As an island and an oceanic country, Taiwan has long loved and revered the sea. Since its earlier days as a fishing-based economy, the people in this nation have honored the Chinese sea goddess Mazu (媽祖), also spelled Matsu, as its patron deity.

Every spring, Dajia (大甲) in Taichung County (台中縣) becomes a center of religious and tourist activity in celebration of the birthday of Mazu (媽祖), also spelled Matsu, the deity that is said to watch over sailors and fishermen.

Since the surge of the cycling trend, several old roads and tunnels have been recycled into biking trails in the past five years, leaving nothing to waste.

Taichung City possesses multiple characteristics that are one of a kind, forming a unique identity.

Taichung (台中) is one of Taiwan's biggest and most modern cities. Just recently, its citizens celebrated the announcement that work will start soon on a mass rapid transit system. It also has, in the Tai­chung Folklore Park (台中民俗公園), one of the most interesting collections of antiques and traditional items anywhere on the island.

Does the name "Stars on Earth" sound familiar? That's because a Bollywood movie by that name was recently released in Taiwan, but here, we refer to a different kind of star – the firefly.

The Lunar New Year Holiday will begin on Jan. 24. This year there will be up to nine days for camera-wielding tourists and their families to take either a long or short trip around the island.

Houfong Bicycle Path (后豐自行車綠廊) is the shortest of Taichung County's (台中縣) bike-only tourist trails. Just 4.5 kilometers long, it doesn't take more than an hour and a half to cycle from one end to another and back again.

Bicycle-only tourist paths are popping up all over Taiwan. The northern part of Taichung County (台中縣) now has three, two of which join up. With some determination, they can both be done on the same morning.

I believe many foreigners in Taiwan share my feelings – Taiwanese nature and mountains are simply amazing, but its major cities are a bit – well – overpopulated.