Travel News

A First-Timer’s Guide to Taiwan’s Highlights and Lowlights

Locations in this article:  New York City, NY

Unexpected Attractions

Artist Communities

Shenon Street

Several small artists’ communities have taken shape in Taiwan’s big cities. In Kaosiung’s Binhai area, railroad tracks were taken over to make way for a cycling path and artistic community. In Tainan, Shenon Street is home to quirky workshops and boutiques, with local bands practicing inside storefronts, and the Blueprint bar is a funky spot for rubbing shoulders with Taiwanese hipsters. In Taipei, what was once an old Taiwan Beer factory is now Huashan Creative Park, a contemporary artist’s village with restaurants and shops. In Taichung, an entrepreneur revitalized an old market that was about to be condemned by hosting a fashion show there, using the narrow aisles as makeshift runways. Now the Zhongxin Market holds eccentric galleries and boutiques.

Credit: Lily Chuang

Natural Beauty

The beauty of Taiwan is remarkable. A long drive along the eastern coast revealed mossy green mountains plunging into deep blue surf, with sandy shores and surf-worthy waves beckoning to sun worshippers and beach strollers. Wai’ao beach in Yilan, Fulong near Taipei and many beaches on the outer Penghu Islands are all worth a visit, and would surely appeal to beach-vacation-loving westerners. Inland, Taroko National Park is home to grottos, marble gorges, waterfalls and suspension bridges, and tourists both outdoorsy and not would surely enjoying taking in the scenery on a hike through the 571 square mile park.

Have you been to Taiwan? What was a hit for you? Share your surprises in the comments.

For more information on Taiwan, check out:

By Julie Alvin for PeterGreenberg.com. Julie Alvin is a Senior Editor at Zagat in New York City, and a freelance writer for Food & Wine, iVillage and others. Formerly at Conde Nast’s Cookie magazine, when that publication folded Julie spent six months backpacking around Australia, Southeast Asia and South America.