Travel Suggestions : Adventure
Outdoors
Though small, Taiwan has much to offer in terms of recreational
activities, whether these are water sports such as snorkeling,
surfing, boating, river tracing or canoeing; land activities
such as hiking and mountain climbing; or even aero-sports for
the more daring among us, such as parasailing and hang-gliding.
[ Water Sports ]
Snorkeling and Diving
Areas in Taiwan suitable for diving include the North and Northeast
Coast, the Hualien-Taitung Coast, Kenting, Green Island, Orchid
Island, and Penghu. You can either choose to descend into the
deep seas and marvel at the underwater wonders as migratory
fish, colorful reef fish, shrimp, shell organisms, sea snakes,
and turtles swim by, or have a glimpse of the beauty below
from the surface and go snorkeling. Areas suitable for snorkeling
include Dabaisha, Matijiao, Shilang and Jiekou on Green Island;
Jibei, Xianjiao, Gupo, and Qimei in the Penghu; Longdong Bay
on the Northeast Coast; and Nanwan and Eluanbi in Kenting.
Surfing
Taiwan's coast is not only one of breathtaking beauty, but because
of its topographical features, its colossal waves are perfect
for surfing. Areas suitable for surfing include Honeymoon Bay
and Fulong on the Northeast Coast, Jichi and Shanyuan on the
East Coast, Nanwan in Kenting and Guanyinting on Penghu. The
best time for surfing in Fulong, Jichi and Shanyuan is from
May to end October, in Guanyinting from the Mid-Autumn Festival
until the Dragon Boat Festival, and at Honeymoon Bay and Nanwan
all year round.
Boating and Canoeing
Taiwan provides ample opportunities and good conditions for canoeing,
as its rivers are abundant and mostly fast-running, boating
areas are not far away, and climatic and other natural conditions
are favorable. Canoeing can be done on the sea or on rivers.
In Yilan, for example, annual international boat races are
held on the Dongshan River. Other areas suitable for canoeing
include the Beishi River in Pinglin, Taipei (the section from
Guolai to Pinglin), the Nanshi River in Wulai, Taipei (the
section from Doll Valley to Wulai), Shuangxikou in Xindian,
and Shalun Beach in Danshui. If you are not an experienced
canoeist, you can also choose to go raffing on the Xiuguluan
River in Hualien County or the Laonong River in Kaohsiung County.
Brook tracing
Taiwan is not only very mountainous, it also offers a great variety
of scenery and many valleys and rivers with waterfalls, rapids,
canyons, pools, and river terraces. River tracing can be pursued
in Taipei County (Beishi River, Gupoliao River, Nanshih River,
Chakong River, Neidong River, Tunghou River, Haben River and
Jiajiuliao River), Taipei City (Tatun Mountain Valley), Yilan
County (Nan River), Nantou County (Tiepilun River, Guandao
River and Shalixian River), Chiayi County (Nanzixian River),
Hualien County (Taosai River, Chiakan River, and Sanchan River),
Taichung County (Qijiawan River), Pingtung County (Ailiaonan
River), Kaohsiung County (Weichin River) and Taitung County
(Taimali River).
Fishing
The best time for fishing in Taiwan is from November to March,
and you can catch common fish such as the drummer, the bream,
and the whitespotted rabbitfish. If you would like to experience
a different kind of fishing, you could also try the popular
boat fishing and trolling. On Taiwan's offshore islands you
can find large numbers of the Trichiurus japanicus Trichiurus
lepturus, the bigeye red fish that are attracted to the reefs
that surround these islands. Spring and summer are most suitable
for beach fishing for small fish such as spotted sandborers
and thornfish.
Next to the water activities described here, visitors can also
try out other activities such as wind surfing, water skiing and
parasailing, or just relax on the beach or go on a seaworld adventure
by taking a trip on a boat. .
