Planning for an Adventure in Beijing, China: Part 3 - Preparing for the Weather

     We'll be in Beijing, China, on the last week of November, during the last vestiges of autumn and the early days of winter.  Unlike China, the Philippines only has two seasons: the wet and the dry season.  However, we Filipinos often describe our climate as either of these two: hot, or hotter.  Kidding aside, since we don't have four seasons like China, well, except for Batanes as claimed by Seair's website, we're not accustomed to the cold, much more, winter.  And we cannot be blamed for that.  We're used to the almost year-round humidity and we don't use winter clothing here, so, we have a limited choice when it comes to buying those seasonal clothes.  This is where our problem now lies.

     When I went to Hong Kong almost two months ago, I bought some autumn clothes, the knitted ones  I can also use here when staying inside airconditioned places, like our office.  Then, I made some research and realized that the temperatures in November in Beijing ranges from 10 C to 0 C, and that is just about the average.  And since we'll be there on the last week of November, temperatures drop to single digits to the low negative single digits.  Seriously, it's a reason to be bothered.  I haven't experienced low temperatures, at least, not lower than what the airconditioning provides, and certainly, not in the lower -teens.  Besides, I get colds whenever the temperatures change due to my allergies.  So, yay me!

     Right now, I'm trying to find some winter clothes, preferably, the ones which are on super sale or extremely cheap.  If it's pretty and it fits me, I'll buy even if it's from a second-hand store.  We cannot use winter clothing here in our country so no need to splurge.  But I'll definitely buy thermal camisole and leggings/stockings; I actually prefer wearing skirts or dresses, and I'll just wear thermal stockings underneath to combat the cold. 

     Next on my list of problems: shoes.  I cannot wear my Fit Flops, right?   That is, unless I wear Japanese  tabi socks.  Hey, that is not a bad idea.  Hmm... Anyway,  definitely, I cannot I wear my platform sandals, even if its made by Crocs considering that those are not made for walking far, much less for winter walking (almost 3 inches high).  So, do I need some winter boots?  I have a pair of ankle boots made of soft faux leather material with cloth lining.  It's flat, it's soft and I've tried walking quite a distance with those boots and they're comfortable.  But I bought it just for Php 300.00 in Divisoria, two years ago, so I don't know if it'll last that long.  I saw a pair of winter boots, though, like UGGs in Terranova, a clothes boutique, as well as some autumn/winter clothing.  The boots were almost Php 1,700.00, and I'm not sure if I can afford it.  I still have to buy my thermal tights and camisole from Marks and Spencer and they're not cheap.

     I don't have any thick jackets yet and I plan to layer my clothes.  But I do have some neck scarves I bought in Hong Kong, and one my cousin lent to me, and a bonnet.  I don't have gloves, though.  While my list of must haves for late autumn/early winter survival are still deficient, I'm still planning on how I would look.  I still want to look fashionable as much as I want to stay warm.  And, I'll just buy another winter boots in Beijing, the cheap ones, even the knock-off ones, and a winter coat if the need arises.  So, I have to watch what I bring to and from Beijing, lest I end up with excess baggage.

     Even if faced with weather challenges, I'm still super excited to go to Beijing.  And I'll be much happier if it snows, even if I can only barely tolerate the cold.  I haven't seen real snow, ever, so as long as I don't catch pneumonia or something, I'd be happy to see snow falling from the skies.  Although I know that it rarely snows, much less in November, unless the Chinese government decides to make the snow fall in November, just like last year.

Living Asia Channel

     I've said that the only channel I like with our cable subscriber is the History Channel.  I amend that statement.  I forgot to say that I also like the Living Asia Channel.  It's a 24/7 travel channel featuring  the wonderful places in the Philippines and in other Asian countries.  It is really great for research.

     I am watching the channel right now and there's a long video of Taiwan's famous places.  And, the channel also provides tourism videos of Asian destinations: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, etc.  The videos are really good in enticing its viewers to go and see those featured sights. 

     You could also check out their website, here, and see their travel guides, snapshots, and schedule of programs.

