Category：Life

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.

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

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:
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2026-08-20

Children enjoy rowing and clamming at Chiayi fish farm

Dongshi Township in Chiayi is famous for its fresh clams, known for their sweet flavor. To give children a hands-on experience, a local fish farm offers activities for families, including clamming, boating, and seaweed harvesting. Visitors can even make oyster rolls, helping kids better understand how Chiayi’s seafood gets from the pond to their table.

Kids wade through the water, using their hands to pick up clams from the mud.

Later they hop on a boat and try rowing across the pond together. Here at this recreational fishing ground in Dongshi , Chiayi, parents and teachers bring kids to enjoy themselves and learn through outdoor activities.

Student
Had fun
This time we rowed the boat, went fishing, and had shaved ice. I’m from Tainan. Next time I’ll come with my mom and dad.

Teacher
Brought students out
Today our cram school brought students here for some educational outdoor activities.

Kids can try all kinds of things, including fishing, harvesting seaweed, and even barbequing fresh seafood, giving them a chance to learn outside the classroom through hands-on experiences.

Owner
Dongshi
We’re the only place in Taiwan where people can try rowing and harvesting seaweed. We educate people about the environment and about food and agriculture.

Next door, people can even learn how to make oyster rolls.

- There are lots of different kinds of clams here, so you can actually see the ecology.
- Did you get any?
- Yeah!

From pond to table, kids can experience for themselves how seafood is caught and cooked, learning through fun activities.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#fish #fishing #clams #clamming #education #handson #kids #familyfriendly #outdoor #seafood

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

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

Zhuangwei offers scholarships for local university students

There’s only half a month left of summer vacation and many high school graduates are now preparing to enter college. Tuition fees and related expenses can be a big burden. The Zhuangwei Township Office in Yilan has stepped in to help out. It is offering scholarships of NT$10,000 for students who have been resident in the seaside township for at least a year and are admitted into a tertiary institution. The aim is to encourage them to continue studying and narrow the gap between them and their city counterparts.

With only half a month left of summer vacation, many high school and vocational school graduates are about to embark on their university life. However, university tuition fees are several times higher than those for high school and vocational school, putting immense pressure on many parents and students.

Wang
Yilan university student
Maybe I’ll spend more money at the beginning of the semester.

The Zhuangwei Township Office in Yilan recently announced a great perk: students who have been registered residents of Zhuangwei for a full year and are admitted to public or private colleges or universities nationwide will receive a scholarship of NT$10,000.

Mr. Lin
Local resident
How wonderful! We didn’t have these resources before when we wanted to go to study, especially since it’s not easy for local governments to provide them.

Hearing such good news, the older generation couldn’t hide their envy, exclaiming that they didn’t have such welfare benefits when they were in school. But where does the Zhuangwei Township Office’s scholarship fund come from? It turns out it’s from taxation savings reallocated to the community. An assessment found 180 people to be eligible.

Shen Ching-shan
Zhuangwei Township Mayor
Awarding these scholarships encourages our children to continue their studies. This is the first year of the pilot program, so in principle, we’ve budgeted around NT$1.8 million.

Zhuangwei Township is in an agricultural county, and its tax revenues were not very good in the past. However, in recent years, thanks to improvements, it not only has a tax surplus but has also become one of the top-ranked townships in Yilan County. This time, special scholarships are being issued not only to help students continue their studies but also to help them narrow the gap with their urban counterparts.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#Taiwanscholarships #Zhuangweitownship #studyperks #Taiwanwelfare #Yilanscholarships

2026-08-19

Running club organizes ‘pilgrimage’ to home of Taiwan’s richest man

The rags-to-riches story of the founder of King Slide Works Lin Tsung-chi, coupled with his recent ascent to become Taiwan’s richest person, has made his childhood home and the temples he supports into Kaohsiung’s newest attractions. Visitors have been flocking to the sites in Hunei District, hopping that Lin’s good fortune would rub off on them. A local running club has even organized a "pilgrimage" that runs past the tycoon’s home and favorite temples.

Runners from a local club pose for a photo in front of an unassuming seven-story brick townhouse. It’s the childhood home of King Slide Works founder and chairman Lin Tsung-chi, who’s been all over the news since becoming Taiwan’s richest person.

The text on this promotional poster says it’s for a “Hunei Riches Pilgrimage Run.” This local running club goes out together every week. Jumping on the latest trend, this past week, they started from Weizainei Ciji Temple and ran past Guanyin Pavilion, which is frequently visited by Chairman Lin, as well as his childhood home. The 24-kilometer half marathon drew 26 participants.

