Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China, is a delightful island.
Located off the southwestern coast of China, Taiwan is about the same size as Belgium and was named Formosa Island by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century due to its stunning natural beauty.
Chinese mainlanders started settling in Taiwan dating back to the 17th century, and the Japanese colonization of the island ended in 1945. Due to its historical mixture of influences, Taiwan has its own distinct culture.
Not many people know just how amazing the country is, which makes it one of the most underrated destinations in Asia.
Here are 23 reasons why you should visit Taiwan immediately.
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1. Let's start with the food. Taiwanese people love to eat. The dishes people miss the most when they leave include beef noodle soup, soup dumplings from Din Tai Fung, and the uniquely Taiwanese oyster omelets.
2. If you've never had Taiwanese breakfast, you're missing out. Fuhang Doujiang in Taipei has a line out the door every morning and the wait for soy milk, egg crepes, and fried dough sticks is worth it.
3. Every major city has at least one night market — and all of them are worth visiting to try local specialty snacks and shop for souvenirs. Taipei alone has several night markets, including Shilin and Raohe. The city of Keelung's night market is arguably the country's largest and most renowned.
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