Hong Kong to Taipei

Taichung is surrounded by mountains that continue all the way across the length and bredth of Taiwan.

The highest peaks of Nanhu Big Mountain near Taichung.

The peaks around Taichung. The Central Mountain Range is divided into five smaller ranges by fault lines created by movements in the Earth's crust.

The mountains of Yushan National Park, in the centre of Taiwan between Taipei and Taichung.

Satellite imagery shows the extent of the Central Mountain Range in Taiwan - the dark green is the highland areas, while the grey shows the cities located on the coastal lowlands.

Yushan National Park is home to the highest peak in East Asia: Mount Yushan, or Jade Mountain.

The fast-growing city of Taichung is squashed between the mountains and the Taiwan Strait.

The beautiful peaks of the Yushan Mountain Range, one of the five ranges that make up the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan.

Taichung in the shadow of the Central Mountain Range.

Cloud covers some of the lower mountain peaks that surround Taichung.

The north face of Nanhu Mountain, one of the higher peaks in the Central Mountain Range.

The southern peak of Yushan Mountain, known as Jade Mountain, the highest peak in Northeast Asia.

Taichung pushes against the mountains of the Central Mountain Range that stretch the length of Taiwan.

The highest peaks of the Central Mountain Range which runs the length of Taiwan island.

An abandoned town in the mountains around Taichung. Many parts of Taiwan have been abandoned due to earthquakes.

The impressive peak of Nanhu Mountain, one of the tallest in Taiwan.

Cloud settles between the peaks surrounding Xueshan Mountain, the second highest in Taiwan.

The busy Cingshuei Interchange in Taichung. Taichung's highways are vital to transport across Taiwan.

New buildings are springing up all over Taichung as the city caters for an influx of visitors and new residents drawn to the city's economic success.

Miles and miles of highway have been built in Taichung in recent years, like this butterfly-shaped Central Interchange.

Trade has enabled the growth of Taichung into one of the largest and busiest cities in Taiwan.

The Elevated Cingshuei Interchanges in Taichung city show the importance of the highway in Taichung.

Taichung is quickly developing into a fast-paced cosmopolitan city to rival Taipei.

As the centre of Taiwan, Taichung's transport network is vital. Its highways and high-speed railways make it a transportation hub for the island.

The high-speed railway that links Taichung with the larger cities to the north and south of Taiwan.

Taichung continues to expand as more people come to the city thanks to its growing economy.

Taichung relies on its strong rail network to enable passengers and goods to be transported across Taiwan.

Freight and passenger trains travel frequently thought Taichung on their way across Taiwan.

The high-rises of Taichung reflect the growing economy in the city, as it receives more trade through its port.

The entrance to Taichung Airport, which welcomes thousands of visitors to Taiwan each year.

Map showing Provincial Highway 74 (blue) that links Taichung to neighbouring Changhua, joining West Coast Highway 61 (top left) which takes drivers north to the city of Hsinshu.

The new entrance to the high-speed rail terminal at Taichung Station.

Taichung's highways are growing quickly, taking more traffic into and out of Taichung - the "middle of Taiwan".

Trade through its port has enabled Taichung's economy to grow significantly in recent years, turning Taichung into a world city.

Boats on the lake at Taichung's oldest park, built by the Japanese in 1903.

This spectacular structure at Taichung's Botanical Gardens reflects the city's desire to encompass modernity through its architecture.

Taichung Park was the first major feature of the city to be completed by the Japanese in 1903.

The imposing City Hall was completed by the Japanese in 1924, styled after the Western architecture that they favoured for their official buildings.

Taichung Rail Station was another impressive architectural accomplishment of the Japanese during their rule of Taichung.

The intricately decorated Confucius Temple in Taichung, one of the newest temples in the city built in 1974.

One of many traditionally decorated pavillions in Taichung, dating from Japanese rule.

Another pavillion, very different in style, shows the contrast between the kinds of architecture seen in Taichung. The seal of Taichung decorates the pillars.

Beautiful decoration on the Confucius Temple in Taichung.

Small temples like these pop up across Taichung.

A traditional Chinese temple with dragons on the roof in the centre of Taichung.

The Zhongshan Green Bridge in the centre of Taichung contrasts with the modern buildings that line the streets.

A heavily decorated temple in the heart of Taichung.