What is taiwan known for

Taipei 101
This building is a skyscraper standing at 101 floors with the fastest elevators in the world that can travel ninety floors in only thirty-seven seconds.
With so many storeys, it features different usages. Parking lots from B2 to B4, shopping centers from B1 to the fourth floor and financial centers on the fifth floor. The sixth to the eightieth floor are occupied by business offices and a VIP Club is available on the eighty-fifth floor.

One can enjoy fine services and cuisines in restaurants located from the eighty-sixth to the eighty-eighth floor. Taipei 101 also features an Indoor Observatory (89th floor) and an Outdoor Observatory (91st floor), both offering 360-degree views of Taipei's landscape. It is an attraction well known to people from around the world.

Yang Ming Shan National Park
Yang Ming Shan is all about relaxation and recuperation. It is the first place which Taipei citizens will think of visiting when stressed out or feeling run down. They are well known for their sulphur hot spring bathe. The area is also dotted with a few hot spring resorts.

Food
The Taiwan cuisines are also to die for. Famous delicacies such as oyster omelets to fried rice noodles, tempura, Tainan Tan-tze noodles, Taiwanese spring rolls, rice tube pudding, and braised pork rice can be found easily, making people spoilt for choices.

Shopping
Taiwan is a shopping haven that caters to people of different ages and tastes. Tourists never leave the place feeling disappointed. There are many shopping centers located in Taipei alone, including huge mega malls that would take more than a day to explore.

Xi Men Ding, i one of the well known area that is crowded by visitors for its abundant shops and restaurants. Many celebrities choose to hold concerts and events at the Xi Men Ding Walking Street. It features a wide array of fashion clothing and accessories in various styles and similar to Shibuya in Japan, both which are famed for a diversity of entertainments and activities. It is often a gathering site for young people and has always been considered the most fashionable and popular shopping place in Taiwan.

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Leisure programms

Entertainments

Cinemas
Watching movies is one of the popular leisure activities within the Taiwanese, especially for couples and friends. Taiwanese watch more films per year, per capita, than any other people in the world does. Its cinemas also screen many films, with three to five shows screened per day. Both local and foreign films are screened each week with Chinese subtitles for English movies and vice verse.

Nightlife
Taipei's nightlife is as busy as in the day. There are abundant night activities to keep one entertained till the break of dawn. Common nightspots such as piano bars, music lounges and clubs can be found everywhere. Drinking is also a form to "let loose" and enjoy after a day of hard work.

KTVs
KTVs also know as karaoke bars is a favourite from of entertainment for the Taiwanese people. KTVs are elegantly decorated to attract their customers. They can enjoy their private singing session with a group of friends while accompanied by food and drinks at the same time.

Sports

Golf
Golf is a major sport in Taiwan and is considered the oldest organized sport there. Most of the golf clubs opens all year round for the locals to enjoy or hold business entertainment.

Tennis
Tennis is another fast growing sport in Taiwan. There is an abundance of tennis courts just in Taipei alone, be it public or private. This sport is also a main co-curriculum activity in most schools.

Martial Arts
This type of sport comes in many forms. It is common for the Taiwanese to be out at dawn exercising in parks and streets of Taipei. Martial arts includes Tai Ji, yoga as well as sword dances all which are popular among the more elder people.

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Festivals

The Chinese festivals are celebrated by the Taiwanese as a tradition and a leisure activity at the same time. While enjoying the festive seasons, it is a good way to preserve the traditional way of celebration as well.

Chinese New Year

Just like any Chinese dominated countries, the biggest event on the calendar would be Chinese New year. It makes the beginning of spring which is a festival of renewal. Every family will d spring cleaning and feast with food.

On New Year ever, families get together for reunion dinner. The new year begins in the amidst noise of firecrackers. Children and elders receive red packets called "Hong Bao" which contains money in it. Chinese will also visit the temple and gather to pay respect to the gods.

Lantern Festival

When the New Year season officially ends two weeks later, its closure is celebrated with Lantern Festival. Temples and parks in every cities are lit up with lights and lanterns. The dazzling festival is further enriched by lantern riddle parties held on that night. In addition to this, Lantern festivals is also celebrated by eating Tang Yuan, a symbol of family unity.

Earth God Day

Every year, the 2nd day of the second month on the Lunar calendar is set aside to worship earth gods. People lay out special offering to gods in their local temples. Taoist temples usually hold more extravagant celebrations.

Dragon Boat Festival

This festival falls on the 5th day of the fifth month in lunar calendar. Its origin came about when the famous poet Chu Yuan drowned himself in the river. People rush in their boat to save him but failed. Later on, they throw rice to the fishes in hope that they would not feed on his body. Since then, this culture have been passed down till today. Dragon boat race is a highlight of the festivals and during that day, people eat rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves to commemorate his death.

