Taiwan, Who? (cited from lonelyplanet.com)
Taiwan is a modern industrialized megalopolis clinging to the fringes of an ancient culture; a string of stinking cities at the feet of a glorious mountain range. It's traditional noodles from a 7-Eleven, aboriginal tribes in mini-skirts and a day of temple rituals followed by waterslide rides. The human tide of Taipei will sweep you off your feet, but if you step outside the city limits you'll discover why Taiwan is known as Ilha Formosa, 'the beautiful island'. Mountain peaks puncture a sea of clouds, slick black volcanic rock wrap the coastlines and waterfalls shroud themselves in mist: Taiwan is a computer-generated Chinese watercolor.
Facts at glance:
Full country name: Republic of China
Area: 35,563 sq km (13,869 sq mi)
Population: 21,465,881
Capital city: Taipei (population 2,637,000)
People: Taiwanese (70%), Aboriginal (2%), Chinese
Language: Taiwanese, Mandarin Chinese (Many people speak English)
Religion: Buddhism, Taoism
Government: Democratic Republic
Environment:
Shaped a little like a leaf, Taiwan is an island
160km (99mi) off the coast of China. The island's total area is 35,563 sq km
(13,869 sq mi) - it's 394km (244mi) long and 144km (89mi) wide. Taiwan's spine
is a ridge of steep mountains, falling away to a rocky coastline on the east
and a narrow, fertile plain (where 90% of the population lives) on the west.
Mount Yushan is, at 3952m (12,963ft), the highest peak in North-East Asia outside
of Tibet. The small islands of Penghu, Lanyu, Green, Liuchiu, Kinmen, Matsu
and Wuchiu are controlled by Taiwan. The island's high mountain forests are
predominantly cyprus, although camphor used to grow in abundance. Taiwan was
once home to many endemic species, including the Formosan black bear, the Formosan
Sika deer and the Formosan landlocked salmon. In its headlong scurry towards
economic prosperity, Taiwan has managed to destroy most of the western coast's
habitat and wipe out a species or two, although the inaccessibility of the rest
of the island has made it a natural wildlife reserve. But in the last 20 years
Taiwan has declared 67 reserves, including six national parks, and instituted
some fairly hefty environmental legislation.
Although Taiwan is subtropical, the mountains can be chilly in summer (June
to August) and snowy in winter (December to February). During winter it rains
pretty much non-stop in the north-east, while the south-west is much warmer
and drier. Summer is hot and sticky all over the low parts of the island, with
drenching rains in the mountains. Daytime temperatures in Taipei are around
30°C (86°F) in summer and 20°C (68°F) in winter.
Culture:
Taiwanese culture is very similar to that of China.
Chinese opera, and its half-sibling Taiwanese opera, are an integral part of
the culture: you probably won't understand a word, but the costumes, music,
acting and atmosphere are beautiful nonetheless. Most Chinese music is made
with string instruments or flutes, but you'll have to go out of your way to
hear the delightful melodies these produce. You're far more likely to hear the
strident noise of temple trumpets and gongs.
The Taiwanese take health and longevity very seriously. Many practise taijiquan
- slow motion shadow boxing - for exercise and as an art form. If you're an
early riser, you will often see groups of people gliding through the graceful
motions of taijiquan as the sun rises. Chinese medicine, acupuncture and faith
healing - quigong - provide an alternative to a growing western medical system.
Superstitious about death, the Taiwanese avoid its symbols - white and the number
four - and never talk about dying or accidents. Despite this, people do die,
and when they do the tip-toeing attitude goes out the window. Taiwanese funerals
are reminiscent of a Saoshing-soaked night in a karaoke bar: electric organs
belt out funeral tunes, bikini-clad women sing songs (and sometimes strip) and
everyone eats a great deal.
Taiwan can be a cultural minefield for the uninformed visitor. As in China,
'face' is vital, and destroying someone's face is surprisingly easy to do. In
order to save others' face, the Taiwanese rarely express their emotions or speak
frankly: smiles and politeness all-round are the norm. Gift-giving - especially
when the gift is prestigious - flattery, self-deprecation and flowery rhetoric
are an everyday part of Taiwanese interaction. As well as saving face, this
rigmarole creates guanxi, a relationship of two-way obligations which allows
participants to ask the most outrageous favours of one another.
The Taiwanese love to eat, and they love to feed guests. Food here is much the
same as in China, with dishes from Beijing-Shandong, Sichuan-Hunan, Shanghaiese
and Cantonese-Chaozhou cuisine. The Taiwanese have added a subtropical flavor
with plenty of seafood and the liberal use of sugar. Eating out can be another
excuse for a display of face-making, with everyone ordering exotic, high-priced
dishes and competing with each other to pay the entire bill. Special foods to
keep an eye out for include moon cakes (made during the Moon Festival in Autumn),
spring rolls (sold in April), rice dumplings (made for the Dragon Boat Festival)
and red turtle cakes (for birthdays and temple worship).
Facts for travelers:
Visas: Some visitors from western Europe, Australia
and the USA can stay in Taiwan for five days (not extendable) without a visa.
Everyone else needs a visa, which allows a 60-day stay. Single entry visas are
easy to get, but if you want a multiple entry visa get it before you leave home.
Because the Republic of China (Taiwan) is not recognized by most countries,
you'll have to get your visa from a Taiwanese 'pseudo embassy' - look for trade
offices, travel services or friendship associations.
Health risks: No particular risks, but you should consider vaccinations for
hepatitis.
Time: GMT/UTC plus eight hours
Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
Flight ticket: If you book early, it can be less than $US 700 round trip.