Temples are a part of the beauty of Taiwan. The truth, goodness, and beauty of religious belief are developing in diverse ways in Taiwan. Religious convictions and works of compassion have become vital components of daily life. In temples, you can see devotees deep in meditation expressing their belief that religion is a vital life-force, the source of inspiration and of unlimited hope and light. The Taiwanese believe in polytheism. The practice of ancestor worship is handed down to generations and form part of local customs. It is a distinctive trait of Taiwan’s religious culture.

Exploring this beautiful island with all its wonderful people and stories is almost too moving to describe sometimes… And one of these stories is the spirit of religion and service to others that drives many people in Taiwan. Hsieh Chin-jung studied the ‘fire dragon’ concept in Chinese traditional medicine, deriving his own form of ‘fire treatment’ which has become an independent branch of folk medical treatment in Taiwan…

The traditional blue shirt, carefully hand-tailored and trimmed just enough to fit the wearer, reflects the frugality, sober tastes, and diligence of the Hakka as well as their obstinate attachment to traditions.

Sculptor Ju Ming is more than just a premier master among contemporary artists in Taiwan. His reputation has already spread far beyond the boundaries of Taiwan to the corners of the world. All through his life he has labored to put his thoughts into the forms and faces of his sculptures, many of which can be found here in his ‘intimate’ garden here at Juming Museum.

The beautiful historic monuments have gone through the fires of history to turn into Kinmen’s special treasures. The excellence of Kinmen Kaoliang has given this island a warm and hopeful future, and launched it onto the world stage as the pride of Taiwan, spreading its fragrance to each place inhabited by ethnic Chinese.

Here you will find one of Taiwan’s most distinctive products – the exquisitely handcrafted and beautifully colored ‘oil-paper’ umbrellas of Meinong.

Budaixi is the name of Taiwan’s traditional hand puppet theater. A typical Budaixi performance integrates the local language, traditional music, colorful clothing, and hand puppetry art that have been handed down through generations. Budaixi is now one of the symbols of Taiwan culture.

The building which now houses The Spot was formerly the residence of the US Ambassador to the ROC, and before that it served as the US Consulate. Going even further back in time, we find that it was once leased by the Japanese colonial administration to the US as a consulate. It was originally designed by a Japanese architect who studied architecture in the US, and there are quite a few features that reflect this American heritage. It’s a very representative sample of colonial architecture from the American South.

A lot of places in Taiwan that are ideal for bicycle riding are being developed into routes that will be highly popular tourist areas. That means all of you out there who like getting out on your ‘iron horses’, as they’re called in Chinese, will have even safer and more interesting places to go.

Taiwanese Opera is a very distinct part of Taiwan’s culture, and it is also the only dramatic form to have developed entirely on the island of Taiwan. With a history of more than a century, the art traces its roots back to the countryside when farmers were able to take a break from their labors and enjoy a bit of entertainment. Emerging from the shadow of other popular forms of entertainment like Peking Opera, Gao-jia Opera, Beiguan and Nanguan and New Opera, it has grown to be a full form of artistic expression in its own right in Taiwan.

Come with us to Sanyi Township in Miaoli County, known as the home of Taiwan’s traditional wood carving industry. Since 1918 tourists have traveled here to watch wood carvers at work, and many young visitors have been inspired to take up wood carving as a result.

Taiwan is a beautiful island located in the Western Pacific off the coast of China. The island is home to a surprising mixture of different peoples, of which native or indigenous peoples make up two percent. Each of the 14 indigenous tribes has its own culture, languages, customs and social structure --- and their clothes are one area in which the differences between the tribes can be readily seen.

In 1952, twelve foreign missionaries of the Camillian Order came to Taiwan and started visiting remote villages to provide medical services to the sick. They eventually established the St. Mary’s Hospital in Luodong Township in Yilan County. Throughout these years, Camillian missionaries have put into practice the Order’s ideal of being “Servants of the Sick.” They have never returned to their homelands, have become deeply Taiwanese, and spent their lives serving the people of their new country.

Taiwan’s respect for tradition means that valuable practices and customs are maintained and preserved for many years. This includes many companies which have been passed on from generation to generation of family members, carrying on the skills and knowledge of the old masters. There are many established food stores such as bakeries which have been in operation for more than a hundred years, following the same methods and practices that their predecessors developed before them. They not only play a key role in holidays and festivals throughout the year in Taiwan, they are also beginning to reach out and extend their products to markets outside of Taiwan as well.

“Here! Have some tea!” that’s a phrase you hear a lot here in Taiwan. Brewing a pot of fresh tea is an essential part of hospitality toward guests. Whether you’re entertaining at home or greeting someone in your office, the best way to say “Welcome” is with hot, fragrant tea.