When traveling abroad, beverage expenses can add up more than expected. Staying hydrated is essential, especially during hot seasons in China and Taiwan. However, by borrowing wisdom from locals, you can significantly reduce your drink expenses while immersing yourself deeper in the local culture. Today, I’ll introduce a smart and economical way to travel by […]
Driving Taiwan’s most scenic Suhua Highway! The Suhua Highway (Route 9) is the main artery connecting eastern Taiwan from north to south. This road, running between the Pacific Ocean and towering cliffs, was once called “Taiwan’s most dangerous road.” While the opening of new sections and safety improvements have made it popular as a scenic
View this post on Instagram In Hualien City, eastern Taiwan, there’s a Starbucks store that stands out as a special presence among the thousands of Starbucks locations worldwide. This is the “Starbucks Hualien Bay Gate Store” (洄瀾門市店) in Hualien County, eastern Taiwan. Built from 29 shipping containers, this store opened in 2019 as Asia’s first
Mysterious bagged fruits frequently seen while driving along the Hualien-Taitung Valley Highway While driving through eastern Taiwan, I noticed unfamiliar orchards spreading along the roadside. Trees covered with nets bore green fruits about the size of soccer balls. Upon investigation, I discovered these were “shakatou” (釈迦頭), a famous fruit from eastern Taiwan. Known as Sugar
Xiaomijiu (millet wine) that I introduced in a previous article. This time, I’ll be sharing creative cocktails made with this traditional wine. “Xiaomijiu” (小米酒) is a traditional wine brewed by Taiwan’s indigenous people. Made from millet, this alcoholic beverage features a distinctive sweetness and richness, representing Taiwan’s traditional culture. The brewing methods, passed down through
In my previous article, I introduced the experience of savoring “Chishang Rice,” the premium brand rice from “Chishang Township,” Taiwan’s premier rice-growing region. It turns out there’s a way to enjoy the pastoral landscape where this delicious rice grows more freely and up close. That’s the electric buggy experience on “Brown Avenue” that I’ll be
I visited Chishang Township in Taitung County, home of Taiwan’s premier brand rice “Chishang Rice.” “Taiwan also has delicious rice, you know.” This is what a friend living in Taitung told me when I was planning a trip to eastern Taiwan. Indeed, as visitors from rice-growing regions, we tend to associate Taiwan primarily with noodle
In my previous article, I introduced the traditional performance at the Bunun Tribe Leisure Farm. We were deeply moved by the powerful singing and the magnificent stage that beautifully merged tradition with modernity. However, the facility’s appeal extends far beyond that. In this article, I’d like to introduce the various experience spots, shops, and cafes
Recently, I embarked on a 400km cross-country drive from Taitung to Taipei in Taiwan. During this journey, I realized that Taiwan’s traffic conditions differ significantly from what I was accustomed to. While the route may look simple on a map, there are various important considerations when actually driving. In this article, I’ll share the unique
“I want to drive along the east coast from Taitung to Taipei.” This was the first plan that came to mind when planning my trip to eastern Taiwan. However, in Taiwan’s eastern region, trains and buses are limited, making it difficult to sightsee effectively using public transportation alone. That’s why renting a car became an