Taiwan's mountainous landscape flattens to gently rolling plains in west, and a string of teeming cities. The capital of Taiwan, Taipei, is a modern city. Between the congested traffic and pollution it is rich with cultural offerings and lively nightlife - croon in a karaoke bar or shop for just about anything in bustling night markets. Taiwan's coastline is a wonderland of remarkable rock formations, majestic sea-eroded terrain and fine golden-sand beaches. Taiwan includes the Penghu Archipelago, a group of 64 islands previously known as the Pescadores, and 21 other islands.