1. Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial
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| Giant Buddha at the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Complex |
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial easily tops the list as my #1 tourist destination in
Taiwan. This temple complex is the
largest in Taiwan and houses, amongst many other things, a Buddha tooth
relic. The whole temple complex is huge and
anyone who sets foot in it will find themselves hard pressed not to be amazed
and awe inspired by the size and grandeur of it all. Not only are there numerous temples and statues
throughout the complex, but there are also many shows and festivals practiced
on a daily basis in the many areas throughout.
2. Teapot Mountain
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| View of Teapot Mountain from the top of the mountain range |
Coming
in second on my list is Teapot Mountain.
It is easily my favorite hike in Taiwan.
It is just a day hike, easily reached by bus from Taipei, but it has a
lot to offer. It offers easily climbable
stairs to the teapot formation, a little rock climbing through the teapot and
up the mountain ridge, and even some scaling along the side of a cliff. Some of it might sound difficult but you will
find that it actually fairly easy and well worth the effort. Every turn of the trail presents another
great view; views of the ocean, goldmines, forest and mountain range, and on a
clear day you can even see Taipei and its towering Taipei 101.
3. Eat Eat Eat
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| Grilled squid at a night market in Taipei |
No list
about Taiwan should go without mentioning the food. Taiwan is a dream location for any foodie out
there. Taiwan has an array of restaurants
from themed places, like the Modern Toilet, to family owned shops that have
been serving the same family recipes for as long as they can remember; not to
mention the numerous shops and roadside stands where you can find those dumplings
you have been dreaming of (or is that just me!).
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| Bbq at a night market in Taipei |
If you are feeling a bit more adventurous,
make your way out to one of the many Night Markets Taiwan has to offer. Easily my favorite eating destinations, and almost
a nightly obsession, there isn’t much you won’t be able to find to eat in these
alleyway eateries. Here you can eat your
way through countless bite size treats and snacks while you’re on the go
looking for more. Some of my personal
favorites are the tempura squid, seafood scampi in a half shell, and pretty
much everything at the bbq stands. Whether
you are wanting to dine in a restaurant, scour the night markets, or find those
hidden gems, Taiwan has so much to offer on the food front that you are sure to
leave happy.
4. Taroko Gorge
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| Taroko Gorge |
If
your looking for a chance to camp in the great outdoors or just spend a day
engrossed in nature, look no further than Taroko Gorge. Taroko Gorge is a great place to spend the
day or weekend hiking the many trails it has to offer. Whether you want to just knock out a few easy
hikes in a day or spend a few days hiking through some of the protected wilderness,
Taroko Gorge has it all.
5. Green Island
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| Two rock formations on the shore of Green Island |
GreenIsland might be the most beautiful place in Taiwan (so much so, that it turned
my worst day of traveling into a top destination). Green Island, a land of both beauty and
history, can easily be toured by scooter in a day. Enjoy the wind on your face as you ride a
scooter around the coastal road and take in the beautiful sites around you.
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| Waves breaking on the shoreline of Green Island |
The scenery is simply breathtaking! You can watch the ocean breaking against the
rock formations along the shore, see sika deer venturing from the forest, or
venture through the rainforest covered mountainside. If you’re looking for some history, stop by
the Green Island Lodge Prison to look around; the old political prison that
kept Taiwanese dissenters during the White Terror. While you’re at it, you can also stop in at
the Zhaori Hot Springs; one of the few saltwater hot springs in the world.
6. Festivals in Taiwan
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| Lanterns floating away during the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival |
Taiwanese
celebrate numerous festivals, so it’s a great idea to do a little research
before you arrive to see if your trip might overlap with one of them. If you are lucky enough to be in Taiwan
during one of its festivals, I highly recommend attending it and become immersed
in the fascinating culture and history of the Taiwanese people. Taiwan celebrates both Taiwanese and Chinese
festivals so there a number to choose from.
Some of my favorites are the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival and the Beehive
Firework Festival.
7. Tour of Taipei
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| Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Complex in Taipei |
Rounding
off this list is a tour of Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. This bustling city has a lot to offer any
type of tourist. With museums,
monuments, and temples spread out all over the city you can easily take in some
of Taiwan’s culture and history at every turn.
Taipei is also home to a lot of great food; whether it be in one of its
many shops or lively night markets. You
can take in all of the views of Taipei in just a few days or easily get wrapped
up in the sights and life of this town for days on end.
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