A Jewel in Taiwan
Also known as Formosa, the Taiwan we know today is often associated with political complications. The Portuguese and Spanish have sailed across the ocean to set foot on the island, Chinese has lived here since Ming Dynasty in 19th century, and it was under colonization by Japan for 50 years before it was claimed to be the Republic of China.
Leaving out the politics, Taiwan has so much to offer. The best thing about Taiwan for a traveler is that it fuels all kinds of interests! About 20% bigger than Massachusetts or marginally smaller than Switzerland, Taiwan has all sorts of landscapes and cultural establishments that you can visit in a very manageable timeframe.
In the middle of Taiwan, you can find a jewel called Sun Moon Lake, the biggest lake in Taiwan. Surrounded by mountains, the lake blends in yet contrasts with the trees on the hillside. The mountains also often sends down fog to add a sliver of mystery.
Looking at it's serenity today, it's hard to imagine that the epicenter of a 7.3 Richter Scale earthquake in 1999 was less than 6 miles from here. There was even a small island called Lalu in the middle of the lake before the quake, but is close to being submerged today. It took over a decade for the greens to return.
Other than the gift from nature, one can also find typical Taiwanese cultural elements in the area. Temples are very common in Taiwan, which is in a way beyond religions. To me it is an embodiment of the piety and respect Taiwanese people have for supernatural powers from the great historical figures, ancestors or mythical figures. Wen Wu Temple by the Sun Moon Lake, known as the Temple of literature and martial arts, is built for remembrance of Confucius and Guan Yu, as the master of each field respectively.
At last, resembling the famous night markets in Taiwan. You can often find local vendors and shops gather on small streets that sells arts and crafts, local food and beverages. It is simply a byproduct of Taiwanese people's nature to gather and appreciate local produce! It is for sure a treasure hunt to visit these streets, browse through the variety of goods and inhale the retro vibe!