Taiwan is an island that separated from China after a civil war in 1949, when the Nationalists troops fled to the island after losing the Chinese civil war to the Communist forces on the mainland. While Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign nation, it has never formally declared independence. Beijing says Taiwan is part of Chinese territory and will be brought back into the fold at some point, by force if necessary.
Itinerary
My itinerary was as follow: Kaohsiung ➜ train to Taichung ➜ train to Taipei ➜ flight to Matsu Islands ➜ Taipei.
Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung is a massive port city in the south. It has made great strides in transforming itself from a primarily industrial city into a modern metropolis, and several areas have been "beautified". It's home to many skyscrapers, a diversity of parks, a "Love River", high-end malls and a multitude of night markets.
Matsu Islands
The Matsu is an island chain off the coast of Taiwan. For a few months every year, this place may look like the imaginary land of your dreams, in the form of magical blue waters. Between April and July, Matsu's shore glitters with a display of glowing algae known as the "Blue Tears".
Taichung
The 3rd biggest city located in the heart of central Taiwan boasts a vibrant tourism filled with abundant cultural resources, history, natural scenery and cool festivals such as the Lanterns Festival.
Taipei
Taipei is a busy and modern metropolis with a very strong Japanese influence. The downtown area is culturally divided into East and West. The West side, with its narrow streets and road side vendors, is considered the hallmark of old Taipei (Wanhua is the oldest district and home to many historic buildings). East Taipei on the other hand, with its swanky malls, chic boutiques, and upmarket restaurants/cafes, showcases the modern and international side of the city. Taipei is also known for its lively street-food scene and many night markets. I went to Taipei in january, it was raining constantly every day. So if you go in january, there's no need to wash your hair because the rain will do it for you.
Toilet themed restaurant
In Taipei, there's a toilet themed restaurant in Ximen. We were seated on toilet bowls, many meals are poop shaped, we ate on bath tubs and toilet bowls. Definitely a very unique experience.
Shifen Waterfall
Located in New Taipei City, Shifen Waterfall is a captivating natural wonder that is often referred to as the "Little Niagara of Taiwan," this majestic waterfall cascades from a height of 20 meters and spans 40 meters in width, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Surrounded by lush greenery and scenic landscapes, Shifen Waterfall offers a serene and tranquil atmosphere, making it an ideal escape from the bustling city life.
