We’ll explore facts about various aspects of Taiwan, including history, technology, fun facts, and more. Keep reading to learn what’s in store.
During my time in Taiwan, I learned about and saw many interesting and weird things. I want to share what I’ve found.
If you’re after statistics or data, you must read a separate piece I wrote.
General Information
| Official Name | Republic of China (ROC); 中華民國 (Zhōnghuá Mínguó) |
| Common Name | Taiwan; 臺灣 or 台灣 (Táiwān) |
| Location | Island in East Asia, off the coast of China |
| Capital | Taipei; 臺北 or 台北 (Táibéi) |
| Population | 23.9 million |
| Official Languages | Mandarin Chinese (Standard Mandarin), Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, Formosan Indigenous Languages |
| Government | Semi-presidential republic |
| Currency | New Taiwan dollar (NTD) |
| Flag | Red flag with a blue canton containing a white sun with twelve triangular rays |
| Time Zone | UTC+8 (Coordinated Universal Time +8) |
| Country Code | +886 |
| National Day | Double Tenth Day (October 10th) |
| Religion | Primarily folk religions, Buddhism, and Taoism |
| National Anthem | Three Principles of the People |
| Median Age | 42.5 years old |
Geography
1. Taipei 101 was built to withstand wind speeds up to 134 mph and the strongest earthquake in a 2,500-year cycle [1].
No one has specified what magnitudes these earthquakes are, though.
2. Taiwan has more than 268 mountain peaks. The highest mountain is Yushan; 玉山 (AKA Jade Mountain), which stands at 3,952 meters (12,966 ft).
That height pales in comparison to peaks like K2, which is 8,611 meters (or 28,251 feet) high.
3. Taiwan governs several smaller outlying islands, including:
- Penghu
- Kinmen
- Matsu
- Green Island
- Orchid Island
Kinmen is 6.2 miles (10 km) from Xiamen in China.
The Matsu Islands are 5.6 miles (or 9 kilometers) from China’s coast.
There’s also Taiping Island, which is 1,637 km (2,634 miles) from mainland Taiwan. It’s mostly home to a landing strip and several hundred ROC military personnel — as of 2016.
China (PROC), Vietnam, and the Philippines also claim this island.
And Taiwan claims the Pinnacle Islands, the English name for these rocks.
These islands have the following names based on the country that claims them:
- Taiwan; 釣魚臺列嶼: Diaoyutai Islands
- China; 钓鱼岛及其附属岛屿: Diaoyu Islands
- Japan; 尖閣諸島: Senkaku Islands
Regardless of the name, they’re uninhabited.
4. Taiwan’s total land area for the main island is 13,672 sq. miles (35,410 Km2).
7,900 square kilometers of their land is suitable for agriculture.
Let’s move on to historical facts.
History
1. Despite being considered the nation’s founding father, Sun Yat-Sen allegedly visited Taiwan 3 times [2]:
- 1900
- 1913
- 1918
In 1924, Sun Yat-Sen visited Keelung Harbor (in Northern Taiwan) but didn’t leave his boat.
2. Tainan was Taiwan’s capital from 1683 to 1887 under the Qing Dynasty [3].
Now it’s Taipei.
3. Taiwan’s constitution labels the nation as the “Republic of China (ROC).” Or 中華民國 (Zhōnghuá Mínguó). Most of the world knows the country as “Taiwan.”
4. In the 17th century, the Dutch established a colony in southern Taiwan, followed briefly by the Spanish in the north.
5. After the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895, China (not the PROC) was forced to cede Taiwan to Japan.
6. Despite political restrictions, Taiwan experienced rapid economic growth.
It became one of the “Asian Tigers” in the mid-’60s.
Other Asian Tigers include:
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Hong Kong
7. Taiwan transitioned to a full democracy in the 1990s, culminating in the first direct presidential election in 1996.
8. Sun Yat-sen studied in Honolulu, Hawaii.
9. Sun Yat-sen had 4 wives from different countries [4].
Note: I heard he had 6 wives, but I couldn’t find information confirming this.
10. Taiwan relocated many Chiang Kai-shek (CKS) statues to the Cihu Memorial Sculpture Park to address his controversial legacy.
Here’s a tidbit that deserves its own section.
Taiwan’s Past Name
Between the 13th and 17th centuries, Portuguese settlers came in contact with Taiwanese indigenous people and named the island Formosa.
1642:
The Dutch and Spanish colonists lost control of the island to the Qing Dynasty (ancient China).
During the Dutch occupation, they named it “Taijowan.”
Han Chinese immigrants fled to the island and renamed it Taiwan.
1885:
It became the Republic of Formosa for a year until the Japanese Empire took control of Taiwan after the Sino-Japanese War.
Their rule lasted until 1945. They stuck with the name “Taiwan.”
The fallen Japanese Empire transferred Taiwan’s rule to the Republic of China, which the Kuomintang (KMT) led.
