These girls are not prostitutes, as you might think, but betel nut beauties that only sell betel nuts, cold drinks and cigarettes. Positioned in neon lighted glass booths along the major provincial roads, these skimpy dressed girls try to attract passing drivers attention (probably mostly men) with their cuteness and lack of outfit. In the good old ninetieths the girls were hardly wearing anything, but today no breasts or buttocks are exposed. Betel nut is a mild stimulant and is big business in Taiwan, where the girls are considered as a unique culture feature. They certainly make entering a Taiwanese town a bit more exciting. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road while driving.

Buddhist monastery doesn't necessarily have to be thousand years old and the Chung Tai Chan is an example of that. Build in 2001, rising 43 floors to the sky and designed with slick lines that should resemble a devotee in meditating lotus position. It's an interesting piece of architecture trying to embracing both modern technology and Buddhist philosophy. It belongs to a special Buddhist order that practice Chinese Zen, if that means something to you, and visitors are welcome to have a sightseeing tour.

Oh boy, another sunrise. Normally will such beautiful moments be sought after in solitude or with love ones, but in Taiwan it's a group thing. Pretty much everyone who are coming to Alishan will do the sunrise pilgrims to Chushan viewpoint to catch the first golden rays of the day. Joining the Forest Train bounded for the mountain top in pitch darkness and walking in lines up to the viewing area, where a crowd controller on a ladder entertains through a megaphone, is a great opportunity to meet the friendly Taiwanese.

Taipei 101 is sticking more than half a kilometre into the sky (509.2m) and has 101 floors above ground and 5 under. It was once the tallest building in the world, but is today overtaken by Burj Dubai in the United Arabic Emirates. It's an impressive construction shaped like bamboo with a size that is hard to grasp no matter where you stand in Taipei. It's possible to visit the observatory decks at the 89th (inside) and 91st (outside) floor for a fee. The lower levels are of course shopping malls and office space.

Lanyu is a little volcanic island with two mountains and covered in forest. The people are of the Tao tribe (sometimes called Yami), which have more in common with the Batan islands of the Philippines, than Taiwan and mainland China, but never the less is a part of Taiwan. Today the people are modern, but their cultural heritage is still very strong. It's possible to stay with a Tao family while visiting the island and a rented scooter is the way to explore the 50 km, or so, of roads the island has to offer. This is really off the beaten track.

Taroko National Park with Taroko Gorge is one of Taiwan major site, especially for nature lovers. Though most visitors come by car or bus and just enjoy the winding roads carved into the steep walls of rock, there are plenty of trails for the more active. Some trails venture off into the lush mountains, crossing high suspension bridges and passing through small hidden villagers that have been there since the original inhabitants, the Atayal people, inhabited the mountains. The place is best explored with your own vehicle (rent a scooter at Hualien train station), but can be done by public bus and a bit of hitchhiking.