The best destinations in Taiwan recommended by the locals

Taiwan is a small island to the east of China that has become a huge travel destination. With the scenic mountains, beautiful bodies of water, and tasty food, there is no wonder why more and more people are traveling there on vacation.

Although the island might be small, there are plenty of interesting attractions in Taipei, the nation's capital, and all over the island. With forests, beaches, hot springs, museums, and other amazing attractions it might be hard to narrow down your list of things to explore and see during your trip to Taiwan.

Danshui

Just to the north of Taipei City lies the district of Danshui. This one-time busy port town is now a tourist-oriented seaside area complete with a wharf and promenade where visitors can enjoy fresh seafood while watching the sunset.

Danshui is also home to a number of historical tourist attractions and Danshui Old Street, which is lined with traditional shops and street vendors. This is perhaps one of the most popular day-trip destinations in the country due to its proximity to the city and the fact that it is served by an MRT line.

Kenting

While Fulong is probably the best known beach to the north, the beaches of Kenting are more popular for extended beach holidays. Here, the beaches are beautiful and clean, and you will find that the weather is quite temperate even during the supposedly cold months of winter.
But Kenting is not just all beaches. As one of the most beautiful national parks in Taiwan, it is also home to some stunning hiking trails some of which offer incredible views of the ocean.

Read more: Visit Kenting, the southernmost of Taiwan

Fulong

It is one of the most popular beaches in Northern Taiwan and with good reason. Easily accessible from Taipei City, Fulong is a pristine beach with golden sands and wooden pathways that weave their way through the dunes. It is also considered a good spot for surfing.

The beach is only a short walk from the train station at the center of the village, which also happens to be home to quite a few local restaurants. It is a great day trip especially if you come out during the Sand Sculpting Festival in early summer.

Sun Moon Lake

Taiwan’s largest body of landlocked water lies in Nantou County, and its scenic pathways along with yacht cruises across the lake make it one of the island’s most popular holiday destinations.
The lake is surrounded by guesthouses and hotels, while there is also the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village theme park to keep visitors entertained. The theme park is accessible by gondola, which in itself is lots of fun.

Wuling Farm

Cherry blossom and tea garden in Wuling Farm was created in 1963 as a place where retired servicemen could find employment. Now it is a beautiful farm that offers camping grounds for people to stay on during their visit.

Take the trails to view the scenic gardens filled with flowers, a vegetable plantations, fruit, and fish farming. This is a great way to see another aspect of Taiwanese life while still experiencing breathtaking views and a little history.

Source CultureTrip

Adventure the best art exhibitions in Tokyo in winter

If you are in Japan this winter, there are a huge number of excellent exhibitions providing opportunities to enjoy Japanese art from a variety of perspectives. Traditional Japanese craft, retrospectives of Japanese masters, the impact of catastrophe on art, and international artists influenced by Japan, all are subjects for this winter’s exhibitions both in Tokyo and beyond.

Exotic x Modern: French Art Deco and Inspiration from Afar

Focusing on the Art Deco movement of inter-war France and its influences from Non-European countries, this is a niche but far-reaching exhibition. A period of discovery, the era included the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb, the Ballet Russe’s appearance and the travels of Josephine Baker. The cultural crossover of different nations thanks to expositions and recorded expeditions was key in forming the designs of the era, all of which are explored in this exhibition. From fashion to interior design, the pieces displayed offer an insight into the adoption of styles, colours and images from further afield and their inclusion in one of the most recognizable styles of the 20th century.

Entry:
Adults:
Advance sales: ¥960
On the door: ¥1,200
Students:
Advance sales: ¥760
On the door: ¥960
Over 65s:
Advance sales: ¥480
On the door: ¥600

Munch: A Retrospective

Best known for his piece The Scream, Edvard Munch is one of the great names of art and this touring exhibition is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for art lovers in Tokyo. See 60 oil paintings as well as prints and additional pieces from throughout his career. One of the highlights of the exhibition will be the first Japanese appearance of the tempera and oil version of The Scream (one of several versions) from the Munch Museum Collection. Advance tickets can be purchased online and will knock off ¥200 on the ticket price.

