Clear skies helped Ah Ming achieve his dream, which also became the starting point for travelers to pursue their own dreams.

▲ Hualien Tianqing Homestay (Photo provided by Hualien Tianqing Homestay)

ReporterYan Xintong/ Interview & Report

Located on Guolian 3rd Road in downtown Hualien,“Hualien Tianqing Homestay HOME Hostel”was founded by boss Ah Ming, who used to be an engineer at an electronics factory in Taipei. During university, he discovered through travel that the world is vast, life shouldn’t be confined to the pressure of reality, and one should also seek happiness. That’s when he decided he would open a homestay that offers warmth, relaxation, and joy. “We’ve been working toward this goal ever since. When you come here, you’ll find it as relaxing as home. That’s why almost every day, familiar guests return ‘home’.”

▲ Common area at Hualien Tianqing Homestay (Photo provided by Hualien Tianqing Homestay)

Ah Ming said: “Achieving dreams with money is too cheap. Fulfilling them with your own hands is far more meaningful. Even if you’re not born into wealth, we still have our strength and our hands — all you need is courage; all you need is willingness.”

Hualien Tianqing Homestay opened in 2012 and has four floors. A giant “HOME” sign stands at the entrance — a creative idea from Ah Ming, breaking away from the constraints of designers and engineers by embracing playful creativity. When funding was tight during construction, they picked up broken bricks from construction sites to build bathrooms; salvaged glass from abandoned houses for windows; and reused wood from old renovations for furniture.For things they didn’t know how to do, they humbly sought advice, weren’t afraid to interact with others, and learned the rest through experience at home.。

Regarding the design of the guesthouse, Ah Ming admitted that there wasn’t a predetermined style from the start. “We went with whatever came to mind, then adjusted as we built.” Hualien Tianqing is a mix of various styles. In terms of room types, there are Chinese-style rooms, fresh and minimalist ones, and cozy, sentimental spaces. The lobby follows a stylish, hipster vibe, filled with the boss’s handmade touches — less about craftsmen’s perfection, more about the emotions Ah Ming poured in.

▲ Fresh and Minimalist (Photo provided by Hualien Tianqing Homestay)

Hualien Tianqing Homestay offers both suite rooms and backpacker rooms. Among the backpacker rooms, there is a 10-person dormitory specifically designed for round-the-island travelers or group tours. There’s also the most popular 5-person room, which Ah Ming says is rare among youth hostels — a room with individual beds so no one has to climb bunk beds. For the suites, the “blue one” is an affordable, minimalist-style room; another room,“July 7th, Sunny,” is the first room in the entire guesthouse to have a confirmed theme, inspired by a love story that didn’t work out for Ah Ming.The room is spacious and suitable for couples, spouses, or families.

▲ July 7th, Sunny (Photo provided by Hualien Tianqing Homestay)

▲ Hualien Tianqing Homestay Good Mountain Water Five-Person Room (Photo provided by Hualien Tianqing Homestay)

▲ Hualien Tianqing Homestay Blue One (Photo provided by Hualien Tianqing Homestay)

▲ Round-the-Island Room (10-person dormitory) (Photo provided by Hualien Tianqing Homestay)

▲ Girl’s Single Room (Photo provided by Hualien Tianqing Homestay)

In his free time, Ah Ming takes guests to explore hidden spots. If it rains and there’s nowhere to go, or when guests return to the hostel at night, he also sits down to chat and listen to their stories. Ah Ming treats every guest like a friend, even waiving deposits because he believes in the goodness of people.

▲ Lounge Area (Photo provided by Hualien Tianqing Homestay)

Ah Ming enjoys exchanging ideas and thoughts with everyone: “I’m happy to help others achieve their dreams, just like many were willing to help me back then.As a result, one guest became a friend, and together we turned an idea into reality — she’s now the owner of a brunch café.” “Another guest became a friend whose dream was to study in Japan and then return to Taiwan to open an authentic Japanese toy store — now she’s the manager at HOME.” “There was a young helper who came to work in exchange for accommodation — incredibly talented, skilled in writing, drawing, and photography, with dreams of opening a cultural and creative shop. We’re waiting for her graduation.”

▲ Game Room – Secret Base (Photo provided by Hualien Tianqing Homestay)

Ah Ming says it's a joyful thing to help many people realize their dreams: "Tianqing Homestay has gradually become another starting point for chasing dreams."

Hualien · Tianqing Homestay HOME Hostel
Booking hotline: 0921-211-511
Backpacker guest rooms: NT$400 and NT$500 (depending on room type)
Double suites: NT$1300 and NT$1500 (depending on room type)
(Same price all year round, no distinction between weekdays and holidays.)
Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/homehostel
Tianqing blog:http://homehostel.pixnet.net/blog/post/299590742