Is Taiwan Safe to Visit After the Earthquake? Yes! (Updated April 18, 2024)
April 8th, 2024
As most of the world now knows, just before 8 o’clock in the morning of April 3, the entire island of Taiwan was shaken by a powerful earthquake. The magnitude of the temblor was estimated at 7.2 by Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration and at 7.4 by the US Geological Survey, making it the strongest quake […]
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Let Snow-white Tung Blossoms Draw You into Taiwan’s Hakka Country
April 2nd, 2024
The Tropic of Cancer divides Taiwan into two parts. The south officially lies within the tropics, while two thirds of the island has a semi-tropical climate. The dampish conditions in the northwest have proved ideal for one particular tree species: Vernicia fordii, sometimes called the kalo nut tree but known to Taiwanese as the tung […]
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Six of the Best: Taiwan’s Most Amazing Churches
March 13th, 2024
Taiwan is one of the world’s most tolerant and religiously diverse societies. The majority of its nearly 24 million follow a mix of popular religion, Buddhism, and Taoism. Many of the gods and goddesses they worship are also venerated on the Chinese mainland and by ethnic Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. Some practise a ‘purer’ […]
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A Short History of Taiwan’s Spectacular Teas
February 19th, 2024
Taiwanese people love coffee and they enjoy a far greater range of alcoholic beverages compared to just a few decades ago. Yet tea still holds a very special place in local culture. Per capita tea consumption has grown fivefold since 1980. In every supermarket and convenience store, you’ll see dozens of milk teas, black teas, […]
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Back on the Tourist Map! East Taiwan’s Sanxiantai Bridge
February 5th, 2024
One of East Taiwan’s major attractions is fully reopening to the public today (February 5, 2024) following more than a year of inspections and repairs that were made necessary by the earthquake which shook the region near the end of 2022. The distinctive eight-arch footbridge at Sanxiantai (‘Terraces of the Three Immortals’, a name with […]
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Shopping for Souvenirs During a Taiwan Private Tour
January 22nd, 2024
Because there’s so much to see and do in Taiwan — stunning mountains, intricate temples, and delicious food — it can be hard to find time to shop for gifts and souvenirs. Nonetheless, clients who sign up for Life of Taiwan private guided tours sometimes ask us what’s good to buy here and which places […]
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Flower Power! Where to See Taiwan’s Dazzling Flowers
January 16th, 2024
Thanks to its position astride the Tropic of Cancer and plentiful rainfall, Taiwan is a place where foliage and flowers of all kinds thrive. Wherever land is left undeveloped and untilled, wildflowers quickly establish themselves, adding a range of colours to a natural environment that already features every possible shade of green. Many Taiwanese are […]
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Six of the Best: Taiwan’s Most Amazing Temples
January 3rd, 2024
More than 15,000 registered places of worship serve Taiwan’s 23.9 million people. The vast majority, over 12,200, are dedicated to mainstream beliefs, which in Taiwan means a blend of Buddhism, Taoism, and popular faith. Throughout the country there are also around 2,800 Christian churches and at least 10 mosques. Some of these buildings are new […]
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Luxury Escapes: Exploring Taiwan’s Best Hotels and Resorts
November 8th, 2023
Welcome to Taiwan, a destination that offers a delightful blend of natural beauty, vibrant culture, fabulous food, and unmatched hospitality. In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through the top-notch hotels and resorts that cater to discerning travellers who seek a luxurious escape in Taiwan. On a Life of Taiwan private tour of […]
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A Quick Look at Taiwanese Naming Customs
November 1st, 2023
Taiwanese people of Han Chinese descent tend to have three-syllable names, one syllable being a family name (usually but not always inherited from the father) while two syllables make up the given name or what English-speakers would call the first name. No more than one in 20 citizens has a single-syllable given name; fewer than […]
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Six of the Best: Taiwan’s Finest Museums
October 23rd, 2023
Taiwan has so many museums you could visit a different one each day and fill an entire year. Some hold vast collections of historical, artistic, or natural treasures. Others are small-scale celebrations of individuals and their achievements. The following fascinating museums have all featured in Life of Taiwan’s private tours of Taiwan. Whether you’re a […]
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The Art of Being a Top Taiwan Tour Guide
October 18th, 2023
We at Life of Taiwan know that nothing is more crucial to our success than the quality and abilities of our guides. In addition to being fully licensed for guiding and also for driving tourists, we require at least five years’ guiding experience in Taiwan, impeccable English (preferably polished through a period spent living abroad) […]
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