My love for Taiwan runs deep. I grew up visiting at least once a year, partly because much of my extended family still lived there at the time. Every January, my mom would fly us to Taipei to celebrate the Lunar New Year when my cousins would get a break from school and have time to play. We went, that is, until my 2nd-grade principal called and said my mom needed to stop taking me out of school for a month at a time.
Fast forward more than 10 years, and my mom and I are still heading to Taiwan almost yearly. And 5 times in a row we brought my boyfriend-now-husband, Aaron. Aaron has no Asian blood in him, so it was really fun to see him experience Asia for the first time. And through his eyes, I was able to see Taiwan as someone who didn’t consider it a second home: and I appreciated its aesthetic beauty all over again.
Thanks Aaron’s knack for photography, I have snapshots of Taiwan that I never would have taken myself. You see, I’d gotten used to these scenes– they blended in with my memories– until I saw them through the lens of his camera. Isn’t it true that we become familiar with a location, and that magical novelty disappears?
10 Best Snapshots from Taiwan
1) The base of a hiking trail near Hualien
Taiwan is a lush mountainous island, meaning it’s full of excellent scenery. We started here and ascended a few miles through woodsy thickets with rushing waters.
It’s unsurprising that backpackers love Taiwan. It’s safe, beautiful, and affordable.
2) Prayer bells outside a temple near Sun Moon Lake
This is one of those scenes I would never have photographed myself– it’s too familiar. But what a sight! I love that some of the words are visible in this photo: hopes and dreams for the year written in a few brief phrases.
3) Noodles at the night market
Noodles in soup are still my go-to comfort food, and no wonder: it’s everywhere in Taiwan. These thick, chewy rice noodles are soaked in a savory, fatty broth and slurped with delight.
Our night market experiences have been fantastic. The noise, the hot food, the commotion– there’s nothing like it!
4) Early morning on Sun Moon Lake.
Once Chiang Kai-Shek’s private retreat, this scene is now accessible to guests who stay at the Lalu, one of the classiest hotels in Taiwan. Sun Moon Lake is magical at dawn– especially before there’s any wind to make waves on the water.
5) Traditional architecture
I don’t actually know where exactly this photo was taken; I think we passed it while we were on our way to somewhere else. But what I love is that it’s quintessentially Taiwan– traditional Chinese architecture looming over lush hills.
6) Taroko Gorge
Taroko National Park is so full of rushing waters that there’s a mist that perpetually hangs in the air. There’s a fabulous suspension bridge that offers stunning views as well– if you can get over the fear of standing on it.
7) National Palace Museum
Treasures from from Imperial China abound in this collection. If you love Chinese history, this museum should be on your list. Much of what is in the museum was salvaged (or stolen, depending on who you ask) from China right as the revolution rolled through to destroy many of China’s precious historical artifacts. From curio boxes to jade carvings, this museum is China’s past in a nutshell.
8) Tea shops and ceremonies
Some of the best oolong and green tea I’ve had were in Taiwan. Tea is taken pretty seriously here, and the really good stuff is a matter of proper aging, fermenting, roasting, and steeping. Sure, there’s pearl milk tea as well, but high-quality local tea is served in little cups and over light conversation.
9) Boating on Sun Moon Lake
The lake takes on this rich, turquoise hue during the day, and is large enough for multiple boats to be traversing it all at once. Traditional fishing docks line the edge of the lake, and even though it’s not technically allowed, the occasional old fisherman can still be spotted on shore.
10) Taipei 101 at New Year’s
The department stores in Taiwan are a feast for the eyes, but New Year’s is something different altogether. Fireworks erupt from the floors of this enormous building (briefly the tallest building in the world when it was completed), delighting the throngs of people out on the town that evening.
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I think my favorite picture is the one of the early morning on Sun Moon Lake! I have never been to Taiwan, but a good friend of mine studied abroad in Taipeh and has told me so many amazing things about it! I have been to China a handful of times, but even though I have Chinese heritage, I don’t connect to it as much as you seem to connect to Taiwan – I definitely don’t really think of China as my second home, but then again I neither speak the language nor have visited as regularly as you have visited Taiwan. I do love to travel there, though! 🙂
Glad you can see it in photos then! 🙂
Yeah, there can be a lot of hustle and bustle in Asian cities– but even just a step outside of them can lead to a world of natural beauty!
Thanks Kelsey! I hope your friends have a fabulous time there!
Yeah, that lake is quite something isn’t it!
He does! 🙂 I’m so grateful– these photos heighten my appreciation!
It really is! Thanks for stopping by Sara!
Thanks Amanda!!!
Yes, I was so grateful to revisit childhood memories with Aaron that had become so familiar to me. I developed a new appreciation! And there’s a lot of natural beauty in Taiwan– I love how lush it is.
Yeah– that one is really breathtaking. I was there that morning and it looked like that!
It’s amazing! Thanks for stopping by, Brooke! 🙂
Oh yes Jamie you do!!! I think you would love it. It’s so peaceful and is such an integral part to Taiwanese history!
I need to ask my mom where exactly photo #1 was taken. We were sort of all over the place so I don’t remember. I’ll let you know!
Ooh yay! You will love the Palace Museum!
Ahhh have fun!! Let me know if you need any recommendations and slurp some noodles for me! 😉
Thank you Anca!! You are so kind– I admire his abilities too!
Omg Daisy, those photos are gorgeous! Especially the one of Sun Moon Lake. Your husband is a very good photographer. He’s very good at capturing some very good atmosphere and bringing it to the viewer!
I’m headed to Taipei in Dec and I can’t wait! SO looking forward to those noodles 😛
This post came just in time as I’m headed to Taipei tomorrow!! And I”ll be staying there through the New Year, so I’m excited to see the fireworks off the 101! I’m also gonna make it a point to go to Sun Moon Lake and Taroko Gorge and the National Palace Museum!
looks like I need to get myself to Sun Moon Lake! I am also curious to know what hiking trail #1 is since I’m heading back down to Hualien and Taroko in a few weeks. I’m glad you have a partner who can help you see Taiwan through the wondering eyes of a tourist 🙂
Oh so nice, not a country I am interested in visiting though but still nice photos
Sun moon lake looks GORGEOUS!!
xoxo
http://www.look-brooke.com/
These are absolutely gorgeous! I love the picture of the early morning at sun moon lake!
I love how you say, “Isn’t it true that we become familiar with a location, and that magical novelty disappears?” Yes, that is so true. What a gift to have Aaron along with you, both as a beloved travel companion but also someone who could reopen your eyes and push your perspective. I LOVE these photos! The ones of early morning on Sun Moon Lake and Taroko Gorge are definitely my favorites (though the noodles do look exceptionally delicious!).
All of your photos are stunning! But the early morning on the lake shot in jaw-droopingly gorgeous! xxx
Taiwan is stunning!
Wow, all of those images are so gorgeous! Your husband definitely has a talent!
xoxo
Kat
So pretty!!! The lake photo is my favorite!
So gorgeous! Stunning photography.
My friend and her boyfriend are in Bali this week before heading to Taiwan and now I’m thoroughly jealous of sitting at a desk in D.C.
Taiwan looks so beautiful! Whenever my family travelled in Asia, my parents would book hotels and sight-seeing tours in the city so we rarely ventured out into the countryside. It makes me feel like I missed a lot, seeing how lovely these photos are!