Getting to know Taiwan
Plain-English explainers for anyone curious about Taiwan — what it is, why it matters, and how to experience it.
Is Taiwan a Country? A Clear, Balanced Explainer
Taiwan governs itself, holds its own elections and issues its own passports — yet its formal status is one of the most debated questions in world politics. Here is what is actually going on.
Why Taiwan Matters to the World
A small island of 23 million people sits at the centre of the global economy, one of Asia’s strongest democracies, and some of the most important questions in geopolitics. Here is why the world watches Taiwan.
Taiwan at a Glance: Facts, Figures and Fast Answers
The essentials on Taiwan — where it is, who lives there, what language people speak, the currency, the capital and more, in one quick reference.
Taiwan Travel Guide: First-Timer Essentials
Everything a first-time visitor needs to know about travelling in Taiwan — when to go, how to get around, what to eat, and where to start.
Taiwanese Food: A Beginner’s Guide
From beef noodle soup to bubble tea and the night-market classics — what to eat in Taiwan, and where to start.
Getting Around Taiwan: A Transport Guide
High-speed rail, metros, buses and the one card that does it all — how to travel Taiwan easily and cheaply.
Notable Taiwanese: in-depth profiles
Shu Qi: From Taiwan to the International Screen
Shu Qi is an acclaimed Taiwanese actress who rose to international stardom acros…
Jody Chiang: The Queen of Taiwanese Song
Jody Chiang is the beloved 'Queen of Taiwanese-language song', whose voice defin…
Ju Ming: The Sculptor of the Taichi Series
Ju Ming was one of Asia's most renowned sculptors, famous for his powerful Taich…
Tsai Ming-liang: A Master of Slow Cinema
Tsai Ming-liang is one of world cinema's most distinctive auteurs, known for his…
Wei Te-sheng: The Director Who Revived Taiwanese Cinema
Wei Te-sheng's blockbuster films revived Taiwan's film industry and told epic st…
Pai Hsien-yung: Master of Modern Chinese Literature
Pai Hsien-yung is one of the most important modern Chinese-language writers and …
Kuo Hsing-chun: Taiwan's Olympic Weightlifting Champion
Kuo Hsing-chun won Olympic gold in weightlifting and set world records, becoming…
Sadaharu Oh: The Home Run King of Taiwanese Heritage
Sadaharu Oh, who holds Chinese (ROC) nationality through his Taiwanese father, i…
Chi Po-lin: The Man Who Showed Taiwan From Above
Chi Po-lin's aerial documentary revealed Taiwan's beauty and environmental wound…
Hou Hsiao-hsien: The Master of Taiwanese Cinema
Hou Hsiao-hsien is one of world cinema's most revered directors and a leader of …
Yuan T. Lee: Taiwan's First Nobel Laureate
Yuan T. Lee won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry and became a leading figure in Taiw…
Wu Pao-chun: From Poverty to World Champion Baker
Wu Pao-chun rose from a poor rural childhood to win a world championship of baki…
Teresa Teng: The Voice That United a Divided World
Teresa Teng was one of the most beloved singers in Asian history, her gentle voi…
Chen Shu-chu: The Vegetable Seller Who Gave Millions
Chen Shu-chu, a humble vegetable vendor in Taitung, quietly donated a fortune to…
Lung Ying-tai: Writer, Critic and Taiwan's First Culture Minister
Lung Ying-tai is one of the Chinese-speaking world's most influential essayists …
Jay Chou: The King of Mandopop
Jay Chou transformed Mandarin pop music with his fusion of hip-hop, R&B and Chin…
Tai Tzu-ying: The Artist of Badminton
Tai Tzu-ying spent a record number of weeks ranked world number one in badminton…
Sanmao: The Wandering Writer Who Captured a Generation
The writer Sanmao enchanted readers across the Chinese-speaking world with tales…
Morris Chang: The Man Who Built Taiwan's Chip Empire
Morris Chang founded TSMC and pioneered the foundry model that reshaped the glob…
Jeremy Lin: From Linsanity to NBA Champion
Jeremy Lin, a Taiwanese-American, took the basketball world by storm with 'Linsa…
Jason Wu: The Taiwanese Designer Who Dressed a First Lady
Jason Wu shot to global fame when a US first lady wore his gown to the inaugural…
Wang Chien-min: A Veteran of Taiwanese Television
The actor and television host Wang Chien-min was a familiar face to Taiwanese au…
Chen Wei-yin: Taiwan's Trailblazing Pitcher
Chen Wei-yin built a distinguished career pitching in both Japan and Major Leagu…
Wang Chien-ming: The Pitcher Who Became Taiwan's Pride
Wang Chien-ming rose from Tainan to stardom with the New York Yankees, becoming …
In-depth: understanding Taiwan
Beyond the Main Island: Taiwan's Outlying Islands
Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, Green Island and more — Taiwan's outlying islands offer b…
Lessons From an Island: Taiwan's Pandemic Response
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan drew global attention for its early, effect…
Soaking in Taiwan: The Island's Hot Spring Culture
Sitting on a volcanic and tectonic hotspot, Taiwan is one of the world's great h…
Money Matters: The New Taiwan Dollar and the Island's Economy
The New Taiwan Dollar is the currency of one of Asia's most advanced economies. …
Above the Clouds: Taiwan's High-Mountain Tea Culture
Taiwan's high-mountain oolong teas are prized around the world. A look at the te…
Taiwan's Festivals: Sky Lanterns, Dragon Boats and Lantern Nights
From the Pingxi sky lanterns to dragon boat races and the Lantern Festival, Taiw…
Study Hard: Taiwan's Education System and Cram Schools
Taiwan's education system is known for high achievement and intense competition,…
A First in Asia: How Taiwan Legalised Same-Sex Marriage
In 2019 Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. The…
The Sound of an Island: Mandopop and Taiwan's Music Scene
Taiwan has long been the creative heart of Mandarin-language pop music, home to …
Gods, Temples and Pilgrims: Taiwan's Folk Religion
From the Mazu pilgrimage to neighbourhood temples, folk religion shapes daily li…
From Bean to Cup: Taiwan's Coffee and Cafe Culture
Taiwan has developed a sophisticated coffee culture and even grows its own high-…
Riding the Rails: Taiwan's High-Speed Rail and Metro Systems
Taiwan's High Speed Rail links the island's west coast in under two hours, while…
Making a Home: A Newcomer's Guide to Living in Taiwan
Safe, affordable and welcoming, Taiwan has become a popular destination for stud…
Taiwan Cinema: From the New Wave to Ang Lee
Taiwanese cinema has produced globally acclaimed directors and films, from the N…
The Languages of Taiwan: Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka and More
Taiwan is home to a rich mix of languages, from Mandarin and Taiwanese Hokkien t…
A Bowl of Comfort: Taiwan's Beef Noodle Soup and Signature Dishes
From beef noodle soup to stinky tofu and oyster omelettes, Taiwan's signature di…
Islands Within an Island: Taiwan's Convenience Store Culture
With one of the highest densities of convenience stores in the world, Taiwan has…
Beyond the Foundries: Taiwan's Startup and Innovation Scene
Taiwan is famous for semiconductors, but a growing startup and innovation ecosys…
A Mountainous Island: Taiwan's National Parks and Hiking
Much of Taiwan is covered in steep, forested mountains, home to spectacular nati…
Play Ball: Why Baseball Is Taiwan's National Sport
Baseball is Taiwan's most beloved sport, a passion inherited from history and ca…