Enjoy a slice of undiscovered traveling utopia in Taiwan. Visit bustling forward-thinking cities, towns decorated with age-old temples and tribal villages. Discover a breathtaking countryside made up of pristine national parks, remote islets, soaring mountain ranges, thermal springs and white-sand beaches. Sample Taiwan’s mouthwatering cuisine, which blends local influences with those left over from the times of Chinese and Japanese rule.
Begin your tour in Taipei, where the juxtaposition of old and new is evident at the turn of a corner. Visit the revered Longshan Temple and the 1,670-feet (509-meter) tall Taipei 101 tower. Browse Asian art at the National Palace Museum. Spot pickled python at Snake Alley and try Taiwanese street snacks, such as oyster omelets, at Shilin Night Market.
North of Taipei, go hiking in Yangmingshan National Park and ride a scenic cable car to Beitou. Cleanse the body in the hot springs of Tai’an and feast on seafood dishes at Keelung Night Market. To the south, the villages surrounding Hsinchu showcase Hakka culture.
Find teahouses, markets and a vibrant nightlife scene in Taichung. Visit the venerable Buddha statue in Changhua, impressive temples in the town of Lukang and the Chung Tai Chan Monastery, just outside Puli. Hike in Yushan National Park and journey through the Tsou villages in the Alishan National Scenic Area.
Head to the south of the country to find a mix of modern life and historic landmarks in both Kaohsiung and Tainan. Relax on exotic beaches, go surfing and snorkel at Kenting National Park. Experience Paiwan and Rukai customs in the Maolin District. Join rafting trips and bathe in hot springs in East Rift Valley. Gaze up at pretty waterfalls, marble walls and towering cliffs in Taroko National Park.
Board a boat bound for Taiwan’s gorgeous islands. Witness the way of life of the Yami people on Orchid Island and Fujian traditions on Matsu Islands. Dive in the crystalline waters of Green Island. Jump between the beaches and temples of the Penghu Islands.
Fly to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport from major European and U.S. destinations. Time your visit to enjoy the revelry of the Chinese New Year and Ghost Festival, among other colorful celebrations.