Taiwan is a land layered with stories. Step outside the bustling circle of Taipei and you’ll find not only mountains, tea plantations, and coastlines, but also deeper tales waiting to be discovered. This article offers you a first glimpse into three themes we’ll explore in depth in upcoming features: Taiwan’s hot spring culture, its rich blend of history and traditions, and the way cinema has brought this island onto the world stage. Today, let’s open the curtain.
1. Hot Springs: Gifts of a Volcanic Island
For many Australians, weekends are synonymous with beaches. In Taiwan, another way to unwind is to soak in a hot spring. Sitting on the edge of tectonic plates, Taiwan is blessed with geothermal activity, making it one of the rare places in the world with such a diversity of hot spring types.
- Beitou: Easily accessible by Taipei’s metro, Beitou feels like a Japanese onsen town with its stone paths, bathhouses, and a hot spring museum. Its sulfur-rich milky waters, steaming with mystery, once served as a retreat during the Japanese colonial era.
- Jiaoxi: Just an hour’s drive from Taipei, this Yilan town is known for its clear, odorless springs. Many hotels feature private in-room pools, letting you soak while gazing at mountain views.
- Green Island’s Asahi Hot Spring: One of the world’s few seawater hot springs. Here, as the sun rises, you can listen to Pacific waves while sitting in natural stone pools—an experience unlike anywhere else.
- Zhiben: Nestled in a Taitung valley, Zhiben’s waters are gentle and restorative. Nearby, Bunun Indigenous communities offer cultural activities, often paired with hot spring visits, adding warmth beyond the water itself.
In Taiwan, hot springs are more than relaxation—they’re social. Families and friends gather to soak, chat, and unwind together. For Australians, imagine swapping a beach barbecue for a mountainside hot spring party—it’s a similar spirit, just with steam instead of sand.
2. A Cultural Mosaic: Daily Life Woven by History
Taiwan’s culture is like a living mosaic, shaped by centuries of encounters and influences. From the Dutch in the 17th century, to waves of migrants from China, to fifty years of Japanese rule, and later the growth of modern Taiwanese identity, the island reflects a unique layering of history.
- Architecture: The red-brick Anping Fort in Tainan recalls Dutch presence; Japanese-era railway stations and schools dot the island; ornate Taoist temples stand beside sleek skyscrapers, creating contrasts that feel oddly natural.
- Food: A bowl of beef noodle soup, with its rich Taiwanese braised flavors, has roots in China but has become a national dish. Bento boxes, introduced during the Japanese period, are now part of train journeys. Indigenous millet wine carries the heritage of Taiwan’s first peoples.
For Australians, Taiwan’s food culture might feel familiar in spirit. Just as Melbourne or Sydney thrives on multicultural dining—from Italian pasta to Vietnamese pho—Taiwan’s cuisine tells the story of migration and history on a plate. The difference is that in Taiwan, these influences aren’t imported—they grew directly from the island’s own past. Every dish is both comfort food and cultural memory.
- Festivals: Sky lanterns at the Lantern Festival, the vibrant Mazu pilgrimage, and the Indigenous harvest celebrations all embody cultural continuity and blending. Their communal energy rivals an Aussie Christmas beach party—just in a different form.
3. Cinema: Taiwan on the Big Screen
For many Australians, the first glimpse of Taiwan may not have come from tourism ads, but from film. Since the 1980s, Taiwan’s New Wave cinema has captured international attention, with directors whose works remain essential in world cinema.
- Hou Hsiao-hsien: His A City of Sadness won the Golden Lion at Venice, introducing global audiences to Taiwan’s post-war history. The misty hillside town of Jiufen, featured in the film, is now a must-visit for travelers.
- Tsai Ming-liang: His films often depict urban solitude, turning Taipei’s streets and old cinemas into poetic stages.
- Ang Lee: Though globally known, his early Eat Drink Man Woman painted a vivid picture of Taiwanese family life, food, and generational change.
These films are not just art—they are cultural windows. Through cinema, Taiwan’s details, from architecture to human stories, have traveled worldwide. Visitors today can still walk through these backdrops: Jiufen’s old streets, Dihua Street’s heritage shops, or retro cinemas preserved across the island.
Just as Australians might take friends to the Sydney Opera House or the Blue Mountains featured in films, traveling in Taiwan lets you trace cinematic paths and see the island through the lens of world-class directors.
More to Come
Taiwan is a story unfolding layer by layer. From volcanic hot springs to cultural intersections, and from history on screen to lived experience in daily life, every part invites exploration.
This article is just the beginning. In the coming features, we’ll:
- Guide you through Taiwan’s top hot spring regions and how to plan your perfect soak.
- Explore heritage sites and festivals, from night markets to Indigenous rituals.
- Create a “film trail” itinerary, where you can step into real-life movie scenes.
If you stop only in Taipei, you’ll miss so much. The real Taiwan begins when you go Beyond Taipei.
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