Terri Ramsey Beavers 
Image Source. Licensed under Creative Commons.
Tourism in Taiwan is on the rise. Here are just some of the great activities that make this island municipality worth visiting if you’re looking for your next exciting travel destination.
Experience the city buzz of Taipei
Taipei is the capital of Taiwan and is the island’s biggest city. One of its most famous sights is Taipei 101 – standing 508 metres, this skyscraper was once the tallest building in the world until the completion of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Those that are brave enough can head up to the observation deck on the 106th floor. Another popular attraction in the city is the night markets where you can go shopping after dark and try authentic Taiwanese food. The city is also renowned for its great hotels and bars.
Go mountain climbing
70% of Taiwan consists of mountains. If you want a break from the hustle-and-bustle of Taipei, taking on one of the country’s many mountain trails could offer the natural retreat that you need. The likes of Taroko Gorge are must visit, offering breath-taking views. You may want to rent a pocket wifi in taiwan so that you can explore these more rural areas and still get internet access. There are lots of guided tours that can take you on some of the country’s greatest hikes.
Image Source. Licensed under Creative Commons.
Try the fascinating food
The inventive cuisine of Taiwan is renowned around the world. Some of the island’s signature dishes foods and drinks include bubble tea, oyster omelette, beef noodle soup and gua bao. The night markets are some of the best places to try authentic Taiwanese food on a budget. There are also a great number of sit-down restaurants for those that want to treat themselves to something more high end.
Soak up the history
Taiwan also has a rich history. It has many historic temples worth exploring such as Lungshan Temple in Wanhua and there are a number of museums for marvelling at ancient artefacts. There are a number of hostels near Jiufen Old Street which are worth staying at if you’re looking for a historic setting – the building here date back to the Qing Era and have been compared to downtown in Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away.
Image Source. Licensed under Creative Commons.
Hit the beaches
Whilst it may not have the beach holiday reputation of many other Asian islands, Taiwan has no shortage of beautiful beaches. One of the most scenic beaches is Dawan – once privately owned by the Chateau Hotel, the white sand beach has now been opened to the general public and has been kept in pristine condition despite its popularity. Fulong Beach meanwhile is a popular hotspot for surfers and is also home to an annual sandcastle building competition.