Taiwan
The island of Taiwan is located some 120 kilometres off the south-eastern coast of mainland China and has a total area of 35,801 square kilometres (13,823 square miles). The mainland China and Taiwan are separated by the Taiwan Strait. On the north lies the East China Sea and to the east lies the Philippine Sea. The Luzon Strait lies directly to the south and the South China Sea to the southwest. The island is characterized by the contrast between the rugged mountains on the eastern side of the nation, from northern tip to the southern tip and the plains in the western side of the nation. The highest point in Taiwan is 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. Toroko National Park (the famous Toroko Gorge is located here), located on the mountainous eastern side of the island, has good examples of mountainous terrain, gorges and erosion caused by a swiftly flowing river.
From an aerial view the shape of the main island of Taiwan resembles a sweet potato. This is one of the reason people for certain region of Taiwan often call themselves "children of the Sweet Potato."
The island of Taiwan is located some 120 kilometres off the south-eastern coast of mainland China and has a total area of 35,801 square kilometres (13,823 square miles). The mainland China and Taiwan are separated by the Taiwan Strait. On the north lies the East China Sea and to the east lies the Philippine Sea. The Luzon Strait lies directly to the south and the South China Sea to the southwest. The island is characterized by the contrast between the rugged mountains on the eastern side of the nation, from northern tip to the southern tip and the plains in the western side of the nation. The highest point in Taiwan is 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. Toroko National Park (the famous Toroko Gorge is located here), located on the mountainous eastern side of the island, has good examples of mountainous terrain, gorges and erosion caused by a swiftly flowing river.
From an aerial view the shape of the main island of Taiwan resembles a sweet potato. This is one of the reason people for certain region of Taiwan often call themselves "children of the Sweet Potato."
Taipei
Taipei City is located in the Taipei Basin in northern Taiwan. It is bordered by the Xindian River on the south, and the Danshui River on the west. The northern districts of Shilin and Beitou extend north of the Keelung River and are bordered by Yangmingshan National Park.The Taipei city limits cover an area ranked sixteenth of twenty-five among all counties and cities in Taiwan.
Climate
The average annual temperature is 23.6 °C, with a summer average of 29.4 °C and a winter average of 14.9 °C. The pacific typhoon season has no official bounds but most typhoons tend to form between May and November. Also there are frequent earth-quakes, but most of the constructions are built to withstand even major earthquakes. Normally December to February is considered to be a winter but the lowest temperature that can go is 15 C.
The average annual temperature is 23.6 °C, with a summer average of 29.4 °C and a winter average of 14.9 °C. The pacific typhoon season has no official bounds but most typhoons tend to form between May and November. Also there are frequent earth-quakes, but most of the constructions are built to withstand even major earthquakes. Normally December to February is considered to be a winter but the lowest temperature that can go is 15 C.
On Arrival at Taipei
There is no Visa on arrival for Indians. So please ensure that you have a valid Visa or work permit when you land in here. At Immigration, not much of questions are asked as such, but carrying a proper identity card other than your passport could be very help-full.
Taiwanese customs randomly opens baggage of arriving tourists. The intention is for looking contraband items like, certain food items, drugs etc. Taiwanese Law for contraband items are very stringent, so we have to be extra careful when we travel here. Do not accept any packets or items from unknown travellers.
There is no Visa on arrival for Indians. So please ensure that you have a valid Visa or work permit when you land in here. At Immigration, not much of questions are asked as such, but carrying a proper identity card other than your passport could be very help-full.
Taiwanese customs randomly opens baggage of arriving tourists. The intention is for looking contraband items like, certain food items, drugs etc. Taiwanese Law for contraband items are very stringent, so we have to be extra careful when we travel here. Do not accept any packets or items from unknown travellers.
