When I first walked in the streets of Taiwan during the New Year holidays, everything was closed and cities were silent. This quietness, perhaps a rare blessing, allowed me to explore the streets without the usual noise and agitation.
The red spring couplets on every door added a touch of warmth, communicating a festive spirit and allowing me to appreciate the beauty of the architecture and decorations in Taiwan, one of the first things I discovered after I arrived.
The streets are usually far from silent. Cities come alive with noise and color, especially at dusk, when the calming tones of shop signs compete with the bustle of rush hour. This chaotic beauty is a defining characteristic of Taiwanese cities.
Taiwanese houses can feel the same and appear very unique at the same time. They are vertical buildings, usually with two or three floors, with a covered passage in front — a practical feature for rainy days — that can also be used by restaurants and shops. I still do not really know how I feel about the massive quantity of air-conditioning units attached to every facade, but over time you get used to it and they do not appear as out of character.
Among the modern architectural residences, you can also still find traditional low houses made of red bricks. These buildings stand in stark contrast to their surroundings, seemingly resisting the modernity of its chaos and noise. They remind us of the importance of preserving cultural heritage amid rapid urban development.
Temples are a great place to observe this legacy, where you can admire every detail sculpted and find a calming ambiance accentuated by the incense fragrance.
What makes Taiwanese temples particularly captivating is their ability to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity.
Ancient and contemporary temples exist, blending ancient traditions with modern architecture. This characteristic blend makes them emblematic of Taiwanese architecture, presenting the island as a place where history and modernity coexist.
I find contemporary temples fascinating for multiple reasons. Their structures often imitate ancient designs while incorporating modern materials and amenities. From afar, they might look like ancient temples, but up close, the modern concrete and electric panels reveal their contemporary nature.
This multi-temporal architecture perfectly represents Taiwan as a place where history and modernity coexist.
These temples are also a result of cultural identity politics, religious revival and societal change. It showcases how Taiwanese architecture has been influenced. As Taiwan has strived to assert its distinct identity separate from China, temples have become key sites for expressing and reinforcing this uniqueness.
The architecture of Taiwan is a captivating blend of the old and the new, the traditional and the modern. It is chaotic yet beautiful, reflecting the island’s complex history and vibrant culture.
In the eyes of a foreigner, this architectural landscape is not only impressive, but also deeply representative of Taiwan’s unique identity.
Mila Guervilly is a student in the Department of International Affairs at Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages.
Speaking at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit on May 13, former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said that democracies must remain united and that “Taiwan’s security is essential to regional stability and to defending democratic values amid mounting authoritarianism.” Earlier that day, Tsai had met with a group of Danish parliamentarians led by Danish Parliament Speaker Pia Kjaersgaard, who has visited Taiwan many times, most recently in November last year, when she met with President William Lai (賴清德) at the Presidential Office. Kjaersgaard had told Lai: “I can assure you that ... you can count on us. You can count on our support
Denmark has consistently defended Greenland in light of US President Donald Trump’s interests and has provided unwavering support to Ukraine during its war with Russia. Denmark can be proud of its clear support for peoples’ democratic right to determine their own future. However, this democratic ideal completely falls apart when it comes to Taiwan — and it raises important questions about Denmark’s commitment to supporting democracies. Taiwan lives under daily military threats from China, which seeks to take over Taiwan, by force if necessary — an annexation that only a very small minority in Taiwan supports. Denmark has given China a
Many local news media over the past week have reported on Internet personality Holger Chen’s (陳之漢) first visit to China between Tuesday last week and yesterday, as remarks he made during a live stream have sparked wide discussions and strong criticism across the Taiwan Strait. Chen, better known as Kuan Chang (館長), is a former gang member turned fitness celebrity and businessman. He is known for his live streams, which are full of foul-mouthed and hypermasculine commentary. He had previously spoken out against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and criticized Taiwanese who “enjoy the freedom in Taiwan, but want China’s money”
A high-school student surnamed Yang (楊) gained admissions to several prestigious medical schools recently. However, when Yang shared his “learning portfolio” on social media, he was caught exaggerating and even falsifying content, and his admissions were revoked. Now he has to take the “advanced subjects test” scheduled for next month. With his outstanding performance in the general scholastic ability test (GSAT), Yang successfully gained admissions to five prestigious medical schools. However, his university dreams have now been frustrated by the “flaws” in his learning portfolio. This is a wake-up call not only for students, but also teachers. Yang did make a big
RSS