Tour Guide with Stories is a collection of travel recommendations across Taiwan, shaped by personal moments, submitted by people who have lived there, and curated by Natasha Tseng.
Each place holds a memory, a connection, a story worth sharing. Want to add yours?
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A Serendipitous Discovery
Best Teacher Ever
Market Traditions
The Magical Valley
My Favorite Apple Tea
Worth the Wait
It Grew on Me
The Jetty of Secrets
A Serendipitous Discovery
Sunsun Museum
No. 18, Lane 45, Longjiang Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
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Sarah Deng
Arts & Design, Taipei
When I first moved to Taipei for college, I developed a habit of exploring different neighborhoods on foot to familiarize myself with the city. Over the years, I’ve grown accustomed to Taipei, but wandering around has remained a habit; I still do it every now and then.
I stumbled upon this place on one of those walks. I had seen pictures of the space on social media before and had thought about visiting, but I never looked into the details. Finding it by chance felt like receiving a long-awaited gift from a mystery box, I was thrilled.
The exhibition at the time was about the 2019 Hong Kong protests. A collective of artists, designers, and writers from neighboring Asian countries expressed their solidarity through beautifully written messages and powerful visuals. It made me appreciate what we have even more. The simple ability to live in peace had never felt so precious. ✺
Sunsun Museum is a project space in Taipei dedicated to showcasing experimental art, design, and cultural dialogues. Beyond exhibitions, it also offers a cozy spot for coffee, inviting visitors to linger and engage with the space.
Best Teacher Ever
SPOT Huashan Cinema
No. 1, Section 1, Bade Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
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Chia Chun Huang
Arts & Design, Taipei
When I was still in high school, we got bored in school all the time, and we skipped classes every once in a while, not to do anything in particular; we were just after the sheer thrill of breaking the rules and the rush of adrenaline that came with it. Over time, we discovered several ways to sneak off campus; we would climb over the wall, and there were also holes we could sneak out from.
One day, as we were wandering outside the school during class time, we thought, Why not go see a movie? So we hopped on the city bikes, rode to the theater, and bought tickets for whatever was playing next. As we sat in the dark watching ads before the movie started, someone walked in and sat right next to me. I glanced, and my heart almost missed a beat. It was my homeroom teacher.
We were both surprised to see each other, but the movie had already started, so we didn’t say anything. My teacher and I just sat there, quietly in the dark, watching the film, during class time. I couldn’t tell you what film was playing because I spent the entire time sweating and panicking. But somehow, I never got in trouble. Best teacher I’ve ever had. ✺
Spot Huashan Cinema is an independent theater in Taipei dedicated to screening arthouse films, documentaries, and cultural features. Located in Huashan 1914 Creative Park, it provides a space for film lovers to explore diverse storytelling beyond mainstream cinema.
Market Traditions
TienTienShin Evening Market
No. 508, Mingcheng 1st Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City
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Chia Chen
Food & Culture, Kaohsiung
We’ve been coming to this market since we were little because it’s close to home. My mom would drive me, my brother, and sometimes our cousins here for groceries.
We the kids were always excited to go because while my mom worked through her shopping list, she would give us some coins to buy snacks. I remember how difficult it was to decide what to get. On busy days, my mom would assign each of us a task, and we would scatter to different corners of the market to fulfill our missions.
I liked wandering around, smelling the food while watching them being made. Lots of my favorite foods could be found in the market, so sometimes I just stood and stared, wishing that I could take some home for free. My mom knew most of the vendors we visited, and I liked listening to her chat with them. It was always casual; they usually speak in Taiwanese.
As I got older and busier with school, I stopped visiting as often. Now that I think about it, I should set aside time to revisit TienTienShin with my mom. ✺
TienTienShin Evening Market is a bustling outdoor market featuring a diverse mix of vendors, offering everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to cooked meals, traditional snacks, and clothing.
The Magical Valley
Taoyuan Valley Trail
Border of Gongliao District (New Taipei City) & Toucheng Town (Yilan County)
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Ju-Fang Hsu
Nature, New Taipei, Yilan
I stumbled upon this place by accident when searching for an interesting site to see. To be honest, I was not expecting much but was intrigued by some photos online.
