Cycling around the island is too epic！ American blogger: Five reasons why Taiwan is worth visiting

▲ The American online magazine GoMad Nomad Travel Mag published on the 17th an article by independent traveler Noel Lau titled "Five Reasons to Visit Taiwan" (Photo / Screenshot)http://gomadnomad.com/)

Intern Reporter Cai e?ィ?酆贤獾绫ǖ技/p>

Taiwan’s beautiful scenery, friendly residents, and delicious food were once again praised on the 17th by the American online travel magazine GoMad Nomad Travel Mag, which is contributed to by independent travelers from the U.S. They believe Taiwan is worth visiting for five major reasons: night market cuisine, a wide variety of temples, stunning mountain landscapes, cycling tours, and the warm, kind, and hospitable locals.

What exactly is the charm of “Taiwan” that makes it worth visiting for foreigners? Recently, the popular American travel website The Jaunted believed that Taiwan has everything you could want; The New York Times also ranked Taiwan 11th on its list of “52 Places to Go in 2014.”

Travel blogger Noel Lau published an article on GoMad Nomad Travel Mag — Five Reasons Taiwan Is Worth Visiting ("5 reasons to visit Taiwan"). He first pointed out that Taiwan is often an overlooked travel destination. Even though most people know where Taiwan is, they may not necessarily choose to visit. Noel Lau, who loves Taiwan, provided five compelling reasons to visit, which are:

1. Food-Night market delicacies and beef noodles

Noel shares the common sentiment that when thinking of Taiwan, one thinks of “street food,” and for street food, there’s no better place than the “night markets.” Every city in Taiwan has its own night market culture. Some night markets, such as Shilin Night Market in Taipei and Garden Night Market in Tainan, are vast yet crowded. To enjoy the food, you need patience and be ready to queue up with the crowds. It’s common to see lines of 20–30 people, and if you’re not sure which stall is the best, just follow the line — it’s usually a safe bet.

He also highly praises Taiwan’s authentic beef noodles, noting that they differ from those in China and Malaysia. Taiwanese beef noodles are richer and more flavorful. The beef is simmered for hours in a mix of five seasonings like soy sauce and garlic until it becomes tender and juicy, then paired with an amazing broth that satisfies diners’ taste buds.

▲ Taiwanese street food beef noodles are rich and delicious. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)

2. Temples— A wide variety of temples and fortune-telling

Taiwan has about 11,000 temples. Unlike temples in China that were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, Taiwan’s temples are sanctuaries of culture and religion, attracting more tourists than worshippers, making them a recommended spot by Noel.

Taiwanese temples fall into three main types: Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian. These temples can be either ornate or majestic, and the busiest days are the 1st and 15th of each lunar month when temple fairs are held.

Noel specifically mentions that Taipei’s Longshan Temple and Tainan’s Moon God Temple are especially popular. Longshan Temple sees thousands of worshippers daily, offering incense, making dedications, and seeking guidance. The most unique aspect of the temple is the palmistry and fortune-telling stalls that provide insights or predict the future. As for the Moon God Temple, it often attracts singles praying for love, and they carry the red threads they pray for as a token, hoping for the blessing of the love gods.

▲ Taipei’s Longshan Temple sees a continuous flow of visitors. (Photo / From Wikipedia)

3. Mountain Scenery— Stunning sunsets and sunrises

Taiwan has 286 mountains over 3,000 meters in elevation, making hiking and trekking popular activities among locals.

Yushan, the highest peak in Northeast Asia at 3,952 meters, towers above layered mountains stretching into the sky. As the altitude increases, the climate shifts from subtropical to alpine. The panoramic views, cascading valleys, stunning sunsets and sunrises have made Yushan National Park a destination for hikers from all over. The view that most impressed Noel was looking down from the misty valleys onto the ocean, giving a feeling of standing above the world. It’s unforgettable.

▲ Yushan, at an elevation of 3,952 meters, is the highest peak in Northeast Asia. (Photo / Provided by the Forestry Bureau)

4. Cycling Tours— Cycling around the island gets your adrenaline pumping

Taiwan is a cyclist’s paradise. Noel laments that most visitors to Taiwan typically limit themselves to a few cities, some mountains, or coastal areas, but they don’t realize that cycling across Taiwan is actually the best way to see and experience the country.

Noel says that along the rocky East Coast, you can witness some of the most spectacular scenery, and there’s no better way to take it all in than by biking — you can stop anytime to snap a beautiful landscape photo.

And the most thrilling thing of all is “cycling around the island.” Covering over 1,000 kilometers in about two weeks depends on your speed and how much time you spend resting. Many intentionally take scenic detours just to explore cultural and historical landmarks.

▲ The Sun Moon Lake cycling path offers breathtaking views all around. (Photo / From Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area)

5. People- The virtues of queuing and giving up your seat

Noal shared that he once witnessed an elderly person in Taiwan trying to help a foreigner but being unable to communicate due to the language barrier. The elderly person didn’t give up, however, and instead called his son to act as a translator. “Taiwanese people are warm, kind, and extremely hospitable. Even if language might be a barrier, you can be absolutely certain that Taiwanese will do their best to assist you.” Moreover, in Noal’s eyes, Taiwanese people are also civilized individuals rich in cultural refinement. Etiquette such as queuing and giving up your seat are not only virtues of the Taiwanese but also second nature to them.

While backpacking in Taiwan, Noal stayed in several places, and for him, all were wonderful experiences. He mentioned that Taiwanese people always made him feel at home and always tried their best to offer support. “Sharing a meal with locals, who would even tell you about the cultural background and significance of each dish—there’s nothing better than that!” The most beautiful sight in Taiwan is its people.