Currency: New Taiwan dollar

Official language: Mandarin

Farmers from mainland China settled in Taiwan about 4,000 years ago and are believed to be the ancestors of today’s Taiwanese aborigines. The islands of Taiwan were ruled by various tribes, whose hostility repelled invaders and traders for centuries. During the 13th century, Han Chinese began settling the Penghu islands.

The Dutch East India Company failed in an attempt to set up an outpost on the Penghu Islands due to intervention by Ming authorities in 1622. Fort Zeelandia was established on Tayouan islet off Anping, Tainan by the Company in 1624. At that time, the area was populated by a variety of tribal settlements, each with their own chief, some of which had fallen under Dutch control by the 1650s. The Spanish conquered northern Taiwan in 1626, and set up forts and colonies which lasted until 1642, when Dutch forces captured the area.

The Dutch were defeated in 1666 by loyalist, Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong), fleeing the fall of the Ming Dynasty. Koxinga and his heirs ruled the renamed Kingdom of Tungning until 1682, regularly raiding the coast of mainland China.

Quing Dynasty forces captured Taiwan in 1683 and absorbed it into the Fujian province. During this time, Fujian immigrants moved to Taiwan and there was regular conflict amongst Chinese from different regions as well as with local aborigines. The Qing created Taiwan as a separate province in 1885, with Taipei as the capital. A process of modernization followed which saw the construction of Taiwan’s first railway and the introduction of a postal service.

The Japanese gained control of Taiwan and Penghu as a result of the 1894-1895 First Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese industrialized the islands, extending the railways, implementing sanitation systems and introducing formal education. Production of the main crops of rice and sugar cane increased to the point that Taiwan was world’s seventh largest rice producer by 1939. The Japanese marginalized and persecuted the Taiwanese and aborigines. They instigated a deliberate campaign in 1935m to teach the subjects of the Japanese Empire to see themselves as Japanese, with some success. During World War II, tens of thousands of Taiwanese served in the Japanese military. Japan used Taiwan as base for naval and air campaigns throughout to war, which, along with industrial targets, made Taiwan an object for regular and heavy Allied bombing.

In October 1945, the Japanese surrendered Taiwan to the Republic of China (ROC) troops. The ROC considered the turnover of Taiwan to be completed from that time, while the Allies considered it to be a military occupation of a place under Japanese sovereignty until Japan renounced all claim in 1952.

The ROC administration was not popular in Taiwan which, along with economic issues, led to great unrest in Taiwan during 1947. At the same time, the Chinese Civil War between Nationalists (Kuomintang) and Communists was in progress on mainland China, from which the Communists emerged victorious to form the People’s Republic of China (POC) in 1949.

The defeated ROC Government and some two million soldiers, Kuomintang party members, intellectuals, and elite businesspeople evacuated to Taiwan, taking mainland China’s gold reserves with them and making Taipei the temporary capital.

From then onwards, the territories under Kuomintang ROC control were reduced to Taiwan and a few other islands. Despite this, the ROC continued to claim the right to rule all China, including mainland China, Outer Mongolia and Taiwan. By contrast, the Communists of mainland China claimed that the ROC was extinct and that there was only one China, which included Taiwan.

The ROC declared martial law in 1949, which was used to suppress political oppositions and lasted until 1987. A one party policy prevailed and anyone perceived to be pro-communist or anti-nationalist was subjected to persecution, which could include, amongst other horrors, imprisonment, torture and death.

Throughout the 1950s, the ROC government constructed military fortifications across Taiwan, as well as the Central Cross-Island Highway. The Chinese civil war continued throughout this time, with sporadic unpublicized clashes and raids. 1958 saw the establishment of Nike-Hercules missile in Taiwan, which were not deactivated until 1997, when they were replaced by new systems.

Technological innovation and industrialization allowed Taiwan to recognize rapid economic growth during the 1960s and ’70s, even while the ROC maintained an authoritarian, single-party rule. This growth, along with American support, allowed Taiwan to establish fiscal independence from mainland China. Anti-communist ideals left most Western nations to consider the ROC to be China’s sole legitimate governing body during the Cold War. After the Cold War, this recognition largely switched to the PRC while Taiwan retained a status as an independent territory known as the Republic of China.

A quashed pro-democracy protest in 1979, united Taiwanese opposition forces to push for reform. The Government began to enact a process of liberalization from about 1984. The first official opposition party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was allowed to form in 1986 and martial law was lifted in 1987.

The first ethnically Taiwanese president of the ROC succeeded the presidency in 1988, following the death of the original incumbent. Democratization continued, including a policy of increased localization, which promoted Taiwanese culture and history rather than pan-Chinese identity. The bans using Taiwanese Hokkien language in schools and the media were removed. In 1991, government officials who had held positions without re-election since 1947 were forced to resign.

The president was re-elected in 1996, in what was the first democratic election in the history of the ROC. In 2000, DPP representative Chen Shui-bian, was the first elected non-KMT President. He was re-elected in 2004. Today, the politics of Taiwan are polarized between the Pan-blue Coalition, who favor Chinese reunification and the Pan-Green Coalition, which prefers the prospect of an independent Taiwan. To this day most countries do not recognize the sovereign state of ROC, mainly due to pressure from China, so it remains in diplomatic limbo, with trade missions around the world rather than embassies, but still asserts a measure of authority.

