FLAGSHIP SIGHTS OF TAIWAN

Taipei 101
Tallest building in the world. Height 508 meters. Construction completed October 17 2003. Observation deck on 89th floor.

Nearby Attractions:
Taipei 101 is located in Taipei's modern East District, which has a high concentration of department stores, restaurants, cafes, and nightclubs, most of which are located in the area around the Warner Village cinema/entertainment complex. Great views of Taipei 101 and other parts of the city can be taken in from the easy-to-hike Four Beasts Mountain on the East District's south side.

National Palace Museum
One of the "four greatest museums in the world." Founded 1925. Collection of more than 650,000 artifacts.

Nearby Attractions:
If, after hours of walking through the halls of the museum you feel the need for some fresh air, head to the Chinese-style Jhihshan Garden just outside the museum and enjoy the garden's tranquility while sitting in a pavilion near a large, teeming goldfish pond.
For an introduction to Taiwan's indigenous culture head to the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines, which is located almost opposite the National Palace Museum on Jhinshan Road.

Sun Moon Lake
Scenic lake in central Taiwan. Cultural and scenic attractions include Wunwu Temple and Cihen Pagoda. Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village nearby.

Nearby Attractions:
To the west of Sun Moon Lake is one of Taiwan's scenic branch railways - Jiji Branch Line. Along the line are a number of tourist attractions such as Snake Kiln, one of the oldest and most traditional kilns in Taiwan.
To the north of Sun Moon Lake you can visit Puli. This small town, located close to Taiwan's geographical center, is known for its winery, the most famous product of which is rice-based Shaohsing Wine. There is also a factory that produces paper using traditional methods, and a flourishing flower industry.

Aihe (Love River) Scenery
Canal in the heart of Kaohsiung city. Beautiful promenade lined with open-air cafes. Especially attractive in the evening.

Nearby Attractions:
Love River is only one of many attractions in Kaohsiung. Visitors can also tour the harbor, take a ferry to Cijin Island, take in harbor views from the Former British Consulate, or enjoy the sunset at Sizih Bay. Other scenic areas include Lotus Lake and Chengcing Lake.

Alishan
Alpine forest railway, scenic sunrises, refreshing forest air, "sea of clouds," spring cherry blossoms, and much more. Great place to hike, explore flora and fauna.

Nearby Attractions:
If your means of transport to Alishan is the forest railway a stop at Fencihu lake, roughly half-way between Chiayi City and Alishan, is highly recommended. At this scenic mountain town you can buy souvenirs along the "old street," sample the town's famous traditional-style railway lunchboxes, and visit a railway cultural hall.
Fencihu is also a great starting point for trips to other mountain villages in the area that are home to members of the indigenous Tsaou tribe.

Kenting National Park
Fine sand beaches and coral reefs. Tropical climate. Top-flight beach-resort hotels. Ideal spot for fun in the sun and water.

Nearby Attractions:
Most visitors come to Kending to go to the beaches and enjoy sun and sea. But the Kending area has much more to offer. At the Kenting Forest Recreation Area, for example, you can walk through lush tropical vegetation, visit a 400-year-old tree, walk through a 100-meter-long cave, and take in a 360-degree panorama view of Hengchun Peninsula from an observation tower.

Taroko Gorge
Marble gorge with 1,000-meter-high cliffs. Countless scenic hiking trails. Fascinating highway-construction story. Aboriginal settlements.

Nearby Attractions:
The majority of tourists making the trip to Taroko Gorge will merely follow the highway through the gorge to the town of Tiansiang, with same-route return, possibly with a few short stops here and there along the way. While this is enough to get an idea of what a marvelous natural wonder the gorge really is, many of Taroko's treasures can only be discovered when hiking the variety of trails in the area. One of the best of these trails is the one to Baiyang Waterfall, which starts close to Tiansiang, goes through a series of tunnels, and ultimately rewards hikers with gorgeous views of the waterfall.

Yushan
Highest mountain in Northeast Asia. "Must-climb" for mountaineers. Stunning views of "Taiwan's roof." Rich eco-habitats.

Nearby Attractions:
Not everyone is suited to climb to the highest peak of Taiwan, and even if you are in a good enough physical shape, the limited number of permits granted or the fast-changing weather conditions might prevent you from an ascent with a mountaineering expedition. So be aware that close to where the main trail to Yushan starts, near the Tatajia Visitors Center, is Mt. Lulin Nature Park, which has a network of easy-to-manage trails from where you can take in the breathtaking scenery of the Yushan Mountain Range.