This website uses cookies and other technologies to help us provide you with better content and customized services. If you want to continue to enjoy this website’s content, please agree to our use of cookies. For more information on cookies and their use, please see our latest Privacy Policy.
Taiwan, once celebrated as the "Kingdom of Bicycles" for its prolific bike manufacturing, has evolved into a "Cycling Kingdom." And here are six must-experience bikeways in 2024.
Taipei's vibrant indoor markets are a testament to the city's rich tapestry of history and culture, offering an immersive journey for visitors keen to explore the essence of local life. Join us on a flavorful journey through Taipei's indoor markets, where every stall and alleyway tells a story of Taipei's vibrant heart and soul.
Tianmu (天母), a neighborhood located in Shilin District of northern Taipei, is known as one of the city’s earliest-expatriate enclaves. Home to the Taipei American School and the Taipei Japanese School, the neighborhood boasts an array of international cultures, unique shops, and exotic restaurants that contribute to its distinct community ambiance.
Third-wave coffee is a marketing movement that prioritizes sourcing, quality, and unique flavors. Unlike the past focus on speed and convenience, it treats coffee seriously, akin to high-end products like wine or whiskey. This global phenomenon has led to the rise of distinctive cafes, including Taipei.
In its annual ranking, British magazine Monocle ranked Taipei as the 10th most livable city in the world for 2022. Several international media outlets, including the BBC, have also consistently ranked Taipei among the globe’s most comfortable cities. What is Taipei’s appeal? And what makes it a top city to live in?
Professor Tsai Cheng-hsiu has a passion for paleontology. His discoveries of dinosaur and saber tooth tiger fossils have put Taiwanese research in the international spotlight. So why is he having such a hard time?
CommonWealth Magazine visited three Taiwan church buildings that break with tradition. They were built to blend into their surroundings and, on top of being places of worship, they play an important part in bringing people together in everyday life and serving their communities.
A religious Taiwanese-American couple, who raise seven daughters in a rural part of Miaoli County, have forged a lifestyle that embraces the joys of family togetherness rather than the trappings of material comforts. How have they done it?
Having established a Taiwanese fruit jam brand over a decade ago, Krude Lin recently became chairperson of the Coffee Industrial Alliance of Taiwan. What new potential does he see in Taiwanese coffee?
Olympic gold medalist Kuo Hsing-chun hated weightlifting at first. She thought that the gold medal was what her coach wanted, rather than what she wanted, until someone described her movements as “dancing”. A few years ago, she feared she’d never be able to get up again. Now she thanks herself for never giving up.
Doreen Wang is the host and director of Ghost Island Media’s newest podcast, the audio documentary “一年的告白 Dos Salidas.” The show features conversations with her mother, Mish Liang Hsu, after her mother is diagnosed with terminal cancer. This is their story.
Taiping Yuhsien Social Housing is the first complete prototype of Common Good Project in Taichung City that won both the Taiwan Residential Architecture Award and Public Construction Golden Quality Award. From taking care of the living style to secure living of young people, the architectural aesthetics of Yuhsien Social Housing forms the co-learning living lab and reinterprets the meaning, aesthetics, and social value of social housing, thereby implements the beautiful and reciprocal group life.
Taiwan’s hottest gastronomic spots, ranging from the No. 1 of the world’s best coffee shops, an Asia Top 50 bar to southern Taiwan’s trendiest restaurant, were all designed by Zutto Wu, who hails from Kaohsiung. How does Wu, a legal expert by training, manage to design unique interiors for Taiwan’s rising F&B stars?
The most sought-after Moon Festival gift this year were flaky mooncakes with a filling of salted egg yolk created by master baker Chen Yao-hsun, only the third Taiwanese to win the equivalent of the breadmaking world championship. Yet Chen, who dropped out of school in high school, found his calling only after a winded detour.
The Michelin Guide Taiwan ventured outside of Taipei for the first time in 2020 and explored Taichung. Four restaurants earned Michelin stars -- JL Studio, Fleur de Sel, Forchetta and Oretachi No Nikuya – and the choices revealed the stark differences between the Taipei and Taichung culinary scenes.
The world is troubled by the pandemic, yet in Taiwan the cruise industry has found a new beginning. Setting out from Keelung to visit multiple small islands not only offers Taiwanese tourism a new approach, it has also given bored Taiwanese the feeling of overseas travel. How have the cruise lines dealt with containment?
