Ever since grade school, I had always known the small country directly to our north as Formosa. Only when I was in college did I become aware that the rest of the world recognized that same country as Taiwan.
Apparently, in 1542, Portuguese sailors traveling along the Taiwan Strait spotted an uncharted island and marked it on their maps as ‘Ilha Formosa’ (beautiful island). That name stuck and was commonly used to refer to the country. However, in the 1960s, it officially adopted the name Taiwan.
Regardless of the name it uses, the country remains blessed with lush landscapes, mist-shrouded mountains, a rich cultural heritage, and delectable cuisine. Anyone touring the main island of Taiwan has the chance to be captivated by the mesmerizing wonders of metropolitan Taipei and the natural beauty of the countryside.
So, what is there to see in Taiwan? Let’s start with the capital city of Taipei. Its most popular landmark is the Taipei 101 Tower, which used to be the tallest structure in the world until the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur and, eventually, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai took over the title.
At Taipei 101’s 89th floor, one has a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire city. It’s always a great feeling to be “on top of the world” when you visit new places. Such vista gives you a relaxing moment of solitude that washes away stress and anxiety.
As you walk around the city, you easily get tempted by authentic street food, the kind you always hanker for when you’re sitting idly at home. The food stalls you come across make you enjoy culinary delights that do not empty your pockets. There’s a lot of fresh seafood that are cooked while you wait but, since I’m allergic to shellfish, I always go for the Gao Bao (Pork Belly Buns). These are white buns filled with braised pork belly, pickled veggies, and ground peanuts for that extra crunch.
The Northern Coast of Taiwan brings you closer to nature’s bounty as this is where you find attractive, unique geological formations and a historic gold mining village. The Yehliu Geopark’s main attraction is the Queen’s Head Rock, a natural stone formation that took 4000 years to form. It resembles a woman’s head supported by a long neck, similar to the regal posture of a queen.
Another attraction is Jiufen, once a prosperous gold mining town, it is only 50 kilometers from Taipei. After World War II, however, the gold mine finally ceased operations, but the town’s charm remains as its cobblestone streets and winding alleys are still lined with retro cafes, tea houses and souvenir shops. This town also looks out over lush forests and has a distant view of the Pacific Ocean.
Sun Moon Lake is the largest body of water in Taiwan. It is believed that a tribesman from the Thao tribe was chasing a white deer which led him to the lake. He found the lake to be beautiful and, most importantly, teeming with fish. This prompted the entire tribe to make the area surrounding the lake their home. In the middle of the lake is a tiny islet, Lalu, which the Thao tribe reveres as holy, and the legendary white deer is immortalized there with a marble statue. Lalu divides the lake into a round eastern part, representing the sun, and, on the west, a part shaped like a crescent moon, thus the lake’s name.
Then there’s Kaohsiung, on the southwestern coast of Taiwan, it is the country’s main port city, its largest and busiest harbor. It has Taiwan’s navy headquarters and the naval academy. To further attract tourists, the city opened the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, the Kaohsiung Music Center, and the Pier 2 Art Center, positioning itself as the country’s center of cultural excellence.
There are many more attractions to visit in Taiwan. Its tourist magnets continue to mesmerize those who look for the splendor of Asian scenery. As the early Portuguese seamen discovered it, to this day it still is “Ilha Formosa”…beautiful country!
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