Site of the Month for October 2011 is about Taiwan Business Directory. Taiwan Business Guide is a directory of Taiwan providing links to Taiwan business, economy, society, culture, travel, real estate, government, entertainment, environment, arts, shopping & sports.

Despite of its economical success in recent years, Taiwan faces intractable political problems which stem from differing views of the island’s national identity. The roots of these problems lie deep in Taiwan’s past. For one thing, Taiwan’s political status has never been unassailable. Taiwan has not always been considered part of China, has often been governed by non-Chinese, and has never been ruled exclusively by people who consider Taiwan as home. This problem is intensified when Peking demands that Taiwan be surrendered to Communist Chinese control, and threats that the island will be taken by force if necessary.

Last year (1996), Peking launched missiles targetting nearsea of Taiwan and mounted a mock invasion to try to disrupt presidential elections, which China claimed were part of Taipei’s quest for internationally recognized independence.

Mealtime culture represents another face by which a country shows itself to the world. Mealtime also has many rules and traditions. Almost all dishes are eaten with the help of special chopsticks, though many restaurants have European dinner-sets and everyone may use them. After the dinner you should not leave chopsticks in food or leave them in a cup. It is allowed to hold plate close to your face and eat.

In Taiwan this is not considered as etiquette violation. Nevertheless, you are not recommended to tap on dishes or glasses with chopsticks or dinner-sets. In Taiwan any child is punished for such action. You should not direct a spout at someone. However, you may put the bones near your plate on a table-cloth – a dirty table-cloth means you liked dishes. The size of portions is usually big, that is why it is recommended to order one portion for several people.

As a token of gratitude for wine or tea you may knock three times at the table with your long finger. This is a certain form of the tradition imitation to bow three times as a token of gratitude to a respected person. For example, you may reject this or that dish or drink, but in general you are recommended to follow host’s instructions.

Traditionally, a Taiwan toast is made via glass lift holding it with both hands and inviting a friend to drink. Herewith a friend holds a glass with both hands too. Then, both people drink the wine looking in the face of each other. It is very important to drink for a friend as it is considered as the evidence of your friendship. Summarizing, mealtime culture in Taiwan has its peculiarities. You should know some details in order to be accepted in Taiwan society.

It is necessary to note that internal airlines are a popular kind of transport in Taiwan. There is an active air service between large cities in Taiwan. Flights are as popular as tours on buses. The underground is the most convenient type of transport. There are six lines of the underground in Taiwan. The price of a ticket is about 20-60 monetary units in the national currency. Taxi is available in all large cities. The journey price is 70 Taiwan dollars for the first kilometer and five new Taiwan dollars for every 300 meters. On the whole, the taxi price in all main cities of Taiwan is set up by a municipal corporation. Consequently, the price can be different in this or that city. However, it is possible to set up a fixed price without the real meter record in long country trips. Besides, there are buses available in large cities. In general, any kind of transport is available but you should remember about weekends and holidays in order to book a ticket in advance.

There are all possible kinds of transport in Taiwan. However, there some recommendations that you should know before visiting Taiwan. There is an inland system of railroads which includes short railroad routes. These short routes are used by tourists to see more for a short period of time. As it can be very difficult to buy railroad tickets during a holiday, it is recommended to order tickets 14 days before a trip via phone or the Internet. Internal airlines are the other kind of transport that is very convenient to use. However, internal airlines are usually overcrowded on weekends and holidays. Consequently, tickets should be ordered in advance. The competent authorities for this service are Taiwan tourist agencies. If you have chosen to use airlines, you should have a passport or driving license.

Motor-cycles and bicycles are a very popular kind of transport in Taiwan. Bicycles are usually used within the campus. Many universities have special parking zones for motor-cycles and bicycles. If you are going to use a taxi you should know that additional 5 new Taiwan dollars are taken for every 2 minutes of stoppage and the general price of a trip increases at 20% after 11PM. Besides, additional 10 new Taiwan dollars are taken for a call and baggage placing. Summarizing, there are all possible kinds of transport in Taiwan. Consequently, you can choose any kind of transport that is convenient for you.

There are some important tips to be kept in mind while dating them. Primarily you have to first get to really know them and learn as much as you can about their culture. Taiwanese are proud owners of a rich culture and Taiwanese women are very dissimilar to European or American girls.

Abstain from overly praising her beauty as then she is sure to be wary of you. And remember that they love a sense of humor in their men and so try including some humor in your conversations. Instead of doing all the talking by you, get her to talk about herself and her family. Another tactic that you can resort to is to maintain a large circle of Asian women as friends as your girl will then be assured that you really like their people.

Taiwanese girls from Taipei are commonly referred to as Ticas are abundant in this beautiful city. There are more than 1.5 million lovely single girls for you to choose from. If you are searching for a good looking and sincere girl for your life partner, the best bet is a Taiwan girl.

