Places that you should visit in Taiwan

People tend to think of Taiwan as a small crowded island nation filled mostly with electronic factories, and if you stay in Taipei or along the west coast you might indeed maintain that impression. However, the island nation is also home to high mountain ranges, great beaches and stunning national parks - many with hot springs.

•   Alishan(阿里山) - misty forests of giant cypresses and amazing sunrises at the center of the island, reached by a scenic narrow-gauge train

This is the picture of tea garden at Alishan hill and sunrise

There are many national park located in Taiwan, such as Kenting National Park(墾丁國家公園),  Shei-pa National Park(雪霸國家公園), and Yangmingshan National Park(陽明山國家公園).

•   Kenting National Park(墾丁國家公園) - located at the extreme southern tip of the island, this park is famous for its beaches and lush vegetation. 

View of beaches from the Kenting National Park and festival is hold in every March

•   Shei-pa National Park(雪霸國家公園) - a park spanning mountains and rivers located in Hsinchu County- great hiking trails.  

Surrounded by mountains and rivers, it is really popular spot for people who like to hike.  I believe it is one of the best hiking spot in national park in Taiwan

•   Yangmingshan National Park(陽明山國家公園) - spanning a mountain range overlooking Taipei. At Yangmingshan National Park, people can enjoy a picnic either in the open air or a nature walk.  Hikers can also spend several hours crossing through sub-tropical rain forests, evergreen, broad-leaved forests, and silver-grassed plains.  Hiking at the Mt. Qixing can help you to discover a volcano with geysers and hot spring! and it is very interesting to see this hot spring.

•   Sun Moon Lake(日月潭) - nestled at 762 m (2,500 ft) in lofty mountains in Nantou County, this lake is famous for its clear sparkling blue water and picturesque mountain backdrop.

•   Taipingshan(太平山) - a historic logging area and one of Taiwan's most scenic spots. Located in Yilan County. Mostly covered in mist that sometimes it is hard to see cuifent lake. Interesting spot for Taipingshan is that there is a historical trails around the lake as well as forest called "ancient forest".  However, some of the historical trails are blocked midway.  As for hikers, I suggest to bring own lunch before heading for the mountain because at cuifent lake visitors center, the choices for food are very limited because of short supply of food.  

•   Yushan(Jade Mountain/玉山) - at 3,952 m (12,966 ft) the highest mountain in not just Taiwan, but all East Asia.  Unlike other mountain in Taiwan, hikers are required to have both a park entry permit from the park authorities and a mountain climbing permit from the police.  What attracts Taiwanese mountain climbers and climbers from all over the world is because of Yushan's stunning scenery.  Sea of clouds often cover the valleys giving people a feeling of being on top of the world.  

Gives an impression that you are standing on top of the world