Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is an island nation in East Asia, known for its vibrant culture, stunning natural landscapes, and modern cities.
Here’s a detailed overview:
Area & Geography:
Taiwan’s main island, also known as Formosa, covers an area of 35,808 square kilometers. It’s situated between the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The eastern two-thirds of the island are dominated by rugged mountain ranges, while the western third consists of plains where the highly urbanized population is concentrated. The combined territories under ROC control encompass 168 islands, totaling 36,193 square kilometers.
Population:
As of April 2025, the population of Taiwan is approximately 23.36 million, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
Capital:
The capital and a special municipality of Taiwan is Taipei. It serves as the political, economic, educational, and cultural center of the country.
Major Cities:
Beyond Taipei, other significant cities include:
- New Taipei City: Adjacent to Taipei, a major industrial and commercial hub.
- Taichung: The largest city in central Taiwan, an essential economic and transport hub.
- Kaohsiung: A thriving metropolis in southern Taiwan with a unique and vibrant culture.
- Tainan: Taiwan’s oldest city, renowned for its rich history, culture, architecture, and street food.
- Taoyuan City: Located west of New Taipei City, a bustling area of commerce and transport.
- Hsinchu: Known as Taiwan’s “Science City” due to its high-tech industries.
- Keelung: A major port city in northern Taiwan.
Language:
Mandarin Chinese is the official language of Taiwan, often referred to as “Taiwanese Mandarin.” While it is the standard for formal communication, education, and media, Taiwanese Hokkien (colloquially known as Taiwanese) remains very common and is frequently spoken in everyday life. Hakka Chinese is also spoken by a smaller population.
Currency:
The currency used in Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$).
Religion:
Taiwan boasts a diverse religious landscape. Approximately 93% of people identify as Buddhists, Taoists, or practitioners of Chinese folk religions, which often blend elements of all three. Other religions are also present.
Attractions & Wonders:
- Modern Wonders & Landmarks:
- Taipei 101: A towering skyscraper that was once the world’s tallest, offering breathtaking city views and a fascinating tuned mass damper to mitigate vibrations from earthquakes and storms.
- Taroko Gorge National Park: A natural marvel featuring towering marble cliffs, gushing waterfalls, and turquoise rivers. The Zhuilu Old Trail offers a challenging hike along a cliff-side path.
- Hot Springs: Taiwan is rich in geothermal activity, with numerous natural hot springs and resorts, particularly in the Hualien-Taitung area.
- Alishan National Scenic Area: Famous for its majestic sunrise views, ancient cypress trees, and scenic mountain railway.
- Sun Moon Lake: A beautiful alpine lake surrounded by mountains, offering cycling, boating, and stunning scenery.
- Historical & Cultural Attractions:
- Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (Taipei): An iconic monument honoring the former president, featuring grand architecture and daily changing of the guard ceremonies.
- National Palace Museum (Taipei): Home to an extensive collection of ancient Chinese artifacts and artworks, with over 700,000 pieces.
- Longshan Temple (Taipei): A magnificent and historic Buddhist temple showcasing traditional Taiwanese temple architecture.
- Shilin Night Market (Taipei): One of Taiwan’s largest and most famous night markets, offering a vast array of street food and local goods.
- Anping Old Fort (Tainan): A historic fort with a significant role in Taiwan’s colonial past.
- Dragon and Tiger Pagodas (Kaohsiung): Colorful and symbolic pagodas that are a popular tourist attraction.
Architecture:
Taiwanese architecture is a rich blend of indigenous, traditional Chinese, Japanese, Western, and modern styles, reflecting the island’s complex history and rapid urbanization. From traditional temples with ornate roofs and intricate carvings to Japanese colonial-era buildings, and from indigenous bamboo structures to contemporary skyscrapers like Taipei 101, the architectural landscape is incredibly diverse. Notable modern examples include the Luce Memorial Chapel designed by I.M. Pei.
Roads:
Taiwan has a well-developed road infrastructure, including an extensive network of highways, expressways, and local roads connecting its major cities and regions. This makes it relatively easy to travel around the island by car, bus, or scooter. The government continues to invest in infrastructure projects, including new road constructions.
Hotels:
Taiwan offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury international chains to boutique hotels, guesthouses, and budget-friendly options.
- Luxury Hotels: Mandarin Oriental (Taipei), Kimpton Da’an (Taipei), W Taipei, Grand Hyatt Taipei, The Lalu (Sun Moon Lake), TAI Urban Resort (Kaohsiung), Gloria Manor (Kenting).
- Hotels with Unique Experiences: Radium Kagaya (Beitou) and Volando Urai (Wulai) are known for their hot spring facilities.
Restaurants & Cuisine:
Taiwan is a culinary paradise, famous for its diverse and delicious food, particularly its vibrant street food scene.
- Must-Try Dishes:
- Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵): Taiwan’s unofficial national dish, a hearty bowl of rich broth with tender beef and chewy noodles.
- Lu Rou Fan (滷肉飯 – Braised Pork Rice): A humble yet flavorful dish of minced pork belly braised in soy sauce, served over rice.
- Oyster Omelette (蚵仔煎): A savory omelette with fresh oysters, eggs, and vegetables.
- Gua Bao (刈包 – Taiwanese Hamburger): A steamed bun filled with braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, and crushed peanuts.
- Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐): A pungent but beloved delicacy, often deep-fried.
- Xiao Long Bao (小籠包 – Soup Dumplings): Famous from restaurants like Din Tai Fung.
- Pineapple Cake (鳳梨酥): A popular sweet pastry with a pineapple filling.
- Bubble Tea (珍珠奶茶): The iconic Taiwanese beverage.
- Notable Restaurants:
- Din Tai Fung: Renowned globally for its xiao long bao.
- Shin Yeh Taiwanese Cuisine: Offers traditional Taiwanese dishes.
- Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles: A local favorite for beef noodles.
- RAW: A sophisticated restaurant known for its contemporary Asian-fusion dishes.
- Many night markets across the island offer an incredible variety of street food stalls.
Annual Travel:
Taiwan’s tourism industry was robust prior to the global pandemic, with significant tourism revenue in 2019 (over 27 billion USD). While figures declined during the pandemic, Taiwan is actively working to revitalize its tourism sector, attracting visitors with its blend of urban excitement, cultural heritage, and stunning natural beauty. The island offers a pleasant climate for travel for much of the year, though summers can be hot and humid, and typhoon season typically runs from June to October.
