CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE - issue 01/2018

LE MONDE TAIWAN
The Shilin night market in Taipei is just one of more than 300
night markets of which each one has its own traditions, characteristics
and snacks that one may enjoy in abundance.
One of Taiwan‘s many tea plantations which make the country
famous for its high quality mountain teas such as Alishan, Da Yu
Ling or the delicious Oolong tea.
Dancers a the Dragon Ghost
Festival during the 7th Month
of the Chinese calendar.
The National Concert Hall in
Taipei (top) and the must-see
Sky Lantern Festival in Pingxi
(below).
tern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines have cancelled
some 176 flights to Taiwan because of an ongoing row
of flight routes, according to Bloomberg.
This incident may just be a tiny detail, but it nicely
fits into Taiwan‘s new tourism strategy which aims
to attract a massive number of new visitors, especially
from Europe including Austria, to the country
– not only to fill up the potential tourism gap from
mainland China, but also to add an up until now nearly
untouched new clientele to the already more
than 10 million visitors each year. To be honest: It
was about time to address the beauties of Taiwan to
an audience in Europe where the former ”Formosa“
is mainly known as a hightech state and hardly as a
tourist destination worth taking a roughly 13 hour
flight.
To sum it up in the words of Vanessa Shih,
Taiwan‘s former vice minister of Foreign Affairs, who
since 2016 serves as head of the Taipei Economic and
Culture Office in Vienna, acting as official representative
of the Republic of China to Austria: ”Taiwan is
not only a safe country to visit, it is also very clean,
very friendly and environmental protection friendly,
convenient, rich in culture and a value-for-money
tourist destination. As a matter of fact, Taiwan is
therefore highly praised by many well-known international
media. For example, the British travel guide
”Rough guides“ in 2017 ranked Taiwan as one of
”Global Top 10 must-visit countries“ and „InterNations“,
the world‘s largest network for expats, has nominated
Taiwan as the world‘s most friendly and favourite
country for foreigners to travel. So actually
Taiwan is a hidden treasure for travellers.“
In case you want to give the country a try, just
take a trip for example with EVA AIR, one of the two
Taiwanese carriers operating between Vienna and
Taipeh. In addition to their four weekly flights via
Bangkok, the airline raises their flight frequency up
to three weekly nonstop flights from Vienna to Taipeh,
starting this March. Once you have arrived, you
will be treated not only by a most friendly and hospi-
table people but also may enjoy the country‘s ”excellent
infrastructure, convenient transportation system,
and high-quality communication services“
according to Shih, on your way to exploring Taiwan‘s
touristic highlights.
First of all, despite its sometimes futuristic modernity,
visitors will be overwhelmed by the many
aspects of traditional Chinese culture – like historic
temples, the Taiwanese opera, glove puppet shows,
wood carvings, ceramics or colored glaze – which is
extremely well preserved in Taiwan. As a highlight,
one definitely should not miss visiting the National
Palace Museum, one of the top four world-renowned
museums, housing nearly 700,000 treasures from royal
families throughout all Chinese history.
The second must for visitors certainly are the Taiwanese
festivals, maybe the most colourful in the
world. Number one certainly would be the Chinese
New Year Festival. In the first three days, many shops
and restaurants would be closed, but the days leading
up to the festival and the fourth to fifteenth day are
ideal for soaking up the atmosphere and listening to
Chinese New Year songs.
Additional highlights are the Sky Lantern Festival
in Pingxi or the Dragon Boat Festival, where one
simply has to eat the famous rice dumplings. Then
you have the Hungry Ghost Festival which runs
throughout the seventh month of the Chinese calendar.
It is believed, that the gates of hell open during
this period and hungry ghosts roam freely into our
world. In order to appease the ghosts and prevent
misfortune, many Taiwanese will offer food and
burn joss paper for them. In addition, traditional
Chinese performances such as Chinese opera and
puppet shows are held to appease these wandering
spirits.
Finally, treat yourself with a visit to the Mid Autumn
Moon Festival: Legend has it, that on this day,
a woman known as Chang‘e swallowed some divine
pills to prevent her power hungry husband from becoming
immortal. Afraid of being killed by her husband,
she fled to the moon and it is believed that the
moon shines brightest on this day. This is when
many lanterns will be put up for decoration in various
parks and shops, which is quite a beautiful sight.
PHOTOS: TAIWAN TOURISM BUREAU, YONG-CYUAN CHEN, PAUL SPIERENBURG
Mooncakes are also eaten on this day so it would be
an ideal time to try some.
By the way: Taiwan not only is famous for its
mooncakes but for its gourmet food in general. Influenced
by all kinds of Chinese food from different
parts of mainland China – indigenous cuisine, Taiwanese
cuisines and Japanese food – it has developed
its unique food culture . ”Such culinary diversity makes
Taiwan a gourmets‘ heaven“, says Shih. ”There are
more than 300 night markets. Each one has its own
traditions, characteristics and snacks.“
And in case especially Austrian visitors might fall
homesick, Taiwan is offering a perfect treatment for
this as well – because it is as rich with mountains as
the European Alpine region. The country has 258
peaks higher than 3,000 meters, its highest – the Yushan
– is even reaching 3,952 meters. So even in the
Far East hightech heaven, there are places to feel at
home – a little bit.
A firework, highlighting the ”Taipei 101“, officially known as Taipei
Financial Center. This 508 meters high-rising skyscraper up until
2007 has been the tallest building of the world. It will take you just
40 seconds to be lifted up to the viewing platform at level 89.
Your First Step To Asia
Fly with EVA AIR
täglich nach Taipeh
3 x nonstop
4 x via Bangkok
Taiwan is proud of its well
preserved Chinese culture
like this temple in Lukang.
42 Cercle Diplomatique 1/2018
www.evaair.com