‘Orchid’ (‘Lanyu’) Island, off Taitung City, is a beautiful volcanic outcrop edged by sparkling blue seas – think the Scottish Hebrides, only with a tropical climate. Separated from the mainland by the choppy waters of the Bashi Channel, it is the traditional home of the Tao (or Yami) indigenous people, whose handsome red-and-white canoes, with their distinctive upturned prows, may be seen on local beaches, adding a faintly Polynesian feel to the gloriously unspoilt scenery. The slow pace of life and wonderful local seafood make Lanyu one of Taiwan’s unsung highlights.