National Day also marks the split between the mainland and Taiwan, but 62 years later the divide between Beijing and Taipei is shrinking thanks to tourists and students.
Setting the scene for improved cross-strait relations is the mainland-friendly Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang, who became the island's leader in 2008.
On June 28, nearly 300 tourists became the first group of solo mainland visitors to travel to Taiwan in more than six decades. It came three years after the first mainland tour groups were permitted.
Among the independent travellers was Wang Li, a 30-year-old businesswoman from Beijing, who had previously visited with a group in July of last year.
'I remember the hospitality, politeness and friendliness of the Taiwanese people that make me want to come back again - of course as a solo visitor,' she told the South China Morning Post.
Yang Liming, a 27-year-old backpacker from Xiamen, was impressed with Taiwanese manners. 'They line up to wait for buses, buy tickets and get on the subway.'
The etiquette of the escalator was another surprise. 'They just automatically stand on the right side to let those who are in a hurry climb up or down the stairs of the escalators,' he said.
