Feature Story

If you're learning Mandarin and planning to visit Taiwan, there's one delicious experience you can't miss: ordering a cup of bubble tea. Known locally as zhēn zhū nǎi chá（珍珠奶茶，or 珍奶 zhēn nǎi for short), bubble tea has grown into not only a drink but also a cultural icon. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about this iconically Taiwanese drink, from its history to its cultural significance, and most importantly, a step-by-step Mandarin ordering Guide.

When Mandarin learners first encounter the term "red envelope" (hóngbāo, 紅包), they often associate it exclusively with Lunar New Year. And it's true, receiving a crisp red envelope filled with cash is one of every Taiwanese child's highlights during Lunar New Year (nóng lì xīn nián, 農曆新年) celebrations. But in reality, red envelopes are woven into Taiwanese culture all year round, appearing at weddings, office parties, and temple rituals.

Learning Mandarin as a beginner can feel deceptively easy at first. With no verb conjugations, no plural forms, and no grammatical gender, the language seems refreshingly simple compared to many Indo-European languages. But as you progress beyond basic greetings and vocabulary, subtle grammatical challenges begin to appear—many of which don’t have direct parallels in English. These small but important points can confuse learners and lead to errors that may persist if not addressed early on.

While Taiwan has gained increasing global attention in recent years, its economic significance remains one of the island's most compelling stories. Tucked between East and Southeast Asia, this island of 23 million people has steadily become one of the world’s most dynamic economies. Global consumers might be more familiar with the fruits of Taiwan’s labor than they realize—whether scrolling on a phone powered by a chip made in Hsinchu, sweating in a workout outfit woven with Taiwanese fabric, or riding a bicycle developed in Taichung.

Taiwan is a place where the past meets the present, and nowhere is this more evident than in its unique writing systems. Just like a love letter expresses emotions through words, Taiwan’s writing systems embody its cultural heritage in every stroke.

Taiwan is often celebrated for its vibrant cities, rich culture, and delectable cuisine, but beyond its urban allure lies an extraordinary landscape shaped by dynamic geological forces. Spanning approximately 36,197 square kilometers, the island's terrain is a complex interplay of towering mountains, rolling hills, fertile plains, and basins, each contributing uniquely to the nation's character.