peninsula 恆春半島. Kenting National Park 墾丁國家公園, Taiwan's first national park, encompasses much of the peninsula and offers spectacular shorelines with both coral and rock formations. Kenting also has some of Taiwan's best beaches, with clean white sand and many types of water sports. Pleasant wooded paths wind through a large botanical garden containing a variety of exotic plant life. Visitors can also wander through unusual dryland coral formations or rest at pavilions and enjoy the view by the sea. Facilities include an international-class resort hotel, as well as economical lodgings.

In July 1995, the government established the Penghu National Scenic Area 澎湖國家風景區. The Penghu Archipelago 澎湖群島, also known as the Pescadores, consists of 64 separate islands in the Taiwan Strait roughly midway between Taiwan and China. Fishing is the major source of income, and a meal of fresh seafood is a must for visitors. The islands offer fascinating sightseeing opportunities, with ancient temples, picturesque farms, windswept fishing villages, friendly people, fine beaches, and rugged coastlines. Fishing, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, wind surfing, and boating are the major recreational activities in the archipelago.

Eastern Taiwan:
Unspoiled Natural Beauty

Eastern Taiwan has some of the island's most beautiful and accessible attractions, notably Taroko Gorge, the East Coast National Scenic Area 東部海岸國家風景區, and the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area 花東縱谷國家風景區.

Taroko Gorge, a spectacular marble-walled cleft that runs for 19 kilometers through the mountains near the east coast, is the focus of Taroko National Park. At the head of the gorge is the village of Tiansiang 天祥, which is known for its suspension bridge, pagoda, and a new five-star hotel.

Located at the eastern end of the Central Cross-island Highway, the city of Hualien 花蓮 is renowned for producing the best marble products on the island. The vast marble deposits in the area are sculpted into an amazing range of products, such as animal figures, chess sets, wine and coffee sets, bookends, ash trays, kitchen utensils, and furniture.

Hualien is also popular for performances of song and dance by the island's indigenous people. Nearly 80,000 aborigines, mostly from the Ami tribe 阿美族, reside in the area. The annual Ami harvest festivals, which are held in more than 20 villages in Hualien and Taitung counties on various days in July and August, are elaborate spectacles of colorful costumes, music, and dance. Tribal dances are also performed regularly at the Ami Culture Village 阿美文化村, which is about a 15-minute drive from Hualien.

Most of the coastal road from Hualien to Taitung runs through the East Coast National Scenic Area, an isolated, unspoiled region where development is strictly controlled to preserve the area's natural beauty. The coastal highway's attractions include picturesque temples inside mountain caves, ancient banyan trees, coral reefs, fantastic rock formations, and deserted beaches that stretch for miles.

　

Customs Regulations for Inbound Passengers All adults aged 20 or over may bring into Taiwan one liter of alcoholic beverages, 25 cigars, 200 cigarettes, or one pound of tobacco products duty-free. Passengers bringing in dutiable articles (total customs value exceeding NT$20,000), prohibited or restricted items, orother articles subject to declaration (e.g. unaccompanied baggage) must file a written declaration and go to the "Goods to Declare" counter. All other passengers may waive declaration and go to the "Nothing to Declare" counter. Passengers may bring in any amount of gold, but must declare it to customs. If the total value of gold exceeds US$10,000, an import permit issued by the Board of Foreign Trade (Ministry of Economic Affairs) is needed at the port of entry. No more than NT$40,000 in notes can be brought in by a passenger unless a permit from the Central Bank of China is obtained in advance. Any amount of foreign currency may be brought in, but amounts in excess of US$5,000 must be declared. There are severe penalties for the importation, use, possession, or sale of the following prohibited articles: Counterfeit currency or forging equipment; Gambling apparatus or foreign lottery tickets; Obscene or indecent materials; Publications or other articles propagating Communism; Articles produced, manufactured, processed, originated, or published in China not including those products within the scope of limitation; All arms (including shotguns, fishing-guns, and airguns), whether real or toy; gun-shaped appliances, ammunition, cartridges, explosives, poisonous gas, assault knives, and other weapons of war; Opium, poppy seeds, cannabis seeds, cocaine seeds, or narcotics drugs that are listed in the Law for the Control of Narcotics, as well as their derivatives and products; All restricted substances or drugs that are non-prescription or non-medicinal in nature (including marijuana); Articles infringing on the patents, designs, trademarks, or copyrights of another person or entity; Contraband articles, as specified by other laws, e.g., soil, plants, and plant products brought in from districts affected with injurious pests and diseases, and/or animals and their products from an infected area. No fruit can be brought in by passengers. All aquatic products (excluding dried, canned, and vacuum-packed ones) shall be destroyed or returned abroad; Any wild animals, endangered species of wildlife, or products made from such are not allowed to be imported, unless a permit is obtained from the authority concerned in advance. For further customs information, please contact: Directorate General of Customs Ministry of Finance 13 Tacheng Street 塔城街 Taipei 103, Taiwan, ROC Phone: 886-2-2550-5500

