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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.
Join an immersive exploration of the eco-friendly wonders of Sun Moon Lake, learning from the lake's natural beauty and cultural significance to the Thao people living there through eco-friendly travel choices.
During the Chinese New Year, Taipei becomes a hub of activity, with locals flocking to markets for traditional shopping sprees, notably at Nanmen Market. As the Year of the Dragon approaches, Nanmen Market emerges as a focal point for those seeking the festive fervor of niánhuò, offering an array of dried snacks, decorative couplets, and other auspicious items.
With the approach of the 2024 Lunar New Year, Commonwealth summarizes some taboos and New Year blessings that play a crucial role in the festival's observance. These traditional beliefs and practices ensure good luck, prosperity, and the avoidance of misfortune.
Taiwan welcomes the end of the year and ushers in a delightful array of sweet and savory rice cakes, integral to the Lunar New Year's celebrations. These dishes are not just treats to the palate; they are laden with hopes of prosperity and abundance for the year ahead.
In an era where traditional art forms are rapidly vanishing, Taiwanese glove puppetry stands as a vibrant testament to cultural resilience and evolution. At the forefront of this cultural preservation is Robin Ruizendaal, a Dutch scholar and puppetry enthusiast whose passion for Taiwanese puppetry extends beyond mere appreciation to active preservation and innovation.
In the heart of Taiwan's majestic Taroko National Park, the Zhuilu Old Road weaves a tale of natural beauty and historical intrigue. This iconic trail, balancing on the edge of a sheer marble cliff, offers more than just a hike; it's an adventure steeped in cultural heritage and exhilarating challenges.
Lunar New Year's Eve in Taiwan, where families gather to prepare a feast symbolizing luck, wealth, and prosperity. Key dishes include fish, representing surplus and luck; sycee-shaped dumplings for wealth; rice cakes for rising fortunes; and the central hot pot symbolizing family reunion.
Exploring the rich history and rejuvenating experience of Beitou's hot springs, a short metro ride from downtown Taipei. The area, part of the volcanic Datun Volcano Group, is known for its therapeutic hot springs, fumaroles, and sulfur pits. Visitors can explore Beitou Park, enjoy the scenic views, and learn about the area's unique geological features, such as the Thermal Valley and more.
Ximending, a vibrant shopping district in Taipei, is renowned for its fusion of trendy and traditional elements, drawing comparisons to Shibuya, Harajuku, and Times Square.
Welcome to Taipei, the vibrant capital city of Taiwan, where towering skyscrapers and bustling streets make for an electrifying cityscape. Amidst this urban jungle, Guandu (關渡) is a tranquil sanctuary where you can truly breathe and connect with nature while immersing yourself in the local culture.
Dive into Taipei's exceptional culinary scene in this article. Lin Hanching, a local food expert, reveals the city's diverse and vibrant food culture, offering something for every palate, from street stalls to high-end dining.
This article explores Taipei's autumn barbecue tradition, tracing its origins and introducing three distinct barbecue styles: Mongolian, Japanese, and Korean. What are the tips for a DIY Taiwanese barbecue?
Discover the magical convergence of Taiwan's indigenous cultures and Hualien's scenic beauty at the East Rift Valley Festival, just a stone's throw away from Taipei. This festival showcases the cultural richness of Hualien and Taitung, serving as a bridge between different races in Taiwan.
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.
Why does Taipei seem to be stuck in the 1950s? Compared to Hong Kong or Shanghai, Taipei is "not modern at all", but behind it lies the secret of Taiwan's competitiveness.
Welcome to Taipei, a city that epitomizes the essence of a subtropical summer — hot, humid, and bursting with a festive atmosphere. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Taipei offers a plethora of activities and delights to suit your preferences.
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?
When describing Taipei’s architectural gems, the focus usually rests on ornate temples or Japanese-era buildings. What many don’t realize is that modern architecture also has a place in the city’s aesthetic landscape.
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.
How much is the right amount to give in a “red envelope” for New Year’s in Taiwan? What taboos and pitfalls are there to look out for? CommonWealth has a comprehensive guide for you.
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?
The nights of Taipei will be ablaze with festive light from February 5th to the 19th, 2023, with the staging of the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taipei (台灣燈會在台北). What will be the highlights of Taipei’s first major international tourism post-COVID?
On a tour along hunting trails guided by the indigenous Bunun tribe hunters, the prize is not prey, but the entire magnificent Huadong Rift Valley. Travel is expanded beyond sightseeing.
Yuan Yung-cheng set a milestone as the first home-grown Taiwanese to become a pro soccer player in Europe when he signed with a Spanish club in 2021. What was behind this unprecedented feat and can Yuan overcome the challenges he still faces?
Every winter, Taipei decks itself in golden light for two separate yet equally spectacular celebrations: the Lunar New Year and the Lantern Festival. Especially during the Lantern Festival, many stunning illuminations and alluring light installations can be spotted on the streets, adding a unique and lively atmosphere to Taipei's nights.
Bald cypress trees, which grow tall and comparatively thin, turn russet red, golden yellow, and tawny brown in late November. In this article we shall take you on a quick tour through public transportation of some of Taipei’s prime destinations to indulge in the natural sceneries.
Centuries ago, when the Portuguese explorers first sailed by, they were not wrong when they dubbed Taiwan “Ilha Formosa,” meaning The Beautiful Island. A true emerald isle, Taiwan's natural beauty has long been highly reputed, and throughout history legions have been struck by its magnificence. Even in modern times, much of this natural beauty is preserved, and the enduring spirit of Formosa remains.
The sound of firecrackers, the smell of incense, and the sight of the vibrant embroidered banners are one of the most fascinating aspects of these processions are the Ba Jia Jiang (八家將, Eight Generals) in Taiwanese temple procession. But what are the history and traditions behind?
Outdoorsy people typically like to partake of activities such as hiking, biking, swimming and surfing. In Taipei, there is one more choice they can add to that list — birdwatching.
Taipei is a dynamic metropolis where tradition and modernity live in harmonious integration. The city is home to a legion of large, bright, and colorful malls and high-street stores, and at the same time home to an almost countless number of proud old family-run shops that have deep roots in their local communities and reputations that reach across the city and, often, far beyond.
Around the world, summer is the time for fun in the sun. It’s a time when people emerge from winter hibernation to thaw out their stiff bodies and work on their tan. Taipei City boasts a diverse range of green spaces, world-class hiking trails, and riverside parks, making it a remarkable place to call home and a hospitable destination to visit. However, the relentless summer humidity can seem overwhelming at times, forcing the unaccustomed to seek refuge indoors. If you are one of those who are after some refreshing alternatives, we have five cool outdoor places for you to chill out this summer. Ranging from peaceful jaunts to historic mountain trails to fun for all ages at the downtown waterparks, our list caters to the whole family.
Cui Jian’s latest album “A Flying Dog” won a 2022 Golden Melody Award, an indication that China’s aging rock ‘n’ roll pioneer still has it. In an exclusive interview with CommonWealth Magazine from Beijing, he shares what has kept him going so long.