Having experienced my first earthquake today, I’m also wondering whether the tomato and meat sauce will be like molten lava from a volcano? So I cut it open and give it a few minutes. Although it’s not “sideways legendary” like Ristorantino, the lasagne is decent. Somehow the sauce still has a strong red wine flavour, how’s that not evaporated at these “surface of the sun” temperatures ?
The COVID-19 pandemic has allowed the world to see Taiwan's ability. This is a perfect opportunity for Taiwan’s leisure farms. It is recommended that in addition to general tour groups and backpackers, the farms should take this opportunity to start expanding horizons by promoting their farms for hosting international incentive travel and conference holidays. This will allow the humanity and ecological beauty of leisure farms to establish a reputation among enterprises.
I adore Ribs and these are as good as I’ve ever had. I stop talking for a bit – and start shaking my head in disbelief. Regular readers will know my mantra is “No Food is a Sin, just don’t eat it all” but there’s no way I’m leaving any of these.
Fresh Focaccia cubes have already arrived and then almost immediately the meatballs are here. As soon as I taste I know I’m in trouble. There are 5 larger than a golf ball balls, in a quite incredible tomato sauce. The wine is poured and I’m getting carried away already.
When I get to it, I’m taken aback by the goulash’s appearance. It’s not what I’m expecting at all – it’s kind of “goulash – on – the – bone”. Now I recognise I’m a long way from Hungary . . . . but this is nothing like my previous goulash experiences. I can see and smell some paprika, but we’re missing green pepper and onions.
What the World needs now is a nice glass of wine and a sit down. A minute or two later the waiter is back, and pouring me a “glass of red” into a very tall glass. Tells me he’s just opened a new bottle for me, a 2014 Crianza. The wine is smooth and very nice – I’m immediately thinking “wow I wonder what this is going to cost”.
The food arrives and the appearance is very attractive – I’m not the only person taking pictures. But the portion sizes continue in the usual Taiwan (small / very small) size). I’m definitely regretting not ordering the Rosemary Sweet Potato fries too.
Just as I firmly take the bun in hand the wedges arrive with a Cajun seasoning, also beautifully presented – but I can’t take my eyes off the prize. First bite enables me to taste everything – but the Candied Bacon, oh my god. This really is first class and again redefines what I think is possible from something so basic.
My Dilli Pani Puri soon arrive and I’m warned that the Spice Water is very spicy and it’s recommended I only pour a little in before eating*. Absolutely delicious – but I’m struggling with the presentation – they’re on a bed of pebbles with a forked twig ?
After some experiences where the “soup” has poured out down my shirt or onto the table (so elegant) I’ve learned how to eat these like an expert and I was looking forward to further refining my technique.
There’s a sauce on the top which I check is the gremolata – everything looks great and tastes delicious. As a Lamb Shank connoisseur I could have done with a few herbs or additional seasoning, but I’m nit-picking, I love it.
Situated next to the village’s Japanese-era railway station, the Yamato Barn posts annual revenue worth NT$8 million although less than 20,000 people live here.
Just two years after launching JL Studio in Taichung in 2017, Singaporean chef Jimmy Lim won the Miele One to Watch Award for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019, the equivalent of a gastronomy Oscar, earlier this year. How does Lin “reinterpret, recompose and reinterpret” his culinary heritage, putting it on Asia’s gourmet map?
What does your hairstyle say about you—are you an all-American hero, a proper British gentleman, or just an average Taiwanese joe? Whatever your style, you get the full package—a shave, a cut, some tea—when you visit a vintage barber shop in Taiwan. Every day is not a wedding, but you’ll always feel like you’re walking the red carpet when you sport one of these fancy coiffures.
Fast forward to the 1990s. Martial law, ended in 1987, is over, and so begins a new and more open era for Taiwanese music and art. SCUM, a Taipei performance space, becomes the first Taipei venue to insist that bands perform at least one original song in their set. Other venues soon follow suit. Punk, post rock, metal, noise — all of it comes rushing in like a flood as artists flourish in a new atmosphere of creative freedom.
Taiwan’s Taihu Brewing Co. is known for its creativity, brewing more than 100 different craft beers since 2013. It has also developed co-branded or specialty beers for EVA Air, Starbucks and the Regent Hotels Group. What is behind this considerable success?
