AI language tutors offer personalized conversation practice, but gaps in cultural representation and potential bias in Chinese-language training data raise concerns. Taiwan has the expertise to develop its own tools — yet turning research into accessible products remains a challenge.
Pingtung’s cacao industry has grown from an agricultural experiment into a thriving world of award-winning chocolate makers and farm-based tourism. Visitors can now trace the journey from cacao pod to chocolate bar through tastings, workshops, and plantation tours.
Green Island offers a striking mix of coral reefs, rugged coastal scenery, and rare seawater hot springs. Beyond its natural beauty, the island also invites reflection through the preserved sites and stories of Taiwan’s White Terror era.
Despite being shunned by the travel guides, this small southern city is proving to be one of Taiwan’s most charming vacation spots. Story and photos by DINAH GARDNER When I told friends I was heading to Pingtung City for a holiday earlier this year, I was met with confusion. “Don’t you mean Kenting?” they would…
Taiwan is advancing organ-on-a-chip technology, offering a faster, more human-relevant alternative to animal testing. As startups scale and global momentum builds, the shift could reshape drug development and reduce reliance on lab animals.
As Taiwan’s hotel sector struggles with value-for-money perceptions, the island’s top luxury properties are gaining rare global validation through Michelin’s new hotel Key system. The recognition highlights how international branding, design, and service standards may help reposition Taiwan on the global premium travel map.
Taipei’s zero-proof scene is growing in its own way, driven less by abstinence than by flavor, atmosphere, and the desire to socialize without the hangover. From tea-based cocktails to coffee raves, alcohol-free drinking is becoming a culture of its own.
A mix of migration, religion, and memory has carried Tibetan food to Taiwan, where hearty dishes and shared tables offer both comfort and a sense of belonging. From monk-frequented eateries in Taipei to family-run kitchens in Hsinchu, Tibetan cuisine quietly anchors a small but meaningful community.
Taiwan will require dolphin shows to drop acrobatics for welfare-focused, educational displays. Operators fear losing audiences, while animal groups call for ending captivity altogether. A government working group is exploring reforms, breeding bans, and potential seaside sanctuaries.
Once overlooked as a mere gateway to Alishan or Penghu, Chiayi is now emerging as a destination in its own right—offering a nostalgic food scene, rich cultural heritage, quirky museums, and lush urban nature that are drawing more and more travelers to linger longer.
