Beauty of Taiwan

Early Morning at Sun Moon Lake

2011-09-21T20:20:00.000-07:00

I got up before five in the morning to catch this beautiful view on a recent trip to Sun Moon Lake. Order this card here

My Latest Images from Central Taiwan

2011-09-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

Dramatic Cloud and River Scene

2011-08-14T19:44:00.000-07:00

This is an infrared image of the Zhou Shui River in southern Taiwan. The dramatic cloudscape reminded me of the scripture in Psalm 19. If you are interested in buying this image with or without text as a postcard or poster click on this link Dramatic River Scenics.

A flock of sheep grazes on lush grass

2011-07-04T23:30:00.001-07:00

One would not expect a herd of sheep on a lush mountain meadow in subtropical Taiwan, but if you travel up the Central Mountains you can behold such alpine scenery and lots more at sea levels of 1,500 to close to 4,000 meters.
Shared from QOOP

Alpine Scenery with a Windmill in Taiwan

2011-06-26T17:19:00.001-07:00

Alpine Scenery with a Windmill in Taiwan, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

A lush alpine meadow with a windmill and mountains in the background. This was taken in Taiwan's Central Mountains at about 2000m near the popular Qingjing Farm. Large size for commercial use available here.

Beautiful Sun Moon Lake

2011-06-26T03:39:00.001-07:00

Beautiful Sun Moon Lake, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

Sun Moon Lake in central Taiwan is one of the country's prime tourist attractions. Large size image available here!
Buy this image as a poster or postcard here at my Zazzle Store

Vintage Water Tower

2011-06-09T23:41:00.001-07:00

Vintage Water Tower, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.
An old water tower made from steel in Kaohsiung city
Shared from QOOP

View of the Southern Tip of Taiwan

2011-05-21T16:20:00.001-07:00

This is a view of Oulanpi, the very south of Taiwan. You are looking across the Bashi Channel to the northern Philippines. Full size image is available here.

Ancestral Temple in Taiwan

2011-04-28T00:49:00.001-07:00

Ancestral Temple in Taiwan, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

A small temple in southern Taiwan devoted to ancestor worship. Full size image is available here.

Hillside Tea Plantation

2011-04-28T00:42:00.001-07:00

Hillside Tea Plantation, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

Taiwan grows a large variety of Wulong and Green Teas, as well as small amounts of black tea. Full size image is available here

Fresh Garlic for Sale

2011-03-19T19:50:00.001-07:00

Fresh Garlic for Sale, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

Garlic is a vital ingredient in Chinese cooking and is used generously in many dishes. Full size image.

Dried Fish Roe Mullets

2011-03-19T19:47:00.001-07:00

Dried Fish Roe Mullets, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

Salted and dried fish eggs, a specialty of Taiwan

By: Shi Yali

Shared from QOOP

True Love Pier in Kaohsiung by Night

2011-03-04T01:19:00.001-08:00

Evening view from the True Love Pier in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, across the harbor bay; large size version is here

Mountain Peaks in Taiwan

2011-02-24T18:40:00.001-08:00

Mountain Peaks in Taiwan, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

A view of the Central Mountains in Taiwan on a clear day
Full size image is available.

Kaohsiung Harbor Sunset With Ferris Wheel

2011-02-22T06:09:00.000-08:00

View of Kaohsiung Harbor at Sunset. For the Chinese New Year a nice little ferris wheel was set up, spicing up the harbor atmosphere.

The True Light Pier in Southern Taiwan

2011-02-18T00:27:00.001-08:00

The True Light Pier in Southern Taiwan, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

A modern ocean-side structure at a public park near Kaohsiung harbor in Taiwan

Water Lilies Galore!

2011-01-25T17:57:00.000-08:00

A Collage of Beautiful Water Lily and Lotus Images

Ok, this will be my last lotus post for a little while. I put together this collage (it's really easy to do with Picasa) of some of my favorite lotus flower images that I have taken over the years. Go ahead and choose your favorite.

Yet Another Lotus Flower!

