Taiwan around the island in 16 days

Taipei's temples blend folk religion, Taoism, and Buddhism: The Longshan Temple in Wanhua, founded in 1738, the Baoan Temple in Dalongdong, and the Qing-era Confucius Temple display Southern Fujian architecture. Small shrines can be found on street corners, in parks, and even in restaurants.The National Palace Museum houses one of the largest collections of ancient Chinese art, while the Shung-Ye Museum directly opposite is dedicated to Taiwan's indigenous peoples. Many buildings, like the Presidential Office and the National Museum in 228 Peace Park, stem from the Japanese era; the park itself commemorates the victims of the 228 Incident of 1947.Taipei 101 hosts a grand fireworks display for New Year's Eve. For the Lantern Festival, concluding Lunar New Year, a city-wide lantern exhibition is held, as thousands of sky lanterns ascend in nearby Pingxi.

The gold discoveries of 1893 marked the village's transformation into a mining town, with its heyday during the Japanese colonial era. After mining ceased, the place fell into disrepair until it was rediscovered as a film set and a tourist destination. Many visitors see the alleys and the A-Mei Teahouse as inspiration for the animated film “Spirited Away,” though this is unconfirmed.During World War II, the neighboring town of Jinguashi housed a prisoner-of-war camp, while its Gold Museum recounts the history of mining and the lives of the miners.

Opened in 2016, the National Theater by Pritzker laureate Toyo Ito is the city's most renowned modern building. The Calligraphy Greenway, a long green corridor through the city, connects the National Museum of Natural Science with the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts.In Rainbow Village, veteran Huang Yung-fu painted a settlement for military dependents, saving it from demolition, even though some of the paintings were painted over in 2022. Taichung is also considered the birthplace of bubble tea, which the Chun Shui Tang teahouse made famous.

The lake is home to the Thao, who are among Taiwan's smallest recognized indigenous peoples. According to legend, Thao hunters discovered the lake while following a white deer. The small island of Lalu, in the middle of the lake, is sacred to them, and in Ita Thao village, many shops are owned by Thao families.The Wenwu Temple on the north shore was built after a dam raised the lake level and smaller temples disappeared. Every year around the Mid-Autumn Festival, thousands of people swim three kilometers across the lake during the Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival; otherwise, swimming is prohibited.

The mountains around Alishan have been home to the Tsou for centuries. Their largest villages, Dabang and Tefuye, alternately host the Mayasvi, a festival for the god of war. Learn more about their culture at the YuYuPas Cultural Park.The forest railway was built during the Japanese colonial era for transporting cypress wood and overcomes the gradient with switchbacks. Today, the region is primarily known for its high-mountain tea: In Shizhuo, the Alishan High Mountain Tea, an Oolong that is one of Taiwan's most renowned teas, grows.

Under Koxinga, Tainan was the seat of his kingdom, and under the Qing, it was the capital of Taiwan Prefecture. This long history is visible at every turn: The city boasts more Buddhist and Daoist temples than any other in Taiwan, and the Confucian Temple from 1665 is considered the island's first Confucian academy. Remains of the East and South Gates of the old city wall are preserved.From the Dutch colonial period come the remains of Fort Zeelandia in Anping and the site of Fort Provintia, where the Chihkan Tower stands today. The old name of the area, Tayouan, is considered a possible origin of the name Taiwan.

Temples and pagodas, such as the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and Kaohsiung's Confucius Temple, line Lotus Lake in Zuoying. The custom of entering the pagodas through the dragon's mouth and exiting through the tiger's is a must-do for every visit.The former warehouse area by the harbor is now a cultural district: The Pier-2 Art Center features exhibitions, concerts, and street art, and the Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard Metro Station is among the world's largest glass artworks. Every September, the city hosts Kaohsiung Cocktail Day by the Love River, with booths from famous bars.

The area around Kenting was settled by Han Chinese during the Qing Dynasty. The Eluanbi Lighthouse was built in 1883 at the urging of the USA and Japan, after several ships had sunk off the coast. It had to be protected from attacks during construction and is one of the few fortified lighthouses in the world.In Hengchun, a section of the old city wall is preserved. The National Park itself has existed since 1984 and is Taiwan's oldest; it protects not only land but also marine areas with coral reefs.

Taitung has always been home to the Amis, Puyuma, and Bunun peoples; Puyuma and Rukai reside in Beinan District. Many coastal villages bear the Amis mark, and at the Amis Folk Centre north of the city, you can learn their songs and stories.In Taitung City, the old railway station complex, operational until 1982, has become the Railway Art Village, featuring warehouses, art, and a tourist information centre. In the valley, rice fields dominate the scene; in summer, thousands visit Luye for the Balloon Festival.

Around Hualien live mainly Amis, and in the mountains around Taroko, the Truku, both among the 16 recognized indigenous peoples. The Amis celebrate their harvest festival in summer with dances and music. Their villages are located along the coast south of the city, and many make a living from fishing and handicrafts.The Japanese established the area around Taroko Gorge as a national park in 1937; the current Taroko National Park was re-established in 1986. At the Dongdamen Night Market, a dedicated lane for indigenous vendors offers live music and dance on weekends.