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Nearly every city and county in Taiwan hit with heavy rains

Get the rain boots ready and have an umbrella on hand, because the moisture-laden southwesterly winds and low-pressure system are going to keep drenching Taiwan until next Tuesday. And don’t expect the sun to come back any time soon, because next week Typhoon Saudel is expected to keep growing in strength as it gets closer to Taiwan.

The rain’s really coming down in New Taipei, so much so that water is now gushing up onto the roads, turning Xindian’s streets into canals.

Sanxia Old Street is dealing with flooding, too. There’s no sewer in front of this temple that houses Mazu, which is why the pouring rains have left the temple submerged in water.

Down south, Kaohsiung is dealing with strong winds and heavy rains. But outside Vieshow Cinemas there’s still a long line of people putting up with the bad weather just to watch “Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island.”

The rain won’t even let up for Taiwan’s newly crowned richest person: Lin Tsung-chi. The street outside Lin’s factory is more like a waterway than a roadway.

- Has the water flooded in?
- It hasn’t. It hasn’t gotten into the factory.
- Of course I worry, because the water keeps rising higher.

This bridge in Tainan’s Rende District is dealing with 50cm of floodwater. In order to prevent a dangerous situation, traffic was re-routed. And in Pingtung the rains there are also playing rough; cars that brave the flooded roads are leaving wakes of water behind them.

Yeh Chih-chun
Meteorologist
Due to the strong southwesterly winds and the low-pressure system, up until Monday the weather will remain relatively unstable. Then, on Tuesday and Wednesday, we can see there’ll likely be a brief break in the weather, mainly because the low-pressure system will move westward as it gets farther away from Taiwan.

And here’s more bad news: Typhoon Saudel seems to be evolving into a severe typhoon.

Yeh Chih-chun
Meteorologist
The conditions of the ocean and atmosphere around the typhoon are quite favorable, so the typhoon is expected to steadily strengthen over the next few days. Based on the current data, it’s expected to continue moving steadily toward the northwest. Experts are anticipating that, by Wednesday, it’ll reach the waters near the Ryukyu Islands.

As it grows in strength, Typhoon Saudel is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rains, which is why weather watchers will be paying close attention to whether or not the tropical storm will hit Taiwan directly.

#wet #waterworld #flooding #typhoon #Saudel #soaked #rainraingoaway

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Time：2026-08-21

最新消息 Latest News

Etihad Airways arrival announcement says “Welcome back to Taiwan, China”

Taiwanese travelers on an Etihad Airways return flight from Abu Dhabi were welcomed back to “Taiwan, China.” What’s more, during the same arrival announcement, passengers were then warned that bringing meat products into the country could result in a fine from the Chinese government. The plane’s cabin crew did not go off-script, meaning that Etihad Airways has some explaining to do when it comes to their new company policy.

Many see the summer as a great time to travel abroad, with some more than willing to take long transcontinental flights. But even the best vacation memories can be soured by an announcement just minutes before touching back down in Taiwan.

An internet user recently shared their experience on an Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi to Taiwan. The English arrival announcement said “Welcome back to Taiwan,” but the Chinese version must’ve been changed, as it said “Welcome back to Taiwan, China.” The script in Chinese even said taking meat products into the country violates government regulations of China. The confusing announcement drove off the jetlag of the aforementioned passenger, who even asked a flight attendant about the issue. The head of the cabin crew confirmed that the script was read word-for-word. This story was enough to infuriate many Taiwanese internet users that felt Taiwan was being belittled.

Member of public
Advises Etihad to do more research
I think this airline company should do a little more homework on the issue, like I’d hope that they could maintain at least a basic amount of respect for us.

Member of public
Feels disrespected
It makes me feel like they really don’t respect us. I’m also extremely riled up because I, in no way, want to be labeled as Chinese.

The passenger who reported the incident said that all that can be done at the present stage is to write a letter to the company and post the story on social media. This individual will keep everyone updated if Etihad Airways ends up responding to the issue.

Chen Chien-chin
Tourism operator
Because with people from other countries, like when foreigners are learning Chinese, they might be thinking of ways to make Taiwanese travelers happy. But sometimes the Chinese they end up saying actually makes the speaker look foolish, and then everyone gets angry about what was said.

Wang Ting-yu
DPP Lawmaker
The airline company must, at once, be requested to immediately refrain from that type of inappropriate behavior, and the airline should also offer an apology. If they do not improve the situation, then we should punish the airline by stopping them from operating on this flight route.

A formulaic in-flight announcement has created a firestorm, revealing that airline companies need to be careful with every word they put on their scripts.

