Taiwan: The New Destination
Although Taiwan has always been a much-visited business destination, it is now being recognised as an excellent leisure destination by Middle East travellers ...
By Naved Hasan in Dubai
For the visitor from the Middle East, Taiwan is like a ‘Sleeping Beauty’ – waiting to be discovered with all its breathtaking beauty. Otherwise known as Formosa, Taiwan is only 100 kilometres from mainland China and has its own divided locales; northern, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan. The Penghu Archipelago (a cluster of 64 islands known as the Pescadores with another 21 islands) is also part of Taiwan.
 |
| Taipei: A modern and cosmopolitan city |
Taiwan is a dream destination for gourmets (specially if you are fond of sumptuous sea food) and nature lovers. The island has everything from idyllic seashores, prehistoric temples, coral reefs, farms and barren fishing villages. However, what really touches your heart is the hospitality, warmth and gentleness of Taiwan’s people – undoubtedly one of the most helpful and kind people in the world.
For visitors from the Middle East, the topography of Taiwan will come as a nice surprise – totally different from the dry and arid desertscapes of the Middle East. Taiwan’s Central Mountain range cuts across the island sorting out the northern zone from the southern. Here you will see lush foothills, terraced flatlands, coastal plains and basins. In fact, Taiwan is full of attractive tourist zones ranging from the stark rocks of Yehliu, the gushing waterfront of Keelung, the idyllic Northeast Coast National Scenic Area – not forgetting the famous Yangmingshan National Park with its curative hot springs and soothing multi-coloured flower beds.
As you move towards the central part of Taiwan, you come face to face with the exotic culture of Taiwan. Here you can immerse in a cultural rendezvouz with folk arts, handicraft, glorious temples and experience the spirit of age-old customs manifested through many carnivals.
 |
| Taiwan is a perfect destination for honeymoon couples |
HONEYMOON DESTINATION
Taiwan is also an excellent honeymoon destination with many serene spots – you even can view the ‘sea of clouds’ (the sunrise on Jade mountain) from the window of your mountain resort. Not to mention the thrills of the Central Cross-island Highway and the serenity of Hsitou’s famous bamboo forests. Honeymoon couples will specially enjoy and the magnificent isolation of the Yushan National Park.
Travel further south to the Kenting National Park and you will be treated to some of the best beaches in the world. You can even discover the wildlife here by travelling through some of the most enchanting natural habitats.
CULTURAL VOYAGE
The many museums of Taiwan, large and small, run by the government and the private sector, featuring everything from ancient and modern art to ancient and modern science and technology, offer eye-opening visits that are not just educational but also a lot of fun.
 |
| The National Palace Musuem: Precious artworks from an era bygone |
The National Palace Museum in Taipei, which recently reopened its main building after a comprehensive renovation, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Taiwan. It gives you the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see many of the most precious artworks of China. Other museums, such as the National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung and the National Science and Technology Museum in Kaohsiung, will introducing science and technology to young and old visitors in entertaining and colorful ways, using sophisticated ultra-modern presentation methods. No doubt, visiting a museum in Taiwan is a good idea on any given day – except on Monday, when most are closed.
You can even go white water rafting while in Taiwan. River Xiugulian, the biggest in eastern Taiwan offers a thrilling rafting experience. From Ruisui to the end at Rainbow Bridge it takes only 3 to 4 hours. You can take rest at a village called, Chimei. Hsiukuluan River and the Laonung River are other options for white water rafting.
For shopping enthusiasts, Taiwan is a haven. The island hosts many good shopping places. From cosmetics and perfumes, tobacco and electronics, leather goods, jewellery and watches, bags to all sorts of souvenirs with Chinese tradition, low-priced garments, computer hardware and electronic gizmos – the list of things you can buy in Taiwan is endless.
