• View
• Edit
• History
• Print

Taiwan

An Island of Mystery and Wonder

Taiwan is gorgeous, and the culture, sights, and wonders will enthrall you.

Things to see and do

Festivals Galore!

Dragon Boat Festival

Sharing the Holy Incense Fire

Taipei Lantern Festival

The Romantic Radiance of Chinese Culture

Alishan's Sea of Clouds

Alishan is known for its beautiful views of sharp rocky peaks jutting out of a sea of fluffy clouds. In the morning, you will be enthralled by this incredible view as you recognise it, as it is said these cliffs are what inspired traditional Chinese ink painters in their realistic portrayals of mountains shrouded in mist.

'''Alishan's Forests'"

The forests of Alishan, with their wonderful old cedar trees and pines, present a sharp contrast to the tropical palms and banana plants of the plains around Chiayi.

Green Island

This is a beautiful volcanic island surrounded in clear blue water. Green Island was once known as Huoshautao, which literally means "fire-burning island."

Taipei 101

With 101 stories above ground and five stories underground, Taipei 101 houses artwork, observatories, and several high-end boutiques. It is the world's tallest finished skyscraper, having been hailed as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World in 2006. The building also contains clubs and several fashionable restaurants, a definite must-see in Taiwan.

Sogo

Sogo is actually a department store chain owned by Japan, but it is a major shopping site (the equivalent of Times Square in New York City) in Taipei, the nation's capital. Taiwan's Sogo contains upper class clothing and accessories stores (i.e. Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Coach, Dior, Chanel, Mikimoto, Prada, Fendi), which oftentimes feature designs yet unreleased in the United States.

National Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum, located in the nation's capital, contains over 650,000 pieces of priceless ancient Chinese artwork and assorted artifacts. One must-see item in the museum is the "Jadeite Cabbage," which is giant piece of jade stone carved into the shape of a beautiful emerald-green cabbage head. Take a close look at the "Jadeite Cabbage," and you will see a small grasshopper carved on the leaves. The museum prides itself in its various collections of jade, copper, calligraphy, rare books and manuscripts, and pottery.

National Theater and Concert Hall

The National Theater and Concert Hall of the Republic of China is Taiwan's primary performing arts center. It has hosted thousands of local and international artists, including Yo-Yo Ma, the Vienna Boys Choir, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Julliard String Quartet, and "The Three Tenors."

Tainan Confucius Temple

This historic temple is the first school of thought in Taiwan. Confucianism remains still the foundation of both Chinese and Taiwanese culture today. Even with today's modern ideology, the Taiwanese people still believe in fusing together the secular moral teachings of Confucianism from thousands of years ago.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Taiwan offers all levels of accomodations, from backpackers inns and camping grounds to 5-star hotels.

Be sure to try Bubble Tea while you are in Taiwan. The sweet and delicious beverage originated in Taiwan and comes in a wide variety of flavors including lychee, pineapple, coffee, honey dew, and kiwi.

Travel Tip

There are precautions that you can take to ensure you have a wonderful holiday, such as making sure all your shots are up to date and drinking bottled water. Always read the travellers websites before going to keep updated.