When Seattle resident Michael Jacobson visits Taiwan, he’s not on a foodie quest. Nor does he obsess about drinking the finest oolong tea or taking photos of the island’s vibrant temple culture. But that’s not to say he doesn’t enjoy those aspects of East Asia’s most intriguing destination. It’s rather that his deep interest in […]| Life of Taiwan
Taiwan has so many museums you could visit a different one each day and fill an entire year. Some hold vast collections of historical, artistic, or natural treasures. Others are small-scale celebrations of individuals and their achievements. The following fascinating museums have all featured in Life of Taiwan’s private tours of Taiwan. Whether you’re a […]| Life of Taiwan
Travellers heading to Taiwan’s lush eastern region have three options, broadly speaking. They can drive slowly from Hualien City to Taitung City along the sparsely populated coast. They can travel by car or train through the East Longitudinal Valley (which older sources refer to as the East Rift Valley). Or, even better, they can set […]| Life of Taiwan
Enjoy a nine-day private tour exploring the classic sights of Taiwan. Visit Taiwan's cities, mountains, and lakes while getting a taste of local cuisine and exploring vibrant cultures.| Life of Taiwan
Enjoy a five-day private tour exploring the classic sights of Taiwan. Visit Taiwan's cities, mountains, and lakes while getting a taste of local cuisine and exploring vibrant cultures.| Life of Taiwan
Thanks to its position astride the Tropic of Cancer and plentiful rainfall, Taiwan is a place where foliage and flowers of all kinds thrive. Wherever land is left undeveloped and untilled, wildflowers quickly establish themselves, adding a range of colours to a natural environment that already features every possible shade of green. Many Taiwanese are […]| Life of Taiwan
The recent arrival of Typhoon Danas, which made landfall in southwestern Taiwan on the night of July 6–7, serves to remind everyone thinking of visiting Asia’s most enthralling island in the summertime there’s a risk that rainfall will interfere with their itinerary. Many people explore places like Tamsui and Jiufen in wet weather and have […]| Life of Taiwan
The historic former capital of Tainan and the gorgeous highlands around Alishan are two of the most-requested and most popular destinations among Life of Taiwan’s erudite clients. Getting from the former to the latter, most travellers take the freeway and then Highway 18 up into the hills. But there’s a rewarding alternative for those with […]| Life of Taiwan
Taiwan’s North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area presents the very best of the northern tip of Asia’s most exciting destination. Offering a captivating blend of dramatic geology, breathtaking ocean views, and rich cultural experiences, ‘Northguan’ as it’s sometimes called promotes two patches of terrain. One is just across the river from the historic town […]| Life of Taiwan
We’re sometimes asked by those who book our bespoke private guided tours of Taiwan: ‘What do we need to bring?’ It’s an entirely reasonable question, as many of our clients have never set foot on the island and they’re intelligent enough to realise that — while Taiwan is quite similar in certain respects to China […]| Life of Taiwan
Enjoy a private classic tour of Taiwan exploring the must-see sights of the beautiful island. Visit Taiwan's cities, mountains, and lakes while getting a taste of local cuisine and exploring vibrant cultures.| Life of Taiwan
Explore your options for Day-Trip Destinations Around Taipei, Taiwan.| Life of Taiwan
Taiwan has never served as a venue for the Olympic Games but it has successfully hosted a number of major international sporting events. In 2009 the southern harbour city of Kaohsiung did a superb job welcoming the 8th World Games (an Olympics-style event featuring sports that aren’t part of the summer or winter Olympics) and the […]| Life of Taiwan
It isn’t hard to see why Yehliu Geopark is one of Taiwan’s most-visited attractions. Close enough to central Taipei to make day-tripping viable, this 1.7 km-long (just over 1 mile) peninsula is packed with a beguiling and highly photogenic collection of caves, fairy chimneys, grooves, honeycombed outcrops, pot-holes, overhangs, and weathered sand-coloured rocks that bear […]| Life of Taiwan
Taiwanese people of Han Chinese descent tend to have three-syllable names, one syllable being a family name (usually but not always inherited from the father) while two syllables make up the given name or what English-speakers would call the first name. No more than one in 20 citizens has a single-syllable given name; fewer than […]| Life of Taiwan
Welcome to Taiwan, a destination that offers a delightful blend of natural beauty, vibrant culture, fabulous food, and unmatched hospitality. In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through the top-notch hotels and resorts that cater to discerning travellers who seek a luxurious escape in Taiwan. On a Life of Taiwan private tour of […]| Life of Taiwan
