The Best Taiwan Luxury Hotels, Vacations, Tours, Travel Packages

Taiwan, The National Palace Museum, in Taipei

 

Shaped roughly like a tobacco leaf, 240 miles long and 85 miles wide, Taiwan is located 100 miles off the coast of southeastern China and is approximately the same size as Holland.

The Portuguese named it La Isla Formosa ("beautiful island") during their occupation in 1517 and for very good reasons. The east coast has magnificent cliffs that dive straight into the ocean and mountains, many over 10,000 feet high, cover two-thirds of the island. The Jade Mountain (Yushan), for example, is the tallest peak in northeast Asia at 13,114 feet; the climate at sea level is subtropical.

Taiwan has been loosely affiliated with China since the 13th century and independent since 1945. Today, Taiwan is a living showcase of Chinese culture and tradition. The best display of China's past is seen in The National Palace Museum in Taipei, reputed to be the world's greatest repository of Chinese art.

Another of Taipei's attractions is the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, one of the most breathtaking sites in Taiwan. Jade markets, tea shops, parks and more museums also await you.

Taiwan is situated in the Western Pacific about 160 kilometers (100 miles) off the southeastern coast of the Asiatic Continent. Lying midway between Korea and Japan to the north and Hong Kong and the Philippines to the south, Taiwan is a natural gateway for travelers to and within Asia. Taiwan has a total area of nearly 36,000 sq. km (14,400 sq.miles).

The island is shaped roughly like a tobacco leaf, and is bisected north to south by the Central Mountain Range. About two-thirds of the island is covered with mountains with the rest made up of foothills, terraced flatlands, and coastal plains and basins. Yu Shan (Jade Mountain), the island tallest peak, towers 3,952 meters (12,966 feet) above sea level. The Tropic of Cancer crosses the southern part of Taiwan.

Taiwan proper also includes the Penghu Archipelago--a group of 64 islands--and 21 other islands. Most of them are of volcanic origins, while some are formed by a mass of coral reefs.

Taiwan is a stable democracy and has a strong and well-developed economy. Tourist facilities are widely available.

Why You Should Travel to Taiwan

The rapid industrialization and economic growth in Taiwan has attracted many tourists, investors and other stakeholders to visit this beautiful place. Last year I had to stop at Taiwan luckily because of some business conference and after communicating with some friends I came to know that Taiwan is one of the best vacation spots in the world! Hence I delayed my trip and made it in to a business plus vacation trip.

I was in the north Taiwan so the rainy weather in that region of Taiwan made me delay my trip even further, not only this but there are several other good things about this place which I would love to share so that next time when you plan a vacation you would consider them!

The diversified culture of this place has led many people to practice their religion, culture and social values freely.

People in Taiwan are totally different as they have respect for each other and they welcome people from other nations wholeheartedly.

The visa process is simple and it is easy to get visa for this place.

The marine tropical climate helps anybody to adjust and have fun.

There are several beautiful parks and other scenic beauty which will make anybody go speechless.

The infrastructure and all other facilities for a normal tourist are welcoming.

Many people come to Taiwan to learn Chinese because Taiwan has one of the best Chinese professors. And because Chinese is the other language which will probably be used in the future like English and French, this is the reason why I think if you are planning to stay longer then you should learn the basic language course.

There a lot of museums in Taiwan which are a must watch!

People who are sporty can get involved in the most happening sports of today, which is basketball and baseball! One can even take classes to learn these sports.

The convenience stores at Taiwan are open 24 hours.

The security is also not an issue because Taiwan has an efficient security team and there is no harm in wandering late at nights!

The food at Taiwan will make you go and crave for it whenever you would think about it! Yes trying every type of food there is a must! Especially Chinese!

Vegetarians can get vegetarian food almost anywhere too

There are a lot of religious places in Taiwan because of diversified culture.

I am sure you want the list to go on but how about you discover the rest of the traits? I am sure you are motivated to visit this place at least once! Good luck! Happy exploring!

This is Ahsan Ayub from Marish Solutions. When I visited Taiwan my experience was wonderful because I avail services of a renowned travel agent named Hello Holidays. If you are planning to go to Taiwan then you can consult them to make your trip memorable.

