Taiwan’s COVID-hit tourism stews as island shuns global reopening

Taiwan is a rare holdout in Asia that remains closed to tourists and still mandates quarantine for arrivals [File: I-Hwa Cheng/Bloomberg]

Taipei, Taiwan – Before the pandemic, Taipei’s Yongkang Street was a top tourist destination, catering to visitors who would snack on spring onion pancakes, bubble tea and mango ice in between browsing gift shops and upscale boutiques.

The area was so popular that the iconic Taiwanese restaurant chain Din Tai Fung opened a second location across the street from its flagship store to manage the demand for its dumplings.