Taiwan in 9 Stops

On any journey throughout Taiwain you'll find many temples. Lukang Temple, on the western coast, is dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu - an unsurprisingly popular god for the island's fishermen and seafarers.

On the southern tip of Taiwain is Sheding National Park, filled with hundreds of species of plants and animals, as well as coral reefs and limestone caves. This area is also the homeland of the indigenous Paiwan people.

The town of Wulai is well-known for its hot springs, many cafes and food stalls, and its 80 metre waterfall. Take a break, enjoy a warm coffee in the cool mountain air, and watch the fresh, flowing water.

If you'd rather stay inside, take a trip to the Kaohsiung Film Archive. Established in 2001, the archive promotes the image and cinematic history of Taiwan through exhibitions, screenings, and events all year-round.

The mountain resort and nature reserve of Alishan is one of Taiwan's most popular sights. It's famous throughout the country for its tea plantations, wasabi, and its clear mountain air - perfect for watching sunrises.

Myth tells that indigionous Thao hunters were chasing a pure white deer through the mountains when they discovered Sun Moon Lake. They made it their homeland, and declared Lalu Island, in the middle of the lake, sacred ground.

In the middle of Taipei is Longshan Temple, built in 1738 by Chinese settlers from Fujian. The temple reflects its immigrant background, combining traditional Buddhist and Chinese gods, such as Guan Yu and Mazu.

Taipei may be a historic city, but the streets are thoroughly modern. Many markets and stalls are found around Ximending, in Wanhua district. Here you can find bars, clubs, and gig venues as well as Japanese shops.

Taiwan's tallest building was once the tallest in the world. Despite its modern glass exterior it recalls traditional Chinese pagoda architecture. Inside, you can find restaurants, a shopping mall, and observatories to take in the view…