Taiwan Today

Tourists who have seen Taiwan always agree that the island is truly Chinese. Since November 1960, it has been possible for transit visitors from friendly nations to enjoy sampling of the real China without a visa. Of course they must have a valid passport, ticket, and confirmed onward re­servations. And it is interesting to note that a stopover in Taipei between Tokyo and Hongkong costs them no additional air fare.

Distances have been so markedly short­ened by modern aviation that Taipei is now only 59 minutes jet travel from Hongkong and 144 from Tokyo. Indeed major cities of the Orient are only minutes apart today.

China in Miniature

What does Taiwan have to offer that will leave a lingering impression of old Cathay on the traveler to these parts? Visually—to name only a few of the more well-­known landmarks—ornate temples like Lungshan Temple; idols like the giant Buddha in Changhua, the largest in the world; traditional Chinese structures like the twin pagodas of the Spring and Autumn Towers in Tsoying. And there's enough scenic beauty to delight the eye as you drive up to Yang­mingshan (Grass Mountain) past neat ter­races of soothing jade-green rice paddies only half-an-hour outside of Taipei; motor down from famous Sun Moon Lake past pic­turesque hills of trim tea bushes in the center of the island; or journey over the fabulous East-West Cross-Island Highway past many breath-taking turns and through tunnels chiseled out of perpendicular, solid rocks.

All over the island, you will find magnificent sights, so typical of the Chinese scene—pleasant reminders of ancient scrolls from art museums.

Protected from fierce winds and rain, at the foot of rolling hills, are sturdy, red-brick farm houses built in typical Chinese archi­tecture. In these rural structures, three or four generations live harmoniously together in the tradition of old China.

But all this is only superficial. Deep down beneath the surface, the heart of free China, which you can feel but cannot see, is right here in Taiwan. The faces you see are Chinese ... their manners, their speech, the way they dress, the way they think and act ... are all Chinese ... as are the various street scenes, sounds and smells around you. Here then is the very soul of China. It throbs with life.

The Chinese-ness of Taiwan is further enhanced by her proud possession of priceless national art treasures of the Peiping Palace Museum near Taichung, provincial capital of the island in central Taiwan. An exhibition room showing these treasures is open to the public from Tuesdays to Sundays.

It is heartening to know that a new art museum will soon be constructed near Tai­pei, for greater convenience—guaranteed to attract more visitors to this charming place.

Among the foods of the Orient, perhaps Chinese food offers the best treat of all. It's different, it's delicious. You could eat for years and meet new dishes every time. The diversity is boundless, perpetual, unlimited, delightful.

Hongkong is famous for its foods too, but even friends from this British Crown Colony have admitted that Taiwan is the only country in the world today where you will find an authentic culinary variety of the choicest dishes from all provinces of China and different schools of Chinese cooking.

Possibly the most unusual meal, found in Taiwan only—one that appeals to tourists the most—is a dinner of Mongolian barbecue. With the huge braziers shooting flames into the night, it is surely a scene to remember.

In this part of the globe, aborigine dances are an experience that is unique to Taiwan. These can be seen in Wulai, half-an-hour's drive south of Taipei; in Hualien on the east coast, or in Sun Moon Lake in central Taiwan. Tourists may glean from these primitive folk dances a true picture of every­day aborigine life.

Unlimited Traveling Pleasure

Seasoned travelers who have sought out shops in the capital city of Taipei, have gone away happy with their purchases and smug in their discovery of what is compara­tively untapped shopping territory.

There is a wealth of wood carving on Taiwan. Particularly dramatic are the aboriginal masks, hand-carved, with plates of hammered copper and brass. Many visitors leave the island with the sturdy figure of the water buffalo, a classic piece of camphorwood carving.

A tiered basket of very fine bamboo in which the local people carry food for cere­monial feasts, is a favorite among foreign lady shoppers as a picnic or sewing basket. It ranges from one tier to four or five, standing some 30 inches high.

Popular with ladies searching the unique is a shoe and handbag material that Taiwan has developed by stitching together tiny squares of coccoon coverings discarded by multitudes of moths and butterflies.

Snake skins — durable, fine and soft—in magnificent colors — are also available for handbags and shoes.

The island has a tremendous embroidery industry too. Hand-embroidered designs for dresses or stoles, and Chinese shoes as lounge slippers, keep diligent hands busy.

Great strides have been made in hotel facilities on Taiwan, so vital to the tourist trade. Hotels with modern conveniences and typically Chinese decor can be found in major cities of the island.

