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10 Reasons to Visit Taiwan Now

  • <p>Recognized as one of the world’s top New Year's Eve fireworks shows, promises to be even bigger and brighter this year to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 1,669-foot tower's completion. This year's 218-second show of 24,000 fireworks will illuminate the night sky in gold and feature the horse to signify 2014’s Chinese zodiac sign.</p> <p><strong>Plan Your Trip: </strong>Visit </p>
    1/5

    Taipei 101

    Recognized as one of the world’s top New Year's Eve fireworks shows, promises to be even bigger and brighter this year to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 1,669-foot tower's completion. This year's 218-second show of 24,000 fireworks will illuminate the night sky in gold and feature the horse to signify 2014’s Chinese zodiac sign.

    Plan Your Trip: Visit

    ANUJAK JAIMOOK/Shutterstock
  • <p>The Asia Pacific mixology scene was put on the map in 2011 when Japan’s Manabu Ohtake won World Class Bartender of the Year. In 2012, six finalists hailed from Asia to battle their New York, Paris, and Australian counterparts. Kae Yin, Asia Pacific World Class Bartender 2012 winner, now crafts cocktails at <u>Marsalis Home</u> (No. 90, Sōngrén Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan 110, +886 2 2723 6278) by blending tea-ceremony traditions with mixology techniques.</p> <p><strong>Plan Your Trip: </strong>Visit </p>
    2/5

    Award-winning Cocktails

    The Asia Pacific mixology scene was put on the map in 2011 when Japan’s Manabu Ohtake won World Class Bartender of the Year. In 2012, six finalists hailed from Asia to battle their New York, Paris, and Australian counterparts. Kae Yin, Asia Pacific World Class Bartender 2012 winner, now crafts cocktails at Marsalis Home (No. 90, Sōngrén Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan 110, +886 2 2723 6278) by blending tea-ceremony traditions with mixology techniques.

    Plan Your Trip: Visit

    Courtesy of Marsalis Home Taipei
  • <p>More than 500,000 Aboriginals, or 2 percent of the island’s population, call Taiwan home. Village tours and festivals are open to the public and a great way to experience the unique cultures. Also on view from December to May at the is<em> In Their Footsteps</em>, an eye-opening exhibit on Taiwan’s indigenous people. The museum also houses the world’s largest collection of ancient Chinese art.</p> <p><strong>Plan Your Trip: </strong>Visit </p>
    3/5

    Centuries of Culture

    More than 500,000 Aboriginals, or 2 percent of the island’s population, call Taiwan home. Village tours and festivals are open to the public and a great way to experience the unique cultures. Also on view from December to May at the is In Their Footsteps, an eye-opening exhibit on Taiwan’s indigenous people. The museum also houses the world’s largest collection of ancient Chinese art.

    Plan Your Trip: Visit

    mj007/Shutterstock
  • <p>Take part in a 2,000-year-old tradition at this year’s , a celebration that marks the end of the Chinese New Year. During this February festival, thousands of sky lanterns, each inscribed with a wish for the New Year, are released into the heavens, emblazoning the night sky with floating lanterns.</p> <p><strong>Plan Your Trip: </strong>Visit </p>
    4/5

    Lantern Festival

    Take part in a 2,000-year-old tradition at this year’s , a celebration that marks the end of the Chinese New Year. During this February festival, thousands of sky lanterns, each inscribed with a wish for the New Year, are released into the heavens, emblazoning the night sky with floating lanterns.

    Plan Your Trip: Visit

    Nicholashan/Dreamstime.com
  • <p>Said to rival the popular (and tourist-filled) shores of Thailand, the beaches of reopen this time of year once typhoon season ends. Take Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) from Taipei to Kaohsiung in south Taiwan, for a day trip of lazing on the quiet beaches of Taiwan’s first national park. Or stay at resorts like the luxurious .</p> <p><strong>Plan Your Trip: </strong>Visit </p>
    5/5

    Sandy Shores

    Said to rival the popular (and tourist-filled) shores of Thailand, the beaches of reopen this time of year once typhoon season ends. Take Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) from Taipei to Kaohsiung in south Taiwan, for a day trip of lazing on the quiet beaches of Taiwan’s first national park. Or stay at resorts like the luxurious .

    Plan Your Trip: Visit

    Patrick Lin/Shutterstock
<p>Recognized as one of the world’s top New Year's Eve fireworks shows, promises to be even bigger and brighter this year to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 1,669-foot tower's completion. This year's 218-second show of 24,000 fireworks will illuminate the night sky in gold and feature the horse to signify 2014’s Chinese zodiac sign.</p> <p><strong>Plan Your Trip: </strong>Visit </p>
<p>The Asia Pacific mixology scene was put on the map in 2011 when Japan’s Manabu Ohtake won World Class Bartender of the Year. In 2012, six finalists hailed from Asia to battle their New York, Paris, and Australian counterparts. Kae Yin, Asia Pacific World Class Bartender 2012 winner, now crafts cocktails at <u>Marsalis Home</u> (No. 90, Sōngrén Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan 110, +886 2 2723 6278) by blending tea-ceremony traditions with mixology techniques.</p> <p><strong>Plan Your Trip: </strong>Visit </p>
<p>More than 500,000 Aboriginals, or 2 percent of the island’s population, call Taiwan home. Village tours and festivals are open to the public and a great way to experience the unique cultures. Also on view from December to May at the is<em> In Their Footsteps</em>, an eye-opening exhibit on Taiwan’s indigenous people. The museum also houses the world’s largest collection of ancient Chinese art.</p> <p><strong>Plan Your Trip: </strong>Visit </p>
<p>Take part in a 2,000-year-old tradition at this year’s , a celebration that marks the end of the Chinese New Year. During this February festival, thousands of sky lanterns, each inscribed with a wish for the New Year, are released into the heavens, emblazoning the night sky with floating lanterns.</p> <p><strong>Plan Your Trip: </strong>Visit </p>
<p>Said to rival the popular (and tourist-filled) shores of Thailand, the beaches of reopen this time of year once typhoon season ends. Take Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) from Taipei to Kaohsiung in south Taiwan, for a day trip of lazing on the quiet beaches of Taiwan’s first national park. Or stay at resorts like the luxurious .</p> <p><strong>Plan Your Trip: </strong>Visit </p>
Fodor's

When Portuguese sailors first set eyes on Taiwan (officially called the Republic of China) more than 500 years ago, they named it "Ilha Formosa," or Beautiful Island. Today, the island boasts one of the 20 largest economies in the world and is home to lush mountains and pristine beaches. With influences from the Polynesians, Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese, and Chinese, Taiwan is the exotic hidden gem of East Asia. Experience all it has to offer when the subtropical island–known for its unbearable summer heat and humidity–finally cools down from December to February.

By Lisa Chung