The common café, ubiquitous on every street corner in Taiwan, has nearly reached market saturation. In its place, dining pubs where patrons can slowly savor their food and wine in a cozy atmosphere have become all the rage. Is there a sociocultural change to be observed from this latest fad of flourishing Taiwanese dining pubs?
In the future, Hsinchu's Left Bank, Nanliao fishing port and the 17km coastline will form a “Smiling Waterfront,” turning Hsinchu into Taiwan's most water-loving city.
The tattoo culture has gone through a revamp in recent years. Its aficionados have changed from the blue-collar workers of the past to college students, hipsters, working women, and other white-collar office workers. Their age ranges from 25 to 35, and 97% of them are women.
It’s good for you and great for the environment. So, as millions of cyclists around the world mark Bike to Work Day, here’s why life on two wheels makes sense.
As the United Nations’ World Creativity and Innovation Day shows, there are many reasons why we should make space in our daily lives to think, dream and innovate. But did you know…?
Michelin Guide Taipei has announced its selection for 2019. Let’s look at the five new entries and the two that earned additional stars. What did they do right? What’s their secret to success?
When the catastrophic earthquake of March 11, 2011 struck, Ms. Mine’s child was just three years old. She packed up her belongings and came to Taipei for a short while until the aftershocks calmed down. At first, she intended to stay for only a week, but the stay was prolonged by the warm sense of friendship she discovered in the city and her own maternal instincts.
Taiwan may have blazing hot summers, but its mild weather in other seasons allows flowers to bloom year-round. From January through the spring, there are many places to see flowers in Taipei, and flower festivals abound.
The world wide web is 30 years old this year. On 12 March 1989, Sir Tim Berners-Lee published his proposal for connecting information together so that it could be easily shared and accessed, describing how a “web of notes with links (like references) between them is far more useful than a fixed hierarchical system.” But the astronomical growth of the web could also be its downfall, Berners-Lee warns.
Can you build a house with repurposed PET bottles? In rural Pingtung County you can find such an entirely handmade, sustainable “low-tech” building. Its architect is a Canadian who came to Taiwan 20 years ago, married a local girl and has meanwhile become a naturalized citizen of Taiwan. Let’s meet with this ingenious builder.
While some parts of the world have limited access to vaccines, patients in other regions are reluctant to use them, partly because of the anti-vaccine movement. Another area of huge concern is the toll that pollution and climate change take on health.
International Living magazine recently released its latest Annual Global Retirement Index, which lists the top 10 destinations for would-be retirees who want to get away from it all. The survey looks at a number of factors affecting quality of life in each place including climate, local lifestyle, cost of living, healthcare, visa and residency requirements and how easy it is for newcomers to fit in once they arrive.
Planning to take a visit to Taiwan’s “Second City” of art, leisure & quirky venues? Located right in the middle of Taiwan’s western coast, Taichung is a quick train ride from either end of the island and offers a serious art and culture scene and some great options for activities and snacking. Here are Taiwan Scene’s suggestions for a Dozen Things to Do in Taichung.
Taiwan is an amazing place to ring in the New Year. In this article we’ll be diving into a few ways to spend the New Years holiday in Taiwan, starting with what’s probably the most well known of New Year’s Eve pastimes.
It’s been said that Taiwan has two seasons: wet, hot summers and cool, damp winters. This humble article is designed to help you pack for your upcoming Taiwan visit.
In the front of the farm, cocoa trees grow in a symbiotic relationship with betel nut palms, while in the back, cocoa beans are directly processed into chocolate. Emerging cocoa producer Taiwan can thus be said to provide the shortest distance from tree to bar.
Colin Chen became a chef in a radical career change that moved him from a life behind the camera into the social media limelight. Originally working as a print media photographer, Chen discovered his passion for cooking during a stint abroad as he craved the taste of home.
The once depressed Dadaocheng in western Taipei recently replaced Beitou’s hot springs as the third most popular destination in the city for overseas visitors, buoyed by innovative new shops and specialty bars. But more needs to be done for the area’s revival to be complete.
Marching into its second year, Bar Surfing – Let’s Go aims to introduce the uniqueness of Taiwanese cocktails, featuring flavors drawn from local fruits, herbs, spices and even teas, customized to the whims and tastes of individual customers.
