Taiwan ITMB

The island of Formosa is friendly, attractive, interesting, safe, and an ideal travel destination. It is also a tad politically contentious, as mainland China claims it as part of China. Be that as it may, Taiwan is currently an independent democracy, with its own government and institutions. Relations between China and Taiwan have been benign for the past dozen years, with daily flights arriving from Beijing and Shanghai, along with international flights.

Side One: Taipei and Urban Area

This side of the map focuses on the capital city of Taipei, including an inset map of the extended urban area. Taipei is a typically crowded Chinese city, featuring exceptionally high office towers, such as Taipei 101, which was the tallest building in the world a decade ago.

Tourist highlights include:

• The museum housing the treasures of China, brought to the island in 1949 during the Nationalist government led by Chiang Kai Shek.
• Historical significance tied to the end of the civil war that had convulsed China for decades.

Side Two: The Entire Country

The second side of the map showcases Taiwan as a whole at a very good scale. Key features include:

• Western portion: Fairly flat and heavily populated, with three motorways connecting Taipei to the cities of Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.
  • Includes an inset map of Tainan.
• Eastern portion: Relatively undeveloped and featuring a mountainous interior.
  • The road from Hsincheng through the Taroka Gorge is a masterpiece of road construction.
  • Resorts and hot springs in the interior offer wonderful opportunities to relax.
  • Sun Moon Lake boasts exotic temples, pagodas, and nearby aboriginal villages to explore.

Southern Highlights

For those with an adventurous inclination, the port city of Taitung is a must-visit. From here, ferries connect to the outlying islands of Lanyu and Green, offering further exploration opportunities.