Lying across the Formosa Strait off the coast of mainland China, and although viewed by Beijing as a part of "One China", Taiwan acts as an independent state, has its own currency, and refuses to cede to the rule of the mainland. A stance that has made it a publicly ignored, but still annoying thorn in the side of the Beijing Government since the former government of mainland china decamped to Taipei and declared it to be the true seat of rule for China after the communist revolution in 1949.
Taiwan is in many ways, a slice of China-Lite, where the modern impulses of westernised society have been brought to bear upon an ancient culture and created a fascinating hybrid that is part introspective rural past, part industrial future, and all unique.
Visitors to Taiwan see a country that wilfully ignores its heritage, but is unable to get away from it, surrounded by the beautiful ornate temples, the new skyscrapers of modern Taipei that are supposed to represent the thrusting economy of a country for whom the sky is the limit often fail to inspire you, because in the face of the gracefulness of the past, they seem too ordinary.
Having said that, Taipei is a fascinating and very rewarding place to visit, and it is well worth spending the first few days of your holiday in Taiwan seeing the glitz of a proud city, as well as the back street markets and getting some insight into the people.
The Botanical Gardens are a great place to hide out for a few hours when the speed of Taipei gets too much for you. Also worth seeing is the National Palace Museum where the great art collection of the emperors ended up after the Japanese Invasion of China, there are literally thousands of pieces in total, and you could spend weeks looking at all of them.
Facts for the Traveller:
Name: Republic of China
Capital: Taipei
Area: 35,563 Sq KM
Population: 22.5 Million
Language: Chinese
Flight Time: 15 Hours from London
Currency: New Taiwan Dollar
