If there is one singular destination in East Asia, far from the usual prejudices, it is the island of Taiwan. No man's land diplomacy, its status is controversial - both Chinese and deeply influenced by a half-century Japanese occupation - and the idea of it - big soulless cities and huge ubiquitous factories - is quickly dissipated as soon as the land of this magnificent country with its exuberant nature and extremely rich Aboriginal heritage is stepped on! It is not without reason that the Portuguese, when they arrived on the island, named it Ilha Formosa (the beautiful island). A land of human contrasts and nature, Taiwan's tour guide will take you from the north - its historic sites and steep hills - to the centre of the island where the flora, sometimes exuberant, sometimes alpine, covers the peaks of the Yushan National Park, which culminate at over 3,000 metres. A visit to the capital Taipei is of course essential (accompanied by his travel guide), for his Tower 101 long remained the highest building in the world. To the south between Kaosiung and Kenting, a tropical climate prevails, and underwater life is tremendously rich. Visitors to Taiwan often report the same impression: you come here a little by chance, you return there for love (and always with your favourite travel guide). 台灣歡迎您 ! Welcome to Taiwan!

What to see, what to do Taiwan?

When to go Taiwan ?

When to go to Taiwan? There are two best times to discover Taiwan: March to May and September to November, when temperatures are mild. Avoid September and October, the typhoon season, which is particularly frequent and violent every year. In the best years, there are only one or two, but this number sometimes rises to a dozen... Winter (December-January) can be rainy in the north. When to go to Taiwan? In spring and autumn!

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How to go Taiwan

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How to go alone

The average price of a France-Taipei flight is 600 euros in low season and 1,100 euros in high season. It should be noted that the price variation depends of course on the company borrowed but, above all, on the time required to book. To obtain attractive rates, it is essential to do so well in advance. Remember to buy your tickets six months before departure!

Finally, it should be noted that it is now possible to transit through China, via Beijing, Shanghai or Canton, using Chinese companies.

How to go on a tour

It is quite possible to go to Taiwan as part of an organized trip, as French-speaking tour operators covering the destination are legion! Whether it's a honeymoon, a vacation with family or friends, or a discovery tour, all combinations are possible to get to know Taiwan. What's more, an organized trip has the advantage of often being less expensive than a trip organized by oneself.

How to get around

Transport infrastructure in Taiwan is very good. The networks cover a large part of the country, which makes travel easier. Transport prices are moderate, especially bus fares. For a journey by metro, the price of the ticket is calculated according to the distance to be covered. The public transport network (buses, metros, ferries, etc.) is very well organised. On the other hand, private cars do not have the same efficiency, since traffic in large cities is very often congested by cars, taxis and scooters.

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Pictures and images Taiwan

Course des bateaux dragon Stéphan SZEREMETA
Cadillac de Tchang Kaï-Chek Tao Gan - Iconotec
Musée de la Marionnette traditionnelle Stéphan SZEREMETA
Au loin domine toujours la Taipei 101 Stéphan SZEREMETA

The 12 keywords Taiwan

1. #Betelnut

Betelnut © nine_far - iStockphoto.com.jpg

You can't miss those shops covered in bright neon lights, where scantily clad girls bait the barge. They sell binlang (betel nut), a stimulant that can be chewed like gum. Truck drivers abuse it for long-distance journeys. These lucrative businesses are owned and operated by Aboriginal people.

2. #Business Card

It is unthinkable to come to Taiwan without giving a business card before you even start talking to your interlocutor. It is presented in two hands with a slight bowing of the head. Whoever receives it must catch it in the same way and above all read it - putting it away immediately would show obvious disinterest

3. #Convenient store

The convenience store in the corner. As long as you understand this expression in the strict sense, since on every street corner, there is... a 7/Eleven, or one of its competitors! Generally small in size, they sell daily newspaper articles and, as their name no longer indicates, are open 24 hours a day (instead of the 7am to 11pm of the beginning)

4. #Worship

Tolerance is certainly the common religion of all Taiwanese. Cults from all over the world are represented there, but even more surprisingly, in the same temple, Taoist or Buddhist gods are celebrated simultaneously. The atmosphere in these places of prayer is particularly lively, with an extraordinary attendance rate

5. #Han

Some Chinese still call themselves Han ren (Han men), as opposed to the other peoples of China (Manchus, Mongols, Hakka...). The brilliant Han dynasty ruled China for more than four centuries. While in Taiwan, alongside the Aborigines, there are Chinese of all origins, the Han remain clearly in the majority.

6. #Karaoke

15_© Tomwang112 - iStockphoto.com.jpg

From a Japanese word meaning empty music or music without words. Indicated by the KTV signs, these nightclubs are equipped with an audio-video system allowing anyone to sing their favourite hits in public or in private. It is the favourite entertainment of many Taiwanese and often the necessary step before signing a contract!

7. #Mandarin

hudiemm - iStockphoto.com.jpg

This word of Portuguese origin originally referred to the senior officials of the former China. Mandarin is also the officially spoken language in Taiwan, as opposed to dialects such as Taiwanese or Hakka (both derived from the Han language, but from its derivative in Fujian province, which belongs to the Min subcategory).

8. #Mazu

The sea goddess is the most respected deity in Taiwan. More than 500 temples are dedicated to him. Legend has it that Mazu lived in the province of Fujian in the 10th century. Her real name is Lin Mo. She drowned one stormy night while trying to rescue a sailor. Later that night, several sailors reportedly saw his ghost

9. #Source

After Japan, Taiwan is the country richest in natural hot springs. There are about a hundred sites that can be cold, hot or salt water springs. They often spring up in beautiful natural settings. The culture of bathing developed especially in Taiwan during the Japanese colonization.

10. #Status quo

Since the return of the DPP to power in 2016, the political situation with China has become tense again. Tasi Ing-wen is perceived in Beijing as a threat to the balance of the region. The principles of the status quo are clear: as long as Communist China does not use force against Taiwan, the latter undertakes not to declare independence.

11. #Tampons

In the Chinese tradition, everyone signs with a stamp in red ink, usually carved from wood, stone or jade. Representing very "stylized" characters that are difficult to read, even for the most experienced sinophones, these stamps are very aesthetic, and their very low price makes them a typical and nice souvenir.

12. #Tea

16_Plantations de thé à Alishan © weniliou - Shutterstock.com.jpg

Considered as the champagne of teas by the British - which is not a vain compliment when one knows the importance of tea time across the Channel - Oolong ("black dragon") has the particularity of being a partially fermented tea, between green and black teas. A trademark specific to the island or mainland China.

You are from here, if...

If you wait quietly for your turn in the subway queue (which holds no secrets for you).

If you feel compelled to take off your shoes as soon as you enter someone's home.

If you're a chopstick maestro

If you can argue for hours about where to eat the best beef noodles around

If you're not afraid to get drunk every time you sign a contract

If the question of your identity makes you plunge into abysses of perplexity: are you Chinese, Taiwanese, both at the same time?

If you can be patient enough to open a gift once your interlocutor has left

If you know how to remain patient and courteous whatever the situation.

If you can drink tea without interruption, at any time of the day or night

If your great pleasure in life is to take a bath with friends in a hot spring

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