Originally published 14 April 2010

The small, leaf shaped island of Taiwan is an ideal choice for those who are looking for a largely undiscovered destination packed with culture and sensational scenery. Chris Moore, one of Audley's Taiwan Specialists explains why Taiwan is Asia's best-kept secret.

Chris

Taiwan Specialist

Tel: 01993 838 213

Make an enquiry »

 

Visit the temples in Kaohsiung City.

Picturing today’s China as it could have been if Mao’s Revolution had not taken place is to imagine a country steeped in tradition and dotted with temples; the people retaining their cultural values while at the same time embracing modernisation and economic prosperity.

The small, leaf shaped island of Taiwan, located off China’s southeast coast fits just this description and is an ideal choice for those who are looking for a largely undiscovered destination packed with culture and sensational scenery that is for now still off the radar of most travellers.

Taiwan’s relatively low status as a tourist destination and lack of press coverage can be largely attributed to modern-day politics between mainland China and the rest of the world, and also to the enduring popularity of nearby Southeast Asia’s beaches and resorts. However, as China and its neighbours made the headlines over the last few decades, Taiwan quietly went about its business, becoming one of the wealthiest and most developed countries in the region. Only today is the rest of the world starting finally to sit up and take notice, as relations improve with mainland China and engineering feats, such as the hugely impressive Taipei 101 building, the world’s tallest, become more widely recognised. Today Taiwan is a proud, democratic and highly successful nation that is ready and waiting to be discovered.

As a student in 2003 I was lucky enough to spend a year at university in Taipei and I formed a deep affection for the island and its disarmingly warm and friendly people. Having spent a lot of time previously in China, and knowing little about Taiwan before I arrived I had expected a land of industry and crowded cities, though these mind’s images were immediately proved wrong. A clear blue sky on my first morning invited me to get out and explore, and for a small island Taiwan has a huge variety of landscapes and a wealth of culture, which keeps me coming back again and again.

Of Taiwan’s 23 million population, nearly all can trace their roots to mainland China and the links remain undeniably strong. Mandarin is the main language spoken, though outside of Taipei you will hear their native language spoken on the street. Taiwanese work hard, but they also make time for prayer at the many temples in each city, and family life is of equal importance. For the visitor this is evident as you head out onto the city streets, passing the many religious shrines that are set up in shop doorways and on the pavements, especially at the beginning of a lunar month. The flowers and incense smoke add colour and exotic smells which further add to the sense of arrival in the Orient. Taiwan is as welcoming a country as any on earth, and is extremely safe for the newcomer. There is respect and politeness towards visitors, as well as the inevitable curiosity that westerners encounter across the region, and I always find the warmth shown to visitors is one of Taiwan’s most charming attributes.

Don't miss out on the night markets.....

To Taiwanese night-markets are a way of life and one of society’s cornerstones. They are great places to eat and the best place to find many of Taiwan’s local delicacies, such as ‘stinking’ tofu or oyster omelette. A barrage of smells engulfs you as you pass the sizzling hot plates, where the chefs are hard at work as the queues build. At weekends especially they are a seething mass of people and the atmosphere is one of a holiday mood as people amble through, browsing at the hundreds of clothes stalls and DVD sellers, as well as the quirkier shops that sell almost anything you could want. There are night-markets to be found scattered across Taipei, and they are a wonderful window into the lives of the locals. Shilin is the most well known, easily reached from Shilin MRT station, though another of my favourites can be found at Dunhunag, in the east of the city.

Tainan in Taiwan

Tainan in Taiwan

Temple in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

Temple in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

Temple at Lion's Head Mountain

Temple at Lion's Head Mountain

Long Shan Temple in Taipei

Long Shan Temple in Taipei

Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan

Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan

Taroko Gorge in Taiwan

Taroko Gorge in Taiwan

Taroko Gorge in Taiwan

Taroko Gorge in Taiwan

 

 

Image 1 of 7Play

Tailor-made holidays to Taiwan

Taiwan is today easily combined with a visit to mainland China, and direct flights connect Taipei with many Chinese cities. Fly from the UK via Hong Kong or Bangkok with Cathay Pacific or Eva Airways.

Take a look at an itinerary suggestion for Taiwan »

Send us your comments on this article...