MEETING INFORMATION

APRI Network Meeting 2018
MEETING INFO

Travel Grants

To increase diversity of meeting participation, particularly for resource poor nations and institutions, limited funding is available to subsidize the travel and accommodation costs on a need basis.

Level of Support

·Travel grants of up to NT$15,000 (~US$500) will be available for participants from Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mainland China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam. Up to NT$30,000 (~US $1,000) will be available for participants from other countries of the Asian and Pacific Rim region.
·According to the regulations of Taiwan government, the travel reimbursement will require your electronic ticket, air ticket invoice, and boarding pass stubs and a photocopy of your passport.

Application

·Application deadline: November 30, 2017.
·Results of application will be announced starting from December 12, 2017.
·Applicants for Travel Grants are required to register for the meeting via the on-line registration system.
MEETING INFO

Transportation

Howard Civil Service International House is located in the area of academic culture, with convenient transportation and an excellent geographical environment. The International House is a public service development center and is entrusted to Howard Hotels for its high quality management. It takes approximately 70 minutes and 30 minutes by MRT from Taoyuan Airport and Taipei Songshan Airport, respectively.

How to get to the meeting venue

MASS RAPID TRANSIT (MRT)
Take Taoyuan Airport MRT from Airport Terminal 1 Station (A12) or Airport Terminal 2 Station (A13) to Taipei Main Station (A1), one-way fare is NT $160 (~US$5.4). Then walk for 5 minutes to Taipei MRT, and transfer to Taipei MRT Songshan-Xindian Line (Green Line) from Beimen Station (G13) to Taipower Building Station (G08), one-way fare is NT$20 (~US $0.7). Take exit 2 and turn left. Arrive after walking around 10 minutes on Xinhai Road and turn left to Xinsheng S. Road.

TAXI
Taxis operating by shifts are located at the west side of the Terminal 1’s and Terminal 2’s Arrivals Lobby. Taxi fare is based on the meter, highway tolls not included. Fares are charged according to set standard rates, the cost is about NT$1,350 (~US$45).

MASS RAPID TRANSIT (MRT)
Take Taipei MRT Wenhu Line (Brown Line) from Songshan Airport Station (BR13) to Nanjing Fuxing Station (BR11). Then transfer to SongshanXindian Line (Green Line) from Nanjing Fuxing Station (G16) to Taipower Building Station (G08). One-way fare is NT$30 (~US$1). Take exit 2 and turn left. Arrive after walking around 10 minutes on Xinhai Road and turn left to Xinsheng S. Road.

TAXI
Taxi rank is located outside the Arrivals Lobby. Fares are charged according to distance travelled, the cost is about NT$250 (~US$8.2).

Venue Map

Taipei MRT to Meeting Venue

Taipei MRT Route Map

MEETING INFO

Accommodation

Howard Civil Service International House

Address: No. 30, Section 3, Xinsheng South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan Tel: +886-2-7712-2323

E-mail: rv-ih@howard-hotels.com.tw

Website:http://www.howard-hotels.com.tw/en/civil-service/home/

279 guest rooms provided with multi-channel satellite TV, IDD international direct dial telephone, refrigerator, LCD TV, complimentary mineral water, tea bags and self-service tea-making supplies in each room. There is an indoor temperature-controlled swimming pool, gym, billiard room, table tennis room, and a convenience store on B1. For APRI participants, the cost of a Standard Single Room is NT$1,980 (~US$66) per night/ a Semi-Suite Room is NT $3,420 (~US$114) per night including breakfast, tax and service charge. There are more than 100 hotels is concentrated within a 3 kilometers radius of the meeting venue, and near the MRT station.

MEETING INFO

About Taiwan

Taiwan is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+8).

Taiwan enjoys warm weather year round. It is winter in February. Average temperature in Taipei is ranged from 15°C to 18°C. An umbrella or rain coat for occasional showers may be useful. For weather forecast and other details, please visit the website of the Central Weather Bureau at http://www.cwb.gov.tw/V7e/index_home.htm

Foreign nationals eligible for visa exempt entry

· Nationals of the following countries are eligible for the visa exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 90 days: Andorra, Australia (effective from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2017), Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA, Vatican City State.
· Nationals of the following countries are eligible for the visa exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 30 days: Malaysia, Singapore.
· Nationals of Thailand (effective from August 1, 2016, to July 31, 2018)—except those holding diplomatic or official/service passports—are eligible for the visa exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 30 days.
· Nationals of Brunei (effective from August 1, 2016, to July 31, 2018)—except those holding diplomatic or official/ service passports—are eligible for the visa exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 30 days. In addition, effective from December 1, 2016, to July 31, 2018, those holding a Brunei Certificate of Identity are eligible for the visa exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 30 days.

Countries eligible for Landing Visas

The 30-day duration of stay starts from the next day of arrival and is not extendable.
· Holders of Turkish passport with validity of more than six months.
· Holders of Macedonian passport with validity of more than six months.
· Nationals of Thailand (effective from August 1, 2016, to July 31, 2018)—except those holding diplomatic or official/service passports—are eligible for the visa exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 30 days.
· Nationals of Brunei (effective from August 1, 2016, to July 31, 2018)—except those holding diplomatic or official/ service passports—are eligible for the visa exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 30 days. In addition, effective from December 1, 2016, to July 31, 2018, those holding a Brunei Certificate of Identity are eligible for the visa exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 30 days.

Please visit http://www.boca.gov.tw/mp?mp=2 for details about visa requirements.

Located in East Asia, Taiwan has a highly advantageous location. The Taoyuan airport, the hub of Asia Pacific airfreight transportation, enables its passengers to connect with the other five major airports in Asia within 175 minutes. With the recent launch of the Airport MRT, the participants from Taoyuan airport can reach the meeting venue in approximately 70 minutes. Another international airport, the Taipei Songshan airport, is only 30 minutes away from the meeting venue. For more information on getting from the airport to the meeting venue, please click here.

Link :
Taoyuan Airport MRT
Taipei Songshan Airport

The New Taiwan Dollar (NT$) is the unit of currency in Taiwan. Major credit cards such as American Express, Master Card, Visa, and Diners Club are accepted and traveler’s checks may be cashed at foreign-exchange banks, some tourist-oriented businesses, and (by room guests) most international tourist hotels. Many of Taiwan’s local stores do not accept Traveler’s Check, therefore travelers who have Traveler’s Check, please exchange for NT dollars.

Taiwan uses electric current of 110 volts at 60 cycles, appliances from Europe, Australia or South-East Asia will need an adaptor or transformer.

The customary service charge 10% in hotels and restaurants.

Discover Taiwan

The location of Taipei enables you to choose from many destinations for half a day or full day excursions. Multilingual guides will ensure that everything runs smoothly. For more bookings and further information regarding excursions in Taipei and around Taiwan, we direct you to LION TRAVEL.

TAIPEI 101

@Justice Yang

TAIPEI 101 is a 101-floor landmark skyscraper. TAIPEI 101 is among the top ten tallest buildings in the world. The building incorporates many outstanding engineering innovations to withstand typhoon winds and earthquake tremors. A large mall is located at the base of the tower. Its indoor and outdoor observatories have become features of TAIPEI 101 and its New Year’s Eve fireworks display is among the top 10 international broadcasts in the world.

Website: www.taipei-101.com.tw/en/index.aspx

Night Markets

@Ching-Liang Hsiao / Tourism Bureau

Night markets are a must-see for any visitor to Taiwan. Locals visit night markets regularly, and it’s no surprise why night markets are so popular. Mouth-watering food, clothes, souvenirs, gifts, games, there is a bit of everything and something for everyone. You can find all kinds of Taiwanese delicacies in night markets, just to name a few: oyster omelet, bubble milk tea, and the stinky tofu. With everything reasonably priced, you can try many different foods until you are full. All of these night markets can be easily reached by MRT.

Yangmingshan National Park

@Su-Chen Chen / Tourism Bureau

Yangmingshan National Park, lying very close to Taipei City, is famous for its flowers, hot springs, and hiking trails. It is also called “backyard of Taipei” because of its various beautiful plants and colorful flowers grown in subtropical climate. In the springtime, visitors visit the park to stroll under the delicate cherry blossoms, walk among the azaleas, or pick calla lilies. Favorite spots for visitors in the national park include the former residence of Lin Yutang, the master of humor and a famous scholar in Taiwan and China; Qing Tian Gang, a fantastic grassland perfect for picnics, and the many hot spring resorts dotted around the area. Trails such as Jinbaoli and Tianmu or the mountains Cising and Datun await the strong footed nature loving visitors. Yangmingshan National Park can be reached via MRT and public bus within two hours from the proposed conference venue.

Website: goo.gl/WV5e2U

Sun Moon Lake

@Chin-Mu Li / Tourism Bureau

Located in Nantou County, Central Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake is the largest lake in Taiwan. The lake got its name because its east side resembles a sun while the west side resembles a crescent moon. With the picturesque mountains surrounding it, the lake is clear and sparkling. Enjoy the scenic views with a boat ride or a bike ride, or wake up extra early to see the sun slowly light up the waters and the mountain. You will also get to experience aboriginal culture of the Shaw tribe in the area. Sun Moon Lake can be reached via High Speed Rail and Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus within three hours from Taipei main station.

Website: https://goo.gl/BGEPPy

Taroko National Park

@Jui-Tsung Yeh / Tourism Bureau

The Taroko gorge, a magnificent 19 kilometer long gorge, is how the National Park got its name. Situated on the Eastern coast of Taiwan, you can travel from the coast, to the subtropical canyons and forests, then to the subalpine coniferous forests all in one afternoon. Just 60 km apart, you can reach some of Taiwan’s tallest mountains from the seashore. Hike along the Shakadang trail, or see the Swallow Grotto and the Tunnel of Nine Turns. Taroko Gorge is formed by the erosion of marble by the Liwu River. The erosion activity has shaped the spectacular landscapes of lofty mountains, cliffs, lakes, waterfalls, as well as primitive biological resources. The natural erosion has brought heavenly treasures to Taiwan. Taroko National Park can be reached via Taiwan Railways and Taiwan Tourist Shuttle within four hours from Taipei main station.

Website: http://old.taroko.gov.tw/English

For the most up-to-date tourist information, please visit the website of the TOURISM BOARD.