10 Most Famous Landmarks in Taiwan

1. Taipei 101

Taipei 101, one of the world's most famous skyscrapers and the well known landmark of Taiwan, situated in the commercial heart of Taipei City. Standing at a height of 508 m, the world second highest building after the Burf Khalifa of Dubai. Taipei 101 is a combination of the financial power of Taiwan and classic Taiwanese architecture. The building is constructed to represent a shoot of bamboo, the interior of the building is a mix of commercial and business properties. Beside the Taiwan's biggest business and some finest dining, Taipei 101 also offers opportunities for visitors to observe the panoramic views of the Taipei City and the island itself, either at indoor or outdoor observation decks in 89th and 91st floor respectively. Each night, the skin of the building displays one of seven spectrum colours of light and a bright yellow gleam from its pinnacle casts Taipei 101 in the role of a candle or torch upholding the ideals of liberty and welcome.

2. Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

The Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, one of the most important monuments in Taiwan, was built to commemorate the life of the former president of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai Shek, in 1976 and officially opened in 1980. Located in the city of Taipei, the Memorial Hall is built inside a walled complex, which is called as Liberty Square, with nicely landscaped gardens, ponds and walkways. The Memorial Hall is in gleaming white marble and topped by an octagonal roof of brilliant blue-glazed which can be seen on the major archways that lead into the square. Inside the main hall contains a large bronze statue of Chiang Kai Shek which is shown smiling, seated and wearing traditional costume. The memorial statue and hall is on the upper level while the lower level of the Liberty Square contains the National Theater and National Concert Hall, which are two great venues for the performing arts regularly featuring famous artists from Taiwan and abroad.

3. National Palace Museum

National Palace Museum is one of the best art museums in the world with more than three million visitors annually. The museum is home to almost 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese artifacts and artworks, making it one of the world's largest collection of Chinese arts. Due to the large number of collections, the items display in the museum are rotated once every three months in order to let the public has the chances to see most of them. Ancient bronze castings, gold items, jade, porcelains and potteries, lacquer ware, textiles, carvings, art of writing, scroll paintings and rare books are exhibited here, some of the collections are from prehistoric times dating back to more than five thousand years. During the month of October, the museum displays some very rare and exquisite artifacts, making it the best time to visit.

4. Longshan Temple

Longshan Temple, an old and famous temple in Taipei City, was built in 1738 for worshiping Guanshiyin, the Goddess of Mercy, and other divine spirits. The temple had been destroyed several times by natural disasters and war, but already returned to its origin after the restoration. Longshan Temple  is divided into front hall, main hall, rear hall, right wing and left wing. Inside the temple there are hundred of statues of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian deities. On each 1st and 15th day each month of lunar year, regular visitors will come to the temple for worship ceremony. The temple is not only a place for worship, it is also a sightseeing attraction and a second-degree historical site which attracts hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists each year.

5. Queen's Head of Yehliu Geopark

Yehliu Geopark, located in a cape of Wanli District of New Taipei City in Northern Taiwan, is a famous tourist spots for its fascinating natural rock formations. The cape, roughly 1,700 m long and 200 m wide with the narrowest part 50 m, was formed as geological forces pushed Datun Mountain out of the sea. A distinctive feature of the cape is the different shapes and sizes of hoodoo stones which were formed by the seawater erosion after a prolonged period of time without any artificial sculpturing. Some of the rock formations have been given imaginative names based on their shapes. The most well-known is the Queen's Head rock, a landmark in Yehliu and Taiwan as well. Other formations include the Fairy Shoe rock, Bee Hive rock, angel’s sandal, mushroom rock, honeycomb rock, bean curd rock, candlestick rock, ginger rock and many. These unique landscapes are magnificent works of mother nature and are among some of the most spectacular sights in the world.

6. Taroka National Park

Taroko National Park, famous for its scenic marble-walled gorges, is located in Hualien County, Eastern Taiwan. It was established in 1986 for the purpose of protecting the natural scenery, historical relics and wildlife. Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors both local and abroad come to the Taroko National Park to witness its vertical marble walls, spectacular mountains and gorges, sheer precipices and contorted tunnels along the route of the Liwu River. The most spectacular scenery is from Swallow Grotto to the Cihmu Bridge by traversing the beautiful Tunnel of Nine Turns. Eternal Spring Shrine is a landmark and memorial shrine which must not be missed. The major picturesque points of the park is the famous Baiyang Waterfall and the Qingshui Cliff. Both are the perfect expressions of the topographic natural wonder of Taroko National Park.  

7. Alisan National Scenic Area

Alishan National Scenic Area, located in Chiayi County in southern Taiwan, is a mountain resort and nature preserve area. The 415 km² area includes mountain wilderness with wide variety of plants and animals, Alishan Forest Railway, villages, waterfalls, high mountain Alishan tea and wasabi plantations, beautiful sunrise and sunset sceneries, sea of clouds and several hiking trails that make Alishan becomes one of the most famous tourist destinations and major landmark in Taiwan as well as international.   

8. Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake, situated in Yuchi, Nantou province, is one of the most beautiful and famous tourist destinations in Taiwan and Asia as well. The largest lake in Taiwan with a total surface area of 7.93 km² and shaped like an irregular rhombus. The eastern part of the Sun Moon Lake looks like a round sun while the western part resembles a crescent moon. Hence, it was named “Sun Moon Lake.” The lake is known for its turquoise water and surrounding green mountains. The calm water of the lake reflects the mountains which rise on all sides giving the impression of a Chinese landscape painting. Its natural beauty is enhanced by numerous cultural and historical sites, and is a favourite destination for domestic and international tourists.

9. Taichung Park

Taichung Park is located on the site of the original settlement that predates the founding of Taichung City, making it one of the longest-standing landmarks in the city. The park itself was established over 100 years ago during the Ching Dynasty and was developed further under the Japanese colonial authorities, who completed it in 1903 and built the park's famous pavilions as a special residence for the visiting Japanese crown prince. More than any other landmark, the distinctive pavilions remain the most enduring symbol of Taichung City. The park remains a popular destination for residents, particularly on weekends, who come to enjoy its small lake, row boating, and various tree-lined paths. During traditional festivals, such as Lantern Festival and Mid-Autumn (Moon) Festival, the park is frequently the site of folk performances and displays.

10. Chihkan Tower

Chihkan or Chikan Tower, formerly known as Fort Provintia, is one of the famous historic site and landmark in Tainan as well as Taiwan. It was built during the Dutch colonial in 1653. Since 1945, the fort was known as '' Red-topped Tower'' where the name derived from the Taiwanese aboriginal word ''Chakam''. Today, Chikan Tower is its official name. Even though Chihkan Tower has gone through different historical periods, but still remains its rich and graceful architectural aspects. Crammed with various kinds of steles, stone horses, weight lifting rocks, stone weights, and nine stone tortoises carrying royal stele carved in both Chinese and Manchurian, the courtyard looks like an outdoor museum.