Taiwan's night market truely open my eyes and I was amazed by many things such as people selling adorable piglets in one of the stalls at the night market!
Taiwan is home to over three hundred night markets that are famous for their Xiao-chi delights. Served in small portions, they are often bought as take-away, though some sellers do provide a few tables with benches. These dishes are offered at low prices, usually around 30 to 50NTD (around $1.50 to $2.50). If visitors expect to be full from a trip to the night market, they will typically spend around 100 to 300 NTD ($5 to $15). Most night markets also have some small restaurants which provide simple courses that let people consume a full meal without having to eat their way through the whole market.
In recent years, many of the night markets have become popular tourist destinations among sightseeing foreign travellers. It is common to see tourist with cameras, taking pictures in and of the crowds, within the streets. Some night markets, such as the Shilin in Taipei and Shida night markets are among the first destinations that Taiwanese students will bring international students for a cultural experience.
Besides food, night markets feature various forms of entertainment and shopping. Products for sale include clothes, bags, shoes, trinkets and more. Carnival-style games are usually available to play for the price of a few coins. The night market in Danshui is well known for featuring traditional carnival games such as balloon shooting, net fish, shooting marbles and an assortment of mini traditional games that could only be seen in the past. The price to play is often really cheap, and prizes are given out to the children.
Lastly, I finally get the chance to light of my own fireworks that are banned in Singapore!
It was really an amazing experience and a very beautiful sight as the fireworks comes in various design and sizes.
Convenience store culture
Convenience stores are a combination of food shops, cafes, banks, travel agents, offices and even recyclers rolled into one, they are always open 24hours and found on almost every street corner, catering to an ever-faster pace of life in the island's cities. The island has one store for every 2,489 people, the highest density in the world and each Taiwanese shops in one on average of 17 times a month.
Due to urbanization, Taiwanese are willing to pay more money to buy convenience and time, thus propelling the development of the convenience stores. The convenience store-isation of society is most intense in Japan and it has now been brought to Taiwan and China. Most apartments in Taiwan's urban areas are only at most 500 meters from a 7-11 or FamilyMart, the dominant chains in Taiwan.
The dense interlacing of convenience stores and local culture may have begun in Japan, where the stores are everywhere and commonly known as "konbini," but Taiwan's stores take services offered to new heights. An actual example is while sipping a freshly brewed coffee or eating a hot bowl of noodles, payment of utility or credit card bill, insurance premium, tax or school tuition fees, or even getting a replacement driving license is made possible.
Scenic natural attraction
Taiwan is known for its towering mountains and lush forests and is reputable as a “Mountainous Island”. It is spotted with numerous mountains over 3,000 meters accompanied by Northeast Asia tallest mountain of almost 4000m, Yushan. Stunning Taiwanese landscapes could be discovered for those who venture into the sparsely populated East Coast region. Sites such as the Taroko Gorge near Hualien in particular are very remarkable and natural that it should not be overlooked.
With most of Taiwan covered with mountains, hiking opportunities which offers breathtaking views are very popular and diverse. Venture into the Alishan National Scenic Area to discover the legendry tales and its natural forestry beauty with a relaxing scene of sunrise and clouds. Discover the impressive Sun Moon Lake with the Crystal clear water and emerald green surroundings, exotic local foods and mouth watering cuisines found at Taipei’s largest lake.
Betel nut culture
Betel nut is a kind of stimulant claimed to create a sense of ecstasy, keen alertness, a sizzling sensation in the body and increased work ability is enjoyed across Asia-Pacific. But only in Taiwan are the nuts, cigarettes, and other goods sold by skimpily clad young women through a brightly neon-lit roadside glass kiosk, they are called Betel nut beauties in Taiwan. Thus the betel nut beauty phenomenon is specifically Taiwanese and these betel nut beauties with their neon-lit kiosks is a trademark feature of Taiwan's urban, suburban and rural areas. They are typically encountered along major highways where truck and bus drivers, who are in particular, enthusiastic consumers of betel nuts, can effortlessly locate.
To a tourist, this may seem to be public prostitution since these sexily dressed beauties showcase themselves as goods by parading themselves in the public while bringing the nuts to the cars of men. Some critics regard their revealing dressing as a sign of possible exploitation since they often belong to the agricultural and working-class segments of the Taiwanese society and it is said to be an effortless way to cover up their family expenses.
To a tourist, this may seem to be public prostitution since these sexily dressed beauties showcase themselves as goods by parading themselves in the public while bringing the nuts to the cars of men. Some critics regard their revealing dressing as a sign of possible exploitation since they often belong to the agricultural and working-class segments of the Taiwanese society and it is said to be an effortless way to cover up their family expenses.
A betel nut beauty who was wearing white pumps, blue lingerie, a flimsy see-through negligee and a hooded winter coat gave her name as Steamed Bun. The cheerful and talkative beauty explained that she was wearing a hooded winter coat not due to the chill but because a policeman came by to asked them to cover up more. She shared that her parents initially was against her job, but have gotten used to it now. She earns about $1,500 to $1,900 when business is good, which is twofold a typical Taiwan college graduate's starting salary.
Steamed Bun said that she did not mind being flaunted as a tourist draw when busloads of Chinese and Japanese tourists come by their kiosk, taking photographs and sampling the betel nuts because the drivers or some tourist would make purchase. But she did grumble about the job-related hazards of being touched and stroked by perverts. Generally they take pride and protect themselves to even the extend of slapping customers. If they fail to defend themselves, there are video cameras monitoring the stands and sidewalks 24/7. Customers who mess with the girls risk getting beaten by the security found in the backroom or nearby.
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The business is hazy because some girls sell sexual favours whereas other sells solely betel nuts but steam bun stated that she is in no position to criticise the extra service others are providing as it is their personal private affairs. The legalisation of prostitution in Taiwan would pose greater damage to the reputation of the industry betel nut selling industry.
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The previous 2 photos that I took, the girls were still covering themselves decently, but the one that I saw personally was not! The tour guide took us on a special detour to take a look at the prettier ones and when the bus stopped and requested the girl to pass the Betel nut to the lady right at the back, she complied and skipped happily towards the back of the bus, while we were happily snapping away. I feel sorry for them in a way that because we as tourist are curious that we demand them to showcase themselves to us and in order to earn the money for a bag of nuts, they would agree to supply the "show". So we, curious tourists are inevitably responsible for them dressing like that.
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