The Taiwan Tourism Bureau has announced that the “Flagship Tourist Attraction Plan” for 2007 to improve the country’s tourism infrastructure and to focus promotional efforts on the country’s most appealing and interesting attractions. Under the new plan, officials in each city and county will choose one top tourist attraction to showcase. In Taipei, that will be the National Palace Museum and Taipei 101 and in Kaohsiung the Love River has been chosen. For Hualien County, it will be Taroko Gorge and Sun Moon Lake is the choice for Nantou County.
EXPLORING TAIWAN BY TRAIN
Taiwan offers an excellent opportunity for a wholesome family holiday. Explore Taiwan by train to see the island in all its splendour
Taiwan’s railways offer an endless variety of experience, and the scenery lining their routes provides an infinite range of fascinating scenery. If you want to get a close look at the island’s natural bounty without having to suffer the problems of unfamiliar roads and traffic congestion, then you could choose a railroad tour and enjoy the delights of enchanting coastlines, majestic mountains, green farmlands, and quaint countryside.
 |
| Exploring Taiwan by train:A memorable experience |
Taiwan’s convenient railway network consists of the West Coast Trunk Railway, East Coast Trunk Railway, North-Link Railway, and South-Link Railway. Passenger service is divided into four classes, offering travellers a choice of destinations. The scenery along the railroad is an enchanting sequence of change, and each route has its own unique flavour. The mountainous nature of the island reflects the entire length of the railway routes, with exquisite scenes of mountains and rivers providing passengers some breathtaking views that are out of reach from the highway.
In fact, Taiwan’s rail routes are far more than just a means of transportation; they provide you an opportunity to sample the local culture and society. Visitors from the Middle East are sure to enjoy a journey on one of the many fascinating rail routes in Taiwan. Here are some suggested train trips:
Main Line, Taichung Line, Pingtung Line: The main cities served by this route include Keelung, Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung. Each of these cities has its own distinct customs and topography, and itineraries through them are as distinctive. You can also undertake tours of the Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung metropolitan areas, sample the famous delicacies of Miaokou (Temple Mouth) in Keelung, visit the fascinating City God Temple in Hsinchu, taste the snacks of Danshui and the seafood of Pingtung, enjoy the pottery of Yingge and the wood-carving culture of Sanyi, and admire the historic sites of Sanxia and Tainan. You can also opt for a tour through the countryside of Chiayi, or go bird-watching at the Keya River in Hsinchu or the Zengwen River in Tainan.
South-Link Railway: This is the only route in Taiwan that takes you to both, the Taiwan Straits and the Pacific Ocean. The train passes through the southernmost extremity of the Central Mountain Range, taking you to Pingtung in the west with Taitung in the east, allowing you to see the beautiful Pacific, the majestic mountains, and the lovely mountain-and-sea views as well as the aboriginal cultures of southeastern Taiwan. Famous sights along this route are the daylily fields of Taimali and the hot springs of Zhiben.
East Coast Trunk Line System: This route covers the Yilan Line which takes you from Badu to Suao, the North-Link Railway which connects Suao to Hualien, and the Hualien-Taitung Line, which in combination constitute a complete route that covers the entire eastern region of Taiwan and brings you face to face with the attractions of Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung. Trains run along the seacoast, with the high mountains on one side and the vast ocean on the other providing the most intoxicating scenery on this part of the round-the-island route.
 |
| Taiwan's natural beauty: Breathtakingly beautiful |
On this route you will see Taiwan’s natural beauty in all its glory; after passing though the flat open fields of the Lanyang Plain the distant sight of Turtle Island along the way, you will pass through Suao and the scenery outside your window will undergo a drastic change as majestic sights of mountain and sea captivate you. Famous tourist sites along the way include the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area, the Lanyang Plain, Turtle Island, the East Coast National Scenic Area, the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area, Taroko National Park, and Taroko Gorge with its Swallows’ Grottos, Tunnel of Nine Turns, Bulowan, Cuilu Precipice, Tianxiang, and the Liwu River.