Airport to City
If you are not going to be picked up by someone, then there are two ways you can reach city. If you take the Airport Taxi, it will cost about 1200 NTD to 1400 NTD depending upon the location, but not more that that. Otherwise, there is a bus service from Departure Terminal (Bus # 61), which goes to Taipei Main station, and the ticket cost is 125 NTD. Once we reach Taipei Main Station (please see section below for Taipei Main station detail), we can take taxi to go anywhere within the city, which might work out cheaper than the Airport Taxi.
If you are not going to be picked up by someone, then there are two ways you can reach city. If you take the Airport Taxi, it will cost about 1200 NTD to 1400 NTD depending upon the location, but not more that that. Otherwise, there is a bus service from Departure Terminal (Bus # 61), which goes to Taipei Main station, and the ticket cost is 125 NTD. Once we reach Taipei Main Station (please see section below for Taipei Main station detail), we can take taxi to go anywhere within the city, which might work out cheaper than the Airport Taxi.
Language
That is the most embarrassing thing in Taipei. Even though the people are very helpful they cannot help most of the times because of this. It is essential to learn few words in Chinese to manage here. But some one likes to learn the language this is the best place.
That is the most embarrassing thing in Taipei. Even though the people are very helpful they cannot help most of the times because of this. It is essential to learn few words in Chinese to manage here. But some one likes to learn the language this is the best place.
Transportation within City
Taipei city is well connected with all counties surrounding it and even within the city, the transportation infrastructure well planned and well done. You have City Buses plying within the city which is not much crowded, then we have MRT also we have Subways. This is other than the Yellow Taxis that ply in plenty.
Taxis
The taxis here in Taipei are well maintained and luxury cars like Corolla, Toyota, and Camry etc. Minimum charge is 70NTD for the first 2KM. And 5NTD for every 200mtrs or so. Unlike in India, the meter keeps running while waiting at the signals, in traffic jam etc. So do not worry about the truthfulness of the drivers, so far in the last one or more years I have had no bad experience as such, only good experiences (like when they forget to switch on the meter, they take only minimum amount). Some drivers do speak English, but its a rare, so its much more advisable to carry the business card or the address written in Chinese to show it to the Taxi driver.
For any traveller, who does not know Mandarin, its must that they carry the business card of the hotel they are staying as well as the business card of the place where they will be working. Since language is a great barrier here, these business cards will be very helpful, because normally, all the business card here in Taiwan will have both English and Mandarin on one side. So it will be easy and convenient to show this to the Taxi driver, who takes you to address that is on the business card.
Taipei city is well connected with all counties surrounding it and even within the city, the transportation infrastructure well planned and well done. You have City Buses plying within the city which is not much crowded, then we have MRT also we have Subways. This is other than the Yellow Taxis that ply in plenty.
Taxis
The taxis here in Taipei are well maintained and luxury cars like Corolla, Toyota, and Camry etc. Minimum charge is 70NTD for the first 2KM. And 5NTD for every 200mtrs or so. Unlike in India, the meter keeps running while waiting at the signals, in traffic jam etc. So do not worry about the truthfulness of the drivers, so far in the last one or more years I have had no bad experience as such, only good experiences (like when they forget to switch on the meter, they take only minimum amount). Some drivers do speak English, but its a rare, so its much more advisable to carry the business card or the address written in Chinese to show it to the Taxi driver.
For any traveller, who does not know Mandarin, its must that they carry the business card of the hotel they are staying as well as the business card of the place where they will be working. Since language is a great barrier here, these business cards will be very helpful, because normally, all the business card here in Taiwan will have both English and Mandarin on one side. So it will be easy and convenient to show this to the Taxi driver, who takes you to address that is on the business card.
