Most people come to Hualien to visit the Taroko Gorge. And with good reason—it's simply beautiful. With rope bridges over rivers, hiking trails with astounding views, and temples cut into the mountainsides, it's an unforgettable place. Feel the full power of the ocean at Shihtiping, a two-hour drive from Hualien, where the waves crash into the rocky shore.

Taoyuan's High Speed Rail Station is located in Qingpu, Zhongli. The nearby recreational facilities include Gloria Outlets, Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium, Taiwan's largest IKEA flagship store, Japan's Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, and multi-purpose ecological park: Chintan Park. You can start a mini tour at the High Speed Rail Area once you alight from the train. To enjoy street food, you should not miss Zhongyuan Night Market and Zhongping Road shopping area. Some of the local snacks include triangular vegetable buns, beef noodles, peanut candy, etc., and the creative cuisines, including grilled mocha, rose egg pancake, salty crispy chicken, imagawayaki, etc. Factory tours are suitable for family trips as you can learn more about famous brands such as HeySong, Yakult, etc., as well as enjoy the fun of making the products yourself. If you enjoy cultural tours, why not go to Mazu Village and get immersed in the nostalgic experience of the veterans village with shady old trees, black tiles and brick walls.

It’s time to one-up all those people you know who brag about swimming with dolphins. How? Tell them you swam with jellyfish in Koror at Jellyfish Lake. (They don’t sting, but that can be our little secret.) For an adventurous day trip, visit Ngardmau Falls-- your tour will involve hundreds of stairs, wading across a river, and hiking along an abandoned mine railway.

The largest of the Phi Phi Islands, Ko Phi Phi Don is a non-volcanic island, made mostly of limestone. Accessible from Phuket, with all visitors arriving by boat, Ko Phi Phi Don has great beaches and popular diving and snorkeling spots. Much of the island is a protected marine reserve.

Bali is a living postcard, an Indonesian paradise that feels like a fantasy. Soak up the sun on a stretch of fine white sand, or commune with the tropical creatures as you dive along coral ridges or the colorful wreck of a WWII war ship. On shore, the lush jungle shelters stone temples and mischievous monkeys. The “artistic capital” of Ubud is the perfect place to see a cultural dance performance, take a batik or silver-smithing workshop, or invigorate your mind and body in a yoga class.