Around Kaohsiung
A Community Link
Q & A

Click on  for a specific question/comment/link
Dates indicate when response was given

  CRAFT SUPPLIES:  (Wax)   CRAFT SUPPLIES: (Suede)  
  MAP: FOREIGN AFFAIRS  POLICE STATION (Fengshan)    STREET NAMES IN MANDARIN 
  CITY ZIP CODES    TAIWAN CURRENCY 
  DRIVERS' LICENSE TESTING    SHOE REPAIR 
  INTERNET SERVICE
(for those without computers) 		   ARC/MULTIPLE ENTRY "BRIEFING"
 
  WATER PURIFIERS
Research in progress 		   TIPS FOR TAKING ROC DRIVER'S LICENSE TEST
 
  QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE 921 EARTHQUAKE
 

Question:
Where can I find wax for candle making?
Answer:
Just off Liuhou 2nd Street (The Night Market Street). The shop sells clean blocks of wax, various oils & aromatics.
Interesting array of imported supplies.
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Question:
I'd like to drive to the Foreign Affairs Police Department in Feng Shan.  But, I'm not sure how to get there.  Could you make a map, or give the address in Mandarin?
Answer:
Remember, parking is at a premium, and offices are closed during lunch time.

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Question:
What are Kaohsiung City postal codes?  Sometimes I am asked when completing various out-of-country forms or applications that require specific details regarding my residence in Taiwan.
Answer:
Each district, town and county has individual mailing codes.  Kaohsiung districts are listed below.  You can pick up a booklet, free of charge, at any local Post Office that lists codes for all of Taiwan.
 
Chih Chin   805  Hsin Hsing   800 Sanmin   807
Chien Chen   806 Kushan   804 Tsoying   813
Chien Chin   801  Lingya   802 Yen Cheng   803
Hsiao Kang   812  Nantze   811 hgjhggjgjgjhgg
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Comment:
Getting a Taiwan Drivers' license in Kaohsiung is not easy.  I helped my foreign friend but he failed the first time.  We felt that there must be something wrong with the computer system.  But we later realized that you cannot skip any question.  This means you have no chance to recheck.  My advice: choose your answers carefully the first (and only) time when it comes to the computer questionnaire. (comment from a local Taiwanese resident)

There are genuine challenges facing those who apply for an R.O.C. drivers' license, not only in terms of test taking but in establishing the validity of an International Drivers' Licenses.  It's a good idea to ask a Taiwanese friend for assistance, but this does not always guarantee success. Your Home Country Representative Office may be able to provide some pointers, which in most cases requires a call to Taipei (click here for list of  telephone numbers)  Sometimes, car rental agencies may be able to offer assistance.  THE BOTTOM LINE:  Do not give up in your attempts to secure legal driving privileges if you plan to drive in Kaohsiung.  A valid license is your only guarantee for protection. This applies to cars and motor scooters. (WebMaster)
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Question:
I don't have a computer at home, but I need to use the Internet from time to time. It would be  great if I knew where I could go.  How about a list of places in Kaohsiung that offer Internet service.

Answer:
Most neighborhoods have an Internet Cafe; prices average between NT$60-NT$100 per hour.  However, few English speakers are on duty and usually programs appear in Chinese Windows.  A cup of coffee or tea is included as a standard service, and  a good number of computers await.  Near the train station on Chienkuo Road , a.k.a. "Computer Street", may be a convenient spot for you to "browse" for such cafes.  Some specific spots:
 

lGREEN
JUNGLE*
 #200 Chungcheng 
2nd Road
Telephone: 225-6919
(ask for Brian or Lenny)

1 computer

 11AM-3AM

NT$100 (minimum charge); NT$100 per hour thereafter

 Comfortable Reading Room with Internet Service.  Plus, a full menu if you get hungry (or thirsty)!  The real advantage here is that English speakers are "on board" to help you set up Hotmail accounts and "work the files".  The Green Jungle hopes to expand this service. At present, there's only one computer...you might call in advance to see if it's occupied.
lNOVA*
#4 Chungshan 1st Road 
(near the burned down department store)
3rd Floor

16 NEC computers
Provided by:
Nova & SeedNet

 Mon ~ Fri: 11AM-10PM
Sat: 10:30AM-10:30PM
Sun: 10:30AM-9:30PM

Free Service

 Free to the public...but be prepared to stand in line!  It's "1st Come, 1st Serverd". Chinese Windows are loaded, but you can easily access the Interet or send e-mail.  English speaking help is rare.
lSeasons Internet Cafe
Wenhua & Jenai Road
(just off Wufu Road)
 Open 'til midnight

Cost: NT$1 per minute. 

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lInternet Cafe
(Name not available)
on Tachang Road,
off Jui Ru Road
(round the corner from 
Da Shuen Bridge)
 Open 24 hours

Cost:NT$1 per minute

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*Further details are in
Around Kaohsiung. A Community Guide

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Question:
I'm making something that calls for suede cloth.  I need a light weight variety. Where can I find it?
Answer:
Try fabric stores first, the shopkeeper may be able to help.  Or, you might find something tucked away in one of the many wholesale or  manufacturing outlets operating outside of the city.  A Chinese speaking neighbor or friend would be a good assist in your search.  Here's a quick list to start with:
 
