Taiwan

Taiwan

Formosa ("Beautiful Island")

"Formosa is what the Portuguese called Taiwan when they came here in the 16th century and saw the verdant beauty of the island.

Located off the southeast coast of the Asian Continent at the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, between Japan and the Philippines and right in the center of the East-Asian island arc, Taiwan forms a vital line of communication in the Asia-Pacific region. It covers an area of approximately 36,000 square kilometers (14,400 square miles) and is longer than it is wide. Two-thirds of the total area is covered by forested mountains and the remaining area consists of hilly country, platforms and highlands, coastal plains and highlands, coastal plains and basins. The Central Mountain Range stretches along the entire country from north to south, thus forming a natural line of demarcation for rivers on the eastern and western sides of the island. On the west side, lies the Yushan (Yu Mountain) Range with its main peak reaching 3,952 meters, the highest mountain peak in Northeast Asia.

The Mountains

Alishan

Taiwan has been abundantly endowed with mountains; 258 of its peaks are more than 3,000 meters high, making Taiwan geographically unique. As mountains can be found anywhere, mountain climbing is a popular leisure activity in Taiwan. One can choose to hike the mountains on the outskirts of the city or accept the challenge of climbing one of the numerous high mountains, following 

the course of streams and valleys, tracing back to the source of rivers, or crossing entire mountains. In any case, lush scenery will unfold your eyes and it will not take too long for you to be convinced of the beauty of Taiwan's 
mountains.

Alishan Forest Railway

        Hehuan Mountain

National Park

Taroko National Park

In addition, there are eight national parks which offer a variety of distinct topographic landscapes: the Taroko National Park, focused on a narrow ravine created by a river which has cut through the mountains; Yushan National Park, containing the highest landmark of Taiwan and also the highest peak in Northeast Asia; Shei-pa National Park, featuring dangerously steep slopes; Yangmingshan National Park, with its volcanic craters and lakes; Kenting National Park, encompassing the only tropical area in Taiwan which breathes a truly Southeast Asian atmosphere; Kinmen National Park, which greets visitors with white coral and shell beaches and other geological wonders. Finally, both culture and natural attrations await your discovery at Taijiang National Park.

Kenting National Park

Sea World

Penghu Islands

Taiwan has a very rich marine ecology. You can see a groups of bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, Risso's dolphins, and pan tropical spotted dolphins jumping out of the Pacific Ocean along the east. Azure seas and magnificent coral reefs can be found in Kending (Kenting) at the southern tip of Taiwan, and on Green Island and the Penghu Archipelago. This is a place for you to discover and be amazed.

Scuba Diving in Green Island, Taiwan

Eco-park

Green World Ecological Farm in Hsinchu

Taiwan has a warm and humid climate and a variety of terrain, including sandbars, plains, basins, hills, plateaus, and mountains. As a result, the country is home to abundant animal and plant life, including various endemic species, and can therefore be regarded as one gigantic eco-park. Because of the formation of mud flats and mangroves along the coast, large numbers of migratory birds from around the world are attracted to Taiwan, where they use these coastal areas as a temporary shelter and rest area before they resume their journey. In spring and summer time, there are the birds that leave the tropics behind to spend this season in Taiwan, such as the eye-catching fairy pitta, known in Chinese as the eight-color bird. During autumn time, birds from colder northern areas come to Taiwan to spend the winter, such as the black-faced spoonbill. The gray-faced buzzard will be right on time to participate in the Double Ten celebrations (Taiwan's national day) in October each year, and there are also countless other migratory birds that use Taiwan either as a stopover or as their final destination, one way or the other adding exuberant vitality to the island's wildlife.

The Toco Toucan @ Green World Ecological Farm in Hsinchu

Recreation Farms

Afternoon at Fushoushan Farm

Stretching 340 kilometres from Su-ao south to the Hengchun Peninsula, the Central Mountains boast many of Taiwan tallest peaks. Nature has also uniquely endowed this area in terms of terrain, landscape, and plant and animal ecology. These natural assets and the vibrant local aboriginal culture make this area one of taiwan’s top ecotour destinations. Eight recreation areas and farms are located along the Central Mountains. In the north are the Qilan and Mingchih forest recreation areas; in the central region are the Wuling, Fushoushan, and Qingjing farms; int he south one can find the Kaohsiung Recreation Farm in Meinong, Kaohsiung City and the recreation farm and the Chiayi Farm Ecological Resort; and in the east in Donghe Recreation Farm. These eight major recreation farms invite visitos with scenic beauty and rich ecological attractions, bringing one up close and personal with  the mystery and power of nature.

Qingjing Sheep Farm

Sheep in the Farm

Other destinations...

→Taipei 101

Taipei 101, with a mass of shops on the lower floors, incorporating many top brands under the LVMH group, such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Celine, etc. The fourth floor houses the Page One bookstore from Singapore, with the highest-roofed coffee house in Taipei and many fine restaurants.

→Danshui Fisherman's Wharf

The Sunset view here at the Fisherman’s Wharf is considered as one of the eight famous worth seeing sceneries of Danshui. Lovers and families are fond to relax and enjoy leisure time here. The Lover’s Bridge is another must-see spot of the wharf; visitors will be able to see the changes of light projecting on the bridge.

Due to the beautiful sceneries of the place, literature, and art performances plus concerts are held frequently. Visitors are able to watch and enjoy the performances free to charge. If you have time, you might wish to buy a cup of coffee and take a seat at the benches and feel the romantic wind breeze.
From the Fisherman’s Wharf, visitors are able to travel to Danshui Old Street or Bali by taking a cruise or ferry ride here.

→Sun Moon Lake

The Sun Moon Lake, located in the middle of Taiwan, with an elevation of 748 meters above sea level, is the only natural big lake in Taiwan. The southern part of Lalu Island is shaped like a new moon, and the northern part is shaped like a sun; hence the name Sun Moon Lake.

The most famous sights around Sun Moon Lake are the Itashao, Lalu Island, the Xuanzang Temple, the Ci-en Pagoda, and the Wenwu Temple and so on. The natural forests bordering these roads are good places for bird watching. There are a lot of birds that live on the mid-elevation, such as the Grey-cheeked Fulvetta, Grap-throated Minivet, Formosan Yuhina, Gray Tree Pie, Bamboo Partridge, Chinese Bulbul, Muller's Barbet, and the Black Bulbul.

   Discovery at Taiwan...