Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tourist Information
Visitor information centres are present in most city train stations, High Speed Rail (HSR)
stations, popular scenic areas and airports. English- and Japanese-language brochures,
maps, and train and bus schedules will usually be available.
Visitor centres in Taipei and other big cities usually have English- and, sometimes,
Japanese-speaking staff. Often staff are poorly trained, however, so when in doubt, trust
your guidebook and the word of other travellers and hostel/guesthouse owners.
Welcome to Taiwan
(
www.taiwan.net.tw
)
is the official site of the Taiwan Tourism Bur-
eau, and the
Tourism hotline
( 0800-011 765) is a 24-hour service in English, Japan-
ese and Chinese which is generally very useful.
Much of Taiwan is organised under National Scenic Areas. Their visitor centres can be
hit or miss depending on the staff but their websites are informative:
Alishan National Scenic Area
(
www.ali-nsa.net
)
East Coast National Scenic Area
(
www.eastcoast-nsa.gov.tw
)
East Rift Valley National Scenic Area
(
www.erv-nsa.gov.tw
)
Maolin National Scenic Area
(
www.maolin-nsa.gov.tw
)
Matsu National Scenic Area
(
www.matsu-nsa.gov.tw
/)
North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area
(
www.northguan-nsa.gov.tw
)
Northeast & Yilan Coast National Scenic Area
(
www.necoast-nsa.gov.tw
)
Penghu National Scenic Area
(
www.penghu-nsa.gov.tw
)
Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area
(
www.sunmoonlake.gov.tw
)
Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area
(
www.trimt-nsa.gov.tw
)
These websites, while not aimed at tourists, are helpful:
Taiwanease
(
www.taiwanease.com
)
Information for Foreigners
(
http://iff.immigration.gov.tw
)
TEALIT
(
www.tealit.com
)
Travellers with Disabilities
While seats and parking for people with disabilities are respected, in general Taiwan is not
a very disabled-friendly environment. Street footpaths are uneven, kerbs are steep, and
public transport, other than the MRT and HSR, is not equipped with wheelchair access.
