CNN Lists 10 Things Taiwan Does Better Than Anywhere Else — Night Markets and Themed Restaurants Make the Cut

▲ With over 300 night markets across Taiwan, they are a must-visit attraction for travelers and have been recognized by CNN as “unparalleled” globally. The image above shows Tainan’s Garden Night Market, Taiwan’s most popular check-in spot, where visitors spelled out “Garden No. 1” with their phones. (Photo / Provided by Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Although Taiwan may not be as vast or resource-rich as many other countries, we still have plenty to be proud of. CNN has compiled a list of 10 things that Taiwan does better than anywhere else, including night markets, themed restaurants, free WiFi, and universal healthcare.

Original CNN Source ~10 things Taiwan does better than anywhere else

According to CNN, although Taiwan is smaller than Switzerland, it has over 300 night markets. The article suggests that the popularity of night markets may stem from Taiwan’s unique “snack culture,” featuring delicacies like stinky tofu, skewers, and the world-famous bubble tea, a must-try for any visitor to Taiwan. Taiwan’s tourism bureau has also reported that over 70% of tourists visit a night market during their stay.

Another thing Taiwan does better than anywhere else is its wide variety of themed restaurants. The humorous “Modern Toilet” restaurant, which has been widely covered by domestic and international media, is a standout example. There’s also a Hello Kitty-themed restaurant and the world’s first Barbie Café, both located in Taiwan.

% The success of themed restaurants in Taiwan is due to the fact that each venue features unique, highly relevant themes, making them memorable experiences. (Photo / From the official “Modern Toilet” website)

Also commendable is Taiwan’s provision of free WiFi hotspots. Starting in 2011, “iTaiwan” began offering free WiFi services, which expanded in 2013 to cover Taiwan’s five major metropolitan areas, providing over 4,400 hotspots. Foreign visitors can access “iTaiwan” by presenting their passport at a tourism bureau visitor service center, allowing them to connect to WiFi in Taipei, New Taipei City, Taichung, and Tainan.

Taiwan’s universal healthcare system, praised as the best in the world, also earned high marks from CNN. Taiwan boasts one of the most comprehensive healthcare systems globally, with many countries coming to learn from its model. While the U.S. healthcare reforms proposed by President Obama faced significant hurdles, Taiwan’s system continues to be the envy of the world.

CNN Lists Taiwan’s “Unparalleled” 10 Things

1. Night Markets Across the Island

2. A Wide Variety of Themed Restaurants

3. Free WiFi with Numerous Hotspots

4. Over 650,000 Treasured Chinese Antiques in the National Palace Museum

5. Next Media Animation (NMA), with Over 400 Animators Capable of Producing News Animations in 90 Minutes

6. Over 6,000 Restaurants Serving Delicious Vegetarian Dishes Despite Only 10% of the Population Being Vegetarian

7. The Most Little League Baseball Championships and a Nationwide Passion for Baseball

8. A Universal Healthcare System That Leads the World

9. Hello Kitty’s Huge Popularity in Taiwan, Including Multiple Hello Kitty-Liveried Airplanes by Taiwanese Airlines

10. Din Tai Fung’s Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings)