New thoughts collected on my way…
On March 3, 2026, Taiwan’s Lantern Festival blooms under a blood moon total eclipse—the year’s sole global event. As colossal lanterns light streets with riddles and rice balls symbolize reunion, the moon reddens from 7:04-8:03 PM, fusing ancient Han traditions with cosmic drama. A rare celestial gift for riddle-solvers and stargazers alike.
Lanterns and Blood Moon : Taiwan’s Ultimate 2026 Night Wonder Read More »
In the 1960s, Hollywood’s quest for 1920s Yangtze China hit Cold War snags. Taiwan stepped up: Keelung Harbor morphed into Shanghai’s docks, Tamsui’s rivers into Changsha’s veins, Taipei alleys into teeming streets. Steve McQueen’s USS San Pablo battled tricky tides amid rice paddies and typhoons. The island’s lush authenticity outshone the real deal, turning political compromise into Oscar-nominated cinematic gold. Echoes linger in Tamsui’s waterfront today
When Taiwan Outshone China in The Sand Pebbles Read More »
The Chinese New Year of 2026 welcomes the Horse, a symbol of energy, freedom, and forward motion, and the mood around it always feels especially lively. The festival itself goes back more than three thousand years to ancient agrarian China, where families celebrated the turn of the lunar calendar with offerings to ancestors, prayers
Galloping into Good Fortune : Welcoming the Vibrant Year of the Fire Horse! Read More »
Taiwan was not a battlefield of the Opium Wars, yet the conflicts set it on a new course. Once a frontier of the Qing Empire, it caught the attention of British, American, and French powers. From coal and camphor to naval blockades, the island’s story shifted as the ripple of war drew it into global contests.
Taiwan’s Quiet Role in the Shadow of the Opium Wars Read More »
As autumn arrives in Taiwan, the Moon Festival brings families together for one of the most cherished celebrations of the year. This ancient tradition combines moonlit gatherings, delicious mooncakes, and barbecues that fill neighborhoods with warmth, creating memories that connect past and present in Taiwan’s vibrant cultural landscape.
Under the Full Moon, Taiwan Grills and Glows Read More »
Goodbye, summer of fierce light and sudden storms. You gave us heavy skies split by typhoons, nights thick with heat, mornings of cicadas crying without rest. I will remember the weight of your air, the taste of mangoes, the streets shimmering in late-afternoon sun. You were stubborn, endless, almost unbearable, yet full of life.
Ode to Summer’s Farewell, and Autumn’s Arrival Read More »
The Chinese typewriter is more than a machine—it is a cultural bridge. From clumsy 19th-century prototypes to elegant designs like Lin Yutang’s MingKwai and IBM’s electric models, each step showed how tradition could bend without breaking. Today’s digital input methods stand as proof that Chinese writing, once seen as an obstacle, remains resilient in the modern world.
Tradition Meets Machine : The Chinese Typewriter Saga Read More »
As summer’s sweaty grip loosens and the air starts to hum with a crisp, golden vibe, Asia—oh, glorious Asia—gears up for its fall fiesta. Autumn in this part of the world is like nature’s grand encore, a dazzling show of colors, flavors, and festivals that make you want to twirl through the streets with a
A Whimsical Whirl Through Asia’s Autumnal Charm: Taiwan and Beyond Read More »
The Legend and History of the Dragon Boat Festival The Dragon Boat Festival, known as Duanwu Jie (端午節) in Mandarin, is one of the most significant traditional holidays in Chinese culture. Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, this festival has a rich history dating back over 2,000 years. The most well-known
The 2025 Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan: A Celebration of Tradition and Culture Read More »
Our bus dropped us off at the bottom of the hill, accompanied by a cheerful “Goodbye” and “Enjoy your visit” from the bus driver. The dense morning fog was beginning to lift, and as it did, we were able to see the famous stone lions that have steadfastly guarded the entrance to the National Palace
Stone Lions, Morning Fog, and a Museum Full of Wonders Read More »
