Checking out Snail Lane in Tainan, Taiwan
Thanks to Covid-19, most of life has moved at a snail’s pace for the last two-plus years. This blog has been almost as slow moving. So it seems fitting to share a post about Snail Lane in Tainan, Taiwan.
We encountered this creative and colourful lane almost daily in late 2019 and early 2020, when the whole family gathered in Taiwan for Christmas. Little did we know that we wouldn’t be able to regroup again for almost two years.
The name Snail Lane stems from the writings of Yeh Shih-tao. a pioneering author and historian, who focused on the literary history of Taiwan and the lives of ordinary Taiwanese people.
Some years ago, he and his family moved into a small house near the centre of Snail Lane. Back then it had no name and was simply a collection of narrow streets, alleys and old housing communities.
Yeh Shih-tao brought the name Snail Lane to life in some of his writings. After the name started to stick, the local residents were inspired to clean their laneways and the surrounds of their homes, and add snail sculptures and artworks throughout the area. There are also sentences selected from Yeh’s novels and poetry.
We walked through several times because the lane was so engaging. I haven’t added any captions—didn’t think they were necessary—but I hope that you notice how all the snails have spoons for antennae. And the one on the table has a solar lamp.
If you’re interested in knowing more about Yeh Shih-tao’s life, check out this article in the Taipei Times.
Where to next? 
Fascinating! One of the Filipino-Chinese bloggers I follow here works in Taiwan; I’ll go ask if she knows this place. Thank you for sharing, Peggy!
LikeLiked by 7 people
You are most welcome. I hadn’t posted for 14 months, and thought this was a good place to start. I have lots more to share about Taiwan.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Snails have the right idea. 🐚💫
LikeLiked by 5 people
I think they prefer to roam free. We never saw any on the menu! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love it Peggy, thanks xx
LikeLiked by 5 people
Oh Lex, great to hear from you. Hope you are well and not too far away. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this! Let’s catch up soon..I’m slowly getting settled into my new life in seal beach California. Hoping to visit with you.. Love to you..and John S
Sent from my iPad
>
LikeLiked by 4 people
Oh wow, Seal Beach! That’s a huge change. Look forward to hearing more about it. Lots of love from us.
LikeLike
Nice surprise to see a post from you! And what a charming little corner. Taiwan seems to be full of those.
LikeLiked by 5 people
We had such a wonderful time in Taiwan. Time to write more about it—and beyond.
LikeLike
Sounds like a cute community.
LikeLiked by 4 people
No wonder we kept walking through it again and again.
LikeLike
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a fun place to visit!
LikeLiked by 5 people
It sure was. I could have shared 30 pics of it but decided to be a bit restrained.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😇
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great to see you back, Peggy. And with a delightfully interesting and quirky post too! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks Pete. I like doing quirky.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the history behind the name. I am looking forward to joining the snails in a year’s time when I retire. Cheers.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I can highly recommend retirement if you have plans to spend it well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks for introducing me to Yeh Shih-tao, who is now on my list to explore in more detail. I am looking forward to hearing more about Taiwan. I was delighted when I saw your post come up in my reader.
LikeLiked by 5 people
You are most welcome. His works have been translated into many languages, including English.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Looking forward to this exploration!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so good to read about your adventures again.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thanks trE. Feel free to give me a little kick up the backside if I don’t keep going.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha. Haha. I think you’ll write when you’re called to do so. You’re most welcome! *Big hugs*
LikeLiked by 1 person
Peggy, this is a really interesting post. Who knew I was gonna learn something about snails today? Great to see you back.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks. It’s about time I get going again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been off and on WP for the last dozen or so years, and I think I’m back for good this time. Always have enjoyed your posts, and I also learn things. Can’t beat that combination.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Am I right thinking that your previous blog was about sports?
LikeLike
Good to see you here Peggy! Love these snails, so cute!
LikeLiked by 4 people
I hope to be more active now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a nice discovery that must have been and so quirky too. Life has so many surprises when travelling.
LikeLiked by 4 people
We visited many times. So endearing.
LikeLike
This was almost as much fun as getting a real letter in snail mail.
LikeLiked by 4 people
What a great comment.
LikeLike
Looks/sounds like a charming place!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Absolutely delightful. We thoroughly enjoyed Taiwan as a whole.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating. We have a Snail Lane which is so full of potholes that driving down it has to be done very slowly
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh dear, that’s a real snail lane. Slowly, slowly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the idea of decorating a lane.
