The mountainous island
Be mesmerized at the beauty of Taiwan, called the ‘Ilha Formosa’ (Beautiful Island) by the Portuguese back in the 16th century. The island of Taiwan goes back to tens of thousands of years in history and it is a tropical country of both wet and dry seasons. Sightseers can enjoy natural wonders of Taroko Gorge and Yushan National Park, panoramic views of Alishan Scenic Mountain Area and Sun Moon Lake, Taipei 101, which was once the tallest building in the world, and many more top attractions as most of them are located in the capital city, Taipei itself. Furthermore, the place that holds the Chinese version of Forbidden City in Beijing by the name of ‘National Palace Museum’. Hence, a tranquilizing delight for the food lovers with a bustling night market (e.g. Shilin Night Market) for shopaholics.
The best seasons to travel to Taiwan are fall and spring when temperatures are typically mild and dry and air pollution is at its lowest. Taiwan experiences the most extreme weather variations in the spring and winter, with generally consistent weather in the summer and fall. Typhoon season, which often affects the East Coast most severely, occurs in late summer to mid-autumn between June and August. Summertime is hot and muggy. It’s cold and pleasant during the fall months of September through October, and you can see the stunningly colored maple trees during Taiwan’s generally warm and brief winters, which run from November through February.
Yehliu Geopark
Yehliu Geopark is home to the famous Queen's Head rock formation, which resembles a landscape from Mars rather than Taiwan's northern coast. It is a cape of about 1,700 meters long formed by Datun Mountain reaching into the sea. When overlooked from above, the place is like a giant turtle submerging into the sea. The park offers an enriching day excursion from Taipei with its special natural scenery.
Taipei 101
Taipei 101 was finished in 2004 at a height of 1,667 feet (508 meters), it used to be the highest building in the world; however, in 2010 Dubai's Burj Khalifa surpassed it. This iconic building in Taipei has offices, dining options, a multistory mall, and both indoor and outdoor observatories with breathtaking 360-degree views of the city.
Taroko National Park
Taiwan was created by plate tectonics four million years ago. The Liwu River exposed and sculpted the marble rocks, forming striking grand canyons following millions of years of wind erosion. The Qingshui Cliff, the views of the Tunnel of Nine Turns, and the striking hanging bridges of Swallow Grotto are some of this varied landscape's highlights. Next is the Eternal Springs Shrine, which is situated next to the springs that have the same name on a verdant slope.
Sun Moon Lake
Sun Moon Lake is surrounded by bike and hiking trails, and you can also enjoy boat trips that offer views of the numerous temples, pagodas, and native communities that are located along its banks. Attend a show at Culture Square or the Naruwan Theater to get a flavor of the historic indigenous culture of the area. The lake is often visited by multi-day tours of Taiwan, along with Taroko Gorge, Kaohsiung, and Puli.
Jiufen Village
Jiufen, a town nestled on a mountainside in northeastern Taiwan, was formerly the epicenter of the nation's gold mining industry. It is currently a well-liked tourist destination with charming lanes and alleyways, traditional teahouses, a plethora of food vendors, souvenir shops, and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding mountains.
In Taiwan, basil, garlic, and green onion are added to almost every dish and is known for its “salty-sweet” signature. The Hakka people have left an impact on Taiwanese food as well. Many of the flavors associated with Taiwan originate from the food, such as pan-fried mi fen rice noodles, thick soups with a strong basil flavor, and lei cha tea flavored with peanuts, mint leaves, sesame seeds, and mung beans. Japanese colonization lasted for fifty years, beginning in the late 1800s, bringing with it vibrant, umami-flavored pickled vegetables, sweet steamed mochi coated in sesame, and seafood dishes that prioritized seasonal ingredients. Sushi bars and bento boxes are still available on almost every corner of Taipei.
Must-try: Beef Noodle Soup, Gua bao, Taiwanese Fried Chicken, Braised Pork Rice, Oyster Vermicelli Noodles, Scallion Pancake, Century Egg, Three-Cup Chicken, Xiao Long Bao, Stinky Tofu, Aiyu Jelly
Air
Taiwan currently has Taoyuan International Airport, Kaohsiung International Airport, Taichung International Airport, and Taipei Songshan Airport as its four international airports. Taiwan’s international air transport network is quite handy, with direct flights to all of the world’s major nations.