10 Places to Explore Taiwan's Incredible Natural Beauty

Ask most Americans about Taiwan and they might be able to describe Taipei 101, the massive 101-story skyscraper towering over the island's largest city. But Taiwan is much more than a glass tower over a single, sprawling city— it is also an epic outdoor destination. Read on to find out why.

You don't even need to leave the shadow of Taipei 101 to tackle The Four Beasts, and some of the most stunning views in the world await those who do. This mountain range is named after four animals — the elephant, tiger, leopard and lion. The Four Beasts sit just outside of Taipei, plotting a course around the city. English-speaking tour operator Taiwan Adventures estimates a hike around the mountains to take four to six hours.

A narrow road and a weathered, stone staircase mark the beginning of most hikes up Teapot Mountain. This journey to some of the most stunning views on the island requires an extremely brief section of spelunking and basic bouldering skills, but can be experienced in a single day. Its trailhead at the Jinguashi Gold Ecological Museum lies about 45 minutes from the center of Taipei.

Imagine walking through a lush landscape of roaring rivers, looking out from behind the curtain of a jungle waterfall and scrambling over a narrow suspension bridge before being ferried back to your hotel. Though it may sound like a fantasy, a journey to the Sandialong waterfalls holds just that. It's easy to see why this half-day excursion is one of the most popular day trips from Taipei.