The Land of The Lungshan Temple,

Taroko Gorge & Orchid Island

Information on Relocating to Taiwan

• The capital city of Taiwan is Taipei with about 2.8 million people. The political centre is also in Taipei where the President resides. Taiwan is a Republic.

• Languages: The official language is Northern Chinese (Mandarin). Taiwanese is widely spoken, and English is taught as the first foreign language in schools. The TV programs are mainly in Chinese but there are also a few TV programs in English. Cable and Satellite TV is available.

• Population: The population is about 23 million people - Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%.

• Expat areas: Most popular areas in Taipei are Yangmingshan, Tien Mou, Wellington Heights and the Hsin-Yi district (downtown Taipei).

• Housing: It usually takes several weeks to find a suitable property. Accommodation ranges from 8-roomed detached houses with swimming pool to 2/3-bedroom apartments, all with garage or carport. Apartments are generally in high-rise blocks of 6-17 storey. The standard of accommodation is not as high as that in the home country of the majority of expatriates. Most apartments have air-conditioning already installed but not all houses. Houses and apartments are sometimes leased part- or fully-furnished but more commonly unfurnished.

• Cost of housing: Varies based on type of residence, location, interior and views. Monthly rent can be from US$ 600 for a studio to over US$ 10000 for individual houses in the city. The local currency is New Taiwan Dollar (NT$).

• Schools: We have the American, British, International, French and the Japanese school. Depending on the age we can tell you about waiting lists, etc.

• Transportation: A number of private bus companies provide extensive services in Taipei. An unfinished Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, a monorail train, serves Taipei and its suburbs. Metered taxis are available in Taipei; tipping is not expected, but it is starting to come into practice.

• Bank: The banks are open Monday-Friday from 9.00 am - 3.30 pm.

• Shopping: Is generally done from Monday-Saturday 9.00 am - 10.00 pm.

• Climate: Taiwan has a humid subtropical climate, with long hot summers and moderate winters. In the north and east of the island and in the mountains, the months from December to March are often damp and chilly, with strong winds and frequent rain. The Taipei area is notorious for this, and snow occasionally falls on the summits of the Central Mountain Range (Chungshan Shanmo). Further south and west, winters are noticeably sunnier and warmer.

• Culture: Traditional Taiwanese culture is very similar to that of China. Chinese opera, and its half-sibling Taiwanese opera, are an integral part of the culture: you probably won't understand a word, but the costumes, music, acting and atmosphere are beautiful nonetheless. Most Chinese music is made with string instruments or flutes.

• Public holidays: January 1st-Foundation Day of the Republic of China; January/February-Chinese Lunar New Year; February 28th-Peace Day; March 29th-Youth Day; April 5th-Tomb Sweeping Day; May/June-Dragon Boat Festival; September/October-Mid-Autumn Festival/Moon Festival; September-Teachers' Day; October 10th-National Day (Double Tenth); October 25th-Restoration Day; October 31st-Chiang Kai-Shek's Birthday; November 12th-Sun Yat-Sen's Birthday; December 25th-Constitution Day.