Ghost Month

On the seventh month of the lunar calendar, it is believed that the gates of the underworld are open and spirits are free to roam around earth. During that period, people burn spirit money to appease the spirits and make special offerings to their departed kin.
In Taiwan, Ghost Festival is passed by slaughtering a pigs or sheep. Huge portions of wine and meat is offered to their ancestors and spirits from the underworld.

Mid-Autumn Festival

The most romantic festival in the Chinese culture is perhaps the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is held on the full moon of the eighth month and is celebrated with eating mooncakes and pomelos while appreciating the beauty of the full moon. Recently, outdoor barbecues have also become a popular activity during the festival and is oftenly an occasion for family gatherings

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Language and mode of education

Languages
The official language for Taiwan is mandarin Chinese also called "Guo Yu" (national language) by the locals. Mandarin is used and understood by the majority of the population in Taiwan.

However, many Taiwanese are descendant of southern Fujianese, thus Holo is widely spoken. The language is used by 73% of people in Taiwan. For most people, Mandarin is the language used in workplace while Holo are usually spoken within family and friends.

A small percentage of the people speaks the Hakka language. Although the language still survives in Hakka communities, proficiency in Hakka has been decreasing among young people.

Not to forget about the indigenous people who have their own indigenous language classified as Formosan languages. However, native speakers of indigenous languages are decreasing in numbers as new generations who grow up in cities are not fluent in their ancestral language.

Some elderly people who were born before 1940 could speak some Japanese due to the Japanese rule in the past. English is also learned in Taiwan and is part of the regular school curriculum.


Mode of education
Taiwan possesses a flexible education system, depending on students' need. In addition to a nine year compulsory education, a variety of options are available to enter senior high schools, colleges and university , all which offers high quality of education. The present educational system supports 22 years of formal study.

Elementary School
The primary education are taken in elementary school where children receive 6 years of compulsory education. They study subjects such as Mandarin, Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, Music and Art.

Junior High
Secondary education is taken in junior high school where they receive another 3 years of studies. It is the last half of compulsory education and junior high students only have a single goal in there, which is to score well in national senior high school entrance exam at the end of their third year. They are than assigned to senior high schools based on their score.

Vocational School
Some students might also take a separate vocational school entrance exam. Vocational schools is similar to senior high school but it places greater emphasis on practical and skills. Students select a subject that they want to major in such as engineering, science or business. They than proceed to a college for further studies after graduation. However, this choice is more uncommon.

The junior high education is similar to Singapore's secondary schools where students take the 'O' level exams to get into Junior College or polytechnics.

Senior High
Senior high school education takes 3 years to complete. Again, the main goal of students is to score well on national university entrance exam at the end of their third year. However, in senior high, students are grouped base on the different learning tracks they choose, each focusing in different areas of subjects.

University
Taiwan has many universities which can be public or private. About 66% of the students taking the national university entrance exams are accepted to higher education institutions. University undergraduate programmes require at least four years of study. The university most popular among students is National Taiwan University, a famous public university in their country

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The indigenous group

As of year 2008, as much as 14 tribes have been recognized. The 4 biggest tribes are namely:

Amis 阿美族

This group is Taiwan's largest indigenous groups populating at 37.5% of the total indigenous people. The Amis people resides in the eastern valleys and coastal area. They are well known for their vibrant singing and dance celebrations during the Ilisin harvest festival held on summer months. The Amis group are further sub divided into smaller groups where each of them has a different dialect, customs and style of dressing. The group has a matrilineal clan structure and a system of inheritance.

Atayal 泰雅

The second largest group, Atayal scattered throughout the northern part of central Taiwan's mountainous region. Their society adheres strictly to the gaga ancestral instruction system, a set of regulations and beliefs passed down from long ago. Facial tattooing is an important feature in the coming of age ceremonies and a symbol of status traditionally. The Atayal woman are known for their weaving skills of colorful fabrics and in the past, this could determine hr social status. The male members of the Atayal inherit their father's first name as their last name.

Video: Atayal-Time and Music in a Disappearing World

Paiwan 排灣

The next largest group after the Atayal is the Paiwan group who inhabits in the southern central mountain range and southern coastal region. Their group are divided into two major subgroups, Raval and Butsul. The Paiwan people follows a bilineal system of inheritance and has a strict social hierarchy consisting of chief, nobility, warriors and commoners. The chief owns land and hunting grounds and his position is hereditary, the nobility were free to engage in leisure activities such as sculpture while the warriors are highly respected for their achievements and could include commoners who possess outstanding skills in hunting.
The most important ceremony to their culture is 'Maleveq', which is held every five years, lasting for 15 days.