   

Planning for an Adventure in Beijing, China: Part 2 - Visa Requirements

     Yes, we haven't even started compiling the requirements for our travel adventure to Beijing, China, and there are a lot of documents required.  We're applying for a tourist (L) visa, so apparently, these are the requirements taken from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines:

I.     Tourist /Family visit Visa (L)

L Visa is issued to a person who comes to China for sightseeing, visiting relatives, or private matters. Documents to be included with application:

1.         Applicant's passport with blank pages and at least 6 months validity left before expiration.

2.          A truly and completely filled application form affixed with one passport-size or 2x2 colored photo, with white background, full-face front view, and no hat.  Photo must be glued on the application form. Stapled pictures will not be accepted. Scanned photos will also not be accepted

           U.S. passport holders must submit two application forms with two photos

3.          A copy of the round-trip plane ticket

4.          Hotel reservation / invitation letter with a copy of the inviter's valid chinese residence visa and passport information page of inviter's or Chinese national identity card.

5.          Previously used China visa in old or new passport (Only visa stickers will be accepted.  Those with stamped visas must submit additional documents for first time China visa applicants. Please refer to the list below)

6.           For first time applicants to China (Philippine passport holders, 18 years old and above), they are required to provide the following

              a)  original NBI clearance valid for travel abroad

              b)  original bank certificate with receipt or original passbook, updated within the month that you are applying or....

                                 - If a company will sponsor the trip, provide the company's bank certificate, sponsorship letter from the company and the company's business registration.  

                              - If an individual will sponsor the trip, provide his bank certificate, sponsorship and invitation letter, copy of sponsor's valid residence visa and passport information page or Chinese national ID. 

             c)  for employed persons, also provide an employment certificate, company ID, SSS ID and contributions, TIN ID and latest ITR

             d)  for students, provide school ID

             e)  for businessmen, provide business registration of company, TIN ID and latest ITR

 

             f)  Personal appearance is required for those who are 16-21 years old.

7.         The emergency contact information page in the applicant's passport should be filled out and photocopied

8.        Other documents required by the visa officers if necessary.

      Well, it isn't much different from the Taiwan visa requirements, except for the NBI clearance, the ITR, the TIN ID, and SSS ID and contributions.  I really think that these are needed if only to show that the person applying for a tourist visa is not an undesirable alien who wants to escape litigation in the Philippines (NBI clearance valid for travel abroad), or who wants to illegally gain employment in China or overstay in order to find work, hence the need for the employment certificate, company ID, ITR, TIN ID and even SSS ID.  These are all proof that one is employed in the Philippines and that the tourist has work to return to.

      I am baffled, though.  I have read at the PinoyExchange forums that the applicant needs at least Php 50,000.00 in the bank in order to get an approved visa, but it is nowhere in the list of requirements.  Is this a new requirement?  But there isn't any other updates from the Chinese embassy website.  Hmm...I think, regardless of the status of my bank account (which is nearly depleted because of successive travel expenses and payments made for unnecessary stuff I bought), I'll still obtain a visa because I am sufficiently and gainfully employed.  I'll let you know if I get an approved visa with less than Php 50,000.00 in the bank, if ever I don't obtain that money by the time that I apply for a visa.

     I think I'm going to have a problem with the NBI clearance because I am too lazy to fall in line.  The last time I had a clearance, which was a year ago, I had to pull some strings so I'd be done in record time.  I don't think I could pull off that stunt again.  So I really have to go and fall in line like a dutiful citizen.

     Also, it is not my first time to travel to mainland China since I've just been to Shenzhen last month.  However, my passport does not bear a stamp that I went in and out of Shenzhen and besides, the requirement states that only visa stickers will be accepted, so I still have to provide all the documents required for first-time China tourists.  

     The question now is, where do I submit these documents?  In here? 

Consular Section

The World Center, 330 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City. 

Visa section: 0063-2-8482386 

(Fax)0063-2-8482395 (Inquiry,3pm-5pm)

     Processing time is four (4) days, and the fee for a single entry visa is Php 1,400.00.

     Good luck to me!

