The Guide to TAIWAN Everything you need to know to plan an action-packed trip to this beautiful island THE WANDERLUST GUIDE TO TAIWAN: WELCOME Breathtaking views Elephant Mountain is one of the best places to take in the sprawling Taipei cityscape Welcome to Taiwan It’s a rare joy to discover a whole nation Taipei, the capital, is also ready and so tantalisingly off-radar as Taiwan. If you waiting to defy any stereotype you might can’t find it on a map, you’re far from have: it’s a bustling Asian financial hub, yes, alone: for many people, it’s simply a name but those bankers head for the hills every on a manufacturing label, a place surely weekend, to the many hiking and biking dominated by factories and sprawling trails within easy reach of the metropolis. cities. But oh, how wrong they are. The further you venture, the more you’ll Leaf through these pages to discover be rewarded with outdoor adventures: islands that are as rich in wildlife and tribal there are far-flung temples to explore, culture as they are in natural beauty – from mountains to climb, rivers to raft, and the mighty peaks of the central highlands, indigenous tribes to meet on unforgettable to the jungles that surround every city. homestays. But hurry, Taiwan won’t remain The only thing that sprawls here is the off-radar for long: last year saw the launch beach: the long sandy shores in the south, of the first direct flight from London to overlooking pristine coral reefs; and the Taipei, making it easier to reach than west’s California-style coast, with its rolling ever. Go now, before the rest of the world surf and sleepy fishing villages. realises what they’ve been missing too. 2 THE WANDERLUST GUIDE TO TAIWAN: ESSENTIALS Need to know The Essentials Currency: New Taiwan Dollar, currently around NT$40 to £1 Best time to visit: For hiking and outdoor activities, winter and autumn are ideal. In summer, temperatures can reach mid thirties on the coast – but the highlands are cooler. Health and safety: Taiwan is a very safe country to travel with modern hospitals, nation-wide rescue services and little crime. Visas: British citizens can enter Taiwan free for 90 days. DID YOU KNOW? From 2004 until 2010, Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world, at 508 metres tall. When you arrive in the capital, make its observation tower your first stop: between the 88th and 91st floor. It’s the perfect place to get your bearings. Taipei close-up Taiwan in (clockwise from top left) Dusk in Taipei; Transport the iconic Taipei 101 numbers building; Taiwan's efficient public transport How to get to Taiwan: China Airlines (china- airlines.com) flies non-stop from London Gatwick to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport 130 four times a week. EVA Air (evaair.com) flies the width, in kilometres, from London Heathrow via Bangkok. Many other of the main island’s airlines offer indirect flights. narrowest point How to get around: In Taipei, the MRT (english. metro.taipei) system is well-connected and cheap, with one-day passes available. The Taiwan High Speed Rail (thsrc.com.tw) is 15,000 a joy to use: trains are clean and efficient, the number of and unlimited travel passes are available for temples to discover overseas visitors. To explore further-flung sites in Taiwan such as Taroko Gorge, Kenting National Park and the central highlands, you’ll want to hire a car or scooter: both can be done easily, either 10,000 locally or through international companies the average number of such as Avis (avis.com). An International Driver’s Licence is essential. dumplings devoured daily in the Din Tai Fung restaurant at the foot of Taipei 101 3 THE WANDERLUST GUIDE TO TAIWAN: ESSENTIALS Taipei City This is Taiwan’s capital and largest city — a modern metropolis circled by mountains. Must do: Head up Taipei 101 for spectacular views of the city. Taichung City Hualien County Taichung is a bustling industrial city, Hualien borders the ocean, acting as the gateway to the island’s hemmed in to the west by the mountainous interior. Central Range mountains. Must do: Visit the ornate Magong Must do: Visit Taroko Gorge — a lush Chenghuang Temple. wilderness to hike through. Penghu County Penghu is known as the pearl of the Sun Moon Lake Taiwan Strait, made up of 90 sandy Sun Moon Lake is a mirror-smooth islands circled in aquamarine water. body of water reflecting the Must do: Walk across the Penghu surrounding forest and mountains. Great Bridge. Must do: Cycle around the exterior of one of the many bike paths. Alishan Tea Country The misty fields of Alishan are known for their tea