Bunun 布農

Next comes the Bunun group who is the fourth largest group of indigenous people. The live on the highest mountains in Taiwan where they practice shifting cultivation and hunting. Major Bunun ceremonies includes "millet ceremony" and "ear-shooting ceremony", where they shot arrows through the animal's ears during their hunting ritual. It is believed that this will bring a good harvest.

The simplicity of Bunun women’s clothing and accessories gives them an elegant style

Other tribal groups includes Kavalan, Pinuyumayan, Rukai, Saisiyat, Sakizaya, Sediq, Thao, Truku, Tsou. One of the group which I find it more interesting is perhaps, the Yami 雅美 group.

The Yami people live on Orchid Island off Taiwan's southeastern coast. Unlike the other tribes of Taiwan, they have an oceanic culture. The launch of a newly built boat is a major celebration in their culture and the women's hair-swinging dance is unique to them. The Yami live in special houses made of stone and wood which helps them maintain coolness in summer and retain heat in winter.

Hair swing dance

Challenges however, remains in promoting indigenous cultures, especially with the migration of indigenous people to cities. A large percentage of people left in the groups are the elderly.

An overview of indigenous group

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Culture and Traditions

Taiwan, a country with a mixture of tradition and modernity, is enrich with their unique culture that can be seen in the locals way of life. The culture reflects greatly on their customs and traditions of the Taiwanese people.

Arts and Dance
Taiwan art is a strong pillar that holds that traditions of their country. There are a few museums that have rich collections that reflects the special features of Taiwan art. E.g. Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts and Taipei Fine Arts Museum. Some areas of arts which can be found in Taiwan includes puppetry, painting, ceramic and calligraphy, to name a few.

Taiwan also has a distinct style of dance. The traditional dance is know as "tai ke wu" by the locals, is a form of dance the comprises many foot movements. The original form of dance was however substantially altered in today's context.

An example of "tai ke wu":

Religion in Taiwan
Like Singapore, Taiwan has a diversity of religious group. They practice freedom of religion and accepting foreign religions generously. Even within the same family, it is common for different faith to exits. The major religions are Buddhism and Taoism. Catholicism has also spread in Taiwan and a minority of Islamic exists as well.

Food culture
All the dishes of Taiwan have something unique to offer. Their food are well known among food lovers across the world. At a comparatively cheap price, one can enjoy the delicious local delicacies. Street snacks are particularly more popular to the locals as well as tourists. They are namely fermented tofu, scallion pancakes, oyster mee sua, Taiwanese sausages and also bubble milk tea to name a few out of the many snacks available.

Some traditional food that has been passed down from generation to generation holds a certain place in the heart of Taiwanese. Pig blood cake, made of pig's blood and sticky rice is all Taiwanese's favourite delicacy. From young to old, it is hard to find anyone who have never eaten it before. However, it has been added recently to the world's top ten most unusual food and is banned in US due to the inquisition of its hygiene. However, this does not affect the Taiwanese's love for pig blood cake as it holds the tradition of their ancestor who weren't as well off back in the olden days.

Another food of traditional value is Taiwan's meatball. When speaking of meatball, what people think of are the round pork or chicken balls commonly seen. However, many would be surprise that Taiwanese meatballs are actually more like large dumplings. Pork meatball, mushrooms and bamboo are wrapped in dumpling skin and are usually fried or steamed. This recipe have been passed down from a long time and continues to receive love from the Taiwanese.



Special culture

Convenience store culture
Taiwan probably has the highest density of convenience store per person in the world. In Taipei, it is normal to see 7-Elevens across the street from each other. Convenience stores can be found everywhere such that it provides services like utility bills, credit cards payment for financial institution or government. 81% of the household visits the convenience store at least once per week. The ease of access that allows people to purchase food and other necessities 24/7 makes it part of the Taiwanese daily life.

Pop culture
Pop culture falls under two distinct categories. One of them is Taiwanese pop, which is sung in their native dialects and is more popular among the older population. On the other hand, Mandarin pop appealed to the younger generation. This culture has spread its influence on a global scale and made Taiwan known to many to the extend that Taiwan's famous singer, Jolin Tsai was made the tourism ambassador. This comes to show how great an influence pop culture can bring.

Night market culture
Night market is perhaps one the best place for a culture experience. Other than their famous street snacks sold along the sidewalks, it also features various form of entertainments and lots of shopping. Numerous fashion products are available for sale and carnival-style games can be found at the price of a few coins. The atmosphere is always crowded and noisy with hawkers shouting out to their customers.

Betel nut culture
In Taiwan, betel nut is sold by skimpily clad women in see through road-side stands. This culture is often considered low-class and vulgar by the local officials. However, it is part of Taiwan's culture that is already deeply engrained. It has become a unique cultural icon that distinguishing their country from other betel-loving nations.

Betel nut girls in Taiwan:



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