Bathed by the Pacific Ocean and located between China, Japan and the Philippines, Taiwan is a fascinating island with its culture, its landscapes and its gastronomy. A destination that is still too little known to travellers, this island full of contrasts is well worth the trip. We have listed for you 5 good reasons to go to Taiwan.
Taiwan lies in the western Pacific, 100 miles from China's southeast coast.
Despite its modest size, this small territory concentrates all the charm of the Far East.
The Chinese culture is mixed with various other influences, Japanese and Western in particular, so that the cities offer an amazing mix of traditional architecture and avant-garde buildings.
More pleasant than mainland China in terms of traveler friendliness, infrastructure and cleanliness, this destination will introduce you to Asian religions with more than 5,000 temples in all and the lushness of subtropical nature.
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Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is of course among the island's must-see attractions.
As there is a lot to do and see there, dedicate at least four days of your stay to visit it.
Be sure to check out the Taipei 101 (pronounced: 'one o one'), which is both the capital's landmark and one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world although it was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in 2009...
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This tower, one of Taiwan's one hundred and twenty skyscrapers, is supposed to be shaped like a bamboo ... or at least that's how the architect imagined it!
Other must-sees are Longshan Temple (the most important temple on the island) and the National Palace Museum which houses the collections of the imperial palace of the Forbidden City in Beijing!
In the capital, you can also stroll through the night markets and enjoy the nightlife, then recharge your batteries in natural hot springs...
Don't hesitate to walk around by night: the city is clean, safe and the metro is very modern.
Once you arrive in Taiwan, you can only marvel at the beauty of the landscape.
The island is very green and is 70% covered in vegetation, with lush rainforests, rice paddies and tea plantations all in one...
The mountains, whose highest peaks rise to over 3900 meters, divide the island in two from north to south.
On the coast, beaches and small coral and volcanic islands add to the magic of this destination.
Thanks to this great variety of landscapes, you will have the possibility to practice Hiking (to go to Sun Moon Lake for example), scuba diving and even surfing thanks to the numerous spots all along the east and south coast of the island.
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One of Taiwan's most unusual landscapes is the lunar setting of the Yehliu Geopark, with its strange mushroom-shaped rocks:
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Taiwan is home to another natural wonder: Taroko Gorge located in the national park of the same name.
In the heart of the forest, these spectacular gorges of several hundred meters high were carved by the river.
These 19-kilometre long gorges, dotted with caves, waterfalls and tunnels carved into the rock, are even more impressive if you visit them on a scooter.
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You may not know it, but the Taiwanese share the same love of food as the French.
The local cuisine, excellent and cheap, also has the particularity of being available at any time of the day or night.
Take advantage of your stay to discover the street food offered in street stalls and 'night markets'.
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You can stock up on fresh fruit, bubble tea (tea with milk and tapioca pearls) and excellent local dishes (noodle soups, Chinese ravioli etc).
You'll have understood: Taiwan is a must-see destination for all those who are hungry... for discovery!
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