Southern Taiwan

Chiayi used to be one of Taiwan’s busiest logging centers. Today, former dormitories—most built out of prized-and-now-protected Taiwan cypress—have been turned into museums and cultural parks devoted to the history of the industry. The world-famous Alishan Forest Railway travels 70 km from the plains of Chiayi all the way to the top of Alishan, deep in Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range, passing through tropical forest, subtropical forest, and temperate forest all along the way. In Tainan, Taiwan’s original capital and the island’s oldest city, the food is deadly addictive. No matter what you are eating it is bound to be the most delicious and flavorful version you have ever had. Kaohsiung and Pingtung are filled with countless indigenous villages, butterfly valleys, hot springs, and waterfalls and Kenting to the south features tropical white sandy beaches.