Planning for an Adventure in Beijing, China - Part 1

     Now that I've chronicled my Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China, adventures, I'll make entries for my Baguio, Philippines, and Bangkok, Thailand, trips earlier this year, but not extensively.  I will be focusing heavily on planning my Beijing, China, trip for November, like planning where to stay, where to go, how to get there, where to dine and shop, and visa application, among others.

     For starters, I bought a Fodor's Beijing 2009 guide which I saw at National Bookstore on sale for Php 200.00 (around USD 5.00); original price was Php 799.00 (around USD 19.00).  I've read most of the book and I still crave for information.  I think, though, that the book would have its purpose when I get around Beijing as it contains a Mandarin translation of places, sites, useful phrases, tips and so on.

 
     I've also started reading the Beijing forum at PinoyExchange, and honestly, I've found loads of information suited for the Filipino traveler there.  Very informative indeed, with beautiful pictures!

     For now, I'm determined to visit the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China, preferably in Mutianyu, and the Olympic Village.  I think I might need to cajole my companions to go to Jingshan Hill, the Summer Palace and the Yuanmingyuan, the Bell and Drum Towers and its neighboring hutong, and a day trip to Tianjin City.  Apparently, there's a European concessionaire area in Tianjin.  I might not be able to go to Europe; unlike my friends, I'm not rich.  So I'd be more than happy to settle for Tianjin, at least for now.

 This makes me all the more excited to go to Tianjin.

TIANJIN EYE

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gizmore/2940819141/

How can I not resist going to Tianjin?

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/chineseemma319/4997945660/in/pool-677593@N20/

Great Wall in Mutianyu

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/franck-chilli/3882326984/

Bird's Nest

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/franck-chilli/3882326984/

 The Grand National Theater

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alianto/2954379015/

Yuanmingyuan

http://flic.kr/p/5VnbR7

Summer Palace

http://flic.kr/p/4xUWgg

     I wish I could take great photos such as these ones.  The photos above are all from Flickr, and really, these make me want to go Beijing and Tianjin all the more. 

How to Check, Reserve, Buy and Cancel Taiwan Train Tickets Online [For non-Chinese]

  

      Perhaps you're wondering how I was able to buy tickets online and at the train station.  It was easy, but it took me a lot of research to be able to do it, and a lot of luck, too.  The power of Google translate made it possible for me to buy tickets online, yay!  I'm sharing the knowledge for you all, and I hope this could help you in your Taiwan travel planing.

       Train Travel in Taiwan from Taipei

     As far as I know, Taipei Main Station services the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) trains and the Taiwan High Speed  Railways (THSR) trains.  TRA has express and ordinary trains.  Express trains include Tze-Chiang Limited Express trains, the fastest, and Chu-Kuang Express, the second fastest.  Ordinary trains are the local trains, I think those are the ones that services the smaller branches or towns or something.  Like when I was planning to visit Shifen waterfalls, the only trains servicing Rueifang to Shifen station are the local trains.

     THSR trains are bullet trains.  They're really, really fast and you could travel from Taipei to Kaoshsiung (Zuoying station) in just around an hour and a half to two hours.

     In this guide, I'll be discussing only about TRA ticketing online because there's an English website for buying the THSR train tickets.

     TRA Trains

     There are three steps in order to buy a ticket online.  These are: 1) Checking the schedule; 2) Reserving the ticket; 3) Buying the ticket.

 Checking the Schedule

     TRA trains schedule are quite easy to check, but unlike THSR trains, the fares are not displayed.  You can check the train schedules HERE.

     For example, you want to go from Taipei to Rueifang because you'll be visiting the Jinguashih Gold Ecological Musuem, Jiufen or the Shifen waterfalls in the Pingxi line:

1.  Open the schedule browser HERE.  Choose FROM - Taipei (1st option) and then Taipei (2nd Option) as seen below.  Then choose TO - Taipei (1st option) and then Rueifang (2nd option).  There's a drop down menu and there's a bullet-type menu on the right side.  Choose from the drop down menu because I don't know what the bullet-type menu does, okay?

