About Taipei
Taipei City is located in the Taipei Basin of northern Taiwan. It extends east to Dafeng Neighborhood in Nangang District, west to Guandu Neighborhood in Beitou District, South to Jhihnan Neighborhood in Wenshan District, and North to Hutian Neighborhood in Beitou District. It is surrounded by Taipei County and it the largest city in Taiwan.

The area that makes up modern-day Taipei was a lake 300 years ago. As the lake drained away, the rising lakebed formed what is known today as the Taipei Basin. The Danshui, Xindian and Keelung rivers come together in Danshui river in the center of the basin. The Danshui River eventually empties into the Taiwan Strait.

Historically Taipei has always been a place where cultures collide and coalesce. The earliest archaeological evidence of human presence in Taipei was found in the Yuanshan Prehistoric Site (B.C.5000) and the Zhishanyan Prehistoric Site (B.C.1000-200). The two sites confirm the early human presence in Taipei and Taipei's past as a lake. Later, the Ketagalan group belonging to the Pingpu ("Plains") Aboriginal tribes began to thrive in areas such as Danshui, Beitou and Bali.

The Spanish arrived in Danshui from Keelung and built Fort Provintia (now known as Fort Hongmao, or "red-topped tower".) Shortly after, the Dutch invaded from south Taiwan and fought for control of the island with Ming Dynasty general Koxinga, who was then stationed in Tainan. With the defeat of Koxinga forces, the Qing government assumed total control of Taiwan.
Southern Chinese immigrants from Quanzhou, Zhangzhou and Canton began to arrive in Mengjia, then Taiwan's largest port, in search of arable land. They fought constantly with the Pingpu tribes as well as among themselves for territory. These early immigrants built housings and temples that reflected a number of regional architectural styles.

Construction of Taipei City was completed in the late 19th century during Emperor Guangxu's reign. The original city gates we see today were constructed during this period.

Taiwan became a Japanese colony in 1895, after China lost the First Sino-Japanese War. Taiwan remained a Japanese colony until the end of WWII, when the mainland Chinese Nationalist government took over. The influx Nationalist troops and personnel brought with them mainland Chinese culture to Taiwanese society.

In recent years, increased immigration from Southeastern Asia has further contributed to Taipei's ever more diversified cultural climate.

Access
There are more than 42 international airlines offering services from more than 58 major cities worldwide to Taipei. There are more than 230 flights per week from North American cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, etc. to Taipei, including many non-stop flights. Transportation from Asia Pacific cities such as Bangkok, Hawaii, Japan, etc. are even more convenient.

Taoyuan International Airport is approximately 50 minutes drive to the conference venue-TICC. Airport buses, hotel limousines and taxis offer convenient transportation to the conference venue or any other hotels.

From Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei City by BUS

• Ticket counters are located in the Arrival Passenger Reception Areas of both terminals.
• Terminal I Bus Platform: On the southwest side of the Arrival Passenger Reception Area.
• Terminal II Bus Platform: On the northwest side of the Arrival Passenger Reception Area on the first floor of the terminal.
• Adult single fares vary from NT$110 to $140, journey time almost 1 hour
• More information on bus companies.

FromTaiwan Taoyuan Internation Airport to Taipei City by TAXI.

• Taxi queues are outside the Arrival Halls of both terminals. To ensure the safety of passengers only the taxis approved by the Aviation Policy Bureau are permitted to operate at Taoyuan Airport.
• Taxis are available at Taoyuan Airport 24 hours a day.
• Airport taxis charge according to the meter in addition to a 50% surcharge (highway tolls not included) and provide transport to anywhere in Taiwan. (A typical taxi fare is approximately NT$1,100).
• More information on taxi.

Climate
Taipei has a subtropical climate. For further information, please refer to the website of the Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan.

Time Zone
The time in Taiwan is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +8). There is no daylight-saving scheme, so this time difference remains constant year-around.

Currency
The monetary unit is the New Taiwan dollar (NT$). The exchange rate in recent months has been approximately NT$ 32 for US$1. Foreign currency can be exchanged at most banks, hotels and international airports. For different currencies, please go visit the Currency web individually.

Language
Mandarin Chinese is the official language in Taiwan though other dialects are also spoken. Many people can speak some English, which is the most widely studied foreign language.

Power Supply
The power supply for electricity is AC 110 Volts/60Hz. Power outlets only accept flat two-parallel pin plug, type A. Please bring your own electrical outlet adapter to adjust the AC plug on you equipment. Participants from areas with different currents may bring a transformer to operate the electrical appliances.

Local Transportation

• Mass Rapid Transit System (MRT)
  The MRT currently has eight lines in operation. Tickets can be purchased at automatic-ticket machines in all MRT stations. A “Single-journey Ticket” costs between NT$20 to NT$65 depends on distance. A NT$150”One-day Pass” purchased from a service booth will allow unlimited travel among all MRT lines within one day. The MRT runs from 6 am to 12 midnight seven days a week. Smoking, eating, drinking or gum chewing are strictly prohibited on all MRT trains. In addition, the use of cellular phones is prohibited in the first and the last car of each train. For more information, please visit the website directly. Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation

• Taxi
  Taipei has a huge fleet of taxis. Charges are NT$70 for the first 1.5km and NT$5 for each additional 300 meters. An additional NT$5 is charged for every two minutes of waiting, and a 20% surcharge is added to fares between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. All fares appear on the meter, except for a NT$10 charge for cabs dispatched by phone and for each piece of luggage placed in taxi trunk. Tips are not required.

International Direct Dial (IDD)
International Direct Dial (IDD) calls can be made by dialing the international dialing code 002 (or 005) + country code + city code + local number.

Mobile Phones
Taiwan uses GSM 900, 1800, and 3G 2100 frequencies; therefore, most overseas mobile phones work in Taiwan. Mobile phone rentals and prepaid GSM cards are available at the arrival hall in the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.

Guests from the United States who plan on purchasing a prepaid Taiwanese GSM card, will need to call their cell phone providers (while in the US) to unlock their mobile phone. The card costs approximately NT$300-500 ($10-$15USD), and two IDs (i.e., passport and driver's license) will be required for the purchase. Additional minutes can be purchased and added to the card at convenience stores throughout the country.

Travelers under the age of 30 are eligible for a mobile phone provided by the Taiwanese government. This type of mobile is also known as a “digital tour buddy”. They have built-in translators and come with NT$200 free minutes. Those under 30 can apply for the youth travel pass and a digital tour buddy online. Once approved, the items can be picked up at the airport. For more information visit Youth Travel in Taiwan.

Liability and Insurance
The Organizing Committee will endeavor to provide an enjoyable conference. However, neither the Organizing Committee nor the Organizer accepts any liability whatsoever for any injury, illness, damage or loss suffered by an attendee during his/her stay in Taiwan. Participants are advised to take out their own comprehensive travel insurance in their respective countries.