Chinese Culture >> Taiwan Culture >> Taiwan Places to Visit
Taiwan was called Ilha Formosa which means
Beautiful Island by the Portuguese when they landed there in 1544.
Taiwan may be
small in geographical size but there is a wide range of things to do and see
while vacationing there. In this article you will discover some of the top
places to visit in Taiwan including
the
National
Palace Museum.
Taipei: The Cosmopolitan Capital of
Taiwan
Taiwan's capital, Taipei, is a "must stop" destination for all who travel there.
Long ago, the "Taipei Basin" was inhabited by an Aboriginal tribe called the
Ketagelan. Later, Taipei became an important port for the trading of tea under
the occupation of the Han Chinese. Finally, the city became the island's
capital.
No one can visit the Taiwan's capital without a visit to Taipei 101. According
to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, Taipei 101 is the world's
tallest skyscraper. The building has a total of 106 floors, five being
underground and 101 above ground. Thus, the name Taipei 101. Since Taiwan is
located in an area that is subject to typhoons and earthquakes, the skyscraper
was designed to withstand both of them.
The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is another popular attraction in Taipei. It is
also known as the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall although there has
been controversy over the renaming. This great monument to China's former
president Chiang Kai-Shek is located near the Gate of Great Centrality and
Perfect Uprightness. The main structure has white walls with an octagonal roof
of blue tiles that rises up to 70 meters above the ground. The Memorial Hall
contains a library and museum. It is surrounded by a park where a beautiful pond
is located..
Sun Moon Lake
Sun Moon Lake is Taiwan's largest lake with a surface area of nearly 8 km
squared. It is the home of the Aboriginal tribe called the Thao. In the middle
of the lake is an island that is considered to be sacred by the tribe. Because
of this, the Aboriginal Cultural Village has been constructed near the lake. At
the cultural village, visitors can learn about the history and development of
the Thao tribe as well as enjoy the scenic beauty.
Taipei and Sun Moon Lake are just a couple of the wonderful tourist destinations
that vacationers can find in Taiwan. Whether you visit the big city or head out
to the countryside, you are sure to exclaim as the Portuguese did so many years
ago that Taiwan is, in fact, the Beautiful Island.
About the Author:
Visit U.S. Passport Service Guide for information on how to get a Taiwan visa and to watch Taipei Taiwan vacation videos