For practical purposes, Taiwan has been independent since 1950 although China regards as a rebel region (that must be reunited with the mainland - by force if necessary). It's claimed sovereignty since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949 - when Mao's Communists swept to power and the defeated Nationalist government fled to the island - and insists that nations can't have official relations with both China and Taiwan, with the result that Taiwan has formal diplomatic ties with only a few countries (the US is Taiwan's most important friend and protector).
Taipei, at the northern end of the island, hosted the world's tallest building from 2004 until completion in 2009 of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. At 509.2m (1,671ft) tall, Taipei 101 is an icon of modern Taiwan, designed in an echo of a bamboo stalk and capable of withstanding typhoons and earthquakes (one of which we felt as a shudder on our first night - turned out to have been 4.3 magnitude about 130km away).
Not too hazy a day for us to get our bearings when we head out into the city
including the huge National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, 1972 memorial to ROC "National Father" which covers over 7 acres (29.5 square metres) in an open space of 28.4 acres (115k square metres).
complete with Lincoln-esque statue
Lastly to Longshan Temple, originally built in 1738 but rebuilt several times after earthquake and war damage
It's not just a monument but a working temple
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