across Taiwan. Kaohsiung City Must do: Ride the narrow gauge The port city of Kaohsiung is home railway that whisks you upwards to glittering skyscrapers and over 77 wooden bridges. green parks. Must do: Take a boat ride down Love River or stroll past the many shops and cafes along its banks. Tainan City Tainan City is the ancient capital of Taiwan, nestled on coastal plains with a warm year-round climate. Must do: Soak in the city’s famous mud springs. Lanyu Lanyu, or Orchid Island, is a volcanic haven of green peaks and Kenting sandy beaches. This national park covers 33,268 Must do: Dive among the colour hectares of land, with golden coral reefs and fish. beaches and turquoise ocean. Must do: Visit Eluanbi Lighthouse — the island’s most southern point. 4 THE WANDERLUST GUIDE TO TAIWAN: TAIPEI Clockwise Launching lanterns above the Pingxi railway line; the bustle of Taipei's business district 24 Hours in Taipei Taiwan’s capital is a sprawling but intriguing mass of temples and treasures The Essentials When to go: Taipei is an all-year city, though prepare to sweat if you go in summer. Getting there: China Airlines flies direct to Taipei from London Before you arrive Republic of China, which it Gatwick, while Eva Air flies from Taipei is a frenetic, 24-hour broke away from in the 1940s. Heathrow via Bangkok. food worshipping city; one Getting around: Buy an EasyCard — dominated by consumerism At the airport a handy tap-and-ride card that you TOP TIP yet infused by authentic Taiwan Taoyuan International can use on trains, buses and ferries. By buying Chinese beliefs. But it’s not as Airport is located 40km west It can be purchased and topped up tickets online for impenetrable as it first seems. of Taipei in the Dayuan district. at all MRT stations. popular sites like Taiwan is a safe and tolerant Non-stop flights go four times Stopover: If you are just visiting the observation society, and this liberal spirit is a week from the UK and take Taipei as a stopover, there’s still deck in the reflected in Taipei, the country's around 13 hours. plenty you can get done. Consider Taipei 101 relatively crime-free capital: the British citizens do not require registering for the free half-day tower, you greatest hazards you’re likely to a visa for stays of up to 90 walking tour (eng.taiwan.net.tw/ face here are those posed by days. At the airport, the arrivals can circumvent tour), which runs directly from the onrushing traffic. Just take care process involves passing entrance airport, taking in the best of the city’s to avoid any potential offence through human quarantine, queues, meaning highlights before returning you to and refer to Taiwan by its self- then passport control, luggage you can see a lot the airport for your onward flight. declared title, the Republic of collection, animal and plant in just one day. China, and not the People’s quarantine, and finally luggage 5 THE WANDERLUST GUIDE TO TAIWAN: TAIPEI inspection. Once through, you Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan). Staying in Taipei will find ATMs, info booths and At the top of the trail (about longer than 24 currency exchanges. a 30-minute climb up steps hours? and pathways) the whole city It’s worth staying several days Getting into town is spread out before you. From to explore Taipei’s museums The MRT network connects here, you can see Taipei 101 and malls, and to continue your the city’s main railway station standing head and shoulders market food education. The city to the international airport. The above the rest. is also circled by mountainous express train takes 40 minutes. Once you've taken in the view countryside easily accessible Taxis from the airport from here, head back down and on day trips. downtown are metered hop on the MRT to the Taipei Yangmingshan National Park and take roughly one hour Taiwan. See its changing of the 101 stop to see the city from a lies close to northern Taipei and depending on traffic. The guard and check out the slick different angle. Ride the lift up its volcanic scenery offers fine airport bus services drive Cadillac collection amid his to its 89th-floor observatory hikes. But note that the well- through key routes including curious memorabilia. for fine views. After, grab a pre- maintained trails, such as those the #1819 to Taipei Main Rail Jump on the Tamsui-Xinyi dinner tipple in the trendy bars leading to its highest point at Station, #1840 to Songshan MRT line next to reach Tamsui’s of Xinyi, then finish in one of Mount Qixing (1,120m), can Airport and #1960 to Taipei 17th-century Fort San Domingo the many night markets.