Autorentext

Educated in the UK, Steven Crook (crooksteven.blogspot.com) was backpacking through Asia in 1991 when he decided to go to Taiwan. He was running out of money and needed a job, but that wasn’t the only reason he changed plans. His geography teachers had never talked about the place, and nobody he knew had ever been there. The prospect of visiting such an unfamiliar island was tantalising. He wasn’t disappointed; he extended his stay and took up hiking. In 1996 he started writing for newspapers and magazines about the country’s mountains, temples and museums. By 2009, when he accepted Bradt’s offer to write a travel guide to Taiwan, he’d seen most of the country – but because he keeps discovering little museums, hiking trails and culinary delights, his ‘to do, see and eat’ list doesn’t seem to be getting any shorter. Which is why Bradt’s Taiwan is now in its fourth edition.

Klappentext

This new, thoroughly updated fourth edition of Bradt’s Taiwan – written by a Taiwan expert, locally resident since 1991 – is the consummate travel companion for exploring a fascinating destination that has been transformed from an agriculturally focussed dictatorship into perhaps Asia's freest and most tolerant society – a cultural mash-up with a vibrant folk religion, surprising food scene and wildlife-rich landscapes ranging from beguiling islands to 4,000m-high mountains.
Although often described as ‘more Chinese than China’, Taiwan is actually a complex blend of 18th-century China, ancient Austronesia and 20th-century Japan, with dabs of post-war Americana. More than 58% is covered by forest, making the country as interesting for its wildlife (much of which occurs nowhere else in the world) and outdoor activities as for its cities and cultural offerings.
Outdoors, there is much to choose from. Kenting, Taiwan’s first national park, boasts superb beaches and excellent birdwatching. With 51 mountain peaks topping 3,000m, Shei-Pa features some of Taiwan’s finest alpine scenery. Islands include Xiao Liuqiu (a coral jewel surrounded by clean seas), Penghu (where green turtles nest on windswept beaches) and Green Island (where you can snorkel before soaking in one of the world’s three saltwater hot springs). Despite earthquake damage, Taroko Gorge remains an unmissable geological wonder, while East Longitudinal Valley excels for hiking and white-water rafting.
Of urban highlights, the vibrant capital of Taipei offers much delight, the world-class National Palace Museum being the undisputed jewel in its crown. The former capital, Tainan, is renowned for culinary delicacies and ornate temples. Lukang is crammed with antiquity. In Sanyi, Taiwan’s foremost woodcarving centre, watch local artisans at work.
New elements for this edition include Taipei’s the Taiwan New Cultural Movement Memorial Museum; the reopened Southern Cross-Island Highway; and updated travel details to reflect impacts of the 2024 earthquake and Typhoon Gaemi. Written by Steven Crook, who has travelled to every corner of the main island and each outlying archipelago, and keenly understands what international visitors are likely to enjoy and what they need help with to appreciate, Bradt’s Taiwan is the perfect guidebook for your visit.

Inhalt

Introduction
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
1 Background Information
2 Practical Information
PART TWO THE GUIDE
3 Taipei
4 North Taiwan
5 Hakka Country
6 Central Taiwan
7 Southwest Taiwan
8 Kaohsiung and Pingtung
9 East Taiwan
10 Minor Islands
Appendices: Language; Road and Street Names; Further Information
Index