Location

Situated between the Philippines and Japan, the mountainous island of Taiwan hosts vibrant, modern cities, along with breathtaking natural vistas.

Jet into the capital, Taipei or the port city of Kaohsiung, and the island below greets you with majestic mountains, rolling hills and plains, tropical beaches and green forests.

What to expect

While the north of the country is heavily populated, the south and east coasts retain a laid back, countryside atmosphere. Rice paddies, fish farms, temples and small towns dot the landscapes.

High-rise buildings and ancient temples play backdrop to numerous traditional folk festivals and ceremonies. Old and new live in harmony in Taiwan.

Experience

In the country’s six national parks there are thousands of species of wildlife, 20 percent of which are endemic. With its volcanic origins and tropical climate, Taiwan has often been dubbed the ‘Hawaii of Asia’.

In 1544, a Portuguese ship sighted the main island of Taiwan and dubbed it ‘Ilha Formosa’, which means ‘Beautiful Island.’ Come and experience it, you’ll see why.

Taiwan info

Area: 35,801 km2 / 13,822.8 sqmi
Population: 23 million
Languages: Taiwanese, Hakka, and Mandarin.
Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (NT$).
Religion: Over 93% of Taiwanese are adherents of a combination of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Christianity is dominant with the indigenous tribes – of which there are 11 throughout Taiwan.