　

The East Rift Valley National Scenic Area covers the inter-mountain valley in Hualien and Taitung counties, with the exception of the nine urban planning areas of the National Dong Hwa University 國立東華大學 special district. The total area is 138,368 hectares. The East Rift Valley National Scenic Area Administration was established on April 15, 1997, to develop the area.

Just south of Taitung is the Jhihben Hot Springs 知本溫泉 resort, which offers several interesting sites for tourists. First are the hot springs themselves, with the Jhihben resort providing many public bathing facilities and nearby hotels providing additional private ones. A short distance from the hotels, a path leads to the beautiful White Jade Waterfall 白玉瀑布. Inner Hot Spring, two kilometers down the main road from the Jhihben Hot Springs, has newer hotels and a mineral water swimming pool. On a lane off the main road from Jhihben to the Inner Hot Spring 內溫泉 is Cingjyue Temple 清覺寺, which has two large Buddha images: one of bronze from Thailand and the other of jade from Burma. A suspension bridge leads to the Jhihben Forest Recreation Area 知本森林遊樂區, which is located on a mountainside covered with bamboo groves and dense forests. The recreation area offers a riverside picnic spot, campground, bonfire area, flower garden, and a footpath to a waterfall. Near the top is a huge banyan tree, whose long, gnarled roots surround half of a restful pavilion.

Green Island 綠島, located just off the Pacific coast of Taiwan, is now a part of the East Coast National Scenic Area. The island is known for its saltwater hot spring (one of only three in the world), coral reefs, and spectacular coastal scenery. The island's reefs, waters, and beaches are great for fishing, swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Just south of Green Island lies Orchid Island 蘭嶼, which takes its name from the wild orchids that grow in the hills. Orchid Island is inhabited by the Tao, one of Taiwan's indigenous tribes, who do some farming but rely primarily on fishing for a living. The intricately painted wooden boats used by the tribe are built entirely by hand and are joined together by wooden pegs (for more about the Tao, see Chapter 2, People and Language).

Festivals

All Chinese lunar festivals are celebrated with verve and color throughout Taiwan (see Appendix II, National Holidays and Festivals).

The first major festival of the year, Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year 春節, is the most important of the annual festivals. It is followed by the Lantern Festival 元宵節, which occurs on the first full moon of the lunar calendar (usually during the month of February on the solar calendar). Next on the calendar is the birthday of Matsu, Goddess of the Sea, which is celebrated with elaborate rites at Matsu temples throughout Taiwan. Tourists should visit Beigang 北港, or the "northern harbor," to see the annual pilgrimage and elaborate celebrations. After Matsu's birthday is the Dragon Boat Festival 端午節. At this time, dragon boat races are held and rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves 粽子 are eaten to commemorate the drowned poet-statesman Cyu Yuan屈原. The Ghost Festival 中元節, which comes next, is the time when the gates of Hell are opened and spirits visit the land of the living. It is marked by elaborate temple ceremonies, feasts for wandering ghosts, and other activities. The Mid-Autumn or Moon Festival 中秋節, usually held in September, celebrates the harvest moon with family reunions, barbecues, gazing at the full moon, and eating special rich pastries known as "moon cakes" 月餅. Confucius's Birthday, also celebrated as Teachers' Day 教師節, is also in September and features an ancient dawn ceremony of special dances, costumes, music, and rites.

The last major festival of the year is Double Tenth National Day 雙十節, which commemorates the anniversary of the October 10, 1911, revolution that led to the overthrow of the Cing dynasty and the founding of the Republic of China. Huge parades in front of Taipei's Office of the President, displays of martial arts, folk dances, and other cultural activities attract enormous crowds of well-wishers on this day.

