by Siddharth Birla
As Indian tourists warm up to the Far East—China, South Korea and Japan—Taiwan is often left out in the cold. Some confuse it with Thailand, and many dismiss it as a giant mass-production factory somewhere in China. So, when I received an invitation to visit Taiwan, I was both excited and a bit doubtful about what to expect. But now that I am back, I can tell you why you should go to Taiwan.
This sweet-potato-shaped island off the coast of China has a soft, beating heart within its industrial shell. Even in business-like Taipei, which offers free Wi-Fi for tourists, you’ll stumble upon street markets, pagoda-crowned temples, and factories turned into cultural hubs.
The transport system is smooth, crime rates are low, and the exchange rate (Currently, 1 Taiwan Dollar (TWD) = 2.63 INR) makes food, shopping and stay quite affordable. You may struggle with the language—Mandarin and Taiwanese dominate, and English is limited to the front desk of hotels and some prominent shops. But to me, that is part of a new cultural experience.
Where exactly is Taiwan?
Taiwan lies 180 kilometres from mainland China, inside the South China Sea. It is bookended by Japan to the north and the Philippines to the south.
How’s the weather?
Taiwan enjoys a mild climate, making it a year-round destination. Just avoid the June to August window when typhoons hit.
Getting in:
Flights from Delhi to Taipei are all under 50,000 INR and the flying time varies from 6 to 20 hours, depending on which airline you pick and where it halts. I flew Cathay Pacific flight CX 694, which got me there in a little over 8 hours, with a one-hour layover in Hong Kong. The flight was relatively empty during the first leg, allowing me to stretch my back and relax for a few hours. The best part though was the in-flight entertainment system. Packed with the latest blockbusters, it ensured that I was never bored on-board.
The flight landed at Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport. It’s a good 40-minute drive from the heart of Taipei, so a taxi can be expensive. I’d recommend taking a bus instead. Cheap and comfortable!
Let me pick out my favourite gems from the trip:
A restaurant for flower lovers
A stone’s throw from Yangmingshan National Park is the picturesque and serene Bamboo Lake (Zhu Zi Hu) with rich, green fields of white trumpeting calla lily blossoms.
A buzzing farmer’s market by the day, Zhu Zi Hu is lined with rusty, wooden shops on either side of the road, displaying colourful Chinese signboards and decorations that invite you inside. Shopkeepers dressed in bright blues and pinks greet you with sweet smiles as they hawk locally farmed fresh fruits and flowers.
I ambled around, tasting handpicked fruits and revelling in the scenery painted by the rows of calla lilies.
We stopped for lunch at the busy, beautiful Miao Bang Garden restaurant. Conversation flows as I relish the rich spread: Mushrooms, beef noodles, pork, fried prawns, steamed buns and ostrich!
Taipei’s Night Market
The air is filled with an aromatic mix of soy, rice wine, and spices. Clouds of smoke waft from the sizzling cookers as vendors invite me to taste pork ribs, oysters, and steamed buns. I call myself an adventurous eater, but eyeing the spread, I wonder if I qualify for the badge.
There’s duck’s head, boar cooked in bamboo pipes, pig’s blood cake, octopus balls and penis-shaped sausage cakes called gayke. Right now, I don’t have the stomach for them. I buy myself a bottle of Taiwan’s famous Bubble Tea, and find a bench to people-gaze.
Note: Food at the night markets looks hygienic and costs little. My bubble tea cost about Rs 100 (50TWD). Shanghai-style pan-fried pork buns cost Rs 20 a plate. You could also buy a filling portion of oyster omelettes and grilled mushrooms seasoned with pepper for Rs 120. Can’t communicate in Taiwanese? Simply stand in front of the stall and point at what you want.
Sun Moon Lake
A three-and-a-half-hour drive from Taipei, the Sun Moon Lake draws in more than six million visitors every year.
“This is where Chiang Kai-Shek dreamed of one day retaking mainland China,” our guide recounts as we gape at the two huge lakes. The sky is overcast, giving the scene a somewhat surreal feel. I learn that on clear days, the radiant blue water rimmed with picturesque mountains creates a full-size version of a romantic landscape painting.
Two small resort towns, Shueishe and Ita Thao have sprung up on either side of the Lake. You can explore both in about 20 minutes flat. The visitor’s guide tells me that the local authorities have put a limit to hotel development here.
Shopping for artefacts and sailing in the choppy waters of Sun Moon Lake are the most tourist-y things to do here. But if you are not a fan of sailing, take a leisurely stroll down the scenic Shueishe Lakeside Trail. The view of the dense forest with the sound of water lapping against the shore will ease your stresses away.
Featured video : Godwin Isaac
Team TS adds : To add to the list of hidden gems in the country, here’s why you should visit Shifen, Taiwan!
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