Double Ten: Taiwan’s National Day (sort of…)
October 7th, 2024
The tenth day of the tenth month, October 10, is one of the oldest established public holidays in Taiwan — yet it celebrates an event that happened outside Taiwan and which didn’t impact the island until decades later. On October 10, 1911 opponents of the Qing Dynasty, China’s last imperial government, launched an uprising at […]
Read more »
Take the Train to Alishan: Full Service Resumes!
July 16th, 2024
The uplands of Taiwan are astonishing yet vulnerable. At least once a decade, typhoons blowing in from the Pacific dump such huge amounts of water on the island’s rugged interior that landslides destroy roads and cut off remote communities. One of the most serious typhoon disasters in the island’s history occurred in August 2009 when […]
Read more »
Six of the Best: Some Unfamiliar Proteins for Your Palate
May 20th, 2024
When a Taiwanese person talks about meat, they usually mean pork. If you spend a week or two in Taiwan, there’s a very high chance you’ll sample some of the island’s most popular pork-based dishes, such as braised minced pork over rice, spare rib and daikon soup (in case you don’t know, daikon is a […]
Read more »
Tipples in Taiwan: The Island’s Surprising Booze Options
March 18th, 2024
In Taiwan, drinking revolves around food. There’s no pairing tradition like that in the West which recommends Cabernet Sauvignon and steak or Chablis and oysters, yet very few drinks are imbibed without some kind of solid food. During the warmer months, cold beer goes well with flavourful dishes like three-cup chicken (so called because it’s […]
Read more »
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, […]
Read more »
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 […]
Read more »
Yet Another Reason to Visit Taiwan: Tainan’s 400th Birthday!
December 27th, 2023
Next year, Tainan is throwing a big party! The place where Life of Taiwan was established back in 2012 is set to celebrate the 400th anniversary of its first steps on a journey through history that saw it transformed from a realm inhabited by Austronesian hunter-gatherers to a European trade outpost, and eventually to today’s […]
Read more »
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 […]
Read more »
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 […]
Read more »
Exploring Fengshan in Taiwan
September 27th, 2023
Fengshan, often spelled as Fongshan, is far from your typical small town. With its population of 357,000, it stands as a place of great significance in Taiwan. Located in proximity to the bustling Kaohsiung, often hailed as Taiwan’s maritime capital, Fengshan boasts a unique blend of historical charm and modernity, highlighted by the captivating […]
Read more »
Taiwan’s Art Scene: Private Tours to Discover the Island’s Creative Soul
September 15th, 2023
Taiwan’s Diverse Cultural Heritage Experience Taiwan’s cultural richness, shaped by history, diversity, and government policies. Join our private tours of Taiwan to explore the island’s unique blend of traditions and art. Taiwan’s cultural diversity is reflected in its art. Discover the fascinating blend of Chinese, indigenous, and modern influences that have shaped the island’s artistic […]
Read more »
Heritage Trails: Exploring Taiwan’s Rich Cultural Legacy
June 28th, 2023
Welcome to Taiwan, a land brimming with a rich cultural legacy that spans centuries. From 17th-century temples and historic sites to traditional villages and indigenous traditions, Taiwan offers a plethora of heritage trails, cycle routes, and cultural corridors that are waiting to be explored. In this blog post, we invite you on a journey to […]
Read more »