See You in Taipei! 台北见

Most of us from the Mainland would like to see the eventual peaceful reunification between Mainland China and Taiwan. However, do we actually know Taiwan more than what're reported on the news?  Could we say that we love Taiwan - not only the land, but also the people?  How many of us have visited Taiwan?

While a large number of people from Taiwan have visited the Mainland in the last 20 years, the number of Mainland people who have visited Taiwan remains very small.  The days for "Three-Links (Shan Tong)" may be closer than ever before, but technically they are still remote.  Perhaps, one group of people could help even the balance - people who left the Mainland in the last 20 years and now hold passports in Western countries.  The number of people in this group is estimated at over 100,000 worldwide with perhaps 50% of them in the US.  That number is growing fast.  These "new" overseas Chinese can travel freely to Taiwan even without a visa.  If a fraction of them visit Taiwan every year, it could make a difference.

I suggest that all of us who now hold US passports consider Taiwan as a stop in your next trip to Mainland China.  There are many good reasons to do it.  Here are four of them.

(1) Discover Taiwan!  Know Taiwan - both the land and the people.  Here are some of the most popular sight-seeing destinations in Taiwan among the Mainlanders: Palace Museum (Wow!), Sun-Moon Lake (Ri Yue Tan), Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial, Mr. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, Taiwan Provincial Museum, Alishan villages of the aboriginals, Snake Alley - Hua Shi Street, Tsinghua University, Yang Ming Shan, and Hsinchu Science Park.  Don't forget - there are plenty fun places to eat and shop in Taipei for the entire family.  The language, food, scenes, and culture are amazingly familiar to our eyes.  You will feel you have returned to - where else? - China.

(2) Show the world we care.  Taiwan's current economic situation is not very good.  When you're in a taxi cap in Taipei, ask the drivers, "how is the business?"  Most of them might reply, "Not so good. Many people are gone to the Mainland.  Not much going on here any more.  By the way, are you from Mainland?" By traveling to Taiwan, we're in a way, however small, supporting the Taiwan economy.  Yes, we care.

(3) Despite the recent slowdown, the economy in Taiwan remains as one of the most powerful in the world.  Whatever profession you are in, chances are that you might find a vendor, a customer, a trade show, a conference, or a successful peer in Taiwan. In addition, most of us have relatives and friends who live in Taiwan.  Your visit to Taiwan could be a rewarding experience both personally and professionally.

(4) Travel in and out of Taiwan has been easier than ever before.  If you hold a US or Canadian passport and plan to stay in Taiwan for less than 14 days, you do not need a visa or an invitation.  Once you arrive in Taipei, local transportation and lodging are quite accommodating. You do not necessarily need a local friend or relative to accompany you.  Once you're ready to leave, there are more than 60 flights between Taipei and Hong Kong every day! The flight takes only one hour and 45 minutes.  There are also ample connecting flights from Hong Kong to your destination in the Mainland.  If necessary, you could even purchase round-way tickets from the US to any city in the Mainland via Taipei.  If you're planning to visit Shengzhen, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Guangzhou or other popular cities in Guangdong Providence, you can conveniently take a bus right in the front of the Hong Kong airport.   

I visited Taipei twice in the past two summers.  I know several of my friends have also visited Taiwan.  I want to testify that the great feeling was overwhelming and memorable when for the first-time in Taipei seeing the neon-filled streets, talking to the local people, and checking out the treasures in the Palace museum. 

台北见.  Have a happy and safe trip!

PS: For those of you who work in the travel industry, this may be a great opportunity for new business revenue - arranging groups of us to tour Taiwan. 

Disclaimer: The author of this commentary is in no way what's so ever connected to the government on either side of the Taiwan Straight.

(Originally published 8-21-2001)