One could write volumes about the different architectural styles on Kinmen, one of Taiwan’s outlying islands. Here, I must confine myself to a few passing observations, gleaned from a first, and very short, trip.
Dotted around the island are communities of ornate buildings dating to the late Qing or early Republican period, formerly the residences of wealthy merchants, faithfully renovated and converted into tourist accommodation. In other areas, there are less ornate buildings in the Fujianese style, with simple lines and brickwork. In the towns, among the traditional buildings and old temples, there are more dilapidated buildings and storefronts with their own unique charm.
Unlike temples in Taiwan proper, the gates of many temples feature two pairs of stone guardian lions, one pair on either side of the gate, with another pair facing in the opposite direction on the other side of the pillar. On one of these, we saw one lion painted in bright blue, with a golden mane and red headgear. These are the colors of the traditional architectural features known as fengshiye, or “wind lion gods,” which were meant to provide protection against the wind and to dispel evil. I have no idea whether this painted lion was meant to be a fengshiye.
Photo: Paul Cooper, Taipei Times
照片：台北時報記者古德謙攝
(Paul Cooper, Taipei Times)
金門是台灣的離島之一，金門建築多樣的風格，可以寫出一本本的書來介紹。此處只是我初訪金門匆匆旅程中之點滴。
金門島上偶爾可見的華麗建築聚落，其歷史可追溯至清末民初；這些建築曾是富商的住宅，按原樣整修後，成為供遊客投宿之處。島上其他地區的建築則是線條簡單的磚造房舍，不像這些閩南風格建築那樣華美。除了傳統建築和古廟，鎮上更多地是荒廢的房屋與店鋪，別具一番獨特魅力。
Photo: Paul Cooper, Taipei Times
照片：台北時報記者古德謙攝
與台灣本地的廟宇不同，金門許多廟宇門口都有兩對石獅守護，一對在大門兩側，另一對則是與朝外的石獅背對背，位在柱子的另一側。其中一隻石獅漆成亮藍色，有金色的鬃毛和紅色的頭飾，此即為「風獅爺」所用的顏色。風獅爺是金門傳統建築的特色，其作用為鎮風止煞。不知這座上漆的石獅是否即為風獅爺。
（台北時報林俐凱譯）
Photo: Paul Cooper, Taipei Times
照片：台北時報記者古德謙攝
Photo: Paul Cooper, Taipei Times
照片：台北時報記者古德謙攝
A: Wow, Les Miserables Staged Concert Spectacular is visiting Taiwan for the first time. B: Isn’t Les Miserables often praised as one of the world’s four greatest musicals? A: Yup. Its concert is touring Taipei from tonight to July 6, and Kaohsiung between July 10 and 27. B: The English version of the French musical, based on writer Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, has been a huge success throughout the four decades since its debut in 1985. A: The musical has never toured Taiwan, but going to the concert sounds like fun, too. A: 哇，音樂劇《悲慘世界》紀念版音樂會首度來台巡演！ B: 《悲慘世界》……它不是常被譽為全球四大名劇之一嗎？ A: 對啊音樂會將從今晚到7月6日在台北演出，從7月10日到27日在高雄演出。 B: 這部法文音樂劇的英文版，改編自維克多雨果的同名小說，自1985年首演以來，在過去40年造成轟動。 A:
Some 400 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, the “International Space Station” (ISS) operates as both a home and office for astronauts living and working in space. Astronauts typically stay aboard the station for up to six months and engage in groundbreaking research projects in various fields, such as biology, physics and astronomy. These projects help scientists understand life in space and contribute to advancements that benefit people on Earth. The ISS has experienced significant growth since construction began in 1998. The station’s design and assembly represent an extraordinary international collaboration among Canada, the European Union, Japan, Russia and the United States.
A: While hit musical Les Miserables’ concert tour kicks off, South Korean drama Squid Game 3 will be back at the end of this month. B: New Taiwanese dramas The World Between Us 2 and Zero Day Attack have also gained attention. A: I heard that Zero Day Attack is a story about the Chinese Communist Party’s People’s Liberation Army trying to attack Taiwan by force. B: The drama’s subject is so sensitive that it has sparked a lot of controversy in society. A: I just hope that such a horrible story will never happen in
Continued from yesterday（延續自昨日） https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang Living on the ISS is challenging due to the absence of gravity. Astronauts must strap themselves into sleeping bags to prevent floating away while they sleep. They also spend about two hours exercising daily using specialized equipment. Despite this, microgravity can cause muscle loss, bone density reduction and cardiovascular changes. As a result, astronauts require extensive rehabilitation upon their return to Earth. In spite of these difficulties, astronauts often describe their experience on the ISS as life-changing. One of the most awe-inspiring aspects of living aboard the space station is the unparalleled view of Earth. Traveling at
RSS