Taiwan, a mountainous island with abundant natural resources, is situated within three major climatic zones. Its various topography endows the island with very diverse biological aspects. The protection of Taiwans natural ecosystems is a unique and difficult challenge. Mountainous topography and different forest types are combined with large scale human development in Taiwan to create an ecological island within the actual physical island itself. To protect these ecological islands, the government has set aside nearly 10 percent of the land in a multi-tiered conservation system that includes six National Parks, 18 nature preserves, 20 nature reserves, and one wildlife sanctuary.
Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is situated in north Taiwan. As the largest and most prominent city in the island, Taipei is right in a basin surrounded by mountains and crossed by rivers. The mountains north of the city in Yangminshan National Park dominate the landscape, the Tamsui and Hsintien Rivers meander through the southeast, while the Keelung River crosses the city to the northeast.
The climate of the island is subtropical, the average temperature is between 22℃(71℉) to 24℃ (75℉). The weather in November is mild with occasional rain and the temperature is around 20℃ (68℉). Visitors are suggested to bring an umbrella or a raincoat.
Academia Sinica, founded in 1928, is the highest-ranking academic institution. The current President of Academia Sinica is Dr. Yuan-Tseh Lee,a Nobel laureate in Chemistry in 1986, who was inaugurated on January 15, 1994. The Academy consists of 24 institutes in various disciplines including mathematical and natural sciences,life sciences, social sciences and humanity.
The IX Pacific Science Inter-Congress will be held at the Academic Activity Center of Academia Sinica at Nankang, east of Taipei City. The Center has several lecture rooms, dining rooms, 90 rooms. Each room is equipped with airconditioning, telephone, satellite television, and a private bathroom. The room charge is NT$600 /per day for a single room and NT$1000/ per day for a double and should be paid in local currency (NT Dollars). Facsimile and e-mail services can be arranged by the Local Organizing Committee.
Downtown Taipei (30-40minutes ride by car) has comfortable hotels to fit different budget. The Organizing Committee would suggest the Academic Activity Center, as the most appropriate accommodation hotel, due to its most convenient location. However, we have also provide information of several hotels for your reference. Reservation for all accommodation is required.The Congress will be of service if related information is duly received.
The Academia Sinica is not responsible for personal injuries, sickness, theft, or property damage incurred during the Congress. This disclaimer applies to any event held during the assembly and symposium period. Concerned participants should obtain insurance coverage for protection.
Taipei International Airport(Chiang Kai-Shek (CKS) Airport) is situated 40 km(24.8 miles) southwest of Taipei city. The Academia Sinica is located at the outskirts east of the city. The local organizing committee has arranged chartered buses running 3∼4 times between the CKS airport and Academia Sinica for the day of 15 (Sunday) November. For participants arriving on this day, there will be staff to meet you at the Tourist Service Center in the northern end of greeting lobby and, if the timing is right, guide you to the assembly area for free transportation to the Academia Sinica. Normally the drive takes around 60 minutes.
If for any reason you are nor met, or you decide to arrive on dates other than 15 November you may:
(a) Take the regular shuttle bus to downtown Taipei then transfer to a taxi to get to the Academia Sinica. Bus lines, namly Taiwan Bus, Fe-Go Express, Ever Voyage Bus and etc are available. Each line has a service interval of 15-30 minutes for most of the day. Nevertheless, there are two lines which run to as late as 01:30 A.M. Tickets are sold at the bus service counters, which are lacated on your left-hand side in the greeting lobby. The bus fare is around NT$110 per person. Taxi fare in the city is NT$65 for the 1st km, and Nt$5 for each additional 300m. A 20% surcharge is also imposed for taxi fares during rush hours (i.e.1200-1400,1700-1900 in weekdays) and the late night-early morning period(2300-0500). The taxi fare is estimated to be within NT$250 in this case. The maps of Academia Sinica provide in page 18 of PSA'2nd circular may help to tell your destination to the taxi driver, and a small card written in Chinese can be shown to the taxi driver to access to the AAC, Academia Sinica.
(b)Take a taxi and go straight away from CKS Airport to the Academia Sinica. It may cost you some NT$1500 but is by far the most convenient way.
While arriving Academia Sinica,seek directions from the security at the front gate to The Academic Activity Center. See Academia Sinica Map enclosed.
Access to Academia Sinica, Taipei
Downtown Taipei
The unit of currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$). The current exchange rate is NT$33-34 to US$1. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the CKS Airport upon arrival or designated banks and hotels. Major credit cards are accepted and traveler's checks may be cashed at some tourist-oriented business and by room guests at most international hotels.Receipts are given when currency is exchanged. Keep these receipts if you wish to exchange unused NT dollars before departure.
Currency exchange service is not available on campus in the Academia Sinica. Therefore,for visitors are advised to change their currency into NT dollar at the CKS airport. The International Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and Bank of Taiwan (BOT) have service counters offering foreign exchange services at both the arrival and departure lounges.
Visitor over two years of age will need to pay an airport service charge of NT$300 per person upon departure.
Electricity current in Taiwan is 110 volts AC, 60 Hz. Water served for guests at hotels and leading restaurants is either distilled or boiled. Because the subtropical and tropical climate, it is advised not to drink ordinary tap water.
Tourist visas may be obtained from embassies, consulates, or designated representative offices in foreign countries, and may be valid for stays from two weeks to 60 days.
Visa Exempt Entry
1.Eligible countries for application
Australia,Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Austria,Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, U.K. and U.S.A.
2.requirements
(1)A passort valid for at least six months.
(2)A confirmed return air ticket or an air ticket and a visa for the next destination, and a confirmed air seat reservation for departure.
3.Duration of stay:14 days(no extention is permitted)
4.Disembarkation ports: CKS International Airport, Kaohsiung International Airport
At the Activity Center, Academia Sinica, check-in service is run on the 24-hr basis. The Registration Room and the secretariat room is located on the second floor of the Activity Center(Lecture Room 5)and will be sign-posted and open during Nov.15-19. In this room, telephone, fax, and e-mail will be available. For in-coming telephone and fax, please use the following numbers and address.
Telephone:+886-2-2785-1272-ext.room number.
Fax:+886-2-2783-3905, with name and room number.
For late registration and on-site registration only hotel outside of the campus will probaly be available.
Welcoming Reception(Monday)16 November. 7:00∼9:00 p.m.Activity Center
Hosted by Dr. Lee, Yuan-Tseh, President of the Academia Sinica
Farewell Banquet(Wednesday)18 November. 7:00∼9:00 p.m.Activity Center
Hosted by Dr. Lee, Yuan-Tseh, President of the Academia Sinica
Food Services on campus
The Activity Center features one Chinese restaurant and one coffee shop. In the Chinese restaurant offers light buffet for lunch. However, individual dishes can be ordered at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The coffee shop offers various hot and cold beverages, pastries, and breads.
| Date of payment | Non-PSA Member | Local Delegate | PSA Member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before 31 August, 1998 | US$ 200 | US$ 50 | US$ 150 |
| After 31 August, 1998 | US$ 250 | US$ 75 | US$ 200 |
| Accompanying Person | US$ 100 | US$ 50 |
For foreign participants: send a cheque in US dollars made payable to:
"The Committee of PSA, Academia Sinica,Taipei"
For local participants, write a cheque payable to:
"太平洋科學協會中華民國委員會"
Att: Prof. T. C. Hung
Executive Secretary
PSA NC. Academia Sinica
c/o Institute of Chemistry
Academia Sinica, Taipei
Taiwan 115