That morning, my mom and I drove up the mountain under a cloudy sky. She was worried it might rain and make the drive back dangerous, but I was eager to go, so I reassured her that the fog would clear soon. When we arrived, there were barely any cars around, so we parked on the side of the road and made our way to the entrance of the hiking trail.
I still remember how exhausting the hike felt. We climbed and climbed; seeing all the tall trees surrounding us and blocking the view, I really thought that I chose the wrong place to visit. My sweat was raining down my face in the hot summer air, but at the same time, the crisp mountain breeze felt like a quiet encouragement to keep going.
The clouds started to thicken, swallowing what little sunlight remained. My mom grew increasingly worried about the fog. Then came the rumble of thunder, and the sky completely darkened. She suggested turning back, but I insisted we push forward. So we did, for another hour.
The tall trees that were surrounding us gradually became smaller and smaller until there were no trees around us but grass. I was amazed that there’s such big prairie on such high altitude. I knew our destination was close. We finally took our last step on the trail and a cold refreshing wind blew right through us, as if congratulating us for reaching our goal.
And then, the most breathtaking sight unfolded before our eyes.
The heavy fog started lifting as if they knew we were here, slowly unveiling the rolling prairie. Beyond the cliffs, mist rose from the valley below, looking like steam coming from a magical factory down there. My mom and I stood there in silence, letting the wind brush past our hair as the sun peeked through the clouds, and I could see a little of that blue sky again. All our worries and exhaustion went away instantly. ✺
Taoyuan Valley Trail is a scenic hiking route along the northeastern coast of Taiwan, offering breathtaking views of rolling grasslands, rugged cliffs, and the Pacific Ocean. Known for its ever-changing mist and open landscapes, it’s a favorite for those who enjoy scenic nature.
My Favortie Apple Tea
Mr. Wish Fresh Fruit Tea
Multiple locations across Taiwan
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Hsin-jung Sun
Food & Culture
There was a breakfast place near where I lived when I was little. I always ordered their apple tea whenever I went there, but after it closed, I could not find the same taste anywhere else. Apple tea from other places was always slightly different from how I remembered it.
One day in high school, my friend offered me a sip of the drink she was having, and it tasted just like the apple tea in my memory! I almost cried at that moment. The name of the drink was Fresh Pulp Apple Tea, from Mr. Wish’s menu.
After that, I kept ordering from them throughout my high school years despite all the trouble, including the school’s ban on disposable cups. I would just sneak the drink in. I always had it with regular sugar and no ice, and the people who worked there remembered me and how I liked my apple tea, even after I graduated.
When I moved to Taipei for college, Mr. Wish locations became harder to find. Still, I would take a 40-minute bus ride to the nearest one just to get the apple tea. In hindsight, I’m actually not sure what made me so persistent. I don’t know if it really was my love for the drink or if I drank it to remind myself of who I was and how I felt growing up.
In 2019, however, they made some adjustments to their menu, and Fresh Pulp Apple Tea was no longer on it. I was surprisingly calm at the moment but got extremely emotional sometime after when the realization hit me: I might never have the chance to taste that apple tea again.
Although Mr. Wish no longer has my favorite apple tea, I still stop by whenever I pass one. When people think of Taiwanese beverages, bubble tea is always the first thing that comes to mind. But for me, it will always be Fresh Pulp Apple Tea—the taste I am once again in search for, hoping that one day, I’ll find it again. ✺
Mr. Wish is a Taiwanese beverage chain renowned for its fresh fruit teas and innovative drinks. Established in 2007, the company has expanded internationally, with locations in Taiwan, China, the United States, Canada, and other countries.
Worth the Wait
Fish Market Braised Pork Rice
No. 320, Section 2, Zhongzheng Road, Changhua City, Changhua County
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Natasha Tseng
Food & Culture, Changhua
In my junior year of high school, I went to the United States for an exchange program. Being a foreigner made me reflect a lot on my identity, and it wasn’t until then that I truly started to feel proud of where I came from. I began to appreciate how unique the heritage I was exposed to was. The old buildings, the language, and most importantly, the food.