City Buses
The Bus service in Taipei is excellent. If you are from Chennai or Delhi then it will bring back your fond memories of being so homely. No, no, dont mistake me, the way they drive the busses here, with sudden jerks, and sudden pulls so you wont miss much of your home. Otherwise, the buses are air-conditioned and you have plenty of services. Within the city you can take the buses and drop 15 NTD in the box placed close to the driver. There is no ticket as such, but with 15 NTD you can get down anywhere. There are certain buses which ask you to drop the fare first, and some buses ask you to drop it when you get down. How to find this is a trick, on top of the Drivers head there will be red-lit board, which if it has a “T” inverse then drop later, if the “T” is in normal position then drop first. If you dont get this correctly, then wait for the other passenger to get in first and see what he does, this definitely works.
There is another convenient way of travelling in Taipei Buses, its by purchasing a prepaid Bus-Card. This card is available at any MRT stations for 500NT$ or you can buy it from any 7/11 stores. Which will have a value of 400 and 100NT$ deposit. And the 100 NTD will be refunded when you return the card. It is good option to have a card not only to avoid carrying the exact change (most of the commutation you have to deposit exact coins, careful they dont give back changes) also to get the DISCOUNT on changing the bus or MRT. This can be re-loaded again from the auto-vending machines placed at MRT Stations or from 7/11 stores (you will find 7/11 stores one after every block of buildings so no worries at all). For detailed bus-routes and bus maps, you can download it from the Taipei bus-service portal.
(http://www.taipeibus.taipei.gov.tw/).
MRT
The MRTs ply two ways, one is over head, the other one is in Subways. Major routes are done through Subways. The Bus card can be used here too. So if you carry the card then we dont need to buy tickets for MRT. Also when we use the bus and the MRT inter-changeably we get a discount in the fare. The MRT is divided, by Blue lines, Red Lines and Yellow lines, each of which ply into a particular direction.
The Bus service in Taipei is excellent. If you are from Chennai or Delhi then it will bring back your fond memories of being so homely. No, no, dont mistake me, the way they drive the busses here, with sudden jerks, and sudden pulls so you wont miss much of your home. Otherwise, the buses are air-conditioned and you have plenty of services. Within the city you can take the buses and drop 15 NTD in the box placed close to the driver. There is no ticket as such, but with 15 NTD you can get down anywhere. There are certain buses which ask you to drop the fare first, and some buses ask you to drop it when you get down. How to find this is a trick, on top of the Drivers head there will be red-lit board, which if it has a “T” inverse then drop later, if the “T” is in normal position then drop first. If you dont get this correctly, then wait for the other passenger to get in first and see what he does, this definitely works.
There is another convenient way of travelling in Taipei Buses, its by purchasing a prepaid Bus-Card. This card is available at any MRT stations for 500NT$ or you can buy it from any 7/11 stores. Which will have a value of 400 and 100NT$ deposit. And the 100 NTD will be refunded when you return the card. It is good option to have a card not only to avoid carrying the exact change (most of the commutation you have to deposit exact coins, careful they dont give back changes) also to get the DISCOUNT on changing the bus or MRT. This can be re-loaded again from the auto-vending machines placed at MRT Stations or from 7/11 stores (you will find 7/11 stores one after every block of buildings so no worries at all). For detailed bus-routes and bus maps, you can download it from the Taipei bus-service portal.
(http://www.taipeibus.taipei.gov.tw/).
MRT
The MRTs ply two ways, one is over head, the other one is in Subways. Major routes are done through Subways. The Bus card can be used here too. So if you carry the card then we dont need to buy tickets for MRT. Also when we use the bus and the MRT inter-changeably we get a discount in the fare. The MRT is divided, by Blue lines, Red Lines and Yellow lines, each of which ply into a particular direction.
The maps for MRTs can be obtained from the information counter at any of the information booth at the MRT station.
Transportation out of City
If you are adventurous then you can travel without any companion anywhere you like with the maps and guide books. Else you need a person who knows or speaks Chinese. But the options to travel outside the city are through Train and Buses. The Trains can be taken from the Taipei Main Station. Again, here, you need to know which direction you are travelling, depending on that the departure tracks will be announced or located. So please be well prepared and planned when you take a journey outside Taipei. The buses are again good option, but the problem is again the language, as the bus drivers dont speak English, you have to write down everything in Chinese and either show it to him or read it.
