I hope these 12 photos that will motivate you to visit Taiwan will persuade you of how great this country was. It was somewhere absolutely unexpected to me. I was sent there by the tourism board for two weeks to live like a local while traveling around the nation. Ironically, I had visited Taiwan several times as a layover but had never left the airport. My husband and I adore the airport – we constantly talk about the soup dumplings. We consume them at unusual hours, usually before 7 a.m., because the layover occurs around that time. So when I was given the opportunity to leave the airport, I jumped at the chance to explore the island.

Taiwan has the feel of Asia’s beating heart. Taipei’s enormous international city is dynamic, hectic, and alive with a diverse spectrum of experiences. Then, just a little further south, you may visit the Taroko Gorge, one of the most gorgeous sites I’ve ever seen. In the south-eastern portion of Taiwan, you’ll feel like the solitary Western visitor – something I’d never encountered before in my travels. The south is less developed, yet it contains gems such as its distinctive coastline and Hualien, both of which are waiting to be discovered.

There are endless options to get outside, from Sun Moon Lake to the hilltop villages of Jiufen and the seashore. When visiting Taiwan, you may expect to encounter vibrant street cuisine, exciting coffee shops, and enchanting temples, to name a few things.