Nǐ hǎo! Welcome to the Heart of Asia—Taiwan, a vibrant island nation that perfectly balances bustling night markets and high-tech cities with serene mountains and ancient temples. There are around 23 million people living here, and the capital is Taipei, home to the iconic bamboo-shaped Taipei 101 skyscraper. The official language is Mandarin Chinese, but many people also speak Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, and indigenous languages.

Taiwan covers about 36,197 square kilometers (13,976 square miles). That’s roughly the same size as Belgium. Despite its small area, it is incredibly diverse, with the rugged Central Mountain Range taking up most of the island and the highest peak, Yushan (Jade Mountain), soaring nearly 4,000 meters high.

The most popular sports are Baseball and Basketball, with baseball being widely considered the national sport due to its deep historical roots and international success. Their national animal is the Formosan Black Bear, a rare and protected species known for the distinctive white “V” shape on its chest.

The flag consists of a red field with a blue canton containing a white sun with twelve rays, where the blue represents brightness and freedom, the white symbolizes honesty and equality, and the red stands for the blood of revolutionaries and brotherly love.

The food is a global sensation, especially the legendary “street food” culture. You must try Beef Noodle Soup, the soul-warming national dish, and Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), which are delicate gems of flavor. For a snack, look for Gua Bao (the “Taiwanese burger”) or a Scallion Pancake. Of course, you cannot leave without trying Bubble Tea (Boba), which was invented right here in the 1980s!

Taiwan is home to the National Palace Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of ancient Chinese imperial artifacts in the world. The country features Taroko Gorge, a breathtaking marble canyon with turquoise rivers and vertical cliffs. You can visit the Jiufen Old Street, a former gold-mining mountain town that inspired the aesthetic of many famous films. For a spiritual experience, head to Longshan Temple, one of the oldest and most beautiful temples in Taipei. Interestingly, Taiwan is a world leader in technology, producing over 60% of the world’s semiconductors and the majority of the most advanced computer chips!

From the sunrise over the “sea of clouds” in Alishan to the neon-lit food stalls of the Shilin Night Market, Taiwan is a land of incredible flavors and warm hospitality. Xièxie! That means “Thank you!”