Taipei - Sparkling Temples And Tall Skyscrapers

Taipei is a very important city in Taiwan, as it is its financial, governmental, and cultural hub. Famous for its beautiful temples, huge skyscrapers,and old-world influences, you'll find that Taipei is packed with appeal, making it a top-notch vacation spot. The present and the past intertwine so easily in Taipei, meaning you shouldn't expect a typical city vacation. You will have to get a passport if you plan on traveling here. If you have a passport and it's simply expired, passport renewals can be purchased online.

Americans Will Need A Passport

No matter how old someone is, from infants to the elderly, they will need a passport to travel. Getting expedited child passports is also able to be done online, as well as a host of other services. Because online service drastically reduces the time it takes to get ready for a trip, you don't have to wait around for months for your passport to finally be delivered, which runs the risk of having to delay or even cancel travel plans if you don't have your passport in time. If you choose to get yours online, you will be able to select the best delivery time frame for you.

Taipei 101

Taipei 101 is your first stop if you are looking to get the best view of the city, as it is actually the second-tallest skyscraper in the world. As you might imagine, its 89th-floor (out of 101) observation deck provides amazing photo ops, both while the sun is out and after it sets. Additionally,you get to ride the fastest elevator in the world to this observation deck. The building was constructed to look like bamboo, which contains much important symbolism to this region of Asia. Be sure to check out the shopping opportunities in the basement food store, the book store on the fourth floor, and the mall at the base.

Longshan Temple

Taipei is packed full of temples, and there are many that are worth visiting. Longshan Temple, a beautiful Buddhist temple, is one of the most popular. The people of Taipei come to this temple to pray and reflect on ever aspect of life. Be sure to save some time to explore the historic area around this temple as well. You can often find festivals and celebrations taking place at Longshan Temple, so do a little research and see if any are happening during your trip. If you are interested in more temples, Xiahai City God Temple is another popular one, which also has an interesting surrounding area if you are down to explore.

National Palace Museum

If you are interested in seeing one of the largest and most famous collections of Chinese art and invaluable artifacts, head towards the National Palace Museum. With artifacts dating back to the 10th century, many of the things in the museum have interesting histories.

Yangmingshan National Park

Yangmingshan National Park is a good spot to explore some of the mountainous natural setting around Taipei. Here you'll encounter some stunning landscapes, as well as some postcard-worthy views of Taipei from the peaks of the mountains.

You will never have a shortage of things to do and see while you're exploring Taipei. However, even though you may be tempted to pack an itinerary with activities, save a little time to just get lost in the city. Remember that you'll also need a passport. Expedited child passports and adult passports can be applied for online. In addition, if your passport is expired, passport renewals are available as well.

Hospitals in Taichung: A Brief Summary

Taichung is a city on the Taiwanese Island located off the south eastern coast of China. It is a hugely popular destination among backpackers from all corners of the globe. Taichung is famous for its strong literary and cultural traditions. The people lead a very technologically advanced and fast paced life. In case you are planning a trip to Taichung there are some important aspects you need to do research on. The chief of these aspects is the condition of medical facilities in Taichung. The healthcare sector is pretty well developed and the hospitals are up to date in terms of medical knowledge and equipment. Tourists visiting this city will receive first rate treatment and will be satisfied with the high medical standards.

The hospitals in Taichung are either run by private bodies or they are backed by public institutions. The standards in these hospitals are at par with the global standards. The doctors and other staff are well trained. Most doctors have received training in European or other foreign countries. Therefore, the tourists can experience both the western and the traditional modes of treatment. The public hospitals have all the necessary equipment and facilities in place, but due to their disorganization, they are not very popular. The private hospitals are more expensive but offer A class facilities. Private hospitals also have state of art machinery and testing equipment.

Language is a primary concern of tourists on a trip to a foreign country. While the embassies can help out by providing a list of English speaking doctors in Taichung hospitals, language does not actually pose much of a problem in Taichung. More than half of the doctors in the hospitals in this city possess a working knowledge of English. You can also hire a translator - most likely one of the numerous local students who are always willing to help out visitors. The hospitals require an initial deposit to be made in cash before treatment is allowed to begin. This is a compulsory procedure common in both Taiwan and China.

Ambulance services and blood banks stay open round the clock. They are very efficient. The pharmacies have medicine in stock, but on a trip to Taichung it is advisable to carry ample quantities of over the counter medications with you. This is suggested because the names of the medicines might differ, making it difficult to obtain the necessary medications. Also, it is not easy to obtain over the counter medicines at some pharmacies without prescriptions. The most popular hospitals offering quality services in Taichung are the Veterans General Hospital, Cheng Ching Hospital, the China Medical University Hospital and the Chung Shan Medical University Hospital to name a few.

