Taiwan Topographic 3D Relief Map

2026-03-24T11:50:57+00:00

Price: 39.00 - 1875.00 (42 variants)

This is a minimalist topographical relief map of Taiwan, created by The Unique Maps Co. and enhanced with our trademarked Unique 3D process. There are no labels, no roads, and no towns—only the island’s contours and forms. Careful use of light and shadow brings the landscape to life: high ridgelines gleam where they catch the light, deep gorges sit in crisp shadow, and the great lowland plains register as smooth, gentle gradients.

Running like a spine down the island, the Central Mountain Range dominates the composition. Here you can read the sharp relief of Yushan (Jade Mountain), Taiwan’s highest summit, and the serrated crests of Hehuanshan and Qilai. To the north, the Xueshan (Snow) Range rises in parallel, with long, folded ridges and steep, river-cut valleys. The sculpted chasms of Taroko Gorge are etched into the eastern flank, their near-vertical walls revealed by narrow ribbons of shadow that trace the Liwu River’s path from peak to sea.

Along the east coast, the land plunges toward the Pacific, and light skims across abrupt escarpments where mountains meet the ocean. Between the Central Range and the lower but distinct Coastal Range lies the Longitudinal (Huatung) Valley, a straight, fault-bound corridor running from Hualien to Taitung. In relief, this rift appears as a flat-floored trench bracketed by two mountain walls, with alluvial fans spreading out in soft, triangular forms. North of here, the Qingshui Cliffs read as a sudden break in slope—an emphatic edge where the island’s backbone tips into the sea.

To the west, the terrain relaxes into wide, fertile plains that form Taiwan’s populous heartland. The Taipei Basin appears as a broad hollow at the island’s northern tip, enclosed by the rounded volcanic domes of the Datun range and the gentle benches of the Linkou and Taoyuan plateaus. Farther south, the Chianan Plain spreads broad and level between Chiayi and Tainan, while the Taichung Basin and the Changhua–Miaoli foothills show as rolling, laddered terraces stepping up toward the interior. The great rivers—Zhuoshui, Dajia, Zengwen, and Gaoping—leave their signature as sweeping fans and subtle levees that the shading renders with soft, silken transitions.

At the southern end, the land narrows into the Hengchun Peninsula, where wind-shaped uplands and uplifted coral terraces tilt toward the Bashi Channel. Beyond the main island, offshore outposts punctuate the surrounding seas: to the west, the low tablelands of the Penghu archipelago rise as flattened humps in the Taiwan Strait; to the southeast, Green Island (Ludao) and Orchid Island (Lanyu) stand as steep, isolated cones; and near Pingtung, the compact form of Xiaoliuqiu appears as a solitary bump on the waterline.

Beneath these forms lies the story of a restless margin, where the Philippine Sea Plate collides with the Eurasian Plate. This ongoing uplift and faulting—read most clearly along the Longitudinal Valley Fault and the stepped Western Foothills—gives the island its bold relief. Our Unique 3D process accentuates that drama, using light to reveal knife-edged crests and shadow to nestle villages, fields, and memories within the plains and basins. Whether you call Taiwan home, remember a hike over Hehuanshan or a ride down the East Rift Valley, or are gifting a piece of place to someone who did, this map distills the island’s mountains, valleys, and coasts into a striking, contemplative centerpiece.

Please note that our Unique 3D maps look remarkably 3D, particularly when framed, but they are 2D prints on paper (or canvas).

About our Unique 3D Topographic Relief Maps

These aren’t just maps — they’re landscapes, sculpted with light and shadow.

Our shaded relief prints use ultra high resolution topographic data and a secret 3D rendering process to create the illusion of raised terrain — like the mountains are about to lift right off the page. No labels, no borders, no distractions. Just the raw shape of the land, brought to life in a clean, modern style.

They’re designed to feel timeless. Bold enough to be a centrepiece, subtle enough to blend in. A perfect gift for map lovers, mountain wanderers, or anyone who finds beauty in the shape of the Earth.

Learn more about our Unique 3D process.

And of course, like any of our other maps, you can personalise this topographical map as well. Why not mark your favourite peaks, or the routes of your favourite hikes and cycle rides?

More Product Info

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my map personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised maps are always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your map to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

I can print and frame this beautiful topographical 3D map at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.