Would you be ready to spend NT$8,000 – NT$10,000 per day immersing yourself in the everyday life of an indigenous village in Taiwan? “Never has a tourist tried to haggle over the price. Since they feel it’s worth it, they don’t think of cutting prices,” notes American travel writer and tour guide Cheryl Robbins, who takes visitors on tailor-made tours to the island’s indigenous communities.
Having troubles choosing your outfit? This AI system jointly developed by the University of California, San Diego, and Adobe Research is capable of inventing new outfits based on personal fashion preferences.
Life in the mountainous Buddhist community is more than just healthy eating, contemplation, and research. Gender-segregated computer labs for monastics are living proof that Buddhism in general has embraced technology to preserve and spread their scriptures.
How does a whisky taste with a hint of tropical fruit aroma? As one takes a sip and the golden liquid fills the mouth with flavor, one cannot help but reminisce about the changes in whisky aromas in recent years. You might have once loved that strong, peaty flavor but now enjoy a more mellow and sweet whisky that, along with its flavor, brings back sweet memories.
At a recent European Travel Fair, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s branch in Germany collected several questions about Taiwan from German Travelers. So we asked unseren guten Freund (our good friend) Klaus Bardenhagen, AKA The Taiwan Reporter to pick out a dozen of them to answer in his own mother tongue. So put on some Kraftwerk, crack open a Weißbier and some Erdnussflips , and please enjoy 12 Facts German Travelers Want To Know About Taiwan.
Taiwan is a country of convenience stores, lunch boxes and street foods. Yet such convenience has a cost: an increase in obesity. What can we do to avoid consuming excessive sugar while living in this “sweet island”?
On the island historically known for its tea, coffee consumption has once been something more than a niche foreign habit. But in 21st century Taiwan, a perfectly serviceable cappuccino can be bought at any small-town 7-11. What happened to bring about the sea change in Taiwan’s caffeine habits?
As Taiwan becomes an aged society, Fubon Life Insurance, honoring its mission of caring for society, is expanding its services and care across the island by actively delving into dementia prevention, creating an elderly-friendly environment and promoting healthy lifestyles. The company endeavors to take action to safeguard happy and health lives in our golden years and become a force for social change.
A time lapse video clip called A Taste of Taiwan has recently created a buzz on the Internet. Behind the production is Danish photographer Henrik Matzen. The video celebrates Taiwan’s scenic beauty but is also meant as Matzen’s personal thank you to the island and its people. What made Matzen spend three months shooting this video, paying out of his own pocket?
For Taiwan, the 1990s were a decade of radical change and an important transition period [to full-fledged multi-party democracy]. National politics, society, industry and even culture saw dramatic changes during that period. A very large part – probably the best part – of the face of contemporary Taiwan took shape during that era. For manufacturers of high-end watches around the world, the 1990s were also an important transition period. All of a sudden, wristwatches, previously practical tools in everyday life, became status symbols and tokens of good taste. Mechanical watches, originally squeezed out by the functionally superior quartz watches, had a comeback as luxury items thanks to their classical design and the refined craftsmanship behind their making.
British designer Ryan Yasin has developed what he calls “the most advanced kids clothing in the world” made from a distinctive pleated lightweight fabric which is waterproof, machine washable and recyclable. But most importantly, it will fit a baby and then expand until that child is three years old.
Much has been written about the dangers of screen time for children. Meanwhile, emerging research is starting to look at the role that parents’ screen usage has on a child’s development, and the news isn’t good.
Tons of people are using the popular crowdsourced Q&A website Quora to ask questions about Taiwan. Since many of these questions concern travel in Taiwan, we’ve recently taken to Quora to offer tips & suggestions for first time visitors and the merely Taiwan curious.
Over the past several years, Peter Kurz has become known in Taiwan for more than financial acumen. An accomplished triathlete, Kurz regularly performing feats of strength and endurance that would put most anybody (myself included) to shame, including long distance cycling races, off road marathons and more. I was curious as to what led Peter into the world of extreme athletics. But as he put it, his current fitness regiment wasn’t the result of some sort of mid-life epiphany, but more an evolution from a lifestyle in which exercise played a peripheral role into one in which exercise had become the lifestyle itself.
