Formosa – a beautiful island of mountains, national parks, hot springs and scenic coastlines. During its long history, prehistoric people, aborigines, Dutch, Spanish, Japanese and Han Chinese have all successively populated the island now known as Taiwan, creating a varied culture and developing different local customs and traditions along the way.
These various cultures found their artistic expression in unique architecture, wood carvings, pottery and ceramics. Taiwan is also custodian to a fine collection of Chinese Arts. The National Palace Museum in Taipei holds the essence of five thousand years of Chinese history. Throughout Taiwan the Chinese way of life has been maintained in a modern and democratic society.