Taiwan is famous in Asia for its street snacks and night markets. In addition, it is also an incredibly diverse island in terms of nature and geographical features. It is largely mountainous, and a mountain range runs through the whole island from north to south. The western coast of Taiwan is home to a much flatter topography and is therefore where most of the cities have been built and where most of the population lives. The east coast is also flatter but it has a much higher risk of typhoons and tropical storms, so it is far less populous than the coastal regions opposite.
The island is split into 5 main geographical areas. The first one is the northern section, which is home to the capital city Taipei, the main airport for visitors flying on to the island and is the most technologically industrious area of Taiwan.
The Central region is where most of the island’s natural parks are found. It houses a stunning collection of lakes and areas of outstanding natural beauty.
The third region is found on the Eastern side of the island. This area is cut off from other parts of the island as large mountains separate it from the other regions.
Southern Taiwan is home to the second largest city on the island, as well as being the location of the beach resorts which are popular among visitors.
The fifth and final region is that of the outlying islands. Taiwan has a few smaller islands off the coast which are a favourite with locals who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the main cities.
Visitors to Taiwan are encouraged to see beyond the industrial, urban landscape of the western coast and to delve deep into the natural beauty of the lakes and the mountains found further inland. The mountains are home to luscious tropical rainforests with amazing routes to hike and viewpoints which allow visitors to look out over some truly incredible landscapes.
Visitors flock to the island each year for every single one of the national festivals. These are the highlights of the annual calendar in Taiwan and if you are planning a trip to the island then they are certainly not to be overlooked. For Lantern Festival, bright and colorful lanterns are displayed in temples and various places all over the island. In addition to the beautiful lantern displays, you can also find performances such as lion and dragon dances, acrobatic acts, and booths that sell traditional handicrafts during the festival, creating a festive mood to the whole city.
Another key date in the Taiwanese calendar is the Dragon Boat Festival. The festival commemorates the death of Chinese poet Qu Yuan. Colourful dragon boats are built and raced at many different locations all over the island.
Taiwan is so far removed from being just an industrial centre that produces many of our commercial goods. Scratch the surface of this diverse island just a little and you will uncover a world of Far Eastern magic and wonder.
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