TOURIST INFORMATION

The ROC legal tender is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). The current floating exchange rate is around NT$33.86 to US$1 or you can always check out the current rate at Universal Currency Converter. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at government-designated banks and hotels. Receipts are given when currency is exchanged, and must be presented in order to exchange unused NT dollars before departure.

CTV 8:00-8:30 a.m. = US CBS English News

CTS 7:30-8:00 a.m. = US ABC English News

CTS 10:10-10:30 a.m. = US ABC English News (brief)

ICRT FM 100.1; 100.7 AM 576 = English Radio Stations

Banks = 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.); 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Sat.)

Commercial = 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.); 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Sat.)

Firms = varies

Gov't. Offices = 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (Sat.)

International car rental companies and a number of local firms operate in Taiwan. Credit cards or sizable deposits are required in addition to an international or Taiwan driver's license.

For Taipei and major cities, the flag-down rate is NT$75, with surcharges during rush and early morning hours. An NT$10 surcharge is added for calling a taxi by phone. Before you take a ride, ask your hotel receptionist to write down your destination and your hotel's name in both English and Chinese, as most taxi drivers do not speak English.

Electric current is 110 volts. 60 cycles, AC. Drinking water served at hotels and restaurants is usually distilled or boiled.

Visitors are allowed to bring into the ROC, duty free, one liter of alcoholic beverages, 25 cigars, or 200 cigarettes, or one pound of other tobacco products. All belongings and cash (except for traveler's checks and bank drafts) must be declared upon entry into Taiwan. No more than NT$40,000 cash per passenger can be brought in without an advance permit. Weapons, firearms, explosives, narcotics, gambling equipment and pornographic materials are prohibited. Passengers may take out any amount of gold or silver, but must declare to the Customs. Weapons, firearms, explosives and unauthorized reproduction of books and records may not be taken out of Taiwan.