Not the People’s Republic of China — what everyone calls “China.”
After losing a civil war to the Chinese Communist Party, the KMT fled to Taiwan.
Today, Taiwan keeps the official name “Republic of China.”
Why?
Here’s a video that would do a better job of providing one of the interpretations than I could:
Neat Facts About Taiwan Culture
1. There are more than 15,000 Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, and Chinese folk temples spread throughout Taiwan’s cities and countryside.
You’ll probably see small neighborhood temples when walking down alleys.
2. In Taiwan, younger people commonly refer to elders as “aunts” or “uncles.” 阿姨 (āyí) means a mother’s sister. 叔叔 (shúshu) refers to a father’s younger brother.
It’s a sign of respect and friendship.
3. Taiwan has more than 300 night markets. These are areas where people can get quick and affordable snacks after work.
You’ll also find tourist night markets. Most notably, Shilin and Raohe night markets.
4. Gift-giving has various superstitions and taboos surrounding it.
Here are some of the most fascinating examples I’ve found:
- Don’t give in multiples of 4: “4” is an unlucky number that sounds similar to “death” in Mandarin.
- Don’t open gifts in front of the giver: It’s considered impolite.
- Refuse a gift a few times before accepting it: Demonstrates respect.
- Time-telling devices are bad gifts (e.g., clocks): The term “clock” sounds similar to “end” in Mandarin.
- This signifies that you’re counting down someone’s life.
- Shoes are also bad gifts: The word sounds similar to “evil” or “bad luck.”
If you accidentally give someone a superstitious gift, you could have them give you NT$1.
This cancels out the perceived negative effects since they’re “buying” the item from you.
5. While controversial for health reasons, betel nut chewing is widespread.
6. “Kawaii” culture from Japan influences Taiwan.
Expect mascots for everything, an abundance of cute characters and products, and a tendency to adopt a high-pitched, cutesy voice.
This video does an excellent job at diving into Taiwan’s cute culture from a business and psychological perspective:
7. Taiwan is a hub for Mandopop (Mandarin Chinese pop music). Producing popular singers and bands throughout Asia, such as Jay Chou and Jolin Tsai.
Here are some interesting points that deserve dedicated sections.
1. Betel Nut Beauties
Around the 1980s, betel nut shop owners employed women and had them wear skimpy outfits. These women would then stand outside the shop and entice passing drivers to buy betel nuts.
Or you would have seen these women sitting inside glass boxes taking apart betel nuts.
Many girls found this gig an excellent way to get money due to dropping out of school or not having the best education. However. Many Taiwanese people looked down upon many in these positions.
The business itself wasn’t ripe with prostitution.
It may have happened in a few instances. But it’s not common.
Nor are they places primarily run by gangsters.
In 2002 local governments began enforcing dress codes. Laws then erased betel nut beauty advertising. As it prevented girls from wearing outfits that were “too revealing.”
Here’s an interesting TEDTalk that covers betel nut girls in-depth:
I haven’t seen any betel nut girls throughout my time here.
2. Taiwan’s Funeral Pole Dancers
Since the 1980s, many Taiwanese families have hired pole dancers to perform at funerals, celebrating the lives of the deceased and attracting mourners.
You’d see them on stages or dancing on poles built into jeeps.
I once drove by one of these funerals. But it only happened for a second. I didn’t see much.
These funerals aren’t as common nowadays. But I don’t think they’re banned.
In 2017, 50 pole dancers brightened the gloomy mood of a Chiayi politician’s life.
3. Strange Taboos During Ghost Month
Some of Taiwan’s most popular ghost month taboos include:
| Taboo | Why It’s Bad |
|---|---|
| Avoid traveling along bodies of water | A water ghost may get you |
| Don’t fish | You may catch a ghost that morphed into a fish |
| Don’t whistle in the dark | Attracts evil spirits |
| Avoid singing at night | Also attracts spirits |
| Don’t take photos at night | A ghost may photobomb you |
| Avoid taking the last bus or train | So a spirit won’t kidnap you |
| Don’t lean against walls | Spirits may absorb your energy |
| Avoid hanging clothes to dry outside | Ghosts may possess your clothing |
| Don’t celebrate birthdays at night | Ghosts will appear once you blow birthday candles |
Taiwanese also refer to ghosts as Good Sisters (好姐妹) or Good Brothers (好兄弟).
Ghost month occurs throughout August when all the spirits enter our realm. Once September arrives, those spirits return “home.”
These superstitions are only for Ghost Month.
The Taiwanese have plenty more interesting superstitions that I cover in a separate guide.
Of course, I won’t forget to talk about bubble tea.
4. Taiwan’s Bubble Tea Confusing History
In 1986, Taiwanese entrepreneur Tu Tsong experimented with mixing fen yuan (粉圓) with green tea. From there, he added large black tapioca balls in milk tea. Tu opened Hanlin the same year [5].
2 years later, Chun Shui Tang opened in Taichung. They also claimed the status of “the inventor of bubble tea.”
