Why You Should Visit Taiwan
So, you’re planning an Asia trip. Maybe you’ve got a few weeks or a few months to explore the region and are wondering if Taiwan is worth visiting. Well, the short answer is yes; between rich cultural history and some of the world’s most stunning natural landscapes, it’s a hard yes. But to elaborate, here are 5 reasons why you should add Taiwan to your Asia trip.
First off, what is Taiwan?
Often mistaken for Thailand, Taiwan is a country in East Asia. It’s located between the East and South China Seas and is a convenient flight away from Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Titled “Ilha Formosa” or “beautiful island” by the Portuguese sailors who stumbled upon it in the 15th century, this country offers a unique blend of East Asian culture in a more laid back island setting.
What is Taiwan known for?
Other than the current political tensions with China and the chokehold it has on the microchips industry, Taiwan is known for its bustling nightlife, delicious food, stunning scenery, and unique mix of history and culture.
Some standouts: night markets, waterfalls, corals, surfing, (oolong) tea, bubble tea, pineapple cake, beef noodle soup, Taiwanese culture, Chinese art, and more!
Still unsure? Here are 5 reasons why Taiwan is worth adding to your Asia trip bucketlist!
1. Location
As I mentioned earlier, Taiwan is centrally located and close to multiple East Asian and South East Asian countries. If you’re already taking the long flight over, might as well add an hour or two to the flight itinerary and experience a whole different culture!
Here’s how long it takes to get to Taiwan from the following countries:
Japan: 3 hours
Korea: 3 hours
Hong Kong: 2 hours
Philippines: 2 hours
Thailand: 3 hours
Malaysia: 4 hours
Singapore: 5 hours
Indonesia: 5 hours
Additionally, Taiwan is a very small country that is infra-structurally easy to get around, so you can see a lot in very little time. One month gives you ample time to explore Taiwan’s major attractions at a relaxed pace.
2. Culture
Because of its colonial past, Taiwan offers a unique blend of indigenous, Chinese, Japanese, and European cultures. Taiwan is also one of the most modernized Asian countries and you can expect the cleanliness, efficiency and wit associated with other East Asian countries within major cities as well.
Here are some things that stand out culturally about Taiwan:
Indigenous Culture: Taiwan is home to 16 recognized indigenous clans that have cultural ties to other Austronesia ethnic groups across the Pacific. Although the indigenous population makes up only 2.5% of the total population now, the government and youth are making an effort to preserve and bolster knowledge about authentic indigenous practices.
European Culture: because of its strategic position in Asia, the Portuguese, Dutch, and Spanish used Taiwan as a base for their colonial settlements. The majority of what they left behind can now be seen in old colonial style buildings that have largely been converted to cultural landmarks.
Chinese Culture: Chinese laborers first started settling in Taiwan in the 16th century to escape political turmoil in China and to satisfy the labor shortage as demanded by Dutch colonizers. They brought with them their traditional ancestral practices and now consist of 95-97% of the Taiwanese population. Additionally, if you want to learn more about Chinese civilization, Taiwan’s National Palace Museum houses the largest collections of Chinese artifacts in the world because when the nationalists fled to Taiwan in 1949, they brought with them over 700k pieces ancient Chinese artifacts and artwork which would have never survived the cultural revolution.
Japanese Culture: Taiwan was colonized by the Japanese from 1895 to 1945 when the Qing dynasty ceded control of the land to Japan after its loss in the First Sino-Japanese rule. A lot of the older generation (my grandparents age) worked for Japanese companies and actually still speak Japanese so it’s important to note that this history is actually not that far behind us. While the Japanese imperialistic rule was much more brutal in Korea, Taiwan served as the “model colony” and a lot of effort was made to improve the island’s economy, public spaces, culture, and manufacturing industries. Because of this history, Japanese influences can still be seen in a lot of modern Taiwanese society.
Modern Culture: contemporary Taiwanese culture is just like that of any modern country around the world but it’s always interesting to note the small differences in mentality or social practices across different cultures! Taiwan is distinctively quirky and full of personality but simultaneously sophisticated as well. Come visit and experience it for yourself!
