Top 25 Attractions in Taiwan

Taiwan is a modern country that is developing rapidly, but retains its traditions and history. There are not very many ancient architectural structures left here, but those that appear to the eye are forever engraved in memory.

In Taipei, you can see skyscrapers next to ancient temples. The city has many night markets that attract a lot of tourists. The famous Taipei 101 skyscraper, climbing to its observation deck is a mandatory item in the program of any tourist. It is also impossible not to look into the old Taipei Zoo, which has a huge collection of animals and beautiful nature.

There is also somewhere to take a break from the noisy metropolis. The island is full of amazing places. Here you can find harsh, picturesque mountains shrouded in mist. And you can lie in the sun on a warm beach, look at the azure water, take a walk in cozy parks. Nature did not stint decorating Taiwan.

Taiwan has many national parks that are happy to welcome tourists. They are very diverse and you should definitely visit at least one of them. The Lake of the Sun and the Moon deserves special attention. This is probably one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

What to see in Taiwan?

The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.

Taipei city

It is the capital of Taiwan, its economic and educational center. Mountains surround it on three sides. The skyscrapers of Taipei compete with their height, including the Taipei 101 skyscraper, which is one of the tallest in the world. In addition to museums, temples and gardens, the city attracts tourists with its modern side: night markets, shopping and entertainment centers.

Skyscraper Taipei 101

It is the sixth tallest skyscraper in the world. It consists of 101 floors, where shops, restaurants, clubs are located. The height of the building is 509.2 meters. Two high-speed elevators lift tourists to the observation deck on the 89th floor in just 39 seconds. These are the fastest elevators in the world. The design of the skyscraper is postmodern combined with traditional motifs. The special design makes the skyscraper resistant to typhoons and earthquakes.

Kinmen archipelago

It is an archipelago of six islands located in the west of the Taiwan Strait. Its name translates as "Golden Gate". They are quite close to Fujian province. The area of ​​the islands is slightly more than 150 km². The largest of them is Kinmen. Most of the population lives on it. The archipelago has been the scene of wars between China and Taiwan.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

This is a striking example of temple architecture, the second most popular attraction in Taiwan. It was built in honor of former President Chiang Kai-shek. The complex includes the square, the National Concert Hall and the National Theatre. And on the sides of the memorial hall are beautiful ponds. They were presented to the complex by General Ho Ying-Chin.

Memorial Hall of Sun Yat-sen

The essence of Yat-sen is considered the founder of the Republic of China, the Taiwanese revere him very much. A memorial hall was erected in his honor in 1972. It is located near the Taipei 101 skyscraper. The total area of ​​the building is almost 30 thousand m². In the memorial hall there is an exhibition center, a lecture hall, a library with more than 300 thousand books. The complex is surrounded by a park with an amazing lake.

Longshan Temple

This is one of the most popular and oldest churches in the city: it was built in 1738. The temple was destroyed more than once, and once it was completely destroyed, but restored with the money raised. Longshan consists of three halls: back, main and front. They are richly decorated, they have a lot of decorations in the form of a dragon. And in front of the entrance to the temple is a beautiful artificial waterfall.

taipei zoo

This is the largest and oldest zoo on the island. It was founded in 1914. The zoo has many sections, and its total area is 160 hectares. Of these, only 90 hectares are available to visitors. In the zoo you can see animals from Africa, Asia, Australia and Taiwan. Among them are camels, Himalayan bears, lions, antelopes, rhinoceroses and more than 130 species of birds. More than 4 million tourists visit the zoo every year.

Maokong mountain cable car

This is a cable car with which tourists and residents of the city get to Maokong Mountain. It was designed in 2007. It starts at the subway station at the Taipei Zoo. Its length is 4 km, and the climb time is 30 minutes. During this time, tourists stop at several stations with attractions: an observation deck and the Zoah Temple. In total, there are five wagons on the cable car.

Presidential palace

The palace was built in 1919. Initially, it was the home of the governor-generals of Taiwan, there were 11 of them in total, and in 1950 the building turned into the Presidential Palace. The appearance of the palace is very attractive and bright, and in its center rises an 11-story tower, which has had an elevator since its construction. Inside, tourists are greeted by an elegant interior with an interesting exposition.

Imperial Palace Museum

This art and history museum is located in Taipei, opened in 1925. In 2015, it was the 6th most visited in the world. The museum is one of the largest on the planet and keeps a huge collection of expensive and valuable historical monuments of Chinese culture. The number of its exhibits is 7 thousand, and the age of the oldest is 8 thousand years. Near the museum there is a traditional Chinese park.

Kaohsiung National Stadium

This is the largest stadium of the island, which is located in the resort of Kaohsiung. It was built in 2009 in honor of the opening of the Olympic Games. Its capacity is 55 thousand people. The stadium was designed by the architect Toyo Ito, and it is powered by solar panels, which are located on its front side. The shape of the stadium is unusual - spiral.

