Touring in Taiwan
Filed under Nature, Uniquely Far East
“Made in Taiwan” is probably the first image you have of this small Asian island. It’s an interesting place – 23 million people are squashed into an area slightly smaller than the size of the Netherlands, and while the island is one of the region’s top manufacturing spots, it’s not as if the entire island is covered in assembly lines and towering smoke stacks. Indeed, outside the capital of Taipei, you’ll find national parks and surreal sceneries abound.
Taipei 101. Photo credit - Fishtail Taipei.
Towering Taipei
You might not be very familiar with Taipei but surely you’ll recognize shots of Taipei 101, the towering skyscraper on the city’s skyline and the 2nd tallest building in the world (for now). Let’s be realistic – Taipei is a busy, bustling city, loud city, but it’s more than likely where you’ll start your journey so there are a number things not to miss. Of course, start off with a trip up to the observation tower in Taipei 101 for unbelievable, unblocked views.
There’s also an incredible number of fantastic buildings and museums to see in the city. I love the Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Halls — even if memorials are not your thing, the surrounding gardens, ceremonies, and the architecture itself is quite a sight. As for museums, there’s nearly 20 – this list covers the important ones, I’ll let you choose what strikes your fancy.
National Park Adventures
Far from the lights and sounds of big Taipei lies the Taiwanese countryside. It’s quiet and relatively off-the-beaten-path since many tourist can’t see past those “Made in Taiwan” signs. Here’s some highlights -
This heavenly place requires a 4 hour journey on a narrow-gauge railway 72km into the mountains. Once here in the hilltops, you can see some really spectacular views; check out the “Mystical Tree of Alishan” – its trunk is dead yet the tree still flowers in full bloom. Don’t miss sunrise at the top of the mountain.
Photo credit - Allen Hsu.
Located in the south of the island, this popular summer vacation spots boasts sandy white sand and a blue shoreline that is every bit as impressive as its Thai or Australian counterparts. Rent a bike to explore the surrounding valley plain, or dive off into the deep sea to appreciate the corals.
Photo credit - myhsu.
The Sun Moon Lake is geographically significant as the largest natural lake in Taiwan. This beautiful alpine lake is the perfect spot for a quiet mini-sabbatical or a few days getaway. Swimming in the lake is not permitted, but there is an annual 3-km Swimming Carnival that drew tens of thousands participants.
Photo credit - Harry Huang.
This is the world’s deepest marble canyon, and the perfect place for hikers to stretch their legs, a haven for outdoors enthusiasts. Taroko is engrossed in natural beauty, but it takes some planning to go there. If you do however, don’t miss exploring the picturesque Eternal Spring Shrine.
Photo credit - LightMatter.
If You Go
Citizens of most countries can enter Taiwan visa-free for short stays of less than a month; for mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau residents will need an entry permit. Further information is available on the (less than user-friendly) Bureau of Consular Affairs homepage.
The island has relatively decent air, train, and bus transport. If you just want some day trips from Taipei or want something a little more organised but not a full-on travel agent, check out the Taiwan Tour Bus. Be sure for trains and planes to make reservations in advance – things can be full, especially trains!
If you head further off field to some of the more rural suggestions, keep in mind that English is not widely spoken outside Taipei. A few basic Mandarin phrases are essential –a good phrasebook where you can point is helpful. Thankfully, the Taiwanese are super-friendly so no doubt a few smiles and patience will go a long way.
Do consider stopping by for one of the many festivals throughout the year, such as the Lantern Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival or the Golden Horse Film Festival.
About the Author. Andy Hayes. Andy Hayes is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. When not crossing the world to have his next Asian travel adventures, he is hitting the walking trails near home. To get in touch or see Andy’s other travelogues, visit his website, Sharing Experiences.
Craig Ferguson on Fri, 14th Aug 2009 1:12 am
Glad to see a travel report on Taiwan. This overlooked little island has a lot of gems that no one ever hears about. It’s also a great place to live.
My take on Mon, 31st May 2010 1:25 pm
[...] Unearthing Asia, here’s a brief look at some of the best destinations in Taiwan including Taipei and the aforementioned Taroko and Sun Moon Lake as well as Alishan, while this [...]