Taiwan is a solitary island on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, lying off the southeastern coast of mainland Asia, across the Taiwan Strait from China. Taiwan known, especially in the past, as Formosa, meaning "Beautiful Island" from Portuguese, is also reputable for its towering mountains and beautiful coastal scenes.
Taiwan now has established 8 national parks and 13 national scenic areas to preserve its best natural ecological environment and cultural sites. The blending of Hakka, Taiwanese, indigenous people and Chinese cultures has produced a rich plethora of cultural and social color. Most importantly, National Palace Museum, located in outskirt of Taipei City, is home to essence of the five-thousand-year Chinese history, ranked one of the five top museums in the world. It has the finest collections of Chinese Arts, providing an eye-opening experience of Chinese culture.
We have more than 200 mountains that soar above 3,000 meters in height, and our unique geology and topography have created countless arresting landscapes and alluring coastal scenes. Taiwan has world-class natural landscapes such as the awesome Taroko Gorge and once the world's tallest certified building as Taipei 101. All of these magnificent sceneries are waiting for you to discover!
From the world's tallest building to the biggest collection of Chinese art, Taipei invites you into a world of fascinating contrasts-a mix of the modern and traditional, with a generous dash of energy and friendly smiles to make this one of your most memorable trips to Asia. The cultural kaleidoscope of Taiwan's capital city pulses wherever you go. Incense-veiled temples dating back to dynastic times blend seamlessly with a neoned street life of a decidedly more modern era. Taipei has dozens of world-class restaurants where gourmets can sample the best regional Chinese cuisine; and for the gourmand, there are plenty of night markets serving up scrumptious evening snacks in an environment of chaotic excitement and fun.
The polarities of Taipei are vividly present as well in the joining of the urban and natural. Just a few minutes from the heart of the city you can soak away the cares of the world in mineral-rich hot springs nestled in the lush mountain foothills ringing the Taipei Basin. And throughout the city there are plenty of trails, parks and other oases of tranquility to lift and invigorate your spirits.
Whether you're just stopping over en route to another Asian destination, or planning a longer stay, Taipei is a many-faceted treasure that will call you back again and again.
Discover the heart of Asia in beautiful Taipei!
In Taiwan, where most locals are huge fans of tasty and special cuisines, it is said that there is a snack shop every three steps and a restaurant every five. These establishments serve all kinds of Chinese food, from the roasted ducks, smoked chickens, lamb hotpot, fish in wine sauce, beef with green peppers, and scallop and turnip balls of the north to the camphor-tea duck, salty fried chicken with spices, honey ham, stir-fried shrimp, dry-fried eggplant, and spicy bean curd of the south. Foreign foods from all over the world have also made their appearance in Taiwan, and the country is now filled with eateries serving American hamburgers, Italian pizzas, Japanese sashimi, German pig's knuckles, Swiss fondues, and just about everything else.
