THE highest peak in East Asia, Mount Jade, lies in Taiwan, an island where 70 per cent of the land area is hills, terraces and mountains towering over a thousand meters high.
Mount Jade is part of the 270km-long mountain range that is called Taiwan's "central nervous system" for good reasons.
It is a system of more than 200 peaks with numerous watersheds that provide pockets of great escapades for the island's city dwellers.
Among Central Taiwan's exquisite locales is the Qinjing Veterans Farm area, also called "little Switzerland" or "paradise in the mist".
The inland countryside and its vast green plains are dotted with Australian Corriedale sheep, American Angus cows and Taiwanese goats.
Bordering the plain is a viewing platform where visitors can take in spectacular views of the azure skies, white clouds, fragrant grasses and herds of sheep.
The local guesthouses have also stirred public interest for their architectural styles, which include Tudor houses, medieval castles, southern French country houses and Yunnan tents.
The Sun Moon Lake scenic area is another well-known attraction in the central region.
The Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan is known for its scenic beauty.
A boat ride on the serene lake with the mountains mirrored in it is like a walk in a Chinese painting.
Nearby, the Mount Maolan hiking trails are lined with Ceylon-Olive trees. In early summer, the trails are a poetic sight, covered in fallen red leaves.
On Yishaoda Street, visitors can find Thao tribal handicrafts woven in brilliant colours and geometric patterns.
Despite its rugged terrain, the beaches are never far away from any major city.
Even the southern-most tip of the island, where the scenic beach of Kenting lies, is just four hours away from Taipei by high-speed train and bus.
Kenting is one of Taiwan's premier vacation spots for a revitalising break and it is renowned for its year-round fine weather, blue seas and emerald peaks.
Located on a limestone plateau of coral reefs, the Kenting Forest Recreation Area has a rich oceanic ecology made up of rare limestone caves, unusual plants that grow on high-level coral atolls and wild grasslands framed by stunning valleys in the Sheding Nature Park.
The drive to and from Taipei along the coastal-bending Route 193 is a refreshing journey, with sprays of the Pacific Ocean in full view.
Hualian Qisingtan Beach is a famous bay along this "seashore road". On a fine day, Qingshui Cliffs, Taroko Gorge and Half-moon Bay can be seen from here.
At night, when one looks up to the skies, one will see the Big Dipper star, or Qi Sing - the brightest one among all the stars - hence its name Qisingtan, or Big Dipper Lake.
The proximity of nature has resulted in each city claiming some pockets of greenery as its own "backyard".
View from Yangmingshan.
In Taipei, that title goes to Yangmingshan - 40 minutes away by bus from the Jiantan MRT station.
Yangmingshan changes with the season. From March to end of April, the Jhuzihhu area, where pure white calla lilies blossom quietly in the fog, is a breathtaking sight.
Enjoy a climb up the hills in the early morning to pick the flowers at the Calla Lily Farm followed by a dip in the Lengshuikeng hotspring pool and footspa, which is free and open 24 hours a day.
From October to December, the region's Mount Datun is popular for its vast fields of white Silvergrass flowers. From the top, one can enjoy a respite and take in the whole Taipei Basin.
Cultural treasures ◊ Taiwan's scenic regions are also treasure troves of cultural relics. Yangmingshan is home to Shihlin Residence and Rose Garden, which was one of Madam Chiang Kai-Shek's favourite places, and Lin Yutang House - a Spanish influenced Chinese courtyard house designed by the literary master himself.
◊ The Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) is a fast way to travel between major cities but to get to inland areas, the local rail system and inter-city bus are better bets.
◊ Except for the tropical southern tip, Taiwan has a subtropical climate and the north and south differ in their rainy seasons: from October to March in the north, and from June to October in the south.
◊ For travel bookings and enquires, call ASA Holidays at 6303-5303. For international medical assistance, call OCBC Concierge at (65) 6322-2588.
Photos: Lim Yann Ling and Taiwan Visitors Association.
This article was first published in The Straits Times Special. It is produced by the Special Projects Unit, Marketing Division, SPH.