Member of public
Commenting on sights
He’s Taiwan’s richest man. We visited his old home.

This home, where the King Slide founder still lives today, has become a popular destination. The nearby Guanyin Pavilion where he often prays displays a group picture with Chairman Lin near the entrance. Some visitors have traveled all the way from Tainan, hoping to absorb some of his good fortune.

Visitor
Commenting on sights
We just came to take a look. The area is wonderful! Good places produce good people.

The local borough warden said that Chairman Lin is low-key and thrifty. He’s also passionate about religion and charity, and keeps good relationships with his neighbors.

Voice of Hung Tien-mou
Dahu Borough Warden
Whenever there’s a need in the community—especially something religious—he’ll donate money to help out. He usually drives himself around and gets along great with his neighbors. We used to play golf together seven or eight years ago.

Earning the title of Taiwan’s richest person is no easy feat. Now his childhood home has become a local landmark, with even the running club designing a route around it in the hopes of soaking in some of his incredible luck.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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#LinTsungchi #Taiwansrichestman #KingSlideWorks #Kaohsiung #wealth #runningclub #pilgrimage

2026-08-19

Tourists splashing water, littering spark outrage at Taitung’s ‘Sky Mirror’

The "Sky Mirror" on Huayuan Mountain in Taitung’s Taimali is popular with visitors who want to take stunning photos where the image of the sea meeting the sky is reflected in a pool. But to get better pictures, some people have been throwing rocks and trash into the pool for a ripple effect, triggering outrage, especially since it’s a privately owned storage pond that the leaseholder was kind enough to open to the public.

Visitors stand by the edge of a reflecting pool, the ocean beyond perfectly melding into the reflected sky into one continuous expanse of blue. It makes for the perfect social media photo. But recently, these scenes were also caught on camera.

To make ripples on the surface, people were spotted throwing stones into the pool and reaching in to splash the water around. One man even poured water inside and then tossed the plastic bottle on the ground. Video of the bad behavior drew ire online, as people criticized them for lacking respect and questioned who would clean up after them.

Visitor
Touring Taitung
If you leave your trash here, who do you expect to clean up after you?

Visitor
Touring Taitung
Taiwan has so many beautiful places. When people visit, they need to take good care of it so that others can enjoy it, too.

This breathtaking spot up in the mountains of Taitung’s Taimali is actually a privately owned storage pond for agriculture. But people discovered that beyond reflecting the sky, it also lines up perfectly with the blue ocean in the distance. Now dubbed the “Sky Mirror,” it’s attracted many people to come take photos. The leaseholder, a local village warden, opened the site to the public free of charge to promote local produce, but ended up having to pick up trash every day. Even after posting signs and setting out trash cans, some visitors seem not to notice.

Chang Ching-liang
Leaseholder
I spend all day over there picking up trash. People go there to smoke and throw their butts all over the place. It looks like it snowed with the cigarette butts everywhere!

After the spot went viral, the pool has even turned murky due to eutrophication, affecting the fish living inside. At one point the owner even closed it off, but now that it’s open again, some selfish visitors keep making a mess of this beautiful spot that people work so hard to maintain.

#Taitung #scenic #photospot #SkyMirror #badbehavior #traveletiquette #tourism

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2026-08-19

Collectors invest in rare trading cards from abroad

Many people who collect trading cards often travel abroad to find rare collectables, either buying, trading, or having their cards professionally graded in hopes of multiplying their value. Some collectors even consider the market’s prospects and view collecting rare cards as an investment.

This binder is packed with over 100 Pokémon cards, all carefully organized and well protected. The collector also has 10 special, rare cards worth about NT$60,000, which she traveled to Japan to get.

- I flew to a card shop in Japan and bought it there.

This pink card of Mew above a city street, which sparkles under the light, is a favorite among collectors. This other rare card, a collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum, is worth NT$20,000 to NT$30,000. But if it’s been authenticated, it can sell for nearly NT$100,000.

Ms. Lin
Pokémon card collector
Many people like collecting cards by artists because of their beautiful design, which is a key factor in driving up value. For those looking to build a collection, cards designed by artists are a good option.

The card’s details, cut and condition all affect its value. But some people sell fake cards online, taking advantage of the high price collectors will pay.

Ms. Lin
Pokémon card collector
Although its pattern is beautiful, it’s a fake. The real card has a swirl pattern.

Some collectors even consider the cards an investment, as rare cards are likely to appreciate in value.

#Pokémon #Pokémoncards #collection #cards #rare #travel #Japan #tradingcards #value #investment

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2026-08-18