There are numerous Taiwanese dating sites and services for men who are searching for lovely Taiwan women to settle down or just for companionship. You just need to register into these online sites which will give you ample opportunity to meet and date beautiful women whom you are interested in. Just keep in mind the above mentioned tips and you will soon find the girl of your dreams in this city.

High Mountain Oolong
Oolong tea is referred to as semi oxidized tea resembling a ball-like form produced from Qingxin Oolong varietals. Plantations located in The Central Mountains of Taiwan are major areas of production for the world famous oolong. Oolong gives off a strong unique varietal fragrance and tastes rich, smooth and is enjoyable. In addition, it carries a strong pleasant aftertaste.

Dayuling oolong mostly comes from plantations located between 2300 and 2600 meter above sea level. The plantations are located at one of the highest tea regions in Taiwan or arguably in the world. The unique growing environment allows Dayuling oolong to be rich and smooth in taste and is predominantly one of the finest teas in Taiwan. Li Shan oolong is harvested from plantations between 2000 and 2400 meter above sea level. This growing environment also makes Li Shan oolong a first grade tea. Alishan oolong comes from plantations 1200 meter above sea level. It is one of the most famous oolongs in Taiwan and it is extremely popular especially among foreign tourists from mainland China.

Milk Oolong (Jinxuan Oolong)
Milk Oolong refers to semi oxidized tea with ball-like form made from Jinxuan varietals. It comes with an unique delightful creamy fragrance and light refreshing milky taste. In addition, it leaves a satisfying milky aftertaste and it is highly recommended to be a great initiation to quality teas.

Milk Oolong is produced from both high and low altitude plantations. High altitude milk oolong has a richer and smoother taste, but the low altitude allows the tea to be fresher and more economic. Milk oolong is particularly popular among female local drinkers in Taiwan and it is definitely a great choice for everyday drinking.

Four Season Oolong (Sijichuan Oolong)
Four Season oolong refers to semi oxidized tea resembling a ball-like form made from Sijichun varietal. It carries a smooth, floral and mild taste without any bitterness or dryness and it is also highly recommended to be a great initiation to Taiwan tea.

Most of Four Season oolong comes from low altitude, 1000 meter below sea level, plantations. It is fresh, tasty, economic and available in large quantities. All of these characteristics make it a great candidate to be an everyday tea to enjoy with friends and family. In fact, it is one of the best selling teas in Taiwan. The Mingjian region is where the majority of the production of the fresh Four Season oolong occurs.

Jade Oolong (Cuiyu Oolong)
Jade oolong refers to semi oxidized tea resembling a ball-like form made from Cuiyu varietals. It gives off a jasmine fragrance and tastes refreshing, mild and smooth. In addition, it leaves a sweet pleasant aftertaste. Jade oolong is highly recommended to be a great initiation to Taiwan teas.

Similar to Four Season oolong, the majority of Jade oolong are produced from low altitudes plantations ,1000 meter below sea level. The tea is fresh, tasty, economic and available in large quantities. It is highly recommended to be a perfect everyday tea.

Taiwanese girls are extremely attractive and good looking and if you by any chance want to try dating one of them, here are some tips that you could do with which will make your task easier.

The most important task is to first create a good impression about yourself. Remember that Taiwan culture is completely different from the Western culture and on of the main things you should attempt to do is to blend into their culture. For this you will have to learn more about their culture and what they expect from people.

Taiwan singles are usually very attracted to westerners and so you just have to maintain a good rapport with them for your dating chances to progress successfully. Taiwanese girls love talking about their families and so remember to enquire about their personal bonds.

Try to be witty and humorous as they enjoy a sense of humor in their men. Make it a point not to go on commenting about their beauty as they may feel that you have some other intention behind your praise. Get to know them well by starting a conversation where the girl feels at home and comfortable.

Another way in which you could look for Taiwanese women to date is to look into dating websites in Taiwan. There are a lot of such sites that are filled with both men and women who are looking for dates. So you just have to visit one of these sites and search for some one who will suit your requirements. These sites also include people who are looking for marriage partners.

Floriculture is the propagation of orchids or other ornamental plants and has been now a big business venture in Taiwan. In 2006, Taiwan has produced more than four hundred million US dollars worth of horticulture crops like orchids, anthurium, foliage plants and the likes. Much of its produce is exported to Japan, the US, Europe, Hong Kong and worldwide.

The aggressive entry of entrepreneurs has increased ten times floriculture production area from 1978 to 2006. It was just 1,242 hectares in 1978 and it had reached to 13,375 hectares in 2006. In 1975 floriculture crops where produced in open fields whereas today, the norm is to produce them in high tech greenhouses. Although the area devoted to floriculture has increased more than ten times since 1978, the value of the floriculture products had increased more than thirty times.

