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Asia is once again on everyone’s travel radar now that it has fully reopened to tourism.
Across the continent, several countries have seen record increases in tourism, as Americans return in droves to the pagoda-filled ancient cities and tropical beaches for sunny holidays.
Amid the new travel frenzy in Asia, there was one destination in particular front page news latelybecause it boasts one of the most diverse tourist offers.
It is incredibly safe compared to its counterparts, plus it has much more relaxed visa rules.
This year, American travelers are feeling more inspired to take Transpacific flights here lesser known but incredible East Asian destination:
Taiwan is making a powerful comeback
Taiwan is expected to pass the six million visitor mark this yearstill much lower than the record year of 2019, when more than 11 million foreigners traveled there, but a significant increase during the pandemic period, when hundreds of thousands, if not fewer, tried to visit.
This is due to Taiwan’s past restrictive measures introduced to curb the spread of the disease, but now that the dark era of sanitary controls is far behind us, it is bloom again as one of the most promising East Asian areas.
Note: we didn’t call it a country.
That’s because Taiwan, despite having full sovereignty over the island it claims, with an elected, democratic government and its own military, and issuing its own passports, not officially considered a country by the vast majority of UN states.
It was formed after the communist takeover of China, when the then-incumbent government was forced to flee and set up a base on the island as revolutionaries took control of the Chinese mainland. Officially, Taiwan is still called the Republic of China.
Due to the complex situation, most foreign governments have adhered to the so-called “One China” principle, which means that they will recognize that there is only one China, and this includes Taiwan, without Taiwanese rule over the island to question.
Yes, it’s complicated, but you should know that Taiwan (or the Republic of China) for all effects and purposes effectively functions as a separate country – and this is where it starts to get really fascinating.
One of the most underrated island destinations in Asia
Taiwan is a beautiful tropical island known for its warmer climate and dense forests all year round.
Unlike parts of mainland China, which is only 180 kilometers across the Taiwan Strait, the country has not been overtaken by mass industrialization. 70% of the land is still forested and includes pristine reserves, mountainous landscape and an unspoilt, beautiful coast.
Compared to some of the much larger industrial provinces of its neighbor, Taiwan has ensured that its rapid development has not come at the expense of the environment, and it can feel a lot less oppressive and much greener than China’s megalopolistic east coast.
When visiting Taiwan, nature seekers will often be drawn to the following:
Tarokowhere they will find a deep gorge with clear water and hiking trails; Sun Moon, a rural lake area bordered by soaring peaks and within driving distance of cute, traditional Taiwanese villages; And Yangmingshana protected reserve, crisscrossed by tourist-friendly footpaths and dotted with hot springs.
Taiwan is also known for its white sand bordered by the warm China Seaparticularly the Hengchun Peninsula, at the southernmost tip of the island.
The Kenting Town resort, in the heart of Kenting National Park, provides the perfect base for exploring southern Taiwan and its paradise spots, with its numerous restaurants, bars and vibrant nightlife.
Taiwan still has more to offer than its majestic nature.
Lively city trips
It is home to some of Asia’s most exciting city breaks, especially Taipei, the island’s capital, where quaint colonial-period Japanese streets run parallel to much more modern shopping streets and clusters of skyscrapers, creating a fascinating contrast.
Taipei sights not to be missed are Taipei 101, once the tallest building in the worldthe Dalongdong Baoan Temple, the National Palace Museum and the Daan Forest Park, where the hustle and bustle of the big city is muted by the dense vegetation.
As exciting as Taipei is during the day, it really comes alive after sunsetwhen the numerous night markets and quirky bar districts transform the cityscape.
Shilin Market, the most visited, is a sprawling fortress square with more than 500 stalls serving Taiwanese and pan-Asian specialties.
The island has more than 23 million inhabitants no shortage of cosmopolitan citiesand it may be the capital, but Taipei is not Taiwan’s only conurbation.
Tainan, on the southwest coast, is the cultural capital of Tainan, which had served as the de facto capital between the late 17th and 19th centuries and was home to several of the island’s ancient and most historically important forts and temples.
Kaohsiung, an important port in southern Taiwan, is one lively coastal city Easily recognized by the 248 meter high Tuntex Sky Tower and the characteristic cafe-lined Love River.
The variety is truly enormous, and you will definitely need one to two full weeks to explore Taiwan in detail.
Taiwan is easier to visit than mainland China
Because the area is part of the cross-border Chinese world, it also participates in Chinese culture and offers visitors a taste of what it is like to travel in the legendary ancient country without having to deal with the problems that mainland tourists face. meet often.
These may realize that their credit cards are not a valid payment method in some locations, especially outside Beijing and Shanghai, and are logged out of Instagram, WhatsApp and any ‘Western’ application blocked by the government.
Taiwan is an open, democratic stateand you could say: a ‘soft China’ for beginners.
Additionally, Americans do not need a visa to travel to Taiwanunlike the mainland, where they must apply for an entry permit at a Chinese consulate before traveling, unless they are transiting through the country for no longer than 72 or 144 hours, depending on the point of entry.
In the Republic of China (Taiwan), none of these strict rules apply. Your valid passport with sufficient blank pages is sufficient.
Recently luxury carrier STARLUX relaunched flights from the United States to Taipei in Taiwan, allowing customers to do so travel in style and experience Taiwanese hospitality and world-famous cuisine before you land.
With access to reclining seats and a Michelin-starred menu, the route is now open with tickets starting at around $1,200 one-way this winter from Los Angeles (LAX).
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