 

2.     Then, go down the page and select Express, Ordinary or All Types; the date and time of departure.  Just fix the time as is (00:00 to 23:59) so you'll see ALL the scheduled trains for the choosen date, including the earliest and the latest trains.  Choose All Types for the train types so you'd see everything.  See screen cap below:

 3.   When you hit  the QUERY button, you'd get a page like the one below.  You'll be given the train class, train code, origin destination of the train, departure and arrival times and estimated time of travel.  Choose the train you want, write down the train class and train code and don't forget the time, too, of course.  I choose the Tze Chiang Limited 1051 train for 6:30 am departure, and now, we're ready to RESERVE the ticket!

Reserving TRA Tickets Online

     1.     Click the Order Ticket button on the left side of the screen above (green side).  You'll be directed to the Internet Ticketing page HERE (http://railway.hinet.net/).  There'll be a huge ENGLISH button on the lowest left side of the screen and click it.  OR, just click this and you'll be directed HERE automatically.  You'll get this page:

 

2.     Choose "Order Tickets Using Train No." because I find it easier, then click.  You'll see the page below.  Fill in the necessary details, including your passport number, and the train code.  I put in the passport number and the train code, which is 1051.  Just find the station of origin and station of arrival from the drop down menu.  There are a lot!

3.     Click the "Start to Order" button and you'll be directed to the input-the-random-numbers page.  Click "Submit."

4.     You're done reserving our ticket! Yipee!  Remember that we put "1051" as the train code and we got the correct time for the ticket, which is 6:30 am.  Well, just keep in mind that the romanized spellings for the Chinese names of the stations varies, even on the same website.  So, our Ruifang above (#2) became Juifang below.  After reserving the ticket, we can now buy it online!

        Or, buy it directly at the station.  See the "Ticket-taking due date" below.  You must buy your ticket before the date and time provided.  If I remember correctly, you should buy the ticket you booked within 2 days or so, or something at the station. Not so sure.  If you don't want to pick-up your ticket beforehand, then, pay for  it online and you could pick it up 30 minutes before the train departs.  

      Buying TRA Tickets Online

     This is now the tricky part.  Checking the schedule and reserving the ticket is quite easy because there's an English website.  But for buying the ticket online, there's no English option.  But if you use Google translate, you could understand it enough to buy the ticket!  Yay!

1.     I totally forgot how I got the E-Payment website of the TRA but here's the direct link.  You'll get this page, and Google translate the page to English.  I couldn't "screengrab" for some reason, so, I just took photos of my screen.  Click the "I accpet" button.  While you're at it, read the important information on the booking process.

 2.    You'll be directed to the next page, which is this one below.  Google translate it for English translation. 

3.     Tick "One-way ticket" if you're buying only a one-way ticket, and if you reserved a return ticket, tick "Return ticket," too.  Tick the "Check foreigner."  Then fill the blanks, like the ID Number, where you need to place your passport number, and the Computer Code, where you need to input the booking code of your reserved ticket.  We have 947945 as booking code above.  Click the "Submit" button, or the left button, not the right button, below the page.

 4.     Then you'll get to the Credit Card Payments page.  Google translate it, and you'll have this page.  The details of your reserved ticket would be displayed.  You'll be asked to input the number of tickets.  Just click 1 in the "Adult Ticket Zhang."  I don't know what the other selection means, like the vote respect and love zhang.  Perhaps they're for senior citizens or whatever?  No idea.  Click the "Confirmation" button and you'll have a pop-up asking for some stuff which I presume is something like, "Are you sure you booked certain number of tickets" or something.  Click "Ok."

5.     Then it's time for the credit card payment.  Again, Google translate the page.  Fill-up the details required, like your credit card number, of course. After you're done, click the payment confirmation on the left (not the right).  You'll see the cost of the ticket.  Here, it's NTD 72.  Although it says yuan in the English translation, don't fret; it's in fact NTD.

6.  And wait for the confirmation page. You'll be shown a page, just Google translate it, and there'll be a button that you need to choose so you'd be shown your itinerary/confirmation receipt, like the ones below.  Don't forget to Google translate it so you'd know what it means.  Print the page in its original form and in its Google-translated form.

 7.  There you have it.  You've bought your ticket online.  Just go to the train station, in this case, at the Taipei Main Station at least 30 minutes before your train arrives so you could pick up your ticket at the station.  Queue at the ticketing station, and then show your confirmation receipt plus your passport (remember, you wrote down your passport details) and you'd be handed your ticket.  Yay! 

