Taipei, Taiwan

     The air smelled faintly of incense as I stepped into a crowded night market, neon signs bobbing above streams of people speaking rapid Mandarin. This Christmas marked my first time traveling to Taiwan, a place that felt both familiar and unfamiliar. The language, food, and traditions echoed stories I had grown up with, yet experiencing them firsthand for the first time felt entirely new.

     One of the most striking parts of Taiwan was the presence of temples everywhere. I learned that they are not just historical landmarks but active spaces woven into daily life by watching locals stop to light incense, listening to conversations around me, and seeing families pray together for school, health, and family well-being. At Wenchang Temple, I watched parents pray for their children’s academic success, showing how deeply education is valued. At Longshan Temple, being surrounded by people of all ages praying and sitting quietly together made me feel part of a shared community. Being at the temples made me realize that tradition in Taiwan is something people actively live, not just remember.

     Taiwan’s night markets offered an endless variety of food and drinks, especially at places like Ningxia, Shilin, Keelung Miaokou and Jiufen. I tried foods I had only seen images of, such as 糖葫芦 (candied fruit), 卤肉饭 (braised pork rice), and 润饼 (spring rolls). Expecting the local cuisine to be delicious, I was delighted to find that many dishes went beyond what I had anticipated, each bursting with unique flavors. Despite their bold flavors, they tasted balanced: the rich, savory broth of a bowl of beef noodle soup was softened by hints of star anise and herbs; and the tangy, garlicky sauce of the dumplings was balanced by a subtle sweetness in the dough and a hint of sesame oil. Every corner seemed to have a milk tea shop, and no two tasted exactly alike.

     What stood out most to me was how accessible and diverse the food was. I could try dishes from different regions of Asia within just a few streets, often for a low price and without even needing to sit down at a restaurant. Experiencing the variety of food in Taiwan challenged my assumption that Asian cuisine follows a single dominant style. Instead, the range of regional flavors and influences reflected the diversity within the Asian culture itself.

     Beyond cities and food, Taiwan’s landscapes carried layers of history and emotion. Xiangshan Mountain challenged me with steep stairs, but the view of Taipei 101 and skyline made the climb worth it. Yangmingshan, located further north felt quieter and heavier, with its fog, open spaces, and historical significance as a former meeting place for officials, reminding me how history lingers in the land. In Tamsui, a historic riverside town near Taipei, walking along the river I saw traces of Taiwan’s colonial past in old forts and missionary buildings, revealing how foreign influences blended into local traditions.

     From quiet riverside walks to the heart of bustling Taipei, the contrast was striking: the constant hum of motorcycles and crowded streets initially felt chaotic. However over the 10 days I was there, I noticed how daily life moved smoothly within that intensity. By the end of the trip, I saw that Taiwan is defined not by what meets the eye at first, but by the way history and modernity coexist.