Destination overview

From winding coastlines to high mountain forests and offshore islands, Taiwan has been generously endowed by nature. The island’s many natural attractions can be experienced at national scenic areas, forest recreation areas and National Parks – of which there are no less than 13 to enjoy and explore. Taiwan is famous for its towering mountains with dozens of peaks rising upwards of 3,000 metres, while one mountain, the very scenic Yushan (Jade Mountain) reaches nearly 4,000 metres, making it Northeast Asia’s highest peak.

The beauty of Taiwan is especially evident in the mountain areas of the island with their unique landscapes and scenic charms. You will also find stunning views on Taiwan’s magnificent coasts. The Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area and North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area stretch between green mountains and deep blue sea with gorgeous ocean vistas. The Arboreal passageways at the East Coast and East Rift Valley National Scenic Area will be worth the visit, as will the sun-soaked Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area with its tropical charms.

The mountainous Maolin National Scenic Area will welcome you into a world of aboriginal culture, a rich butterfly ecology and the stone houses of the Rukai people, among other natural wonders. The Alishan National Scenic Area is home to the Tsou aboriginal tribe and provides stunning views, particularly at sunrise.

Some magical discoveries can be found on the outlying islands of Taiwan, from the distinctive terrain of the Penghu Islands to the sea-eroded rock formations and eastern Fujian culture and stone houses on Matsu in the Taiwan Strait, to the natural beauty of the remote Orchid Island and Green Island in the south-east Pacific.

Taiwan's total land area is approximately 36,000 square kilometres and is shaped like a leaf that is narrow at both ends. It lies off the south-eastern coast of mainland Asia, across the Taiwan Strait from China, on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean. To the north is Japan and to the south, the Philippines. With such close proximity to other popular destinations, Taiwan is a great place to include on your holiday itinerary.

Taiwan lies on the western edge of the Pacific ‘rim of fire’ and continuous tectonic movements have created majestic peaks, rolling hills and plains, basins, coastlines and other natural landscapes. Taiwan's tropical, sub-tropical and temperate climates provide clear differentiation between the different seasons. There are approximately 18,400 species of wildlife on the island, with more than 20 per cent being rare or endangered. Among these are the land-locked salmon, Taiwan serow, Formosan rock monkey, Formosan black bear, blue magpie, Mikado pheasant and Xueshan grass lizard.

The Taiwan government has established eight national parks and 13 national scenic areas to preserve Taiwan's best natural ecological environment and cultural sites and there are a number of ways to discover the beauty of the country. On the must-do list is to go trekking in the magnificent cliffs at Taroko Gorge, take a ride on the Alishan Forest Railway and hike up to the Yushan summit. You can also soak up the sun in Kenging, Asia's version of Hawaii, stand at the edge of Sun Moon Lake and marvel at the beauty and wander through the East Rift Valley.

Sultry and sub-tropical on the scant western plains, visitors will welcome the coolness on the high, vegetation-covered mountains that fill most of Taiwan. The plain is covered with modern metropolises heaving with people. But, even though Taiwan is highly industrialised there are still so many pockets of peace and beautiful ancient monuments to be found. The most visited area is the north-east. Taipei has one of the world’s tallest buildings at 101 storeys, complete with elegant shops and an incredible Asian food court.

The philosophy toward food in Taiwan is to eat often and well. And here you can do some fantastic gourmet snacking at any time of the day. In fact, Taipei has around 20 streets dedicated to ‘snacking’. Every time you think you've found the best street-side bao, the most incredible tofu stand or the best beef noodle soup you’ve ever had, there's always another Taiwanese food shop that surpasses it. Taiwanese food is a mix of the cuisines of Min Nan, Teochew and Hokkien Chinese communities, as well as Japanese cuisine, with the
results of these culinary delights being diversely delicious. Food in Taiwan is a serious business – it has a great reputation, but more to the point, it is seriously good.

If you want to get among the locals to eat, try one of the night markets - you’ll find one in every city. The Dihua Market is a great place for cloth. When you’re not eating or shopping, visit the Lin Family Mansion, Longshan Temple, Mao Kon or Qingxin Tea Gardens and the National Palace Museum, with its extensive collection of oriental art treasures.

The most popular beach is Fulung, and Yenliao with its wooden pavillions and walkways comes a close second. The Tsaoling Historic Trail is said to be enchanting and the Yangmingshan National Park is filled with excellent walks leading to delightful waterfalls, volcanic craters, lakes and hot springs. Marble-walled Taroko Gorge, in the mountainous east, is much more rugged. The view from the bottom is awe-inspiring. The cliffs are so high they block out the sky and there are incredible rock formations and luxuriant greenery everywhere. But it’s the view of the azure Pacific when you walk out of the gorge that inspired the name Taroko, which means magnificent and beautiful.

Whether you come to Taiwan for a holiday or on business, you’ll find plenty to keep you amused. The natural beauty of place is hard to go past, but along with the fabulous food, interesting culture and great shopping, you may just find yourself planning another trip.