Has anyone been on holiday to Taiwan?

[GPT]

As the title says really.

I've recently been reading a book that features Taiwan and it seems to me like it would be an interesting place to visit.

Does anyone have any experience of the place?

[GPT]

I take it that's a no then.

Makes me want to go even more.

[fat80b]

I was going to reply last week but I haven't exactly been there on holiday

I have been there several times on business over the last 5 years and I would say it is a nice place to visit.

Taipei is a typical Asian city with plenty of things to see and do. I would say easier to navigate etc than some places in China but similar in many ways.

There are plenty of things to see and do from the usual temples / tall buildings (Taipei 101 etc) through to the famous snake alley where you can try snake blood and some sort of alcohol if you want...

We tend to stick to Taipei as we are there for work but I am told that once you get out of Taipei, then you get to see the real Taiwan and the South of the country is the place to go.

Transport links are good and there is a high speed rail link across the island. Apparently, the rural towns / villages are excellent and very quaint. All the people I have met are in general very friendly.

I would recommend it from my time there on business but we did spend most days in offices etc and evenings on the beers in Taipei.

Bob

[Bing o]

Taiwan sems very popular with HK and Singapore tourists, less of a Western destination - for that reason alone, I would give it a shot, and should be there next year for holidays.

[Henry-F]

Definitely a lack of Western influence in Taiwan to the point where the lack of western signage makes you feel quite alien at first as opposed to, say Thailand where there are lots of Europeans out and about. On the subway you could be the only European and I've had kids point at me and say things to their parents - no not in that way! At 6ft 2 inches I am a little taller than most of the locals. Groups of school kids also chant "hello" in unison as they pass you on the street

From what I can gather the history behind Taiwan is an interesting one and relatively recent. I can only speak for Taipei as, like most western visitors I was there for business. Back again in a few weeks.

Henry