2011-01-25T17:52:00.000-08:00

An Enchanting Water Lily in a Pond

A beautiful waterlily rises from the depths of a murky pond and thick mud. It's lotus petals perfume the air, as it flowers and blooms with brilliant colors of white, pink and purple, conveying a feeling of purity and beauty. In many Asian countries such as India, China, Japan and Taiwan the lotus flower or water lily is a common symbol for Buddhism. The rough idea is that the water and the mud symbolize the worldly and material life and you leave that behind to attain spiritual purity like the beautiful lotus flower.

I Just Love Water Lilies

2011-01-21T01:22:00.000-08:00

Radiant Water Lily with Spiritual Message by asiastockimages

Closely after bamboo comes my passion for lotus flowers or water lilies. They are a very popular plant in Taiwan, since they are a frequently used symbol in Buddhism. The pure beauty of the lotus stands in stark contrast with its surroundings which are often muddy ponds and so it is an illustration of how we can rise above our earthly limitations. On the back of the card shown above I added the following quote which I like a lot:

"A pristine waterlily not to be discouraged by its surroundings, rises from the depths of a murky pond. It's lotus petals perfume the air, as it flowers and blooms brilliantly, purely, divinely, despite and probably because of its origins. Becoming a spiritual person does not mean you have to leave your prior life behind, but instead you integrate, learn, remember, and respect what brought you to this point in the first place." Jacquelene Close Moore

I Just Love Bamboo!

2011-01-19T17:55:00.000-08:00

Bamboo Tree with Two Birds Bends in the Wind by asiastockimages

I confess, I am a sucker for bamboo, and I don't just mean bamboo shoots on my dinner plate or in my soup, but the gracefulness and gentleness of bamboo trees. I am forever fascinated by their gentle outlines, just like generations of Chinese artists have been. In the image above I tried to imitate the Chinese watercolor style, and I added a Japanese proverb on the "soft power" of bamboo. Hope you like it.

The Little Church in the Mountains

2011-01-15T21:56:00.000-08:00

The Little Church in the Mountains by asiastockimages

Most of Taiwan's indigenous peoples, many of who live in remote mountain areas, are Christians. Pictured here is the little church in the remote village of Wutai in southern Taiwan. The church is decorated with aboriginal designs against the beautiful background of the surrounding mountains.

The Amazing World of Bamboo

2011-01-08T16:34:00.000-08:00

The Many Faces of Bamboo by asiastockimages

Bamboo is truly an amazing plant and grows all over Taiwan. From chopsticks to scaffolding, from bamboo steamers to baskets and building materials, not too mention the delicious bamboo shoots, there seems to be no limit to the manifold uses of this true miracle of nature. Here is a collage showing some of the uses of bamboo.

The Year of the Rabbit is Approaching!

2011-01-05T15:14:00.000-08:00

Chinese New Year Wishes! by asiastockimages
Large format poster printing from zazzle

Chinese New Year is the most important festival for Chinese in China, Taiwan and in the many overseas Chinese communities around the world. Since it follows the Moon Calendar its date varies every year. In 2011 it falls on February 2. Here are some New Year card designs with Chinese characters that wish you good luck, health and prosperity for the coming year.

Chinese New Year Wishes! by asiastockimages
View other Chinese new year Cards

Happy Chinese New Year! by asiastockimages
View other Chinese new year Cards

Celebrating Chinese New Year by asiastockimages
Shop for a card with zazzle.com

Happy Chinese New Year! by asiastockimages
create a card designs on Zazzle

Taiwan Flag on a Hat

2010-12-30T06:06:00.000-08:00

I Love Taiwan Flag Hat by asiastockimages
Browse other caps at zazzle.com

Here is some Wikipedia info on the flag of Taiwan:

The Flag of the Republic of China (traditional Chinese: 中華民國國旗; simplified Chinese: 中华民国国旗; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínguó Guóqí), commonly known as Taiwan, was first used in mainland China by the Kuomintang (KMT, Chinese Nationalist Party) in 1917 and was made the official flag of the ROC in 1928.
In Chinese, the flag is commonly described as Blue Sky, White Sun, and a Wholly Red Earth (traditional Chinese: 青天, 白日, 滿地紅; simplified Chinese: 青天, 白日, 满地红; pinyin: Qīng Tiān, Bái Rì, Mǎn Dì Hóng) to reflect its attributes. I have added the words "I love Taiwan" in a font with Chinese shapes.