Before you travel or move abroad, make sure that you and your family have quality medical insurance. Let Good Neighbor Insurance help you find the right international health insurance for your situation.

Culture Shock

Welcome to your new country. You're come here for fun, excitement, change, challenge, and perhaps money. Will the locals speak your language? I'm not trying to scare you, but perhaps they won't. Will some people there speak your language, oh most definitely. This is only one of the things that you may have to think about when you plan on going to a new country.

Culture shock is an interesting phenomenon that doesn't affect everyone the same way. Some just can't understand it when the locals don't speak English. Some can't comprehend why there aren't any English signs anywhere to be found. Why are things done this way, and not that way? Why am I even in this situation? It would never happen in my home country. Questions like these can cause people to get stressed out and want to go back to their own countries. People can get frustrated when faced with change. Many people deal with it their own way, head back home.

In 1998, I traveled to Taiwan. I never once felt that I suffered from culture shock, personally. I always felt it was more like culture fascination rather than culture shock. I was amazed with everything that I saw and encountered. But I still had many questions. For instance, why aren't there English street signs on the corner of every intersection? I felt that they would be very helpful for me and also for other people from English speaking countries. What I didn't think about was that the people that live there can read the signs just fine, and it certainly isn't necessary for them to change them all just for me.

A friend of mine had a girlfriend that hated everything about Taiwan and couldn't understand why it was different from her home in San Francisco. She hated the people, hated the food, hated the smells, hated the transportation, all because it was different from San Francisco. I asked her if she hated everything so much, why doesn't she just leave. I cared about Taiwan and its people and to be completely honest, I didn't want to hear any more of her complaining. She ended up leaving eventually, but after many more complaints. This is what happens to some people, they can't adjust to their new environment properly.

Others suffer from a much more realistic and understandable reason, homesickness. It's easy to miss your family, your friends, and your familiar stomping grounds. For people that decide to go overseas, they have to stay focused, enjoy themselves, and be strong. Yes, this new place isn't like home. Yes, this new place is strange and different. No, your friends and family aren't here. This was one of the biggest challenges that I had ever faced and I thrived on it.

Another factor involved can be diet. The foods that you're used to eating may not be available in this new location. You may have to actually try something different. Believe me, this is a good thing. Trying new things will also be a test for you. Try the food that the locals eat everyday. It's obviously not bad for you, or these people wouldn't be eating it themselves. I have to laugh to myself when I hear about people going to Taiwan and eating McDonald's all the time.

The culture in your new destination will obviously be different when compared to where you're from. Things they say and do will most likely also be different. When I was in Taiwan, it was generally accepted for people to ask others how much money they made. In Canada, this is just an awkward question that is rarely asked, even amongst close friends. Actually, now that I think back to that time, I felt uncomfortable every single time I was asked my rate of pay. I was asked quite frequently and I never actually gave up that information to my inquisitors.

As I mentioned previously, culture shock affects different people different ways. I knew a guy who went to Taiwan; he was originally planning on staying for a year. He lasted 5 days. In my opinion, this small amount of time is not enough to give a fair evaluation of the country. But that's me, and that was his decision, not mine. I just goes to show you that people are different. Don'd be worried about how culture shock is going to affect you, just buy a book and read a bit about your destination. Nothing will totally prepare you for what you're about to discover. Enjoy yourself and make the absolute most of your experience. Don't fear culture shock, embrace it.

Andrew Greenham, founder of ESL Elite.com (www.eslelite.com). Contact: info@eslelite.com or visit more related articles at www.eslelite.com/forum

Exciting Tastes and Smells Came From Taiwanese Cooking Classes

American Chinese cooking can be likened to the French word potpourri. It comes to us with a blending from many different regions of China. The seasoning ranges from hot and spicy to somewhat bland. However you like it, Chinese food is full of veggies and generally packed with healthful eating.

Taiwan is a small tobacco shaped island, a scant 100 miles from mainland of China. The tiny country wishes to be known as the Republic of China. During the two-years my family and I lived there, we resided in central Taiwan, in the town of Taichung. It was the experience of a lifetime.

