Taiwan is undoubtedly Asia’s best-kept secret. While most outsiders perceive the nation to be an endless sprawl of manufacturing plants and overcrowded cities, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Visitors are typically astonished to discover a fascinating and eclectic combination of cosmopolitan cities, a rich heritage and cutting-edge popular culture. What is perhaps most surprising of all are the vast areas of magnificent wilderness brimming with glorious beaches, breathtaking waterfalls, towering mountains, eight extensive national parks and a selection of alluring offshore islands. With its wonderful hot spring resorts, its innumerable temples, a remarkably varied culinary scene, and a night market culture that has become a central tenet of their national identity, this small island packs in a continent-sized list of fascinating attractions into one small, green and extraordinarily diverse little island.
Taiwan’s dynamic and bustling capital city is modern and highly cosmopolitan while retaining much of its native Taiwanese, Chinese, and Japanese cultural elements. This intriguing combination of old-world, Asian charm and contemporary sophistication, pleasantly surprises the majority of its visitors. With its excellent public transport, its reasonable prices, and its remarkably friendly locals, Taipei is a pleasure to explore. Popular sights include the impressive National Palace Museum, home to more than 696,000 pieces of ancient Chinese artifacts and artworks; the large, vibrant Shilin Night Market where you can sample some outstanding Taiwanese food, and of course the iconic Taipei 101 building which, as the world's second-tallest building, offers remarkable panoramic views of this glorious city and its lush surrounding mountains. A quick train ride to the areas surrounding the city will reveal some breathtaking waterfalls, relaxing hot springs, lovely river parks, and quaint little rural villages backed by an impressive mountainous national park.
Conveniently situated just 15km from the city of Hualien, the Taroko National Park is Taiwan's premier tourist destination. The park's primary attraction is its namesake, the Taroko Gorge. This astonishing natural phenomenon consists of remarkable marble walls tower above the lovely Liwu River; at 9km long and several hundred metres high, the gorge is truly a spectacle to behold. The area is home to some breathtaking waterfalls, verdant vegetation and impressive mountainous landscapes, which provide a haven for over half of the country's plant and animal species, including numerous species of birds, butterflies, reptiles, deer, boars and bears. With its diverse landscapes ranging from rugged coastal cliffs and subtropical forested canyons to high-elevation subalpine coniferous forests, the park certainly lives up to its name, which means "magnificent and splendid" in the language of Truku, the traditional aboriginal tribe who continue to call this park home.
Meeting the ocean on one side and flanked by the Beinen River mouth on the other, beautiful Taitung is known as the ‘Garden of Taiwan’ for its gorgeous vegetation, which includes naturally growing lilies and hibiscus blooms. Popular activities include cycling along the area’s beautiful bike trails, or catching a live gig at the Tiehua Music Village; however the highlight of the town’s social calendar is the Lunar New Year Festival, when the town is illuminated with floating lanterns and vivid pyrotechnic displays. At Jhihben, a small satellite town just beyond Taitung’s borders, visitors can soak in steaming hot springs renowned for their restorative properties.
Kenting National Park is located on the southern tip of the island of Taiwan. Surrounded on three sides by sea and coral reefs, Kenting is a highly scenic place (it was most recently featured in the film The Life of Pi) and offers a wide range of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Sheding Nature Park is home to hiking trails, picnic spots, butterfly conservations and bamboo forests, while the Kenting Forest Recreation Area features limestone caves and is also home to the must-see sight of Eluanbi Lighthouse. The National Marine Biology Museum, which is attached to a fantastic Aquarium, offers popular sleepover activities, while bird watching tours of the area are easily organised. The park’s scenic beaches are home to some excellent surfing, jetskiing and scuba diving opportunities.
The country’s third-most populous city and its largest port, Kaohsiung is located on the southern coast of Taiwan and offers a great mix of sights and activities. Don’t miss the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, with its incredible collection of plastic arts, before visiting the surreal Tianliao Stone Temple and learning about the interesting history of its construction. The Pier-2 Art District is a wonderful area of the city near Central Park: a series of converted warehouses offering exhibition spaces, public sculptures, restaurants and boutique stores. Active travellers will enjoy jogging or cycling around Lotus Lake, while there is excellent hiking available on nearby Shoushan (Monkey Mountain). Finally, the Cijin District - a slender island within Kaohsiung Harbor - boasts swimming beaches and fantastic seafood.
The city of Tainan is located on the southwestern coast of Taiwan. The former capital of the nation during the Qing Dynasty, Tainan is filled with historical sights. Begin at the National Museum of Taiwan History to gain some understanding of the island’s interesting past. From there, unmissable attractions include the Confucius Temple, the oldest of its kind in Taiwan; the Great South Gate of Tainan, which dates back to 1835; Koxinga’s Shrine, which honours the Ming Dynasty general who freed the island from Dutch rule; the National Museum of Taiwanese Literature, a comprehensive exhibition space housed in a gorgeous building; and the eerie but outstanding City God Temple. Finish your tour of the city with a leisurely stroll along the popular Shennong Street, which is lined with temples, markets, cafes, art galleries and boutique stores.
The Alishan National Scenic Area is a mountain resort and natural preserve located in the mountains of Chiayi County in Taiwan. It is 415 km² in area. It includes, among other things, mountain wilderness, four villages, waterfalls, high altitude tea plantations, the Alishan Forest Railway, and several hiking trails. The area is popular among tourists and mountain climbers, and Alishan, or Mount Ali, itself has become one of the major landmarks associated with Taiwan. The area is also famous for its production of high mountain tea and wasabi.
Situated in Yuchi, Nantou, in the centre of Taiwan, the emerald green Sun Moon Lake is not only the largest body of water in Taiwan but also one of its most visited tourist attractions. The east side of this remarkably picturesque lake is round like the sun and the western side is shaped like a crescent moon, hence the name! The area surrounding the lake is historically home to the Thao, or Shao, aboriginal tribe. Visitors can explore a working aboriginal village, buy aboriginal souvenirs or sample some delicious local cuisine. While swimming in the lake is not permitted, there are some wonderful hiking and biking trails where you can explore the area’s numerous cultural and historical sites, visit its impressive sacred temples, and marvel at the unbelievably romantic views of the spectacular surrounding landscape.
