Asian Elegance: Taiwan

Most Westerners know Taiwan from frequent news bulletins and updates about its conflict with China - China claims Taiwan as its province; Taiwan proclaims itself a separate state. Although this disagreement has strained relations between the two entities for decades, peace has essentially been negotiated and maintained. Consequently, today's travellers should make every attempt to visit the islands of this enchanting land.

The main island known as Taiwan, called Formosa until the twentieth century, can fairly be termed a study of the principles of yin and yang, opposite elements if you will; modern bustling cities lie within miles of Zen-like scenery of picturesque mountains and clear lakes of blue and jade waters. This is ideal for the traveller who thrives on variety because Taiwan seems to have something for every taste.

Located some eighty miles off the coast of mainland China, Taiwan is separated from that country by the Taiwan Strait. It is bordered by the East China Sea in the Northwest and the South China Sea on the southwest. Taiwan covers an area of about 14,000 square miles (slightly larger than Belgium) but is home to a staggering population of nearly twenty-three million people. The capital of Taiwan is Taipei located in the north. The official language of the country is Mandarin Chinese.

Visitors to Taiwan will not be disappointed with the variety of things to do and see in this nation. There is also a wide range of cuisine available in Taiwan due to the many different peoples who have passed through or settled on the island. Hungry travellers who pass through nearly any of the cosmopolitan regions will have their pick of Taiwanese, Cantonese, Beijing, Shangainese and Sichuanese cooking. Many different peoples have left their mark on the island including the Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, British, Spanish and even raiding groups of pirates.

Photo of Taiwan's east coast near Hualien
East coast of Taiwan, near Hualien

Travellers will have a wide range of things to do and sites to see when visiting Taiwan. Some of the more famous, not-to-be-missed landmarks include National Palace Museum (Taipei), Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial (Taipai), Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village (western Taiwan, Shadau Beach (Kending National Park), Ami Culture Village (Hualien), Taroko Gorge (Hualien), Sun Moon Lake (Nantou County), and Chung Tai Chan Temple (near Puli). There is hiking, swimming, sailing for outdoor enthusiasts as well as a rich urban nightlife for visitors to the cities.

Taiwanese flag Capital: Taipei City
Languages: Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka
Time: GMT +8 hrs
Currency: New Taiwan dollar (NT$)

Before visiting Taiwan, try to immerse yourself in a bit of the island's colourful history to get a sense of how far it has come. Although many languages are spoken in Taiwan, it may be helpful to learn a few Mandarin Chinese phrases.