The Culture and People of Taiwan

Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), is a vibrant island nation located off the southeastern coast of China.

Despite its relatively small size, Taiwan boasts a rich tapestry of cultural heritage, shaped by centuries of indigenous traditions, Chinese influence, Japanese colonization, and modern globalization.

The people of Taiwan are known for their warmth, resilience, and deep sense of community, making the island not only a hub of economic activity but also a cultural treasure trove.

This episode explores Taiwan’s dynamic blend of ancient heritage and contemporary life—from the bustling night markets of Taipei to the sacred rituals of its indigenous peoples. We’ll dive into the legacy of Japanese architecture, the flavors of Taiwanese street food, and how this island nation has crafted a unique voice on the global stage.

References used in this show

The following books and articles have been used to assist in the production of this show. Please help our show and click on either of the links to purchase the book(s).

• TAIWAN UNVEILED:A JOURNEY THROUGH CULTURE, CUISINE, AND NATURAL WONDERS: An Insider's Guide to Exploring Taiwan's Hidden Gems and Timeless Traditions - Whether you're wandering through vibrant night markets, trekking through emerald mountain trails, or sipping bubble tea in the shadow of Taipei 101, Exploring Taiwan: The Ultimate Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors is your essential passport to the heart of this dynamic island nation. Written by a travel expert with over 15 years of firsthand experience, this immersive guide takes you beyond the tourist trail. With engaging narratives, vivid visuals, and step-by-step directions, you'll discover the best of Taiwan—its hidden alleys, ancient temples, modern marvels, and untouched coastal paradises. Inside This Book You’ll Discover: City by City Exploration: From the street food capital of Tainan to the scenic shores of Sun Moon Lake and the cultural heart of Taipei. Outdoor Adventures: Hike Alishan at sunrise, cycle the East Coast, and surf Taiwan’s secret beaches. Cultural Immersion: Learn essential phrases, festival etiquette, and the stories behind Taiwan’s rich heritage. Local Stories & Insights: Enriched with tips from locals, personal anecdotes, and practical advice tailored for first-time visitors. Offshore Islands and Beyond: Discover the military relics of Kinmen, the coral reefs of Green Island, and the indigenous soul of Orchid Island. Practical Travel Tips: Including transportation hacks, SIM card setup, currency exchange, safety tips, and how to travel responsibly. Whether you’re planning a two-week escape or a longer cultural dive, this beautifully written guide ensures your journey is smooth, memorable, and deeply enriching. Explore Taiwan like a local—this book shows you how.
• Forbidden Nation: A History of Taiwan - For over 400 years, Taiwan has suffered at the hands of multiple colonial powers, but it has now entered the decade when its independence will be won or lost. At the heart of Taiwan's story is the curse of geography that placed the island on the strategic cusp between the Far East and Southeast Asia and made it the guardian of some of the world's most lucrative trade routes. It is the story of the dogged determination of a courageous people to overcome every obstacle thrown in their path. Forbidden Nation tells the dramatic story of the island, its people, and what brought them to this moment when their future will be decided.
• Culture and Customs of Taiwan - Taiwanese society is in the midst of an immense, exciting effort to define itself, seeking to erect a contemporary identity upon the foundation of a highly distinctive history. This book provides a thorough overview of Taiwanese cultural life. The introduction familiarizes students and interested readers with the island's key geographical and demographic features, and provides a chronological summary of Taiwanese history. In the following chapters, Davison and Reed reveal the uniqueness of Taiwan, and do not present it simply as the laboratory of traditional Chinese culture that some anthropologists of the 1950s through the 1970s sought when mainland China was not accessible. The authors examine how religious devotion in Taiwan is different from China in that the selected deities are those most relevant to the needs of the Taiwanese people. Literature and art, particularly of the 20th century, reflect the Taiwanese quest for identity more than the grand Chinese tradition. The Taiwanese architecture, festivals and leisure activities, music and dance, cuisine and fashion, are also highlighted topics. The final chapter presents the most recent information regarding children and education, and explores the importance of the Taiwanese family in the context of meaningful relationships amongst acquaintances, friends, and institutions that make up the social universe of the Taiwanese. This text is a lively treatment of one of the world's most dynamic societies.
• The Taiwan Story: How a Small Island Will Dictate the Global Future - An urgent, indispensable guide to why Taiwan matters - for China, the West and everyone's future. When the bloody Chinese Civil War concluded in 1949, two Chinas were born. Mao's Communists won and took China's mainland; Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists fled to Taiwan island. Since then, China and Taiwan have drifted into being separate political and cultural entities. Taiwan is now a flourishing democracy and an economic success story- just one of its companies produces over 90 per cent of the semiconductors that power the world's economy. It is a free and vibrant society. For the United States and the West, the island is a bastion of freedom against China's assertive presence in the region. And yet China, increasingly bellicose under Xi Jinping, insists Taiwan is part of its territory and must be returned to it. Should China blockade the island and mount an invasion, it would set off a chain reaction that would pitch it against the US - escalating a regional war into a global one. Taiwan is thus a geopolitical powder keg. The Taiwan Story helps us understand how and why we've arrived at this dangerous moment in history. With unparalleled access to Taiwan's political leaders and a deep understanding of the island's history and culture, Professor Kerry Brown provides a new reading of Taiwan, its twenty-three million people, and how they navigate being caught in this frightening geopolitical standoff. This is the essential book delving into Taiwan's unique story, buried beneath the headlines, told in an accessible, expert and urgent way.
• Identity Politics and Popular Culture in Taiwan: A Sajiao Generation - Written in a manner both accessible and compelling, Identity Politics and Popular Culture in Taiwan: A Sajiao Generation captures the dominant gender ideology in Taiwanese society. Hsin-I Sydney Yueh contextualizes the world of sajiao in all its communicative complexity and gesticulation, while offering the reader a glimpse into her own personal Taiwanese identity journey as a native Mandarin speaker growing up in Taipei. The work demonstrates a thoughtful orchestration of cultural, literary, and sociopolitical concerns that is of interest to readers in communication, gender, area, and cultural studies as well as in sociolinguistics and literature. In short, a spicy addition to the growing body of works on popular culture in Taiwan studies.

Guest: Li Wei

Li Wei is a third-generation tea farmer, carrying forward a legacy of craftsmanship and dedication to Taiwan’s rich tea culture. Born into a family of artisans, he grew up among rolling hills draped in mist, where his grandfather first cultivated tea decades ago. Over the years, Li has refined traditional farming techniques, blending them with modern sustainability practices to ensure that every leaf carries the essence of his ancestors’ labor. His tea farm, nestled in the verdant mountains, produces some of the finest oolong and green teas in the region, sought after by connoisseurs worldwide. Beyond farming, he is a mentor to younger generations, sharing wisdom on soil health, tea processing, and the delicate art of tasting. In quieter moments, he enjoys reflecting on the seasonal rhythms of nature and brewing a perfect cup, savoring the rich aroma of his life’s work.