Banks: 09:00 to 15:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 19:00, Monday to Friday; 08:30 to 16:30, Saturdays; 08:30 to 12:00, Sundays
Government Offices: 08:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 10:00 to 21:00 Monday to Sunday
Shops: 09:00 to 22:00, Monday to Sunday

Taipei, along with the rest of Taiwan, is recognised as a very safe place to travel. Decades of economic prosperity and constant development have given way to a well-adjusted, modern metropolis that poses minimal concerns for visitors.

If you are unfortunate enough to become the victim of a crime in Taipei, you can contact the office of foreign affairs to be put in contact with an English-speaking law enforcement officer (phone: +886 3 524 2103).

Although they rarely pose a great threat, natural disasters and inclement weather do occur on occasion in the city. Typhoons make seasonal appearances, though visitors and citizens of Taipei are given ample notice in the unlikely event that the storm comes ashore.

This region is also positioned in the Pacific Ring of Fire, and seismic activity is common. Though this usually amounts to little more than a tremor, outright earthquakes occasionally strike. However, buildings codes in Taipei are very strict, with most structures outfitted to safely weather strong quakes. 

Violent crime is virtually non-existent within Taiwan's tourism circuit. Visitors rarely have to deal with intimidating or threatening behaviour, let alone with muggings. However, the ambient feeling of safety in Taipei sometimes causes tourists to drop their guard and become susceptible to pick-pockets and purse snatchers.

The easiest way to avoid inadvertently parting with your valuables is to limit what you carry. Abundant ATMs and excellent banking infrastructure means that you'll need very little cash while spending time here in Taipei. Whatever you decide to carry along with you should be tucked into a money belt or otherwise concealed beneath a layer of outerwear.

Electricity:110 volts, 50 hertz

Taipei enjoys some of the best medical infrastructure in a country that has surpassed many Western nations in the calibre of its medical facilities. Taiwan's ability to naturally quarantine itself has given this island community the opportunity to completely eradicate some viruses like malaria. All of this works in tourists' favour, creating a clean and healthy travelling environment that poses very little risk.

Proof of immunisations may be required of travellers before a visa is issued however most Western travellers are waived this requirement. The exception is travellers arriving from regions known to be affected by yellow fever, who must demonstrate proof of vaccination. Immunisation against Japanese encephalitis is also recommended.

Tap water should be regarded as unsanitary. Boiling water before drinking is an impractical step for travellers and other short-term visitors, making bottled water the best choice for convenience. Milk is typically unpastuerised, so visitors may wish to drink pasteurised powdered milk as an alternative.

Secondary contact with water can sometimes upset stomachs or otherwise make tourists ill. Beware of fresh produce, especially fruit which should be washed and peeled before consumption. Ice should also be avoided; however, factory-processed ice (cylindrical with a hollow shaft) is safe to consume.

Taiwan's official language is Mandarin Chinese. While the mainland dialect is unanimously employed throughout the metropolitan area, regional dialects are spoken in rural areas across the country. In some ethnic minority villages, Mandarin is rarely used. Visitors to Taipei are pleased to find a high level of English proficiency, particularly within sectors of tourism and business. Many travellers make a point of carrying a card with the name and address of their hotel written in Mandarin to show taxi drivers. 

The official currency of Taiwan is the new Taiwan dollar (TWD). While the old dollar (pre-1997) occasionally crops up in circulation, it is often not accepted by merchants and restaurants. The new dollars display a larger bust on the front of the banknote. These are issued in increments of TWD 50, 100, 500 and 1,000. Meanwhile, coins cover smaller increments of 1, 5, 10, and 50.  

The banking infrastructure in Taipei is excellent, and multiple forms of currency are traded by financial institutions and money lenders. For this reason, most travellers wait to do their bank when they arrive in Taipei, where local exchange rates typically trump international rates. Travellers' cheques can also be exchanged at banks, and they're also usually accepted by the larger hotels.