Ling Antai Farm

This is one of the main attractions in Taiwan. It was built in 1783, and miraculously managed to survive after many political upheavals. The architecture of the building is simple and traditional. It reflects the atmosphere of the island in previous centuries. Although the farm does not shine with bright colors and expensive decorations, it attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Wu-Ling Farm

This is the National Forest Recreation Area, which is called a real corner of paradise. Once upon a time, the Ataya tribe lived on its territory, which appreciated the fertility of the local lands. The farm has a very mild climate, in spring apple, peach and plum trees are fragrant, incredible sakura blossoms, as well as many flowers. The farm has a hotel and cottages.

Fort Santo Domingo

The fort was built in 1629 by the Spaniards to strengthen their dominance over the locals and natives. The Dutch captured it in 1642. They added fortress spiers and strengthened the front-line country. In 1867, the fort was leased to the British, who made major repairs and completed another part of the fortress. Today it is an incredible old complex, which offers gorgeous views.

Yangmingshan National Park

The national park is located between the cities of Taipei and New Taipei. It is known for cherry blossoms and hot springs. The most famous of them is located at an altitude of 600 m above sea level. Also in the park there are 20 volcanoes, there are many hiking trails and entire groves of sakura. The territory of the park is crossed by many rivers that give rise to beautiful waterfalls.

Kenting National Park

This is one of the oldest national parks in Taiwan. It is located in the eastern part of the island, its area is 333 km². It is known for its coral reefs, sandy beaches, waterfalls and lighthouse. Also on the territory of the park is the southernmost point of Taiwan. In early April, the park hosts the Spring Scream rock festival, which brings together up to 300 bands.

Pescadores Islands

This is an archipelago located in the south of the Taiwan Strait. It consists of 64 islands with a total area of ​​127 km². They were formed as a result of volcanic activity. The five central islands of the archipelago are interconnected by bridges, so moving between them is very convenient. The islands have beautiful beaches and nature, as well as a pleasant climate.

Taroko Reserve

This is one of the most popular nature reserves on the island. It was founded in 1986. The area of ​​the reserve is 920 km². This is a place to relax the soul and body, where nature has a captivating beauty and everything around mesmerizes. The park presents a huge variety of landscapes: rivers, waterfalls, rocks, hot springs, forests. A whole day is not enough to explore the entire reserve.

Alishan mountains

This is a mountainous area, located near Mount Yushan. It forms a national park, which is a recreation area and a nature reserve. The area of ​​the park is 415 km². In the mountains there are four villages, waterfalls and tea plantations, which are very popular. The mountains are also famous for wasabi horseradish. The Alishan region is the symbol of the country.

Mount Yushan

This is the highest peak in East Asia. It is called the "roof" of Taiwan. The height of the mountain is 3952 meters. Many large rivers originate from its steep, steep slopes. Climbing the mountain is not easy, the air is very rarefied. But conquering Yushan is a must for tourists. The reward for this will be incredible landscapes and a sense of unity with nature.

Lake of the Sun and Moon

An incredibly romantic place, suitable for a honeymoon or seclusion in a peaceful environment. This is one of the most picturesque places in Asia. There are a few hotels in this area and nothing else. The most beautiful lake lies surrounded by green mountains. The Emerald Sun Moon Lake is the largest in Taiwan. This is the best place to enjoy nature.

Beitou Hot Springs

It is the northernmost of all districts in Taiwan. It is famous for its hot springs, which is why it has become a popular recreational area. There are more than 30 of them in this area. There are thermal resorts, spa centers, and a museum in Beitou. The water temperature in the pools usually reaches 35°C, anyone can swim in them.

River of Love

The Love River is located in Kaohsiung City. Its length is 12 km. This river is compared to London's Thames: it has great cultural significance. On its right bank there is an amazing Love Park, decorated with fountains and statues of Cupid. It's hard to believe, but once the river was dirty and unattractive. Now couples in love love to sail on it on a boat.

Shilin Night Market

Taipei is famous for its night markets. The most famous and largest of them is the Shilin market. It is a long decorated street. Along it there are many trays and tents. You can buy everything in them: watches, clothes, toys, food and a carpet. This motley variety perfectly conveys the flavor of the city. This is the so-called cultural center, which opens at 20:00. And during the day there is no trace of him.

Shifen Waterfall

Shifen Falls is known locally as "Little Niagara". Its height is 20 meters, its shape resembles the famous waterfall. But Shifen deserves attention in and of itself. It is located between two rocks, so it is very noisy. A dense forest grows around the waterfall. In the sound of water, you can forget about everything and have a great rest, because the landscape here is simply incredible.