Taiwan's best-known hotels include the Grand Hotel and Friends of China Club (FOCC) in Taipei; Grand Hotel and Garden Hotel in Kaohsiung; Hwa Chow Grand Hotel in Tainan; Railway Hotel in Taichung; and Evergreen Hostel in Sun Moon Lake. These hotels are air-conditioned, with attached baths. There are also bar and restaurant service.

Other hotels include Park Hotel, Washington Hotel, Lido Hotel, Stone House, Green Garden Hotel, Dragon Hotel and Prince Hotel in the Taipei area. There are also smaller hotels inaugurated in 1961, which will be dealt with later.

The hotel industry is certainly doing its best to keep pace with the rapidly growing tourist industry in Taiwan.

In the sphere of entertainment, every city in the world probably has some special "local color" all its own. Here we have "girlie restaurants" where men eat, drink and dance with the girls of the house. Bunched together, there are also dozens of "bars" where men go in for drinks or for chats with barmaids. In this respect, Taipei is very much a man's city!

The Grand Hotel and FOCC have the only night clubs in town.

In the cabarets of Taipei, you can bring your own partner or dance with the hostesses. These are the Cosmopolitan Club, Waldorf Club, Taipei Allied Club, and Night Paris Ballroom.

The traditional Chinese opera usually proves to be a novelty to first-timers. Per­haps the Fushing Opera School for children is the one and only of its kind in the world. Special arrangements can be made to visit this school in Peitou, on the outskirts of Taipei.

Of course there are movie houses, too many to be listed here. American movies, Japanese, Chinese, British, German, French and Italian movies are shown on the island.

In suburban Peitou are hotspring resorts run in the Japanese manner, offering sulphur baths and massage on tatami (mat) floors, by female masseurs.

Taiwan is unspoiled as a scenic spot. It is not exactly unknown, and yet it has been classified among the "off-beat" tracks of the Orient.

There are many reasons for touring this island. Apart from the more frequented haunts near and around the city of Taipei, there are far-flung spots like Oluanpi on the southern tip where certain stretches of the beach are reminiscent of the Riviera; Kwan­tzeling in the Tainan area offering health­-giving, mineral baths; the magnificent scenery of Taroko Gorge and the spectacular East-West Cross-Island Highway.

It is possible to ski in Mount Hohuan in winter on the slopes of the mountains—the view around this vicinity reminds one of Switzer land.

The hub of the entire collection of tourist favorites in Taiwan is unquestionably Sun Moon Lake, shimmering like a precious gem among the tall, stately mountains of central Taiwan—unmatched and unrivalled in all its beauty.

These are but few of the "must-see" sights. Shooting the rapids on bamboo rafts in swift sections of the Choshui river; hiking the fine, feathery bamboo grooves of lovely Chiao­panshan; catapulting through space up scenic Taipingshan by cable cars—these promise fun-packed moments that will stand out in your memories.

Tourism Promotion Efforts

The Ministry of Communications (MOC) of the Republic of China has prepared a plan for the long-range development of Taiwan's civil aviation, which will feature the betterment of aviation facilities, aimed at bringing them up to international standards, in order to accommodate an increased inflow of tourists expected in the ensuing years.

A sales counter for Taiwan handicrafts has been set up in the lounge room of the Taipei International Airport for transit passengers, so that they can buy local handicrafts as souvenirs. A tourist service center is being planned for the airport.

A modern terminal building at the airport occupying 84,000 square feet is already designed. It will be large enough to handle passenger traffic for six jetliners simultaneously. A two-story building, it will blend occidental comfort with oriental style, capable of accommodating 1,200 people. Construction work will start early next year, to be completed by 1963.

The Taiwan Railway Administration recently introduced its first sight-seeing diesel train from Taipei to the southern port of Kaohsiung, consisting of seven passenger cars and a dining car.

This streamlined, luxurious service is aimed at tying in with the Government's efforts to promote tourism. It has already received favorable comments from many foreigners visiting this island. These "tourist express" trains will soon be air-conditioned, making rail travel more enjoyable than ever before.

The Taiwan Highway Bureau is also considering plans to operate air-conditioned bus service in Taiwan aimed at added com­fort for the traveler.

In keeping with improved aviation, railway and highway facilities, a diesel "Kin-Ma" (Golden Horse) bus service has been inaugurated. Sight-seeing buses provide 28 reclinable foam-rubber seats, complete with hostesses, PA system, and music.

It is encouraging to know that the Tourism Council of MOC is taking steps to simplify its immigration and customs inspec­tions at airports and seaports for the convenience of tourists.

The Executive Yuan has authorized a one-year extension of the validity of two regulations aimed at encouraging foreign tourists to visit Taiwan.

The regulation permitting foreign visitors to stop over in Taiwan for a 72-hour visa-free visit will remain in force on a trial basis for another year until the end of next April.

