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Intellectual Art—Huang Ou-po’s Visions of TaiwanPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Intellectual Art—Huang Ou-po’s Visions of Taiwan

“We might say that a man could not move even ten feet without seeing some kind of beauty, provided he has the eyes to see it. Even if this world had been but a barren desert, there still would have been beauty.”
—Andrew Loomis
, The Eye of the Painter (1961)

Island of Astonishing Mountains—Why International Travelers Come to TaiwanPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Island of Astonishing Mountains—Why International Travelers Come to Taiwan

Many foreigners who have lived in Taiwan for a long time have come to love the mountains here. What is so special about Taiwan’s mountains that captivates their hearts?

Contemporary Pet Care: The Fur Baby EconomyPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Contemporary Pet Care: The Fur Baby Economy

Have you recently glimpsed a baby in a stroller? Nowadays, it’s as likely to be a shiba inu, corgi, or some other canine “fur baby” as a child. People regularly post cute pictures of their pets on social media, and many animals are Internet stars in their own right. There’s no doubt that pets are cute, but did you know they are also therapeutic? It’s wonderful that we can now enjoy the companionship of fur babies, both online and off!

Wind, Waves, and Wonder—Surfing in TaiwanPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Wind, Waves, and Wonder—Surfing in Taiwan

For people from Europe, North America, Japan, and Korea, where winters are cold, it’s a real luxury to be able to surf in warmer climes. People can come to Taiwan and surf year-round, with warm seas, diverse and delicious food, and the friendliness of the Taiwanese people all being normal parts of the itinerary. In particular, the waves whipped up by northeasterly monsoon winds in winter make Taiwan a very inviting place for savvy surfers to visit.

The Hidden Flavors of Medicinal Herbs: Traditional Chinese Pharmacies Turn Over a New LeafPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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The Hidden Flavors of Medicinal Herbs: Traditional Chinese Pharmacies Turn Over a New Leaf

Strolling through urban streets, one can occasionally see a traditional Chinese pharmacy that has gone out of business, for they are closing at a rate of 200 a year. However, the culture, knowledge, and customs of Traditional Chinese Medicine are deeply embedded in the daily lives of Taiwanese. Let’s take a look back at the history and evolution of these shops.

Sweet Potato, Rice, and Sugarcane: Local Distillers Promote Taiwanese FlavorsPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Sweet Potato, Rice, and Sugarcane: Local Distillers Promote Taiwanese Flavors

Taiwan has long enjoyed an abundance of agricultural products. Moreover, rice, sweet potatoes, and sugarcane can do more than serve as foods: they can also be used to make alcoholic beverages. While ordinary people did not in the past have access to modern fermenting and distilling techniques, they could always use whatever equipment they had to hand to bring together raw ingredients, water, and other elements and produce tasty alcoholic drinks.

Tradition and Innovation: The Protean Power of Instant NoodlesPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Tradition and Innovation: The Protean Power of Instant Noodles

Who invented instant noodles? In Taiwan, we come across the forerunner of instant noodles, the world’s first instant noodles with sauce packets containing sumptuous chunks of meat, as well as those featuring distinctively local recipes that make use of Chinese medicinal herbs and huadiao, a classy cooking liquor made from glutinous rice.

Whisky, Taiwan Style: KavalanPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Whisky, Taiwan Style: Kavalan

Taiwanese whiskies have become so well known that they are now appearing on US-made TV shows. During an episode of the American TV show Billions, a taste of Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique whisky elicits a “Wow!” from actress Maggie Siff, prompting co-star Paul Giamatti to respond: “Right? The Taiwanese do it better than the Scots these days.”

Marine Waste and the Circular Economy: New Life for Shellstring Cords and Fishing NetsPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Marine Waste and the Circular Economy: New Life for Shellstring Cords and Fishing Nets

Given the technological level of Taiwan’s aquaculture industry and the scale of its fisheries sector, there is never a lack of fresh seafood available for dining tables. In the past, the oceans around Taiwan were polluted by marine waste such as abandoned fishing nets and discarded oyster shellstring cords. Today, with fishermen, aquaculturists, citizens, enterprises, and government all working together, such waste fishing gear is being proactively recycled.

Brewing Up Endless Possibilities: Craft Beers from TaiwanPhotos - New Southbound Policy
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Brewing Up Endless Possibilities: Craft Beers from Taiwan

Taiwan’s microbreweries, filled with a passion for their craft, are continually trying out new ideas and concepts. From rearranging and recombining the four main raw materials they have extended their imaginations to add local Taiwanese ingredients. They have broken through barriers to enable craft beers to really “grow” in this land.