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The Cold Springs of Su’ao — Year-Round Bathing at 22°CPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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The Cold Springs of Su’ao — Year-Round Bathing at 22°C

Immerse yourself in a cold spring with a temperature of 22°C (which it stays at throughout the year), then quietly remain there without moving, and your body will begin to feel hot. As bubbles cover your skin, you may get a sensation that has been described as being like soaking in soda pop. Have you ever had this experience?

Soaking by the Sea: Green Island’s Zhaori Hot SpringPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Soaking by the Sea: Green Island’s Zhaori Hot Spring

“Taiwan’s vibrant hot-spring culture has fostered the development of a saltwater hot spring on Green Island rivaling those of the Japanese island of Kyushu and the Italian island of Sicily.

Come to Us for a Hot Spring Soak! — The Century-Old Bathing Culture of “Long Nice”Photos - New Southbound Policy
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Come to Us for a Hot Spring Soak! — The Century-Old Bathing Culture of “Long Nice”

Stepping into the Long Nice Hot Spring in Taipei’s Beitou District is like returning to a traditional public bath of 100 years ago. There is none of the elaborate decor of modern hot springs facilities, only a simple wooden structure and wafting steam, making this a comfortable place for ordinary people to take a routine hot springs bath.

A Misty Wonderland: Beitou and Its Hot SpringsPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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A Misty Wonderland: Beitou and Its Hot Springs

“The mountainous district of Beitou in Taipei is one of the two places in the world whose turquoise-colored hot springs are known to contain radium. Beitou’s hot springs are richly varied in terms of their chemical compositions. With its traditions of itinerant musical performances and high-end cuisine, the place also boasts a vibrant cultural history that sprang from its famous spas.

Rice Wine: The Spirit of TaiwanPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Rice Wine: The Spirit of Taiwan

In Taiwan, rice wine is essential for both home-cooked meals and banquets, a constant companion through life, from birth to death.

Betelnuts: Green Time Capsules of Indigenous CulturePhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Betelnuts: Green Time Capsules of Indigenous Culture

Did you know that betelnuts, besides being a stimulant, can be used to convey affection? Did you know that in Taiwan betelnuts have long been given as gifts to draw people closer together? Did you know that betelnuts can be used in religious rituals, and even in divination? Did you know that there are many more things to know about betelnuts?

Misua Noodles for Best Wishes: The Many Uses of Taiwanese VermicelliPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Misua Noodles for Best Wishes: The Many Uses of Taiwanese Vermicelli

Is there any food in your culture which can be used in myriad ways and is not only for eating, but also conveys the meaning “best wishes” as well as being closely connected to major life events like birth and death?

Fantastic Trees and Where to Find Them: The Four Legendary Trees of TaiwanPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Fantastic Trees and Where to Find Them: The Four Legendary Trees of Taiwan

During the ice ages, many plants and animals in Asia gradually migrated to the Pacific seaboard. The area that later became Taiwan provided welcome refuge from the freezing cold. Some 18,000 years ago, temperatures began to rise, and Taiwan was eventually separated from the continent by the sea. The island thus became a permanent home for migrant flora and fauna which developed into endemic species as they adapted to the peculiarities of the local climate and geology.

Saving Lives, Saving the Planet: Taiwan’s Steps Toward Sustainable HealthcarePhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Saving Lives, Saving the Planet: Taiwan’s Steps Toward Sustainable Healthcare

The 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) for the first time designated one day of their meeting as Health Day. More than 120 of the participating countries signed the Declaration on Climate and Health, reminding us all that we must remain aware of the health implications of climate change.

Plant Masters of the Jurassic: Tree Ferns in TaiwanPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Plant Masters of the Jurassic: Tree Ferns in Taiwan

Ferns, which have been called “living fossils,” reveal the powerful resilience and adaptability of ancient life forms. Among them, tree ferns, which are perfectly adapted to local conditions in Taiwan, are an everyday sight on the island. They also offer a precious travel experience to visitors from around the world.