In 2007, the ruling DPP formally asserted a separate identity from China. In 2008, elections returned control to the KMT, with presidential stated aims of increased economic growth and better ties with the PRC.

Taiwan has a well formed regional identity, separate from mainland China, made from a blend of ideas and traditions brought by the various people who settled the region. The Taiwanese are a hardworking, family oriented, polite and pragmatic people, known for hospitality. Food plays a large part in Taiwanese culture with many activities and even festivals centered around food based traditions.

Religion and superstition also shape the Taiwanese culture with Buddhist, Taoist, indigenous, and folk traditions blending into a fascinating and colorful mosaic of temples, shrines, festivals, art, poetry, proverbs, and habits.

Taiwan has a tropical marine climate. The rainy season lasts from January to March, followed by spring from April to June – some areas experience extended rain, known as the ‘plum rains’, in May. The humid hot season stretches from June to September. The winter season from October to December can get quite cool, with temperatures as low as 46°F.

There is a difference between the southern and Northern areas of Taiwan, with temperatures averaging 86°F in the southern lowlands between June and September compared with 81°F in the north. The year round average is 75°F in the south and 72°F for the north.

The geography of Taiwan means that the weather can be very changeable, particularly in the mountains. Typhoons (tropical cyclones) are common between July and September. Visitors, particularly those planning to undertake outdoor activities should check weather forecasts ahead of time and come prepared for a variety of likely weather conditions.

The Taiwan Embassy issues a Single and Multiple entry visa for Indians. The Single entry is issued with a validity of 1 to 3 months, whereas a multiple entry visa is issued with a validity of 6 months to 3 years. However, visitors can only stay for maximum 60 days from the following day of arrival.

Yellow cab taxis are widely available, particularly in big cities like Taipei, and although it is possible to book a taxi by phone, it is generally not necessary - just go out onto the street and hail one. Drivers cannot usually read English so be sure to have the required address written down in Chinese beforehand. Fares are metered and tips are prohibited. The rate is more expensive after 11:00 p.m. and before 6:00 a.m. - make sure the 11:00 p.m. button is not pushed during normal hours. If required, taxis can be booked through dispatch centers such as Taiwan Taxis (+886-4058-8888). Alternatively, visitors could try one of the many the government regulated Taipei Tourist Taxis, such as Taipei Star Taxis (+886-2882-5566).

Taiwan has a fantastic new high speed train system that links all the major cities. It is run by Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR). The trains and system are modern and efficient and even traveling economy is comfortable. Tickets can be purchased at the station, ticket machines or ticket offices, 7-11 and Familymart stores, or booked in advance either online or by phone (+886-2-6626-8000). Visitors can get around Taipei using the underground subway system known as the MRT. Visitors moving between neighboring cities could try the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) commuter trains, tickets for which can be bought online in advance or from the station on the day of travel.

Taiwan has a number of bus services, with the private coaches being the most comfortable, modern and luxurious. The public bus service is also clean and efficient, although route maps and information will usually be in Chinese. The bus will often have the destination signed in English, so the best plan is to get assistance the hotel about where to catch the bus, then have the destination marked in Chinese on a map to show the driver. The newly launched Taiwan tourist shuttle (http://www.taiwantrip.com.tw/) offers more direct routes to tourist attractions that might otherwise be difficult for visitors to get to using public transport.

Before you leave on your holiday, there are at least four health-related things you should do. Please check the handbook for specifics, but for now, here’s the short list:

Step 1: Check with the CDC for their recommendations for the countries you’ll be visiting.

Step 2: Have a medical checkup with your doctor.

Step 3: Pick up any necessary medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.

Step 4: Have a dental and/or eye checkup. (Recommended, but less important than steps 1-3.)

DO

• The Taiwanese tend to be very hospitable and willing to help a stranger in need, perhaps more so than is common in Australia. Be receptive to their friendliness and try to reciprocate it.
• Be humble if you receive a compliment or flattery from your Taiwanese counterpart. They are likely to appreciate a sense of humility.
• Make an effort to inquire about a Taiwanese person’s family. Since family plays a central role in Taiwanese culture, it is a common and considerably important topic of conversation. Your interest is likely to be appreciated and welcomed. 
• Since many Taiwanese names are imbued with meaning, inquiring about the meaning of their name is a good way to break the ice.

 DON'T

• Do not presume a Taiwanese person’s opinion regarding Taiwanese-Chinese relations. If you are unclear about their views, it’s a good idea to avoid referring to Taiwan as ‘China’.
• Avoid giving direct criticism towards a Taiwanese person or their family, business or Taiwan itself. This can lead to a loss of ‘face’ and leave your Taiwanese counterpart feeling embarrassed.
• Don’t assume that Taiwanese people have the same behavioural customs as those in China. Despite perceived similarities, expectations and practices in behaviour and etiquette differ between the two cultures.
• Never correct a Taiwanese person’s identity regarding whether they think of themselves as Taiwanese or Chinese. Whether one identifies as Taiwanese or Chinese is thought to be a personal choice and someone correcting this choice may be considered to be insensitive.