Asia is without a doubt my favorite corner of the world. Below is a blog roll of all my posts related to traveling in Asia. You’ll find that Taiwan features the most prominently, as I’ve called it home for over 10 years, but you’ll also find articles about Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and more!
The Beitou Hot Spring (or Xinbeitou Hot Spring) area is my favorite neighborhood in Taipei City, and I’ve probably been there over 20 times. In fact, my wife and I went on our first date there after we met in Taipei in 2009! And while hot springs are the focus, meaning you’ll definitely want to …
Read moreBeitou Hot Spring & Thermal Valley: A Detailed 2021 Guide
Few people visit Hualien without falling completely in love with it. The vast east coast county is beloved for its wild scenery (including the star attraction, Taroko Gorge) and adventure activities. It is the largest county in Taiwan, though one of the least populated, and homeland of the Amis, the country’s largest aboriginal tribe. Spend …
There is a lot of confusion out there when it comes to the languages of Taiwan. Is Taiwanese the same as Mandarin? Or is Taiwanese a dialect of Chinese? What does Taiwanese sound like? Does the Taiwanese language have writing? How many people speak Taiwanese? And is this language worth learning? In this article, I’ll …
Read moreTaiwanese Language: History, Examples and More About Taiwan’s Languages
Taroko Gorge, named after the Truku or Taroko aboriginal tribe, is one of Taiwan’s premier scenic attractions. Few visit without being blown away by its sheer magnificence and raw natural beauty. It is the star attraction of Hualien, Taiwan’s largest county, on the wild visually stunning east coast. For many visitors to Taiwan with little …
Fo Guang Shan (佛光山 or Foguangshan) is one of the four large Buddhist organizations in Taiwan. The order’s headquarters, Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan, is one of Taiwan’s top attractions. The enormous, sprawling Fo Guang Shan Temple complex more than doubled in size with the 2011 addition of the Fo Guang Shan …
Read moreFo Guang Shan, Kaohsiung: How to Visit and Stay at Taiwan’s Largest Monastery
Taipei’s night markets offer the quintessential eating experience in Taiwan. In many ways, they are the embodiment of Taiwanese popular culture. Snacking and walking is truly a national pastime! What mostly started as small collections of food stalls in front of temples or at street corners around 100 years ago have slowly expanded into some …
Read more17 Best Night Markets in Taipei (+ What To Eat at Each One!)
One of the most enticing draws of Southeast Asia is the abundance of mesmerizingly gorgeous temples dotting the landscape. Shimmering with gold, dominating cityscapes, beckoning the masses to devotion – Southeast Asian temples are testaments the region’s rich colonial history, cultural diversity, religious syncretism, and piousness of its people. In this article I have …
Read more30 Southeast Asian Temples You Have to See in Your Lifetime
Is autumn a good time to visit Taiwan? I would say that it’s not just good. In fact, it is my favorite season of the year to be in Taiwan. Fall is Taiwan is characterized by pleasant, warm to cool weather and blue skies. There is little chance of rain, and it’s the perfect time …
Where should you go if only visiting Taiwan for 1-2 weeks? Most say that if you like history and culture, stick to the west coast. If you like scenery and nature, head to the east coast of Taiwan. While this is a simplistic breakdown of Taiwan’s diverse and abundant attractions, but there’s no denying that …
Read moreThe Stunning East Coast of Taiwan Part 1: Yilan to Hualien and Taroko Gorge
I’ll be covering a lot in this article, including varieties of Taiwanese tea, how to order tea from Taiwan, where to buy tea in Taipei and Taiwan, Taipei tea houses, how to brew Taiwanese tea, tea tours in Taipei, and tea-related attractions around Taiwan. Get a pencil and notepad ready! I’ve been living in …
