Exciting Taiwan

Taiwan, known dearly as 寶島 (Treasure Island) is indeed an island filled with treasures. You will discover surprises and wonders as you sojourn through this majestic island. Most tourists rarely move beyond the capital of Taipei and if they do, they are usually on a 'round-the-island' coach, hopping from one tourist spot to another, without really experiencing what this island has to offer.

Common tourist destinations are 士林夜市 (Shilin Night Market), 西门町 (Ximending), 台北101 (Taipei 101)，九份 (JiuFen) in 基隆 (Keelung), 太魯閣 (Tarako National Park) at 花蓮 (Hualian), 日月潭 (Sun Moon Lake) in 台中 (Taichung). Some of these places are already very commercialised and much so in recent years where there is influx of Chinese Tourists into the island which only exaberates the already crowded situation. Someone once said, 'if you haven't been to these places, you have not been to Taiwan'. How wrong can that be! There is so much more that Taiwan can offer beside these popular places.

To appreciate Taiwan is to appreciate its culture, its language, its history, its heritage and to appreciate any country, is to learn how locals live and what they eat. Chinese is the lingua franca of the island. English must be understood in Taipei but as you travel out of Taipei, chances of English being understood prove challenging. If you do not speak Chinese, it is always good to equip yourself with a Chinese speaking guide who can act as your translator.