Ben's Guide to Taipei and Taiwan

In general, I suggest that you do not import pets to Taiwan , but if you are determined to do so, please research the requirements carefully and budget enough to cover the costs. The official Taiwan government's pet import regulations can be found here . You can download the regulations in English as well as an import permit application. You can expect that importing a pet can cause difficulties and will involve a considerable expense. You can contract a pet agent to assist in the process. This will make your life a lot easier but will significantly increase your costs. Here is an overview of what is needed for an import permit: In order to apply for the import permit, copies are acceptable. Upon arrival in Taiwan, all original documents must be available along with the import permit. Microchip please provide details Vaccinated against rabies Primary vaccination at the age of at least 90 days old, and the period between the day of vaccination and the day of shipment sha

If you are leaving Taiwan, and want to take your pet along, then be prepared for complications and expenses. It is not to be taken lightly, but it can be done. It is your destination that determines how difficult or expensive it will be. You should carefully research the requirements of your destination, before finalizing your plan to bring your pet. Most destinations will require that your pet be implanted with a microchip and receive rabies or other vaccinations. A vet in Taipei with a lot of experience handling export vaccinations and documents is Dr. Yang in Tianmu: Dr. Simon Yang, DVM No. 368, Sec. 6, Zongshan N. Rd. phone: 2871 7621 fax 2876 2039 mobile: 0932 035 130 canine0368@yahoo.com.tw Here is a link with info about checking in pets as excess baggage and it also mentions an export permit. To Australia: You will need to apply in advance for an import permit and pets will be quarantined. Pets from Taiwan will face a minimum 30 day quarantine. The application fees are AUD $280

National Immigration Agency (formerly the Foreign Affairs Police, now new name and new location) After you have received your resident visa from MOFA , this is where you need to go for your ARC (Alien Resident Certificate) which is your national ID card. Taipei County Residents use the Banqiao Office: Minzhu Road, No. 168 / 台北縣板橋市民族路168號 (民族 mínzú) Link to Map Banqiao MRT Map Taipei City Residents: 臺北市中正區廣州街15號　 電話：02-23899983 No. 15, Guangzhou St. Zhong Zheng District, Taipei Tel: 02-2389-9983 Forumosa National Immigration Agency Official Website

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) is where you can have documents authenticated and begin the visa application process. Address: Jinan Rd, Sec 1, No. 2-2, Taipei City / 台北市濟南路一段 2-2 號 濟南路 Jǐnán Lù http://iff.immigration.gov.tw/enfront/life.php?id=446&tr_id=9 This is located between CKS and Shando Temple MRT Stations.

仁愛醫院 R é n' à i y ī yu à n Renai Rd., Sec. 4, No. 10 / 仁愛路 4 段 10 號 / Rén'ài Lù Sì Duàn Shí Hào Health Certificate Exams for visas or other reasons are done at Renai Branch, of the Taipei City Hospital . It is located on Renai Rd. near the Fuxing intersection . If you are walking south on Fuxing (from the MRT for example) the Howard Hotel will be on the right hand side you want to be on the left hand side. If coming by MRT , the nearest station is Zhongxiao-Fuxing Station on the Blue and Brown Lines. Hours are 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM on Monday through Friday . They are open 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday if you are willing to fight the crowd. Closed on Sundays. BRING YOUR PASSPORT . Bring your passport , at least 3 photos , and about NTD 1000 . It will probably take a couple of hours. Exams are located on the 2nd floor . Follow the signs for Health Certification . You have to walk by the blood draw area, where you will go later. They will give you

Near Taipei main station there are a couple of bus stations. The Kuo Kuang (Guó Guāng 國 光) East Station has service to the airport and Keelung (Jīlóng 基隆) . The Kuo Kuang stations can be reached from the MRT by walking through the underground mall and their are signs pointing you towards the proper exit. Between the Kuo Kuang West Station and the Intercity Bus Station you can reach most major destinations in Taiwan. The intercity terminal has service to Hsinchu (Xīnzhú 新竹). The Intercity Bus Station houses several companies so you may need to go to a different window depending on your destination. Kuo Kuang Chinese only website: http://www.kingbus.com.tw/home.php