#Taiwan #China #Etihad #notcoolbro #airlines #flightattendant #inflightannouncement #cabincrew

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2026-08-21

Preserving Taiwanese WWII voices in?‘The Day the War Ended’

“The Day the War Ended” is a documentary playing across select theaters in Taiwan. It sheds a unique light on Taiwan’s experiences of World War II through the personal accounts of elderly survivors, including the late Taiwan independence pioneer Peng Ming-min. The youngest person to give their story was aged 90 so the film preserves a slice of history that’s about to fade from living memory. Let’s find out more.

- How terrifying! Half of the Presidential Office collapsed.
- That night, over 100,000 people died within two hours.
- Aircraft machine-gunned down the area; someone was hit, knocked unconscious and lost their left hand.

Older adults who experienced the war firsthand recall both fear and sorrow vividly in their minds. The documentary "The Day the War Ended" takes movie fans back to Taiwan during World War II.

- When you scrambled up, I saw that you had lost an arm
- It was hanging by just a strip of skin. I grabbed my arm and ran off the boat as fast as I could, searching the streets everywhere for a doctor.

This year marks the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II and the 4th anniversary of the death of Peng Ming-min, the godfather of Taiwan independence. He had given an oral account of his life experiences during World War II.

Lu Tzu-ying
The Day the War Ended director
This book filled in the gaps in my understanding and memory of the war. It showed how people in Taiwan lived on the home front—away from the front line battlefields—and how the war impacted their daily lives.

Brought to life from books into color imagery, older adults share their firsthand experiences of war and how their lives transformed in its aftermath.

Lu Tzu-ying
The Day the War Ended director
When the decision was made to adapt the book, it was already 2020, 75 years after the end of the war. So the interviewees we were able to track down were all quite old. The youngest interviewee who we ended up with in the film was 90 years old, and the oldest was 98.

Freddy Lim, an interviewer throughout the film, readily agreed to join despite his packed schedule as a sitting legislator at the time.

Lu Tzu-ying
The Day the War Ended director
When we pitched the project to him, he agreed right away, which completely surprised me. When they brought up the Tapani Incident, I didn’t understand it at all, but Freddy jumped right into the conversation. He had already done extensive research on Taiwanese history when writing his songs, so he was able to connect with them immediately. I feel so incredibly lucky.

Dry historical subject matter is transformed into an easy-to-understand documentary. The 97 minutes are not just about war, but about preserving personal memories before they slip away from living memory.

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#Thedaythewarended #Taiwanfilm #Taiwandocumentaries #Worldwar2 #Freddylim #Taiwanhistory

2026-08-21

Forensic institute holds ceremony for over 9,000 deceased

The Institute of Forensic Medicine, Taiwan’s only institution that does forensic examinations, is responsible for determining causes of death and conducting DNA testing for prosecutors’ offices nationwide. With its storage facilities nearing capacity, the institute held a special ceremony during Ghost Month and plans to cremate and bury remains from 9,409 cases.

Wearing gloves and a mask, a staff member at the Institute of Forensic Medicine carefully processes a sample. Even small specimens can help confirm a deceased person’s identity and cause of death, playing a crucial role in legal investigations. But what happens to the specimens once the case is closed?

The institute’s acting director led staff in prayers at a memorial ceremony for more than 9,000 people. The facility storing their remains has reached capacity, so the institute held a ceremony before transferring the remains to a crematorium.

Tseng Hsin-tung
Institute of Forensic Medicine acting director
We have accumulated remains from 9,409 people over the past few years, so we held a memorial ceremony during Ghost Month to pray for them and help them find peace in the afterlife.

The institute, Taiwan’s only forensic examination agency, has helped prosecutors determine causes of death and conduct DNA testing since its founding in 1998, particularly for cases involving unnatural deaths or major crimes. Specimens were previously disposed of as medical waste, but for humanitarian reasons, the institute in 2018 began holding memorial ceremonies and cremating the remains.

Hsiao Chung-chuan
Temple chairman
We donated 30 coffins to promote charity and give back to society. We’re honored to have this opportunity to do something meaningful.

Even small samples can help determine someone’s identity and cause of death during investigations. The memorial ceremony symbolizes the conclusion of the investigation and honors the deceased.
For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#forensic #analysis #DNA #case #investigation #InstituteofForensicMedicine #memorial #cremation

2026-08-21

Bizarre crash as wheelchair and scooter collide in rush hour traffic

Rush hour traffic can get pretty intense sometimes, but a recent crash in Kaohsiung was not anything any road user had been expecting. The two parties involved are a scooter driver and a wheelchair user, who suddenly made a left turn into heavy traffic. Let’s hear more.

