Taipei is the capital of Taiwan and is a vibrant hub of finance, business and technology. Amongst this however, is the Taipei Botanical Gardens and the Taipei City Waterbird Refuge, a key site for migrating birds that call this home during the winter.
Chinese egret, Baikal teal and northern shoveler are just a few of the species that can be found in the refuge, whilst Chinese bulbul, Japanese white-eye, Taiwan barbet, Taiwan blue magpie and black drongo can also be spotted around the city.
The Taipei Botanical Gardens has over 2,000 different species and a number of sections to explore including a lotus pond, Chinese zodiac garden, succulent plants garden and a fern garden to name a few.
There are five mountain ranges on this small island, and snowy peaks adorn the Taipei skyline in every direction you look. Mount Zhuzi is the tallest peak in the capital at 1,094 metres, whilst Qixing Mountain at nearby Yangmingshan National Park peaks at 1,120.
Amongst its recorded 500 bird species, Taiwan’s 24 endemics include the stunning Swinhoe’s pheasant, Taiwan fulvetta, Taiwan blue magpie and the exquisite flamecrest. Many other migrant birds pass through the island between September and March, and there are some lovely butterflies too. Find out more about Z) Taiwan’s Endemics & Winter Migrants
The Gala Hotel is a 4-star hotel in downtown Taipei. With 159 comfortable and luxury rooms, it is the perfect place to relax after travelling to the island of Taiwan. The hotel has two restaurants – one that offers western cuisine and another that serves traditional Chinese dishes. Find Out More about Gala Hotel
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