Taipei, Nov. 9 (CNA) A group of 16 mountain-climbing enthusiasts from Europe arrived in Taiwan Friday to visit several of Taiwan's most beautiful mountains.
The travel agency responsible for arranging the itinerary said that the average age of the group members is 55, and that they will stay at five-star hotels throughout the 15-day journey.
The agency said that it will arrange for the group to start from Yangmingshan on the outskirts of Taipei, and that from there they will move on to Houhuanshan and Alishan in central Taiwan as well as Shuepashan before challenging the 3,952-meter Yushan, the highest mountain in Taiwan.
The group will be accompanied by professional guides throughout their mountain climbing journey. Each member, most of whom are from Austria, has paid NT$160,000 (US$4,920) for the trip, which covers their accommodation, medical expenses and insurance.
The agency said that Europeans enjoy oriental flavors, but prefer high-quality service and a convenient environment, which is why Taiwan is attractive to them.
The agency also noted that the Tourism Bureau and travel agencies have worked hard in recent years to solicit visitors from Europe. Among these visitors, Yushan, also known as Mt. Jade, and Alishan, as well as the picturesque Hualien in eastern Taiwan are the most popular scenic spots. (By Lilian Wu)