Travel guide Taiwan

You can't miss these neon-covered stores, where scantily-clad young girls bait the shoppers. They sell binlang (betel nut), a stimulant chewed like gum. Truck drivers use it extensively on long-haul journeys. These lucrative businesses are run by Aborigines.

Bubble tea, originally from Taiwan, is an iconic drink combining tea, milk and tapioca pearls. Created in the 1980s, it offers an infinite variety of flavors and textures. Served hot or cold, it has become a symbol of Taiwanese culture, appreciated by locals and tourists alike.

The corner convenience store. Strictly speaking, because on every street corner there's... a 7/Eleven, or one of its competitors! Generally smaller in size, they sell everyday items and, as their name no longer suggests, are open 24 hours a day (instead of the 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. hours of the early days).

Tolerance is certainly the religion shared by all Taiwanese. Cults from all over the world are represented here, but even more astonishingly, in the same temple, Taoist and Buddhist gods are celebrated simultaneously. A particularly captivating atmosphere reigns in these places of prayer, which are exceptionally well attended.

Taiwanese ravioli, often called dumplings, are an essential Taiwanese specialty. They consist of a thin dough enveloping a filling of pork, shrimp or vegetables, then steamed, boiled or fried. Served with soy sauce and vinegar, these delicacies are popular in the island's night markets and restaurants.

From a Japanese word meaning empty or wordless music. Indicated by KTV signs, these nightclubs are equipped with an audio-video system enabling anyone to sing their favorite hits in public or in private. It's a favorite form of entertainment for many Taiwanese, and often a must before signing a contract!

This word of Portuguese origin originally referred to the senior officials of the former China. Mandarin is also the officially spoken language in Taiwan, as opposed to dialects such as Taiwanese or Hakka (both derived from the Han language, but from its derivative in Fujian province, which belongs to the Min subcategory).

The goddess of the sea is the most respected deity in Taiwan. More than 500 temples are dedicated to her. According to legend, Mazu lived in Fujian province in the ^10th century. Her real name was Lin Mo, and she is said to have drowned one stormy night while trying to rescue a sailor. Later that same night, several sailors were said to have seen her ghost.

After Japan, Taiwan is the country richest in natural hot springs. There are about a hundred sites that can be cold, hot or salt water springs. They often spring up in beautiful natural settings. The culture of bathing developed especially in Taiwan during the Japanese colonization.

In the Chinese tradition, everyone signs with a stamp in red ink, usually carved in wood, stone or jade. Representing highly "stylized" characters that are difficult to read, even for the most experienced Chinese speakers, these stamps are highly aesthetic, and their very low price makes them a typical and original souvenir.

Considered by the British to be the champagne of teas - no mean compliment when you consider the importance of tea time in the UK - Oolong ("black dragon") has the particularity of being a partially fermented tea, somewhere between green and black teas. A trademark unique to the island or to mainland China.

Taiwanese stinky tofu is a fermented food with a strong taste and smell. Despite its off-putting smell, it's much appreciated for its crispy exterior and soft interior. Served fried, grilled or in soup, it is often accompanied by pickled vegetables and hot sauce, offering a unique experience.