Discovering Taiwan

Published in the Sunday Anandabazar Patrika(ABP) on 29 June 2025

For years, Taiwan has fascinated me—a country that seamlessly blends rapid technological progress with deep-rooted traditions. As a global semiconductor powerhouse, it plays a crucial role in shaping the world’s tech landscape. It also boasts one of the fastest high-speed rail networks, whisking passengers from the north to the south in just over 90 minutes. Every time I read about Taiwan, my curiosity only grows.

And I wasn't alone. As I delved deeper into its unique offerings, armed with newfound knowledge, our product team decided to launch Veena World’s  tours to Taiwan. Given its proximity and seamless connectivity with Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and Macau, Taiwan easily fits into a multi-country itinerary for travelers seeking a well-rounded East Asian experience.

During one of the biggest travel exhibitions in Mumbai, where we had the opportunity to meet tourism partners from around the world, I eagerly made my way to the Taiwan booth. Within minutes of our conversation, I was utterly captivated by everything Taiwan has to offer.

One story particularly intrigued me—a monastery experience where you practice the Still Water Meditation experience. Chung Tai Chan Monastery, one of the largest and most prominent Buddhist monasteries in the country is known for its serene environment, Zen teachings, and meditation practices, including techniques that emphasize calming the mind—which aligns with the concept of "still water meditation."

In this meditation, practitioners sit in a quiet, reflective state while holding a bowl of water. The idea is that if the mind is truly calm and undisturbed, the water in the bowl remains still, serving as a metaphor for inner peace and mindfulness.

To explore Taiwan, you will naturally begin with its vibrant capital, Taipei. A bustling metropolis, Taipei is home to Taipei 101, which held the title of the world’s tallest tower until Dubai’s Burj Khalifa took over in 2010. The observation deck on the 89th floor offers a stunning panoramic view of the city.

Beyond its urban appeal, Taipei surprises visitors with scenic hiking trails. The Elephant Mountain Trail, a short 1.5 to 2-hour trek, is a must for those wanting the best views of Taipei 101. But that’s just the beginning—Taipei itself has over 10 hiking trails, and Taiwan’s mountainous terrain means countless trekking opportunities across the country.

To truly appreciate Taiwan’s geological wonders, head to Yehliu Geopark in the Wanli District, on the northern coast. Here, the wind and sea have sculpted extraordinary rock formations, including the famous Queen’s Head, a natural rock structure resembling Queen Elizabeth’s profile. Other formations, such as the Sea Candles, the Fairy Shoe, the Ice Cream Rock, and the Kissing Rock, create an almost otherworldly landscape.

From Yehliu, a short journey takes you to Jiufen, a picturesque hillside village that thrived during the gold mining boom of the 1940s. Its charming alleyways, red lantern-lit streets, and breathtaking views of the coastline make it one of Taiwan’s most Instagrammable spots.

Next, in Shifen, you’ll witness the stunning Shifen Waterfall, often called Taiwan’s “Little Niagara Falls”. Before leaving, experience a unique Taiwanese tradition—writing your wishes on a sky lantern and releasing it into the sky along Shifen Old Street, lined with souvenir shops and local eateries.

Back in Taipei, history and culture await at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, where you can witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony. A visit to the National Palace Museum, home to one of the largest collections of ancient Chinese artifacts, offers a deep dive into Taiwan’s historical and artistic heritage.

Leaving Taipei, a high-speed train takes you to Taichung, Taiwan’s second-largest city, an excellent base for visiting Sun Moon Lake. This stunning alpine lake, shaped like a sun on one side and a crescent moon on the other, is surrounded by rugged mountains, Buddhist temples, and a towering pagoda.

For the best views, take the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway from Ita Thao to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village. Or, explore the lake via scenic ferry rides for a breathtaking water-level perspective. Don’t miss the Ci’En Pagoda, which offers unparalleled panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Another hidden gem in Taichung is the Rainbow Village, a vibrant street art project created by an elderly war veteran, Huang Yung-Fu. Huang Yung-Fu, a former soldier, was on the verge of losing his beloved home to the developers. After almost everyone in the village left, only Huang Yung-Fu remained with 11 homes. And, what did he do next?

As a gesture of saying goodbye to his beloved home and village and to kill his time, Huang Yung-Fu began painting the inside of his home. First, it was just furniture or two. Then the artwork spread to a wall, then onto his neighbours’ abandoned homes.The artwork mostly depicts family love, friendship, happiness and nature.

What started as a farewell gesture to his home soon transformed into a colorful, open-air gallery, attracting visitors from all over the world.

Further south, Kaohsiung welcomes visitors with its seaside charm, rich culture, and incredible street art. The city’s most famous landmarks include Lotus Pond, featuring intricately designed temples and pagodas, Fo Guang Shan Monastery, one of Taiwan’s most significant Buddhist sites, Pier 2 Art Center, a vibrant street art hub filled with murals, galleries, and repurposed port warehouses, Dome of Light at Formosa Boulevard Station, the world’s largest glass artwork, a mesmerizing sight worth experiencing.

From here, you can take a ferry to Cijin Island, known for its beaches, seafood, and relaxing coastal vibe.

Heading even further south, you arrive in Kenting, Taiwan’s premier tropical destination. With year-round warm weather, sandy beaches, and lush greenery, Kenting is the perfect place to unwind. It’s also a gateway to Taiwan’s best diving spots and marine reserves.

On the eastern side of the island, Taroko National Park is home to the 18-kilometer-long Taroko Gorge, a breathtaking marble-walled canyon. Whether you’re hiking its scenic trails, marveling at its towering cliffs, or driving through tunnels carved into the rock, this is one of Taiwan’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders.

Beyond its landscapes and temples, Taiwan offers a stunning cherry blossom season in spring, rivaling that of Japan and Korea. Additionally, cycling across Taiwan is a growing trend, thanks to the country’s well-maintained bike trails and picturesque coastal routes and you could actually circumnavigate the entire city on a Cycle.

And for vegetarians or those seeking temple food, Taiwan’s Buddhist heritage ensures an abundance of delicious plant-based cuisine.

The visa to Taiwan is quite easy to apply nd if you hold a US, Schengen, UK, Japan visa, the process is even simpler and just an online applications needed.With its fascinating blend of high-tech cities, cultural treasures, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable experiences, Taiwan is a destination that deserves to be explored. I’ve already planned my trip for March—what are you waiting for?

---

Arunachal – The Land of the Rising Sun

India is adorned with natural beauty in all four directions. Among these, Northeast India captivates us with its lush greenery and cultural diversity. One of the most enchanting and culturally vibrant states in this region is Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal literally means “The Land of the Rising Sun”, as it is the first place in India to witness sunrise.

Located in the northeastern part of the country, the state is known for its rich indigenous culture and strategic importance. It shares its borders with China (Tibet Autonomous Region) to the north, Bhutan to the west, Assam to the south, and Nagaland to the east. Arunachal Pradesh is the largest state in the Northeast in terms of area, but has the lowest population density in the country. Its capital is Itanagar.

Snow-covered peaks, hilly terrain, dense forests rich in biodiversity, and wide rivers are the hallmarks of this state. Most of Arunachal is covered by the Eastern Himalayas. Nature has blessed this land with immense beauty and wealth. The region experiences heavy rainfall between June and September, leading to abundant farming, fruits, flowers, and forest growth.

Various festivals are celebrated here. Arunachal Pradesh is renowned for its untouched natural beauty and is often referred to as a place of pristine beauty. It offers scenic landscapes that attract nature lovers, trekkers, and adventure seekers alike.

In Arunachal, particularly in places like Tawang, Thukpa is a popular noodle soup made with a flavorful meat broth and served with noodles, vegetables, meat, or eggs. There’s also a vegetarian version. The local momos are steamed or fried dumplings typically filled with vegetables or meat. Other traditional delicacies include bamboo shoot curry and apong, a local rice beer.

Tawang Monastery is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in India. Nearby lies the Sela Pass, a high-altitude mountain pass surrounded by snow-clad peaks. The Tawang War Memorial stands in honor of the soldiers martyred in the 1962 India-China war and holds educational significance as well.

Madhuri Lake, a scenic lake in Arunachal, was one of the shooting locations for the Bollywood film Koyla. Arunachal, still in its developing stage, wins hearts in every season with its winding roads, stunning snow-capped mountains, and misty surroundings.

So, when are you planning to explore this breath-taking land of nature?

Oh! I didn’t know this…

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is considered one of the most iconic monuments in the United States. The sculptor Gutzon Borglum had originally planned to carve full figures — from head to waist — of four U.S. Presidents into the mountain. The work began in 1927, but only the heads were completed before Borglum's death. After that, the project was brought to completion by his son, Lincoln Borglum. The entire project took fourteen years, from 1927 to 1941.

Despite its massive scale, the memorial was created using relatively basic tools and techniques. The four presidents chosen for Mount Rushmore represent key aspects of American history. The monument was built as a tribute to former leaders who helped shape the country’s foundation of law and order.

• George Washington symbolizes the birth of the United States,
• Thomas Jefferson represents the expansion of the nation,
• Theodore Roosevelt reflects the development of America through his initiatives in the industrial sector, and
• Abraham Lincoln stands for unity during the Civil War.

