If you thought luxury timepieces have had their day, think again. The watch you wear says a lot about you. There was a time when Taiwan was famed for producing fake Rolex watches. They were so good it was hard to tell them apart from the real thing – though being sold in a night…
Precious metals and gems are even more valuable if presented in an elegant design that has artistic and emotional appeal. A surefire hedge against low interest rates, inflation, or economic meltdowns, precious metals and stones have never gone out of fashion as a form of investment. While the customer may pay a premium for a…
The story of Ever Rich Duty Free Shop Corp. Chairman Simon Chiang neatly encapsulates the changing fortunes of Taiwan’s luxury goods market, particularly when it comes to bags and leather goods. Born to a poor, farming family in the South, the young Chiang was sent off to Taipei by his mother to learn a craft,…
A decade ago it was difficult to find a decent cup of coffee, but today the city is a haven for specialty blends and cool places to drink them. By Jules Quartly Coffee is a many-splendored thing, and Taiwan’s love affair with it is complicated by the existence of a significant other, namely tea. The…
If Taiwan wants to develop a cuisine scene matching its reputation for fantastic night market treats, it still has some way to go. If the world’s dining scene were a level playing field, you would expect Taiwan to be a winner. For historical reasons, it is a melting pot of the best cuisines from all…
You need rich tastes and a deep pocket to enjoy the best cuts of Pacific bluefin tuna, but Donggang’s annual festival is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. By Jules Quartly For centuries the township of Donggang (sometimes spelled Tungkang) in Pingtung County has been the final port of call for the Pacific bluefin tuna, which returns annually…
