DISCOVER TAIWAN WHERE NATURAL BEAUTY ABOUNDS

When Portuguese navigators first discovered the Island of Taiwan in 1590 they named it Ilha Formosa ('beautiful island'), an apt description for one of Asia's jewels and a destination that offers much to the adventurous traveller.

Situated between the Eurasian continent and the Pacific Ocean, tens of millions of years of tectonic movement have provided Taiwan with a hugely varied landscape.  From marble canyons to open plains, offshore islands to rising hills, and coral reefs to mountains, Taiwan's geographical diversity is plain to see. 

Located on the Cross Island Highway south of the capital city of Taipei, the ‘chasm with character' is a must-see attraction because of its unrivalled geologic grandeur.  Over the eons the Liwu River has carved its way through mountains of marble to create a constricted 20 km long gorge highlighted with lacy waterfalls and spectacular stone formations.

Colourful indigenous people add a vibrant cultural element to the mountainous areas of central and eastern Taiwan as well as on the outlying island of Lanyu.  Most numerous are the 140,000 members of the Ami tribe.  They live on Taiwan's rugged East Coast.  Visitors to the Taroko Gorge often stop at the area's modern cultural centre to listen to the distinctive songs and watch the rhythmic dances of these free-spirited people.

In addition to its scenic and cultural lures, Taiwan is also a haven for authentic Chinese food.   All of the regional culinary traditions of China tastefully come together on this small island.  There is even very delicious Taiwanese cuisine that you can sample at a number of cosy and well priced restaurants in the city.

International travellers have long been fascinated by one of Asia's busiest cities, Taiwan's capital, Taipei. Taipei is a city of many faces where ancient and modern co-exist. The home to 2.6 million people where rice paddies stretched for miles only 40 years ago now features glass-faced high-rise office buildings, luxury condominiums and modern department stores towering above wide, tree-lined boulevards.

Tourists are now discovering Taipei's diversity as an international metropolis with plenty to offer the adventurous traveller.  A visit to the tallest building in the world, Taipei 101, is a must where a breathtaking lift ride to the observation floor ensures a view of the whole city below.

Serious and casual shoppers alike will find whatever they want with the choice of  large shopping malls, designer labels and the night markets. There are many famous night markets in Taipei including the Shihlin, Raohoe and Tonghua markets, all exciting places to check out with tasty treats and snacks to tempt the tastebuds.

Taipei not only offers a great variety of dining and shopping opportunities but countless sightseeing options as well.  At the top of any itinerary is the National Palace Museum (pic right) which houses more than 620,000 priceless art treasures from 5000 years of Chinese history.

Not far from this treasure house is the Lungshan (Dragon Mountain) Temple.  People from throughout the bustling metropolis come daily to pay tribute to a pantheon of deities enshrined in the city's most ornate temple.

Taiwan is a compact island. It boasts a transport system that enables visitors to experience the vibrant activity of Taiwan's cities and within a few hours witness spectacular coastal scenery, lush tea plantations or mountain ranges to rival the Himalayas.

Taiwan certainly has something to offer the more seasoned traveller with a youthful sense of adventure.

For more information contact Taiwan Tourism Toll Free on 1800 824 929,     email info@taiwantourism.org or visit www.taiwantourism.org