 Taiwan is a nation of extraordinary beauty, known for centuries as Ile Formosa, the beautiful island, it is a land of both natural and cultural wonders. With breathtaking mountain landscapes, ancient opulent temples, peaceful rural townships and modern megacities, this island inspires awe at every turn. This is a glimpse of what Taiwan has to offer. The streets of Taiwan are adorned with red and gold. With over 15,000 temples, this nation holds beauty and majesty on every corner. Magnificent and colourful homages to Buddhist, Taoist and ancient folk religion deities. This cultural heritage is a key part of the lives of many Taiwanese people. Dashiyue Temple is the main belief centre of the Minxiong township in southwestern Taiwan. Its worship is primarily centred on Guan Yin Bodhisattva, the mother goddess of compassion, mercy and kindness, an important deity of Chinese Buddhism and Taoism. Here we are witness to a ritual chanting of her followers, inheriting the traditions of Chinese Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism along with the many deities and demons worshipped as folk religion. You could spend a lifetime exploring each and every one of Taiwan's temples, marvelling in their brilliant beauty. Chaotian Temple in Bai Gang is dedicated to the Sea Goddess Matsu, one of the most loved of all goddesses in Chinese mythology. One of the most important Matsu temples in Taiwan, Chaotian has stood in all its architectural extravagance for more than 300 years and is visited by more than a million pilgrims every year. Kaiyuan Temple in nearby Chiku Township houses the world's largest statue of Zhen Chenggong, a Chinese military leader revered as a divine national hero for defeating Dutch colonial rule. This statue stands at an impressive 172 feet or about 7 stories high. Wu Temple in Bai Gang is one of Taiwan's earliest and largest temples dedicated to Kai Shen, the god of wealth worshipped in the Taoist and Chinese folk religions. However, despite its rich cultural history of ancient beliefs, Taiwan has not had trouble keeping up with the modern world. Taipei is the quintessential modern mega-city whose metropolitan area is home to over 7 million people, the 40th most populous urban area in the world, roughly one-third of Taiwanese citizens live in this metro district. At its center stands the impressive Taipei 101. Rising over 500 meters above the city skyline, this tower, formerly the world's tallest building, still ranks in the top ten 16 years after its completion. The first building in the world to break half a kilometer, this tower secures Taiwan's place in the modern world. But just a short train journey away from this high-rise center, you can see that in this nation, history and tradition are never far away. Jiyu Fun Old Street in the nearby Rui Fung District is a popular day trip from the capital. Here, bustling market lanes and historical tea houses are a world away from the sheen of glass and steel and show once again the beauty and charm of Taiwan's rich cultural history. Nestled in these narrow streets, lies one such window into Taiwan's musical history. Taiwan Ocarina, whose painted ceramic instruments are beautifully crafted by the artisans of this store. Ocarina-like instruments have been of great importance throughout Chinese cultural history and their use is believed to date back over 12,000 years, a timeless sound that connects passes by to Taiwan's rich musical past. Away from the reach of human settlement, Taiwan's mountains and national parks dominate the landscape, with five different mountain ranges spanning the eastern side of the island. Extending 330 kilometers from north to south, they include more than 200 peaks with elevations over 3,000 meters. Taroko National Park is Taiwan's most visited, covering 1,200 square kilometers and rising from sea level to over 3,700 meters. It is home to a rich and diverse ecology, containing half of the island's plant and animal species. And its 18 kilometer long gorge, whose marble walls rise out of the blue-green Liwu River, is truly one of Taiwan's scenic wonders. At the park's western edge lies Heihuan Shan, whose name means mountain of harmonious joy. Overlooking Wuling Pass, the highest paved road in all of East Asia, this 3,416 meter peak soars above Taiwan's misty mountain landscape, rolling green hills that disappear into a sea of clouds. Another in Taiwan's long list of natural and cultural wonders. Taiwan is a nation whose historic name for Mosa is just as relevant now as when it was first given nearly 500 years ago. An island whose natural magnificence is mirrored by that of its people and its rich and diverse culture. Shining metropolises of silver, temples of gold and forests of green, the abundant beauty that lies within the mountains and valleys of this small southeast Asian island. Thank you so much for watching this video. We are so thankful for all the support we get and we would love it if you would subscribe to the channel by clicking here. Help us continue our journey recording and sharing the music and stories of the world.