The reasons to visit Taichung one time in your lifetime

For many years, Taichung was considered a hub of industry and, as a result, not a place that many considered the ideal holiday or weekend break destination. However, in recent years the city has undergone a huge wave of redevelopment and is now a great place for a short break. Here are some of the main reasons why travelers should have the west coast city of Taichung on their Taiwan bucket list.

Arts and culture

Taichung is Taiwan's cultural center. The National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts is one of the biggest in Asia, showcasing paintings, sculptures and installations from Taiwanese artists. The city has an outdoor jazz festival every October, attracting international acts.

Another stunning attraction is Rainbow Village, an old settlement for ex-soldiers, preserved by a 93-year-old man who's now the village's last resident. He hand-painted the buildings with colorful murals featuring children and animals, thereby saving it from demolition.

Super-friendly people

Taiwan has a reputation for being an incredibly welcoming place, and Taichung is one of its most welcoming cities. People here are very friendly towards tourists, and it is not uncommon to go out for dinner and make a few new friends along the way.

Amazing food

Many tourists would surmise that the food is amazing no matter where you go in Taiwan but in Taichung, you have a genuine melting pot of cuisines from all over the world. From French haute cuisine to local hole-in-the-wall noodle shops, Taichung has it all and then some. But more, it is the local treats that make the city one of a kind. Taichung is the home of a variety of snacks and foods such as Sun Cakes and Pearl Milk Tea. In fact, no self-respecting local will visit the city without sampling at least one.

Awesome night markets

Open-air night markets are the heart of nightlife here. Food stands offer noodles, stinky tofu, desserts and barbecued everything. There is no better place than Taichung to try bubble tea, where the popular drink was invented.

Nature

The countryside surrounding Taichung is home to some of the best trails for short hikes, and at any time during your stay in the city, you are never more than a half-hour away from lush green countryside. The nearby coast is also a great spot to visit the Gaomei Wetlands, one of the most popular places for an evening stroll. The wetlands are home to an incredible array of local wildlife, and the pathways that wind through the area provide easy access.

The cutest coffee shops

In a land overflowing with oddly themed cafés, saying that Taichung has the quirkiest is something else. But in Taichung, the cafés are not so much odd as they are cute and colorful. And what is more, there are so many of them. Every street seems to have at least two or three coffee shops, and with so much competition, each strives to stand out from the crowd. Having a coffee in Taichung is certainly an interesting experience.

Read more: Take a trip to Taichung

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What to buy as souvenirs in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has always been a known stop for most cruises thanks to some of the most unique and exquisite quality items available on this island. So when you are here, you need to keep an entire day dedicated for shopping. Scout the local markets, or roam tirelessly in the high-end showrooms but be sure to take back the unique varieties this island nation has to offer. Below is a list of what to buy in Sri Lanka so that you can carry home as lovely souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones.

Jewellery and gems

Sri Lanka is famous for its sapphires and moonstones. The mines in Ratnapura have a constant supply of precious gems and the gemologists on the island know where to import the best gems from as well. In the little town of the Galle Fort, gem stores sell gems on their own and in the form of jewellery as well. If you are buying gems and jewellery, it is best to use your bartering skills. There are also plenty of contemporary jewellery makers like Two Dots Jewellery, which you can find at Barefoot or via their online store.

Raksha masks

Unique to the Sri Lankan culture, Raksha masks are available in almost every souvenir shop in the form of masks, magnets, keychains, etc. They are believed to ward off the evil and protect the one who possesses them. The masks are worn while performing the traditional Kolam ritual and depict the ancient race of Rakshasas. The most commonly used masks are Naga Raksha (cobra mask), Gurulu Raksha (Mask of the Bird) and Maru Raksha (Mask of the Demon of Death).

Saris and sarongs

Sri Lanka’s local and traditional clothing is made up of saris for women and sarongs for men. Some women will wear sarongs as well but as a set with a matching blouse. There are plenty of places to find sarongs in Colombo and in the rest of Sri Lanka, but the best sarongs are from Barefoot. There are also saris at Barefoot and Selyn Fair Trade and you can find beautiful silk or batik saris in high fashion sari shops and via Fashion Market, an online fashion store.