Tseng Hung-wen
FTV reporter
The crash happened on Minzu 1st road, which is usually busy with traffic. Who knew a wheelchair would cause so much rush hour chaos?

Eyewitness
Heard loud crash
It was so loud. I turned to look and they were on the ground.

Eyewitness
Fan of looking before crossing
Coming out onto the road like that is not OK. You should look out for cars first.

Eyewitness
Would’ve crashed too
I would have dodged it but I’d probably end up on the ground anyway. Avoiding it cleanly would be hard.

Hu Wen-tsung
Kaohsiung Traffic Police Corps
Electric wheelchairs are considered just as pedestrians. Failing to keep to the side of the road can result in a fine of NT$500. The scooter rider failed to pay attention to the road conditions. The accounts of both parties will be evaluated by traffic police.

Security cameras captured the moment when the wheelchair was heading toward the Veterans General Hospital from downtown Kaohsiung. Instead of riding on the sidewalk, it passes in front of the scooter waiting zone before suddenly switching directions and making a left turn into traffic. Fortunately, both the 59-year-old wheelchair user and the 22-year-old scooter rider emerged with just minor injuries. Authorities are still determining why the wheelchair user suddenly turned left and who is at fault for the crash.

#wheelchair #scooter #mobility #accessibility #traffic #kaohsiung #lookbothwaysbeforecrossing

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2026-08-21

Taiwan’s international aid organization celebrates 30 years with book launch

The International Cooperation and Development Fund, also known as TaiwanICDF, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary with a book launch. The book describes how Taiwan transformed from being a foreign aid recipient to a global solutions provider. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, who was at the event, said the high tech that Taiwan is most proud of, such as AI, semiconductors and smart healthcare, will be integrated into international cooperation in the future. Let’s find out more.

With the ribbon pulled away, the International Cooperation and Development Fund held a grand book launch to commemorate its 30th anniversary. The book comprehensively documents how Taiwan has transformed from an "aid recipient" into a provider of global solutions.

Lin Chia-lung
Foreign minister
Through the official publication of this special book, we have a wonderful opportunity to revisit three decades of meaningful international cooperation and honor the stories, deep-rooted partnerships and shared achievements.

Over the past 30 years, TaiwanICDF has expanded its international cooperation and aid efforts from traditional agriculture to smart healthcare and AI. Facing future challenges, TaiwanICDF has also announced its upgrade to an international cooperation platform.

Huang Yu-Lin
Secretary General of TaiwanICDF
TaiwanICDF should continue to evolve from an organization that implements development projects into a strong platform for international partnerships.

Robert Kennedy Lewis
Saint Lucia Ambassador to Taiwan
“TaiwanICDF at 30: Shaping the Future Together” book launch event, is a time capsule function to record for posterity the achievements of its three decades of service to humanity. Taiwan continues to earn the respect and lasting loyalty of its friends and partners all over the world. Taiwan can help and Taiwan is helping, through TaiwanICDF.

Putting into practice the people-centered Taiwan model, Taiwan’s allies feel this warmth in their hearts. The TaiwanICDF also hopes to leverage "Team Taiwan’s” soft power" to join hands with global partners and create a new era of cooperation for the next 30 years.

#TaiwanICDF. #Taiwanaid #Taiwandiplomacy #Saintlucia

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2026-08-21

Disregard for safety! Uproar after kids skip stones at Yilan beach

Of all the dangerous things you can do at the beach, stone skipping is at the top of the list in Yilan. A group of kids at Su’ao’s Tofu Cape got caught skipping stones into the water, despite there being people swimming in the sea. Some people tried to stop them, but their parents fought back, arguing that it was OK. The incident got so big that even the Yilan County Government has weighed in on the legality of the matter. Let’s hear more.

Mr. Chang
Witness
They’re skipping stones where there’s people. It’s so dangerous.

Member of public
Confused
It’s a bit contradictory. It’s normal to skip stones in such a place.

Chih Teng-lian
Yilan Business and Tourism Department
This behavior violates Article 11, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 11 of Yilan’s park management regulations, which prohibits activities that endanger the personal safety of visitors.

The county government says skipping stones is not allowed in areas designated for water activities. So if you want to avoid a fine of up to NT$6,000, it’s best to go stone skipping somewhere else. Officials say they will increase patrols to stop this highly dangerous and inconsiderate behavior.

