HOW TO SELL TAIWAN
Tantalising
TAIWAN
BY BEN LERWILL Taiwan is a subtropical island off the Chinese coast, considered one of the best-kept secrets in Asia. It’s manageable in size, being only half as big as Scotland, but packs in plenty to keep visitors occupied, from hot springs resorts to sweeping mountain scenery. A big part of the draw is its unique cultural history – after the Chinese Civil War ended in the 1940s Chiang Kai Shek and more than a million of his followers moved permanently to the island to escape the communist forces of Chairman Mao. China still claims it as its own, but Taiwan, a democracy, considers itself independent. Today, thanks mainly to the global
spread of ‘Made In Taiwan’ goods, people tend to think of it as somewhere defined by factories and cheap exports. The misconception makes the reality all the more attractive. Sure, Taipei is a densely-populated city, but it’s clean, efficient and home to some great attractions, including Taipei 101 (which is the world’s second-tallest building), some dazzling night markets and the superb National Palace Museum. It’s outside the capital, however, where
the real charms are to be found. The landscapes of central Taiwan are among the most beautiful in East Asia, with star billing going to Taroko Gorge and Sun Moon Lake. The former is a 20-kilometre-long river canyon with enormous marble walls, while the latter is a huge inland body of freshwater
General Information TIME ZONE: UTC/GMT +8
VISAS: British residents can visit for up to 90 days without a visa CLIMATE: Subtropical
GETTING THERE: China Airlines flies direct from Heathrow to Taipei. EVA Air flies from the UK via Bangkok. Various other airlines also offer stopping services.
CONTACT INFORMATION: c/o The Saltmarsh Partnership, 25d Copperfield Street, London SE1 0EN Tel: 020 7928 1600
www.taiwan.net.tw
surrounded by dreamy Oriental scenery. Not a huge number of Western visitors come calling, so those who do visit can expect to be treated well. It’s simple enough to reach, with good access from the likes of EVA Air, and a raft of quality hotels, homestays and infrastructure projects means there’s plenty in the way of comfort and hospitality. Getting around is generally straightforward, and a bullet train service runs the length of the island from Taipei to the southern city of Kaohsiung. Before Chiang Kai Shek arrived, Taiwan
was occupied by Japan for half a century, and the popularity of the island’s hot springs resorts are a legacy of this
TAIWAN Top Selling Tips...
• Delve into delectable delights... “For a meal with a difference, encourage clients to sample the affordable, tasty xiaochi (‘little eats’) on sale at all of Taiwan’s night markets”
ben LerwiLL Travel writer
• Shoestring friendly... “Once you get there, Taiwan is very good value for money. eating out, drinks and shopping are all very cheap”
STeven ThOmpSOn Associate publisher, Selling Long haul
Clockwise from top: glass arts master at work; Sun Moon Lake; Taiwanese train.
period. They make for an indulgent experience, with the waters themselves rich in minerals and in many cases situated in scenic spots. There are numerous other activities to sample, with surfers, cyclists and trekkers all ably catered for, while those who relish their history will enjoy a visit to former capital Tainan, which is as memorable for its temples and evocative architecture as it is for its lip-smacking street food. Taiwanese cuisine draws on the best of China and Japan as well as incorporating indigenous flavours, on which note it’s also worth knowing that more than a dozen indigenous tribes still call Taiwan home. The key message for first-time visitors
is that there’s far more to experience than might be expected, whether they’re trawling teahouses, cycling mountain
www.sellinglonghaul.com • February 2012 57
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