Taiwan’s former capital has reached a historic milestone, inviting visitors far and wide to a year of events and activities that reflect on the city’s rich history and diverse influences. Marking its 400th anniversary since the Dutch East India Company’s (VOC) arrival, Tainan is celebrating its quadricentennial with a series of yearlong events under the…
Embark on an affordable and culturally rich city break to Tokyo, where a long weekend can unfold into an exploration of Japan’s enigmatic capital. The next time you are planning a long weekend away, consider thinking a bit further afield than Taipei or Kaohsiung. Direct flights connecting the central airports of Taipei’s Songshan and Tokyo’s…
In the heart of Taipei, a new wave of wine bars is captivating both seasoned oenophiles and casual patrons, with a particular focus on natural wines. When former teacher Peggy Lin took her dogs for a walk one evening last year, she spotted a newly opened bar. Curious, she poked her head through the door…
A quest for the perfect sashimi experience leads to the discovery of hidden gems in Taipei’s vibrant culinary landscape. Less is more when it comes to sashimi. That’s according to Mayuko Perkins, a Japanese national who moved to Taipei in 2019. In Japan the fresh raw fish is finely sliced, allowing you to “enjoy the…
Foreign residents in Taiwan are facing discrimination and limited access to disability benefits, sparking a campaign by activists and non-profit organizations for equal rights and recognition. In July, publicly funded media service TaiwanPlus aired a four-minute news feature that moved viewers to tears, judging by reactions on Twitter (now X). The feature, headlined “Foreigners in…
Daniel Rios is one of the few foreign nationals to have completed the baiyue – a list of mountains in Taiwan that many hikers dream of summitting. PHOTOS BY DANIEL RIOS A sea of clouds – or yunhai (雲海) – is the striking phenomenon of a uniform cloud layer viewed from above, resembling a contoured ocean…
Lukang, which once served as an important trading port for Taiwan, now sees tourists flocking to enjoy traditional fare and historic sites. STORY AND PHOTOS BY DINAH GARDNER Its name may mean deer harbor (鹿港), but today Lukang (sometimes rendered Lugang) is more a city of birds. In the shifting hours when day becomes night…
Recent years have seen a surge in high-quality pasta restaurants offering diners a taste of authentic Italian cuisine. STORY AND PHOTOS BY DINAH GARDNER When Chiara Colognola arrived in Taipei 11 years ago as an exchange student, she quickly started missing the food of her home country. So when a local friend invited her for…
A guide to the differences among the many dishes confusingly all referred to as “dumplings” in English and some practical advice on how to rate a dumpling restaurant. STORY & PHOTOS BY DINAH GARDNER Served in a bamboo basket or piled up on a plate, dumplings are a staple favorite in Taiwan. They can be…
With an intriguing history and rich culture, Taipei’s Roosevelt Road hosts many more interesting attractions than first meet the eye. This story begins in a bookstore. The sky is overcast, but a soft glow from the overhead lights inside SMC Publishing (南天書局), a Taiwan-focused academic bookshop in Taipei’s university district of Gongguan, creates a comfortable…