Their giant busts are carved into the face of Mount Rushmore, offering visitors a glimpse into 150 years of American history.

Behind Abraham Lincoln’s head is a hidden chamber, intended to house important historical records and artworks. However, due to lack of funding and the death of Borglum, this hall remained mostly empty. In the 1990s, some items were placed there — including a granite replica of the Declaration of Independence.

Today, Mount Rushmore National Memorial attracts over 2 million visitors every year. As part of Veena World’s American Explorer, American Discovery, and American Delights tours, one gets to visit this legendary site.

So… have you visited the USA yet?

Travel Means Relaxation!

I’m Chhaya Nahar, a resident of Pune. I book my tours through the Veena World office on Bhandarkar Road, near Deccan Gymkhana. So far, I’ve been on 19 tours with Veena World, out of which 14 were Women’s Special tours. I choose Women’s Special because I travel solo.

In the past six months, I’ve completed three international tours. In November, I did the South Korea–Taiwan tour. In February, I went on the Myanmar–Laos tour, and in March, I joined the Azerbaijan–Georgia–Armenia tour. All three were group tours, as these are offbeat destinations and available only in group tour formats.

I met a friend during my post-lockdown Turkey tour, and the two of us have done all these last three tours together.

Both my children are settled abroad, so I explored European countries and London while staying with them. I’ve also done the USA East & West Coast Offbeat tour with Veena World. So far, I’ve travelled to 42 countries. I now live alone in India. Since I prefer good company when I travel solo, I choose to travel with Veena World. Their Tour Managers are excellent and caring, and their office team is prompt. Once I’ve paid for a tour, there’s nothing left to worry about. Even though I travel solo, I never have to look for a room partner.

My first tour with Veena World was to Kashmir. After that, I visited Rajasthan-Marwar, Leh-Ladakh, Shimla–Kullu–Manali, Nainital–Jim Corbett, Jagannath Puri–Bhubaneswar, and Ayodhya–Varanasi–Sarnath–Lucknow.

Internationally, I’ve travelled to Bhutan, Nepal, Bali, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Mauritius, Dubai-Abu Dhabi, and recently the three new countries I mentioned above.

I’m now 71 years old, and for me, travel is relaxation. When you travel solo, you get to know many women and their stories of joy and sorrow. Your own troubles start to feel small. Your perspective widens.

Overall, travel enriches you in every possible way.

• Chhaya Nahar, Pune, Maharashtra

---

Private Holiday Ideas
‘Hidden Gems’ by Veena World Customized Holidays

For those who want to do something different from the usual touristy routes, Veena World Customized Holidays brings you ‘Hidden Gems’ – a fabulous new holiday segment. This isn’t just about your regular destinations; it’s about going beyond the popular and discovering hidden treasures that truly match your personality.

Imagine staying in a 150-year-old haveli, or a 70-foot-high treehouse! A wilderness lodge by the Tungabhadra River, a pool villa in Bali, or a mountain lodge with breathtaking Himalayan views – these are just some of the amazing options waiting for you.

And along with the stay, you can enjoy curated experiences like pottery workshops, cooking sessions, jeep safaris, nature walks, sundowners, candlelight dinners, heritage walks, and much more.

The Hidden Gems itineraries by Veena World Customized Holidays are designed to be more relaxed, immersive, and personalized. Best of all, you can take this private holiday on any date you like and even tweak the itinerary as per your preferences – no need to say more!

But remember – these never-before prices for Hidden Gems Holidays are available only for travel until September. Prices will rise significantly during the high season.

So, whether it's Rajasthan, Kerala, Karnataka, Bali, or Nepal, book your special Hidden Gem holiday today.
And don’t worry – we’ll take care of everything else!
Chalo!

---

 

Venice Carnival

The Venice Carnival is one of the oldest and most prestigious cultural festivals in the world. It is held annually around February in Venice, Italy. This pre-Lenten festival offers a glimpse into the rich Venetian culture dating back centuries.

The masks are the highlight of the carnival. People dress in traditional Venetian masks and costumes from the 13th to the 18th century. The city comes alive with entertaining events, contests, and a lavish spread of food and drinks. Nearly one million people from across the world participate in this celebration dressed in historical attire.

Behind the masks, social distinctions disappear—rich or poor, noble or common—all enjoy the festivities equally. The heart of the Venice Carnival is St. Mark’s Square, where daily events include parades, mask competitions, open-air performances, street theatre, and live music.

Famous shows like “The Flight of the Angel” and “Festa delle Marie” are also presented.

This carnival, steeped in history, imagination, and artistry, brings alive the grandeur of ancient Europe.

So… are you joining the magic of Venice Carnival this year?