Braised pork over rice is one of the many famous street foods my hometown is known for, and during the last two years of high school, I developed a strong affection for it. I would ask family and friends for recommendations and try it from different places. The one by the fish market is my mom’s favorite. She said Grandpa used to take them there when they were little.
This stand was originally meant to provide food for late-night fish market workers, so it used to open at 9 p.m. A couple of years ago, they shifted the opening time to 7:30 p.m. to accommodate tourists. My mom would take me there for a late-night snack after she got off work. She hates waiting in lines, but she would always wait patiently for braised pork from this place, even when the line seemed endless.
Braised pork over rice isn’t a fancy, delicate dish; it’s simple street food for everyday people. But each stand has its own unique recipe and process, making it special in so many different ways. Plus, sharing delicious food with the people I love is probably the most satisfying thing. My mom always brings some home for my grandparents whenever we go, so I’m sure she would agree with me. ✺
Fish Market Braised Pork Rice is originally established to serve late-night fish market workers, the stand gained fame for its delicious braised pork over rice, attracting locals and tourists alike.
It Grew on Me
National Dong Hwa University
No. 1, Section 2, Daxue Rd, Shoufeng Township, Hualien County
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Chenyu Lin
Other, Hualien
Went out to get lunch at 2, the only place that was open was the Mongolian scallion pancake stand, so I went and got two of those. I’ve never gotten food from this place, and I guess I still like ShuangXi [another scallion pancake stand] better. Saw three dogs on the way back to the dorm, pet them and thought about the dog my family had, 15 minutes passed by without me even noticing.
Did some homework in the afternoon, and ran into another exchange student right before dinner. We picked a restaurant we went to when we first got here, and today would be only our second time, even though it’s almost time for us to leave.
It was drizzling after dinner, and I started thinking about my time here as I walked in the rain. My impression of this place has changed so much since I arrived. I still remember the first time I got off the train in Hualien, I thought I had come to some middle-of-nowhere rural countryside, and felt like I had been lied to by their website when I arrived at the university; it wasn’t as glamorous as it was depicted and described.
But now, I can see the beauty of this place. It’s no problem at all to leave your car or scooter unlocked on the busiest streets of Hualien. Everyone knows each other well, and you can see pigeons, chickens, dogs, and other animals just chilling on the roadside in the afternoon, not caring one bit about anything or anyone walking by.
I don’t want to leave anymore. ✺
National Dong Hwa University (NDHU) is located in the scenic Hualien County of Taiwan. It offers a blend of academic excellence and natural beauty.
The Jetty of Secrets
Sizihwan Jetty
No. 70, Lianhai Road, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City
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Tzu-ching Hsieh
Nature, Kaohsiung
My first visit to the jetty was after I got my scooter license. A middle school friend took me there, saying she had discovered a secret spot. I was surprised to find such scenery just 10 minutes from home. We talked about our goals after graduation and some middle-school worries, which now seem so insignificant.
The second time was with my ex. He took me there after picking up takeout from a shaved ice place by the ferry port. He told me it was a place he visited often during middle school when he felt low. We didn’t talk much that night, instead listening to the sound of waves hitting the tetrapods. The crisp wind between us brought us closer. From then on, the jetty became our spot, where we always brought a midnight snack and stopped by after each date.
The last time I visited was with a high school classmate. She said she would ride her scooter here for half an hour after work when she felt mentally and physically tired. I listened to her relationship troubles and shared my memories of the jetty, including those with my ex. It was the first time I felt comfortable talking about that part of my past.
Each trip to the jetty involved different people and different conversations, but the one constant was the scenery and the atmosphere, which always made people feel open to sharing their hearts. ✺
Sizihwan Jetty is located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It is a tranquil coastal spot known for its stunning sunset views and calming atmosphere. Popular with locals and visitors alike, ideal for reflective walks and photography.