Geographic difference between Taiwan, Taipei, Taichung & Tainan
For those who know nothing about Taiwan, welcome to my world. I used to get confused when people were talking about Taipei, and Taiwan interchangeably. If you break it down (and learn some Chinese) it is much easier to grasp. Taiwan is divided into three parts:
| Taiwan 台灣, island in East Asia | |||
| North | ＝北 (pei/bei) | Taipei 台北 | = northern city of Taiwan |
| Middle | ＝ 中 (chung/zhong) | Taichung 台中 | = central city of Taiwan |
| South | ＝ 南 (nan) | Tainan 台南 | = southern city of Taiwan |
Many who visit Taiwan usually go to Taipei; hence, my confusion. On this trip though, I visit Tainan (south), and Kaohsiung, which is where one of the international airports is.
If you’ve had bubble tea (aka boba, or pearl milk tea)– the tapioca drink– or pineapple cake –the crumbly pastry with the pineapple jam filling– then you have already encountered Taiwanese-born food.
This could only mean one thing: Taiwan has memorable foods.
On this trip, I’m actually tagging along with my sister, Miss C, and her clan. I booked my flight separate from theirs, so I arrive one day ahead, one day to roam around in Kaosiung, on my own.
What do I explore on my first night?
The Night Market
Liuhe Night Market is not very crowded and actually quite comfortable. It is here that I discover that stinky tofu has evolved.
I’ve actually never had shaved ice like this. They use ice that is already infused with mango juice, shave it, add fresh mangoes on top, and drizzle it with condensed milk.
Have you been to Taiwan? Taipei or other? What’s your most memorable Taiwanese food?
高雄
