TAIWAN Off the coast of Hong Kong is the small island of Taiwan. With a complex history, majestic mountains, and tropical coasts, Taiwan is a lively getaway for any traveler. Fittingly, Taiwan is also known as “Formosa”—beautiful island.
I
n the shadow of the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City lies a forgotten jewel: Taiwan. Originally dubbed Ilha Formosa—“beautiful island”— by the Portuguese, the island now called Taiwan is a mix of
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Chinese, Japanese, colonialist, and original islander influ ences—an impressive conver gence of various foods, religions, and cultures. Due to its complex history and lingering political ambiguity, Taiwan often finds itself overlooked. But to the
observant traveler, Taiwan is more than an afterthought sit ting off the coast of Hong Kong. It is a vibrant island that hosts a modern transit system, unmiss able night markets, intriguing religious relics, and countless historical landmarks.
