Explore Taiwan

Taiwan is known for its towering mountains and earns its repute as a ‘Mountainous Island.’ Spread over 36,000 sq km Taiwan is shaped like a ‘leaf or a sweet potato’ and is located off the coast of southeastern China, south of Okinawa, Japan and north of the Philippines.

More than 23 million people inhabit this island making it one of the most densely populated places in the world. The official language spoken by over 70 % of the population is Taiwanese. A large number of them also speak Mandarin.

English has been made compulsory education from mid school onwards. Most of the younger generation understand and speak English. However note that all announcements relating to travel and transportation on this island are made in Taiwanese, Mandarin and Hakka.

Enjoy all kinds of Chinese food, from the roasted ducks, smoked chickens, lamb hotpot, fish in wine sauce, beef with green peppers, and scallop and turnip balls of the north to the camphor-tea duck, salty fried chicken with spices, honey ham, stir-fried shrimp, dry-fried eggplant, and spicy bean curd of the south.

As the country's economy has developed rapidly in the recent years, its culinary culture has expanded beyond the traditional Chinese foods to Chinese-style fast-food chains, thus bringing greater complexity than ever before to the art of Chinese dining. Taiwan's own native cuisines have also become known around the world, and if travellers try it just once, they will remember it forever.

The new Taiwan Dollar (TWD) is the official currency of Taiwan. It may also be referred to as Yuan or Kho among native speakers. Taiwan enjoys warm weather all year round and is extremely suitable for travelling. Not many see Taiwan as a tourist destination but are in for a surprise.

Regions

Northern Taiwan:
The region includes Taipei (Capital), New Taipei, Hsinchu County, Taoyuan County, Hsinchu (Old city) and Yangmingshan National Park – collection of Mountain peaks also known as the Green Mountain Park.

Central Taiwan:
The region includes Changhua County, Miaoli County, Nantao County, Sun Moon Lake (largest lake in Taiwan) and Taichung (the 3rd largest city).

Eastern Taiwan:
This region includes Hualien County, Taitung County, Yilan County, Taroko Gorge, Hualien and Taitung. Eastern Taiwan is cut off from the main island by central mountains and is an area of great scenic beauty.

Southern Taiwan:
The tropics of Taiwan, home to beaches and palm trees and the second largest city in Taiwan. This region encompasses Kaohsiung, Tainan, Chiayi County, Pingtung County and Yunlin.

Outlying Islands:
A few islands, that serves as a popular getaway for the locals. These include Green Island, Kinmen, Matsu, Orchid Island and Penghu.

Highlights

Contrary to the popular belief held by most people who visualize Taiwan as an overcrowded city filled with Electronic shops and industries, Taiwan is a splendid country for great scenic outdoors. The island is home to some great mountain peaks, great beaches and stunning national parks – many with hot springs.

Taipei:
The country’s capital and home to the world's second tallest skyscraper, Taipei 101.

The Eternal Golden Castle:
Built as a defensive castle in Anping, Tainan in order to safeguard the coast and to defend the island against Japanese invaders.

Fort Zeelandia:
Built by the Dutch in Anping, Tainin, it served as an important transit port for the Dutch East India Company trading with Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, India and Europe.

Temples:
Some of the most fabulous temples are Ciyou Temple and Dalongdoan Baoan Temple in Taipei and Zushi Temple in New Taipei.

Alishan:
Misty forests of giant cypress trees. Enjoy some great sunrises here and can be reached by a scenic journey atop a narrow-gauge train.

Kenting National Park:
This park is known for its beaches and lush vegetation.

Shei-pa National park:
This is a region of Magnificent Mountains, valleys and an abundance of rare birds and flowers. Located in Hsinchu County, it’s a great place for hiking enthusiasts.

Sun Moon Lake:
Located in Nantou County, the Sun Moon Lake is famous for its clear sparkling blue water and picturesque mountain backdrop.

Lalashan:
Mount Lala is one of natural protection zones in Taiwan. Some 500 divine trees that are more than 2800 years old are found here. There is one tree known as No.5 divine tree which is reputedly older than Confucius. Lalashan is known for its peach trees and peach season in July – August. Mount Lala is located in Taoyuan County.

Tastes of Taiwan:
The culinary of the Chinese people go back a very long time. Chinese food is popular all over the world and in Taiwan most true gourmets know it’s possible to enjoy authentic cuisine from all the different parts of China. Foreign foods from all over the world have also made their appearance in Taiwan, and the country is now filled with eateries serving American hamburgers, Italian pizzas, Japanese sashimi, German pig's knuckles, Swiss fondues and just about everything else. All of this makes Taiwan a veritable paradise for gourmands.

Catch a Festival:
The ethnic Chinese have many colourful festival, the most famous being Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat Festival, Hungry Ghost Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival.

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