Here, you cover scenery as you cover ground on the race course. From sparkling coastal courses, to a stunning route wending through a marble gorge, and a marathon that feels like a banquet on foot; Taiwan hosts an incredible variety of races like nowhere else in the world.
If you’re looking for a new challenge or hoping to improve your career prospects, a group of academics has some good news: living in a different country makes you more self-aware.
Summer is at our doorstep here in Taiwan, meaning two things. It’s hot, and getting hotter, so make sure and stay hydrated! (Have you tried fresh watermelon juice?) There are tons of things to do everywhere on the island, both to beat the heat and to embrace it.
From freebies for cyclists, to subsidies and free parking for electronic scooters, measures are taken by the Taipei City Government to encourage citizens to support the green environment.
Do you lie awake at night worrying you’re not getting enough sleep? You’re not alone – some countries are in the middle of a sleeplessness epidemic which has the potential to damage people’s health and productivity.
After the 36 Bib Gourmand honorees unveiled last week on March 6th, 20 dining establishments became Michelin-starred today, among the 110 listed in the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Taipei 2018.
After meeting his wife in Hualien, Daniel opened up a barber shop in the charming east coast city. In the process, he’s created a most unique experience for himself and thousands of satisfied customers.
Kaohsiung Main Public Library is beautiful during the day and charming at night. Its structure composes of unique design and emphasis on humanities, radiating a vibe that is playful and serious at the same time.
In Taitung’s Chishang Township, the Granary Art Museum, ISwell Cultural Boutique, and Bike De Koffie, which makes bagels from local rice, introduce new local aesthetics.
Baolai hot spring is known for its crystal clear, transparent and odorless sodium-bicarbonate geothermal hot spring. The water is not only for bathing but also drinkable, making Baolai hot spring one of the most famous hot springs in Taiwan.
Kaohsiung City Dadong Arts Center is right next to the Kaohsiung MRT Dadong Station. It is one of Kaohsiung’s most prominent modern cultural landscapes. The unique design inspired by hot air balloons creates an artistic atmosphere that is both futuristic and welcoming.
Nothing is better than a plum-blossom-viewing trip in a cold winter! Lately, blooms of ‘Mei’ (梅) have spread over many tourist spots on the island. The weather might not be fair, yet having a drizzly walk beneath the snow-white blooms might offer a different delight.
Houcihu, Daxi Tea Factory and Xiaowulai Waterfall, these are the spots you do not want to miss when visiting Taoyuan. With great tips from local travel expert Mu-chin Lee, these beautiful places are perfect last stops before taking off from Taoyuan International Airport.
With the Taoyuan Airport MRT and city bike rental service (YouBike) combined, it is easy, leisurely and economic to visit great travel spots in Taoyuan. The old town area of Zhougli is one of those spots that you shouldn’t miss. It is rich of local history and culture. Moreover, the night market and food are astonishing.
Do you consider yourself as an artistic, trendy hipster? Or are you just a normal person who occasionally enjoy culture and art? Either way, Pier-2 Art Center in Yancheng, Kaohsiung is an excellent place for you to spend a weekend.
Is long-term care for the elderly only up to the government to provide? Now a corner café serving the community’s seniors has proven that long-term care can be not just innovative, but also attract young people to the field.
As the dark clouds cast a shadow of anxiety and uncertainty over the world throughout the turbulent days of 2017, the color for 2018 reflects our growing need to pause, return, and reconnect.
Among the 60 % of foreigners who participated in this round-island cycling event, a Japanese journalist talks about him getting deeply moved by the beauty of the east coast, the cheers of the passer-bys, and the potential he sees in Taiwan tourism.
Everyone should climb at least one 3,000-meter peak in their lifetime. The path is never easy in the high mountains. Set aside the familiar horizon at sea level and discover that no mountain is too high to climb.
When the South Penghu Marine National Park was established in late 2014, local fishermen feared for their livelihood due to restrictions on fishing and other conservation measures. Meanwhile, guided snorkeling and scuba-diving excursions are providing new sources of income, putting the area on the eco-tourism map.
Do you often feel like a fire-breathing dragon filled with anger and rage? Fear not. Traditional Chinese medical doctors can teach you how to use acupressure to quell the angst, calm the spirit, and put a smile on your face.
Taiwan’s contemporary dance legend Sheu Fang-yi failed big with her own dance company, an experience that she is glad she didn’t miss because it made her see life in a different light.
Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo keeps adjusting its global strategy as it grapples with slowing growth in China and experiments with new store concepts and sales channels.
Laura Russell is a writer and recipe developer based in Portland, Oregon. She is also a regular panelist on the award-winning podcast, The Four Top. Here she shares her experience and journey with the interesting factor in Taiwanese cuisines: "Q".
In Mandarin, “flavor” is pronounced “way,” so we’ve decided to call authentic Taiwanese flavors the “Taiwan Way.” Up to now, it has defied definition but efforts are afoot to give it a clear identity and have it resonate around the world.
A novel piece of underwear combining advanced textiles and innovative wearable technology aims to solve the problem of urine loss, an issue that remains taboo although many women suffer from it.
Have you pictured what your life will be like when you’re old? Whether living alone, or in the company of family, or growing old with a group of good friends, old age can have many forms.
Angela Duckworth is an American psychologist, best selling author and professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research shows that the key to excellence is not about talent but 'grit'. In an interview with CommonWealth Magazine, Prof. Duckworth shares her insights about the idea of 'grit'.
Fair trade starts at the source. That’s why the Japan-born fair trade label People Tree set out to transform the fashion supply chain, making Japanese society realize that buying organic, fairly traded garments brings more joy than pursuing the latest fashion craze.
After four centuries, the fashion realm has descended from the top of the pyramid to embrace the 99 percent. And the 99 percent’s taste is sure to have a tighter focus on the “everyday.”
Romantic yet practical, Taipei’s free-flowing creative energy is surging beyond Taiwan and into ethnic-Chinese communities around the world. Even countries in the West are showing fascination with the city’s creative expression.
Fanatical young Shanghainese are bringing the world to Shanghai, from as far afield as Europe and America, and as nearby as Taiwan, carrying their cultural momentum forward, reproducing, tweaking and surpassing it… with the goal of taking Chinese design to the world.
Lyricist Chung Yung-feng and publisher Emily Chuang find their memories intertwine as they discover the warmth and delicious flavors along Taipei’s Zhongshan North Road.
The best service does not mean selling customers the most expensive goods but those they need most. Japanese lifestyle brand Muji took the crown of the 2016 Golden Service Awards with its "just right" approach.
"Change" and "digital experience" are the new mantras in this digital age, concepts embraced by the many innovative upstarts that emerged as leaders in their fields in the 2016 Golden Service Awards.
Starbucks, winner of the Coffeehouse Chains category for six years in a row and number one in online service satisfaction, has become more of a 'tech company that sells coffee,' with digital coffee houses that enable new Starbucks experiences.
Taiwanese avant-garde fashion designer Johan Ku, who debuted on the international fashion stage in New York and studied in London, decided to build his label from Asia, designing his collections in Taiwan and launching them in Tokyo. His haute couture and ready-to-wear lines are now available at his first flagship store in Taipei.
In its first ever "Digital Life Survey," CommonWealth Magazine found Taiwan's Internet users to be among the most avid fans of social media across the globe, and have distinct online behavior patterns that will dictate how companies position themselves in the future.
Taiwan produces relative few coffee beans, but it is a prime destination when Asians want to open cafés, roast good coffee, or grow premium beans. How has Taiwan gained renown as a premium coffee hub in such a short time?
Recent food safety scares in Taiwan have sparked boycotts of a major player, but consumers need to do more, including focusing on value instead of simply on how much they get for their money.
Taiwanese consumers are increasingly particular about high quality, and demand it across the board. Those service enterprises that deliver it are winning the race.
Healing diets, a comfortable home, the simple pleasures of life – Taiwanese are gravitating more than ever to this "simple life." To figure out how to get there, their best bet is to look at Scandinavia.
South Korea produces three times as much food waste as Taiwan. The South Korean government is now taking aggressive measures to tackle the food waste mountain, imposing weight-based disposal fees.
Acquiring Giuliano Fujiwara for NT$500 million, a Taiwanese department store group is giving this premium Italian brand a makeover, and a new position on the world fashion map.
Founded 400 years ago as a cultural center, Kanazawa boasts a rich artistic heritage, which it lavishes with love, labor and generous investments. How is this city breathing new life into its creative and cultural industries?
