Beneath Taiwan’s modern façade is a body of beliefs that stretch back for millennia. For an insight into how people really think, you need to know about folk religion. In Taiwan, temples seem to be everywhere, ancestral shrines take pride of place in many homes, and altars can be found in numerous offices and restaurants….
Taiwan’s southernmost county is famous for its beaches and deserves more attention as the country’s “fruit basket.” Residents of northern Taiwan are undoubtedly most familiar with the island’s southernmost county of Pingtung as a sunny vacationland whose Hengchun Peninsula is home to the sprawling (333 square-kilometer) Kenting National Park. The adjacent beach resort of Kenting…
Like Asia’s other “tiger economies,” Taiwan’s post-war history has been characterized by rapid modernization. Where oxcarts and bicycles once trundled along, cars and motorcycles now zip by. Concrete has replaced wood. Instead of traditional clothing, 21st-century Taiwanese dress much like their counterparts in Tokyo or New York. That said, glimpses of pre-1945 Taiwan are not…
Some suggested outings for those who enjoy museums, hiking, and ocean views. The port city of Keelung bustles with the currents of international commerce, but is also home to picturesque shores, scenic hills, museums, a fascinating history, and a colorful night market. And new attractions have been added in recent years, contributing toward a more…
One of Taipei’s oldest neighborhoods is getting revitalized with the opening of art galleries, cafés, and specialty shops in picturesque surroundings. If you could place yourself in Taiwan as the 19th century was drawing to a close and were wandering near the corner of what is now Dihua Street and Minquan West Road, you’d be…
Taiwan is a multiethnic country, and nowhere is this truer than in the northwestern counties of Hsinchu and Miaoli. This region is home to less than 7% of Taiwan’s 23.2 million people, but includes five ethnic groups, not counting the Southeast Asians, Westerners, and Indians who have moved here for marriage, or to work in…
Most international flights to Taiwan land at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, 28 kilometers due west of Taipei. But for those who want to see a more laidback and traditional side of Taiwan, or explore strongholds of indigenous culture, arriving via the southern city of Kaohsiung is another option to consider. As recently as the late…
Looking for a uniquely Taiwanese cycling challenge but can’t get two weeks off to huan dao (circle the island)? Have you become so good at navigating Taipei’s frequently changing bike-lane system that you’re lacing your coffee with Whisbih just to keep it interesting? Then you, cycling friend, ought to consider joining an organized cycling race….
Taiwan is known throughout the world for its cutting-edge tech industries and the vibrancy of its democracy. Among birdwatchers and butterfly aficionados, it is famed for harboring fabulous biodiversity. But few people realize that, for its size, it can claim to be the world’s most mountainous island. Taiwan is only slightly larger than the U.S….
Taiwan’s striking natural beauty is never far from its lively streets. Although 23.4 million people live on its 36,191 square kilometers (an area equal to Maryland plus Rhode Island), three quarters of Taiwan’s population live in just one eighth of the land area. This is why Taiwan has bustling cities, yet also stunningly wild mountain…