Ayurvedic beauty products

Ayurveda is a traditional healing system practiced by Ayurveda doctors in Sri Lanka. This craft has been passed on to them through the generations. Lately, there are more local brands selling products using these age old remedies, and they are a perfect gift for your loved ones.

Dumbara mats

If you are a fan of the handwoven stuff, you must pick up Dumbara mats and cane handicrafts from the local shops. The villages around Kandy produce a lot of coarse fabric called Dumbara which is then woven into mats, bags, boxes, and baskets, typically in a geometric fashion. These can make for excellent gifts.

Read more: 7 reasons why you should visit Sri Lanka in 2019

Moonstone carvings

All Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka are graced by a half moon stepping stone at the entrance. These carved stones are called moonstones and have been used as religious imagery for centuries. These ancient carvings are now used in parks and modern temples due to their figurative and historic quality. Small moonstone carvings are made as souvenirs for tourists and small home shrines. They can be found carved in limestone or wood, in small to larger sizes. They make great conversation starters due to their history.

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Top shopping malls to visit in Tokyo

Japan’s first shopping mall, Mitsukoshi, was established over one hundred years ago. Since then, a multitude of other one-stop shops have added themselves to the country’s cityscapes, whether they be for menswear or womenswear. The following are eight of Tokyo‘s best shopping malls.

Isetan

Isetan is a successful department store chain and brand with their home base in Shinjuku. The store does well in places like Singapore and Malaysia, where Japanese-themed events are held to engage shoppers interested in the culture. In Tokyo’s Shinjuku, a cluster of connected Isetan department store buildings cater to men’s fashion, beauty products and more. Isetan appeals to both the local and international crowd while shoppers can find anything from kimono accessories and herbal teas to bridal gowns and children’s toys.

Mitsukoshi

Along with Matsuya, Mitsukoshi is recognized as Japan’s oldest department store. It’s also one of the nation’s largest. Eight years ago, the company merged with Isetan to form Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings. The two chains remain distinct from one another, however, with Mitsukoshi being a little pricier and more upscale. The Chuo-ku location in Tokyo is one of their most notable. Mitsukoshi also operates stores in North America, Europe and Asia.

PARCO

PARCO is a major department store chain with branches in most major Japanese cities. One of their main locations in Tokyo, Shibuya PARCO, is currently undergoing renovations and will be closed for the next four years. Fortunately, they operate other branches like PARCO P’Ikebukuro Annex in Ikebukuro. PARCO tries to support local talent by encouraging popup shops. They also use a unique business model that combines retail with real estate services.

Marui

Marui is a major department store chain with stores in Tokyo and other large Japanese cities. Their iconic logo looks like ‘0101’, and is read ‘Marui’ in Japanese. The 0 resembles the Japanese symbol pronounced ‘maru’, meaning zero or circle. Marui targets a young, stylish audience between the ages of 20-35. Marui used to operate an online webstore selling Japanese street fashions overseas but has since been closed down.

Sogo / Seibu

The Sogo and Seibu department stores are both subsidiaries of Seven & I Holdings Co., the same company that owns the ubiquitous Ito Yokado supermarkets and Seven-Eleven convenience stores. You’ll find Seibu at big thoroughfares like Shibuya Station, making it a convenient one-stop shop for the busy commuter.

Tokyu Department Store

Tokyu will be a familiar name to anyone who’s ever travelled in Tokyo. The company not only operates their Tokyo Department store branches, like their flagship shop at Shibuya Station, but the ubiquitous Tokyo Hands multi-level hobby store. Tokyu Department Store carries a lot of local streetwear brands that appeal to a wide audience.

Matsuya

Matsuya, along with Mitsukoshi, is the oldest department store retailer in Japan. They carry a wide range of upmarket and luxury brands for the discerning shopper. Their Tokyo flagship store is located in Ginza.

Hankyu Department Store

Hankyu has four main stores in Japan and two locations in Taiwan (Kaohsiung and Taipei). At Hankyu MEN’S TOKYO in Ginza, find luxury and street fashion for men from local designers as well as those from abroad. Their main shops in Osaka and Fukuoka carry women’s clothing as well. Hankyu might also go by the alternative name Hanshin, since the umbrella company is Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores, Inc.

See more: The most impressive buildings in Tokyo

Source: Internet