#stoneskipping #skippingstones #water #seaside #beach #fun #nofun #nofunallowed #stone

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2026-08-21

Adorable and poisonous green-spored parasol mushrooms on Kaohsiung road

After days of torrential rain, a road divider in Kaohsiung is blooming with something you definitely don’t want to pick. Huge clusters of white mushrooms have popped up along Fengnan Road, turning the strip of grass into an unexpected photo spot, and even causing a few traffic headaches. Though cute, these aren’t harmless mushrooms. They’re poisonous green-spored parasols, and officials are warning the public to keep them away from their hands and mouths.

This road divider doesn’t have the usual flower bushes. Instead, there are some white things decorating the grass. Let’s take a closer look. It turns out it’s a patch of massive mushrooms, adding a touch of fairyland to the city.

Passerby
Won’t touch the mushrooms
They’re huge! People are saying you shouldn’t touch them. They’re toxic.

Passerby
Likes the mushrooms
It’s so weird! There’s mushrooms!

Days of constant heavy downpours have caused mushrooms to appear all over the road divider along Fengnan Road in Kaohsiung’s Fengshan District. It’s not the first time the mushrooms have cropped up, but they’ve never been this big before. The mushroom craze has sent people flocking to the road to snap up pictures. The traffic chaos now is something else.

Local
Fengshan District
People are parking illegally to take pictures. The police has come to fine them, because it’s such a busy road. You can’t just stop wherever you want.

Security guard
Fengshan District
There was a patch there and another there. There were mushrooms everywhere. The police caught people parking illegally and slapped them with a NT$600 fine.

The mushrooms are green-spored parasols, a medium-to-large poisonous species that can cause serious vomiting and diarrhea 1 to 3 hours after ingestion. City officials were dispatched on Thursday evening to remove them all.

Chen Chin-hung
Kaohsiung Public Works Bureau
Abundant precipitation over the past few days made the soil very moist, creating the perfect condition for green-spored parasols to grow. They are poisonous. They shouldn’t be touched, foraged or eaten.

A low pressure system has blown in constant rains to Kaohsiung, which was once again dotted with mushrooms. While the unusual sight has caught much attention, authorities warn the public to not touch them or, worse, eat them.

#mushrooms #kaohsiung #rainy #cute #adorable #spores #parasol

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2026-08-21

Customers clean up spilled drink at self-serve shop

Two men in Kaohsiung were praised by a flower store owner after they thoroughly cleaned up a drink they spilled in her shop. The store is autonomous, so there was no staff on-site to alert about the spill. But rather than leaving with the flowers they bought, the customers contacted the owner and spent 20 minutes cleaning up their mess.

The surveillance camera in this self-serve flower shop shows a man in a helmet carrying something long and thin inside. It turns out he was moping the floor.

Ms. Tsai
Flower shop owner
They bought a NT$1,500 bouquet and paid with LINE Pay, then told me their drink spilled. Those two are so well-mannered, they stayed there and cleaned it for 20 minutes.

The owner said these two young men immediately messaged her apologizing after they spilled the drink. Then they followed her instructions to get a mop from the closet and clean the floor.

Ms. Tsai
Flower shop owner
As one was mopping, his friend left for a while. It turns out he scooted over to the convenience store to get tissues to wipe the floor.

These two young people showed good manners by staying behind to thoroughly clean up after accidentally spilling a drink.

Member of public
Approves of students
I think Taiwan’s most beautiful side is its people. I fully support and stand behind students like this.

Member of public
Approves of students
They were so polite. There’re lots of autonomous places these days, like mahjong parlors. If my friend and I accidently spilled something, we would also clean it up if there was a mop nearby.

At this self-serve shop, where everything relies on honesty, the customers’ decision to stay and clean up offers a heartwarming reminder that the best part of Taiwan really is its people.

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#flowershop #bouquet #autonomous #autonomoushop #spill #manners #clean #behavior #Taiwan #selfserve

2026-08-21

Elementary school diabolo team wins 22 awards at Osaka competition

A team of students from Miaoli’s Houlong Elementary School recently won 22 awards at an international diabolo competition in Osaka, including 11 first-place victories, proudly representing Taiwan overseas.

Four students form a circle, toss diabolos into the air, and quickly shift formations, perfectly executing a series of challenging tricks.

Another student controls four diabolos at once, throwing them high and catching them with ease. The audience was thoroughly impressed with her skill.

This team of students and alumni from Miaoli’s Houlong Elementary School recently competed in the Osaka International Diabolo Competition. By winning 22 awards against top performers from around the world, they showcased their precision and teamwork.

Chieh Tzu-ling
Diabolo team member
I practiced this routine for about six months so I could perform it consistently. It was very challenging because it’s a highly skilled routine.

