General Information

General Information for 2008 International Symposium on Global Mountain Biodiversity

1. Business Hours

Local shops are generally open 10:00-21:00 from Monday to Sunday and public offices are 10:00-17:00 (Monday to Friday). Banks are open 8:00-16:00, from Monday to Friday. Bank machines (ATM) are accessible 24 hours and available at China Medical University and throughout the downtown core.

2. Currency/Exchange Rates

The official currency in Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD). Taiwanese notes are: $1000, $500, and $100. Coins are: $50, $10, $5, $1

Although the exchange varies daily, the following are some useful approximate conversion rates (as of April 2008):

$1 NTD = $0.032 USD

$1 NTD = $3.41 JPY

$1 NTD = $0.154 DMK

For the most current rates, please refer to your favourite currency conversion site or see the rates posted by your local bank.

3. Language

The official language of the 2008 International Symposium on Global Mountain Biodiversity is English. Chinese is the official language of Taiwan . English is spoken among a minority of the population in and around Taichung City .

4. Geographic Relationship

Taiwan is about the size of the Netherlands , with central range covered by mountains elevated at 500m - 3950m , from north to south.

Tauyuan International Airport is actually located precisely in Taoyuan County , 45 kilometers southwest of Taipei and 135 kilometers northeast of Taichung .

Taichung City is the third biggest city of Taiwan , and is located in the hub of central Taiwan . The pleasant climate, beautiful scenery, the rich history of art and culture, and the prosperous economy supply Taichung with the glamour of a world-class metropolis.

4. The Conference venue- China Medical University

China Medical College founded in 1958 with Chin Chin as the first Chairman of the Board, who was followed by Yang Tsao-Chia, Wang Te-Chun, and HsienTung-Min. Since 1972, Dr. Chen LIfu had chaired the Board as the 5th successor. After his decease in 2001,Dr. Tsai Chang-Hai, an alumnus of China Medical College with his Ph.D. degree earned from Teikyo University , Japan , was elected the 6th chairman. Dr.Tsai used to be the superintendent of the Affiliated Hospital of China Medical College. He won his reputation by facilitating the upgrade of the hospital to be a medical canter. He believes in medical education reformation and intends to better the teaching quality, improve the studying environment, educate outstanding medical staff members, and integrate traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine. Because of his dedication and leadership, China Medical College was promoted to be a university and therefore renamed China Medical University in 2003.

Location:

China Medical University sits in the downtown region of the city.

Address:

China Medical University
91 Hsueh-Shih Rd. , Taichung , Taiwan ,40402,R.O.C.
TEL ： (04)22053366 ext. 1633
FAX ： (04)22071500

中國醫藥大學

電話： 04-22053366 ext. 1633

地址： 40402 台中市北區學士路91 號

Map of Taichung City and China Medical University

The electricity in Taiwan is 110 volts. For weights and measures, Taiwan uses the metric system, though the imperial system is also generally understood.

In June, the average daytime high for Taichung is 32o C, and the low, 26o C. Humidity can vary significantly. Comfortable clothing is recommended, including a jacket or sweater for alpine ecological trip.

The public transit system in Taichung includes an extensive bus for secure transportation throughout the city. The bus fair start in $20 NTD. Taxis are plentiful in the city and can be hailed from the sidewalk, at any taxi stand or ordered by telephone. In Taichung taxi fares are NT$85 for the first 1.2km , and NT$5 for each additional 300 meters. While waiting in traffic the fare increase by NT$5 every 3 minutes. Between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am taxi meters add an extra 20 percent to the fare. An NT$10 surcharge

By Bus:

There are 3 bus companies run the services from Taoyuan Airport to Tai-Chung City . The route runs by Ubus is the most convenient one. The bus runs every 30 minutes, from 06:00-24:00, riding time is roughly 2 hours, and bus fare is NT$270. Be sure to tell the ticket counter your destination is the Evergreen Laurel Hotel (Taichung) ( 台中長榮桂冠酒店 ) . The bus stop is just located at the apposite site of the EL Hotel.

Tips for Bus taking:    

1. Fare: Ticket counters are located in the Arrival Passenger Reception Areas of both Terminals.

2. Terminal I Bus Platform: On the southwest side of the Arrival Passenger Reception Area. See the site map.

3. Terminal II Bus Platform: On the northeast side of the Arrival Passenger Reception Area on the first floor of the terminal. See the site map.

4. Several Bus companies serve the transportation to Taichung . Details please see the below table. Please notice the bus driver that you will get off the bus in the stop of Evergreen Laurel Hotel (Taichung) ( 台中長榮桂冠酒店 )

•  Site Map for Bus Platform

By Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR)

1.   Take Bus to Hi-Speed Rail Station, roughly 15 minutes ride. Bus Timetable
2.   Get on Southbound Hi-Speed Rail to Taichung . See Train Schedule .
3.   Wave a taxi to the hotel or take the free shuttle bus to China Medical University at the ground level of Taichung station. The free busy frequency is 15 mins, s ee the site plan for the bus stop.
4.   Ticketing information. See the table

•  THSR Taoyuan Station Access

• indicates the train only operates on selected day. Other trains travel daily.
• In the timetable, the time listed for the starting station is the departure time for the train, and the time listed for the destination is the arrival time.
• Time schedule and ticket price on this web-site are subject to change without notice. Please check with our counter at the station.
• The sale of reserved seat tickets will be suspended 5 minutes before the scheduled train departure time. Any ticket change or cancellation must be made 30 minutes before scheduled train departure time.
• Any change or cancellation of non-reserved seat tickets must be made on the date of purchase and no later than the operation hours of station Ticket Windows.
• Any change or cancellation of group tickets applies to the whole group. Cancellation shall be made no later than 2 hours before the departure time. Ticket change shall be applied no later than 1 day before the date of travel.
• Except for matters that THSRC shall be responsible, the traveling hours for passengers cannot exceed 3 hours and 30 minutes from the start to the end of the journey.

• indicates the train only operates on selected day. Other trains travel daily.
• In the timetable, the time listed for the starting station is the departure time for the train, and the time listed for the destination is the arrival time.
• Time schedule and ticket price on this web-site are subject to change without notice. Please check with our counter at the station.
• The sale of reserved seat tickets will be suspended 5 minutes before the scheduled train departure time. Any ticket change or cancellation must be made 30 minutes before scheduled train departure time.
• Any change or cancellation of non-reserved seat tickets must be made on the date of purchase and no later than the operation hours of station Ticket Windows.
• Any change or cancellation of group tickets applies to the whole group. Cancellation shall be made no later than 2 hours before the departure time. Ticket change shall be applied no later than 1 day before the date of travel.
• Except for matters that THSRC shall be responsible, the traveling hours for passengers cannot exceed 3 hours and 30 minutes from the start to the end of the journey.

Ticketing Information of THSR