Surrounded by the seas and enclosed by rugged mountains, the island of Taiwan has captured the imagination of people for generations; from Portuguese explorers who labelled the island Ilha Formosa (the beautiful isle) to present day tourists from around the world. Today, travelers continue to be impressed by all that the small island offers them, most notably the famous night markets that decorate the city streets every night. The sights and smells that permeate these food stalls are guaranteed to make your mouth water. At the market you’ll find delicious classics like bubble milk tea |珍珠奶茶 | zhēnzhū nǎichá , braised pork on rice | 滷肉飯 | lǔ ròu fàn, steamed pork belly buns | 割包 | guàbāo, and beef noodle soup | 牛肉麵 | niúròu miàn, as well as more adventurous selections like pig’s blood cake | 豬血糕 | zhūxiě gao, thin noodles with intestine | 大腸麵線 | Dàcháng miàn xiàn, and stinky tofu | 臭豆腐 | chòu dòufu (I guarantee, it tastes better than it smells). The list goes on and on; there’s no shortage of food to try. Strolling the many night markets is one of the best ways to define the term active eating; testing your patience as you wait in line for the most popular food stalls, just as the locals do, is truly a cultural experience. Read more to find out why a trip to Taiwan should be about more than just its night markets snacks, popularly termed “xiǎochī | 小吃”. Read More

Springtime is on it’s way! The snow is starting to melt, the flowers are blooming, and temperatures are on the rise. Even if you’re in one of China’s big cities, don’t’ fret: there’s an escape from the hustle and bustle where you can experience Spring in all it’s glory. Pack your bag, throw on your sneakers, and check out some of the amazing Springtime destinations in China. Read More