LikeLiked by 4 people
We found another interesting lane. Must post about that too. It’s totally different.
LikeLiked by 1 person
a charming post, Peggy.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I must say, I like these snails more than the ones in my garden. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
How cute! Lovely to see you back posting, Peggy.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Kerry. I knew I’d get going eventually.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 3 people
PegZ,
Like others who commented, great to see you posting again… PegZ the Slow Snail State of Mind, blog poster. LOL one comment, slow post office snail mail.. good one. I would think, that there are a few local restaurant that offer Snail dishes?! I have only eaten snails once, a French dish in a restaurant. I can live with that, but a “no-no” to any poor slow moving turtle, a dish.
Sy
LikeLiked by 4 people
I’ve had snails a couple of times—once in Damascus. Also had frogs’ legs, but never turtle, thank goodness.
LikeLike
Fascinating story. Thank you so much for opening areas to us that tell much about people around the world.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You are most welcome.
LikeLike
So interesting!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Taiwan has a few interesting lanes. I’ll share another soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice story, how a snail can improve an area and give people a sense of community.
Good to hear from you Peggy. I have not written anything lately, only interesting place I have been is the hospital but am recovering now from bowel cancer which I am hoping has all been removed.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh dear, Dorothy, that’s not a trip that anyone wants to take. I hope your recovery goes smoothly. My thoughts are with you.
LikeLike
Thanks Peggy. I do hope you repost some of your earlier posts. I did not notice that the antennae were spoons but now I can see just how effective they are.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks John. I could share some old posts, but better still to do new ones.
LikeLike
Of course do new ones. I thought you weren’t going to. Of course new ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m getting going again.
LikeLike
Hey 👋
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks for stopping by and for commenting.
LikeLike
They are delightful! Your post has made me curious to see this place, and Taiwan has been on the list for quite a while now. I’m glad you pointed out the spoons! I hadn’t noticed.
Alison
LikeLiked by 3 people
Taiwan is well worth a visit. We had two weeks and could have done four. I was interested to see that everyone used spoons.
LikeLiked by 1 person
PEGGY! How lovely to see you blogging again, and with wee snails! I certainly feel like one with my own writing. I actually have a friend in Texas who has a special love for snails, always snapping a photo when she sees one. I’m shocked any can thrive in such an arid climate, but maybe that’s their jam. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Jean. I think snails and slugs manage to survive almost anywhere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Snail lane is the perfect blog post to restart your blog, Peggy. Love it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Yolandi. It feels good to get going again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Terrific story Peggy. I’ve sent it to my nephew who has just moved to Taipei. To more travels!
https://www.breadtagsagas.com/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks. I’ll have to post more on his behalf.
LikeLike
Actually the more I think about it, especially at this time of life, snail travel is very appealing! That’s partly why we took up house-sitting. It takes you to places you wouldn’t normally see as a tourist. And gives you the leisure to explore and enjoy!
https://www.breadtagsagas.com/
LikeLiked by 2 people
House-sitting is an amazing way to travel. Our overland trucks have been a great example of snail travel. And I miss it.
LikeLike
Snail are wise and you are highly creative
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much.
LikeLike
You are welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
I too have had some wise and gentle communication from snails, who seem to have as well a highly developed sense of the aesthetic. It was an honor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great honor indeed.
LikeLike
C’est stupéfiant
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much.
LikeLike
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
A unique art form – colorful. Now the real snails find their place in the bottles of beauty products!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bet the snails would rather be in the laneway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We won’t let them be in their home environment but to be on the tables..
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so charming!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, and at least these snails don’t eat the lettuces in the garden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! That’s true! It’s funny you mention that. Recently, a friend in Canada posted pictures of her garden. I asked her if anything had “sampled” the goods. She said something did!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re overrun with rabbits and they love dining on some of my plants.
LikeLike
How beautiful are these!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. Such a clever way to bring art into a community.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Snails are handy little slugs afterall. 👌
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are especially cute too.
LikeLike
I’ve never been to Taiwan but I look for snail lane if I ever get there. I agree it is interesting that all the snails have spoons for antenna.
The snails remind me a funny snail story. The doorbell rang in a man’s house so he opened the door but all he could see was a snail by the doorbell, so he took the snail and threw it into the garden. A week later the doorbell rang again. The snail was back, and this time it spoke and said “what was that all about?”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahahaha! We used to get snails in the house when we lived in Southeast Asia, but they never spoke.
LikeLiked by 1 person