Any suggestions on how i could spend 16 hrs in Taiwan ?

Question

I have a 16 hr layover at Taiwan Airport on my way back to Sydney from Frisco. Any suggestions on how i could spend the time ? Are there local city tours from the airport ? - do they grant a visa on arrival or do i need to pre-arrange it ?

Answer 1

If the timing of your layover is right, you can take a free tour of Taipei, sponsored by the Tourism Bureau:
http://www.taiwantourism.org/sidewindow/free%20half-day%20tour%20poster.html
There is a list of Visa Exempt countries mentioned there. You did not mention what is your time of arrival .
Other option is to take the Airport bus into town and do a F&E by yourself.

Answer 2

You don't need a visa.

I personally would forget a tour and just Taxi it around as taxis are quite cheap here. Well, apart from getting the bus into city which runs from the airport like every 30 - 45 mins and takes about 1-1hr 30 depending on traffic to get there.

I suggest you check out Taipei 101 (still the tallest building in the world). Depending on your time, I'd suggest going up at 5pm, that way you can catch the day view as the sun is setting then catch the night view pretty soon after (hey - you don't have all that much time right)? Around this are are dozens of department stores if you're interested.

- After 101 you must check out a night market, there are plenty in Taipei and they will really give you a taste of Taiwan's culture!

- If you want to see where the young and fashionable hang out get a taxi to Ximen-Ding, you'll probably think you're in Japan as you can see all sorts of Anime and Manga stuff.

- You could hit the Zhong-Xiao DonLu area (not too far from 101) and there are lots of shops and many restaurants here - I highly recommend going to Dim-Tai-Feng, they have the best Dim-Sum ever and are very clean and Hygenic!

- Get a taxi to Taiwan's National Palace Museaum - it has the largest collection of Chinese artefects in the world.

Of course I don't recommend you do all these activities, just pick whatever suits you!

If you have any particular interests, then I could suggest some more things to do.

Answer 3

If you like golf there is a fantastic golf course and country club not too far from the airport.
But why not take a cab downtown and do some shopping and sightseeing - you could even ask the cab driver to give you a guided tour for a few extra dollars.
From my vague memory you can go in on a visitor's visa without any troubles.
If you're staying at the airport then there is a massage therapist and beauty parlour and a couple of nice shops but otherwise it is BORING!

Answer 4

These two links might help. They are designed for foreigners in Taiwan.

http://www.taiwanfun.com/central/compass...
Also check out the link in the top right corner.
http://www.tealit.com/

I don't think you will have to have a Visitor's Visa, but you should check with you own embassy just in case. And if you do, you'd better do it before you arrive.

If you see anything interesting, you can post again and someone should be able to help. You can also try posting on tealit.