My two children attended Morrison Academy, a Baptist missionary school in Taichung. Most of the teachers at Morrison were young American women who came to teach for a year or two before returning home. They arrived eager to experience life in a different culture. Few were disappointed. I was there due to my husband's job assignment, but for me, it was the opportunity to live the pages of National Geographic every day.

Through a friend who was a teacher at Morrison Academy, I was invited to attend a Chinese cooking class that the school's Chinese cultural teacher, a native of Taiwan was offering to the newly arrived staff that fall. My friend asked if I would be interested in joining the group. Would I? You bet I would. Allowing me to join them was like a gift. I felt privileged.

For a small fee to cover the cost of our food and supplies, we attended cooking classes every Saturday afternoon for six-weeks in the Morrison High School home economics classroom. The best part of the course came at the end of each class. We sat down to a gourmet lunch that we helped prepare, sharing the camaraderie of young women living abroad and the exciting experiences each of us was uncovering. Not only new sights and smells, but sharing where to shop and what not to miss seeing during our time living here.

Before dismissing the class, our cooking instructor gave us two different printed versions of each recipe we learned to prepare that day. One version listed fresh foods that could be found in the outdoor markets of Asia. The second version she had adapted the recipes to what we might expect to find in the supper markets when we returned to the United States.

The instructor's adaptation of her recipes offered an excellent primer in the art of Chinese cooking. By sharing her recipe for Egg Rolls, I hope it opens your world to exciting tastes and smells and you too might feel that you are gaining a glimpse into living the pages of National Geographic.

Egg Rolls

? lb. ground meat

6 eggs

3 Tbsp. soy sauce

? tsp. salt

? tsp. salt

1 tsp. cornstarch

Some ginger

a little bit of water

Egg wrappers

1. Mix first 4 ingredients together

2. Break the eggs and add salt. Use chopsticks to beat a little. Then put water (about a tbsp.) with cornstarch and beat a little more.

3. Heat a pan and add a little bit of oil to fry the egg wrapper.

4. place the egg wrapper flat, put some of the first mixture on wrapper. Roll them. Then place on a plate to steam about 5-minutes

5. Take out and cut them on the plate ready to serve.

Kathy Manney is the nationally recognized author of autobiographical, lifestyle and travel articles and the travel columnist for "The Vegas Voice," a monthly regional senior lifestyle newspaper.

She was born and raised in Portland, Oregon and has spend her adult years living in Asia and through the United States.

Kathy is open to freelance work in the fields of non-fiction writing and editing.

Find Your Dream Taipei Woman Now

You may think that you have no luck in finding the right woman for you, what more if you become more specific and try to find your dream Taipei woman? Things like doubt may hinder you from finding your match and eventually happiness. But then think again, this can be easily achieved through the net and via Taipei personals.

We all know that it hard to find the right person for us, even if we are actually in the same area as that person. What more if the one whom you truly want lives in another continent? Yes, life can be hard, but with the internet, nothing is impossible nowadays, meeting your dream girl online is now easily achievable.

Now, how do you get in touch with your preferred Taipei Woman? The answer is simple, all you have to do is to go online and look through Taipei personal ads via social networking web sites. There are now a lot of web sites that offer this opportunity to men who are currently seeking for potential friends or partners. But there is a particular website that caters not only to Taiwan singles, but also to other nationality as well.

You can easily strike a conversation with any of the members; you can also start sending them messages, or even view their profiles. All you have to do is to register and you are good to go. In matter of minutes, you will be overwhelmed at how many people will answer back to your messages.

Unlike dating in a regular way, meeting people online is somewhat like speed dating, once you find that the current person who are chatting with doesn't interest you, you can easily jump to the next person. Unlike in a regular face to face dating, you have to wait for your actual date to end, before you are finally released from that person's company.

If you truly want to attract Taipei woman whom you've met through Taipei personal or online, all you have to do is to be yourself, and try not to scare them away. Like, if it is your first time to chat with that person, don't act like a stalker or someone whom she's been talking to for eternity. Take time to find out what her interest are, what makes her comfortable talking to strangers, and best of all your common grounds. Like tell her about you, what you do, where you are, and your reason for joining that site. If you simply want to start making new friends, or if you are actually interested in finding your match. That way, if the person is indeed looking for the same thing, the both of you will then have a smooth flowing conversation.

Find your perfect match now with Taiwan Dating Sites by simply joining Taiwan Dating.