Traditional Fishing Boats in Kaohsiung Harbor

2010-12-27T19:34:00.000-08:00

A lot of fishing in Taiwan is still done with these small traditional boats. Their catch is then delivered to fish auctions, a lively and sometimes noisy event.

Panorama of Kaohsiung Harbor

2010-12-23T19:01:00.001-08:00

Greetings from Taiwan by asiastockimages
online postcard printing by zazzle

Bamboo Forests near Fenchihu in the Alishan Area

2010-12-23T18:59:00.001-08:00

Green Bamboo Forest by asiastockimages
Browse Bamboo Postcards

Mountain Creek at Alishan in Southern Taiwan

2010-12-23T17:35:00.001-08:00

Beautiful Mountain Creek by asiastockimages
Large format poster printing from zazzle

Love River by Night

2010-12-23T17:32:00.001-08:00

Kaohsiung by Night at the Love River by asiastockimages
See more Kaohsiung Cards

Vegetarian Food

2010-12-16T03:54:00.000-08:00

Vegetarian food is very popular in Taiwan, about one fifth of the population does not meat. This is mostly due to the Buddhist tradition. Below is a a little business card design that features the two Chinese characters for vegetarian food. Wherever you see them, veggie food is served.

Vegetarian Food in Chinese Business Card from Zazzle.com

Fresh Green Coconuts Mousepad from Zazzle.com

2010-12-08T17:19:00.000-08:00

Fresh Green Coconuts Mousepad from Zazzle.com

Fresh green coconuts on a palm tree. The milk inside is a popular beverage in Taiwan.

Detail of one thousand Taiwan dollar bill

2010-12-08T17:14:00.001-08:00

Detail of one thousand Taiwan dollar bill, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

Partial view of a one thousand New Taiwan Dollar banknote issued by the Chinese Central Bank

Check out my original hand-crafted quality designs such as Aprons, Bags, Business Cards, Greeting Cards, Mousepads, Mugs, Pet Clothing, Photo Cards, Postage, Postcards, Posters, T-Shirts and other products!!

Historic Lighthouse at the entrance to Kaohsiung Harbor

2010-12-05T16:14:00.001-08:00

Historic Lighthouse at the entrance to Kaohsiung Harbor, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

Vintage lighthouse on the island of Cijin in southern Taiwan

By: Shi Yali

Shared from QOOP

Check out my original hand-crafted quality designs such as Aprons, Bags, Business Cards, Greeting Cards, Mousepads, Mugs, Pet Clothing, Photo Cards, Postage, Postcards, Posters, T-Shirts and other products!!

Detail of one thousand Taiwan dollar bill

2010-12-05T16:11:00.001-08:00

Detail of one thousand Taiwan dollar bill, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

Partial view of a one thousand New Taiwan Dollar banknote issued by the Chinese Central Bank

By: Shi Yali

Shared from QOOP

Jet Ski by a Beautiful Beach

2010-11-18T16:06:00.001-08:00

Jet Ski by a Beautiful Beach, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

Kenting in southern Taiwan is a beautiful resort with mountains and beaches, and a great variety of things to do and places to see. Full size image can be see here

Aboriginal Dancers in Taiwan

2010-10-05T18:04:00.001-07:00

Aboriginal Dancers in Taiwan, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

Taiwan's indigenous people perform their native dances, view hi-rez image at Qoop

Historic Lighthouse at Kaohsiung Harbor

2010-09-26T21:54:00.001-07:00

Historic Lighthouse at Kaohsiung Harbor, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

Vintage lighthouse on the island of Cijin in southern Taiwan, built in 1918 during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan.

