If you plan to visit Taiwan soon this is for you...

Brief History...

Taiwan has been inhabited since around 10,000 BC by people thought to be from Austronesian. China and Taiwan had been in contact since at least the 1400's when boat land of Fujian immigrants washed up on the island shores seeking refuge from political instability on the mainland.

Mass migration continue from Southern China over the course of several hundred of years. It was in the 16th century that the Europeans showed up first the Portuguese arrived, dubbing the island IIha Formosa or 'Beautiful Island', then the Dutch came and established Taiwan as a trading center, until they were driven out by China's Ming loyalist Koxinga in 1661.

China's Qing government established control over the island and ruled half-heartedly until losing the Sino-Japanese War in 1894.

In 1895 Taiwan was ceded to Japan and endured Japanese occupation until the end of World War II. After the communist took over China in 1949, two million nationalists, led by Chiang Kai-Shek, fled to Taiwan and established a government. The nationalists established a strong central government and enforced martial law, which ended in 1987.

In 2000 the nationalists grip on power finally ended and the Democratic Progressive Party, led by Chen Shuinan, took control. President Chen was re-elected in 2004, despite accusations of vote tampering. Tensions between China and Taiwan about possible reunification remain strong and its uncertain of whats in store for the future.

Its geography

(Turtle Island)

Taiwan is roughly shaped like a tobacco leaf, 394 kilometers in length and mere 144 kilometers across at its widest point. Fifth teen offshore islands bob in frothy waters along the east and west coasts. The spiny backbone of the Central Mountain Range run from north to south, dividing the island in half, with Yushan (Jade Mountain) standing tall near the island's center. Western Taiwan, a fertile region of plains and basins, is densely populated; the east coast, with its rocky coastline and towering cliffs, has fewer people.

Its Ethnicity

About 98 percent of Taiwan's inhabitants are Han Chinese, a diverse mix of ethic and linguistic groups, including Hakka , Cantonese and Fujinese, who came from China's Southern coast. Taiwan's other two per cent are from one of the nine indigenous tribes, which are scattered throughout the island but largely concentrated along the east coast and in the Central Mountain Range.

Myths And Legends

Matsu, goddess of the sea, is the most revered deity of Taiwan. Legend has it that Matsu was once a real person named Linm Mo, born to fisher-folk on Meizhou Island on Fujian China. It is said that Lin Mo loved the sea and would often stand on the seashore and guide ships safely to shore.

On a stormy night, Lin Mo drowned while saving a sailor and her body washed up on the shores of Nankan Island, Matsu, where she was buried by the villagers. Temples were built to honor the young woman and her popularity eventually spread as far as Japan and Southeast Asia. Today there are over 500 temples dedicated to her around Taiwan.

Cuisine

Taiwanese proudly boast that their island has the best Chinese cuisine in northeast Asia. It's hard to argue with them.

Mainland Chinese immigrants brought with them to Taiwan the diverse cooking styles of their homeland. You'll find everything from the fiery flavors of Sichuan to the delicate seasonings of Guangdong.

The Taiwanese eat communally and an entire family gathered around the dinner table is a symbol of peace and property.

Natural Beauty

Taiwan's most breathtaking scenery is along the East Coast, with miles of plunging granite cliffs that gradually give way to fine sand beaches and rice paddies.

A close second for beauty is the rugged, mountainous interior. Alishan in central Taiwan is carpeted with dense forest of pine and cypress,while further south the South Cross-Island Highway dives through some of Taiwan's wildest mountain terrain.

It's Marketplace

Taiwan is an economic dynamo, with the third largest foreign reserves in the world. (Wow, was amazed on that one!)

Its a top producer of plastics, computer chips and chemicals and leads the world in the production of notebooks computers. Agriculture contributes only two per cent to the economy, while its reserves sector comprises 69 per cent of its GDP.

Lists of Tourist Attractions in Taiwan

Things to do:

Eat, walk, love
Shop - Indulge in its over 100 legendary night markets
Embark on a road trip!
Soak in the wild hot springs of Beitou
Snorkeling and whale watching
Immerse in its rich history and culture at Tainan, its oldest city
Hiking and mountaineering at its dramatic mountains
Explore. Explore. Explore
Or treat yourself to a unique tea experience and so much more!

These are just the Top 10 of the hundred of places to visit in Taiwan

If you'd rather go to the less crowded places...scroll down for the lesser known awesome places below!

But first we picked out the most popular destinations just in case you will find these spots interesting! And I cant really think of something that is not to like about Taiwan.