     Check the Status of Your Ticket Purchase for your Peace of Mind

     Yup, it pays to be doubly cautious.  To check your ticket purchase, go to this link HERE.  And Google translate it.   Or, just click the second button from the top of the left side bar menu E-Payment main page to get the "Credit card payment record check."  Fill it the way you booked the ticket (see #3 Buying tickets online).

 

      You can also check your ticket purchase at the website where you reserved it, HERE at http://railway.hinet.net/.  Click on the "Inquire booking records" and type in the necessary details (passport number and booking code).

     Cancelling Your Ticket for One Reason or the Other

     Yup, you can cancel your ticket and the fare will be refunded but a minimal cancellation fee will be deducted.  Go to the main page of the E-Payment page again, then click the 3rd button from the top on the left side menu.  Google translate it and fill-in the necessary details.  Afterwards, click the "Login Cancel Payment" button.  

     

Seat Sale for Labor Day 2012: Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines

     Tomorrow, May 1, is Labor Day, and, there's going to be seat sales for both Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines.  Yay!  Totoro-line wave!

UPDATES: 

Cebu Pacific's promo has a 90% off on the base price of their domestic and regcional flights.  It means, the fuel surcharge remains the same.  So, a roundtrip ticket to Incheon will still yield an almost Php 7,000.00 price.  Promo period is from May 1 to May 2; travel period is from September 1 to December 15.

As for Air Philippines, their P1 fare refers to the base fare as well and it covers flights from Cebu and Clark, and Php 288 base fare for their Manila outbound flights.   Promo period is from May 1 to 3; Travel period is from May 16 to July 31.

     Cebu Pacific posted this teaser:

     On the other hand, Air Philippines tweeted this:

Tomorrow = May P1. :)
— Airphil Express (@airphilexpress) April 30, 2012

     So, it's possibly an 80% off from Cebu Pacific perhaps for flights until December or even beyond, and Php 1.00 base fare for Air Philippines' domestic flights.  Most likely, both seat sales shall commence at 12 midnight.

     Good luck and happy travel planning!

Thoughts: PAL Slashes Fares to Selected Destinations Up to 70% Off On-Site the 19th Travel Tour Expo

ETA:  I went to the Expo and found out that the ticket prices being offered by PAL only cover the base fare.  Thus, it excludes surcharges and taxes.  For a round trip ticket to Manila-Delhi, PAL quoted us USD 472 (base fare plus taxes and surcharges) plus USD 30 for the travel tax.

     Lifted from PAL's website:

Promos at TravelTour Expo

Visit the Philippine Airlines booth at the 19th TravelTour Expo and enjoy great discount on domestic and international tickets. The Expo runs February 17-19, 2012 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

Promotional deals available during the TravelTour Expo:

•     Up to 70% off on airfares on selected domestic and regional routes
•     Up to 30% off on airfares on selected US/Canada routes
•     A chance to win round-trip tickets to Las Vegas
•     Other exciting surprises

These offers are only available at the Travel Expo site.

Visit philippineairlines.com/promos for other promos or call PAL Reservations in Manila: (02) 855-8888 for other inquiries. 

     Wondering which selected flights?  Domestic tickets will go as low as Php 555 and Php 777 one-way, depending on the destination and travel period, the farthest date being 15 August 2012.

     For regional and international flights, prices for roundtrip, economy class tickets are as follows:

•  US$30 to Bangkok and Singapore; 

• US$67 to Hong Kong, Macau and Saigon;

• US$117 to Delhi; US$327 to Melbourne and Sydney;

• US$337 to Honolulu; and

•  US$507 to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Vancouver

      I am actually interested with PAL's Delhi flights.  However, I am not sure if USD 117 is just for the base price exclusive of surcharges and taxes.  You see, it's around USD 360 for Delhi on surcharges and taxes alone, not including the Php 1620 travel tax.  I'd be really disappointed if USD 117 is just the base price.

