Sights and Sounds of Taiwan
Experience Chinese Culture and a Relaxing Getaway in the Far East
Sep 17, 2008
Taiwan is an island in the Far East with Japan and China as its neighbors. Taiwan also refers to one of the territories governed by the Republic of China although most of the administration is done at national and local levels. Often referred to as Formosa, (a word derived from Portuguese meaning beautiful island) the island presents itself as an enchanting experience for tourists with its Chinese culture and breathtaking sceneries.
Harbors and Beaches in Southern Taiwan
Down south of the island is the second most prominent city of Taiwan known as Kaohsiung. The city can be termed as a fairy tale city with almost zero crime rate and very friendly people. The Kaohsiung harbor is a must see destination with numerous eat out joints along side to make merry with music and wine as one can view huge container ships sail across. The parks in the city center are an excellent place to experience traditional Chinese ways of life with people practicing the Tai Chi which is a mix of slow martial arts, yoga and meditation to relieve stress. Adjacent to Kaohsiung is a thin strip of land separated from Taiwan called Cijin Island. Boats are available every ten minutes to cross over to this piece of land. One can hire bikes to traverse through its stretches to get a view of Kaohsiung city’s skyline and savor some delicious sea food as well. Kenting is another popular destination offering spectacular views of vast stretches of the ocean.
City Life in Northern Taiwan
The bustling cosmopolitan city of Taipei located in the north of the island is the capital of Taiwan. The city’s most notable structure is the Taipei 101, which was till very recently the tallest building in the world. The view from the top is magnificent as one looks down to a well planned city of Taipei. The north coast of the island is also home to a 475m high Goddess of Mercy Mountain at Keelung. A statue of the sacred Buddhist deity, Kuanyin, posing at 72ft in height is sure to captivate viewers. The climb up the top of the mountain is also rewarding as halfway up the mountain lies two Buddhist temples and from the top one can get a clear view of the beautiful northern coastline and the picturesque Keelung harbor.
Scenic Eastern and Central Taiwan
The Hualien county in the east of Taiwan presents tourists with views of mountainous valleys along the Siouguluan River. A fast way to reach Hualien in approximately three hours from Taipei is by the express train. The Kung Long Entertainment Centre and Theme Park in Hualien provides simulations of earthquakes and typhoons. The main attraction nearby is however, the Taroko National Park with its gorges which are a true example of pristine natural beauty.
The Alishan National Scenic Area is located in central Taiwan. This is a resort and is very popular with mountain climbers. Apart from several waterfalls and tea plantations, tourists enjoy the breathtaking view from top of the mountains.
The Sun moon lake known as the pearl of central Taiwan is the largest natural lake in the country and gets such a name as part of the lake is shaped like the sun and another is shaped like the moon.
There are numerous accommodations to choose in Taiwan depending on the length of stay and budget. Hotels, apartments, guesthouses and resorts are available and are easy to book. Traveling across the island is also easy with plenty of transportation services. Tourism is booming in Taiwan and it is one of Asia’s must see destinations. Taiwan is an excellent travel destination for those seeking a getaway in the Far East.
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