Where am I Going Next? Taiwan

By Michael Cullen

Taiwan’s vibrant cultural and spiritual heritage, its fantastic food, world-class hot springs, and stunning scenery are all reasons why this East Asian island needs to make it on a travellers bucket list. Or so says celebrated travel guide author Joshua Samuel Brown. Having consumed his and others writing on Taiwan as a destination, it now tops my post-Covid travel list.

A 3.5-hour flight from my home in Thailand, it’s easy to get to. Additionally,Taiwan has emerged as a success story in the global battle against COVID-19, so I feel it’s a safe destination for my next international travel.

Taiwan Snapshot

Sitting atop the Tropic of Capricorn in the West Pacific, Taiwan is north of the Philippines and about 100 miles (180 km) off China’s southeastern coast. Narrow from east to west and long north to south, it has a total land area of about 14,400 square miles (36,000 sq km).

Research suggests Taiwanese Austronesians have lived on the island for approximately 5,500 years though evidence of human habitation dates back tens of thousands of years. During their occupation in the early to mid-17th century, the Dutch called it ‘Ilha Formosa’ or the beautiful island. Han Chinese immigration followed in the late 17th century, and they held sway until Japan took control from 1895 until the second world war.

Though still claimed by communist China, 21st century Taiwan is seen as a vibrant democracy and one of four “Asian Tigers” in its modernisation and economic development.

With a long summer and a short, mild winter, the island’s northern and central regions are subtropical, the southern part is tropical, and its mountainous regions are temperate. Almost two-thirds of the island is covered with alpine woodlands, while the remainder consists of

Photos, clockwise from top: East coast sunrise @ Sanxiantai © Taiwan Tourism; Daylily Flowers @ Sixty Rocks Mountain © Taiwan Tourism Bureau; Taiwans Pacific Coast_a bicycling & surfing paradise© Taiwan Tourism Bureau

What has captured my imagination? Here are just a few reasons Taiwan is top of my post-Covid travel list.

The Mountains

Visually stunning, it’s said to be a photographer’s paradise. With over 200 of its peaks higher than 10,000 feet (3,000 meters), the Central Mountain Range is Taiwan’s spine. The rivers and gorges, as well as presenting dramatic scenery, provide an abundance of trekking opportunities. Mountaineers come to scale Taiwans highest peak—Yushan or Jade Mountain © Taiwan Tourism Bureau East Asia’s tallest peak, Yushan or Jade Mountain, approaching 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), an ideal spot to capture shots of the ‘sea of clouds’ sweeping over the mountains at dawn.

A Kaleidoscope of Colour

In the springtime, fields of colourful Taiwanese lilies sway in the breeze on Taiwan’s North Coast, and pink alpine azaleas adorn its mountain slopes. In the tiered ranges of Alishan, the white and red petals of the Cherry Blossom gently float onto tracks of the World Heritage-listed Alishan

Forest Railway.

Splendid rays of evening sunset © Taiwan Tourism Bureau In summer, brilliant Orange Daylilies bask under the warm sun on Liushidan Mountain. On the east (Pacific) coast, the crystal blue waters beckon while golden beaches offer some of East Asia’s finest surfing and windsurfing spots. Skies fill with hot air balloons for the month-long annual international ballooning festival.

Autumn sees the Daylilies of Hualien and Taitung counties bursting into bloom and creating a tapestry of brilliant yellows. Taitung’s vivid green and golden rice fields add their own natural beauty.

Sea of Clouds at Mt. Hehuan © Taiwan Tourism Bureau Taipei and 101 building at night © Taiwan Tourism Bureau

Taiwanese Cuisine

Drawing much of its culinary heritage from China, it would be a generalisation to label Taiwan’s cuisine as ‘Chinese food’. The first Han settlers cooking styles met the ingredients and culinary traditions of Taiwan’s aboriginal peoples, evolving into something different. This unique cuisine was further modified by recent immigrants from other areas of China and later by the Japanese.

Taiwanese cuisine now incorporates all that plus international influences. On the gourmet end, 226 restaurants are listed in the 2020 Taiwan Michelin Guide. Bustling night markets and roadside stands abound and are must-visits for regional street food, atmosphere, and cultural interactions.

Don’t forget the internationally recognised and highly sought oolong tea and ‘best in Asia’ arabica coffee from the highlands. Oh, and Taiwan’s famous bubble tea that has been exported worldwide. As a foodie, I want to experience it all.

Hot Springs

Taiwan’s location on the infamous Rim of Fire that surrounds the Pacific Ocean has one significant upside. No matter where you venture on the island, you are sure to encounter refreshing and therapeutic natural hot springs and purpose-built spas. All of this would be new to me and something I would cherish experiencing.

And More

I’ve not mentioned the modern bustling cities, the vibrant indigenous or colourful national festivals, the highly-rated museums, the temples or the art scene. They, too, are on my list. I think I’ll need a lot of time to take in Taiwan’s offerings, though that’s the incredible opportunity traveling again presents. 33