Fu Sheng-chun
Diabolo team member
If something keeps going wrong in rehearsal, as a team we will find the reason and fix it together.

Hung Chi-jen
Houlong Elementary School principal
Their regular training is pretty intense, so their skills and teamwork are both quite good.

The Houlong diabolo team has made a name for itself in its 14-year history, winning 69 international titles and 564 national ones. Through their impressive skills and impeccable teamwork, they’re a proud representative of Taiwan.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#diabolo #student #studentteam #elementaryschool #competition #international #champion #Miaoli #Osaka #teamTaiwan

2026-08-21

CEC ramps up preparations for local elections on Nov. 28

Taiwan will pick its local government representatives in just 100 days. The Central Election Commision on Thursday put up the election notice, meaning election season has officially started. Among some of the concerns this year is the use of deep-fake videos that could be used to spread misinformation. The CEC has established a task force in collaboration with police, prosecutors and the Ministry of Digital Affairs to prevent election interference.

On Nov. 28, voters will head to the polls to pick 11,051 public officials in 8,906 electoral districts. A total of 18,244 polling stations will be set up for Election Day, to cater to Taiwan’s 19.65 million eligible voters. That includes more than 600,000 first-timers. About 250,000 people will be chosen to work at the polls around the country.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#election #countdown #electoral #voting #democracy #taiwan #pollingstation

2026-08-20

Candidates make custom Kuai Kuai, drink cup lids to reach voters

As election season draws near, candidates are pulling out all the stops to make an impression on voters. Traditional items like tissue paper and fans no longer cut it. In Pingtung, a county councilor candidate became an instant hit with custom bags of Kuai Kuai featuring his photo. Another candidate over in Tainan is looking to capitalize on people’s summer cravings for a cool drink by printing his campaign ad directly on the lids, making it impossible for people to miss.

On a hot summer’s day, it seems like everyone is carrying a cold drink with them. This drink stand in Tainan has some unique film covers, printed with a man wearing a tiger helmet. It’s actually a promotion for Tainan City Councilor Wang Hsuan-mao’scampaign.

- It’s not bad. Really unique.

- Yeah, I think it’s special. A giveaway doesn’t have to be something you use.

Drink stall owner
People might just throw away promotional items. But with this, you look at it while you’re drinking and learn what he’s doing.

Campaign giveaways are usually thrown out, giving them minimal effect. But if you buy a beverage, you’re going to drink it, and every time you take a sip, the message is right in front of your face, making it hard to ignore.

Wang Hsuan-mao
Tainan City Councilor
The cost of one film lid is actually less than a pack of tissues. It’s like renting a billboard. Instead of putting an ad up on a billboard, I’m renting their drink lids and asking them to run my ad. It’s a similar concept.

He’s working with 50 drink shops, trading custom film lids for ad space while also helping the shops save on distribution costs. Tsai Li-ching, another Tainan city councilor seeking reelection, is also working with drink makers to supply large bottles with her ads, which frequently pop up at neighborhood events.

Tsai Li-ching
Tainan City Councilor
It’s a fresh cold drink! Whenever there’s a banquet or a temple feast, we provide them on the tables.

Tainan City Councilor Huang Chao-hui played on homophones of his name to make custom pencils to help voters remember him. Over in Pingtung, County Councilor Lee Shih-pin is looking to voters’ love for Kuai Kuai for a leg up. The custom bags featuring his photo have been a hit especially with seniors. As election day approaches, candidates are coming up with all kinds of creative gimmicks to be seen, knowing that the most important thing is getting voters to remember them.

#campaign #election #citycouncilor #KuaiKuai #drinkshop #campaignswag #Tainan #Pingtung #creativemarketing

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2026-08-20

New Red Line station on Taipei MRT to open on Aug. 30

The Taipei Metro’s Red Line is about to get longer, after more than 10 years of construction. The extra track section on Taipei’s Xinyi District has been granted an operation permit by the transport ministry. It will open to the public on Aug. 30. Let’s hear from the mayor of Taipei.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
The eastern extension of the Red Line was one of the most challenging metro sections ever, due to the complex geology of the ground and the challenges that arose during construction. I am extremely thankful to the construction team, the administrative team in the city government and all partners who assisted in the completion of the line extension. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications issued the operating permit on the 18th. Thank you. I would hereby like to announce that the additional station will officially be open to the public on Aug. 30, and to celebrate we will launch several promotional campaigns.

