Table of Contents

Introduction PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 Background Information Geography, Climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture Chapter 2 Practical Information When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators and tourist information, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, What to take, Electricity, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Architecture, Sports and activities, Photography, Media and communications, Maps, Business, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively PART TWO THE GUIDE Chapter 3 Taipei History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Taipei suburbs, Yangmingshan National Park Chapter 4 North Taiwan Taoyuan, Sanxia and Yingge, Wulai, North Cross-Island Highway, Yilan County, The northeast, Keelung, The north coast, Tamsui Chapter 5 Hakka Country Hsinchu City, East of Hsinchu, The aboriginal interior, Nanzhuang, Sanyi Chapter 6 Central Taiwan Taichung, Changhua City, Lukang, Jiji and around, Sun Moon Lake, Puli to Lishan, Shei-Pa National Park, Yushan National Park Chapter 7 Southwest Taiwan Tainan, Around Tainan, Chiayi City, From Chiayi City to Shizhuo by Road 159A, Alishan National Scenic Area Chapter 8 Kaohsiung and Pingtung Kaohsiung, North to Neimen, Meinong, Maolin, Northern Kaohsiung, Northern Pingtung County, Southern Pingtung County, Kenting National Park Chapter 9 East Taiwan Hualien City, Taroko Gorge, The East Rift Valley, Highway 11: the coast road, Taitung City, South from Taitung Chapter 10 Minor Islands Penghu County, Kinmen County, Matsu National Scenic Area, Little Liuqiu, Green Island, Orchid Island Appendix 1 Language Appendix 2 Road and Street Names Appendix 3 Further Information Index

About the Author

Educated in the UK, Steven Crook was backpacking through Asia in 1991 when he decided to go to Taiwan. He was running out of money and needed a job. That wasn't the only reason, however. Taiwan was scarcely mentioned in his school books 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 Steven started writing about Taiwan's mountains, temples and museums for newspapers and magazines. By 2009, when he accepted Bradt's offer to write the first edition of this travel guide, he'd seen most of the country - but because new museums, trails and other attractions keep opening, his 'to do and see' list doesn't seem to be getting any shorter. He has now been to every corner of the main island and every one of the outlying archipelagos and he has written about Taiwan's cultural and scenic attractions for international newspapers and inflight magazines. Steven has a keen understanding of what international visitors are likely to enjoy and what they need help with to appreciate.

Reviews

'[Bradt travel guides are] attractive and clearly targeted books, combining professionalism and focus while keeping a personal flavour.' The Sunday Times 'Recommended reading' Wanderlust