“Bead & Bobbles” Tel: 251-6472
#15 Wenheng 1st Rd.
Hsin Hsing 
11:00 AM ~ 10:00 PM
Check downstairs for fabric by the bolt
“Bell Store” Tel:  281-7490
#12 Chungshan 1st  Rd. 
Hsin Hsing 
10:30 AM ~ 9:30 PM daily
Fabrics and sewing supplies. Other locations in town.
“Bujebu” Tel:  226-8595
#47  Shiamen St.  Lingya 
Imports
“Buttons, Buckles & Bows” 
# 15 Choutin Road.  Hsin Hsing 
Tel: 251-4457; 251-4416
Specializes in  sewing 
notions at wholesale prices. 
Some interesting 
fabrics on lower level.
Longmei Tel: 281-8002
#46 Chungshan 1st Road. 
Hsin Hsing 
12 Noon ~ 9:30 PM 
Closed Thursday
Fabrics and notions 
Other locations in town
Quilt Workshop Tel: 216-9034
#28 Wenhua Road.   Hsin Hsing 
Imported fabrics 
Taiwan Patchwork Tsushin
# 159 Nan Hai St.  Hsin Hsing 
Tel: 226-1389
The owner may be able 
to help locate special fabrics
    

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Question:
I ride the bus to work and it's pretty easy.  But, do you have a list of street names in Mandarin for other trips.   I understand that the 1998 Community Guide listed streets in Mandarin, but I don't have that copy and the new book doesn't include the list.
Answer:
I agree! A dedicated list of Kaohsiung's streets in Mandarin is useful!  Click  HERE  for that link.
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Question:
Every time I have to update my ARC or renew my multiple entry “thingy”, I get a little nervous because I really  don't understand it all. What I would really like to see written down somewhere is a step-by-step of what we foreigners have to do.
Answer: The answers are not "cookbook" simple since details change case by case. However, there are some basics to help you on your "quest":
 
  • VisaMatters are managed by the Foreign Affairs Office on the 5th Floor of the ICBC Bank Building #253 Chungcheng 4th Road. Chien Chin District
  • Multiple Entry Approval  and Alien Registration Certification (ARC) are managed             by the Foreign Affairs Offices connected with local Police Stations Kaohsiung                City: #260 Chungcheng 4th Road. Chien Chin District.  Kaohsiung County: #388 Kuanyuan Road. Feng Shan City  See MAP
  • Materials Required: Documentation concerning status that is generated by                     your ROC Sponsor (this varies depending upon the type of Visa you hold, i.e.,                Work, Student, Family, etc.);  Photographs (the number varies according to Visa);        Home Country Passport.
  • Application & Renewal Processing Costs differ according to status.
  • The "Shelf Life" of your ARC, Entry Approval and Visa also differ according to status.
  • Making a Change of Status is another issue altogether.  All foreign nationals enter           Taiwan based on status issued from their home country.  This can be altered after            entry depending upon circumstances.
Your ROC Sponsor is a key figure in the overall process and can help to smooth the "rough edges".  And, officials connected with the Foreign Affairs offices are helpful for the most part.   Do not be surprised if you are shuffled from one spot to the next and back again.  These are complicated affairs for everyone.  Should you encounter serious difficulties,  legal advice may be required.


Thanks to Chen & Chern Attorney for help with this question
For information about this firm or if you need help,
you'll find details at: New Views: "Services"

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Question:
I'm from Australia and will be visiting Kaohsiung  for a "Look See".  It's my first trip, so I expect things will be pretty confusing, especially currency.  Can you provide some photos so I can have a bit of a look before I come?  Then I can exchange with confidence when I'm in the country.
Answer:
Here goes...a NT$50 bill and coin are also circulated, but hard to come by in photos.  Recently, the government issued bills which are watermarked to curb counterfeiting.  It's not unusual to see a shop keeper or vendor carefully inspecting money during a transaction.  Rates fluctuate, so check with your local bank for current exchange rates.
 
NT$1 (front-back)
NT$5 (front-back)
NT$10 (front-back)
Web Site: "Coin Exhibition"   by Han Yiping Zhejiang University


NT$1,000 (front)

NT$1,000 (Back)
Web Site: "World Paper Money"

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Question:
If I were living anywhere else my question wouldn't be so earth shattering...but, I need help!  I must find someone who can repair shoes.  I wear a large size, and can't find new shoes to buy and the supply I have are losing their edge with all the walking I have to do on rough roads.  Thanks...."Shoeless, but not in Seattle!"
Answer:
You are a "poor sole", indeed....I, too face the same problem.  Luckily, I've found a wonderful shop specializing is shoe repair downtown at #225 Tzechiang 3rd Road (Tel: 271-3739).  It's near the Grand Hai Lai Hotel.

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Comment:
Well...I thought it would be easy, but.....
I'm attempting to get my Taiwan Driver's License and wanted to share some of my experiences so that it might help others.  The "written" part is done totally by computer.  And, you can skip an answer and go back to "fill in the blanks" after completing questions that are easiest.   (NOTE:  this differs from earlier comment on the subject shared by a local reader-WebMaster). My real challenge has to do with the driving portion of the test.  I am more familiar with an automatic transmission, so I felt very uncomfortable with a manual drive.  I later learned that the Feng Shan Testing Center on Wuying Road does have 2 "automatics".  I was told they did not exist.  It's best to reserve that type of car.  You might have to insist on that point!  Also, when attempting the backing up exercises, I was not allowed to look over my shoulder....I had to do everything using only my rear view and side mirrors.  This was difficult for me.  Finally..and this was critical...my Test Master kept instructing me to line up in the "center" which I interpreted to mean "centering the car" when in fact the driver themself is to line up "center" to all street grid markings.  It sounds complicated...but it is a tip that would have saved me from many retakes.  I have taken the test repeatedly....I will not give up....and as my friends say, I've got 52 chances...one per each week of the year!
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Web Master