The Red Line will extend 1.4km past Xiangshan Station along Section 6 of Xinyi Road, all the way to the Guangci Bo’ai Park. The final station will be Guangci/Fengtian Temple Station. The depth of the tunnels reaches almost 10 stories underground, making it one of the most challenging metro construction sections. To celebrate the completion of the project, Taipei will hold promotional campaigns including lucky draws with the chance to win round-trip tickets to London and Tokyo.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#taipemetro #taipei #mrt #metro #urban #urbandesign #taipei

2026-08-20

Historic shops in Xinzhuang Temple Street get trendy makeovers

Historic Xinzhuang Temple Street in New Taipei City is getting a makeover! The city government is revitalizing five traditional heritage shops – from a traditional glutinous rice ball store to a Chinese medicine shop -- with youthful rebranding from young designers. Second and third generation owners are taking over family businesses, injecting new trendy energy into the area. Let’s find out more.

Slicing open this giant longevity peach bun is like opening a surprise package—hidden inside are multiple cute, chick-shaped buns. This innovative “Mother-and-Child Longevity Peach” was created when a second-generation successor took over, breathing new life into a declining traditional pastry business.

Chiang Kun-ta
Longevity peach business operator
During my university years, traditional Chinese pastries were fading, even in decline, which made me quite sad. I felt a sense of mission to promote them and give them new life.

The New Taipei City Government is promoting a demonstration project to revitalize specialized shops in Xinzhuang Temple Street. By bringing in brand consultants and young designers, the project has revitalized five classic local shops, from a traditional savory glutinous rice ball shop that has been passed down for over 70 years across three generations to a traditional Chinese medicine shop run by second generation owners. In addition to preserving traditional services, the shop facades have been redesigned and rebranded, and special health drinks have been launched to attract young people.

Hou Yu-ih
New Taipei City Mayor
Over time, we’ve realized that in addition to preserving the original traditions, Xinzhuang Old Street needs to continuously innovate and pass on its heritage so that everyone can enjoy these traditional flavors. We also need to continuously embrace new ideas and use new business models to attract more international tourists to our Xinzhuang Temple Street.

Chiu Chao-mei
New Taipei City Government
Brands can refine their narratives, revamp their visual design and menus, and refresh their storefronts so that the flavors of these heritage shops can appeal to a new generation of consumers.

With the assistance of city government resources and the efforts of the next generation to transform the area, the Xinzhuang Temple Street business circle has been revitalized and its prosperity has been rekindled.

#XinzhuangTempleStreet #Taiwaneseheritage #Taiwanesepastries #Taiwanesetraditions #Newtaipeicity

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2026-08-20

Tongxiao Beach sand sculpture festival charms during day and night

A sand sculpture festival is running until September 6th on TongxiaoBeach in Miaoli County. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and while the exquisitely crafted sand sculptures can be seen during the day, many people are choosing to go at night when it is cooler and the sculptures are illuminated by light projections in a spectacular fashion. Let’s find out more.

From a high-angle aerial view, the meticulously crafted sand sculptures reveal a completely different appearance under the interplay of light and shadow.

The 2026 Tongxiao Sand Sculpture Festival in Miaoli runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., offering both exquisite sand sculptures to admire during the day and something worth seeing at night.

Chang Mai-ssu
Photography enthusiast
After the lights are turned on, it is beautiful, especially at dusk when you can enjoy the sunset while admiring the effect of the lights.

At night, the lights give the sand sculptures a mysterious look, transforming them into a nighttime beach city.

- I feel it’s so romantic, the ambience is so nice!
- You mean with the way the lights are set up?
- Yeah, yeah!

- Did you specifically choose to come at night?
- Yes, yes, it’s not so hot.
- It’s cooler, and the lighting is beautiful.

To beat the heat, many people choose to come in the evening to enjoy the spectacle. This allows them to avoid the scorching sun, enjoy the sea breeze, and experience the unique nighttime light projections.

Chen Kun-tien
Event director
It’s white sand; whatever light you give it, it reflects back to you. The sand color is different from other beaches.

The Tongxiao Sand Sculpture Festival uses light and shadow to create a one-of-a-kind nighttime beach city, aiming to give visitors a distinctly romantic atmosphere.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#sandsculpture #Taiwanfestivals #Miaolitourism #Miaolifestivals #tongxiaobeach

2026-08-20

Foushoushan Farm hosts Taiwan’s highest ATM

The highest post office in Taiwan is on Alishan, but do you know where the highest post office ATM is? It’s in Taichung at Fushoushan Farm! At 2,240 meters above sea level, it saves residents and visitors at least a half hour round trip to the next-nearest ATM. Now when tourists want to buy local produce, they no longer need to worry about running out of cash. Since the area is famous for its apples, Chunghwa Post created a special apple-shaped sign for the ATM that people love to take photos with.

