Situated off the coast of mainland China, the mountainous island of Taiwan teems with people in massive urban developments, but at the same time hides some picture-perfect, breathtaking vistas and natural attractions. Jet into the airport at the capital, Taipei, and the island below greets you with majestic peaks, rolling hills and plains, basins and inlets, tropical beaches and green forests.

At the foot of the mountains cluster the crowded industrial cities and towns. Modern, high-rise buildings play backdrop to numerous traditional folk festivals, and ancient temples sit alongside glass-fronted boutiques in the bustling streets. Old and new live in harmony in Taiwan, and visitors will be enthralled as much by the bustling metropolis of Taipei as with the array of natural attractions throughout this relatively small island.

In the six national parks there are thousands of species of wildlife, 20 percent of which are rare or endangered, including the Mikado pheasant, the Hsuehshan grass lizard and the Formosan rock monkey. Unique experiences include taking a ride on the Alishan train, one of only three mountain railways in the world, and hiking up northeast Asia's highest mountain, Jade Mountain, and taking in the spectacular sunsets above a sea of clouds. With its volcanic origins, tropical climate and Polynesian flavour, Taiwan has deservedly been dubbed the 'Hawaii of Asia'.

Taiwan has long had an uneasy relationship with its larger neighbour, China. In 1684 the island became the refuge for the remnants of the deposed Ming Dynasty and when Mao's Communists forces took control of China in 1949 the nationalist leaders, and over one million supporters, fled to Taiwan. Economically, the island quickly became an Asian success story but its independence from China was never recognised by many governments - primarily due to the Republic's greater political and military firepower. Many Taiwanese would like an eventual reuniting with mainland China, but not on the terms suggested by their dominant cousins.

Taiwan is sub-tropical but the climate varies from hot and humid in the south tempering to cooler in the north and inland mountainous region. All over the country sudden rain showers frequently occur, making rainwear an essential part of a visitor's luggage. The driest time of year is autumn (September and October), which is followed by a short generally damp and chilly winter with snow on the island's mountain peaks. Summer temperatures can reach 90ºF (35ºC) at the coast. Summer is also typhoon season.

Mandarin is the official language of Taiwan, but Taiwanese is often spoken and English is generally understood.

Taiwan's currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD), which is divided into 100 cents. Foreign currencies and travellers cheques (American Express, Citibank or Thomas Cook) can be exchanged at government-designated banks and hotels. Receipts are given when currency is exchanged, and must be presented in order to exchange unused NT dollars before departure. Major credit cards such as American Express, Master Card, Visa, and Diners Club are accepted. Banks are open Monday to Friday. US dollars are the preferred currency. ATMs are plentiful but not all accept international bank cards.

All travellers entering Taiwan require confirmed return air tickets or proof of onward travel. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Ireland

Irish nationals may stay in Taiwan for up to 90 days without a visa and require a passport valid for at least six months from entry.

Ireland Institute for Trade and Investment in Taiwan, Taipei: +886 2 2725 1691.

United Kingdom

British citizens may stay in Taiwan for up to 90 days without a visa. If passport endorsed with other than British Citizen, a visa is required. Passports should be valid for at least six months from entry.

British Trade and Cultural Office, Taiwan: +886 2 8758 2088.

Canada

Canadian nationals may stay in Taiwan for up to 30 days without a visa and require a passport valid for at least six months from entry.

Canadian Trade Office, Taipei: +886 2 2544 3000.

United States

US nationals may stay in Taiwan for up to 30 days without a visa and require a passport valid for at least six months from entry. If passport is valid for less than six months then a visa is required, although a 30-day visitor visa can be obtained on arrival at Chiang Kai Shek or Kaohsiung International Airport for NT$4,400.

New Zealand

New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for at least six months from entry. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.

New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office, Taipei: +886 2 2757 9514.

South Africa

South African nationals require a visa for travel to Taiwan and a passport valid for six months after intended travel.

Liaison Office of South Africa, Taipei: +886 2 2715 3251/4.

Australia

Australian nationals may stay in Taiwan for up to 30 days without a visa and require a passport valid for at least six months from entry.

Australian Commerce and Industry Office, Taipei: +886 2 8725 4100.

Taiwan health regulations require that travellers arriving from infected areas carry vaccination certificates for yellow fever. Travellers are advised to have up-to-date jabs for hepatitis A and typhoid, and it is advisable for most long-term travellers to be inoculated against Japanese encephalitis. Due to recent outbreaks of dengue fever, insect repellents and other measures to prevent mosquito bites are recommended for those travelling to the southern part of the island. Visitors should only drink bottled water and should be wary of potential food poisoning. Taiwan's medical facilities are first-class, but health insurance is recommended for travellers.

Most visits to Taiwan are trouble-free. The country has only a low incidence of petty crime, and is considered safe. The only threats are natural ones, because the island is prone to typhoons and tropical storms, usually between May and November, as well as earthquakes and tremors. These are seldom severe.

Electrical current is 110 volts AC, 60Hz. Two-pin flat blade plugs and one with a third grounding pin is used.

Doing business in Taiwan is a pleasure for those who value high work ethics and technologically-savvy business partners. Taiwan has traded heavily with the West for many years and business formalities have melded over time. However it is important to observe and respect the cultural heritage to which many firmly cling. Confucian values tend to dictate business etiquette and common practice in Taiwan. The majority of businesses in Taiwan are medium-sized and family-owned, meaning that the paternal head of the family is always consulted - this can result in business decisions taking longer than expected.

Two important aspects of business culture in Taiwan are face and 'Gianni' (relationships). Face relates to dignity - that of a person or a company - and informs all social and business interactions. It is important to keep, or save, face at all times. Never correct a colleague and if someone makes a mistake don't expect them to correct themselves. Relationships are an integral part of most business cultures and Taiwan is no exception. Gift-giving and taking business deals slowly are central aspects to building and maintaining good business relationships in Taiwan. When giving gifts, its general practice to give a simple gift to all members involved in a meeting, and a better gift for the most important member of the party. When receiving a gift, it is polite not to open it in front of your hosts.

Always accept invitations to events outside of normal business hours, as this is when relationships are built. Don't make direct or prolonged eye-contact with someone who is in a very senior position. However, be sure to always direct the conversation to the most senior person in the meeting. Punctuality is expected in all meetings. Shaking hands, for men and women is common nowadays, but a bow goes a long way as a sign of respect. Business hours are from 9am to 5.30pm from Monday to Friday. Business cards are exchanged often and should be printed in both English and Taiwanese. Work clothes tend to be formal and conservative. Men wear dark suits; women wear modest dresses and skirts rather than pants. Taiwanese is the language of business and hiring a translator is often a necessity.

Taiwan's international access dialling code is +886 and the outgoing code is 002 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00244 for the UK). City/area codes are in use, e.g. 2 for Taipei. Six network operators provide mobile telephone services in various regions using either GSM 900 or 1800 networks. Internet cafes can be found in Taiwan's cities and towns, and most hotels in Taipei have Internet access in their guestrooms.

Travellers aged over 20 may enter Taiwan without paying customs duty on 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 454g tobacco, 1 bottle of alcohol (maximum 1 litre), and a reasonable amount of perfume. Travellers are also permitted to bring personal goods valued up to NT$20,000 duty free (or NT$10,000 for those under 20 years). Guns, narcotics, fresh meat and fruit are prohibited.