[ Land Activities ]
Hiking and Mountain Climbing
Taiwan is an island, some two-third of the total area of which
is covered with mountains of which 219 peaks reach 3,000 meters
above sea level. In contrast to similar mountains abroad that
are covered with perpetual snow, Taiwan's mountains are thickly
forested, and a vertical distribution of a variety of flora,
ranging from tropical to Asian tropical, warm temperate, cool
temperate, cold temperate, subarctic, and frigid, can be clearly
distinguished. Traces of Taiwan's various aboriginal cultures
can also be found in these mountainous regions up to an altitude
of 2,000 meters. Although most aborigines have moved to the
plains and other areas at the foot of the mountains, their
tribal traces, hunting grounds, and traditional buildings deep
within the mountains have still been preserved to date. Taiwan's
mountains therefore form a versatile agglomeration of beautiful
scenery, grass plains, lakes, and aboriginal culture, attracting
both local and foreign nature explorers.
Some great destinations for mountain climbing in Taiwan are Yushan
(Jade Mountain), highest peak in Northeast Asia; Snow Mountain,
second-highest peak in Taiwan; Daba Mountain, known as one of
the most peculiar peaks in the world; Hehuanshan, one of the
few places in Taiwan where snowfall can be expected during winter;
and Nenggao Mountain, third-highest peak in Taiwan. Yushan in
particular, with its grand beauty and imposing main peak, is
a favorite among mountaineers from around the world and is frequently
challenged by foreign mountaineering groups. Hiking and mountain
climbing are favorite pastimes in Taiwan. Popular trails can
be reached by car very easily, while it requires only two to
three days to reach altitudes higher than 3,000 meters.
Taiwan also has numerous hiking trails of which many are actually
ancient trails that were used by early residents for daily, economic,
or even military purposes and therefore are of historical significance.
The main trails that can still be found today are the following:
NorthTaiwan: the Yangmingshan trail, the Tatun Mountain trail,
the Miantian Mountain trail, the Erziping trail, the Yekungkeng
Mountain trail, the Chunlianyan trail in Beitou, the Sishou Mountain
trail in Taipei's Xinyi District, and the Caoling Historic trail
on the Northeast Coast.
Central Taiwan: the Lion's Head Mountain trail in Miaoli and
the Dakeng trail in Taichung.
SouthTaiwan: the Shoushan trail in Kaohsiung; and the Lushui
River trail, the Lotus Pond trail, and the Mystery Valley trail
in Taroko National Park.
Next to these trails, there is also a system of national forest
trails, including the Ruitai Historic trail, the Duli Mountain
Historic trail, and the Fengihu Datung Mountain trail in Chiayi
County, the Lilong Mountain trail in Pingtung County, the Shenmu
Mountain Resort trail in Yilan County, the Hiking trail in Taitung
County, and the Malabang Mountain trail in Miaoli County, all
offering extraordinary scenery and great opportunities for hiking
and mountain climbing.
Climbing
Natural climbing locations of all degrees of difficulty can be
found anywhere from northern to southern Taiwan and even along
the EastCoast. There are also many artificial climbing sites,
so there is a choice for everyone. Natural climbing locations
include Longdong, Tabao, Guantziling and Qijin.
Biking
Taiwan counts more than 60 singles clubs that organize a wide
range of activities during weekends and holidays and take you
on biking trips around Taiwan. Some areas suitable for biking
are the Danshui River in Taipei, the Aofeng Mountain in Taichung,
the Love River in Kaohsiung, and the Black Forest and Kuanshan
Village in Taitung.
Bungee Jumping
Bungee Jumping: Bungee jumping activities are most frequently
organized in Taoyuan at the Fuxing suspension bridge and the
Dahan bridge. After this thrilling experience you can enjoy
some of the beautiful scenery that is displayed on Lala Mountain
and Taiping Mountain, and in Little Wulai.
[ Aero-sports ]
Parasailing
Places where you can go parasailing include Green Bay, Luyeh,
Hualien Jichi, Xiguandao Mountain 900, and Saijia in Pingtung
County.
Hang-gliding
Places where you can go hang-gliding include Green Bay in Taipei;
Sanzhan, Liyu Mountain, and Jichi in Hualien County; Qixingtan
in Hualien City, Taiping Mountain and Gaotai in Taitung County;
and Saijia Areo-Park in Pingtung.
Taiwan is an island with many faces, catering to the varying
needs of tourists. Whether you are looking for a challenge
or need a place to relax, whether you like outdoor activities
on land, water, or in the sky. If you want to get away from
it all, then why not come to this tropical island to spend
your holidays!
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