A trio of Taiwanese treats

the size of Tasmania. Taiwan is a highly mountainous isle with nearly a third of the country covered with massifs over 1000 m high. The jagged Central Mountain Range – one of five mountain chains – makes up the backbone of the 144 km wide island nation.

had travelled a little way back in time. Old brick houses with tile roofs predominate in this village located between two bamboo forest-lined rivers.

BY THOMAS E KING

It’s not too often that anyone comes face to face with a 20.5 metre high bunny. I did and what’s more it was pink and made of paper! I wasn’t dreaming but I didn’t feel the scene before me was real. Nonetheless I couldn’t help but stare in wonderment at a giant lantern shaped like a rose coloured rabbit. I blinked a few times just in case my eyes were playing tricks in Taiwan. They weren’t but I did indeed get an eyeful as I participated in a fanciful extravaganza which has been described as “one of the world’s best festival events”.

For 12 days every year the Taiwan Lantern Festival is staged by the energetic residents and administrators of a specially chosen county or city to mark the end of

As in previous festivals, the giant main lantern and a hutch of far smaller side lanterns had been fashioned in the shape of the zodiac animal of the year, which throughout 2011, has been the rabbit. But as I saw during the gala laser light grand opening celebration in mid February there was much more on display than a field filled with illuminated carrot-crunching paper rabbits.

Thousands actually tens of thousands of lanterns were on show in Maoli City’s main sports park. Some were fashioned from bamboo and tissue paper using different folk art techniques. Others had a high tech animated touch coupled with an elaborate wire frame covered by coloured silk. Imaginative designs and skilful construction techniques not overtly evident during daylight hours became obvious as the sky darkened and the lights were switched on.

Suddenly I was walking amid lanterns that represented all the mythical creatures of the

Thrusting its bulk 3952 m into the blue sky, Jade Mountain is the standout peak in the range. Covered in a mantle of evergreens, the highlands around the mountain are ideal for a range of summer activities from camping to climbing and, of course, trekking. With the advent of winter, shorts are replaced by skies, however. January is the height of the snow season as lodges and professional instructors welcome enthusiasts keen on the slippery slopes of East Asia’s tallest mountain.

I’m not a hard-body adventurer and have never had a desire to slice through snow. However, I did sniff the rarefied summer air of Jade Mountain many years ago. During my last visit I was far more interested in getting a little off the beaten track by trekking through areas where dense forest thrives and not so many tourists congregate.

I kicked off a progression of rural rambles during a weeklong jaunt through the surprising isle with a walk in the Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area. The country has

A lunch of local specialities was served in an old house built in One Dragon style typical to south China. Several of the veteran trees in the restaurant’s expansive garden, I learned, were over 100 years old. Peering past pink camellias I could see mist discerning upon the Lion’s Head so detoured into the township where coal mining used to be the financial mother lode.

The most noted historic site in Tainan, the Chikan Tower (red roofed tower) was built on a hillock in 1653. One of the two pagoda-like buildings constructed atop the ruins over two centuries later still serves as a place of worship dedicated to the God of the Sea environs are the lifeblood of the hamlet. In gather has been transformed into an eclectic

First settled by immigrants from China of the two pagoda-like buildings construct ed atop the ruins over two centuries later

As in previous festivals, the giant main lantern and a hutch of far smaller side lanterns had been fashioned in the shape of the zodiac animal of the year, which throughout 2011, has been the rabbit success in exams. In the evenings locals return to sit and talk about recent events. And throughout the day visitors from around the world come to admire the pleasant landscaped gardens, carp filled ponds and manicured trees of this true Taiwanese treat.