The Province of Taiwan is an island located in the Western Pacific. With an area of 35,801 square kilometers, Taiwan is the largest island of the People's Republic of China. The island is 394 kilometers long, with a maximum width of 144 kilometers. It is separated from the Chinese mainland to the west by the Taiwan Strait, which is 130 kilometers wide at its narrowest point.
Taiwan, with a population of more than 23 million residents, is one of the most densely populated regions in the world. Apart from the approximately 380,000 indigenous people, the majority of the population originally comes from the Chinese mainland.
Besides the provincial capital, Taipei, there are three other major cities on the west coast: Kaohsiung, the island's second-largest city with a tropical vibe, Taichung, known for its bicycle industry, and Tainan, the old capital and the "City of a Thousand Temples." Everywhere, the fascinating interplay between tradition and modernity can be observed.
The Central Mountain Range, which runs north-south and is 270 kilometers long, divides the island. It includes more than one hundred peaks over 3,000 meters high. The highest peak is Jade Mountain, at 3,952 meters. Almost two-thirds of Taiwan's land area is occupied by mountains.
Taiwan's coasts are diverse and offer something for every preference: the east coast is relatively steep, the north coast features volcanic mountains over a thousand meters high, the west coast is flatter and more densely populated, while the south is dominated by sandy beaches.
Taipei is located in the northern part of the island. The city is dominated by "Taipei 101," one of the tallest buildings in the world. At 508 meters, this city landmark held the record for the world's tallest building until recently. Even though it no longer holds this title, a ride on the world's fastest elevator to the observation deck at 382 meters is well worth it. On a clear day, the view is simply stunning!
Throughout the city, you will encounter timeless scenes of one of the world's oldest cultures: worshippers seeking the support of the gods in ancient temples, large religious processions parading through the streets amid the crackling of fireworks, and small shops offering herbal medicines that have been trusted for millennia. Haggling is a lively and essential part of shopping in traditional markets.
In addition to its iconic landmark, Taipei offers many other attractions: the National Palace Museum with the largest collection of Chinese art treasures, ancient temples, trendy shopping districts, and bustling night markets. There is never a dull moment here!
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is the international airport serving Taipei in Taiwan. It is located in the Dayuan District, about 10 km northwest of Taoyuan City and approximately 40 km west of Taipei.
It is Taiwan's largest airport and the primary hub for airlines such as China Airlines, EVA Air, and other Taiwanese carriers. Since the construction of Taiwan Taoyuan Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, located directly in Taipei, handles only domestic and charter flights.
Regular shuttle buses operate between the airport and downtown Taipei. An express train connects Taipei in just 38 minutes, and a high-speed rail line is also available.
