Located north of the Phillipines and off the southeast coast
of China, Taiwan is an island nation that is ruled by the
Republic of China. The island is roughly 245 miles long and 89
miles wide. Yet while it is relatively small, it is still of
great importance on the world stage. While thinking about Taiwan
may bring up thoughts of electronics to most people, it's also a
destination that may surprise you a little. In fact, there are
some breathtaking mountains, stunning beaches, and great natural
beauty on the island. You just need to know where to look.
Destinations in Taiwan
Alishan - With fog, mist and giant cedar and cypress trees,
this region of the island is almost mystical. Logging used to be
the main industry here (and a narrow train set-up in the early
20th century here is legacy of that), but now it's a protected
national treasure for tourists to enjoy. The elevation is higher
here, so you'll want to dress appropriately.
Kenting National Park - Located on the southern tip of Taiwan,
this is where you want to go if you're looking for great beaches
and access to the ocean. The area is also full of lush
vegetation, making it a marvel to see. This should be on the top
of your list of places to see on this island.
Taipingshan - If you want to experience the "logging past" of
Taiwan, then you're going to want to stop in this historic
logging area to see what it was like during the last century
when the area was being used for its tropical wood.
Taipei - This is the center of commerce and culture in Taiwan.
You can also see the Taipei 101 tower here, which is now the
world's second largest man-made structure. It's quite a sight to
see!
Jiufen - This historic gold-mining town from South Korea's
past is a popular destination for many reasons. If you're
looking for something a little different, this might be the side
journey for you.
Kaohsiung - If you want to see a large port city, this is the
place to go in South Korea. The city also has the country's
second largest airport.
Tainan - This is the oldest city in Taiwan. If you want to get
a glimpse of Imperial Taiwan, this is where you should go.
Things to do in Taiwan:
Festivals - There are many large, national and even some
smaller regional festivals that take place in South Korea
throughout the year. You'll want to check before you leave to
see if your travels there coincide with any good ones.
Sports - Surprisingly - or perhaps not - baseball is the most
popular sport in Taiwan. So, if you're into baseball, you might
get lucky and be able to check out a game while you're visiting.
Be warned that they take their baseball seriously in Taiwan!
Gambling - This is illegal in Taiwan, so you shouldn't expect
to have fun at casinos if you travel here. The good news is that
there are plenty of other things to do while you're in the
country.
If you travel to Taiwan, you should note that Taiwanese and
Mandarin are the main languages, although other Asian languages
are used in some areas of the country. Also, it would be wise to
remember that expenses are a bit expensive in Taiwan when
compared to other Asian countries. You can expect to spend
$1,000 to $5,000 a day or more to have a nice place to stay, eat
out, go to events, and shop. Still, the majesty of the country
is worth it if you want to travel to somewhere in Asia that is
dedicated to gambling. The high tech Taiwan blends with the
natural beauty of the island to create a perfect mix for
travelers from all over the world.
About Taiwan