Also there is a domestic Air services which plies to some important cities like Hualien, Tainan, Taichung etc. The cost of air travelling are nominal, sometimes they are so equal to the money that you may pay for the bullet train for the same distance. For train services the url is http://service.tra.gov.tw/en
If you are adventurous then you can travel without any companion anywhere you like with the maps and guide books. Else you need a person who knows or speaks Chinese. But the options to travel outside the city are through Train and Buses. The Trains can be taken from the Taipei Main Station. Again, here, you need to know which direction you are travelling, depending on that the departure tracks will be announced or located. So please be well prepared and planned when you take a journey outside Taipei. The buses are again good option, but the problem is again the language, as the bus drivers dont speak English, you have to write down everything in Chinese and either show it to him or read it.
Also there is a domestic Air services which plies to some important cities like Hualien, Tainan, Taichung etc. The cost of air travelling are nominal, sometimes they are so equal to the money that you may pay for the bullet train for the same distance. For train services the url is http://service.tra.gov.tw/en
Super-Markets/Stores
Also there is a domestic Air services which plies to some important cities like Hualien, Tainan, Taichung etc. The cost of air travelling are nominal, sometimes they are so
RT Mart
This has two branches, one is at a place called Neihu and it is known as Neihu Store and other one is located at Chunglun District, which is known as Chunglun Store( you cant tell this to the Taxi driver, he will never comprehend, so you need to carry the business card of this store). In this store you will get everything Scooters to vegetables. (My personal preference for the vegetables are WellCome Stores, as they are fresh but with cost overheads ofcourse.). When you buy Milk look for the brand called “I Love Milk” with red-cap on the bottle, because this is the only milk that you can ferment and make curd other milks are not good for fermenting. And the yogurts are thing i would not even give it to my enemies.
Similarly the Rice also look for “Thai” brand rice. But any rice you cook, it might get softer and mashed unlike our Indian rice which will look separate. So it may look sticky but they are good to eat and I have lived long enough after eating it so are few others, so no worry, just you need to know how to cook. The vegetable option may be bit limited as you dont have much variety as in India, but you get lot of new vegetables but you need to know how to cook them.
If you are a meat eater, then man you can have a field day, the only problem could the spices which you may have to load up before you leave for India as you dont get those Masala items over here.
Another tip is, that you get sudden discounts here, but this you have to keep watching, the discounts could as good as 100 to 500 NTD less on any items. So look out for such deals.
Also there is a domestic Air services which plies to some important cities like Hualien, Tainan, Taichung etc. The cost of air travelling are nominal, sometimes they are so
RT Mart
This has two branches, one is at a place called Neihu and it is known as Neihu Store and other one is located at Chunglun District, which is known as Chunglun Store( you cant tell this to the Taxi driver, he will never comprehend, so you need to carry the business card of this store). In this store you will get everything Scooters to vegetables. (My personal preference for the vegetables are WellCome Stores, as they are fresh but with cost overheads ofcourse.). When you buy Milk look for the brand called “I Love Milk” with red-cap on the bottle, because this is the only milk that you can ferment and make curd other milks are not good for fermenting. And the yogurts are thing i would not even give it to my enemies.
Similarly the Rice also look for “Thai” brand rice. But any rice you cook, it might get softer and mashed unlike our Indian rice which will look separate. So it may look sticky but they are good to eat and I have lived long enough after eating it so are few others, so no worry, just you need to know how to cook. The vegetable option may be bit limited as you dont have much variety as in India, but you get lot of new vegetables but you need to know how to cook them.
If you are a meat eater, then man you can have a field day, the only problem could the spices which you may have to load up before you leave for India as you dont get those Masala items over here.
Another tip is, that you get sudden discounts here, but this you have to keep watching, the discounts could as good as 100 to 500 NTD less on any items. So look out for such deals.