Orchids had contributed some forty seven million US dollars or fifty seven percent of its floriculture exports in 2006. Some sixty eight percent of the orchid’s flowers which come in various colors and sizes are phalaenopsis. The rest are accounted for by cymbidium and oncidium. Taiwan is considered to be the number one phalaenopsis producer in the world and it is the only country that can export to the US without removing the plant from its growing medium.

Recognizing the potential of the ornamental horticulture industry, it has established the Floriculture Research Center in 2001. Research is focused on addressing technical problems in the flower industry. It is specifically interested in producing new cultivors of orchids and other crops with outstanding traits. The plant could be more resistant to pests and diseases, harsh growing conditions, higher yielding and its flowers could also have better transport quality, brighter colors, longer vase life and so on.

The Floriculture Research Center has registered some fifty five new hybrids of phalaenopsis with the British Royal Horticular Society. Some of these hybrids are now franchised to accredited nurseries which produced them in commercial scale for sale to local and export markets. The center is developing three different types of phalaenopsis. They are the standard size with tall flower spikes , the medium height and the dwarf in which has a potential niche market. Researches on the bigger phalaenopsis include the production of cultivors that have more floral branding, flowers with thicker texture for longer shelf life and so on.

One of the flowering plant given attention which has a potential export to Japan is anthurium. The research center has already bred two commercial varieties with high quality traits. There are many more still unnamed hybrids which are being tested for different desirable traits. One technology developed by the center to solve blight disease of anthurium is the growing of the plant in a soil less medium and on above ground benches.

Taipei is a fascinating blend of old and new, a centre of government, business, finance, fashion and culture, where the only constant is change. Shoppers strolling north from the hotel on either Hsin Yi or Ren Ai roads will also find a wealth of possibilities, both modern and traditional. Taipei is full of beautiful temples and shrines. Night market and parks are worth a visit.

Taipei is composed of 12 urban districts and is a special municipality under the direct jurisdiction of the Taiwan Government. Taipei has a population of 2.6 million and the territory covers 270 km2. Taipei is a center of information flow, and businesses located in the city enjoy the additional advantage of having access to open markets and information. Taipei is the home of a myriad range of hotels. The hotels in Taipei can provide accommodation to all sorts of travelers.

Taipei is also internationally known for its traditional Taiwanese and neo-Chinese cuisine. The National Palace Museum, located at the northwest edge of the city, contains the greatest collection of Chinese art in the world. Taipei is also one of the world’s top three cities for broadband deployment, with PCs in 88% of homes and 77% of households connected to ADSL service. Where hardware and infrastructure is concerned, Taipei is justly proud of being a global leader. Taipei is Taiwan’s leading commercial, industrial, and cultural center. It is also the northern hub of the railway system.

Taipei is the capital city and Taiwan’s economic and cultural center. It is a modern and convenient city located in the northwest corner of the island. Taipei is the capital and largest city in Taiwan. It is California’s fourth largest trading partner. Taipei is the political, economic, educational and recreational center of the country, offering an array of significant cultural sights. The city is situated in a basin in northern Taiwan.

There was a sudden growth in Taiwan sports recreation and group activities were and are especially popular. A large number of teams were created to compete against each other, often organised by schools, local companies and government offices. Basketball and softball in particular have become extremely popular, though soccer and baseball have only had limited take up so far. These last two team games are become a well followed sport at international level, although there is a relative lack of take up in playing at a national level.

Taiwan sports recreation has also seen a good take up or racquet and bat sports, with tennis, badminton, and table tennis being especially popular. Water has also played an important role in Taiwan sports recreation growth, and are the most popular sports activities. Swimming and diving in particular have proved to be popular in the sea and in swimming pools. Weekends see the seas and lakes of Taiwan packed as people relax by windsurfing, yachting, canoeing, fishing and paragliding.

Fishing is one of the biggest growing sports activities in Taiwan, although golf is taking over in popularity. World class golf courses are increasingly appearing across the island, and the best clubs have a long waiting list of those wishing to join. Taiwan has invested a lot of money in all of its recreational facilities; this is obvious in the overall quality of the golf courses and golf clubs.

Taiwan sports recreation is also taken up with more strenuous activities as hiking and mountain climbing. It appears that the Taiwanese in their leisure time like nothing more than hiking up the country’s mountains. Taiwan is relatively famous for its hills and mountains and thousands leave the cities each weekend to take in the landscape and try trekking up the slopes.

Taiwan sports recreation is a growing pastime amongst the Taiwanese who find themselves with more spare time than they ever had before. As a result there has been a growth in the provision of equipment and supplies to feed the activities. This has seen the manufacturing of sports equipment become one of the growth areas within the Taiwanese economy.