Many people think of Taipei as a stopover en route to other places in Asia and think of Taiwan’s verdant, mountainous countryside not at all. However, this self-governing archipelago stands on its own as a destination, and it has the luxury hotels to back up its enviable restaurant scene and myriad attractions. Taipei is both friendly and simple to navigate, with excellent public transportation and taxis that you can effortlessly hail via a ride-share app. However, going beyond major sites like the National Palace Museum and Liberty Square is hugely rewarding, and because of the language barrier, it’s wise to hire a guide. In the scenically dramatic countryside, spa and resort hotels afford access to verdant mountains, steep river valleys, breathtaking lakes and Indigenous towns. In contrast to China, just 50 miles away, Taiwan is a democracy that enjoys widespread prosperity. You’ll have no trouble accessing the internet here, and in general, you can expect freedoms like those in the United States..