3. World Class Nature
Surrounded on all sides by the ocean and with the largest number and density of high mountains in the world, Taiwan is truly remarkable when it comes to natural landscapes. Whether you’re looking to dive amongst the corals of Lanyu, hike the tallest peak in the Yushan mountain range, go chasing waterfalls in Pingxi, or marvel the ancient trees of Alishan, the stunning natural landscapes of Taiwan are a worthy reason to add Taiwan to your Asia trip travel bucket list.
Here are some notable natural attractions in Taiwan:
Taroko National Park: cerulean rivers and stunning marble cliffs
Yangmingshan National Park: the world’s largest dormant volcano, natural hot springs, accessible hiking trails
Kenting National Park: white sand beaches and limestone caves
Sun Moon Lake: largest lake in Taiwan with stunning sunrise and sunset views
Sea turtles of Xiaoliuqiu, lavender corals in Penghu, vibrant reefs on Orchid Island and Green Island
5 Mountain Ranges: Central Mountain Range, Xueshan, Yushan, Alishan, and the Coastal Mountain Range
4. Food Culture
Worthy of its own section, food culture is reason number four why you should include Taiwan on your Asia trip travel bucket list.
Food culture is Taiwanese culture as is evident in the common greeting of asking loved ones, “have you eaten yet?”. Not only have the Taiwanese perfected many unique traditional dishes (like stinky tofu and bawan (肉丸)), but they’re also constantly inventing new food combinations and cultures (for example, bubble tea/boba was invented in Taiwan in the early 80s)!
Here’s a quick (nonextensive) list of what you must eat in Taiwan:
Night market street eats: check out the Keelung, Ningxia, Fengjia, Ita thao, and Anping night markets just to name a few
Bubble tea (boba): check out classics like Chun Shui Tang or trendy brands like Xing Fu Tang and Macu Tea
Xiao Long Bao: invented in Shanghai but perfected in Taiwan, Din Tai Fung is the name of the game when it comes to Xiao Long Bao
Beef noodle soup: the beef noodle soup competition is serious in Taiwan. Check out Lin Dong Fang for a lighter version or Yong Kang Beef Noodles for a rich and slightly spicy version!
Mango shaved ice: ideally consumed during mango season during the summer months. Ice Monster, Ximen Mango Shaved Ice, and Smoothie House are some of the top picks for this sweet dessert!
Pineapple cakes: there are a lot of different opinions when it comes to pineapple cakes but the consensus is that the big three are Chia Te, Sunny Hills and LeeChi.
Braised pork rice: Taiwanese comfort food at its best. Try it at any local mom and pop restaurant!
Taiwanese breakfast: a whole culture in and of itself, Taiwanese breakfast is hard to mess up but some shops that do it best are Yonghe Soy Milk King and Fuhang Soy Milk.
Local specialities: a lot of counties/regions in Taiwan have their own specialities! For example, Sun Moon Lake is famous for their Sun Cakes; Chiayi’s known for their fish head soup, Hualien’s got heirloom corn and fragrant rice, and so much more!
5. Logistically Sound
Last but not least, as a solo female traveler, one of the biggest components that I consider when deciding on a travel destination is whether or not it’s logistically sound. Is the country safe? Is it (relatively) easy to get around? Do I need a visa to get in? How much can I expect to spend?
And when it comes to Taiwan…safe, convenient, cheap…it’s probably one of the most logistically sound countries in Asia.
In the culture section, I mentioned that a lot of Taiwan’s modernization came while it was under Japanese rule. This means that the same efficiency, sophistication, and helpfulness that you find in Japan can also be found in Taiwan.
Expenses in Taiwan are relatively low and with ample public transportation in the cities, getting around is (mostly) a breeze. You might run into some difficulty ordering at restaurants but Google translate can help you with that!
Taiwan is also one of the safest countries in the world with a crime index of 16.1 (compared to the US’ 49.2). I’ve never felt unsafe walking at night and this feeling of security has actually led me to discover so much more about myself than I was willing to explore in the states.
Taiwan is a combination of small island country vibes with big industry infrastructure and that’s what I love about it! So if you ask me, Taiwan is 10/10 worth visiting and adding to your Asia trip. Bubble tea’s (boba’s) homeland blends a rich political history within a stunning landscape and quirky, endearing personality that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.
Ready to explore the country? Get started with this 7-10 day guide or skip ahead to some other destinations on the island!
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