Cuisine

　

Dragon dancing in the ocean is an integral part of the ship-burning ceremony that occurs once every three years in Donggang 東港. (Courtesy of Tom Lin, Tourism Bureau)

　

Taiwan's centralized location in Asia gives the hungry tourist a wide variety of different Asian cuisines to sample from, including Thai, Malay, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and Filipino, as well as Chinese. Large international metropolises, such as Taipei and Kaohsiung, also offer a fairly good selection of North American and European cuisines to choose from. Given Taiwan's long history with China, however, it isn't surprising that the best and most common foods to be found are Chinese cuisines, including Sichuan, Hunan, Jiangsu-Zhejiang, Beijing, and Cantonese.

Sichuan cuisine 川菜, along with its cousin, Hunan cuisine 湘菜, favors the liberal use of garlic, scallions, and chilies. Sichuan food is distinguished by its hot peppery taste, while Hunan food is richer and either spicy and hot or sweet and sour. Chicken, pork, river fish, and shellfish are all common ingredients for both cuisines.

Jiangsu-Zhejiang cuisine 江浙菜 is renowned for its superb seafood. For the most part, these dishes are lightly spiced and fairly oily, with rich and slightly sweet sauces.

Beijing (Peking) cuisine 北京菜 was developed in the area of the imperial palace and uses wheat rather than rice as a basic staple. Generally mild in flavor, noodles, steamed breads, buns, and dumplings are the distinguishing features of this cuisine.

Cantonese cuisine 粵菜 tends to be more colorful and less spicy. It is usually stir-fried to preserve both texture and flavor. A noon meal of dim sum 點心, featuring snack-sized servings, is a great way to pick and choose a wide variety of items.

Taiwanese cuisine 臺菜 itself is light, simple, easy to prepare, and often liberally spiced with ginger. As Taiwan is an island, Taiwanese cuisine features plenty of seafood.

　

Customs Regulations for Outbound Passengers A written declaration is only required for outbound passengers carrying commercial samples or dutiable items such as a personal computer (PC), professional photography equipment and cameras, etc., that are beyond the duty exemption limit in value but are intended to be brought back into the country. Each passenger is allowed to take out of the country the following amounts of currency: Up to US$5,000 in cash or its equivalent in other foreign currencies (Higher amounts must be declared to and recorded by customs; if not, they will be subject to confiscation); Up to NT$40,000 in cash (Higher amounts are allowed if a permit from the Central Bank of China is obtained in advance; if not, the excess cannot be brought out); Any amount of gold. However, passengers must first declare it to customs (If the total value of gold exceeds US$20,000, an export permit issued by the Board of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs, is needed at the port of departure). Articles that may not be taken out of the country include unauthorized reprints or copies of books, records, and videotapes; genuine Chinese antiques, ancient coins, and paintings; and items prohibited from entry, such as firearms, drugs, counterfeit currency, and contraband. For further customs information, please contact: 　 Directorate General of Customs Ministry of Finance 13 Tacheng Street 塔城街 Taipei 103, Taiwan, ROC Phone: 886-2-2550-5500

　

Tourism in 2001-2002

Taiwan's visitor arrivals decreased 0.26 percent to 2,617,137 in 2001, primarily due to the effect of the September 11 Incident in the United States. To counter this, the Tourism Bureau of the Republic of China has initiated various promotions to boost tourism in Taiwan.

The Tourism Bureau promotes Taiwan through its Internet homepage (taiwan.net.tw in Chinese, English, and Japanese) and the efforts of its overseas branches. The Seoul branch, which was closed following the rupture of diplomatic ties with South Korea, was reopened in 1995, and a Hong Kong branch was inaugurated in June 1996. In May 1999, the establishment of an Osaka branch office brought the Tourism Bureau's total number of overseas offices to ten.

In 2001, Japan continued to contribute the largest number of visitors to the ROC with 971,190, an increase of 5.99 percent from 2000. Hong Kong remained Taiwan's second-largest source of visitors, totaling 392,552, an increase of 8.65 percent from 2000. The United States was Taiwan's third largest source of visitors, totaling 339,390, or 5.60 percent less from 2000.

