http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7cFIi1AzaU

Where is Taiwan?????

Taiwan and Offshore Islands

Penghu

basaltic rocks, carol reefs, and beaches

Ludao

a volcanic island

Lanyu Tau tribes

Diverse Terrains• Mountain– highest point Yu Shan 3,952 m

• Plateau• Plain• Beach• Volcano– Pacific ring of fire a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

• Cliff

Eight National Parks

• Kenting National Park– Beach and tropical forest

Chufor： Nature ground firenature gas that comes from the fissure of underground mudstone is able to ignite fire

Eight National Parks

• Taroko National Park– Marble gorge

• Yangmingshan National Park– Volcanic landform

Transportation• High Speed Railway• Trains; Bicycle• Bus; Taxi• Scooters• Cars• Metro

Economy

• GDP(real growth rate) : #4

• Labor force- by occupation:– Agriculture: 5.2%– Industry: 35.9%– Services:58.8%

Currency 1:30 (USD:TWD)

----2010 source from CIA, World Factbook)

Rich Culture• Language– Mandarin Chinese– Taiwanese– Hakka dialects

• Religious– mixture of Buddhist and Taoist

繁體中文Traditional Chinese

Rich Culture• Aboriginal Culture– 14 aboriginal tribes

Seediq Bale

Wear loincloths

• Lantern Festival

Rich Culture

Yenshui Fireworks

Pingxi Sky Lantern

Taipei & Kaohsiung Lantern Festival

Rice ball: Reunion

Year's Chinese zodiac animal

Rich Culture• Zhongyuan Festival– Zhongyuan General Salvation Ceremonies• Prepare sacrificial items (meat, fruits, fresh flowers)

to hungry ghosts and our ancestry

– Launching of the Water Lanterns• help light the way

for the lost souls in the water

Rich Culture

• Temple

Village God

The God of Wealth

City and Countryside

A central building with two wings attached perpendicular to either side

National Taiwan Museum of Fine Art

Industry

• Manufacturing (Before)• Technology and Tourism (Now)

Food

• Steamed stuffed bun – extreme thin skin stuffed w/ a variety of fillings and abundant juice

• Where to eat in the US? – LA & Seattle

Food• Bubble tea!!– Black tea– Milk– Sago pearls

Food

• Braised meat rice Taiwanese fried chicken Taiwanese meatballs• Oyster omelet Taiwanese stinky tofu Double layered rolls

Accommodation• International Chain Hotels

– Hyatt, Westin, Sheraton, W, Le Meridian, Hilton– NO Marriot/Kimpton

• Local 5 star Hotels– The Grand Hotel– Les suits taipei

• Independent Boutique Hotels– Cheaper than 5 star hotels but still exquisite and luxury– Breakfast included– Free wifi, printer, business room, gym, laundry room

Accommodation

• B&B– Authentic experience– Various style and design– Closer to local life

• Boutique Motels– The most popular choice of younger Taiwanese– Trendy, luxury, private and convenient– 3 hour/room/$20-50 1 night/room/$30-150

Attraction• Taipei 101

– The world’s tallest building until 2004– Awarded LEED Platinum certification – The landmark skyscraper in Taiwan– Shopping mall and offices

• National Palace Museum– Traditional Chinese building– Over 670,000 pieces ancient Chinese collections– Collections encompassing over 8,000 years of Chinese history

Attraction

• Longshan Temple– Houses hundreds of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian deities.– Represents the pinnacle of mosaic art in Taiwan– Secondary National Heritage Site

Attraction

• Night Markets– Shihlin night market

• The biggest night market in north TW

– Shihda night market• The most international night market

– Huahsi street night market• Chinese medicine

– Fenjia night market• Cheap clothes and shoes• The origin of Taiwanese snacks

Attraction

• Alishan National Scenic Area– Forest railway– Giant trees trial– Sunrise and sea clouds

Attraction

• Sun Moon Lake– The largest lake in Taiwan– Home of Thao tribe – Historical heritages– Sun Moon Lake ropeway– Formosan aboriginal culture village

Attraction• Beach! Kenting

– Carol reef and beach– Tropical climate and forest– Stalactite caves– Various activities

FYI• Ang Lee– Mason Lee

• Yoyo Ma• Jay Chou