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Taiwan is situated about 160 kilometers off the southeastern coast of the Chinese mainland, and between Korea and Japan in the north and Hong Kong Island and the Bohol, Philippines to the south. The island has always been known as one of the most beautiful in the Pacific. The Portuguese called it Formosa, which means just that. With its mountains that rise up high above the green-forested foothills, its terraced flatlands and coastal plains and basins and foremost with its friendly generous people, it's really almost "paradise" (if you overlook the widespread environmental devastation caused by rapid development). Not just the breathtaking scenery with waterfalls, lakes, hot springs or misty hillsides, make Taiwan well worth a visit. Pagodas and temples build on a culture that goes back beyond the beginning of western civilization. Next to nature and tradition there's also the modern Taiwan with skyscrapers that almost reach into heaven, with their feet firmly planted in a chaotic stream of traffic. Whatever you're looking for, you can probably find it in here.

If you visit the central city, Taipei, even if you're just passing through take a day or two to look around and to visit the Yangmingshan National Park. Other cities of interest are Taichungand the industrial city of Kaohsiung. (They are invariably heavily polluted, dirty, over-crowded, and lack sidewalks).

The most beautiful natural regions are Central Cross-Island Highway, the Hsitou's bamboo forests, Sun moon lake, Kenting National Park and the Yushan National Park and of course there's Yushan or Mount Jade, Alishan, and Toroko gorge.

If you think you have seen the whole island you also have to discover the Penghu Islands, off the southwestern coast of Taiwan. Ancient temples, picturesque farms and windswept fishing villages, friendly people, fine beaches, coral reefs, and rugged coastlines are just a few keywords to get your attention. This is a great place for all kinds of water sports and don't forget to try the fresh seafood!

Places of Interest:

Taipei
Taipei, is the capital city of Taiwan. It is the main administrative, commercial, manufacturing, and cultural center of the island nation. The first settlement on the present-day site of Taipei was established in the 1700s. Taipei is a city of many faces, where ancient and modern co-exist. Where rice paddies stretched for miles only 30 years ago, glass-faced highrise office buildings, luxury condominiums, and modern department stores tower above wide, tree-lined boulevards. Taipei is gradually moving towards the standards of Western metropolitan cities. With a rapid transit system (MRT), plenty of buses and cheap taxis, getting around in Taipei is fast and cheap. Popular areas include Hsin Yi (City Hall) area with Taipei 101 (the world's tallest building), Taipei Train Station and the Dun Hwa Shopping Area. Tourist attractions include the world-renowned National Palace Museum (partially under rennovation until 2005), Hua Xi Street (aka Snake Alley), Guang Hua electronics market and of couse, shopping.

A visit to the capital of Taiwan should include the famous hot springs at Pei Tou. Combine this with a trip to the beautiful Shann Garden, also in Pei Tou, which has restaurants, teahouses, and the Taiwan Folk Arts Museum.

Taichung
Taichung is a city with pleasant climate on the west coast of central Taiwan. The city is home to many manufacturers and in recent years has undergone a rapid growth of various cultural venues. Traffic in Taichung is better than in Kaohsiung or Taipei, though parking a car is still tricky. Taichung is relatively crime free compared to other cities of the same size, as long as you don't count overstaying a visa and working illegally as 'crimes'.

Among the activities to catch when visiting Taichung: visit the world-class science museum, and hike the nearby hills.

Culture

Traditional Taiwanese culture is very similar to that of China. Chinese opera, and its half-sibling Taiwanese opera, are an integral part of the culture: you probably won't understand a word, but the costumes, music, acting and atmosphere are beautiful nonetheless. Most Chinese music is made with string instruments or flutes, but you'll have to go out of your way to hear the delightful melodies these produce. You're far more likely to hear the strident noise of temple trumpets and gongs.

The Taiwanese take health and longevity very seriously. Many practise taichi - slow motion shadow boxing - for exercise and as an art form. If you're an early riser, you will often see groups of people gliding through the graceful motions of taichi as the sun rises. Chinese medicine, acupuncture and faith healing - qijong - provide an alternative to a growing Western medical system. Superstitious about death, the Taiwanese avoid its symbols - white and the number four - and never talk about dying or accidents. Despite this, people do die, and when they do the tip-toeing attitude goes out the window. Taiwanese funerals are reminiscent of a Saoshing-soaked night in a karaoke bar: electric organs belt out funeral tunes and everyone eats a great deal.

Taiwan can be a cultural minefield for the uninformed visitor. As in China, 'face' is vital, and destroying someone's face is surprisingly easy to do. In order to save the face of others, the Taiwanese rarely express their emotions or speak frankly: smiles and politeness all-round are the norm. Gift-giving - especially when the gift is prestigious - flattery, self-deprecation and flowery rhetoric are an everyday part of Taiwanese interaction. As well as saving face, this rigmarole creates guanxi, a relationship of two-way obligations which allows participants to ask the most outrageous favours of one another.

The Taiwanese love to eat, and they love to feed guests. Food here is much the same as in China, with dishes from Beijing-Shandong, Sichuan-Hunan, Shanghainese and Cantonese-Chaozhou cuisine. The Taiwanese have added a subtropical flavour with plenty of seafood and the liberal use of sugar. Eating out can be another excuse for a display of face-making, with everyone ordering exotic, high-priced dishes and competing with each other to pay the entire bill. Although the Taiwanese use many ingredients which seem implausible to Westerners - dog, snake, bear organs - these are usually medicinal and expensive, and you'll be unlikely to encounter them in an everyday dish. Special foods to keep an eye out for include moon cakes (made during the Moon Festival in Autumn), spring rolls (sold in April), rice dumplings (made for the Dragon Boat Festival) and red turtle cakes (for birthdays and temple worship).

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