Visitors from Singapore increased by 1.98 percent to 96,777. Arrivals from Indonesia (89,476) and the Philippines (69,118) consisted largely of contract workers. Visitors from Thailand, another major source of contract workers, totaled 116,420, a decrease of 12.59 percent; and arrivals from Malaysia decreased 2.04 percent to 56,834.

Visitors from Europe decreased by 8.24 percent in 2000, with the Netherlands having the largest drop of 12.43 percent to 11,037. Germany was the largest source of European visitors to the ROC, with 33,720, a 3.18 percent decline; followed by the United Kingdom at 33,594, a decrease of 5.42 percent. France ranked third with 21,008 visitors, followed by the Netherlands (11,037) and then Italy (10,643).

Visitors from Australia and New Zealand dropped 4.97 percent in 2001, with arrivals from Australia totaling 30,035 and New Zealand totaling 5,776. However, the number of visitors from Canada increased 4.93 percent to 40,293, while visitors from South Africa increased 4.93 percent to 5,192. Korean visitors declined by 1.25 percent to 82,684, while visitors from India also decreased by 0.98 percent to 13,103.

The final destinations of outbound travelers are not completely clear, since ROC citizens going abroad are no longer required to fill out departure cards stating their destination. In compiling destination figures, therefore, officials must rely on the first landing point of the flights on which travelers leave Taiwan, contributing much to inaccuracy. It is clear, however, that most passengers travel to destinations within Asia, especially Hong Kong, Macao, and Japan, where most transit to their final destinations in China. Taiwan residents traveling to Hong Kong numbered 2,320,154 in 2001, up 0.39 percent, while visitors to Macao rose by 11.64 percent to 1,152,815 and visitors to Japan decreased by 8.58 percent to 741,767. Travel within Asia as a whole totaled 5,852,422, down 0.02 percent.

The United States attracted the fourth largest group of outbound travelers in 2001, totaling 542,764, down 16.64 percent from the previous year. Travel to Canada decreased by 23.30 percent to 139,143. Trips to Europe as a whole decreased by 3.11 percent for the year to 263,966, with the greatest number traveling to the Netherlands (135,830), followed by the United Kingdom (36,614). Travel to New Zealand was up 13.70 percent to 57,735, while trips to Australia decreased by 30.63 percent to 35,985.

　

To attract more foreign tourists and provide local residents with more cultural and recreational activities, the Tourism Bureau sponsored two major annual events in 2002: the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival 高雄燈會 and the Taipei Chinese Food Festival 臺北中華美食展.

The Lantern Festival is held two weeks after the Chinese New Year on the first full moon of the lunar year, usually in February. This cultural extravaganza features displays of traditional and modern decorative lanterns, folk arts performances, handicraft demonstrations, and religious processions. The 2002 Kaohsiung Lantern Festival was held February 26-March 3.

In association with the Taiwan Visitors Association 財團法人臺灣觀光協會, the Tourism Bureau sponsored the 2002 Taipei Chinese Food Festival August 15-18, whose featured food for this year was the plum. The festival focuses on Chinese cuisine in all its regional variations but is becoming more international in scope every year. In addition to the display and sale of a vast number of artistically presented dishes, the festival also offers demonstrations, contests, workshops, and other activities.

New Attractions

The Ilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival held annually in July offers kids a great place to spend their summer vacation. (Courtesy of Shih Cheng-yang, Tourism Bureau)

　

　

The government has formulated the Challenge 2008 National Development Plan 挑戰二○○八國家發展重點計畫 as the latest effort to foster the creativity and talent Taiwan needs to transform itself into a "green silicon island."

Part of this plan envisions doubling the number of foreign tourists to over five million within the next six years. To reach this goal, the tourist industry will focus on "client-orientation" and "target management," thus providing indicators to review and evaluate the progress and achievements of the plan. Some of the options to accomplish this include expanding upon existing travel packages, developing new travel packages, developing new scenic areas, creating a tourist service network, increasing international marketing, and enhancing MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) in Taiwan.

To keep tourism growing and provide a wider range of recreational choices, the Tourism Bureau has been promoting a large number of other attractions and activities by publishing various brochures, mostly in Chinese, English, and Japanese. These brochures are not only for general tourists, but also for business travelers who might have spare time during their stay in Taiwan. A CD entitled "Taiwan" has also been published.