- At 2,240 meters above sea level, the remote Fushoushan Farm has officially inaugurated Taiwan’s only apple-shaped post office ATM!

The farm’s social media manager excitedly introduces their new post office ATM—the highest in all of Taiwan. Setting up the machine was no easy feat, as annual operational costs can reach over a million dollars. Chunghwa Post finalized the decision only after careful evaluation.

Member of public
Likes the design
Wow, it’s so special! It must be a first in Taiwan. It’s shaped like an apple. It’s so creative!

The sign for the Chunghwa Post ATM is designed to look like a green apple, priming visitors to enjoy the local speciality.

Wang Shu-chu
Taichung Post Office deputy director
Most of our apples are imported. But honestly, most imported apples aren’t as good as the ones here in Lishan. So we thought, Lishan’s specialty is apples—the megumi apples especially are world-famous—so we designed the ATM sign to look like a megumi apple.

Tourists buying local produce no longer need to worry about running low on cash. The machine operates 24 hours a day and even supports cardless withdrawals.

Member of public
Loves the service
This service is amazing! Before, if we wanted to buy things and ran out of cash, we had to go over to Lishan to withdraw money. Driving, it took about 30 minutes round-trip. But now we have this ATM. It’s very considerate. I’m glad we have it!

The Lishan Post Office 6km away is responsible for replenishing the ATM. Two police officers from Lishan Station are dispatched to escort the cash, ensuring the banknotes safely reach Taiwan’s highest ATM.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#ATM #Lishan #apples #localproduce #ChunghwaPost #highaltitude

2026-08-20

Republican Senator says she’s ‘not that informed’ on Taiwan

A Republican Senate candidate in South Carolina is facing a political firestorm after giving a startling answer about Taiwan and the South China Sea in a recent televised debate. Darline Graham, who stepped into her late brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat, was asked whether the issues are tied to US national security. She admitted she simply wasn’t informed in the subject. Her opponent immediately pounced, while critics questioned whether the political newcomer has the experience to hold the seat.

Earlier this summer, US Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham died, leaving his seat to his younger sister, Darline Graham. But with an election coming up, she’s had to justify her appointment ahead of the Republican Party’s runoff vote. In a debate on Wednesday, she showed her ignorance of cross-strait issues.

Greta Van Susteren
Moderator
Are Taiwan and the South China Sea national security issues for the United States? And if so, why or how?

Darline Graham
US Senator
I’m just going to be honest here. I’ve not on national security… I’m not that informed on national security

The unexpected answer gave her opponent the perfect opportunity to strike back.

Ralph Norman
Republic runoff candidate
Taiwan’s a definite ally. So what the president is doing right is he’s enabling Taiwan to defend themselves against China.

Before his death, Graham visited Taiwan on three occasions and touted himself as an expert on diplomacy and national security. He even promoted pro-Taiwan bills and was seen as a close ally of Taiwan, making his sister’s reply especially shocking. One day later, she accepted a TV interview to try and stop the criticism.

Darline Graham
US Senator
I tripped up on one question last night, regarding Taiwan. Of course Taiwan is our friend.

Darline Graham is a newcomer to politics, but she was endorsed to her appointment in succeeding her brother by US President Donald Trump. Experts say her recent blunder may have severely damaged her support.

Katie Porter
Former US Representative (Dem)
This woman needs a lot of polish and she needs it really fast.

Elex Michaelson
CNN News Anchor
The concern about her is. Does she have the juice? Is she experienced enough? Can she do this job?

Darline Graham has admitted that she is not a politician, but defended herself arguing that voters are more concerned about their livelihoods than the South China Sea. Nevertheless, her Taiwan blunder has put extra scrutiny on her this electoral season.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#darlinegraham #gop #republican #taiwan #southchinasea #debate #election #lindseygraham

2026-08-20

Truck driver stuck in surging river rescued unharmed

A truck driver suddenly found himself in a life-or-death situation after a sudden downpour in Yilan. Mr. Yu, who is in his 60s, had been parked at a dredging site on the Lanyang River, when the torrential rain sent the river surging, trapping his vehicle in the current. Firefighters went to rescue him at around 4 in the morning, using ropes to rescue the trapped man and bring him to dry land. Let’s hear more.

Hsu Wei-ting
Yilan Fire Department
As soon as we received the report, we dispatched staff, boats and vehicles to the scene. Our firefighters waded across the current to set up a ropeway and bring the truck driver to safety. Fortunately he emerged unharmed.

