Travels In Taiwan

The new-look The Rough Guide to Taiwan - now in full colour throughout - is the ultimate travel guide to one of Asia's most exciting, yet often overlooked, destinations. Uncover the contrasts between ultra-modern 24hr Taipei and the city's slower-paced traditional backstreets; seek out the best hikes in Taroko Gorge and Alishan; find a beautiful B&B on the east coast, or among the fabulous hot-spring resorts in the East Rift Valley; discover pristine Pacific beaches and surf spots; and order great food everywhere you go with our carefully researched eating reviews which cover everything from night-markets to gourmet restaurants. Easily accessible information on transport will help get you from Yeliou in the far north to Kenting in the deep south, and everywhere in between, whether by bus and train, car, scooter or bicycle. Whether you have time to browse detailed chapters, gaining insights into the country's complex and tumultuous history, or need fast-fix itineraries and 'Top 5' boxes that pick out the highlights you won't want to miss.

For many Westerners, Taiwan is either a source of cheap electronics or an ongoing political problem. It is seldom highlighted as a tourist destination, and even those that do visit rarely venture far beyond the well-trod paths of the major cities and resorts. Yet true to its 16th century Portuguese name, the 'beautiful island' has some of the highest mountains in East Asia, many unique species of flora and fauna, and several distinct indigenous peoples (fourteen at the last count). On six separate and arduous trips, Gary Heath deliberately headed for the areas neglected by other travel journalists, armed with several notebooks... and a copy of War and Peace for the days when typhoons confined him to his tent. The fascinating land he discovered is revealed here.

Special features : Taiwan outdoors ; Food & drink guide ; Temples of Taiwan ; Landscapes & wildlife. Amazing experiences : inspirational images, highlights, city walks and the best of local knowledge ; Plan the perfect trip : planning features and top itineraries give you the freedom to create your ideal trip ; get off the beaten track ; our writers uncover local secrets that will make your trip unique.

Discover this fascinating destination with the most incisive and entertaining guidebook on the market. Whether you plan to sample oyster omelettes at Keelung Night Market, catch some waves at Kenting National Park or marvel at the National Palace Museum's fabulous art collection, The Rough Guide to Taiwan will show you the ideal places to sleep, eat, drink, shop and visit along the way. - Independent, trusted reviews written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and insight, to help you get the most out of your visit, with options to suit every budget. - Full-colour maps throughout - navigate Taipei's elaborate grid network or Tainan's ancient streets without needing to get online. - Stunning images - a rich collection of inspiring colour photography. - Things not to miss - Rough Guides' rundown of Taiwan's best sights and experiences. - Itineraries - carefully planned routes to help you organize your trip. - Detailed regional coverage - whether off the beaten track or in more mainstream tourist destinations, this travel guide has in-depth practical advice for every step of the way. Areas covered include: Taipei; Tainan; Meinong; Kinmen; Lugang; Lanyu; Matsu Islands; East Rift Valley; Alishan National Scenic Area and East Coast National Scenic Area. Attractions include: Taroko National Park; Kenting National Park; Chung Tai Chan Monastery; Sun Moon Lake; Yushan; National Palace Museum; night markets and hot springs. - Basics - essential pre-departure practical information including getting there, local transport, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, outdoor activities, culture and etiquette, and more. - Background information - a Contexts chapter devoted to history, Taiwan's indigenous peoples, religion, arts and culture, books, plus a handy language section and glossary. Make the Most of Your Time on Earth with The Rough Guide to Taiwan.

"Until 300 years ago, the Chinese considered Taiwan a “land beyond the seas,” a “ball of mud” inhabited by “naked and tattooed savages.” The incorporation of this island into the Qing empire in the seventeenth century and its evolution into a province by the late nineteenth century involved not only a reconsideration of imperial geography but also a reconceptualization of the Chinese domain. The annexation of Taiwan was only one incident in the much larger phenomenon of Qing expansionism into frontier areas that resulted in a doubling of the area controlled from Beijing and the creation of a multi-ethnic polity. The author argues that travelers’ accounts and pictures of frontiers such as Taiwan led to a change in the imagined geography of the empire. In representing distant lands and ethnically diverse peoples of the frontiers to audiences in China proper, these works transformed places once considered non-Chinese into familiar parts of the empire and thereby helped to naturalize Qing expansionism. By viewing Taiwan–China relations as a product of the history of Qing expansionism, the author contributes to our understanding of current political events in the region."

One China, Many Taiwans shows how tourism performs and transforms territory. In 2008, as the People's Republic of China pointed over a thousand missiles across the Taiwan Strait, it sent millions of tourists in the same direction with the encouragement of Taiwan's politicians and businesspeople. Contrary to the PRC's efforts to use tourism to incorporate Taiwan into an imaginary "One China," tourism aggravated tensions between the two polities, polarized Taiwanese society, and pushed Taiwanese popular sentiment farther toward support for national self-determination. Consequently, Taiwan was performed as a part of China for Chinese group tourists versus experienced as a place of everyday life. Taiwan's national identity grew increasingly plural, such that not just one or two, but many Taiwans coexisted, even as it faced an existential military threat. Ian Rowen's treatment of tourism as a political technology provides a new theoretical lens for social scientists to examine the impacts of tourism in the region and worldwide.

This book is dedicated to the the people who never heard of Taiwan. Taiwan is a beautiful island located at the south-east of China. The island is also to the home of the famous Formosa Oolong Tea. The island has a rich tea history and full of people who are passionate about tea. The book can be used as an introduction to the people who do not have any knowledge of tea. Even if you don't get the have the chance of traveling to Taiwan, you can still enjoy the book's content while sipping a fresh cup of Taiwanese tea!