Best Places to Visit While Touring Taiwan
A gem in the China Seas, Taiwan embodies a unique entangling of ancient and modern, East and West. From the bustling commercial center of the capital city, Taipei, to the cascading volcanic mountains of Yushan National Park, Taiwan offers the world traveler an unmatched experience. It is no coincidence that Portuguese explorers named this island ‘Ilha Formosa’, or the beautiful island.
Of course if you are going to visit Taiwan you have to visit its capital, Taipei. Taipei is a vibrant Asian city with several fantastic views and attractions. Among the wonders of Taipei are its ancient temples, vast memorials, and the world’s largest Chinese artifacts collection is held in a museum in Taipei. If you are looking for something a little more modern try one of Taipei’s first-class hotels, several wonderful shopping locations, or the admired Taipei 101 Tower.
Another wonder of Taiwan is Sun Moon Lake. It is the largest lake in Taiwan and is surrounded by lovely green hills located in the Central Mountains. Take a boat across the lake, or enjoy a peaceful walk around the beautiful water. This gorgeous natural attraction is the most popular in all of Taiwan among tourists and is visited by hundreds of thousands each year round.
If you are outdoorsy type than adventure than your in the right place that gives you the opportunity to be active while still enjoying the scenery. Make sure you visit Green Island. This absolutely stunning island gives tourists the option to snorkel or scuba dive in some of the most amazing well preserved reefs. Another activity available on the small lush island is to take a relaxing soak in the only salt water hot spring in Taiwan. Taiwan is full of hot springs however this is the only one that is salt water. You could however simply just hike around the island.
Looking for a location a little more inland; try visiting Taroko National Park. It has beautiful canyons with marble walls, fast flowing rivers, and secluded mountains. Spend a wonderful day at the park hiking, swimming, and taking in the breath taking views. While in the area be sure to visit Mt. Hehuan. The rolling hills look picturesque while they are surrounded by clouds. The hiking trails in this area are some of the easiest to access in all of Taiwan.
If you are looking for a laid back beach that has loads of charm and beauty, visit Hualien. It’s the largest city on Taiwan’s east coast. It is also the home to several ethnic minorities. This is one of the favorite surfing locations and is also very close to the National Park of Taroko.
Maolin is another location that gives tourists a taste of the beauty of Taiwan. It offers rushing rivers, cascading waterfalls, isolated mountains, hot springs, a butterfly sanctuary, and an extremely long bridge. You may even see the friendly aboriginal tribe that lives in the unspoiled area.
Exploration of the thriving urban centers is only one of many ways to get in touch with Taiwan. The rugged topography of Taiwan is adorned with magnificent peaks, lush valleys and dramatic waterfalls. Yushan National Park is home to the island’s tallest peak, Jade Mountain, which towers at 2,610 meters. Hike to the summit and take the more technical route down or simply enjoy the breathtaking view from the Tatachia Visitor Center, accessible directly from the new Central Cross-Island Highway. From Jade Mountain, descend deep into Taroko Gorge on Taiwan’s rocky and secluded east coast. This 12-mile-long canyon is home to the natural open-air Wenshan hot springs and the Atayal people, one of Taiwan’s remaining aboriginal tribes. The rocky cliffs at the canyon’s end are a starting point for those who wish to travel farther into Taiwan’s history. The surrounding Pacific Ocean is sprinkled with beautiful green islands that have unique native histories and are mostly accessible by plane or ferry. Most of the pristine and dramatic destinations are protected by Taiwan’s National Park Department, which offers an array of lodging and guiding services and has proven to be a well-organized resource for the outdoor sightseer.
If you want to witness some of the oldest and most traditional parts of Taiwan then be sure to visit Lugang and Tainan. Lugang is a very old town built with character and is home to glorious temples, an old market street that plays host to some wonderful traditional handmade crafts not to mention food. Tainan is the temple capital in Taiwan. There you have the chance to witness the ancient traditions of the Chinese. Traditional religious ceremonies are still held in Tainan. It is one of the best places in Taiwan for photography as well.
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