According to the statics of consumption and movement of travelers to Taiwan by Taiwan Tourism Bureau in 2018, the number of travelers to Taiwan is as much as about 11,067,000 people. The traveling period for each traveller are 6 days on average and the rate of revisit is 41% approximately. For travelers who visit Taiwan for the first time, here are some important information for reference in advance:

Currency Value

The value of Taiwanese currency is called TWD or NTD in general. The Taiwanese currency can be divided into 2,000, 1,000, 500, and, 100 in bill and 50, 20, 10, 5, 1 in coins, but it is rare to see NTD2000 and NTD200 flowing in the market. NTD1,000, 500, 100 is the most common bill to pay for general publics.

Voltage

The voltage of appliances in Taiwan is 110V in general. The larger appliances like washers are 220V. So, if travelers bring the appliances from their own country to use in Taiwan, it is suggested to check if the voltage is suitable or not in advance.

Country Codes

The country code of Taiwan is +886, so if travelers try to make a call to their friends and family abroad, it is required to add +886 before calling. For example, the cell phone number in Taiwan is 0989 123 456, the phone number with country code shall be +886 989 123 456.

Language

The main language in Taiwan is Chinese and Taiwanese. Travelers can communicate with the local people in Chinese.

National Holiday

The national holidays at the next year is issued in advance annually by Taiwan Directorate-General of Personnel Administration, Executive Yuan. For instance, New Year of Taiwan on January 1st, Peace Memorial Day on February  28th, Qingming Festival, Children’s Day, Dragon Boat Festival on the beginning of April, Moon Festival, Double Tenth Day (National Day).

Electronic Stored Value Card

Easy Card is the common electronic stored value card in Taiwan, which number of issuances is more than 80 million pieces till now. It is accessible for Taiwan Railway, Taiwan High Speed Rail, Airport Access MRT, Kaohsiung MRT, buses, taxies, convenient stores, or government authorities. Travelers can take advantage of Easy Card to board each type of public transportation mentioned above. Easy Card is available at MRT service counters or convenient stores with different kinds of design for travel’s favours, but it is aware that the card shall be topped up first.

Business Hours

The business hours for government entities is from 8:30 to 17:30 on weekday in Taiwan (the hour of lunch break is from 12:30 to 13:30) and the business hours for banks is from 9:30 to 15:30. Thus,  if travelers intend to go to these competent authorities for businesses, the start and end of business hours shall be aware of. Reversely, the business hours for convenient stores is 24 hours within the whole year, but for common stores is from 10:00 to 23:00 and the business hours for restaurant usually till 21:30. The office hours for companies and commercial center is from 9:00 to 18:00 on weekday.

Commodity Tax

To take the purchased commodity as example, the business tax is included in Taiwan commodities. The listed price usually the final price with taxes compared to the commodities in other countries. After purchasing, the uniform invoice is usually issued to customers for their records.

Tax Refund

Travelers can shop in special contract stores for tax refund by filling in the tax refund form as the amount of shopping reaches more than TWD2,000. Also, common department stores like Shin Kong Mitsukoshi and  Far Eastern provide travelers with tax refund service. Travelers shall present their passport and flight ticket upon the application.