Located about midway between Korea and Japan to the north and Hong Kong and the Philippines to the south, Taiwan is a natural gateway for travelers to and within Asia. The national language of Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese, though other dialects, such as Taiwanese, are spoken as well.
Many people can speak some English, which is the most widely studied foreign language.
It combines the modern techniques of Western construction with the grace and elegance of the Orient. The international airport is only 45 minutes away. Taipei's majestic Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is one of Taipei's most popular gathering places. The memorial hall's enormous marble edifice towers over landscaped gardens, graceful pavilions, and placid ponds. It contains a bronze statue of the late President, and the rooms underneath hold an exhibition of the President's life.