I don't spend much time in Xinzhu, but I'll add useful information as I find it. B&Q Hardware Stores (特力屋 té lì wū) Xinzhu City, Gongdao 5th Road, Sec. 2, No. 469 No.469, Sec. 2, Gong Dao 5th Rd., Hsinchu City 30069 30069新竹市公道五路二段469號2樓 Hsinchu Science Park: http://eweb.sipa.gov.tw/en/dispatch.jsp?disp_to=2:15 City Website with Chinese/English street names

On the Northern end of the Muzha-Brown line , come out of Zhongshan Jr. High School MRT (only 1 exit) and turn right. A few shops down on your right hand side will be an excellent Indonesian restaurant. I lost the name card, so that's all the detail until I eat there again. Address: Fuxing N. Rd., No. 292 / 復興北路 292 號 / Fùxīng Běi Lù 292 Hào (02) 2504-5793

They have decent Mexican food at average prices. Locations: Fuxing N. Rd. No. 202 / 復興北路 202 號 / Fùxīng Běi Lù 202 Hào Guangfu S. Rd, Lane 280, No. 28 / 光復南路 280巷 28 號 / Guāngfù Nán Lù 280 Xiàng 28 Hào

This is a very tasty and inexpensive Chinese restaurant. Their specialty is a spicy lamb dish served with either noodles or rice. They have indoor and outdoor seating.

Apparently there is more to Taoyuan than the airport and betel nut girls. I haven't been here, but it certainly looks nice in the pictures. It’s on the edge of a resevoir in DaXi township (大溪鎮), TaoYuan http://www.lakesidecoffee.com/Page1.html

This is a Japanese hot pot, sushi, and seafood restaurant. They keep bringing food until you are ready to burst, but it tastes so good you want to keep eating. The cost for dinner is NTD 500. The price includes coke and sprite, but beer costs extra. Taiwan Beer is available for NTD 80 per bottle. Located in the same building as The Living Room and across the hallway from the Brazilian BBQ Restaurant .

In order to be married in Taiwan and added to your spouse's household registry you will need documentation from your home country that you are eligible to marry (not currently married). This will vary by country. The process is very straight forward for Americans, since the US does not keep a central marriage registry. All that is required is a notarized sworn statement that you are eligible to marry. AIT can notarize this for you. For looking at your passport and stamping a document they charge USD $30, but you get a discount if they notarize a second document at the same time (this includes notarizing a duplicate document, which may or may not be required depending on who you ask). They have a sample Affidavit Regarding Marital Status document on their website. You will need to make an appointment online in order to have the affidavit notarized. Now take this to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be authenticated. Once you have your documents in order, you need to bring them

JB’s Bar and Restaurant 148 Shida Rd., Taipei (北市師大路148號) 02 2364 8222 They have a nice selection of beers including a locally made microbrew. They have a menu with pub food featuring some British favourties such as Bangers and Mash. The downstairs is non-smoking but is always deserted. The smokey upstairs has a bar and a projection TV. They are located just down the street from the Taipower Building MRT Station Exit 4.

If you've planned ahead then you have spent at least 183 days in Taiwan last year, so you know you will be getting a refund, because those first 6 months you are taxed at 20%. After reaching the the magic number, you qualify for a lower tax rate including a refund on the extra tax you paid in. For information on tax brackets check out Tealit or check out the Tax Administration's Official Site. Where you file your taxes depends on where you live (or where your ARC says you live). Attached is a list of tax offices. For Taipei City Residents , Taipei's Main Tax office is located within walking distance of the Ximen MRT Station at Zhonghua Rd. Sec. 1, No. 2 / 台北市中華路1段2號 on the corner of Zhongxiao W. Rd. The nearest MRT station is Ximen Station . Foreigner's service is located on the first floor on the left hand side . Be sure to bring your passport, ARC, tax statements, and bank book for direct deposit or a mailing address for notice by mail that your refund is ready. Fo

