About Taiwan
Pilgrimage from the North to the South
Historical sites are not only precious architectures that tell stories of a place, but also the beautiful memories that last forever. The history of Taiwan is not long but it is a magnetic story. Over the years, different people came and went. Some history were written down in books, some were not. It is still a wonderful thing to take a day visiting the historical sites, wandering through the city, imagining what it might have felt like long ago. Here we go!
Longshan Temple
When the Han people came to Taiwan to cultivate plants, they often brought incense from their hometown temples to seek shelter. The people from Sanyi built Longshan Temple and invited Guanshiyin Bodhisattva to come to Taiwan. During the Second World War, the temple was devastated by air raids and the nave was destroyed, leaving only the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva still sits on the lotus platform. Residents used the Guanyin Bodhisattva's rosette as a refuge in air raids during the war.
Taichung Prefectural Hall
Taichung Prefectural Hall was built in 1912. With mansard-style roof and arches on the first floor of the façade, the architectural form presents the Baroque architectural features of the Japanese Taisho era, with gorgeous appearance and complicated decoration.
Lukang Old Street
“Lukang”, meaning “Deer Port” in Mandarin, was once a bustling harbor. It was an important base for shipping lines and merchants. Stepping on the red brick roads, you will feel a sense of quaint simplicity, like entering a space-time tunnel. The ancient mansion with southern Fujian flavor tells the life and style of the elders.
Night Life Never Ends
Taiwan is known for its numerous night markets. They attract locals and tourists alike for the delicious and reasonably priced foods, plus different kinds of game vendors there. When you get the chance to visit Taiwan, going to a night market should be on the bucket list.
Shilin Night Market
Shilin Night Market is the one of the largest night markets in Taipei. The market is centered on Yangming Theater and Cixian Temple. The night market is formed by many prosperous shops on Wenlin Road, Dadong Road and Danan Road, etc. Among them, Shilin Market was built as early as in 1899 and the market is famous for various snacks and eatery. Many visitors have come to Shilin Night Market to enjoy the delicious foods, such as large pancake enfolding small pancake, hot pot on stone or Shilin sausage. Shilin Night Market has become a renowned place for great foods.
Ningxia Night Market
In 2015, Ningxia Night Market was voted as “The Best of Night Market in Taipei”. Ningxia Night Market originated from a roundabout of the Japanese Ruling Period. It became the place where vendors gathered after the Tamsui railroad came to be and has witnessed the prosperous and resplendent era of Dadaocheng.
Fengjia Night Market
In the early years, this was considered a remote area on the outskirts of Taichung, made up of military villages. It was not until 1963, when Fengjia Business School moved to its current location, bringing a crowd of more than 20,000, the place became prosperous. In addition, the convenient location near highway interchange has brought in a large number of tourists from other places.
Authentic Taiwanese Flavors
Travelers who have been to Taiwan shall agree that among all the amazing memories and experience about Taiwan, the one thing that remains on their minds is Taiwanese Delicacy. What are authentic Taiwanese Flavors? Is it sour and spicy? Is it sweet but salty? It is hard to describe in just one word. The only way to know the answer is to try it yourself. No matter what kind of taste you like, you should be able to find a Taiwanese dish that suits you. That is the magic of authentic Taiwanese flavor.
Bubble Tea
Boba tea is a sweet drink that combines milk, flavored tea, and tapioca pearls that are sucked up through a large straw. Along with tapioca pearls, boba tea can also include different jellies, puddings and more.
Xiao Long Bao
Xiaolongbao may be a Shanghainese delicacy, but some argue that the Taiwanese perfected it. Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung does its Shanghai comrades proud with their succulent pork soup dumplings. Din Tai Fung’s bite-sized xiaolongbao have consistent high quality. Their paper-thin wrappings hold rich hot broth and tender pork meatballs. Gasps can be heard intermittently at Din Tai Fung as diners brave the scalding hot soup that squirts out upon biting the dumplings.
Pineapple Cakes
In Taiwanese, the word for “pineapple” sounds similar to the phrase, “here comes prosperity”, so pineapples have come to symbolize good luck and good fortune. Often given to others as a gift during the lunar new year. These sweets usually come with two kinds of fillings: white gourd or pineapple. The ones with white gourd fillings are sweeter, softer, and creamier to the taste, whereas the ones with pineapples has a firmer texture with the natural sourness of pineapples.