Cash is rarely an issue in Taipei. ATMs are abundantly located throughout the city, where internationally-branded debit cards are accepted. Banks will also issue cash advances against credit cards in many cases. The only time cash becomes important is when travelling into outlying villages and rural areas, where merchants are less likely to accept credit or debit cards.  

Import and export of the following items is restricted: antiques and national treasures, illicit drugs, some prescription medications and firearms (including toy or model pistols). If you are concerned about an item you intend to carry with you, contact your nearest Taiwan consulate or embassy for more information.

All those entering Taiwan are required to fill out a customs declaration form. Duty free allowances (per person) are as follows: 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars; one still camera and one video camera; gifts not exceeding TWD6,000; and up to one litre of alcohol. Restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency are relatively lax, although customs officials require you to declare the amount you're carrying.

A greeting in Taiwan usually consists of a simple nod of the head. Prolonged intermingling with Japanese culture has also left its mark on Taiwan, and it's not uncommon to see Japanese-style bowing in the course of formal greetings. Within the business community, Western-style handshakes are more prevalent.

Since the feet are the lowest part of the body, they are regarded as dirty in Taiwan. Your shoes should be taken off before entering a home or religious site. In most cases, there will be several sets of slippers at the threshold of a house, providing you with an alternative to walking around bare-footed.

Opposite of the feet, the head is regarded as an especially sacred part of the body. Taiwanese will not intentionally touch someone else's head in the course of casual interactions. Even young children's heads should not be touched, as this may offend the parents.

The act of giving small gifts is a central part of Taiwanese culture. There are several taboos with regards to gift giving to avoid, however, but locals are usually forgiven any unintended social lapses.

Generally anything reminiscent of death or dying should be carefully avoided. Even writing a person's name in red ink is considered bad luck. Shoes are a distasteful gift, as they are said to speed a person into the afterlife. Pointing at mausoleums or cemeteries supposedly summons ghosts and should also be avoided. Whistling after dark is considered bad taste, as it calls ghosts to the whistler.

Dining Etiquette
Taiwanese food has a great deal in common with Japanese and mainland Chinese cuisine. Pork is the most prevalent land-based meat, favoured over beef due to an aversion to eating beasts of burden. Fresh seafood also finds its way into a variety of dishes.

Rice is the mainstay of Taiwanese cuisine, and it manifests itself in several different ways. Beyond the simple bed of white rice that accompanies many dishes, rice is also ground into flour and used to make rice noodles, which is then served in a light broth with ground pork balls.

Chopsticks are the primary eating utensils, though many restaurants in touristy areas also have forks and spoons available upon request. When using chopsticks, refrain from inserting them into a bowl of rice such that they protrude into the air. This social faux pas is reminiscent of burning joss sticks and ominous last rites.

Tea is served before, during and after every meal, and also fills in the gaps throughout the day. In a restaurant, you can indicate to your server that a teapot needs to be refilled by removing or unhinging the lid. A threefold tap on the table is a nice, non-verbal way of thanking your server.

Tipping is uncommon in Taipei, and is only necessary in upscale establishments that deal heavily with foreigners. At times, a modest fee for service may be added to the bill.

The changeable nature of visa regulations means visitors should check regulations with their local Taiwan embassy before finalising travel arrangements.   

Tourist visas in Taiwan cover a period of stay not exceeding 30 days. Visas are issued on arrival for citizens of most Western nations, and the tourist need only show proof of return travel arrangements, such as an outbound air ticket. Customs officials may perform a quick criminal history check, and the visa processing fee must be paid in new Taiwanese dollars.

Extensions are not typically available for tourist visas. In some instances, it may be possible to arrange a visa that covers a stay of up to 90 days, but this sort of visa must be applied for at a Taiwanese embassy in your home country in advance of travel. All visitors must possess a passport that is valid for at least six months after their date of entry to Taiwan.

The headquarters for the Taiwan Tourism Bureau is located in Taipei on Jungshiau E road. This is a good place for visitors to launch a tour of the city, as the facility is equipped with knowledgeable staff and ample information to help plan your stay. Phone: +886 2 349 1635.