Taroko National Park
Taroko National Park is Taiwan’s most popular tourist destination. A thrilling ascent along the steep winding Central Cross-Island Highway will take you to its heart, Taroko Gorge, an impressive natural wonder that is surrounded by treacherous cliffs and lush green forests. Taroko is best explored on foot and is a dream for hikers and wildlife-spotters. Trails such as Shakadang, Lushui and Zhuiliu Old Trail take you to the bottom of the Gorge, Swallow Grotto, Tunnel of Nine Turns, a high suspension bridge crossing the river, or to the Eternal Spring Shrine with its views of the mountains and waterfall.
National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum in Taipei shares its roots with the Palace Museum of the Forbidden City in Beijing. It has a permanent collection of over 700,000 pieces of ancient and modern Chinese artefacts and artworks – the largest of its kind in the world. The vast number of artefacts means that it's impossible to view all the pieces on a short visit, but there are several treasured and notable collections that must be seen. These are jade carvings including the superbly named 'Jadeite Cabbage' and 'Meat-shaped Stone, the rare Ru ware ceramics, calligraphy and paintings such as Zhang Zeduan’s 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival'.
Sun Moon Lake
Sun Moon Lake, nestled in the island’s central mountains, is an area of stunning natural scenery, and its high elevation offers a respite from the humidity of the summer in the cities. The area is inhabited by the Thao aboriginal people, who consider Lalu Island, located in the middle of the lake, as their sacred ground. Hiking and cycling trails provide active travellers with opportunities to explore the surrounding countryside, while the cable car will take you high above the lake for spectacular views. Tea plantations and teahouses are plentiful – visit them to try the aromatic Oolong tea.
suggested read: Our 15 most inspiring spiritual experiences in Asia
Alishan National Scenic Area
Alishan in Chiayi County, home to the Tsou aboriginal people, is another of Taiwan’s majestic range of forested mountains, with a diverse array of flora and fauna. Famed for its spectacular sunrise and sunsets, Alishan is extremely beautiful during the cherry blossom season and autumn when the leaves turn red and gold. You can discover interesting aboriginal villages, high mountain tea plantations and waterfalls on hiking excursions. The area is home to Giant Formosan red cypresses, hence the construction the Alishan Forest Railway in 1912 for logging. Today the narrow-gauge train is now a tourist attraction, ferrying passenger from Chiayi to Fenqihu. Read more about the experience here...
Taipei 101
The iconic Taipei 101, formerly the Taipei World Financial Centre, in Xinyi District, is Taipei’s most famous landmark, comprising offices, a shopping mall and eateries. Construction began in 1999 and was completed in 2004, when it became the tallest building in the world – a title it conceded on the completion of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2009. Its architecture marries modern engineering with Asian tradition, and the structure was designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes. At its heart is the Tuned Mass Damper, an enormous pendulum that prevents Taiwan’s tallest building from swaying. Visitors can ascend to the Observation Deck for sweeping views of the city and the surrounding countryside.
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