Taiwan also has slow trains that run along narrow-gauge railways: the Alishan Forest Line, Jiji Line, Pingxi Line, and Neiwan Line. A ride on this kind of tourist train allows passengers an opportunity to enjoy the scenery along the way and is undoubtedly a new and interesting experience.
Pingxi Line: You can board this train at the Ruifang Station or Houdong Station on the main railway line and see the beautiful mountain cliffs, streams, and waterfalls along the way, and experience the intriguing lifestyle of country villages and small mining towns. The main scenic spots along the line are the Shifen Waterfall, Wildman Valley Waterfalls, and Lingjiao Waterfall.
Neiwan Line: This line is located in the easternmost part of Hengshan Township in Hsinchu County. You can board trains on this branch line at the Hsinchu Railway Station; as your train moves slowly along the track, yu can gain a feeling of the rustic life in mountain towns. The main scenic spots along the line include the Beipu Scenic Area and the Wuzhishan (Five-Fingers Mountain) Scenic Area.
Jiji Line: This line passes through Changhua and Nantou countries, passing through “green tunnels,” historic sites, rivers, old pottery kilns, and the little town of Jiji. A ride along the Jiji Line is like a journey into the past.
Alishan Forest Line: Unique as it is, this is one of only three alpine railways that are left in the world and it takes you through four different climatic zones – tropical, subtropical, temperate, and frigid – and each section of the line passes through truly unique scenery with beautiful views. It also allows you to experience a “rollercoaster” ride as it winds its way up one of the high mountains on its way to the destination. The journey ends at the beautiful Alishan National Scenic Area, where you can see the spectacular sunrise and mountain pathways.
If you want to travel the complete length of Taiwan’s railway system, you can purchase round-the-island tickets from the Taiwan Railway Administration. These seven separate tickets allow you to stop at seven stations along the way, as long as you get back on at the same stations. The tickets are valid for 15 days from the date of your first ride. If you don’t want to bother making your own arrangements, you can take a special Tourist Train. Tickets on these trains are currently sold as part of a package that includes accommodation and tours; in addition to bigger and more comfortable seats, these trains are also equipped with salon and dining cars where passengers can engage in karaoke singing and savour hot meals.
Indeed, the rail routes will always have an allure for travellers that other methods of transportation cannot match. Do you want to take a romantic journey by rail? Take a trip on the Taiwan railways, and you will not be disappointed!
A PERFECT FAMILY HOLIDAY
Taiwan provides ample fun for kids as well as adults and is fast emerging as a preferred destination for memorable family holidays...
Taiwan can provide a perfect family holiday with something for everyone. In Taiwan, you’ll find more than enough to keep the children entertained and happy. Travellers from the Middle East are specially thrilled to experience the culture and customs of the Taiwanese people. The kids will surely be enthusiastic to explore the many activities that are on offer. Here are a few recommendations for complete and wholesome family fun:
Kid’s Play World
Across the road from the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, the Kid’s Play World can keep the children blissfully busy all day. The first section, the World of Yesterday, is a re-creation of an old-fashioned Chinese village. It's like a museum where kids don't have to be quiet and still. In the World of Tomorrow, they'll learn interesting facts about science and see an IMAX theatre. There's enough room for them to roam and play.
Fin's Sealife Aquarium
A short bus hop from Kid's Play World, Fin's Sealife is a new facility featuring more than 200 species of marine animals, a good choice for a fun and educational indoor excursion – located in the Shihlin area of Taipei.
Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall
Of special interest to kids is the broad plaza surrounding the hall, which takes on a circus-like atmosphere almost every weekend, with skating and kite-flying the principal attractions.
Yangmingshan
The Chungshan Park area at the centre of the National Park is a wide-open space where kids can run free. In the springtime, take them to see the blossoming flowers and cherry trees.
The Mucha Zoo
The zoo, of course, is a great place for kids (and everyone else). The Taipei Zoo, which is located in the suburb of Mucha, is set in nice green environs and has lots of animals, including a special indigenous Formosan animals section. You can reach the front gate directly via the Mucha MRT line.
