Jason Cole Mager: An American Artist Inspired by Taiwan
August 29th, 2019
In 2012, Jason Cole Mager, a professional artist from New York, opened his home to travellers. Little did he know that this simple decision would ultimately lead him to the vibrant city of Taipei. Mager found that hosting travellers breathed new life into his perspective, as their enthusiasm for his surroundings reignited his appreciation for […]
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The Captivating Spectrum of Blues in Taiwan’s Natural Beauty
July 4th, 2019
Taiwan, a treasure trove of natural wonders, graces its landscapes with a captivating array of blues. Taroko Gorge, a natural masterpiece, showcases a remarkable range of colours in its layered marble, schist, and gneiss formations. From pristine whites to velvety greys, and even hints of golden hues, it’s a vivid canvas. The serene blue of […]
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Island of Trees: Taiwan’s Magnificent Woodlands
June 20th, 2019
Here’s a statistic that astounds many who’ve never visited Taiwan: About 58 percent of the main island is covered by trees or bamboo, with stands of hardwoods accounting for over half that area. That’s a higher percentage than in the US, Canada, or Brazil. The figure for the UK is a mere 12 percent. This […]
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Came for the Movies, Returned for the Cuisine: An Interview with Food Writer Matt Gross
May 30th, 2019
Acclaimed Taiwanese directors like Hou Hsiao-hsien and Edward Yang can take credit for more than award-winning movies like as The Puppetmaster and Yi Yi: A One and a Two. Back in the early 1990s, their films inspired in one American a profound curiosity about Taiwan which has turned into an ongoing love affair with the […]
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New Taiwan Photo Book: Ilha Formosa Taiwan in 100 HDR Panoramic Images & Scripts
May 8th, 2019
If you think the photos accompanying this blog post are stunning, you’re not alone. They’re just a few of the hundred pictures Sherman Cheng selected for inclusion in his stunning new book, Ilha Formosa Taiwan in 100 HDR Panoramic Images & Scripts. Cheng, who retired a few years ago after a career in a multinational […]
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The Rich Tapestry of Taiwan’s Place Names, Part 2
April 25th, 2019
Many places in southern Taiwan, like those in the north, have names that trace their origins to the island’s Austronesian indigenous languages. For instance, the historic port town of Lukang, often referred to as ‘Deer Harbour,’ may have derived its name from the herds of sika deer that once roamed the nearby lowlands. However, modern […]
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The Rich Tapestry of Taiwan’s Place Names, Part 1
April 20th, 2019
Tour guides in Taiwan must be well-prepared to answer all kinds of intriguing questions, including “Why does this place have that particular name?” Many Taiwanese place names hold captivating stories of their origins. Some are very straightforward. Taipei, meaning ‘North Taiwan,’ and Tainan, translating to ‘South Taiwan,’ are geographical references. Roughly halfway between the current […]
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How to Read a Taiwanese Temple, Part 3: Conventions and Offerings
April 7th, 2019
A little knowledge about the the habits and taboos of Taiwanese popular religion will help you, as much as is possible during a short visit, to grasp the ineffable nature of the faith that influences more than 90% of the island’s people. And as a thoughtful traveller, it goes without saying that you’ll wish to […]
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How to read a Taiwanese Temple, Part 2: Icons and Incense
March 18th, 2019
In the ancestor shrines which many Taiwanese families maintain, those who’ve passed away are represented by names on elegant but austere tablets. In almost every folk temple, however, gods and goddesses take the form of colourfully-attired effigies. Some of these josses (a word derived from the Portuguese word for god, deus) are no larger than […]
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How to Read a Taiwanese Temple, Part 1: Roofs and Doors
February 19th, 2019
Even without counting the ancestor altars that are found in many homes, Taiwan has tens of thousands of places of worship. Some of these shrines are no bigger than a sentry box, while others are multi-level palaces. In a good number of the former, the ceiling is so low that those who step inside to […]
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Reasons to Visit Taiwan in 2019
December 22nd, 2018
‘The people are incredibly friendly, but not many of them speak English well’. This is something we at Life of Taiwan hear again and again. It’s something we respectfully agree with, and it’s an issue that’s recognised by Taiwan’s government. Therefore, we’re delighted to know the authorities have begun rolling out additional programmes and policies […]
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Embracing Obsessions: Foodie Journalist Clarissa Wei
December 13th, 2018
Clarissa Wei is a Taiwanese-American journalist who describes herself as ‘obsessed with traditional ecological knowledge, and trying to learn as much as I can about the plants and foods that indigenous Taiwanese people ate, and how they processed them’. Over the past ten years, Wei has written dozens of articles about the cuisines and culinary […]
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