|


PAID CONTENT FOR TAIWAN TOURI SM ADMINI STRATION (UK)


Taiwan


Three cities to savour


Small yet spectacular, Taiwan is a melting pot of East Asian tastes and traditions. Explore


them at their best on a journey through three lesser-visited cities. Words: Erin Hale


beauty. These islands are also home to one of East Asia’s most exciting culinary scenes, one that has been infl uenced by not only its lush landscapes but also its rich history. First inhabited by Austronesian-speaking Indigenous groups, Taiwan has acted as a cultural crossroads for over 500 years, having played host to Japanese, Dutch, Spanish and Chinese settlers. The iconic capital, Taipei, is now the go-


T


to destination for visitors to Taiwan, many of whom visit the region for a few days as part of a longer trip to East Asia. But for a better taste of Taiwan, it’s worth staying a little longer to fully explore and appreciate its lesser-visited corners. An extensive rail and bus network make it easy to travel beyond the capital and discover some of Taiwan’s most exciting culinary hotspots.


aiwan, a series of small subtropical islands sat in the northwestern Pacifi c ocean, is a destination known for its natural


T AI NA N One of the island’s oldest cities, Tainan is a must-visit for those wanting to learn about Taiwanese history, with traditional shrines, temples and museums located around every corner. But it’s also home to a dynamic, ever-evolving street food scene, with numerous night markets, such as Wusheng Night Market and Garden Night Market, frequenting large spaces outside the city centre. Packed with vendors and brightly lit


stalls, these night markets are the perfect place to sample some of Tainan’s signature delicacies, including oyster omelettes, swordfi sh stews, stinky tofu and even danzai noodles — wheat noodles in a pork and shrimp broth, topped with meat sauce. Markets’ opening days and times can vary, so check schedules online before arriving. For those who prefer to stay central to


the city, plenty of small restaurants and cafes can be found around Tainan’s historic


centre, off ering everything from shrimp rice to shaved ice and bubble tea. There’s even unique old-house bars that blend traditional Taiwanese tea into cocktails. What’s more, the religious nature of the area means that Tainan is particularly friendly to vegetarians and vegans, as observant Taiwanese Buddhists often opt to eschew meat, onion and garlic.


H U A L I E N Located on Taiwan’s mountainous east coast, Hualien is known as the gateway to Taroko Gorge, one of Taiwan’s most famous national parks. It’s a destination of wild, dramatic scenery, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, cycling and even surfi ng from its rocky beaches. Hualien is considered by many to be the


cultural heartland of the nation’s Indigenous people, thanks to their strong presence on this side of the island. This makes it an ideal spot to sample traditional dishes drawing


IMAGES: GE LIN WEI ZHI; TAIWAN TOURISM ADMINISTRATION; LEE, CHUE WANG


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164  |  Page 165  |  Page 166  |  Page 167  |  Page 168  |  Page 169  |  Page 170  |  Page 171  |  Page 172  |  Page 173  |  Page 174  |  Page 175  |  Page 176  |  Page 177  |  Page 178  |  Page 179  |  Page 180