Many of Taiwan’s landscapes are deeply inspiring. The country has East Asia’s tallest mountains, its most spectacular gorge, and stretches of dramatic coastline. The unspoiled eastern part of the island has long been a favorite of both domestic and international tourists. The counties of Hualien and Taitung account for more than a fifth of Taiwan’s…
Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, Penghu is less than 50 km west of Taiwan’s main island, yet this stunning archipelago looks completely different. For a start, it’s quite flat, whereas much of Taiwan is ruggedly mountainous. The islands used to be almost treeless, but afforestation programs have changed this. And perhaps most impressively – and…
If you are a fan of sakura – the cherry blossoms that draw legions of adoring sightseers to parks and hillsides throughout Japan – plan your next visit to Taiwan to coincide with the Hakka Tung Blossom Festival. The festival, which takes place in April and May, celebrates the beauty and beneficence of Vernicia fordii,…
Three pioneers of sustainable dining show that green food can be delicious, innovative, and elegant. Pan Tong-chen worked as an account officer at a bank before he made the unexpected decision to become an organic farmer. “It wasn’t my plan,” he says. “But when my wife fell ill, we decided to choose a life of…
This picturesque section of Taipei offers a variety of options for dining or snacking. PHOTOS AND TEXT BY JULES QUARTLY Caffe City North (小城外咖啡) 2F, No. 4 Minle St. Tel: (02) 2559-5560 Caffe City North is difficult to find, but a pleasure once you do. It has one entrance accessible through an eco-conscious fine-crafts store called Earthing…
The island’s green vegetables are not only incredibly nutritious but also boast a diversity of flavors and textures. STORY BY JEREMY OLIVIER, PHOTOS BY BRYN THOMAS I recently had a heated conversation with a fellow expat in Taipei. I’d casually mentioned that one of my favorite things about Taiwan was the incredible variety of green…
Huaxin Street, also known as “Little Burma,” is home to a diverse group of Burmese Chinese restaurant owners, each with a fascinating backstory. STORY AND PHOTOS BY JAMES BARON On most afternoons, Henry Wong and friends sit outside A-Mui’s Noodle Shop (阿妹緬甸小吃, 41 Huaxin St.) in Little Burma, sipping tea from yellow cups. On cooler…
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…
Single malt Scotch still dominates one of the world’s most profitable liquor markets, but other players could compete by employing aggressive, long-term marketing campaigns. STORY BY NIC ROGERS When I left my seven-day quarantine in Taipei last year, I was in dire need of a wee dram to quench the thirst built up from a…
There’s a reason this southern city, where food is a quasi-religion, holds the title of “foodie capital of Taiwan.” STORY AND PHOTOS BY NEIL ARMSTRONG Few cities in the world are able to perfectly balance the old and the new. Preserving ancient architecture while striving for modernity with gleaming new buildings is tricky. An even…