In the 1990s, the Regent and Grand Hyatt dominated Taipei’s luxury hotel market, but times are finally changing as new five-star hotels pour into the city. The question is, why?
Taking home top honors in this year's CommonWealth Magazine Golden Service Awards, the Hotel Royal Chiao Hsi continually challenges itself to create a unique sensory experience for visitors.
No longer content to measure success in terms of cargo shipments, Kaohsiung is expanding green spaces and opening arts districts, to remake itself as a "great city to live in."
Unveiling a ticket verification system that has wowed counterparts in Europe and Japan, Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. is starting to shape a new culture of sophisticated travel in Taiwan.
Flat-lying beds, Bvlgari overnight kits, premium steak, lobster feasts… EVA Air targets the top of the pyramid, leapfrogging Singapore Airlines to become the king of airway service.
A reshuffle has taken place in many segments of Taiwan's service industry. Which tricks of the trade did the winners of this year's Golden Service Awards use to grab consumers'attention,and money?
Taiwan's high speed rail line and a highway service area earned high marks in the second CommonWealth Magazine Golden Service Awards. What's driving the trend?
In CommonWealth Magazine's recent service industry survey, Swedish home furniture giant Ikea reigned supreme in the "atmosphere" category, enticing the island's consumers with its warm, friendly, real-life ambience.
In the world of online retailing, only one question is paramount: "How to deliver the goods to the consumer as quickly as possible." At PC Home, the secret weapon is not working faster, but a 24/7, three-shifts-a-day operational culture.
E.Sun Bank was rated tops for service among financial institutions in CommonWealth Magazine's first ever Golden Service Awards. What does E.Sun know that others don't?
Taiwanese consumers were given the chance by CommonWealth Magazine to evaluate their favorite service brands for the first time. The winners were companies giving customers a deeper level of service.
In an industry where personal warmth is key, restaurant group Wowprime focuses on keeping employees content, and dishing out value that rivals find hard to match.
Grasping, and even creating, the latest lifestyle trends is what keeps President Chain Stores one step ahead of their customers, making themselves indispensable through constant improvement.
This time he's no pop star. Donning the cap of an ordinary small businessman, Ashin is spearheading one of Taiwan's most successful fashion brands. What does Stayreal say about the changing face of "Made in Taiwan?"
Many of us imagine that experts in traditional Chinese medicine live mysterious lifestyles, boiling up exotic brews, popping pills, practicing kungfu... But what are they really like?
Usher in the Year of the Tiger with a mighty constitution and a light heart. Five of Taiwan's most experienced, and long-lived, traditional physicians share the keys to a healthy tomorrow.
Taiwan's most venerable Chinese medicine practitioners reveal the dishes they depend on personally to keep themselves in good health and their bodies free of toxins.
Independent, relaxed, with a welcoming rhythm of life all its own – this once run-down area has staged a remarkable comeback, thanks to the creativity of its residents. Today its artsy atmosphere attracts the crowds, and offers surprises.
A craze for cooking classes is quietly spreading through the Taipei area. From high-end supermarkets to bookstores, from toddlers to retirees, Taiwan's gourmet industry is taking another stride toward maturity.
Father Josef Eugster spreads the word of God in a rather hands-on way – by massaging people's feet. After reflexology healed his own arthritis, he developed a groundbreaking method that has since spread from Taiwan across the world.
Two decades ago, this busy government official began suffering from an enlarged prostate, but with natural treatment and a regular lifestyle, he regained a state of health that has lasted well into his eighties.
With conventional treatments unable to get to the root of many medical problems, mainstream hospitals are increasingly embracing holistic therapies, and altering the way patients receive care.
What is so appealing about bicycling that even corporate managers found bike teams and encourage employees to join challenging cycling tours around Taiwan?
Four Taiwanese university students, once told they 'had no future', placed second in a global creativity competition, highlighting what kinds of talent will be in demand in tomorrow's Taiwan.
Across the globe, designs from Asia are captivating the imagination. Not only Westerners, but Asians themselves are eager to unlock the secrets of style from the East.
While few Taiwanese show interest in Taiwanese films, internationally recognized filmmaker Peggy Chiao aims to prove that Taiwan can put out major motion pictures that move millions.
Big-league industrialist turned would-be movie mogul, Terry Gou has changed. From computers and electronics, he is moving into content, and the sprawling dominion he has established in China is the key to his ascent.