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.
De dynamische en bruisende hoofdstad van Taiwan is modern en zeer kosmopolitisch met behoud van veel van de inheemse Taiwanese, Chinese en Japanse culturele elementen. Deze intrigerende combinatie van ouderwetse, Aziatische charme en eigentijdse verfijning verrast de meeste bezoekers aangenaam. Met het uitstekende openbaar vervoer, de redelijke prijzen en de opmerkelijk vriendelijke lokale bevolking is Taipei een genot om te verkennen. Populaire bezienswaardigheden zijn onder andere het indrukwekkende National Palace Museum, de thuisbasis van meer dan 696.000 oude Chinese artefacten en kunstwerken; de grote, levendige Shilin Night Market waar u kunt proeven van uitstekende Taiwanese gerechten, en natuurlijk het iconische Taipei 101 gebouw dat, als's werelds op een na hoogste gebouw, biedt een opmerkelijk panoramisch uitzicht op deze glorieuze stad en de weelderige omliggende bergen. Een snelle treinrit naar de gebieden rond de stad zal enkele adembenemende watervallen, ontspannende warmwaterbronnen, prachtige rivierparken en schilderachtige kleine landelijke dorpjes met een indrukwekkend bergachtig nationaal park onthullen.
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.
De op twee na meest bevolkte stad van het land en de grootste haven, Kaohsiung ligt aan de zuidkust van Taiwan en biedt een geweldige mix van bezienswaardigheden en activiteiten. Mis niet het Kaohsiung Museum voor Schone Kunsten, met zijn ongelooflijke collectie beeldende kunst, voordat u de surrealistische Tianliao Stone Tempel bezoekt en leert over de interessante geschiedenis van de bouw. De Pier-2 Art District is een prachtig deel van de stad in de buurt van Central Park: een reeks verbouwde magazijnen met tentoonstellingsruimtes, openbare sculpturen, restaurants en boetiekwinkels. Actieve reizigers zullen genieten van joggen of fietsen rond het Lotusmeer, terwijl er uitstekend wandelen is op het nabijgelegen Shoushan (Monkey Mountain). Tot slot beschikt het Cijin District - een slank eiland in de haven van Kaohsiung - over zwemstranden en fantastische zeevruchten.
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.
