Taiwan

We've all got something with "Made in Taiwan" on it, but what about the country? You may be surprised by the modern, hi-tech society, fast catching up with Japan, and the rich, sophisticated Chinese culture, unaffected by the Cultural Revolution.

Twenty million people live on this not-so-large island. The cities are large, dirty and confusing, so it's a blessing that the people are so friendly and helpful to a dumb foreigner like me. When the cities get too much, do what the locals do and head for the hills. The island's interior has some 4,000-metre peaks and some lovely hot-spring resorts just a bus ride away from the chaos of Taipei city.

By the way, you haven't experienced Taiwan if you haven't tried 'stinky tofu'.

The Lonely Planet guide to Taiwan is the best of only a few guidebooks to the island, essential for ex-pats and English teachers who make up the bulk of foreign visitors, while Insight Guide to Taiwan have a beautiful pictorial guidebook that helps you plan ahead, or keep as a souvenir. Nelle's map of Taiwan publish, perhaps, the most useful map of the island. A word of warning about Taiwanese maps: the spelling of place names, particularly street names, is rarely the same twice, due to rival systems of translating Chinese into English.

Author: Guy Bristow
Date: 1 February 2004