Introduction
Taiwan is an East Asian country near China in the North West Pacific Ocean. Did you know that China considers Taiwan part of its territory even though it is an independent nation? Other countries close to or neighboring the country includes the Philippines and Japan. Taiwan, also known as the ROC, has many territories comprising many islands numbering 168. Therefore, the country is regarded as more of an island characterized by mountainous ranges that dominate the eastern part of the country. With its capital city, Taipei, Taiwan has one of the most population densities in the world. Although Taiwan is a famous island nation worldwide, it is best known for its well-defined culture, food, and tourism.
Culture
The culture in Taiwan may be described as both conservative and traditional. Although other Asian cultures are also a mixture of conservative and traditional, the country’s culture has a greater degree (H. Chang et al., 2020). In addition, the country’s culture borrows heavily from that of China regarding its origin. On the other hand, its patrilineal and patriarchal nature resembles that of China, where all the cultural activities have the family at the center of focus. Society is class-oriented and has a sense of hierarchy. One other relevant aspect to note regarding Taiwan’s culture is that it has an egalitarian culture where people have the chance to develop socially through education.
Theoretically, scholars were at the apex of the hierarchy of its traditional culture, and the soldiers and merchants were at the bottom. While soldiers were instrumental during times of war, merchants provided invaluable services in the business segment (J. Chang et al., 2020). However, Taiwan’s culture has undergone many transformations because of conventional Japanese culture, which gave prominence to feudal and clan issues, and valued the military. The Aboriginal people’s way of life has also significantly influenced the culture. The Chinese, who inhabited many territories of the country, valued business acumen and security with less focus on education.
Foods
Taiwan is one of the countries in East Asia with a rich cuisine, just like its neighbors such as China, Japan, and the Philippines. In this case, the country has a rich cuisine to explore, whether one wants street food from restaurants or hotels (Lin & Bestor, 2020). It is possible to be as adventurous as possible by wide sampling varieties available on sale in the streets. The country’s rich food culture makes it an attraction to tourists from across the world. For example, its night markets have all the varieties people want to explore. Many small but exceptional restaurants in Taiwan’s capital city line the streets. Although such restaurants are not on the main roads, they serve some commendable foods.
In downtown Taipei on the side streets, there are little treasures such as eateries and cafes that make the place a must-eat for all visitors and non-visitors in the city. Taiwan is ethnically and culturally diverse and purses integration because of its immense rich food culture (Wang et al., 2019). One of the most prominent ways to examine the rich local culture of the country is through dining. Even the international media, such as CNN, have admitted and reported that Taiwan is one the places that have a well-known food culture with people that have considerable culinary skills (Lin & Bestor, 2020). The country has various cuisines, including local or traditional dishes that are a must-eat for everyone to experience the culture. Some best-known meals include stewed minced pork rice, soup dumplings, and beef noodles.
Tourism
Some of the most popular destinations in the country include Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, and Taipei City. People tour the country for various reasons, including food and cultural tourism (Wang et al., 2019). Tourism is one of the significant economic activities and contributors to the country’s economy. Every year, the country receives millions of tourists from across the world. For example, in 2015, it received an estimated ten million international tourists (Chang & Mak, 2018). The tourism bureau under the Ministry of Communications and Transport is mandated to control and manage all domestic and international visitation affairs.
Tourist arrivals are limited to medical treatments, exhibitions, studies, conferences, visiting relatives, pleasure, and businesses. Some of the major attractions in the country include Chihkan Tower, Hinoki Village, Spring Scream, and Taipei 101, among others. For example, Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world, with many social amenities such as tourism observatories, retail stores, clubs, and restaurants (J. Chang et al., 2020). Food tourism is also quite prominent in the country as most international visitors visit the country intending to sample its rich cuisine (Hsu et al., 2018). The country’s tourism infrastructure includes international airports and ground transportation such as roads and railways.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Taiwan is one of the most prominent East Asian countries that has continued to register rapid economic development. Although the country is an economic powerhouse in East Asia, competing with countries such as China and Japan, its culture, foods, and tourism make it quite popular. Other attractions include Taipei 101 and Hinoki Village. Some of its most popular foods include beef noodles and stewed pork rice.
References
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