Also known as the Republic of China, this small island nation off the eastern coast of China is one of Asia's economic powerhouses. It's also a cultural Mecca for anyone interested in ancient Chinese art and artifacts—the National Museum in Taipei holds a huge collection that spans 8,000 years of Chinese history. These treasures were evacuated from mainland China when the communists took over and Chiang Kai-shek moved his government to Taipei. Outside of the hustle and bustle of Taiwan's high-tech capital city, enjoy mountain resorts, tropical beaches, and lush national forests.