For travelers from Taiwan, there are two ways to enter Tibet: by plane or by train. I had heard that the scenery between Xining and Lhasa is breathtaking, so for this trip to Tibet and Mount Kailash, I decided to “enter Tibet by train and leave by plane.” I’ve put together seven practical tips about taking the Qinghai–Tibet Railway for anyone planning a trip to Tibet:
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Tainan ◦ Liouying | More Than Just Fresh Milk: A Place That Nurtured Masters of Art | TAIWAN 368-75
When people think of Liouying, often praised as Taiwan’s “hometown of dairy cows,” the first thing that comes to mind is its rich and fragrant fresh milk. I’m a devoted fan of Liouying milk myself. On this visit to Liouying, I discovered not only the local Liu clan culture, but also artists who left a profound impact on the worlds of painting and music. Only then did I realize there is another side of Liouying—one that is truly captivating.
Every time I visit Tainan, I am either amazed by its time-honored cuisine, lingering among historic sites, or discovering unexpected scenery in its narrow alleys. This time, a walk into the North District brought all three delights at once. Tainan is simply a city that never grows tiresome, no matter how many times you return.
I remember that when I was graduating from high school and preparing for university entrance exams, a close friend made a special trip to Taichung to take a local train—just to collect a commemorative ticket that read “Zhuifen–Chenggong” (which sounds like “pursuing success” in Chinese) and wish me good luck.
Taiwan has many historic streets. Hukou Old Street isn’t particularly famous, yet it’s a place I find myself wanting to return to again and again. To me, this is when travel feels most meaningful. Some well-known attractions don’t linger long in my memory; instead, it’s the unexpected surprises—places I didn’t have high hopes for at the outset—that leave the deepest impressions in my heart.
When I arrived in Budai, I thought the highlight would be its bountiful seafood. To my surprise, what truly moved me was the magnificent history of salt production—a tradition that has stretched on for over two centuries and still leaves traces everywhere in the town.