A 10-year court battle ensued.
Eventually, Tu said something like, “it doesn’t matter who created it. [6]”
Other Interesting Facts About Taiwan
1. Taipei 101 was the world’s tallest building from October 2004 until 2007 [7]. After which, the Burj Khalifa took its place.
2. 12.33 million Taiwanese people (52.79% of the population) have these surnames/last names [8]:
- Chen (陳)
- Lin (林)
- Huang (黃)
- Chang (張)
- Lee (李)
- Wang (王)
- Wu (吳)
- Liu (劉)
- Tsai (蔡)
- Yang (楊)
2.61 million people (11.21% of the population) have the last name Chen (陳). Making it the most commonly used name.
3. New Taipei City is Taiwan’s most populated city, with more than 4.5 million people.
4. “4” is unlucky (it sounds like ‘death’), while “8” is prosperous (it sounds similar to ‘fortune’).
5. 6/10 people in Taiwan own scooters (otherwise known as motorbikes).
6. Taiwan has the following 9 national parks.
- Kenting
- Taroko
- Shei-pa
- Yangmingshan
- Yushan
- Taijing
- Kinmen
- South Penghu Marine
- Dongsha Atoll
7. Taiwan is the 4th safest country in the world in 2024 (so far) behind Andorra, UAE, and Qatar.
8. It has a score of 85/100 Equality Index in legal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals.
9. The nation has a forest coverage rate of around 60.71%.
10. Folks frequently confuse ‘Tai’wan for ‘Thai’land.
On Near Year’s Eve 2023, for example, CNN confused Taiwan with Thailand.
For context, you can see “Taipei, Taiwan” in the upper-left corner. Then you can see “Taipei 101 Taiwan” in the upper-right.
Then, look at the bottom ribbon.
Since when did Thailand take over Taiwan? This is news to me.
If you’re curious about how both countries differ, I compared them in a separate guide.
11. Taiwan holds the record for the longest-lasting rainbow in the world.
According to Guinness World Records, it lasted 8 hours and 58 minutes on November 30th, 2017.
12. Mongolian barbeque origin came from Taiwan.
A Taiwanese comedian, Wu Zhaonan, with no connection to Mongolia invented it in the 1950s. He did this because he couldn’t name the dish “Beijing Barbecue,” which would have whipped up a political firestorm around that period.
13. Cat cafés came from Taiwan. The first café, at Flower Garden” (貓花園), opened in Taiwan City in 1998.
14. It has one of the most dangerous festivals in the world.
The Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival. It’s held annually in Yanshui.
During this festival, participants wear protective gear and stand in front of structures called “beehives,” which launch thousands of fireworks directly at the crowd.
It’s considered the world’s most dangerous festival due to the high risk of injury from the exploding fireworks.
Despite the danger, many people believe that being hit by the fireworks brings good luck and wards off evil spirits.
It’s dangerous but not deadly.
For instance, there have been 16 recorded deaths since 1910 from the Running of the Bulls.
The Beehive Festival has had no deaths.
15. Taiwan has more than 211 gaming companies (including MSI).
Here’s a cool tidbit that deserves a separate section.
1. Taiwan Garbage Trucks Play Music
As Taiwanese garbage trucks approach pickup spots, they’ll play one of these songs:
1. Für Elise by Beethoven
2. The Maiden’s Prayer by Bądarzewska-Baranowska
A recycle truck will follow the trash trucks on most routes. I’ve heard 1 recycling truck play music, but I can’t find the song’s name. And since I don’t live by that route anymore, I can’t record a video of that specific truck.
Most recycling trucks won’t play music, though.
Taiwan Animal Facts
1. It has the following numbers of particular species:
- 674 birds species
- 400 butterflies species
- 2,831 fish species
- 60 snake species
- 16 of them are poisonous
- 6 of them are lethal
2. Taiwan is home to the endemic Formosan black bear.
3. The Formosan sika deer, once near extinction, has made a comeback thanks to conservation efforts.
4. The Mikado pheasant is a highly protected endemic and unofficial national bird.
The Taiwan blue magpie is supposedly the national bird.
Apparently, the vote wasn’t formally accepted.
Those are all the facts that I have for now.
Let me know if you have any statistics or interesting (non-political) facts about Taiwan that I should know about.
Sources
- Case Study: Taipei 101 (PDF)
- Is Sun Yat-sen the ‘founding father’?. Taipei Times. 2016
- Tourism Administration, Republic of China (Taiwan). Taiwan.net.tw, n.d.
- Wives and Mistresses of Kuomintang Leaders. The Untold Stories
- Hanlin Tea House.
- 影／誰發明珍珠奶茶？春水堂、翰林茶館互告10年法院判決出爐了. ETtoday News Cloud. 2019
- Taipei 101. Britannica
- OCAC.R.O.C.(Taiwan) – News. Ministry of Culture, Taiwan, n.d.