The Jewel at the Heart of Taiwan: Sun Moon Lake
Travelers heading to Sun Moon Lake from the south can enjoy a scenic journey through Jiji and Shuili, with the option to take the Jiji Branch Railway to Checheng and then a bus to Shuishe.
A Promised Land For Cyclists: Taiwan’s East Rift Valley
Taiwan is a superb destination for cycling vacations. And if one region is better than all the others, it is almost certainly the inland valley connecting the easygoing cities of Hualien and Taitung. Some call this pristine paradise the East Rift Valley, but a more accurate name is the East Longitudinal Valley, because it exists…
Taiwan’s Crowning Glory: The North Coast
Just north of Taipei between Tamsui, a historic town that’s a first-tier destination in its own right, and the superb natural harbor of Keelung, Taiwan’s stunning north coast welcomes visitors with an alluring mix of scenery, culture, watersports, and seafood. For those keen to get away from the bustle of the big city, the coast…
The Magical Matsu Islands
Each of Taiwan’s outlying islands has a character of its own, but perhaps none are more beguiling than those that comprise the Matsu archipelago. Just over 14,000 people live on these rocky islands, 114 nautical miles (211 km) northwest of Taiwan. Because there is a lack of flat land and the growing season is short,…
Stunning Nature And Rich History In Taiwan’s National Parks
Taiwan is one of the world’s most densely populated countries, yet almost a fifth of the island has been set aside for the purpose of conservation. In addition to nine national parks and one national nature park, the authorities manage a network of nature reserves, forest reserves, major wildlife habitats, and wildlife refuges. Because Taiwan…
Sail to Dapeng Bay, Roam Pingtung’s Hakka Backcountry
Pingtung is the county at Taiwan’s southern tip. It contains almost everything that makes Taiwan an excellent destination for travelers. Although Pingtung accounts for only about 3% of Taiwan’s population and 7% of its land area, it offers striking mountain scenery, delightfully bucolic villages, hot springs, the island’s most popular beach resort, and its oldest…
Raptors Over the Big Buddha: Taiwan’s Tri-Mountain Scenic Area
Overshadowed for most of its history by Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taichung’s recent growth spurt has caused it to overtake both Taiwan’s capital and the southern harbor city in terms of population. People are moving to this municipality of 2.9 million people in pursuit of business and employment opportunities and to enjoy a sophisticated urban lifestyle…
Heartland Appeal: The Lantern Festival and the Siraya Domain
This year, February 10 is not just the first day of the Year of the Dragon. It also marks the beginning of a period of intense merrymaking – a time of year when Taiwanese people can forget work and school and enjoy seasonal festivities. Many will attend local or national editions of the Lantern Festival,…
Wintertime Taiwan is a Birdwatcher’s Paradise
Long recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, Taiwan is a remarkable ecotourism destination that straddles the Tropic of Cancer. Between June and September, the country’s lowland landscapes swelter. In winter, by contrast, its rugged uplands receive dustings of snow. Between these two extremes, there are a dozen different environments, and each has distinct fauna and flora. …
Open For Business: The 2023 Taipei International Travel Fair
Taiwan has resumed warmly welcoming overseas visitors, and Taiwanese are once again enjoying overseas vacations. The country’s airports and hotels are bustling. Attractions like Ximending and Taipei 101 are reporting a steady flow of foreign tourists. Another sign that the travel and hospitality industries have finally put the pandemic behind them is the anticipation surrounding…