Taipei: Difference between revisions

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* '''Currency''': Taiwan uses the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Taiwan_dollar New Taiwan Dollar], NT$ in English or 元 in Chinese, currency code NTD. As of this writing exchange rates are roughly NT$30 to $1 USD and NT$40 to €1; see [http://www.oanda.com/currency/table?exch=TWD&sel_list=USD_EUR_CAD_GBP_NZD_AUD_JPY&value=1&format=HTML&redirected=1 current exchange rates]. There are ATMs available at the airport and in the ground floor lobby of the Mozilla office. Currency exchange services are also available at the airport and the hotel with the usual caveats.

* '''Electricity''': Taiwan uses US-style electricity, including plugs (though you might have a little more trouble with ground pins or polarized plugs than in the US, but not much), voltage (110V, slightly lower than the US's 120V), and frequency (60Hz).

* '''Calendar''': Taiwan uses the western calendar, but years are frequently written in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minguo_calendar Min-guo calendar].  So 民國104年3月17日 or 2015年3月17日 could both be used to write March 17, 2015.

Located in Taoyuan County, 45km (28 miles) away from the city center, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is linked to the island’s north area.

A direct MRT link from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei is under construction but not expected to open until at least December 2015.

If you are coming from Tokyo (Haneda, NOT Narita), Seoul (Gimpo), Shanghai (Hongqiao, not Pudong) and some other cities in China, it's possible to book a flight to the regional Songshan airport and land directly in the city to save some ground travel time.  Connecting to arrive at Songshan when originating from North America is generally not feasible, requiring airport changes (in Seoul and Shanghai), overnight layovers (at Haneda), and exorbitant prices.

More info: http://www.tsa.gov.tw/

Regent Taipei takes MRT to Taipei 101 Mall about 15 minutes. Situated in the Zhong Shan district, at the heart of the capital’s most vibrant cultural, entertainment and shopping areas, Regent Taipei is a 5 star hotel in Taipei that off ers travellers a bird’s eye view of modern Taiwanese life from a highly-convenient vantage point. Easily accessible from the Taipei Song Shan Airport and close to local hot spots such as art museums and historic buildings, Regent Taipei is the only hotel in Taiwan to house in excess of 50 of the world’s luxury designer boutiques in its Regent Galleria shopping mall. Wired and wireless connectivity is available throughout the hotel.

Grand Hyatt Taipei hotel anchors the city’s most vibrant commercial center in the Xinyi district.  Adjacent to Taipei 101 Mall and Financial Tower, this five-star business hotel is conveniently linked to the Taipei World Trade Center, the Taipei International Convention Center and the Exhibition Halls.  Located in the heart of Taipei’s most dynamic business, shopping and entertainment district, our hotel in Taipei affords both business and leisure travelers the utmost in convenience.

The hotel provides a pretty comprehensive buffet breakfast with a variety of Chinese and Western options.

'''Telephone''': +886 2 2720 1234

'''Laundry''':  There is an [https://plus.google.com/105661139456057684683/about?hl=en easy-to-use 24 hour laundromat] a very short walk from the hotel.  Nearly everything has English labels in addition to Chinese.  Soap NT$10 (accepts bills or coins, gives change, be careful to pick the soap rather than the other items), washer NT$50/NT$70/NT$100 (function of washer size, takes NT$10 and NT$50 coins only), dryer NT$10/6min (takes NT$10 coins only, I think).

http://www.homehotel.com.tw/

Home Hotel is a very nice hotel, is closer to the office, includes breakfast, and the food (both breakfast and room service) is quite good. The Grand Hyatt does not include breakfast, which is 30USD.

While it's a bit further from the office (a few stops by subway), a number of us have had good experiences staying at the [http://www.royalbiz.com.tw/about_en.php Royal Biz Taipei (金來商旅)], 71 Sec 1 Jinshan S Rd, Taipei 10056, Taiwan (台北市中正區金山南路一段71號).  It is ''much'' less expensive than the Grand Hyatt.  It is also in a less Westernized (and hence to some more interesting) part of the city, not far from Da'an park.

'''Laundry''': There is also a [http://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2536456936#map=18/25.03821/121.52677 24-hour laundry] walking distance from the hotel (it's on Hangzhou Rd S, which is one major street west along Ren'ai Road, and also on the opposite side of Ren'ai).  The hotel reception desk will hand you a flyer with a map and picture if you ask where to find a laudromat.

Grand Hyatt and other hotels in the Shifu (City Hall) area are within walking distance of the office. From much of the city the easiest way to get to the office is to take the red (Xinyi) MRT line to Taipei 101/World Trade Center station.  The red line provides direct service to Taipei Main Station and the Taiwan High Speed Rail terminal there.

* '''Office telephone''': +886-2-8786-1100

Taipei Metro is quite convenient and easy. Everything in signed in English (and Chinese is consistently romanized in Hanyu Pinyin) and the staff speak at least basic English. The fare is distanced based with a minimum of NT$20. Tokens can be bought at the ticket machine before entry. Fare cards are NT$100 to purchase and provide a 20% discount. The "EasyCard" can also be used on buses and in convenience stores, much like the Octopus card in Hong Kong.

Keep in mind that outside of Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taichung, public transportation is pretty much useless. Most locals ride scooters -- you can rent one if you dare!

Taiwan offers various cuisine due to its rich culture and historical background. Chinese, Japanese, and of course Taiwanese food are pretty genuine here.

The Taipei 101 food court has a variety of fast food options.  If you're looking for something a little more involved, Kate provided the following list:

1. Lian-chi-ge Vegetarian Buffet 蓮池閣 (red sign).  Location: B1, No.153, Sec.4, Xinyi Rd.  Some pictures of the restaurant and the food: http://www.lck888.com/a04-a.htm

3. Ming De Vegetarian buffet.  Location: It's at the food court in Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A8 department store(B1), and at Eslite bookstore B2 as well. Not a fancy restaurant but the food is good!

1. Din-Tai-Fung (Taipei 101 B1).  Dumplings.  Can't miss. http://www.dintaifung.com.tw/en/default.htm

9. Beijing Do It True (北平都一處).  506 RenAi Rd Sec 4 / 仁愛路四段506號 (just northwest of the Grand Hyatt).  Beijing food.  http://taipei543.com/2013/01/22/beijing-do-it-true/

Japanese food, like most other Japanese things, is extremely popular in Taiwan.  There are a variety of great Japanese restaurants to choose from.

2. Butaichi Ramen - Hankyu Mall B2, #A4.  This is better known as the food court in Taipei City Hall MRT Station.  Menu is in English, lots of pictures, and the staff speaks English.  http://hungryintaipei.blogspot.com/2014/03/ramenjapanese-i-recommend-butaichi-ramen.html

There are a variety of good hole-in-the-wall type places in the neighborhood south of the office (away from Xinyi Road and Taipei 101).  For best results, befriend one of the locals and ask them to take you there.  Be respectful of their time, of course.  Don't expect English menus or English speaking staff.

The Grand Hyatt has room service for prices that aren't unreasonable for Western countries (but are rather expensive for Taiwan).

'''A couple hours'''

For drinks & nightlife:

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinky_tofu Stinky tofu]

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_egg Iron egg]

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Century_egg Century egg]

*[http://taiwanfoodculture.net/ct.asp?xItem=68502&ctNode=2682&mp=1502 Ginger duck]

* [http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Taipei wikivoyage:Taipei]