CarreFour
Carrefour is another chain store like RT Mart. This is also located one at Neihu and the other one at Bade Road Junction. Same thing as in RT mart applies here for almost all the items.
Carrefour is another chain store like RT Mart. This is also located one at Neihu and the other one at Bade Road Junction. Same thing as in RT mart applies here for almost all the items.
WellCome Stores
They are 24 hour opened. This is my favourite. You get almost all the items of daily usages here, the difference between the big super market and this shop is the price and freshness. Here it is costly but they are very fresh.
7/11, Family Marts etc
They are good for buying small items but no groceries or vegetables.
Indian store
M/s. Trinity Super Stores, 2 / F, NO : 137, Chung Shiao East Road, Sec 5, Taipei,Taiwan. MRT station : Taipei City Hall MRT Station,Exit # 4, Two Minutes straight walking. TEL: + 886 2 27567992 , FAX :+ 886 2 2756804
Jason store
If you are keen on imported meet etc and fond of imported food items then this is the place you must go. This store is in the basement of 101 building.
Computer Markets
Two markets we have, one is Gunghuwa Computer market, which is like a mini Ritchie street from Chennai. Here its a paradise for allthose electronic gadget lovers. You will get everything that is about electronics here and very cheap. The other shop is NOVA Computer market, which is located near the Taipei Main Station. The difference between Gunghuwa market and this is that most of the shops accept credit cards here which is not accepted in Gunghuwa market. Here the price is bit higher than the Gunghuwa market.
Night Markets
The night markets are almost located in most of the district. However, there are two very famous night markets, one is at Shilin District at Shilin and another one is near Longshang Temple in Songshang District. Both these markets are open through out the night. If you are from Chennai, the crowd in these markets will resemble Ranganathan Street, if you are from Delhi it will remind you of either Chandni Chowk or Sarojini Nagar. You have plenty to buy here at a very good price. I have seen some of the items sold here are sold at triple the price in the downtown shops. So it’s a good bargain to do shopping here.
Restaurants/Indian Restaurants
In Taiwan, if you don’t cook at home, you will never die of hunger, yes, I am not joking. You will find hotels/restaurants/café’s after each three blocks of building. The eat-out option is very high here. (May be that is the reason all their kitchen size in their apartments are to the bare minimum). I have even seen few Mexican restaurants. There is one Brazilian Grill on the Nanjing East Road, yummy; you will get plenty of meat to eat there. Especially if you are a meat eater, then options vary from Sushi to Chinese, Korean to Thai. Other than this you have fast-food and Junk foods like the McDonalds, MOS Burger, and KFC. On the good food side you have Subway. But please be careful when you order Vegetarian sandwiches here, because they keep a lettuce and a pork piece still it will be branded as veg sandwich because there is a lettuce and a cucumber. So you have to clearly tell them no meat. For the vegetarians the options are limited, especially for the Indian Vegetarians, because the Buddhist meal which is considered as a vegetarian meal can never be taken by an India just because of the staleness in the food. You wont find a bit of salt or spice in that food which would be very difficult for an Indian to eat.
Aaleja
The Best Pakistani & Indian Veg. Non-Veg. Halal Food
Lunch Buffet for NT$399(Every Sat. & Sun., 11:00am-3:00pm)
Business Hours:11:00am-3:00pm / 5:00pm-10:30pm
Tel:02-2773-3227, 0935-783-786
Add:1F., No. 6, Alley 5, Lane 70, Yanji St, Taipei, Taiwan
They are 24 hour opened. This is my favourite. You get almost all the items of daily usages here, the difference between the big super market and this shop is the price and freshness. Here it is costly but they are very fresh.
7/11, Family Marts etc
They are good for buying small items but no groceries or vegetables.
