Travel Guide

Visa-Exempt Entry & e-Visas
- 30-day visa-free privileges are afforded to citizens of more than 30 countries. Please visit Regulation of Visa-Exempt Entry and Landing Visas for Foreigners.
- Participants of other nationalities need to apply for a visa. For a faster visa application to attend this international conference, getting an electronic visa (eVisa) on-line is recommended instead of a regular visitor visa. To provide you with the required number (Ecode) for the eVisa application, please email (sychiuasiaa.sinica.edu.tw) a copy of your passport or a sharable link by April 30 with the subject: "eVISA application for YOUR NAME". We will provide you with the needed information about one month after the registration deadline, after which you can apply for an eVisa no later than 7 working days before coming to Taiwan.
- Please note that your passport's expiration date should be at least six months after your trip.
International Airports
- Most international flights land in Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (Airport Code: TPE) which is situated 140km north of Taichung.
- Taipei Songshan Airport (Airport code: TSA) serves domestic flights and short-haul services to mainland China and Japan-Haneda(HND)/Korea-Gimpo(GMP). It's close to the Taipei city center.
- Taichung International Airport (Airport code: RMQ) serves domestic flights and short-haul services to Hong Kong (HKG), Vietnam-Ho Chi Minh (SGN).
Public Transportation from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Taichung
- By Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) + Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR): NT$700, 1.5hrs
  - [NT$25, 20mins] From Taoyuan Airport terminals 1 and 2 (MRT stations A12 and A13), go to Taoyuan HSR Station (MRT station A18) by Metro Taoyuan
  - [$540, 40mins] Transfer to Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR). Buy ticket to Taichung HSR Station. (Note that Taichung HSR station is in the outskirts of Taichung.)
  - [~NT$260, ~21 mins] Take a taxi/Uber at Taichung HSR station to your hotel (have the address printed in traditional Chinese and English; there is no need to tip by taking a taxi)
  - If your hotel is near MRT station:
  - Transfer to Taichung MRT Greenline from Taichung HSR station (TMRT station 119). It takes 18 mins (NT$30) to Taichung City Hall (TMRT station 110) .
- By Bus (Luggage is self served): from Taoyuan Airport T1/T2 to MRT Taichung City Hall Station or National Museum of Natural Science.
  - U Bus 1623: NT$320, 2.5 hrs
  - Kuo-Kuang Bus 1860: NT$300, 2.5 hrs
Currency
The New Taiwan Dollar (NT$) is the currency used in Taiwan. It is recommended to travel with cash. The LOC strongly recommends to bring cash in EUR/US (or traveler checks issued by American Express) and go to one of the banks exchange counters in the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. The exchange rate changes everyday, please consult the services in the Bank of Taiwan to get the detailed exchange rate.
Dinning Places
You can easily find restaurants everywhere in the city. Prices vary but one meal should cost less than 10 USD in many restaurants. ⏵ Vegetarian restaurants around National Museum of Natural Science
[Lunch boxes will be provided for the participants during workshop.]
Optional excursions after the meeting
For those who plan to stay in Taiwan for a few more days after the collaboration meeting, we arrange (optional) excursions on July 1(Sat) and July 2(Sun). The LOC member Cheng-Yu Kuo will be the tour guide and bring people to visit the famous Taroko national park in Hualien county and a few well-known sight-seeing spots in Taipei including the Palace museum.
☛ Details and the sign up form