The Asian continent is well known and loved for its stunning beaches, from the jaw-dropping beauty of Thailand’s many islands to the emerald green waters of Vietnam’s Halong Bay. Most people tend to overlook Taiwan as a beachgoers destination, associating the island more with city life and shopping than with tropical beaches. If you think along these lines you will be pleasantly surprised to discover the stunning coastline of this tiny island with its almost empty beaches and bays.

Scientists have said that in this day and age we are getting more stressed than ever before. Whether it is the pressures from work or life in a busy city, we are finding it easier to worry and not as easy to calm ourselves down, which is why we look towards others to bring our heart rates down, rejuvenate our spirits and calm our weary muscles.

Taiwan is unique in that it is highly diversified in terms of spirituality and religious faith, with no conflicts between people practicing various religions. On the contrary, the island is open to all types of religious thought from outside.

Taiwan appeals to the senses. The sights are abundant, from bustling city streets in Taipei to twisted mountainous roads twisting through the island. There’s nothing like the feel of sun on your skin or of warm waves lapping at your legs. Then there are the smells of fresh mountain air in the central north, or the salty sea breeze of the tropical southern beaches. The endless tastes of local cuisine mastered over the centuries.

Taiwan is a natural paradise with everything from white, sandy beaches to dense mountainous rainforest. The recent launch of a successful eco-tourism scheme in Taiwan has meant that exploring the island’s natural wonders has become easier and more sustainable.

Taiwanese cuisine reflects the country’s melting pot culture, showing ethnic, geographic, economic and cultural influences in every meal. From stinky tofu to steamed chicken, the island is rich in culinary delights that are sure to satisfy, surprise and surpass your expectations.

For the first time since the civil war ended in 1949, Taiwan has announced it will allow independent tourists from Mainland China to enter the island. It is a move that has been brought in with hopes to boost the island’s tourism industry and economy as well as aiding long-term political relations between Taiwan and China.

The island that we know as Taiwan has an ancient history of human settlement spanning almost 30,000 years. While the first inhabitants of the island are genetically different from the current inhabitants, the island’s various indigenous groups have a 4,000-year long history on the island.

Soaring skyscrapers, modern department stores and crowded streets make up Taipei, the city that is the commercial and business core of Taiwan. But the international metropolis that has been called ‘Taipei Manhattan’ has always had an artistic streak, and with the growing presence of public art this is hard to miss.

Few people may be in the know when it comes to Taiwan’s film industry let alone that of any foreign country, but the truth is that Taiwanese cinema is not only for the film buffs amongst us. The island that brought us huge international successes such as Ang Lee’s ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ has a lot to offer its international audience and has a history of film that is well worth getting to know.