In order to offer local residents and foreign visitors alike an opportunity to learn more about Taiwan's festivals and culture, the Tourism Bureau has chosen 12 characteristic Taiwanese festival activities from different areas of the island for intensified promotion. These activities are then packaged and introduced, one each month, for the entertainment and edification of the public. The activities chosen for the year 2003 include the Kenting Wind-bell Feastival 墾丁風鈴季 (January), Lantern Festival (February), Kaohsiung Song Jiang Battle Array 高雄內門宋江陣 (March), Taiwan Tea Exposition 臺灣茶 藝博覽會 (April), Sanyi Wood Carving Festival 三義木雕藝術節 (May), Dragon Boat Festival (June), Ilan International Children's Folklore & Folkgame Festival 宜蘭國際童玩藝術節 (July), Taipei Chinese Food Festival (August), Taiwan Keelung Ghost Festival 臺灣基隆中元祭 (September), Yingge Ceramics Festival 鶯歌陶瓷嘉年華 (October), Penghu Sailboard and Cobia Tourism Festival 澎湖風帆海鱺節 (November), and the Festival of Austronesian Cultures in Taitung 臺東南島文化節 (December).

Among the Tourism Bureau's newest initiatives is a joint effort with the tourism promotion units of the Keelung City, Taipei County, and Ilan County governments to package and market the tourism resources of Taiwan's greater Northeast Coast area. These resources include Keelung's night scenery and ancient fortresses, the gold-mining history of Jioufen 九份 and Jinguashih 金瓜石, the rural scenery of Pingsi 平溪 and Shuangsi 雙溪, the bays and capes of the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area, the hot-spring baths of Jiaosi 礁溪, and Ilan's sculpted riverside park on the Dongshan River 冬山河.

To integrate the tourism resources of the southern part of the island, the Tourism Bureau--together with the governments of seven cities and counties (Kaohsiung City and County, Pingtung County, Tainan City and County, and Chia-I City and County)--called together private tourism associations and operators to work out tourism promotion programs for southern Taiwan. A decision was made to have the Kaohsiung City Bureau of Redevelopment 高雄市建設局 and the Kaohsiung Tourism Association 高雄市觀光協會 take charge of integrating the tourist sites of the different cities and counties, carry out the planning of unique tourism resources, and package and promote those resources with the aim of featuring the local characteristics of the tourism industry in southern Taiwan. A number of itineraries for touring southern Taiwan have already been introduced for tourists to choose from.

　

Visitor Information Sources
The Tourism Bureau Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) 9th Floor, 280 Jhongsiao E. Road 忠孝東路, Section 4 Taipei 106, Taiwan, ROC Phone: 886-2-2349-1635 Internet Address: http://www.tbroc.gov.tw E-mail: tbroc@tbroc.gov.tw	Taiwan Visitors Association 5th Floor, 9 Mincyuan E. Road 民權東路, Section 2 Taipei 104, Taiwan, ROC Phone: 886-2-2594-3261
The Tourism Bureau's Tourist Information Hot Line (886-2-2717-3737) provides a wide range of assistance and information in Chinese and English (and other languages, as needed) to callers from anywhere in the world. The hot line operates every day of the year from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., local time (UTC +8 hours). Travel Information Service Centers The Tourism Bureau's Travel Information Service Centers provide information to inbound and outbound tourists. There are service centers at the Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taoyuan, as well as these other locations:
Taipei: 345 Jhongsiao E. Road 忠孝東路, Section 4 Phone: 886-2-2717-3737 Tainan: 10th Floor, 243 Mincyuan Road 民權路, Section 1 Phone: 886-6-226-5681	Taichung: 4th Floor, 216 Mincyuan Road 民權路 Phone: 886-4-227-0421 Kaohsiung: 5th Floor-1, 235 Jhongjheng 4th Road 中正四路 Phone: 886-7-281-1513

Among the bureau's other responsibilities are the development and management of national scenic areas and the construction of parking lots, pavilions, beach facilities, hiking trails, toilets, marinas, food and beverage outlets, visitor centers, and display halls. Once the infrastructure is completed, the private sector is then encouraged to invest in hotels, restaurants, and recreational facilities in the national scenic areas.