     Anyway, the details can be found here:    

70% off on PAL tickets at Travel Expo

Up to 70 percent discount on selected domestic and international tickets is being offered by Philippine Airlines (PAL) exclusively at the 19th Travel Tour Expo 2012, to be held February 17-19 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

One way, domestic tickets will go as low as P777 to any PAL destination in Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao for travel between February 21 to March 21, 2012; P1,000 to Luzon or Visayas and P2,000 to Mindanao for travel between March 22 to May 31, 2012; and P555 to Luzon or Visayas and P777 to Mindanao for travel between June 1 to August 15, 2012.

Meanwhile, roundtrip, economy class tickets will just be for US$30 to Bangkok and Singapore; US$67 to Hong Kong, Macau and Saigon; US$117 to Delhi; US$327 to Melbourne and Sydney; US$337 to Honolulu; and US$507 to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Vancouver.

Also, all Mabuhay Miles Y Flyer members get a 10% discount on domestic and regional tickets, except for Australia and Japan, upon presentation of their membership card at the PAL booth.

Fares are exclusive of government taxes, fees and surcharges. Booking and selling period is from 17-19 February 2012 only.

PAL is one of the major sponsors of the Travel Expo organized annually by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association in cooperation with the Department of Tourism.

Those purchasing the deeply discounted tickets also get a chance to win free regional and international tickets during a daily raffle.

Tickets purchased from the PAL booth or any participating travel agents entitle the passenger to a raffle coupon. Three (3) winners will be drawn daily from February 17 to 19 at the PAL booth.

Prizes may be claimed at PAL's Advertising & Promotions office, PNB Financial Center, Diosdado Macapagal Ave., Pasay City, upon presentation of the PAL e-ticket and raffle coupon.

The annual expo – dubbed the ultimate shopping destination for best travel deals – gets more than 60,000 visitors to the more than 450 booths from more than 200 companies.

This year's expo has the theme: 19th Travel Tour Expo: One Stop Shop to the World! 

Thoughts: 19th Travel Tour Expo 2012 [17 to 19 February 2012]

     Since I'm feeling lazy, I'll just lift the details of the country's biggest tour expo from the 19th Travel Tour Expo 2012 website:

The TravelTour Expo was conceptualized by PTAA in 1994 to showcase the products and services of its members. Since then, the show has evolved into a much awaited annual industry event covering practically all segments of the travel business, making it the biggest event for the travel and tourism industry. More than 60,000 travelers/visitors were present in the 2011 edition which had more than 450 booths occupied by more than 200 firms.

On its 19th year, TravelTour Expo will again cover 4 halls, giving exhibitors more booths to choose from while offering visitors a wider variety of travel options. The 3-day event is scheduled on 17 to 19 February 2011 at Halls 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

With the theme “19th TravelTour Expo: One Stop Shop To The World!”, the show will feature local and international destinations, cultural presentations and discounted travel packages from the exhibitors.

Why join TravelTour Expo 2012?

    TravelTour Expo is the biggest event for the travel and tourism industry

    TravelTour Expo offers you an expanded customer base

    TravelTour Expo is the ultimate destination for the best travel deals

    TravelTour Expo is the prime marketplace for your destinations

    TravelTour Expo is continuously doing its best to bring you a special show every year!

Date:

17 to 19 February 2012

Venue:

SMX Convention Center Halls 1, 2, 3 & 4,

Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Opening Hours:

17 February - Friday

10 AM - 9 PM

18 February - Saturday

10 AM - 9 PM

19 February - Sunday

10 AM - 7 PM

Ticket booths close 30 minutes before end of show hours

Accompanying Events:

Entertainment, Games, Exhibitors' Presentations & more surprises 

Travel Tips: Taiwan's Free Half-day Tours for Transit Passengers

     A member of PEX posted a query in the Taiwan travel thread about what to do during a stopover in Taiwan with 3 to 4 hours to spare.  I said I think a visa is still required, unless exempted.  As for things to do, I really am not sure since Taipei is an hour away by bus from the Taoyuan International Airport.  What I do know is that Taiwan, as other countries, have free half-day tours for transit passengers courtesy of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau for transit passengers, but only for those with at least 7 hours to spare.

