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  • Asia
    • Introduction
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • India
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    • Malaysia
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  • Taiwan
    Overview
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    • Taipei and around
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    • The east coast
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  • Things not to miss
One of the island’s most relaxing retreats, with nature walks, cool breezes, calming views and a shoreline brimming with cultural interest. This island is the frontline between Taiwan and China – the latter is literally a stone’s throw away – and now an absorbing blend of former battlefields and well-preserved imperial Chinese monuments. Taiwan has over 150 hot springs, most set among mountainous landscapes and piped into hotel resorts, ranging from the ultra-hip to the cheap and cheerful. Studded with fine-sand beaches and rolling surf, this resort-fringed national park covers Taiwan’s southern tip and is a haven of snorkelling and diving. Taiwan’s most visited national park is sliced in half by narrow, deep-cut Taroko Gorge, one of Asia’s top natural wonders and an absolute must-see. Taiwan’s most attractive old town, with traditional architecture, beautiful temples, tasty snack food and shops stocked with the work of the island’s most accomplished craftsmen. Inhabited almost solely by the seafaring Tao tribe, whose traditional ways of life give this lush Pacific island an almost Polynesian flavour. Taiwan’s indigenous peoples, divided into fourteen officially recognized tribes and several other distinct groups, have their own vibrant cultures quite separate from the Chinese majority. The old capital of Taiwan remains an important stronghold of Taiwanese culture, its myriad temples the perfect places to absorb its complex religious traditions. The island’s lengthy stretch of Pacific coastline has vastly underrated surfing, with countless breaks – and plenty of typhoon swell – to challenge both beginners and serious shredders. Nothing else quite looks like this enormous Buddhist monastery, packed with artistic gems, elegant shrines and innovative architecture. Gorgeous, rugged valleys, high mountain tea plantations and Tsou villages culminating in the misty forests of Alishan itself, home of the spectacular “sea of clouds”. View the former contents of Beijing’s Forbidden City in this world-famous museum, an extraordinary collection of Chinese art and historical artefacts. One of the world’s biggest festivals involves thousands of pilgrims on an animated seven-day parade circuit between the revered Mazu temples in Dajia and Xingang. At 3952m, Yushan (Jade Mountain) is far and away northeast Asia’s highest peak, but a spectacular and well-trodden trail to the summit makes it surprisingly accessible. From the north’s towering cliffs to the south’s expansive beaches, the east coast is a feast for the eyes and is a hotbed of aboriginal cultures. Taiwan’s night markets are the best and cheapest places to try a selection of the island’s famous “little eats”. At 509m, East Asia’s tallest building dominates central Taipei, providing mind-blowing views of the surrounding area.