TAROKO GORGE
NATURAL WONDER
One of Asia’s natural wonders and the most popular scenic attractions of Taiwan, the Taroko Gorge is not-to-be-missed sights on any visitor’s itinerary to Taiwan
 |
| Taroko Gorge: A natural wonder carved in marble |
Towering marble cliffs – formed millions of years ago – soar up to 3,000 feet along Taiwan's Taroko Gorge. One of Asia's natural wonders and the most popular scenic attractions of Taiwan, the gorge – with the Liwu River rushing through it – continues for about 12 miles through deep canyons with lush vegetation, hiking trails and an extensive variety of animal and plant life. Taroko, or tailuge in the Ami dialect, means “beautiful” and the Taroko National Park, in the central East Coast area, certainly offers the visitor some spectacular vistas along with 27 of the island’s highest peaks.
A Ming Dynasty-style arch marks the entrance to Taroko Gorge. Only two miles down the road, the Eternal Spring Shrine sits high on a cliff commemorating the hundreds who lost their lives building the Central Cross-Island Highway from 1956 to 1960. A plume of water flows from under the shrine down the cliff face. Behind the shrine stone steps lead up to Guanyin Cave and Changuang Temple.
The highway twists and turns for miles with various stops along the way. Home to the Atayal people, the area, now the Puluowan Recreation Area, offers a number of hiking trails for active travellers. Some of the most dramatic scenery can be found in the Swallows’ Grotto of this ‘marble valley’. A gigantic grotto of karst, it has towering cliffs frequented by thousands of swallows depending on the season. A little further on, visitors can stroll for about a mile through a remarkable feat of engineering, the “Tunnel of Nine Turns’ trail – a road of short tunnels and overhanging rock carved out of the marble cliffs. The stone walls of the valley stand so close, they only allow a few rays of sunlight to filter down to the floor of the gorge. Waterfalls cascade off the cliffs and trees cling to the vertical surfaces. The scene could come from a Chinese brush painting. A suspension bridge guarded by two stone lions with a pagoda perched on a nearby hill is the last stop before Tienhsiang.
The settlement of Tienhsiang marks the terminus of the Taroko section of the Central Cross-Island Highway and has a number of tourist facilities and hiking trails. The 212-room Grand Formosa Regent Hotel is the only upscale property here and features indoor and outdoor pools, an aromatherapy spa, sauna and steam rooms, fitness centre, Chinese and western restaurants, a bowling alley and private karaoke rooms.
A short stroll over a suspension bridge takes visitors to a pagoda high on a hill. Next to the pagoda is the Hsiang-Te Temple of Taroko, a large Buddhist shrine with a huge bronze statue of the Buddha. The hotel staff provides maps for the area’s many hiking trails. One of the most scenic, the Baiyang Trail, leads hikers on a satisfying hour and half walk through tropical vegetation and six tunnels to the magnificent Baiyang Waterfall. Another nearby hike leads visitors to the Wenshan hot springs
Stretching about 22 miles from east to west and about 26 miles from north to south, the Taroko National Park is one of six national parks in Taiwan. Covering an area of about 37,000 acres in the central mountains, the park has altitudes ranging from over 12,000 feet to sea level. The park teems with wildlife with more than 239 species of butterflies, 89 of birds, 25 of reptiles and 24 species of large mammals including the Taiwan wild boar, the red-bellied tree squirrel and Formosan mountain goat.
Taroko Gorge is one of the three not-to-be-missed sights on any visitor’s itinerary to Taiwan – specially so for travellers from the Middle East.
Mauritius: A Perfect Honeymoon Destination
Cyprus: Wooing Tourists From The Middle East
Thailand's Health Tourism Sector Attracts Arab Patrons
Malaysia: Middle East Promotional Campaign Proves Successful
Business & Tourism Guide to Taiwan Launched
Top |
MIDDLE EAST 
Bali gains popularity with tourists from the Middle East region. Jakarta offers a perfect family holiday for Arab tourists... 