Taipei
The capital is congested place, with three million people in the city itself and another three million in the surrounding countryside. That said, it has plenty of attractions to detain you for a couple of days, including atmospheric temples, museums, historic monuments and teeming night markets. If you do nothing else here, visit the National Palace Museum, featuring the world’s finest array of Chinese artifacts, moved here in 1948 by the Kuomintang; it’s such a huge collection that only a tiny fraction is displayed at any one time. Chian Kuo is one of the largest jade markets in the world, with more than nine hundred sellers.

Taroko Gorge
On the east coast, the island’s main tourist attraction features a thundering river, towering cliffs and plenty of excellent opportunities for camping and trekking. The most picturesque route to the gorge is via the 200-kilometre-long Cross-Island Highway from Tungshih, with fabulous scenery – tropical valleys, mountain panoramas and lakes – all along the way

KentingNational Park
In the sunny, fertile lowlands of the far south of the island, this park, near the town of Kenting, has white beaches, forests, an attractive coastlines, waterfalls, hot springs and plenty more to explore. On the beaches, there are plenty of water-sports to try by day and pubs and discos and karaoke bars to choose from at night.

Alishan
At 2190m, the best of the island’s mountain resorts merely offer an escape from the lowland heat; it’s gorgeous spot, surrounded by cedar and pine forests, with the blossoming of the cherry trees a special feature in the spring. Among the numerous treks here, the obligatory excursion is the one to the peak of 2489-metre Chu Shan (Celebration Mountain), where several thousand people jostle every morning for views of the sunrise. Some Westerners are disappointed by the frequently misty weather, but local people are just as happy whatever the conditions, believing that mountain mists contain a high density of qi, the “life force”. The narrow-gauge stream train from Chiayi to Alishan is an especially picturesque route there, taking three and a half hours to climb up through the rolling hills, negotiating 50 tunnels and 77 bridges en route.

Tainan
Temples are the main reason to visit this city, said to contain around two hundred of them. The most famous is the Temple of the Jade Emperor, the oldest Daoist temple in the city, where a constant stream of visitors comes to pray in a highly atmospheric setting; every wall, ceiling and door is adorned with detailed carvings and frescoes, and spirit mediums here are often involved in rituals in which they attempt to contact the dead on behalf of the living

Taking the east coast highway from Suao to Taitung
In places, the road is carved out of cliffs which drop a sheer 1000m into the crashing surf below. The most dramatic past is between Suao and Hualien, which includes a section called Chingshui Cliff where the drops beside the road are especially vertiginous. About halfway between Hualien and Tiatung, the Hsiukuluan River is Taiwan’s most popular white-water rafting area.

Lukang
A major harbour from the twentieth centuries, this small west coast town retains its tiny alleyways and historic atmosphere. In the centre of town, the Lungshan temple, dating from the eighteenth century, has fantastically carved ceilings; it was dedicated to Kuanyin, the goddess of mercy, by Chinese settlers in thanks for their safe crossing from the mainland. The craftsman here still produce furniture, fans, lanterns and incense using traditional techniques, and the Lukang Folk Art Museum is a good place to view fine, historic examples of their art.

Fokuang Shan
This modern temple/monastery complex in the rolling hills northeast of the city of Kaohsiung is the centre of Taiwanese Buddhist scholarship. There are four main temples, all magnificent and spacious, with the largest dedicated to Buddha; its walls are lined with 14,800 niches, each containing a tiny golden Buddha statue. At the other end of the scale, a 32-metre Buddha – the largest on the island – lies in the grounds, surrounded by life-sized statues of 480 Buddhist disciples.

Taiwan is also known as Treasure Island for its beautiful scenery and landscapes. The island is a popular destination for tourists who want to enjoy its grand mountains, theme parks, beaches, and cultural offerings. Enjoy its friendly people, fine weather, excellent tourist facilities, and convenient transportation.

1.) Mt. Yushan

Don’t miss seeing the Jade Mountain, Mt. Yushan, which is Northeastern Asia’s highest peak. Exercise your limbs by climbing this 3,952-meter-high mountain. You’ll be treated to crisp mountain air and a breathtaking view at the top.

2.) Yang Min Shan National Park

This a favorite place due to its hot springs, wonderful flora and wildlife and spas. Its mineral springs are popular with people from Taipei. Just 45 minutes by bus or 70 minutes by train, visitors can go hiking or have a picnic here.

3.) Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

This palatial structure is also known as the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall. Built to commemorate Chiang Kai Shek, the building represents the flag of Taiwan with its blue roofs, red flowerbeds, and white walls. Lush gardens flank the hall, and it is located close to the National Theatre and National Concert Hall.

4.) Penghu

Penghu is an archipelago of 64 islands between Taiwan and the mainland. It has sandy beaches, fishing villages, and delicious seafood. Its only city of Makung is a beautiful place with an outdoor market, fishing harbor, and temples.

5.) Tienhsiang

Located in Tienhsiang is the Taroko Gorge, probably Taiwan’s most beautiful tourist attraction. It is 19 km long with cliffs dropping away to a rushing river of water. The Eternal Spring Shrine straddles a waterfall and is a memorial to the 450 workers who died constructing the Taroko Highway.

6.) Lung Shan Temple

Also known as the Dragon Mountain Temple, this temple is very impressive for its architecture and religious practices where worshippers give offerings to the various gods here, the main one being the Goddess of Mercy. Offerings such as fruit, flowers, and money are made here to the deities, and this is done by burning paper money or putting it in the offertory box. The temple is situated in the Wanhua district, just near the Huashi Night Market.

7.) Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall

Don’t miss this great hall where a 30-foot statue of Dr. Sun Yat Sen, who played a pivotal role in Taiwanese history, adorns the entrance. Tourists can watch the changing of the guard. They can also watch world-class shows in the theatre on the upper floors.

8.) The National Palace Museum

Comparable to the best museums in the world like the Louvre, the National Palace Museum contains one of the most extensive collections of Chinese artifacts and objects d’art. It is twin to the Palace Museum in Beijing, which was split in twain by the civil war, which also resulted in the formation of Taiwan. It contains masterpieces which provide glimpses of Chinese craftsmanship.

9.) Taipei 101

Taipei 101 is the tallest building in the world standing at 509 meters. Opened in November 2003, it is shaped like a Chinese pagoda with 8 floors in each pagoda roof and was designed according to traditional feng shui principles. It is situated near the Taipei Exhibition Convention Center, the Grand Hyatt Hotel, and the Japanese department stores of Sogo and Mitsukoshi.

10.) Guang Hua Night Market

This is a street food market made up of food stalls catering to local residents. This exciting array of snack shops offer tasty and cheap treats such as soup made from beef bone stock and different kinds of dumplings, pancakes with tangy sauce, and roti bread. In the market you will find locals who come here to grab a bite or buy food to take home.