Wei Te-Sheng and Qiu Ruolong Lead the Way: Step into New Taipei’s Time Tunnel Through Comics and Stories

▲ Wei Te-Sheng (wearing green) and Qiu Ruolong (holding an illustration) co-led the exploration of Zhongzheng and Yonghe alleyways today. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ruizhong)

Reporter Chen Ruizhong / New Taipei City Report

Experiential travel that allows you to deeply engage with local culture and the rhythm of daily life has gradually become a well-known new way to explore for many. This year, the New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau has combined three key elements—local experts, unique landscapes and cultural sites, and niche experiences—to roll out six themed urban life walking tours. Director Wei Te-Sheng, who has lived in the Zhongzheng and Yonghe area for 10 years, and comic artist Qiu Ruolong, who has called the district home for over 40 years, personally led the tour today, which also included the starting point of Wei’s film career. Through their perspectives, participants gained a renewed understanding of Zhongzheng and Yonghe.

▲ Boro Street in Yonghe District, shaded by tall trees and dotted with unique shops, is perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Starting from Dingxi MRT Station, the route passed through riverside paths, the labyrinthine Yuxi Street, the alleys of Zhulin Road, as well as Boro Street and the Ming Xushi Puppet Troupe. Qiu Ruolong not only recalled stories from his childhood but also illustrated them. The comparison between past and present highlighted the changes brought by time. Lin Yuezhang, the fourth-generation leader of the award-winning Ming Xushi Puppet Troupe, and master craftsman Lin Yizhi, also treated Wei and Qiu to an exquisite glove puppetry performance.

The itinerary retraced the routes Qiu Ruolong took in his childhood. In his artwork, the ferry he once took between Taipei and Yonghe has been replaced by bustling bridges. Though the big banyan tree at the alley entrance remains lush, the drainage ditches have turned into roads, and brick-and-tile houses have given way to high-rise apartments. Yet, by walking the paths himself and listening to Qiu’s narration, one can easily drift back into old Yonghe.

▲ Qiu Ruolong’s paintings reveal striking contrasts of the same intersection across different eras.

Sharing a childhood anecdote, Qiu said that a large construction site currently being developed in Yonghe was once the land of a close friend’s family. That friend’s grandfather, known for his generosity, donated the land to build a school. Over time, the school was transformed into a multi-billion-dollar commercial district, yet the grandfather who made the donation only received a suit as recognition. Through Qiu’s vivid storytelling, the early development and history of Yonghe’s land use were brought to life.

▲ The greenery and riverside scenery before Wei Te-Sheng became the inspiration for his film scripts.

The director of iconic films such as Cape No. 7 and Seediq Bale once went through a period of unemployment spent writing scripts. During that time, Wei particularly enjoyed walking on the bridge near his Yonghe home and observing the riverside scenery. He revealed that while strolling, he would often imagine scenes like “removing the houses, adding more trees, and then having a few Seediq warriors burst out of the forest chasing a running deer…” These elements later became creative inspirations. His first film, July Rhapsody, shot in 1999, was filmed at the flea market under Fuhe Bridge.

▲ Lin Yizhi, the fourth-generation leader of the Ming Xushi Puppet Troupe, performs glove puppetry.

However, Wei also noted that although he has lived in Yonghe for many years, his activities were mostly confined to his neighborhood. Walking through the alleys with Qiu Ruolong today gave him deeper insight into the area’s history and stories. He believesthat simply visiting “attractions” is no longer in vogue—instead, “experiences” leave a deeper impression and bring more joy. He also expressed his enjoyment and appreciation for small-trip experiences guided by local cultural experts sharing stories, and hopes that through the efforts of cultural historians, even more innovative travel experiences can be created.

▲ Along Yonghe’s streets, the stark contrast between old and new architecture is clearly visible.

The New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau also shared that they have planned six weekend mystery routes in Shuanghe, including themes such as the new wave of handcrafted coffee, mini bookstores in a maze-like city, expert-guided explorations of temples, puppet shows, paintings and storytelling, parent-child and senior-friendly eco-education walks, local dance troupes teaching traditional dances, and green markets with safe and delicious food. The public can sign up to experience this alternative urban journey.

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