In Taiwan, drinking revolves around food. There’s no pairing tradition like that in the West which recommends Cabernet Sauvignon and steak or Chablis and oysters, yet very few drinks are imbibed without some kind of solid food. During the warmer months, cold beer goes well with flavourful dishes like three-cup chicken (so called because it’s […]| Life of Taiwan
Even if you sign up for one of our all-inclusive private guided tours of Taiwan, it’s almost certain you’ll step inside one of the island’s many convenience shops. There are more than 13,000 of them or (according to one calculation) one for every 1,562 residents. The two main chains are 7-Eleven and Family Mart, both […]| Life of Taiwan
When a chance to travel almost anywhere in world landed on her lap, Maretta Delacruz didn’t hesitate to choose a Taiwan tour. Find out why here!| Life of Taiwan
Explore Kaohsiung: A Day Filled with Hidden Gems Whether you’re concluding a journey through Taiwan’s unspoiled east or wrapping up an exploration of historic Tainan, a day in Kaohsiung before your departure is a treasure trove of unique experiences. While Kaohsiung may not have the international fame of Taroko Gorge or Taipei 101, it offers […]| Life of Taiwan
Modern Taiwanese culture blends Chinese, Austronesian, Japanese and Western influences. Find out more about the culture and festivals in Taiwan.| Life of Taiwan
Experience a Natural Wonders Tour of Taiwan's stunning landscape and luscious environment. This private, customizable tour allows you the option to explore lava rock caves, hot springs, narrow gorges, staggeringly-steep jungle-laden mountains, and a coastline rimmed alternately by sheer cliffs and white sand beaches.| Life of Taiwan
Enjoy a private Taiwan Food Tour tasting a variety of traditional Taiwanese snacks, teas, and delicious meals. Get a taste of local food and explore the vibrant cultures while visiting Taiwan's diverse cities, mountains, and lakes.| Life of Taiwan
Learn about the island, people, and culture of Taiwan. A semi-tropical island in East Asia, Taiwan is one of the world’s most exciting and rapidly changing regions. Check out our comprehensive guide to learn about Taiwan and the beautiful features of this island.| Life of Taiwan
We at Life of Taiwan know that nothing is more crucial to our success than the quality and abilities of our guides. In addition to being fully licensed for guiding and also for driving tourists, we require at least five years’ guiding experience in Taiwan, impeccable English (preferably polished through a period spent living abroad) […]| Life of Taiwan
Few places in Taiwan have benefitted more from a single piece of transport infrastructure than Yilan County in the northeast. The completion in 2006 of Freeway 5, the motorway that connects the county with Taipei, brought attractions like the National Centre for Traditional Arts and the King Car Kavalan Distillery within easy day-tripping distance of […]| Life of Taiwan
Taiwanese are famous for their industriousness. Thanks to their efforts, since World War II the island’s economy has been transformed from one which depended on agriculture to a powerhouse of manufacturing and technology. Not everyone is obsessed with work and business, however. As Taiwan has grown richer, its people have learned to appreciate the importance […]| Life of Taiwan
Welcome to Taiwan, a land rich in cultural diversity and vibrant tradition. Following centuries of Han Chinese migration to the island, indigenous people account for just one-fortieth of the population of 23.4 million — yet the Austronesian tribes which have called Taiwan home for thousands of years have left their mark on every facet of […]| Life of Taiwan
When a Taiwanese person talks about meat, they usually mean pork. If you spend a week or two in Taiwan, there’s a very high chance you’ll sample some of the island’s most popular pork-based dishes, such as braised minced pork over rice, spare rib and daikon soup (in case you don’t know, daikon is a […]| Life of Taiwan
Taiwan is one of the world’s most tolerant and religiously diverse societies. The majority of its nearly 24 million follow a mix of popular religion, Buddhism, and Taoism. Many of the gods and goddesses they worship are also venerated on the Chinese mainland and by ethnic Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. Some practise a ‘purer’ […]| Life of Taiwan
One of East Taiwan’s major attractions is fully reopening to the public today (February 5, 2024) following more than a year of inspections and repairs that were made necessary by the earthquake which shook the region near the end of 2022. The distinctive eight-arch footbridge at Sanxiantai (‘Terraces of the Three Immortals’, a name with […]| Life of Taiwan
Because there’s so much to see and do in Taiwan — stunning mountains, intricate temples, and delicious food — it can be hard to find time to shop for gifts and souvenirs. Nonetheless, clients who sign up for Life of Taiwan private guided tours sometimes ask us what’s good to buy here and which places […]| Life of Taiwan