Off the southeastern coast of China, Taiwan lies at the meeting point of the East and South China Seas, the Philippine Sea and the Taiwan Strait. From the mountainous east to rolling plains in the west, the island can be divided into five regions: Central, Eastern (including the Taroko Gorge), Northern (including the capital of Taipei), Southern (including the oldest city, Tainan) and the Outlying Islands. The island may have been settled as far back as 15,000 years ago, with a significant influx of people from mainland China as early as A.D. 500. The Dutch claimed the island in 1624 to establish trade with Japan and administered most of the island until 1661. The Qing Dynasty eventually established rule during the late 17th century, making the island a Chinese province in 1887, though it was ceded to Japan following the Sino-Japanese War in 1895. After World War II, Taiwan reverted to Chinese rule and in 1949 a Taiwanese government was established based on the 1946 constitution for all of China. Unification with mainland China remains a heated topic on both sides.
In the capital of Taipei, you can’t miss Taipei 101, the world’s tallest skyscraper (for now), reaching 1,670 feet into the sky, declared by Newsweek as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. Chinese opera in Taiwan combines music, dance and acrobatics for a unique cultural performance. But, perhaps the best way to experience the culture is through the street food (yes, it’s prudent to be cautious in your consumption of this cuisine, but much of the food is fresh and cooked right in front of you, so as long as you inspect what you eat, you should be fine). From the stalls of street side vendors, you can sample bubble tea, oyster pancakes and delicious bao, steamed buns with various fillings. Of course, the most adventurous might go for the stinky tofu, the notorious Taiwanese delicacy, a fermented tofu available from one of these vendors. Yes, it is stinky, but something so popular amongst locals that it deserves a try. Right?