Stanley C. Yen Chairman Taiwan Visitors Association

Many people know Taiwan as an island of superb natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Or they have visited the National Palace Museum to see the exquisite collection of objets d’art art and cultural artifacts representing thousands of years of Chinese heritage. Fewer know Taiwan’s unique culture that has developed on the island. While rooted in the traditional culture of China, Taiwanese culture has since absorbed local influences and evolved into a modern culture that is both refined and unique. One example of this unique character is Taiwan’s “tea” culture, which rivals the appreciation of fine French wine with its beauty and subtlety.

“Kung Fu Tea” and “Pearl Milk Tea”—Taiwan’s Elaborate Interpretation of China’s Traditional Tea Culture The custom of drinking tea has been a part of Chinese history for thousands of years and has its origins in the Han dynasty. The custom reached new heights during the Tang and Sung dynasties, when drinking tea became popular among consummate scholars. Evidence of this can be seen in the Tea Classic, an ancient masterpiece on tea written by Tang dynasty author Lu Yu, as well as in the exhaustive monograph on the art of tea drinking written by the artistic Sung dynasty emperor Hui-tsung.

While China’s tea culture enjoys well-deserved fame, Taiwan could be said to have already emerged as a leader. Thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of the island’s tea aficionados and farmers, Taiwan has made great improvements in tea varieties, tea processing, and tea paraphernalia. Taiwan’s partially fermented Oolong Tea is now known throughout the world, and the island’s two best types, White Hair Oolong and Oriental Beauty, enjoy the same status as the finest French wines.

Tea is so popular in Taiwan that even the younger generation has fallen under its spell, and an abundance of “kung fu tea” houses can be found throughout the island selling a variety of different tea flavors. The recent popularization of “foam black tea” and “pearl milk tea” outside of Taiwan has made tea beverages among Taiwan's most well-received products abroad.

A New Generation of Chinese Cuisine

        Above the streets of Taiwan hangs a raucous collection of restaurant signs touting delicacies and specialties from many regions. Indeed, dining in Taipei sometimes almost feels like a globe-trotting adventure. Half a century ago, many cooks and chefs were among the immigrants who left the mainland to settle in Taiwan. The influence of this historical migration can be tasted in the food today. These settlers exchanged ideas, learned from one another, blended different recipes, and refined each other's techniques, and in the process opened a new horizon for the art of Chinese cooking. Today, there are many Chinese dishes that combine original regional characteristics with a Taiwanese flavor. The small steamed dumplings with minced meat and gravy made by the well-known Din Tai Fung restaurants and the traditional Chinese breakfast fare made by the famous Yung Ho Soybean Milk restaurant are two of the best examples of cuisine where the “pupil has surpassed the master.” Outside culinary influences have also added even more flavor and diversity to common Taiwanese dishes, such as oyster omelets and thick vermicelli soup.

A Finer, More Modern Interpretation of Traditional Chinese Culture

        In addition to great cuisine to satisfy any appetite, Taiwan has much to offer the lover of art and culture. The island's cultural and artistic circles have striven to raise artistic standards through the comprehensive study of both ancient and modern art and Eastern and Western culture. These efforts have produced remarkable results. For instance, the renowned Cloud Gate Dance Theatre has evolved substantially since its early signature work Legacy, which describes the hardships faced by the first Chinese pioneers in Taiwan. The troupe's more recent performance of Moon Water integrates powerful modern dance arrangements with movements from the martial art of taichi. Indeed, the dance arrangements in Moon Water not only reveal the power and beauty of modern dance; they seem almost like aerobic exercise in their vigorous action. Other examples of Taiwan’s evolving artistic standards include the performances of the U Theatre, the Han Tang Yuefu Ensemble, and the Trance Music Ensemble. The U Theatre surpasses simple drum routines by incorporating theater and dance into their drum performances. The two musical groups, meanwhile, add the novel elements of poetry, calligraphy, and painting to performances of traditional music and dance. These fascinating modern interpretations of classical arts have captivated people and changed the way they feel about traditional Chinese culture.

The Practical Wisdom of Applying Religious Discipline to the Cultivation of the Soul

        The efforts and achievements of the people of Taiwan in building a “spiritual culture” is yet another special characteristic of the island in recent years. A good example is the practice by many people of Chan (Zen) meditation to seek tranquility of the soul and secular wisdom. In this case, Chan meditation has already transcended its purely religious origins and has been adopted as a means of cultivating the spirit. This is a goal pursued by people throughout the world and offers a much-needed counterbalance to the complexities of modern life.

        The Taiwan of yesteryear transformed itself from an exporter of simple consumer goods into a leading producer of high-tech electronic products. In the years to come, the island will make a new name for itself as a unique center of the arts, culture, and fine cuisine.

Last Update: October 3, 2002