Travelling Taiwan
12 Nov 2012
Read all about the beauty of Taiwan; the forests, peaks and tea farms. Located off the south-eastern coast of mainland China, Taiwan is the size of Tasmania but consists of 16 cities, with another two offshore.
Taiwan has been generously gifted with forests and contains 258 mountain peaks over 3000 metres high, making it geographically incomparable to any other country. Taiwan also offers unique cultural experiences, with museums, tea farms, monasteries and more.
The National Palace Museum in Taipei was built in 1925 and is now one of the top four museums in the world. With 677,687 paintings, rare books, ceramics, jades, calligraphy, documents, bronzes and curios, it would you 13 years to see all the pieces.
Further around the coastline, over mountains and rivers is Tai Chung Monastery. The design of Tai Chung Monastery commenced in 1992 and, after three years of planning and seven years of construction, the landmark building opened its doors on 1 September 2001.
Taroko Gorge
From the capital, Taipei, the Taiwan High Speed Rail whisks travellers 345km to Kaohsiung. Once in Kaohsiung, board a flight to Hualien, known for Taroko Gorge.
Translating to ‘magnificent and beautiful’, the gorge truly is just that, with its massive marble cliffs speckled with tropical vegetation, gentle streams and dramatic waterfalls, and pagodas surrounded by green forests.
There are still magic places in the world and Taroko Gorge is one of them.
Time for tea
Taiwan is famous for its tea. At Yilan and the Shiang-Yu Organic Tea farm, you can get a hands-on lesson in tea making. Pick, roll, cook and dry the leaves before sampling the farm’s own organic brews.
You have to experience the calming beauty of such a tiny island with over 22 million residents to believe it exists, and the best way to see it is overlooking a tea field with a steaming cup in hand.
Travel Guide:
Shop 'til you drop: between the malls and the night markets, you’ll never be without a chance to track down a bargain. The night markets on the Chijin Peninsula boast a great atmosphere; with music, delicious food and late night shoppers snapping up steals.
Culture vulture: the Sun Moon Lake visitor’s centre opened in February and contains an exhibition of, and information about, local pottery, winemaking, railways and timber, paper arts and crafts, and tea culture.
Take a bullet: jump aboard the bullet train from the capital Taipei to the southern city of Kaohsiung. Sit back and watch the scenery glide by for an hour and a half and you won't believe you’re hurtling along at up to 300km/h.
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