See the True Taiwan: an insiders guide

Understanding Danshui Danshui Township (now called TamSui on maps and the MRT) is a booming township situated near the mouth of the Danshui river stretching from near Bei Tou District in Taipei City to the coast to the north. It can be accessed by the MRT which terminates at the southern edge of the tourist market bearing the same name. In recent years this market has become a favorite for families on the weekend, and Taipei City's younger more affluent families are flocking here to live which is spawning another mass of building developments.  While the area has changed significantly and the authors of this blog rarely go, visitors will appreciate a walk along the river front, shopping in the many stores which line the alleys spreading northward (and seaward) from the MRT, and taking advantage of some great photo ops. Try to avoid the weekend unless you like swarms of people, but there are plenty of quieter, out of the way places just waiting to be explored down an alley or up...

Foods to Write Home About For foreign visitors and ex-pat residents alike there are some foods which instill suspicious, fear, nausea, etc. When talking with Taiwanese locals it is not unusual to hear people ask if you "dare" to try some of the more local food items. While intrepid, seasoned, or do-it-once-so-you-can-say-you-did types are likely to have tried the following things, most Taiwanese correctly assume that foreigners wont eat most of it. For those who do, its always the kind of experience you write home about. Stinky Tofu 臭豆腐   This is arguably the most famous contribution that Taiwan has made to food. In its common form this fried or boiled tofu is fermented before cooking. The deliciously bathroom-like smell of it cooking will fill your nose as you walk the streets, beckoning you from afar and boldly wafting deep into your long-term memory. The taste and texture is similar to strong blue cheese. Fried stinky tofu has more tofu flavor than its boiled brot...

Taiwan is full of beautiful things to see. With everything from dense bustling cities to remote forested mountains, Formosa (Beautiful Island), lives up to its name. Visitors can kick back and have a drink by the beach, see centuries old temples, buy local handmade crafts, party the night away, or any other of countless activities. This blog will be providing information on day trips, getting around the island, places to see, places to eat, and how to get to (and away from) the press of tour groups and sight seers. The ultimate goal is to make sure visitors get a chance to experience the real Taiwan.