For a first time traveler to Asia, Taiwan is a pretty good place to start because this Island has a little bit of everything that Asia has to offer. Good food, historic sites, beautiful scenery, spectacular hiking trails and so much more.
Located in the Pacific Ocean off the south-eastern coast of China and north of the Philippines, Taiwan has an International Airport which is approximately 40 km from the capital city of Taipei. There are more than 50 airlines operating at Taoyuan Airport, with destinations worldwide.
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Taiwan is lush and green, no matter where on the island you are, a tropical forest is just around the corner. Taiwan currently has nine national parks which makes it a very attractive place for hikers.
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Hiking in Taiwan is very popular and you will find both hardcore hikers and leisure climbers. If you don’t mind camping, then you might want to experience an overnight stay on top of one of mountains before coming down the following morning.
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Taipei, the capital city, is surrounded by mountains and the Yangmingshan National Park is just 12 kilometres from there. Getting around Taipei is facilitated by its very modern subway system which clean and cheap. If you prefer to bike, they also have a bike share program with docks located all around the city.
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The landscape in the southern tip of Taiwan - Kenting - is famous for its sandy beaches. The majority of the population lives on the west coast which leaves the east coast pristine and wild.
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If you are a foodie, Taiwan will not disappoint you. Taiwanese food isn’t just incredibly tasty but also very affordable. There are countless night markets across the island and each one is different. In Taipei, Shilin night market is the largest. Did you know bubble tea was invented here?
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Talking about night markets, every major city has at least one night market and all of them are worth a visit to try local specialty snacks and shop for souvenirs.
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One of the most popular spots for relaxing amidst nature is Sun Moon Lake, the largest body of water in Taiwan and a popular tourist attraction. Another favorite pastime for the local population is hanging out at the local hot springs.
- Lastly let’s not forget about the people of Taiwan. The locals are extremely friendly, helpful and hospitable.
