Taiwan, though just 160 km away from China at its nearest point and ethnically similar, banned most tourists from the other side for decades. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and Taiwan prefers its self-rule, creating irreconcilable friction including a fear that Beijing would send tourists to spy. Travel quickly became popular because people in China had heard about Taiwan since elementary school. What they think of Taiwan, however, is not what you might think they think. Here’s a sum of the most common reactions, based on chats with tourists and Taiwanese people who meet them:

Source: Forbes March 06, 2017 02:00 UTC