Taiwan

Welcome to Taiwan

About 180 kilometers southeast of mainland China lies the versatile green island of Taiwan. On this island you’ll find an interesting combination of ultramodern cosmopolitan cities, traditional Chinese cultures, beautiful landscapes consisting of dense forests and mountain peaks, quaint little villages and temples, and relics and remnants of its turbulent history. Visit the cities and town to try the incredibly tasty local specialties. And if you venture out the cities, you’ll discover that over half of the island is made up of forests and mountains with the occasional natural hot spring sprinkled throughout. And a colorful collection of butterfly species complete the green painting of Taiwan. The climate in Taiwan is almost as diverse as its landscape. The south of the island is often tropical warm, while it can snow in the mountain regions.

Modern and progressive

Taiwan has had a turbulent history, including decades of colonization by the Japanese and civil wars, but has emerged out of those times as one of the most modern and progressive countries on Earth. It is a leader and example in the liberal field. And its cultural background of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism go hand in hand with democracy, gender equality, and freedom of expression. A trip to Taiwan means a journey through old and new, in a liberal way.

Taiwan Information

Taiwan Highlights

Taipei

Taipei is the capital of Taiwan and located in the north of the island. This is a modern, vibrant city where about 3 million people live. The city is unofficially divided into two parts, the western side and the east side. On the west side you’ll find the older and traditional parts of the city with many narrow streets filled with small shops and restaurants. The eastern side is very modern and home to stylish shopping centers, hip restaurants and nightlife. Both sides are definitely worth exploring , so you’ll get a complete picture of the city. The city is very diverse, on the one hand it is very busy and crowded, with scooters, cars and people, but on the other hand it is also teeming with traditional cultural aspects tucked away between modern buildings. Don’t forget to visit the Xingtian Temple in the center of town and climb to the top of the Taipei 101 building for incredible views of the surrounding city and landscape.

Night markets

Visiting night markets in Taipei is definitely one of the highlights of a trip to Taiwan and something you should not miss out on.. In these markets you can eat, drink and shop and they are an important part of Taiwanese food culture. Whole streets are closed for traffic and mobile food stalls set up shop around sunset. You’ll be overwhelmed by the amount of delicious tasty local dishes that are sold here. You can try all kinds of Taiwanese specialties. It is one of the best and most fun ways to explore more of Taiwan’s food culture. The Shilin Night Market is by far the largest, busiest and most touristic night market in Taipei, but there are plenty of others to discover.

Yangmingshan National Park

Yangmingshan National Park is centered around Qixing Mountain, Taiwan's highest dormant volcano. Within the park you’ll find mountain peaks, hot springs and several scenic hiking trails that are easily accessible from downtown Taipei. This is one of Taiwan’s seven national parks. Some of the landmarks of this relatively small but interesting national park are the rhododendrons growing from the rocks, the endemic birds and butterflies, fumaroles, and cherry blossoms during spring. It is a great destination to wander around for a day and it should come as no surprise that it is a popular getaway and weekend escape for locals.

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Top things to do in Taiwan

The National Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum is located in the capital Taipei and is one of the highlights of a trip to Taiwan. The museum is all about ancient Chinese art and is built in the style of a North Chinese palace. The exhibitions change regularly, but in this museum you can always view a large number of historical Chinese artifacts from old bronze objects, paintings, calligraphies and beautiful ceramics. These treasures have belonged to various Chinese rulers for generations and it is the most large-scale and beloved collection of Chinese relics in the world. A ideal day trip to learn more about Chinese history and culture.

Tainan

Tainan is one of the oldest cities of Taiwan and during the Qing dynasty it was the region’s capital. And throughout this modern age, Tainan has also retained its traditional small town charm. The city could be considered the beating cultural heart of the island, as there are many ancient and historic monuments, temples and buildings to discover as well as exciting traditional festivals and with some of the best cuisine around. Stroll the streets of Anping, one of the city’s oldest districts and visit Chihkan Tower, a historic 18th century Chinese complex with beautiful gardens and temples. And when the sun goes down there are night markets to explore, such as Hua Yuan in the northern district where delicious food stalls that serve local specialties such as oyster omelettes and a lively atmosphere await you.

Taiwanese cuisine

The food in Taiwan is a reason to visit the country itself. It is surprising and varied and there is so much to eat on the island and so many restaurants and stalls to try out that you can easily become overwhelmed with the food options. Taiwanese food is varied and influenced by different cultures such as the Hakka people. One of the national dishes is beef noodle soup, a must try. This slowly braised beef soup is absolutely delicious. Hot pots are also found all over the island and a staple in Taiwanese food culture. Also try some sticky rice puddings and scallion pancakes. The list of tasty food is endless and you’ll get so many opportunities to try everything out. From night markets to high-end restaurants, there is something for everyone here.

Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is one of the most popular and most visited lakes in Taiwan. Just keep in mind that it might be crowded when you visit this destination, but then again it is crowded for good reason. And the many people certainly don’t make a visit to this lake less worthwhile. Because this is a beautiful natural place with amazing mountain views. One of the best activities is to rent a bike and go around the lake and stop at various places to take in the sights. It can get quite steep at times though. You could also just walk along the paths around the lake or take a trip on a boat. The morning or late afternoon are the best times to visit and you’ll have the best views at these times as well.

Hiking mountains and jungles in Wulai

The village of Wulai is not too far from Taipei, around 25 kilometers to the south. However, it is a world of difference in terms of surroundings. Wulai is located in the mountains and is home to the ethnic Tai Ya people. This small city is situated along a river and is the ideal base for hiking and walking activities. In its nearby surroundings you’ll find waterfalls, deep rivers with swimmable spots and lots of hiking trails and opportunities for bird watching. There are also a number of hot springs you could visit and plenty of places to have a delicious meal after such an active day in nature.

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