Indian store
M/s. Trinity Super Stores, 2 / F, NO : 137, Chung Shiao East Road, Sec 5, Taipei,Taiwan. MRT station : Taipei City Hall MRT Station,Exit # 4, Two Minutes straight walking. TEL: + 886 2 27567992 , FAX :+ 886 2 2756804
Jason store
If you are keen on imported meet etc and fond of imported food items then this is the place you must go. This store is in the basement of 101 building.
Computer Markets
Two markets we have, one is Gunghuwa Computer market, which is like a mini Ritchie street from Chennai. Here its a paradise for allthose electronic gadget lovers. You will get everything that is about electronics here and very cheap. The other shop is NOVA Computer market, which is located near the Taipei Main Station. The difference between Gunghuwa market and this is that most of the shops accept credit cards here which is not accepted in Gunghuwa market. Here the price is bit higher than the Gunghuwa market.
Night Markets
The night markets are almost located in most of the district. However, there are two very famous night markets, one is at Shilin District at Shilin and another one is near Longshang Temple in Songshang District. Both these markets are open through out the night. If you are from Chennai, the crowd in these markets will resemble Ranganathan Street, if you are from Delhi it will remind you of either Chandni Chowk or Sarojini Nagar. You have plenty to buy here at a very good price. I have seen some of the items sold here are sold at triple the price in the downtown shops. So it’s a good bargain to do shopping here.
Restaurants/Indian Restaurants
In Taiwan, if you don’t cook at home, you will never die of hunger, yes, I am not joking. You will find hotels/restaurants/café’s after each three blocks of building. The eat-out option is very high here. (May be that is the reason all their kitchen size in their apartments are to the bare minimum). I have even seen few Mexican restaurants. There is one Brazilian Grill on the Nanjing East Road, yummy; you will get plenty of meat to eat there. Especially if you are a meat eater, then options vary from Sushi to Chinese, Korean to Thai. Other than this you have fast-food and Junk foods like the McDonalds, MOS Burger, and KFC. On the good food side you have Subway. But please be careful when you order Vegetarian sandwiches here, because they keep a lettuce and a pork piece still it will be branded as veg sandwich because there is a lettuce and a cucumber. So you have to clearly tell them no meat. For the vegetarians the options are limited, especially for the Indian Vegetarians, because the Buddhist meal which is considered as a vegetarian meal can never be taken by an India just because of the staleness in the food. You wont find a bit of salt or spice in that food which would be very difficult for an Indian to eat.
Aaleja
The Best Pakistani & Indian Veg. Non-Veg. Halal Food
Lunch Buffet for NT$399(Every Sat. & Sun., 11:00am-3:00pm)
Business Hours:11:00am-3:00pm / 5:00pm-10:30pm
Tel:02-2773-3227, 0935-783-786
Add:1F., No. 6, Alley 5, Lane 70, Yanji St, Taipei, Taiwan
Tandoor Indian Restaurant
Taipei truly elegant and most authentic Indian Restaurant which has three branches
Lunch Buffet for NT$400 (Every Sat. & Sun.)
Business Hours:(Lunch)12:00pm-2:30pm / (Dinner)6:00pm-10:30pm
Tel:02-7711-3830 ext. 707
Add: 2nd Branch The Mall B-2, City Super B2
Tel:02-2509-9853, 2505-4870
Add:10, Lane 73, He Jiang Street, Taipei
Taipei truly elegant and most authentic Indian Restaurant which has three branches
Lunch Buffet for NT$400 (Every Sat. & Sun.)
Business Hours:(Lunch)12:00pm-2:30pm / (Dinner)6:00pm-10:30pm
Tel:02-7711-3830 ext. 707
Add: 2nd Branch The Mall B-2, City Super B2
Tel:02-2509-9853, 2505-4870
Add:10, Lane 73, He Jiang Street, Taipei
Himalaya Indian Restaurant
Authentic Indian Décor and Delicacies
Commercial curry lunch NT$150(Mon.~Fri.)
We serve buffet lunch, NT$399
every Sat. & Sun. morning(12:00pm-3:00pm).
