Taiwan

Taiwan is a country in East Asia. It sits at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, neighbouring China to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south.

Home to several densely populated metropolitan cities, Taipei (the capital) borders new Taipei and Keelung. Other major cities include Koasiung, Taichung, Tainan and Taoyuan.

Beyond the cities, Taiwan features lush mountain ranges dense with subtropical rainforest, waterfalls and rolling plains. Earthquakes are common in the region and the marine tropical climate stirs up a hot humid climate with typhoons, steady rainfall and mostly sunny weather.

Taiwan has a rich history going back 6000 years ago as Austronesian-speaking ancestors of Taiwanese indigenous peoples settled the island. Some of these traditions are still practised alongside heavy influences from Chinese and Japanese cultures.

Modern day Taiwan is most famous for its nightlife, neon lights illuminate the dense winding streets, people bustle through the sprawling night markets, relax at the hot springs and hike through the mountains.