A 2024 Guide to Taroko Gorge and Taroko National Park

Taroko Gorge Taiwan

Taroko Gorge, named after the Truku or Taroko aboriginal tribe, is arguably Taiwan’s top scenic attractions. Few people visit without being blown away by its sheer magnificence and raw natural beauty. It is the star attraction of Hualien, Taiwan’s largest county (see my Hualien guide and other places to visit in Hualien), on the wild …

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Alishan, Taiwan: A Super Detailed 2024 Guide

A guide to Alishan National Scenic Area in Alishan Taiwan

Alishan (阿里山 or Mt. Ali) in Chiayi county is one of Taiwan’s top attractions and one of its most famous mountain resorts, along with Qingjing Farm. Many visitors try to include Alishan on their Taiwan itinerary, but it usually turns out to be the most complicated part of their trip, especially getting there. That’s why …

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Alishan High Mountain Tea: The Champagne of Taiwan Oolongs

A worker on a field where Alishan tea is grown

Taiwan’s oolong teas are so good that they have been described as the “champagne of tea.” In recent decades, Alishan High Mountain tea has stood out from the crowd as the most sought after of Taiwan’s impressive array of teas. In fact, my (Taiwanese) father-in-law, an avid tea drinker, turns his nose up at anything …

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Hiking to Inca Bridge at Machu Picchu: A Detailed Guide

Hiking to the Inca Bridge at Machu Picchu

The Inca Bridge (Puente Inka) at Machu Picchu is a one-of-a-kind attraction. It is one of the few remaining Inca-built bridges in existence. The bridge spans a gap in a narrow stone trail, a secret entrance to Machu Picchu, that runs along a towering cliff. Comparatively few tourists hike the short (30-minute return) trail to …

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The 4-Day Inca Trail: A Day-by-Day Guide

A guide to doing the Inca Trail 4 Days Hike

The classic 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the world’s great hikes. It is the same route that the ancient Inca rulers used for reaching the sacred Citadel and New World Wonder. Along the way, there are half a dozen other major ruins, plus countless more smaller ones. Today, the 4-day trail …

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Miaoli: Fun Things to Do in Taiwan’s Hakka County

Things to do in Miaoli Taiwan

Miaoli is a mountainous county in northern central Taiwan, between Hsinchu and Taichung. Foreign tourists seldom include it on their travel itinerary for Taiwan because none of the things to do in Miaoli ever make it onto “must-do in Taiwan” lists (although I put three Miaoli attractions on my list of best things to do …

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22 Awesome Day Trips from Taichung

The best Taiwan amusement parks, theme parks, and waterparks

Taichung is located on the central west coast of Taiwan and is the country’s second largest city. Most travelers used to give it a miss, but nowadays it is an increasingly popular stop on everyone’s Taiwan travel itinerary. While I was compiling my list of top things to do in Taichung, my article quickly became …

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