Overview of Kaohsiung Harbor

2010-08-29T06:59:00.001-07:00

Overview of Kaohsiung Harbor, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

A view from the harbor entrance near the old light tower. The tallest building is the 85 story Tuntex Tower. Kaohsiung is a major container harbor but faces strong competition from other Asian port cities. Read more about Kaohsiung City in this article on Britannica.

The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial

2010-08-29T06:54:00.001-07:00

The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, originally uploaded by Shi Yali .

The main hall of the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial building in Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei National Opera House

2010-08-29T01:01:00.001-07:00

Taipei National Opera House, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

The National Opera House in Taipei, located in the CKS Memorial Garden

Three French Bulldog Puppies

2010-08-28T16:47:00.001-07:00

Three French Bulldog Puppies, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

Dogs are very popular in Taiwan as pets. Sad to say once these puppies grow big, there is a chance they may loose their happy home and end up as strays.

Kaohsiung City Waterfront

2010-08-28T16:45:00.001-07:00

Kaohsiung City Waterfront, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

Part of the harbor in Kaohsiung with a pretty reflection in a puddle after a summer afternoon shower.

Old Salt Mining Equipment

2010-08-28T16:40:00.001-07:00

Old Salt Mining Equipment, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

Taiwan used to produce a lot of sea salt, but now most of the sea salt is imported, and the machinery stands idle.

Have a Shrimp!

2010-04-04T07:33:00.000-07:00

Seafood is plentiful! Along the coast of southwestern Taiwan, fishermen dry the day's catch right on the street.

The Long and Winding Road!

2010-04-04T07:02:00.000-07:00

A view from Zhong Liao Mountain in southern Taiwan. Though only 400 meters high it offers a fantastic view of the surrounding areas. Here I am looking north towards Tainan County.

Steamed Up!

2010-02-27T23:35:00.000-08:00

A large bamboo steamer, part of a traditional Chinese kitchen. Steamers like these are still in use to make steamed bread and dumplings, which can be filled with meat, vegetables, sweet bean paste and other yummies. Buy the original image for only U$3.50 at Photogenic.Asia

The Year of the Tiger

2010-01-29T00:43:00.000-08:00

Chinese New Year, the most important holiday of the year, is on February 13/14, 2010. The coming year will be the year of the Tiger. New Year decorations often include images of fish, as it is a symbol of prosperity. Full size image available at this link.

Old Farm Tools

2010-01-29T00:37:00.000-08:00

Here you can see some of the tools that were used in gathering, harvesting and transporting the sea salt. It was an important industry in southern Taiwan. Hi-rez version is available at this link

Salty Fields

2010-01-04T19:47:00.000-08:00

These are salt paddies near Tainan in southern Taiwan. Salt is harvested through evaporation. Download original image here.

Why Is the Sea Salty . . .

2010-01-04T18:57:00.000-08:00

. . . so we can make salt out of it. Above is a closeup of freshly harvested sea salt in south of Taiwan. Taiwan used to produce a lot of sea salt some 50 years ago, but not much is left of that industry today. Full size image can be licensed here.

Fishmarket in Taiwan

2009-12-31T04:10:00.001-08:00

Fishmarket in Taiwan, originally uploaded by Shi Yali.

Fresh fish is abundant in Taiwan. Here we are at the fishmarket in Chijin Island in Kaohsiung.

Elections in Taiwan -- Part 2

2009-12-09T05:23:00.001-08:00

Noisy firecrackers are an essential ingredient to electioneering. This man holds a box of denotating firecrackers out the car window to draw attention to his candidate, drive away bad spirits and invite good luck. A full size version of this image is available here.

Election in Taiwan -- Part 1

2009-12-09T05:19:00.001-08:00

Election in Taiwan are a lively and colorful affair. A common form of canvassing for votes is riding high on a truck through the streets shouting slogans and greeting the bypassers. A full size version of this image is available here.

White Christmas in Taiwan?

2009-11-30T23:14:00.001-08:00

Snow in Taiwan is only to be found on the highest mountain peaks, so I made myself some digital snowflakes for a bit of winter feeling (sitting in short sleeves at the computer). To buy the high-rez graphic for $2.50 click here

A new 2010 Calendar

2009-11-20T04:40:00.000-08:00

Here is a 2010 calendar I put together. On the top you can see a preview of all twelve images, below is the title page. For orders click here.

