The Basics

Taiwan is an island nation in East Asia, located just off the coast of mainland China. While Taiwan has had a complicated and sometimes tumultuous history, today it is a vibrant democracy and a global leader in press freedom, healthcare, human rights, and political freedom. The island's high-tech industry plays a key role in the global economy, and ​it is among the most highly educated countries in the world.

Taiwan is home to many groups from different cultural backgrounds. From traditional Taiwanese dishes and Hakka food, to authentic Chinese cuisines and Japanese specialties, Taiwan is a culinary melting pot of fine food from across the globe. This diversity is perhaps best exemplified by Taiwan's night markets -- vibrant street markets that come alive after dark. Read on to learn more about Taiwan!

A (Very) Brief History

Long inhabited by native Taiwanese aborigines, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach the island in 1544 and named it Ilha Formosa (meaning "beautiful island"). In the 17th century, Dutch and Spanish colonies were established on the island, before being succeeded by the short-lived Kingdom of Tungning.  In 1683, Taiwan was annexed by the Qing dynasty, the last dynasty of China. Taiwan was ceded to Japan in 1895, before the Republic of China gained control in 1945.

Following World War II, Taiwan’s economy experienced rapid growth and industrialization. After martial law was lifted in 1987, the country embarked on a path of political democratization and economic liberalization. As a result, Taiwan quickly transformed from a manufacturer of basic goods to an industrial economy and one of the most competitive countries in the global technology sector. 

Key Facts

  • Population: 23,816,775 (2021)
  • Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)
  • Capital: Taipei
  • Major Cities: New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung
  • Languages: Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese (Hokkien), Hakka, Formosan languages
  • Religions: Buddhism, Taoism, I-Kuan Tao, Chinese folk religion
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Culture & People

Taiwan's culture is a blend of Confucianist and traditional aborigines cultures, with Japanese and European influences. It's at times both traditional and modern, local and global. Taiwan's geographical and historical uniqueness has given rise to a diversity of ethnic groups, cultures, and languages. Taiwan has 12 officially recognized indigenous tribes, each with their own social structure, language, and cultural traditions. The Han Chinese, who began migrating to Taiwan in the 17th century, constitute the rest of the population (98%).

Despite coming from distant provinces with complex languages and ethnic backgrounds, Mandarin Chinese has become the official language of Taiwan. Many Taiwanese are of southern Fujianese descent and Taiwanese Hokkien (a variant of the Southern Min dialect) is also widely spoken. Smaller groups of Hakka people and indigenous tribes continue to preserve their own languages. Many elderly people can also speak Japanese, due to Japanese education before Taiwan was returned to Chinese rule in 1945.

Places of Interest

Taiwan has no shortage of wonderful places to visit, but we've highlighted a few fun places you should check out!
National Palace Museum
The museum ​houses the world's best and largest collection of priceless Chinese art treasures, one which spans China's nearly 5,000-year history. Most of the museum's over 700,000 artifacts were part of the Chinese imperial collection, which began over 1,000 years ago in the early Song dynasty.
Jiufen
Named for the nine families that once lived here, this former mining village developed quickly after the discovery of gold in 1893. The unique architecture of Jiufen's downtown area was used as the model for the Japanese animated film Spirited Away.
Taroko Gorge National Park
Located near the eastern city of Hualien, Taroko is famous for its spectacular mountains and marble canyons. Four million years ago, the island of Taiwan was formed by the collision of tectonic plates. Millions of years of wind erosion exposed ​the marble rocks to the Liwu River, creating impressive marble canyons.
NIGHT MARKETS
​Of course, a trip to Taiwan isn't complete without a visit to one of its famous and delicious night markets! Each night market has its own traditions and characteristics, and can be found in almost every city in Taiwan. 
UW Night Market 2024