JP/15/VOLKER

JP/15/VOLKER

If you go

Where: The Pinglin Tea Industry Museum is located at 19-1 Songchi Keng, Shuiteh Village, Pinglin Township, Taipei County (about 40- kilometers southeast of the capital). The museum runs a shuttle bus service to and from central Taipei. Opening hours are 9am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday. For more information phone the museum on 8862-2665 6035.

Getting there: Malaysia Airlines has regular return flights from Jakarta to Taipei. Phone the airline's Jakarta office on 21-522 9701 or visit www.malaysiaairlines.com.my for details.

When to go: Taiwan is fairly comfortable year-round, but you may want to avoid Chinese New Year (usually around February) when hotel prices double, transport is booked out and shops and restaurants close for days.

Lodging: Budget travelers should try the Taipei Hostel (6th Floor, Lane 5, Lin Shen North Rd, Taipei, phone 8862-2395 2950, fax 8862-2395 2951, email bookings@taipeihostel.com, www.TaipeiHostel.com) where clean, simple rooms start at US$7 (Rp 61,875) a night. A more upmarket option is the centrally located Cosmos Hotel (43 Chung Hsiao West Rd, Section 1, Taipei, phone 8862-2361 7856, fax 8862-2311 8921) where three-star rooms start at US$81 (Rp 715,310) a night.

Currency: One New Taiwan dollar (NT$) is equal to Rp 254.

Reading: Lonely Planet Taiwan takes a definitive look at the island nation. For Taiwan travel tips in cyberspace visit www.roc-taiwan.org, www.taiwanfun.com and www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations