Experience the unique charm and enchanting sights of Southeast Asia’s diamond in the rough. Take it from a former four-year resident – you won’t find a travel destination as uniquely chaotic but oddly serene as Vietnam. If you love the thrill of discovery, a satiated appetite, and a distinct blend of the past with the…
Enterprises in Taiwan are shaping the future of art, working with public and private stakeholders to bring inspiration to the masses. For centuries, the development of art has been just as much a commercial activity as a cultural one, with many of the world’s most renowned artists employed, patronized, or sponsored by the business leaders…
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…
A unique Taiwanese experience and spectacular showcase of the island’s temple culture, the annual Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage brings together longtime adherents and, more recently, young Taiwanese interested in local customs. Besides the religious significance, the event is also a major contributor to the central Taiwan economy. With its firecrackers, dancing troupes, and mascots costumed as…
Some suggestions on where to go and the singers and bands you might hear. It’s a night full of surprises – the good kind. You managed to overcome your “worked-all-day, just finished-dinner” lethargy to head out into the night for a live band you’ve never seen before in a place you’ve never been. The venue…
The number of breweries, and pubs offering their product, has been growing rapidly. Only a few years ago finding craft beer in Taipei was a bit of a challenge. Only a handful of bars had them in stock, and even fewer offered craft beer brewed in Taiwan. Nowadays, you could hardly throw a rock in…
Increasing numbers of Taiwanese students are going abroad for higher education, but they are no longer necessarily headed for U.S. universities, as was once usually the case. Over the past five years, according to Ministry of Education (MOE) data, the number of Taiwanese studying abroad has increased by about 9.3% to reach 54,106. Although the…
Taiwan’s rising emphasis on high-quality lifestyle has spurred a wave of new homegrown brands offering everything from premium accommodations to inventive cuisine. Taiwan ranked as Asia’s third-happiest country behind Singapore and Thailand in a report released in March by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Columbia University’s Earth Institute. Overall, Taiwan came in 35th in…
Taiwan is now a mecca not just for bicycle importers but for enthusiasts as well. “Ni Fengle!” (You’re crazy!) I remember fondly those words, spoken by my Taiwanese landlady Ms. Yeh on hearing my plan to cycle to Taipei from our shared home in Shuangshi, a small town on the outskirts of the Hsinchu Science…
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….