Business Hours:11:30-3:00pm / 5:30pm-10:00pm
Tel:02-2777-2292
Add:No. 20, Alley 6, Lane 170, Chung-Hsiao E. Rd., Sec. 4,
Taipei, Taiwan
Authentic Indian Décor and Delicacies
Commercial curry lunch NT$150(Mon.~Fri.)
We serve buffet lunch, NT$399
every Sat. & Sun. morning(12:00pm-3:00pm).
Business Hours:11:30-3:00pm / 5:30pm-10:00pm
Tel:02-2777-2292
Add:No. 20, Alley 6, Lane 170, Chung-Hsiao E. Rd., Sec. 4,
Taipei, Taiwan
Caf'e India
The Finest Cuisine of India
All Food Served Halal
Sat.-Sun. NT$400 Buffet
Business Hours:12:00pm-2:30pm / 6:00pm-11:00pm
Tel:02-2837-7365
Add: No. 30, 1F., Ko Qiang Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
Web:www.cafeindia.com.tw
Alibaba Restaurant
Everyday NT$450 Buffet
Business Hours:12:00pm-2:30pm / 6:00pm-11:00pm
Add: No. Nanjing East Road.
Indian Mission in Taipei
India do not have an Embassy or Consulate per se, however, all the embassy role is being performed by “Indian Taipei Association” which is located at the following address :Room No 2010, Cetra Tower, No 333, Keelung Road, Section I, Taipei, Taiwan TocTel: + 886 -2-2757 6112/6113Fax: +886 -2-2757 6117
Calling Cards
Phoning India is bit expensive from Taipei, especially if you use a mobile phone, please avoid calling through a mobile phone as the rates are as close to 11 NTD per minute. You can get calling cards from Taipei Main Station (on the back side) for India which will cost about 135 NTD and you can use this for 40 minutes. The calling card name is “Friends”.
Some Useful web-sites
Airlines:
=========
Taiwan International Airport (from Wikipedia):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan_Taoyuan_International_Airport
- links to all airlines that use this airport
Cathay Pacific Airlines:
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_INTL/homepage
China Airlines:
http://www.china-airlines.com/en/index.htm
EVA Air:
http://www.evaair.com/html/b2c/english/
Far Eastern Air Transport:
http://www.fat.com.tw/en/Ewebpage_beta3.asp
JetStar Airways:
http://www.jetstar.com/sg/index.html
Malaysia Airlines:
http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/tw/main.html
Philippine Airlines:
http://www.philippineairlines.com/
The Finest Cuisine of India
All Food Served Halal
Sat.-Sun. NT$400 Buffet
Business Hours:12:00pm-2:30pm / 6:00pm-11:00pm
Tel:02-2837-7365
Add: No. 30, 1F., Ko Qiang Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
Web:www.cafeindia.com.tw
Alibaba Restaurant
Everyday NT$450 Buffet
Business Hours:12:00pm-2:30pm / 6:00pm-11:00pm
Add: No. Nanjing East Road.
Indian Mission in Taipei
India do not have an Embassy or Consulate per se, however, all the embassy role is being performed by “Indian Taipei Association” which is located at the following address :Room No 2010, Cetra Tower, No 333, Keelung Road, Section I, Taipei, Taiwan TocTel: + 886 -2-2757 6112/6113Fax: +886 -2-2757 6117
Calling Cards
Phoning India is bit expensive from Taipei, especially if you use a mobile phone, please avoid calling through a mobile phone as the rates are as close to 11 NTD per minute. You can get calling cards from Taipei Main Station (on the back side) for India which will cost about 135 NTD and you can use this for 40 minutes. The calling card name is “Friends”.
