Five must-visit places in Muslim-friendly Taiwan

From beaches and mountains to the cities and towns buzzing with activities, and not to forget the local cuisines, Taiwan offers many different experiences for a variety of personal preference. And thanks to initiatives like the “Salam Taiwan”campaign, with Malaysian celebrity Nabila Razali as the face of the campaign and the tourism ambassador for Taiwan, the island is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for Muslim tourists. That said, here are five places to visit

NATIONAL PALACE MUSEUM

For those looking to immerse themselves in Taiwan’s history and culture, there are plenty of options as well. One of it is the NATIONAL PALACE MUSEUM (NPM), where exhibits such as the Jadeite Cabbage and the Ding cauldron of Duke Mao are just some of nearly 700,000 Chinese artefacts and artworks visitors can view. Established in 1925, NPM is a treasure trove of Chinese history, with a collection that spans thousands of years. Many of its artefacts hail from the Qing court, including pieces from the Palace Museum, as well as the Jehol and Shenyang temporary palaces. These are displayed in various themed galleries within the museum. Today, the museum remains a vital part of Taiwan's cultural identity.

CHIANG KAI-SHEK SHILIN RESIDENCE PARK

The 9.28-hectare CHIANG KAI-SHEK SHILIN RESIDENCE PARK, named after the late R.O.C. President Chiang Kai-shek, is Taipei’s first ecological park and a national historical monument that is a must-visit for anyone who come to Taipei for the first time.

Surrounded by the Fushan hills, it includes beautiful inner and outer gardens. Madame Chiang’s classic Cadillac, parked near the entrance, is one of the first things you will set your sight on, and her beloved rose garden still flourishes amid the white plum trees.

The park has become a cherished spot for nature and history lovers in downtown Taipei. For those of you who simply love taking photos either of the lush greenery and beautiful flowers or selfies / wefies for your social media postings, this is the perfect place to do so.

TAIPEI 101 OBSERVATORY

We highly recommend the TAIPEI 101 OBSERVATORY located within the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei City. The89th-floor observation deck will wow you with its 360° views of the city, surrounded by majestic mountains in the distance.Don’t forget to see the Taipei 101’s Tuned Mass Damper, a 660-metric-ton golden sphere designed to stabilise the building during typhoons and earthquakes or climb further to the outdoor observation deck area for a whole different experience. Plenty of photo ops here too!

THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR TRADITIONAL ARTS

For some culture immersion we recommend THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR TRADITIONAL ARTS in YilanCounty. Here, you can experience traditional Taiwanese customs, soak in the festive atmosphere, and try our hand at indigo dyeing, which is a fun activity that allows you to createvery own hand-dyed cloth design. Exploring this beautiful cultural village also lets you discover a variety of local products that make for perfect souvenirs to bring back home.

TAIPEI GRAND MOSQUE

For Muslim travellers, the TAIPEI GRAND MOSQUE is aquintessential stop. Located on Xinsheng South Road, it isTaiwan’s largest and most historic mosque. Built in 1960, the mosque features an Ottoman-inspired dome and beautifularches. The Taipei Grand Mosque embodies Taiwan’s respect for cultural and religious diversity and is an important landmark for visitors who seek spiritual connection and cultural appreciation.