There are currently 11 national scenic areas in Taiwan: the Northeast Coast; the North Coast and Guanyinshan (or Guanyin Mountain) 北海岸及觀音山; the East Coast; Penghu; Tapeng Bay 大鵬灣 in southwestern Taiwan; the East Rift Vally (which runs between Hualien and Taitung in eastern Taiwan); Matsu 馬祖; Sun Moon Lake; the Tri-Mountain 參山; Alishan (or Mount Ali) 阿里山, and Maolin 茂林.The North Coast and Guanyinshan national scenic area was established in October 2002. It covers the scenic areas of Yeliou 野柳, Taiwan's north coast, and Guanyinshan.

The fortress island of Kinmen (Quemoy), situated less than two kilometers (at low tide) off the coast of China, was opened to tourism in 1992. Kinmen was the focus of fierce attacks by PRC forces in 1949 and artillery battles in the late 1950s, the failure of which discouraged the Communist China from attempting to invade Taiwan. In addition to its historical significance, Kinmen is also a fascinating repository of traditional Chinese architecture and culture. Granite "Wind lion" 風獅爺 statues and remarkably preserved houses built in the old Fuchienese style attract many visitors, while the island's renowned pottery and gao liang 高梁--a fiery sorghum liquor--make popular souvenirs. The newest national park, which serves as both a war memorial and a nature reserve, was established on Kinmen in 1995.

In addition to tourism, a growing number of foreign visitors are coming to Taiwan for international meetings and conventions. The Taipei International Convention Center 臺北國際會議中心 (TICC), opened in 1991, is one of the best such facilities in the world. The TICC is managed by the China External Trade Development Council 中華民國對外貿易發展協會, which is also in charge of the adjoining Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall.

Yamay Resort 月眉育樂世界, Taiwan's largest theme park at 198 hectares, began operations in July 2000 with the opening of a water amusement park. An additional section was opened in May 2002. Completion of the third and final stage of the Disneyland-type park with an Oriental flavor is set for 2006.

Tourist Travel Services

The CKS International Airport Tourist Service Center maintains two travel service counters, one in each of the main lobbies at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The counters offer a variety of services in several different languages. Travel information is also provided around the clock on 25 display racks at the two service counters, in the transit lounge, at the inbound arrivals area, throughtout Terminal 2, and in the bus waiting area. There is also an interactive, multimedia travel information inquiry system for travelers in each of the main lobbies. The Kaohsiung International Airport Tourist Service Center was established on January 15, 1997, with the opening of the airport's new terminal, and provides travel information and related inquiry services to international travelers arriving in southern Taiwan.

Accommodations

　

Traditional architecture helps add a bit of nostalgia to the modernized island of Kinmen. (Courtesy of Chen Huei-hwang, Tourism Bureau)

　

Hotels in Taiwan were once rated by a plum blossom system analogous to the star system used internationally. The Tourism Bureau had long planned to revise this system to provide a clearer ranking of the island's hotels. However, many hoteliers resisted the change, fearing downgrading, and the plum-blossom system was eventually abandoned. Tourist hotels in Taiwan today are officially classified in just two categories, each of which encompasses a vast range of properties: tourist class and international tourist class.

In addition to the officially rated hotels recognized by the Tourism Bureau, there are also large numbers of unrated ones, some of which are quite luxurious and expensive. For travellers on a budget, Taiwan also offers many inexpensive hostels and youth activity centers, which vary widely in terms of facilities, services, and price.

In addition to the usual guest rooms, shopping arcades, swimming and exercise facilities, entertainment systems, and business centers, Taiwan's hotels also offer fine dining. While most of the best restaurants on the island are independent establishments, some are only found in international tourist-class hotels. Top hotels frequently offer the best quality Western cuisine.

Transportation

Surface travel in Taiwan is both convenient and reasonably priced. Express buses link all cities, towns, and scenic spots, and the railway line reaches all the way around the island. Rental cars are widely available, though the major international car rental agencies have yet to succeed in setting up their own operations in the local market. Renting a car in Taiwan requires an international or ROC driver's license, plus a major credit card or a sizable deposit.

Major cities have comprehensive and convenient public bus services. Taxis are plentiful, but few drivers speak any non-Chinese language. The third line of Taipei's mass rapid transit system (MRT), the Panchiao-Nankang Line from Hsinpu to Kunyang, began operations on December 30, 2000. Additional lines are under construction in Taipei, and more MRT systems are being planned for other large cities. Convenient local and international air services are provided by more than 40 domestic and international airlines (for additional information see Chapter 14, Transportation and Telecommunications).

　

　

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