Friday, Jun. 20, 2008

Hospitable Taiwan Offers Subtropical Espace

Expect Friendly Locals, Open Markets with Diverse Food & Shopping

By Rita Cook

Contributing Writer

For years, Taiwan has been associated with the term "Made in Taiwan."

These days, though, it is a unique vacation experience that is a good "first" if you have never traveled to Asia.

Taiwan’s population is made up of almost entirely Han Chinese, now called Taiwanese with about a half-million indigenous people who did not migrate from mainland China.

At the head of the class in terms of friendly people, the locals will make your trip a real experience beginning in the capital city of Taipei, where most travelers to Taiwan begin their journey.

First things first, expect a subtropical climate, warm ocean currents and a fair amount of rainfall during the rainy season, which runs from March to October, so pack accordingly.

One thing you will especially notice in Taiwan is the number of temples and traditional Chinese-style houses.

The oldest and best temple to visit in the capital city is most definitely Lungshan Temple, while the Lin Family Garden is the island’s finest example of classical Chinese landscaping and architecture.

Houses and temples aside, the most famous place to visit in Taipei is the National Palace Museum housing the world’s largest and best collection of oriental art treasures. Pieces here date back 5,000 years with a total of 620,000 treasures, not all on display at once.

Travelers may also want to stop at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, which is quite an impressive monument to the late president.

For a more modern twist, Taipei 101 is one of the world’s tallest buildings and a strong testament to the country’s engineering abilities. Situated in the Xinyi District, or the financial district, it was opened in 2003 and is home to a shopping mall and office space. At the top there is an observation deck that offers an expansive view of the city.

The Shihlin night market is a must to get a real feel for the local activity and to do some shopping. Local food is served at the market, and if this one doesn’t have what you are looking for, you can also visit Raohe or the Tonghua night markets as well.

Get out of Taipei for a few days and head to Sun Moon Lake.

Located in the center of the island and surrounded by beautiful mountains, the lake is one of the country’s best natural attractions.

Also in the area is the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village and Hsitou Forest Recreation Area. These are major sights that are worth a day of exploring.

The largest city in the Sun Moon Lake area is Taichung, a major business hub for Taiwan and home to museums, parks and more temples.

A third stop in southern Taiwan is in Tainan City, where old and new temples, homes and cultures have stood the test of time.

Perhaps the most famous place is the Confucius Temple, built in 1666. Fort Zeelandia and Fort Provintia, both built during the Dutch occupation in the 1600s, still stand, as does the Eternal Fortress built in 1876.

There is also a beach to enjoy – the best spot being in Kenting. At the southernmost point of Taiwan and offering a tropical climate, Kenting National Park is the only national park in Taiwan that includes both land and sea.

You can surf here as well as look for migratory birds and enjoy other water sports during a day in the sun.

If you take a week or more, you can visit Taepei and then get out to the countryside for some sightseeing that will make your friends envious. Nevertheless, for shopping, good food, a chance to enjoy nature and a friendly country that believes in hospitality, Taiwan should be a must on your next Asian trip.