When thinking of Taiwan, the first thing that comes to mind is the Taipei metropolitan area, the 101 skyscraper and all the night markets. There is, however, much more to the country. The subtropical south, the scenic cliffs on the east coast and the high peaks of the central island have an extraordinary charm that should not be passed on.
Taipei
Taipei is the capital of the island country. An estimated 2,7 million people live in the heart of the city and the metropolitan region of Taipei-Keelung has a total of 8.5 million inhabitants; one of the most populated urban areas worldwide. About one-third of all the Taiwanese residents live in the metropolitan area of Taipei. The city is the political, economic, educational and cultural center of Taiwan and one of the main hubs for the Chinese-speaking world. Despite the intensely urbanized area and the high population density, Taipei has clean air. The environmental issues are given great importance and dealt in a progressive way.
Kaohsiung
The second largest city in the country is located in the southwest of the island. Major attractions include the Tuntex Sky Tower, the Kaohsiung Dream Mall Ferris Wheel, and the Kaohsiung Harbor. The city, which is developing rapidly, is also known for its numerous shopping streets, night markets and theme parks. The Pier-2 Art Center, E-DA Theme Park, and the Taroko Park are also popular highlights. Among the natural attractions, the city offers the Shoushan (Monkey Mountain) and the “Love River”. Kaohsiung also has several historical sites such as the Zuoying’s Old Town (a historic 17th-century town), the British Consulate in Takao from the late 19th-century, and various sugar factories built during the Japanese occupation that have been transformed into interesting museums.