Some Useful web-sites
Airlines:
=========
Taiwan International Airport (from Wikipedia):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan_Taoyuan_International_Airport
- links to all airlines that use this airport
Cathay Pacific Airlines:
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_INTL/homepage
China Airlines:
http://www.china-airlines.com/en/index.htm
EVA Air:
http://www.evaair.com/html/b2c/english/
Far Eastern Air Transport:
http://www.fat.com.tw/en/Ewebpage_beta3.asp
JetStar Airways:
http://www.jetstar.com/sg/index.html
Malaysia Airlines:
http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/tw/main.html
Philippine Airlines:
http://www.philippineairlines.com/
Bars/Restaurants:
My Other Place - This is one of my very favourite watering hole
Taipei Hooters (dont go with great expectations here, it woudnt not be anything like ourside)
Brass Monkey:
http://www.brassmonkeytaipei.com/
Cosmopolitan Grill:
http://www.cosmo.com.tw
Blues Bash:
http://www.bsot-bluesbash.info/
- blues festival on the weekend of November 3rd-4th, 2007!
Blues Society on Taiwan:
http://www.bsot.org/
- not very regularly updated
Capone's:
http://www.caponestaipei.com/
- blues music most weekends, some other nights, too
Citizen Cain:
http://www.citizencain.com/
- occasional live music
Natural Disasters:
Earthquakes:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/
- up-to-date and very detailed informaion on every earthquake on the planet!
Volcanoes:
http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/
Newspapers (in English):
China Post:
http://www.chinapost.com.tw
Taiwan News Online:
http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/index_en.php
Restaurant Reviews:
Hungry Girl in Taipei (blog with restaurant reviews):
http://hungryintaipei.blogspot.com/
- written by an American from L.A., it seems
- hard to take seriously a food review from someone who has anything
good to say about Burger King
Travel General:
Taiwan International Airport (from Wikipedia):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan_Taoyuan_International_Airport
Universal Currency Converter:
http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Visa Information:
Information for Foreigners:
http://iff.immigration.gov.tw/enfront/
Taiwan "Embassy" in Hong Kong:
http://www.taiwaninfo.org/index.asp
Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan):
http://www.boca.gov.tw
Weather, etc.:
Central Weather Bureau:
http://www.cwb.gov.tw
Typhoon 2000:
http://www.typhoon2000.ph/
- based in the Philippines, but an excellent resource for Pacific Ocean typhoon news!
Taiwanease - Where Can I Find in Taiwan:
http://taiwanease.com/theknowledge/index.php?title=Main_Page
http://www.cosmo.com.tw
Blues Bash:
http://www.bsot-bluesbash.info/
- blues festival on the weekend of November 3rd-4th, 2007!
Blues Society on Taiwan:
http://www.bsot.org/
- not very regularly updated
Capone's:
http://www.caponestaipei.com/
- blues music most weekends, some other nights, too
Citizen Cain:
http://www.citizencain.com/
- occasional live music
Natural Disasters:
Earthquakes:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/
- up-to-date and very detailed informaion on every earthquake on the planet!
Volcanoes:
http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/
Newspapers (in English):
China Post:
http://www.chinapost.com.tw
Taiwan News Online:
http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/index_en.php
Restaurant Reviews:
Hungry Girl in Taipei (blog with restaurant reviews):
http://hungryintaipei.blogspot.com/
- written by an American from L.A., it seems
- hard to take seriously a food review from someone who has anything
good to say about Burger King
Travel General:
Taiwan International Airport (from Wikipedia):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan_Taoyuan_International_Airport
Universal Currency Converter:
http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Visa Information:
Information for Foreigners:
http://iff.immigration.gov.tw/enfront/
Taiwan "Embassy" in Hong Kong:
http://www.taiwaninfo.org/index.asp
Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan):
http://www.boca.gov.tw
Weather, etc.:
Central Weather Bureau:
http://www.cwb.gov.tw
Typhoon 2000:
http://www.typhoon2000.ph/
- based in the Philippines, but an excellent resource for Pacific Ocean typhoon news!
Taiwanease - Where Can I Find in Taiwan:
http://taiwanease.com/theknowledge/index.php?title=Main_Page