Entry: ¥1,600 (adults), ¥1,300 (students), ¥1,000 (seniors), ¥600 (HS students)

Rubens and the Birth of the Baroque

Pioneering a new style in the 17th century, Rubens was highly influential in introducing the world to the development of the Flemish Baroque movement. This exhibition focuses on his relationship with Italy, previously the home of the Renaissance style. There will be a combination of Ruben’s works as well as ancient sculptures and pieces by Italian artists from the era and it will be the largest collection of his works ever exhibited in Japan.

Entry: ¥1,600 (adults), ¥1,200 (students), ¥800 (HS Students)

Tokyographie

This offshoot event is a great chance to see some of the best works form the annual Tokyographie event held in Japan’s ancient capital. An international photography exhibition, it has been running for six years but this is the first time it has visited Tokyo.

This year’s theme is Up, a focus on personal impetus and an attempt to move away from the many weights of modern society. The exhibition will be held at different venues including Fujifilm Square, Institut français du Japon, Chanel Nexus House and smaller galleries. Artists to look out for include Jean Paul Goude, Tadashi Ono and Masahisa Fukase.

Entry: Free

Read more: 5 snow festivals to attend in Japan

Catastrophe and the Power of Art

Earthquakes, terrorist attacks and financial crises, disasters and catastrophes never fail to provoke unique and compelling responses from artists around the world. Whether they aim to express grief, promote change or just serve as a reminder of the events, all take a personal and subjective take on global events. This striking exhibition features a collection of installations, sculptures and images from Japanese and international artists as they offer their take on personal and national catastrophes.

Entry: ¥1,800 (adults), ¥1,500 (seniors), ¥1,200 (students), ¥600 (JHS students and children)

Source TokyoCheapo

All about Tempeh, Indonesia's nation food

Tempeh is a popular food in Indonesia, but do you know what exactly it is about? Take a look at this article to find out more about it.

1. What is tempeh?

Tempeh is a soy-based meat alternative. It’s made from whole soy beans which are softened by soaking. Then they’re cooked, slightly fermented and formed into a firm patty or block.

And actually, while tempeh is traditionally made with soybeans, it can actually be made with any type of bean, like black beans, black-eyed peas, and chickpeas. Some kinds of tempeh also include grains, like brown rice, barley or millet, or seeds.

2. Is tempeh the same as tofu?

No! While tempeh and tofu are both high protein meat alternatives made from soy, they’re actually totally different from one another.

The first big difference is that tempeh is minimally processed using whole soybeans, while tofu is made by coagulating soy milk, then pressing the curd into blocks. Tofu has a soft texture, and is sold in varying degrees of firmness, from silken to extra firm. Meanwhile, tempeh is hearty and firm with a varied texture from the whole soybeans.

Also, the texture and flavor of these products are nothing alike. Tempeh has a much stronger flavor than tofu. It’s savory and nutty, and many people describe it as having an earthy, mushroom-y taste. Tofu, on the other hand only has a subtle flavor and is pretty bland.

3. What does tempeh taste like?

Tempeh is firm and textured with a savory, nutty taste. If you don’t care for tofu and its soft, sometimes rubbery texture, consider trying tempeh. It has a completely different texture and taste.

4. Where to find tempeh

You can buy tempeh in any health food store, as well as most grocery stores. Look for it in the refrigerated section, near where tofu and meat alternative products are sold. You can also make your own tempeh at home!

5. How to eat tempeh

Tempeh is a super versatile food, and there’s no shortage of ways to eat it. Use tempeh the same way you would any type of meat or tofu — as a burger, in salads, stir fries, soups and stews.

Before we get to the cooking, keep in mind that since tempeh is firm, it’s best to slice it into thin slices or cubes before preparing it.

To add more flavor, consider marinating the tempeh before cooking. Tempeh is commonly sliced thin then pan-fried or grilled, until the edges are crispy. It can also be baked, steamed, crumbled into soups and stews, or added into stir-fries.

See more: 8 Indonesian snacks you must try before leaving

Source: thekitchn