        I copied the mechanics from the Taiwan Tourism Bureau website below for quick reference:

Transit or transfer passengers with 7-24 hours before their next connecting flight, and who have a valid R.O.C. visa or come from countries eligible for visa-exempt entry can participate.
Countries eligible for visa-exempt entry: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,the Vatican,the U.K., and the U.S.A..

Also eligible are citizens from India, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia who hold a valid visa — or permanent residency — to the U.S., Canada, Japan, the U.K., any Schengen Convention country, Australia or New Zealand. Citizens of the five Asian countries meeting the above qualifications and having never been employed in Taiwan as blue-collar migrant workers are eligible for the tours, but must first apply for visa-exempt entry by registering on the National Immigration Agency’s website: http://www.immigration.gov.tw/. Registrants must also print out a confirmation, which they must present at check-in before boarding their flight for Taiwan.

	Terminal 1	Terminal 2	Return to Airport（Depending on traffic）
Departure Time	08:15	08:00	Before 13:00
Departure Time	13:45	13:30	Before 18:30

Note:
1. Each tour is limited to 18 passengers on a first come, first served basis.
2. As there is no room for luggage on the bus, please store all luggage at the airport baggage service counter (fee required) before boarding the bus.

Tourist Service Center, Airport Arrival Lobby
TEL: 03-398-2194, 03-398-3341 Or dial 2194 or 3341 from the airport’s courtesy telephone
Service Hours: 07:00~23:30

A: Passport valid for at least six months
B: Completed Immigration Embarkation/Disembarkation Card available at Immigration counter

*The Tourism Bureau reserves the right to cancel tours in case of inclement weather.

A short trip to the lush countryside southwest of Taipei brings you to Yingge, where hand-painted replicas of elegant Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) vases, along with other types of artistic and functional ceramics, are produced. The small town is Taiwan’s pottery center and its narrow streets are lined with shops selling everything from earthenware tea sets to delicate statues.

(when museum is open)
The Yingge Ceramics Museum, the first pottery museum in Taiwan, is a modern, glass-walled structure that imparts sense of limitless space and the beauty of simplicity. It presents 200 years of ceramic evolution and folk culture in Taiwan. It is a symbol of history and cultural as well as a place to find peace of mind.

 

Sanxia, about 22 km southwest to Taipei, is a bustling town with narrow, winding streets and brick buildings, many over a century old. The main attraction is Zushi Temple, built in honor of Song Dynasty (960–1279) loyalist Chen Chao-ying. Chen was a famous general knighted as “Protector of the Country” for his achievements and valour. This temple was in ruins at the end of World War II, and a meticulous restoration project has been underway for some forty years. The temple is known for its intricately carved stone and bronze columns and statues, especially the temple’s unique bird art. There are also carved stone lions, camphor wood carvings, and exquisite bronze bas-reliefs.

Taipei 101 stands 508 meters high with 101 stories on a site area of 30,278 square meters. The development comprises an office tower, a shopping mall and an observatory. It was certified to be the world’s tallest building and when it was opened to the public on December 31, 2004.

Taipei is home to many temples. Of these, Longshan Temple is the oldest and most famous. It is also one of Taiwan’s finest examples of temple architecture.

The building which houses the Office of the President of the Republic of China was inaugurated in March 1919, about seven years after construction began. Its architectural design features an elegant and majestic symmetry. Inside the building there are tall pillars, refined ornaments, long corridors and exquisite arches, all Baroque characteristics which prevail in the Renaissance period. Since the central government was relocated to Taipei in 1949, this building has been used as the Office of the President.

The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is an impressive monument built in commemoration of the late President Chiang. The majestic hall towers over 25 hectares of landscaped gardens, graceful pavilions, and ponds. A statue of the late President Chiang looks out over the city from the main building.
The elegant Ming Dynasty-style arch at the main entrance is flanked by two classical buildings–the National Theater and the National Concert Hall. The square between the two buildings is a popular gathering place during festive occasions.

This is an excellent example of classical Ming dynasty architecture, dedicated to the fallen heroes of China’s wars. There is an hourly changing of the guard ceremony at the entrance, which many people find interesting.