Cultural Concerns
Understanding the social norms that underpin everyday interactions will help smooth your path Face and Guanxi Much is made of the Chinese concept of face. To some extent it governs how people act in public,…
Articles
Visas and Residency
Most Westerners can enter Taiwan visa-free for short visits; if you are working or studying you will need a resident visa Passport holders from most Western countries including the US may enter Taiwan without a…
What to Bring With You to Taiwan
Bring clothes if you are tall or heavy, shoes for big feet, and bring a few months’ expenses to see you through the early part of your stay. Taiwan is a developed nation with an…
The Lanyang Museum in Yilan
Tourism in Yilan has exploded with the opening of Xueshan tunnel. It’s now quick and easy to get to, and there are an ever increasing number of places to visit. One of the newer such…
The Northeast Coast by Motorbike
I hope you like seafood. Or, at the very least, the taste of sea salt spraying in your face because very little compares to the thrill of a coastal ride in Taiwan. Starting from Keelung,…
Riding Route 9: Tea, Panoramic Views, and Hot Springs
Route 9, a rollercoaster mountain ride from Xindian to Jiaoxi, is one of the most iconic day trips from Taipei and an excellent start to longer biking journeys around Taiwan. Complete with tea plantations, rice…
Motorcycles: The Best Way to Experience Taiwan
Shortly after your first mile, you’ll realize motorcycling is one of the most rewarding ways to explore Taiwan. Dirt on the face, bugs on the teeth, and burns on the legs are reminders of unforgettable…
Dali Exhibition
The big businesses in Taiwan seem be increasingly interested in promoting the arts, which can only be to our benefit as the current Salvador Dali exhibition proves. The exhibition is on now at the Chiang…
Nangan Island, Matsu
Nangan is the most southerly of the two main islands and the biggest island in the chain. It has the feel of an enormous military base, but then that’s part of the attraction of visiting…
Matsu: Pirates, Birds and Guns
Photo by Prince Roy, licensed under the Creative Commons Matsu is an archipelago of 19 islands and islets in the Taiwan Strait, very close to China. In fact, on a clear day you can see…