Category: Travel

We have been thinking about loftier pursuits... For a long time we have wanted to try our hand at paragliding.

Taiwan could become a mecca for outdoor sports enthusiasts, and, in some ways, it is already being discovered.

It feels like the answer to a Zen koan asking how to find contentment in this turbulent world. It certainly is the answer to how to stave off the chill on a rainy afternoon in a winter in Taiwan. The Bayan Wild Hot Springs are located in the heart of Yangmingshan, about an hour and a half north of Taipei and are an incredible way to soak away your worries for an afternoon. Watch our video for a better sense of the experience. 

Living in abroad for an extended period of time, it can be easy to fall into what we like to call "the apathy trap." It's that sense that you've seen it all already, you've developed your routines, you know how to navigate fairly easily for the day to day, and you have already expended so much energy to just get to where you are functioning (fairly well) abroad. You really don't need or want to deal with the mafan 麻烦 of something like visiting a temple on the other side of…

Welcome to the strange, the mysterious, spiritual, and occult world of Taiwan. While by no means authoritative or comprehensive, this post hopes to offer small insights into the Taiwan’s relationship with the supernatural as well as a few of the Island’s more remarkable ghost traditions. Welcome to "Ghost Island."

In this blog post we explore the primary languages are spoken in Taiwan as well as a few of the benefits to studying Mandarin on the Island. 

In this post we cover the history of Matsu, the patron goddess of Taiwan and the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage that is held yearly in her honor. Join us as we explore one of the most important deities and cultural religious events in Taiwan.

It can be a great joy to find your place and your stride living and teaching in Taiwan. But in order to make sure you succeed, let's talk brass tacks. In the post below we will seek to answer the big question that most first time teachers or those new to the Island have: How do I save money while teaching in Taiwan?

If you are in Taipei, November 15th - 18th, 2024 and are looking for a fun activity or event to attend, the Taiwan International Tea Expo is the place for you! This annual exhibition brings together tea producers and companies from around Taiwan and allows visitors the opportunity to sample a wide range of teas while interacting with some of the most knowledgeable people in the industry.

If you are visiting Taiwan, or if you are new to Taiwan, you have most likely heard of Hualian and Taroko National Park. It is an iconic destination, no less visually striking than Big Sur, Cape Breton, or the Coast of Brava and it is one of the most beautiful places in Taiwan. There are an incredible number of blogs, websites, and resources out there to help you plan your visit, but we wanted to create a post with a few of our favorite things in Hualian and Taroko that you…

Arriving in a new place can be nerve-racking even for the most seasoned traveler. This post is here to help alleviate the stress and smooth your entry into Taipei, Taiwan from Taoyuan International Airport. You can focus on keeping track of your passport, and we will work on giving you the knowhow to get from the airport into the city. Welcome to the Ilhha Formosa.

Beitou District is in the far north of Taipei City, and is famous for it’s many hot springs. It’s been a holiday destination since early 1900s. Many people love Beitou for it’s fresh air, mysterious hills – and it’s most famous asset, ‘white sulfur’ hot springs! Beitou is in fact one of the most hot […]

For a daytrip to Jiufen or a overnight trip during the weekends, Jiufen is the perfect getaway from the city and enjoy this little cozy old goldmining town that has been build during the colonisation from the Japanese. With a stunning view to the sea and mountains from the town this is a must visit […]

The Zhongzheng district has to thank his name to the generalissimo and the late president of the republic of China Chiang Kai-Shek. Zhongzeng district is a loved district by foreigners and tourists because there are a lot of thing going on here. Home to many tourist attractions, most of Taiwans governmental buildings, this district has […]

These photographs of Taiwan are for you to use in non commercial use, just credit us with a link to our page: pop-rooms.com. Contact us at hello@pop-rooms.com for commercial use of these pictures, if you need a better resolution, or partnership. Want to take your own pictures? Make sure you check the best places for […]

The word ‘Neihu’ translated means ‘inner lake’ and that is because of the lake that is located in the middle of the Neihu district. This district is located on the east side of Taipei and because of the neighbouring Shilin district what makes that this district also has a beautiful scenery and nature around it. […]

The most touristy and famous district is the Xinyi district, located relatively central in Taipei with tall and big skyscrapers. This is the district that is most famous for the most iconic landmark of Taipei, the Taipei 101. Here in the Xinyi district are many commercial things located like high-end eaterys, fancy clubs and shopping […]

The Wanhua district is located West in Taipei and is bordering with New Taipei. This is also where the Dahan and Xindian river come together and form the Tamsui river. It is Taipei’s oldest district, thats why its home to many old buildings and historical sites and makes it one of the most cultural districts […]

The Shilin district is a district located north of Taipei and because of the neighboring Yangmingshan national park and other natural environments, you can enjoy a scenic view from this district. This is also the reason the Shilin district is a loved place for living in Taipei for Taiwanese people and also foreigners. Especially a […]

Surfing in Taiwan is rapidly growing in popularity, for instance, if you were in Taiwan 10 years ago there would be way less people riding the waves, but even now Taiwan is still a hidden gem for surfing.

5 places in and around the astounding city of Taitung that are worth visiting while you are in Southeastern Taiwan. Night markets, surfing, hiking, and more!