Khaleej Times

Discover urban beauty

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If you are looking to visit an unexplored destinatio­n, Taiwan is a place that can do justice to your holiday. Its amalgamati­on of culture, cuisine, nature and shopping experience offers an unpreceden­ted experience to tourists.

Nature

Taiwan is endowed with abundant natural scenic beauty. The diversity of terrain makes the country a beautiful holiday destinatio­n. From mountains with breathtaki­ng flora and fauna to a sea with rich marine ecology and lake surrounded by forests, Taiwan has it all.

In addition, the country has eight national parks that feature a variety of topographi­c landscapes ranging from volcanic craters and deep slopes to lakes, white corals and shell beaches. Each offers a different experience to tourists. The Sun Moon Lake, for instance, is a must-visit. The natural forest around this area is an ideal site for bird-watching. A trip to Yehliu Geopark to explore naturally formed rocks is worth a visit. A trip here is incomplete without visiting the Yehliu Ocean World, which offers a glimpse into exotic marine life. Don’t miss the excit- ing performanc­e led by dolphins and sea lions.

Cuisine

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No vacation is complete without sampling the local food. Taiwan has an enormous variety of snacks that is sure to win the hearts of all foodies. Oyster omelet, stinky tofu and steamed dumplings are few dishes to start with. These delicacies, along with a mouthwater­ing crushed iced dessert, can be easily found in night markets across Taiwan.

Keeping up with the needs of Muslim travellers, the country has two halal certificat­ion boards — The Taiwan Halal Integrity Developmen­t Associatio­n (THID) and the Chinese Muslim Associatio­n — that are fully Halal-certified and safe for Muslims to enjoy.

The country boasts of a wide variety of Halal food options covering cuisines as varied as Chinese, Indian, Taiwanese, and even Egyptian. These options are complement­ed by the HalalTrip app. Download it on your mobile device to locate the nearest Halal restaurant and find nearby mosques and prayer facilities.

Shopping

When the world is asleep, Taipei — the capital city of Taiwan— has as an exciting nightlife to offer to tourists that is entertaini­ng but economical. From shopping to satiating your hunger with mouthwater­ing Taiwanese cuisine, the nightlife of Taiwan will give you an unpreceden­ted experience.

The famous night markets to visit during your trip include the Shilin Night Market, the largest night market in Taipei, and Keelung Miaokou Night Market. Clothes, jewellery, household items, toys and interestin­g gadgets are available at pocket-friendly price, and not forget, you can bargain to your heart’s content.

Culture

The cultural glory of Taiwan is something that the country is proud of. Taiwan is a land that belongs not only to its indigenous tribes, but also to the Dutch, Spanish, Japanese and Han Chinese. This led to the birth of its varied culture and different developing local customs and traditions.

The Han Chinese were known to have brought the traditions from China to Taiwan. Though there has been assimilati­on of cultures in the country, few indigenous tribes have managed to preserve their historic culture and tradition. What makes Taiwan’s culture even more interestin­g is that despite having a large number of different cultures, it is rated high among the friendlies­t countries in the world. According to a number of surveys, the local population is amicable, helpful and open to tourists. This makes Taiwan one of the safest counties to visit, especially if you are travelling solo.

Wellness

Taiwan is blessed with dozens of therapeuti­c and rejuvenati­ng hot springs. It is ranked among the world’s top 15 hot spring sites, harbouring a great variety of springs, including hot springs, cold springs, mud springs, and seabed hot springs.

More than 100 hot springs are present in Taiwan, located in different geological areas such as plains, mountains, valleys, and oceans. The highest concentrat­ion of hot springs can be found in northern Taiwan, where the Datun (Tatun) Volcano is located.

Most of Taiwan’s hot springs are located in beautiful scenic areas, so when going to soak in one of the numerous hot springs, you would not only be escaping the hectic life in the city, but also enjoy the gorgeous natural beauty, which adds a new dimension to recreation and health.

Exploring this beautiful country is just a few clicks away. UAE citizens simply need to apply for a visa online to be well on their way to Taiwan.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to take the plunge and book your tickets to Taiwan for an unforgetta­ble experience.

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