[台北 / tái běi]  Taipei is a tough little city whose beauty lies in its blend of Chinese culture with a curious fusion of Japanese, Southeast Asian and American influences. Historical Journey In many ways this 300-year-old city is like a living museum. The Taoist temples buzz with the prayers of the hopeful; the wooden boards of Japanese-era mansions creak under …

Asian Values On Their Terms Defying those who said it wasn’t in their DNA, the Taiwanese have created Asia’s most vibrant democracy and liberal society, with a raucous free press, gender equality, and respect for human rights and, increasingly, animal rights as well. The ancestors are still worshipped, and mum and dad still get their dues, but woe betide the …

[台灣 / tái wān] With legacies as varied as its adventure landscape and spirited traditions thriving alongside the cream of Asian sophistication, Taiwan is a continent on one green island. The Beautiful Isle Famed for centuries as Ilha Formosa (Beautiful Isle; 美麗島; Měilìdǎo), this is a land with more sides than the 11-headed Guanyin. Towering sea cliffs, marble-walled gorges and tropical …

[台中 / tái zhōng] Under Japanese, and later KMT, economic planning, Kaohsiung became the centre of heavy industry, Taipei the centre of colonial administration, and Taichung? The centre of light industry. If your image of ‘Made in Taiwan’ still conjures up visions of cheap toys, shoes and electrical goods, then you’ve got old Taichung in mind. Today the name Taichung [ …

WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT TAIWAN For a relatively small island, Taiwan is brimming with things to do, see and experience. Taiwan has its own personality, and it’s magnetic. I’m already looking into a return trip to Taipei. I need to experience it all. Taipei doesn’t have the mega city popularity of Tokyo. It’s not at the top of everyone’s travel …