2009-11-20T04:26:00.000-08:00

The many uses of bamboo and the gracefulness and elegance of this plant never ceases to amaze me. Here is a large poster I put together from some of my images. If you are interested in a high quality print, click here.

Inside Out?

2009-11-16T05:08:00.000-08:00

At a major intersection in downtown Kaohsiung you can see this new extension to a department store. The facade has an interesting design with changing colors.

Want to pedal?

2009-11-16T04:59:00.000-08:00

The government in Kaohsiung City has set up many bike rentals throughout the city. You can rent the bike at one place, ride all over the place, and return it at another location. Pretty convenient!

Police on Horseback?

2009-10-26T02:14:00.001-07:00

This policeman looks very impressive in his smart outfit, but don't worry, Kaohsiung's mounted law enforcement serves mainly as a tourist attraction and photo opportunity at public events.

Download a full-size version version here!

Pineapple Paradise

2009-10-25T20:28:00.000-07:00

Taiwan boasts of a great variety of delicious pineapples, from tangy to mild, super sweet to slightly tart, there is something for every palate. Here is a large basket full at a wholesale market in Tainan County.

Download a fullsize version of this image!

2009-10-19T05:06:00.000-07:00

The waterfront of Kaohsiung during the Maritime and Yacht Exposition

Buy a full size version of this image!

2009-10-19T05:05:00.000-07:00

The Love River in Kaohsiung by night!

2009-09-16T05:38:00.000-07:00

Aboriginal farm workers are planting ginger. This scene is from the San Min Valley, an area that witnessed serious destruction and loss of life during typhoon Morakot.

2009-09-13T03:46:00.000-07:00

In July 2009, Kaohsiung hosted the World Games 2009. Here is a partial view of the brand new ultra modern main stadium.

The Quiet Life

2009-08-08T19:06:00.000-07:00

While Taiwan's city life moves along at a pretty good pace, you can always find a little corner where things are still tranquil and relaxed.

Chinese Chess

2009-08-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

A Chinese game board and pieces for Xiangqi, a game similar to our Western chess.

2009-06-27T01:58:00.000-07:00

Another photo of Hsiao Liuqiu Island, of an old temple by the sea.

2009-06-27T01:53:00.000-07:00

Old farmhouse window on the island of Hsiao Liuqiu. It's a small island of the southwest coast of Taiwan and used to be called Lamey Island in the old days. Some researchers claim that it was ethnically cleansed of its aboriginal population during the Dutch colonial period, in order to make room for Chinese settlers.

2009-06-27T01:50:00.000-07:00

A traditional house with iron bars on the island of Cijin, that is part of Kaohsiung City.

Fresh Peaches

2009-05-20T16:56:00.000-07:00

Taiwan has an incredible variety of fresh fruit all year round; from subtropical fruits like mangos, papayas and pineapples to more moderate climate fruits such as peaches, pears, persimmons, etc.

Old Freighter

2009-05-20T16:52:00.000-07:00

An old freighter at Kaohsiung Harbor. Kaohsiung used to be the 3rd biggest container port in the world, but has fallen to number 12 in recent years.

Old Railway Bridge

2009-05-03T19:52:00.000-07:00

This old bridge crosses the Gaoping River in southern Taiwan. Today it is no longer in use, and one end of it has been transformed into a coffeeshop.

Red Iron Gate

2009-05-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

Detail of a red iron gate; the entrance to a traditional Chinese residence.

River at Sunset

2009-05-01T01:01:00.001-07:00

No, this is not a river in Taiwan with natives in a canoe. I took this photo more than 35 years ago on a trip to West Africa and recently found some of my old prints from this trip. It was taken with an Exacta SLR and an East German Carl Zeiss lens using b/w film.

A Narrow Suspension Bridge

2009-04-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

Are you afraid of heights? This type of suspension bridge is very common in the mountain areas of Taiwan. It usually consists of several strong steel cables that support wooden slats that you walk on. When cross over it swings a bit but is otherwise safe.