The regulation exempting foreign tourists on a four-week visit from making alien registration with the police has also been extended until the end of next April.

An impressive number of smaller type but equally modern hotels have been mush­rooming in Taipei lately, coping with the urgent need for hotel accommodation brought about by the rising tide of tourism to free China.

These are Hotel Orient, Lucky Hotel, Queen Hotel, and Royal Hotel—the last built out of overseas Chinese funds from Japan, scheduled to open in May 1962. Kingshan (Gold Mountain) Hotel, was inaugu­rated for business in July; it is located right on the beach a little over an hour's drive from Taipei. The new Teachers' Hostel in Sun Moon Lake brings added facilities to tourists visiting this famous central Taiwan lakeside resort. The architecture and decorate modernistic.

To attract investment in tourist hotels, the Tourism Council of MOC is aiming at an immediate target of NT$200 million to NT$280 million (US$5-7 million) fund drive for 500-700 rooms before 1964, to accommodate 100,000 prospective visitors from the Olympics in Tokyo, in 1964.

Two areas around Tienhsiang and Lishan on the scenic East-West Cross-Island Highway are being developed as major tourist attractions. In Lishan a modern hotel is planned complete with restaurant, hospital, recreation center, and handicraft or souvenir shopping areas.

The beauty of the Taroko Gorge on the east coast will be introduced to American tourists in groups for the first time early next year when SITA World Tours, Inc., California, is scheduled to include the de­lightful wonders of this area to its 1962 tours in Taiwan.

Other potentially-new scenic spots are four forest areas in North, Central, South and East Taiwan, which will be opened to tourists by the Provincial Forestry Bureau in coordination with the "Visit the Republic of China Year" movement. The areas are: Wulai in North Taiwan, Tiehchan Mountain in Central Taiwan, Chimei Lake on Mount Ali in South Taiwan, and Liyu (Carp) Lake in Mukualin district of East Taiwan.

The Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA) with headquarters in San Francisco started a project to encourage travelers to visit the Far East. Leading governments in this area gladly and readily joined in the movement. In line with promotion of tourism in 1961—"Visit the Orient-See the Republic of China Year"—Taiwan temples or shrines are being beautified and renovated in readiness for 30,000 tourists from the United States, England and other European countries.

Joining the swing of tourism promotion, Taiwan Visitors' Association (TVA), a civic body, has completed training 34 tour guides. These guides are of both sexes, have a good working knowledge of English, and have been briefed on how best to guide tourists visiting this beautiful island.

A dragon dance team of 15 has been formed for the benefit of foreign visitors to free China. Arrangements for a performance by this team can be made through prior coordination with TVA.

TVA also will send a Taiwan delegation to the Eleventh Annual Conference of PATA, to be held in Hongkong in January 1962.

Available at TVA are color posters and maps on Taiwan and brochures prepared in English, French and German, featuring color photos of the major tourist attractions of the island.

Responsibility for the overall development of tourism in Taiwan depends much on MOC's Tourism Council. With the aid of the Taiwan Tourism Council, a provincial body, these two official organizations take charge of the general planning and supervision of the entire tourist industry.

In the promotion of tourism, Civil Air Transport (CAT), designated flag carrier for the Republic of China, is doing its quiet best. Its bi-monthly publication, the CAT Bulletin, carries articles on tourism, mailed to 90 countries overseas. It serves as Taiwan correspondent for PATA's monthly magazine, Pacific Travel News, providing up-to-the-minute information on the attractions, facili­ties, and promotion of tourism in free China. It also has been responsible for many special tourist supplements on Taiwan in leading newspapers of the Orient as well as stateside publications.

Tourism is the life-blood of tour agents. Travel offices like China Travel Service (CTS), Pan Asiatic Travel Service (PATS), Continental Travel Service and Shangrila Tour and Travel Service, are thus being drawn directly into the very orbit of this new thriving enterprise.

Taiwan may not be 100 per cent ready for tourism, but she is now definitely more prepared and better equipped than ever before to meet an expected influx of visitors in 1962, and many more years to come.

Doubtless, there's still room for much improvement, but all hands—both government and private—are pitching in to do their utmost in making tourism in Taiwan a boom­ing concern, thereby contributing in no small measure to the prosperity of this nation.

Young and old, men working or relaxing, women minding their homes, children play­ing in the streets, are all responsible—each in his or her own way—for promoting tourism in this country. To be sure, whether a tourist leaves with favorable or unfavorable thoughts of any place he has just visited depends a great deal on these individuals. Tourism is everybody's business.

A contented look, a warm smile, a sincere word, a friendly wave of the hand, may very well prove to be the key to our success.