Trip to Taiwan

As the holidays near us, the first thing that comes to our minds is the destination we need to choose. The usual places that come to our minds are beach resorts, mountain ranges, famous cities and theme parks. What we fail to realize is that there are so many other places on earth that, though not visited frequently, offer wonderful holidays for the entire family.

This holiday, shed your inhibitions and choose a destination that is less visited. And we recommend the small island of Taiwan which lies about 100 miles from China in the Pacific Ocean. When it comes to China and its neighboring regions, pictures of industries and sky scrapers flood our minds. But visit Taiwan and you will know that the island is a hidden jewel waiting to be explored.

Location: The debate of whether Taiwan should be considered a separate country, is an ongoing process; as the island falls within China’s territory.  Also called as Formosa or Repbulic of China, the island is completely different from its counterpart and offers visiting families peaceful vacations amidst stunning mountain ranges, natural waterfalls and lush green meadows.

Enjoying a prime location between China, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines, Taiwan is more popular with travelers who stop at the island for a quick break en route to other destinations.

Getting There and Around: The island has two airports which cater to international and domestic flights. The Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport is situated in the town of Taoyuan which lies to the north of the island.

Transportation within the island is provided by private cabs, shuttle buses and trains. You can choose to ride to and from the airport in Taoyuan, in an air conditioned limousine (don’t worry, the fares are very reasonable). Alternatively, several hotels in the island offer shuttle transfers to and from the airport and you can book the transfers along with the accommodation.

Top Tourist Attractions: if you are visiting Taiwan for the first time, here’s a small list of the main attractions of the island you could consider visiting.

Taipei 101 Tower: The capital city of Taiwan, Taipei is a cosmopolitan city which is impeccably clean and safe to visit. The Taipei 101 Tower is a grand scale establishment that rises to a height of 1671 feet above the sea level. Housing 89 storeys, the tower comprises of innumerable offices, educational and financial institutions; and various boutique shopping malls.

Tours to the Taipei 101 Tower include a visit to the top floor of the building that offers unbelievable views of the surrounding regions. In addition to being one of the tallest buildings in the world, the tower also houses the fastest elevators in the world that take you above 89 stories in a matter of just 39 seconds. Wow!

National Museum: While in Taipei, you can also check out the National Palace Museum which showcases a unique collection of more than 600,000 antiques, paintings and sculptures from around the world. The exhibits also include ancient calligraphic scrolls and artifacts from the Ming and Ch’ing dynasties.

Night Market in Taipei: The Taipei Night Market is a must visit tourist landmark and is sure to leave you speechless at the first sight of its jammed stores and loud sounds. A typical Asian market, the Taipei Night Market consists of small stalls packed along several alleys, playing loud music and displaying very bright signs to lure customers. While you are here, you can try out a beverage that is very popular with the locals and tourists alike, the bubble tea.

Other notable attractions in Taipei include the 15th century Spanish Fort of San Domingo, the National Theater and the National Concert Hall which are standing witness to ancient Chinese construction styles and interiors.

Cities of Taiwan: The cities of Taiwan are known for their diverse attractions in terms of business districts, parks and historical landmarks. Each city is different from the other and some of the more popular cities you could visit include the city of Jioufen, which was formerly a gold mining town and is now a tourist destination; Hsinchu city which is the hub of Taiwan’s technological developments; the picturesque city of Hualien known for its spectacular landscapes; and the oldest city in Taiwan, Tainan, which is filled with temples and historical monuments.

Trips to the Country: Moving away from the capital and the bustling cities enables you to see a completely different view of Taiwan you never knew existed. Lush green hills line the roads with an occasional glimpse of a natural waterfall or a meandering river.

There are several ways to travel in these regions. Driving is one way to view stunning landscapes as you travel through darkened tunnels that course through majestic mountains. However, the more popular option would be to move through the countryside on the HSR bullet train. The futuristic train can be best described as a tourist vehicle rather than a standard transportation medium as it is almost always crowded with tourists.

Taroko National Park: The Taroko National Park is located near the city of Hualien which is also a port that services cargo ships and cruise liners. The park is one of the best in the surrounding regions and does not require any fee for you to enter it.

The park is filled with limestone and marble gorges that offer breathtaking views of the park and the surrounding areas. You will find various trails inside the park and if you are confused on which trail to choose for a good hike, you can avail the guide books at the entrance. Almost all the trails are easy to walk through and safe, making it more feasible for the entire family to take part in the hike.

The other parks you can visit in Taiwan are the Yushan National Park which borders the Yushan Mountain, Kenting National Park and the Shei-Pa National Park. Visits to the very famous Sun Moon Lake, the Hsitou Bamboo Forest and Alishan and Taroko Gorge are also quite popular with tourists.