Mr. Yu was waiting in his truck as part of a dredging operation near the Huludu Bridge, when the water level on the river suddenly soared. He immediately called for help to be taken ashore. Just a short few hours later, the swell had already receded. The contractor in charge of the operations says that a notice had been sent to workers, saying that work would be called off due to the rain. Perhaps the truck driver didn’t see the memo, but fortunately, he escaped unharmed.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#torrent #river #rain #weather #contractor #yilan #trucker #truckdriver

2026-08-20

Elderly dog steps onto train tracks just as train approaches station

An adorable white dog gave visitors at Alishan the fright of their lives this past weekend. Just as a train was about to pull in to a train station, the dog wandered onto the tracks, mere meters ahead of the train. The driver sounded the horn repeatedly, but the dog wouldn’t move. Amid cries from onlookers, the train slowed down to a snail-pace crawl to prevent a tragedy. The dog seemed blissfully unaware of any problems, and continued plodding forward until it eventually moved aside.

A train is rounding the tracks when… Wait, is that a dog? A white pup has wandered straight onto the tracks.

Onlookers gasp as the train gets dangerously close to the doggo.

The driver sounds the horn again and again, but the dog pays it no mind, strolling casually along the grassy tracks. It even looks back, as if checking whether the train is still following it. Visitors don’t know whether to cry or laugh.

Everyone stands around waiting. The incident happened on Sunday morning on the Alishan Forest Railway. The train was approaching Shizilu Station, on its way to Chiayi, when the naughty doggo grabbed the opportunity to wreak some havoc. A traditional saying in Taiwan goes “Good dogs don’t block the road.” But clearly that doesn’t apply to rail tracks.

Member of public
Commenting on dog
So it’s not a good dog, because it blocked the way!

Member of public
Commenting on dog
It’s right at home, as if it were in its own back yard.

Member of public
Commenting on dog
It’d be better if it were on a leash. That would’ve prevented this.

The white pupper is actually a beloved neighborhood resident that’s cared for by the community. At the age of 20 years – equivalent to 100 dog years – its mobility isn’t what it used to be and when walking around is a little slower. Train drivers all know about this furry travel companion, and they always sound the horn and slow down when they spot it.

Chou Heng-kai
Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office
The drivers all know about the dog. Nobody is grazing livestock on the railway, so no regulations have been violated.

The train was slowing down to stop at the station anyway, so the chances of a tragic accident were low. But even then, for those seeing it for the first time, it was a scary close call.

#dog #doggo #cute #funny #animals #animal #cutedogs #dogsofinstagram #doglover

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2026-08-20

Grad student writes thesis on Chiayi mint chicken

One of Chiayi’s local dishes, mint chicken, has made its way into academia, becoming the subject of a master’s thesis. A National Chung Cheng University graduate student spent more than two years researching her grandmother’s signature mint chicken to write Taiwan’s first thesis on the dish.

A chef stir-fries ginger, garlic, and mint in sesame oil, then stuffs it into a chicken. He then seasons it with salt and pepper and cooks it by frying as well as steaming. Finally this mint chicken, a specialty of northern Chiayi, is ready to be served.

Lee Che-wei
Chef
I use oil to partly fry it. This method is a bit like braising, a bit like roasting, and a bit like pan-frying.

The smell of mint fills the room as the chef carves the chicken. The meat is tender and juicy, while the skin is crispy. The warmth of the sesame oil and ginger blend with the mint’s coolness for an unforgettable flavor combination.

- It hit me right in the head.

- It smells like mint and the chicken is really tender.

Mint chicken was once a household dish in northern Chiayi, but it’s become less common in recent years. Hoping to learn more about the dish her grandmother always made, a master’s student from National Chung Cheng University, Wu Kuei-fang, decided to research mint chicken for her thesis.

Wu Kuei-fang
Master’s student
I had mint chicken all the time growing up. I thought I could turn it into a thesis topic to discuss its origin and why it came about.

Her thesis advisor saw the value in researching this local dish, and she was able to introduce mint chicken to the world of academia.

Kuan Chung-hsiang
CCU Department of Communication director
Food is our culture and our history. It has a big connection to the overall development of Taiwan, so I was happy to see this thesis completed.

Academic research topics are diverse, but it’s quite an achievement to write an entire thesis on one local dish. Paying tribute to the flavor of her hometown, Wu’s research shows that mint chicken is rich in history and culture, as well as flavor.

#chicken #mintchicken #Chiayi #thesis #gradschool #student #gradstudent #hometown #cuisine #academia

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2026-08-20