Taiwan is a destination full of nature, culture, and culinary delights

Taiwanese tourism officials say their destination more than lives up to its Portuguese name.

Jin Juang of the Taiwan Tourism Administration’s New York office told a recent Toronto event that hosting the gathering was about “sharing the wonders of Taiwan… Today is about showcasing Taiwan’s beauty.

“Taiwan has so much to offer,” Juang continued, citing “breathtaking scenery, rich cultures and vibrant cities.”
Juang told those on hand that the landscapes in her homeland — named Beautiful Island by early Portuguese explorers — mean that tourists can visit a “mountain of 3,000 meters and a beach on the same day.” 

Juang’s thoughts were echoed by event host Ming Chu Chen, who said, “In Taiwan we can say nature and culture sit side by side.”

Taiwan’s “incredible natural beauty” is showcased in part by nine national parks, said Chen, noting tropical landscapes will be seen by visitors.

Among specific tourism attributes cited by Chen were:

• Outdoor activities such as cycling and surfing
• The island being a “true melting pot,” home to many Indigenous groups that have their own languages and cultures
• Taiwan being a “heaven of food,” including being friendly to vegans and vegetarians
• Energetic nightlife in a country that “doesn’t sleep early”
• The March-August period being “great” for spotting whales and dolphins off the shores of the ocean-ringed country

Another major attraction is Taipei’s National Palace Museum, which houses what is frequently labelled the greatest collection of ancient Chinese artifacts in the world, including ones dating back to the Neolithic Period. Some artifacts were once housed in the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Tourism officials note that technologically advanced Taiwan has an efficient transportation system, making it easy for tourists to explore the island. 

The Toronto event and another in Vancouver featured tour operators that sell Taiwan, Indigenous Taiwanese dance performances, Taiwanese cuisine, and bubble tea, the latter a Taiwanese creation.

Canada sent over 112,000 visitors to Taiwan in 2024, a 22% increase from 2023. There are 14 weekly direct flights from Vancouver to Taipei and 7 from Toronto, with the flights operated by Taiwanese carriers, EVA Air and China Airlines,   

The Toronto gathering was told that Star Alliance carrier EVA has received accolades for both service and safety, and has multiple classes of service on its Canadian routes.