Most people were generally surprised when I mentioned my intention to visit Taiwan, as “Why Taiwan?” quickly emerged as the most common question I

Taiwan: The Hidden Gem of East Asia - Integrity Talk

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2024-04-27 15:30:04

Most people were generally surprised when I mentioned my intention to visit Taiwan, as “Why Taiwan?” quickly emerged as the most common question I was asked before and during my stay. I'm not sure under what circumstances I decided to visit Taiwan, but I must have heard someone mention the food experience, and that was probably a good enough reason for me to move there for two months. I think that differentiating Taiwan from its relative Asian tigers is not an obvious task. Taipei may not appear as groundbreaking to someone who's already familiar with other notorious cities in East Asia. But I think it's fairly accurate to describe Taiwan as a blend of Japanese and Chinese influences. This is not entirely surprising, as the archipelago was ceded to Japan for over fifty years before becoming the Republic of China following Japan's defeat in World War II. The Japanese influence remains noticeable in the architecture and serenity of certain neighborhoods, the efficiency of the transportation infrastructure, and the overwhelming number of convenience stores.

Taiwan is also very westernized, and a city like Taipei has the same standardized structures as large American cities. Urban planning follows a grid pattern with large and uncrowded pedestrian sidewalks, making it very convenient to get around. The city has many high-rise buildings, including Taipei 101, formerly known as the tallest building before the Burj Khalifa. Apart from a few specific areas, Taipei is not a beautiful city overall, there is no consistent architectural style, but rather a mixture of the legacy of different influences. In addition, the economic miracle period has drastically accelerated the pace of construction, with little regard for any aesthetic urbanization plans. Behind its modern appearance, Taipei has a surprisingly laid-back vibe, which somehow contradicts the country's reputation for being highly competitive. The city is incredibly tranquil, the sound of a driver's horn is not common, and outside of the main streets, the atmosphere is unusually quiet. Perhaps one of the most remarkable moments was watching people behave as usual after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake.