Taiwan

The Place

Taiwan's reputation as a producer of computers, peripherals and semi-conductor chips makes it easy to forget that when Portuguese sailors first clapped eyes on it more than four centuries ago they named it Ilha Formosa: the Beautiful Isle.

Today, it is true, too much of that beauty has been obscured by the island's headlong rush into prosperity. For those who seek it out, however, the surprise is that so much of the beauty remains.

Despite the fact that Taiwan has modernised, perhaps faster and more recklessly than any of its Asian neighbours, an expedition out of the urban blight of its major cities and townships never fails to yield the lingering influences of old ways and spectacular natural vistas. All of which belie the fact that this small island is one of the most densely populated places on earth.