Taiwan is just 2 hours away from Manila.
The colossal mascots of the 2018 Taichung World Flora Exposition. Photo by Charito Nario |
Geographically, Taiwan
is one of the closest countries to the Philippines and the flight going there
takes around 2 hours from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). There are
many airlines that offer flights to different major cities of Taiwan.
If you want to visit the capital city of Taipei, you can book a round-trip flight through Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, EVA Air, or Air Asia. If Kaohsiung is your destination, Air Asia recently launched their new flight to the city last October 30, 2018. China Airlines is another option.
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Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. Photo by Charito Nario |
If you want to visit the capital city of Taipei, you can book a round-trip flight through Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, EVA Air, or Air Asia. If Kaohsiung is your destination, Air Asia recently launched their new flight to the city last October 30, 2018. China Airlines is another option.
Taiwan is visa-free
and a new destination for Filipinos
I casually asked
several Filipino friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who have been
outside the Philippines why they would consider visiting Taiwan, aside from the
fact that it is visa-free, and most of them answered, “Maiba naman” (For a change). "Maiba naman"
is what you normally hear from a Filipino commenting on trying something new,
different or out of the ordinary.
Filipinos’ favorite travel destinations are Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and other SEA countries since visas are not required upon entry to these countries. But when Taiwan’s visa policy for Filipino travelers was temporarily lifted, Filipinos started to consider Taiwan as their next travel destination. Thus, Taiwan is a new destination for Filipinos.
The author at the Rainbow Village, Taichung. Photo by Charito Nario |
Filipinos’ favorite travel destinations are Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and other SEA countries since visas are not required upon entry to these countries. But when Taiwan’s visa policy for Filipino travelers was temporarily lifted, Filipinos started to consider Taiwan as their next travel destination. Thus, Taiwan is a new destination for Filipinos.
Taiwan is home to
Taichung World Flora Exposition
The 2018 Taichung
World Flora Exposition gives people the opportunity to marvel at the beauty of
the various species of flora. Apart from that, the expo also promotes environment-friendly
activities which involve several local industries like agriculture,
biotechnology, tourism, and academic research.
The expo covers 3 huge
areas that feature 3 specific themes.
(1) Waipu Park Area
(14.32 hectares) - features the flower and fruit village with the theme
Production, Green, and Sharing. It teaches the value of sharing with nature and
that Taiwan has been and will continue to be an agricultural country.
Harvest Blessing Pavilion at the Waipu Park Area. Photo by Charito Nario |
They call this section as 'the March of Inheriting Agriculture' inside the Agri-tech and Conservation Pavilion. Photo by Charito Nario |
(2) Houli Horse
Ranch and Forest Park Area (30.04 hectares) – presents the core value of
symbiosis which features the ecosystem, nature, and its
coexistence.
(3) Fengyuan Huludun Park Expo Site (16.52 hectares) – displays the theme Floral Metropolis by the Water. The area features life, people, and their harmony.
The Ranch Stable. Photo by Charito Nario |
Horse Riding Area. Photo by Charito Nario |
(3) Fengyuan Huludun Park Expo Site (16.52 hectares) – displays the theme Floral Metropolis by the Water. The area features life, people, and their harmony.
The Cinderella inspired carriage at the Fengyuan Huludun Park Expo Site. Photo by Charito Nario |
Photo by Charito Nario |
The Glass Art at the Fengyuan Huludun Park Expo Site. Photo by Charito Nario |
Unfortunately, the exposition will last only for a certain period of time. The Taichung Floral Exposition started last November 3, 2018, and will end on April 24, 2019.
Taiwan offers a fusion
of gastronomic delights
Food is what every
traveler looks forward to when they schedule their trip. If you are into
culinary tourism, Taiwan is the perfect place to start your exploration. Taiwan
offers a blend of cuisines from various foreign countries.
They were once part of the mainland China so the culture of the Chinese people can be seen in the local cooking. Of course, dumplings and noodles are very popular and well-loved. You will not see only Chinese elements in the local dishes for Taiwan’s food is also influenced by the Japanese, Dutch and Spanish cuisines since Taiwan was once colonized by these countries.
Photo by Charito Nario |
Photo by Charito Nario |
They were once part of the mainland China so the culture of the Chinese people can be seen in the local cooking. Of course, dumplings and noodles are very popular and well-loved. You will not see only Chinese elements in the local dishes for Taiwan’s food is also influenced by the Japanese, Dutch and Spanish cuisines since Taiwan was once colonized by these countries.
Taiwan is the go-to place for TEA.
Filipino's favorite
alternative to coffee is tea. In fact, many tea cafes have popped up and gained
popularity among tea lovers. One of their favorites is pearl milk tea, also
known as bubble milk tea.
But did you know that
bubble milk tea originated in Taiwan?
I learned the history
of this yummy drink after listening to some stories during our stopover at the
Chun Chui Tang Teahouse in Taichung.
In 1983, Liu Han-Chieh
founded the Chun Chui Tang Teahouse. He incorporated the Japanese style of
serving cold coffee into his way of preparing tea, and that’s how cold tea came
into existence. Then, in 1987, Lin Hsui Hui, the product development manager,
introduced cold tea with tapioca pearls. And that was the starting point of the
business’ success which allowed it to expand to many branches.
By the way, the Chun
Chui Tang Teahouse also offers workshops that teach you how to make pearl milk
tea and create your own version.
Special thanks to the
Taiwan Tourism Bureau and Rakso Travel for this amazing trip. You can check the
available tour packages to Taiwan here.
Stay tuned for more
interesting places to see in Taiwan.
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