Taoist Symbol

2009-04-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

An octagonal taoist symbol on the wall of a temple. In the middle is the Yin-Yang symbol, surrounded by the Bagua or Eight Trigrams.

The Old Lighthouse

2009-04-11T05:33:00.001-07:00

The old lighthouse in Kenting at the southern most tip of Taiwan. From here you can on very clear days see across the Bashi Channel to the northern Philippines.

2009-03-30T18:54:00.000-07:00

A lush bamboo forest near Fenchihu in the Alishan area. At about 1000m above sea level this area is comfortably cool even during the hot summer months.

2009-03-30T18:49:00.000-07:00

A wall with indigenous pottery design in the mountain village of Wutai. This village in the mountains of the southern county of Pingdong is inhabited by members of Taiwan's aboriginal tribes.

2009-03-28T16:24:00.000-07:00

Woven baskets, shopping bags and straw hats at an evening market in Kaohsiung city.

2009-03-27T06:12:00.000-07:00

The quiet life! A peaceful tranquil scene of village life in Taiwan. This photo was taken on the small island of Liuqiu in southern Taiwan.

2009-03-26T23:41:00.000-07:00

A village scene in the mountains that reminds you bygone days. The misty mountains create a special mood.

2009-03-23T06:07:00.000-07:00

A view of the Love River in Kaohsiung. At center left in the back is the 85 floor Tuntex Tower.

Chinese Fisherman

2009-03-23T00:20:00.000-07:00

A fisherman with his simple boat made from hollow tubes, a modern variation of an old bamboo design. This image is taken from my new collection Asian Themes, which you can see here.

Mountain Village

2009-03-22T17:17:00.000-07:00

Early morning in the mountain village of Fenchihu at about 1000m above sea level. A narrow track train takes you all the way up to Alishan at more than 2000m.

2009-03-22T01:57:00.000-07:00

An aboriginal design on a traditional canoe of the Yamei tribe on Taiwan's Orchid Island.

2009-03-18T19:18:00.000-07:00

Chinese love garlic, and use it generously in many dishes. So important is garlic for the average Chinese housewife, that the rise and fall of galic prices can become a political issue, and garlic is even smuggled across borders for profit.

2009-03-15T21:56:00.000-07:00

Chinese love drums. Almost any kind of festivity, happy event or holiday is often accompanied by drums and firecrackers. This type of drum is called Dagu meaning big drum.

2009-03-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

Have a heart! This is the Chinese character for heart written in calligraphic style. It has a ton of other related meanings in Chinese and is a central part of the character for Love.

2009-03-06T00:49:00.000-08:00

Fresh fish at the market. Chinese love their fish as fresh as possible, preferably live or at least straight from last night's catch.

2009-03-05T01:46:00.000-08:00

The interior of a Chinese restaurant. The center piece of the table rotates. This image is from my new free image gallery Architecture and Interiors.

2009-03-04T00:05:00.000-08:00

Ok, this looks not very Taiwanese, although it is sort of reminds one of a Chinese ceramic. It is part of my new gallery of abstracts, fractals and textures that I put up on my free image site Asiastockimages.com.

2009-03-02T20:44:00.000-08:00

A simple hut in Taiwan's mountains of the type the indigenous tribes used to live in.

A Visit to Kaohsiung

2009-02-28T17:39:00.000-08:00

A short introduction to Taiwan's second largest city. With some of my photos. Read more here.

2009-02-28T03:49:00.000-08:00

The colorful fruits of the Christmas palm.

2009-02-28T00:38:00.001-08:00

An old man fishing at Kaohsiung Harbor, one of the world's largest container ports.

2008-12-17T15:09:00.001-08:00

A wood carving of a snake. The symbol of the snake is very popular among Taiwan's native tribes.

2008-01-22T19:45:00.000-08:00

An Old Chinese Garden

2008-01-21T17:52:00.000-08:00

Fresh tangerines at a local market

2008-01-21T15:10:00.000-08:00

Beach scene near Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan.