Let’s go for a scooter ride! In Taiwan, in the city! Sound a little scary, perhaps? Well, there are a lot of folks already out there, puttering away on their scooters. You should see rush hour in Taipei, for example. You may be overwhelmed by all the office workers on their motorscooters rushing home, or wherever. Why the popularity of scooters for commuting? Well, one reason is, in traffic clogged Taipei, car drivers have to pay for parking (sometimes expensive) and motorscooter owners don’t have to pay! Let’s take a closer look at some of the 10,000,000 (that’s right 10 million) motorcycles (scooters, whatever!) on the streets and roads of Taiwan. Beep, beep!
There are only 7 kinds of cypress trees in the world, scattered across North America, Japan and Taiwan.
The red cypress and the yellow cypress can be found in Taiwan’s national parks and forests. These specimens are considered to be national treasures and are called the “tree of god” by the Taiwanese. These trees like humidity (wetness) and fog so that’s where they mostly grow. There are some really old trees here… like over 1,000 years old! Come on along on our video tour for some tree hugging amid spectacular scenery.
Woodcarving is an art form almost as old as civilization itself. In fact it may pre-date civilization—but who would know? Pre-civilized man (or woman) didn’t write down much about his or her woodcarving activities. Or maybe they did… and it just rotted away. Anyway… Shanyi village in Taiwan is recognized as the “home of woodcarving”. And, as with many arts, there’s both a traditional approach and the modern approach; both can be found in this artists’ village. The quality of the work there is so high that it has attracted worldwide attention, and it’s now a big tourist attraction. Don’t you want to come along on this video tour and see what takes shape from regular old tree parts? You won’t believe your eyes.
Flags and symbols—the world identity of many countries is defined by those traditional markers. While all countries have their flag, many countries are also represented by a symbol, if not officially, then in the minds of most people. The bald eagle for the U.S., the bear for Russia, maybe the panda for mainland China, you get the idea. What do you think the symbol for Taiwan might be? We’re waiting… OK, stumped, are you? OK, here’s a hint. Remember the cartoon character Popeye’s favorite saying? Don’t remember? Does this ring a bell? “I yam what I yam!” And no, it’s not spinach. Just watch the video to find out, please.
As we mentioned, there are many ways to get around Taiwan. But if you choose to drive (or walk), you will need to know about the road signs and traffic directions, like in any country. Otherwise, oops, big trouble. Luckily, the road signage in Taiwan is quite easy to understand, but some basic rules apply. Learn the shapes, colors, arrows and symbols right here. It’s really easy, and will prepare you for your trip to the cities of this enchanting island. Did we mention the road sign for an owl crossing? You may need to know that one, too!
What’s the best place for teenagers to “hang out” in Taipei? We just knew you were asking yourself that question. With fashion shows, costume parties, street performers, outdoor concerts, movies, and much more, the Ximentin entertainment area in Taipei has most of want they are looking for. It’s all about the latest trends in fashion, food, fun and places for meeting other teens, especially on weekends. If you’re past your teen years, well, you can check it out on our video. You may wish your town had an area like Ximentin, if only to send your teens there.