Taroko National Park / 太魯閣國家公園 / Tàilǔgé gúojiā gōngyuán Taroko is one of the must see sites in Taiwan. Winding along a mountain pass on one side the cliff goes straight down to the river and on the other side straight up. This is definitely at minimum a weekend trip, but a long weekend would be more realistic. Free camping was available, although this may have changed. In 2005 sites were available with parking, wooden tent platforms, and toilet facilities. The only thing missing was hot water. Also in 2005 the hotsprings were closed indefinitely after falling rocks killed and injured visitors. Taroko is an excellent site to drive if you have a car. If you are more adventurous, you can take the train and then rent a motor scooter. Depending on which shop you go to, you may or may not have a problem renting without a Taiwan driver's license. The closest larger city is Hualian. This is where many people stay and do day trips into Taroko. They have all of the necessities and luxuries

The Asiaworld Plaza is on the north-east corner of Dunhua N. Rd. and Nanjing E. Rd. (敦化北路南京東路口). Shops include IKEA Le blé d'or Brewery / Restaurant The Outback Steak House Located nearby: Dan Ryan's Chicago Grill The Shannon Silver Spoon Thai Restaurant Municipal Stadium Nanjing East Road MRT Station

Carrefour (家樂福 jiā lè fú) has many locations throughout Taipei and Taiwan. Partial List of Locations (Tealit) Partial List of Locations (Forumosa) Official site in Chinese Locations: Song Shan District , San Min Rd. No. 160, Near the Minquan East Rd. intersection / 三民路160號, 民權東路口 Sānmín Lù 160 Hào, Mínquán Dōng Lù Kǒu Tian Mu , Shi Lin District, De Xing West Rd, No. 47, Near the Fu Guo Rd. intersection / 德行西路47號, 福國路口 / Dé Xíng Xī Lù 47 Hào, Fúguó Lù Kǒu RT Mart is another hypermarket found throughout Taiwan.

Dan Ryan’s Grill serves western food. The service and quality is ok, but the food is nothing special and it is more expensive than average. I found Dan Ryan's to be very comfortable but not memorable. The closest MRT Station is Nanjing East Road MRT Station on the Brown-Muzha Line. Go East on Nanjing Road and then turn right (South) on Dunhua Rd. It is about a ten minute walk. It is next door to The Shannon and across the street from Asiaworld Plaza and the Municipal Stadium. They have bar and restaurant seating. Location: Dunhua North Rd., No. 8 / 敦化北路8號 / Dūnhuà Běi Lù, 8 hào just South of the Nanjing East Rd. intersection Map (see the Shannon) Go to main Pub listing page

Costco: Neihu Branch Taipei City, Neihu District, Jiu Zong Road, Sec. 1, No. 168 / 台北市, 內湖區, 舊宗路, 一段, 268號 Directions from Central Taipei: Going East on Minquan East Road, cross the Minquan Bridge and turn right. There is a gas station at this corner. Take the second right and you will see Costco on the right hand side. Telephone: (02) 8791-1030 ext. 2 (English) Costco: Zhonghe City, Taipei County Branch This is on Zhongshan Rd. near the intersection with Banan Rd. Website (in English) Map and Address Longer List of Locations Maps to Costco

B&Q Hardware Stores (特力屋 té lì wū) are located throughout Taipei and Taiwan. They have most any tool or material you will need for home improvement projects. If you have 220 volt electronics from another country you should be able to find power transformers here. Official Website (Chinese Only) Store Locator with Maps (Chinese Only) Longer list of Locations B&Q Hardware Store, Neihu Branch: Taipei City, Xin Hu 3rd Road, No. 23, B1 / 台北市, 新湖三路, 23號 B1 F / Xīnhú Sān Lù 23 Hào B1 Directions from Central Taipei: Going East on Minquan East Road, cross the Minquan Bridge and turn right. There is a gas station at this corner. Take the second right and you will see B&Q on the left hand side. Telephone: (02) 8791-1030 ext. 2 (English) B&Q Hardware Store: Tianmu/Shilin Branch: Taipei City, Shilin District, Jihe Road, No. 258 / 台北市士林區基河路258號 Telephone: (02) 2889-1000 ext. 2 (English) Edit 9/2007: List of B&Q locations island wide provided by B&Q: Region