Tianzhong is a small town in Changhua, one of the major agricultural counties of Central Taiwan. During the Tianzhong Marathon, the townspeople show their warm hospitality to runners as they enthusiastically cheer them on along the course and provide well-stocked aid stations. Runners call this “a marathon that you have to experience at least once in your life.”
Statistics from the National Central Library show that over 50,000 books were published in Taiwan during 2022, of which 70% were by local authors. Considering its population size, it is no exaggeration to say that Taiwan boasts one of the liveliest publishing scenes in the world. Such stunning bibliodiversity, however, has to rely on the vigor and enthusiasm of foreign translators for its global impact.
Running a marathon can be the realization of a dream, a pleasurable journey through urban and rural scenery, or an experience of food and fun. We invite you to come and run marathons in Taiwan and carry home memories of not only beautiful scenery, but also warmhearted people.
Everyone associates Alishan (Mt. Ali) in Chiayi County with spectacular sunrises, beautiful evening skies, and immense seas of clouds, but did you know that Alishan is featured on the NT$1,000 banknote? Apart from the giant ancient trees and cherry blossoms, have you come across those endemic plants that grow only in the Alishan National Scenic Area? Having enjoyed Alishan’s celebrated mountain tea, have you tried its chrysanthemum tea as well?
Medium-sized mountains in Taiwan from 1,500 to 3,000 meters in height have a reputation for being filled with mystery and the unknown. Although not especially tall, they are considered the most difficult climbing terrain in all of Taiwan.
Put some raw rice and other ingredients into a wok and stir-fry them. Then, gradually add your precooked broth. As the rice grains slowly cook through, they absorb the essence of the broth without clumping together, while achieving an al dente texture. Finally, top it off with some fourfinger threadfin, mullet roe, and fiddlehead greens, and voilà, a seafood risotto made entirely from Taiwanese ingredients is ready to be served.
Mikania vine (Mikania micrantha), also variously known as bitter vine, climbing hempvine, Chinese creeper, mile-a-minute weed, and American rope, is on the list of “100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species.” A perennial creeper native to subtropical regions of the Americas, it is a sun-loving plant that reproduces prolifically, grows at a rapid pace, and is very resilient. It wraps itself around other plants, blocking out the light that they need for photosynthesis so that they die.
Here in the “bicycle kingdom” of Taiwan, bicycles are used not only for tourism but also as an everyday means of transport.
When coming to a nation that is a major manufacturer of bicycles, it is well worth arranging a bicycle tour, whether it takes you on a spin through town or countryside or offers the challenge of ascending 3,000-meter mountains. A bicycle can help you move from stop to stop on an outstanding travel itinerary.
In the film Day Off, released in March of 2023, the female lead A-Rui spends her life styling hair. From inside her tiny salon she watches the world go by with its sorrows and joys, and she develops emotional ties with her customers.
No matter how times may change, bicycles never fall out of fashion. Though they have been on the market for more than 200 years, today the combination of battery technology and artificial intelligence has opened the way to an unprecedented transformation for bikes.
