In Taiwan there is a very curious tradition linked to temples and oracles called "moon blocks": they are two small wooden half-moons that are thrown to the ground to "ask" the gods for a yes or no answer. The way they fall is interpreted as a divine sign, and it is still a very common practice during temple visits.
For me, Taiwan is definitely my favourite country in Asia, even though I know this is also linked to the fact that I was fortunate enough to live there for longer than in other places.
I spent six months there thanks to an Erasmus experience, a university exchange programme that allows students to study abroad for a period at a partner university, living an academic and cultural experience in another country. During that time I lived in Taichung, a city in the centre of the island, less chaotic than Taipei but very liveable, green and full of authentic everyday life.
I studied at Providence University, a very large campus immersed in nature, structured like a real small city: university buildings, dormitories, libraries, sports facilities and outdoor spaces where students gather between classes. I had classes every day, but also a great deal of free time, which allowed me to explore the island almost every weekend.
Every weekend I tried to discover a different place: from modern cities like Taipei, with its skyscrapers and endless night markets, to the cliffs and wild coastlines of Hualien and Taroko Gorge, a spectacular gorge carved into the rock. Taiwan is a small island but incredibly varied, where in just a few hours of travel you go from city to mountain to sea.
One of the aspects that struck me most is the food. Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for street food: night markets are a fundamental part of social life and every evening they become spaces full of lights, aromas and life. You eat literally on the street, constantly trying different dishes. Among the most typical are jiaozi, steamed or pan-fried filled dumplings; noodle soups served in hot, flavourful broth; stinky tofu, famous for its very strong smell but loved by locals; and of course bubble tea, born right here in Taiwan and now widespread throughout the world.
From a religious point of view, Taiwan is one of the most interesting places in Asia because there is no single dominant religion, but a very fluid interweaving of beliefs. Most people practise forms of Buddhism and Taoism, often mixed with traditional folk religions. It is perfectly normal to see people praying in highly decorated temples, burning incense and making offerings to spirits or local deities. Religion is not experienced in a rigid way, but in a very practical and everyday manner: people pray for health, for family, for luck or for important life decisions.
Taiwan's history is complex and has contributed to creating this unique identity. The island was inhabited for centuries by indigenous peoples, then underwent colonial or foreign influences: first Dutch and Spanish in the 17th century, then Chinese rule, and subsequently Japanese control from 1895 to 1945. After the Second World War, Taiwan passed to the Republic of China, and with the Chinese Civil War it became the refuge of the Nationalist government that separated from mainland China. From this comes its particular political situation and its delicate relationship with China, which still influences identity, politics and international perception.
This layered history, together with cultural and religious variety, makes Taiwan an extraordinarily rich and multifaceted place.