Destination : TAIWAN

The island of Taiwan, which 16th century Portuguese mariners christened Formosa (beautiful), is situated between Korea and Japan to the north and Hong Kong and the Philippines to the south, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island is generally divided into northern, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan, and each region has its own distinct attractions. Taiwan province also includes the Penghu Archipelago--a group of 64 islands previously known as the Pescadores--and 21 other islands.  In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan, however it reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1947 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the native population within its governing structure. Throughout this period, the island has prospered to become one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issue continues to be the relationship between Taiwan and China and the question of eventual reunification

The Central Mountain Range bisects Taiwan from north to south, and about two-thirds of the island is covered with forested peaks rising above verdant foothills, terraced flatlands, and coastal plains and basins.
Just north of the vibrant capital city, Taipei, lies Yangmingshan National Park, a mountainous playground with waterfalls, lakes, hot springs, hiking trails, picnic areas, and colorful spring flowers. The northern coastline of Taiwan has many attractions, such as quaint little towns, several excellent beaches, the bizarre rocks of Yehliu, the harbor city of Keelung, and the scenic splendor of the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area. In the summer, the scenic area is the best place in northern Taiwan for water activities, and in the winter it is the best place for fishing.

Central Taiwan is home to some of the island's finest attractions, all within easy reach of the city of Taichung, a major business center. In this region you will find folk arts and handicrafts (and an annual folk arts festival), magnificent temples, elaborate religious festivals, glimpses of traditional rural life and customs, and you can witness the songs, dances, and traditional lifestyles the island's native aborigine tribes. You can also find tranquil honeymoon resorts, lovely lakes and serene forests, secluded valleys and waterfalls, pleasant hiking trails and hot springs, a "sea of clouds" seen from a mountain resort, and you can even go snow skiing. But the central region of Taiwan  is most known for the spectacular natural beauty of the Central Cross-lsland Highway, the serenity of Hsitou's bamboo forests, and the towering majesty of Yushan National Park. Near Alishan, famous for its sunrise view of the "sea of clouds," is Yushan ( Mt. Jade), the island's highest peak and largest national park.

A great place to start your tour of southern Taiwan is the city of Taiwan, home to hundreds of ancient temples and historical sites. A short drive south is the vibrant city of Kaohsiung, the island's industrial center.At the southern tip of Taiwan is Kenting National Park, famous for its tropical beaches and secluded coves, exotic plants and wildlife, and unusual scenery. The island's only international resort is here.

The Penghu Archipelago, off the southwestern coast of Taiwan, is the ROC's third national scenic area. Penghu offers a wide variety of sightseeing opportunities unit with an cient temples, picturesque farms and windswept fishing villages, friendly people, fine beaches, coral reefs, and rugged coastlines. This is a great place for all kinds of water sports. Don't forget to try the fresh seafood!

Eastern Taiwan has some of the island's most beautiful and accessible attractions: a breathtaking coastal road carved front sheer cliffs above the ocean, unspoiled emerald islands, aborigine tribes, water sports, hot springs, and two cross-island highways with magnificent scenery.Hualien city boasts an amazing range of marble products, song and dance performances by aborigines, and is a starting point for excursions to nearby scenic areas.Taroko Gorge is a beautiful, narrow ravine of towering cliffs of marble and granite above a rushing river, waterfalls, and pavilions, pagodas, and temples clinging to mistshrouded mountainsides. Taroko Gorge is an easy half- or full-day trip from Hualien. By air, it is also a full-day trip from Taipei.

 

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