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China Travel Guide » Places in China » Taiwan (Republic of China)
Places in China: Taiwan (Republic of China)
Tourism is one of the features of Taiwan which brings visitors but also brings income for the islands which make up the region. The place advertises that it has everything that a visitor could want for a holiday.
Twenty-one million people living on islands totalling 35,000 square kilometres are ready to help you enjoy the many beaches on the many islands making up Taiwan. Besides a smattering of English, Taiwan has several language choices including Mandarin, Taiwanese and Hakka in addition to many indigenous languages.
You will find elements of many religions in Taiwan as well since so many nations have been involved in the history of the islands. The Dutch, Portuguese and Japanese have spent time with the Chinese who live there. Thus, the religions represented include Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.
Since Taiwan seems to be in the centre of so many things, it is easy to get there. Many airlines fly into and out of the country from Japan, the PRC and the Philippines. Also, being a group of islands, ships and boats provide an alternate method of arriving in this lush island group.
The climate is a monsoon, subtropical situation with a clear differentiation between the seasons. Great mountains cover almost two-thirds of the island of Taiwan. It is home to over eighteen thousand species of wildlife. One-fifth of that number is among the endangered animal species of the planet. There is the Taiwan mountain goat, blue magpie, Mikado pheasant, Formosan black bear and Formosan rock monkey. A peculiar lizard and the land-locked salmon are also native to Taiwan.
Seven national parks plus thirteen national scenic areas on Taiwan are attractions for the outdoorsman. One of only three mountain railways is also found there. Jade Mountain is Southeast Asia's highest peak and is found in Taiwan.
One also must try the Taiwan cuisine when visiting Taipei, the capital city. It is one way to understand more about the Chinese and aborigine peoples who call Taiwan their home.
The maritime capital of Taiwan is on the southern end of Taiwan Island. That is the city of Kaohsiung. It is the island's largest industrial centre. Museums, temples, a water park and night markets help to make the city lively.
Though Taiwan has been trying to govern itself since 1949, it has never been fully independent of mainland China. Clearly, the people of Taiwan identify with the mother country to a great degree. Even their Taipei National Palace Museum is patterned after the Forbidden City in Beijing.
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