Fall in love with this land of wonders: A 24-year-old Hong Kong man films an island-wide short film to introduce Taiwan to the world

Reported by You T-Ru / Taipei–Hong Kong Connection

A Hong Kong boy fell in love with Taiwan. He traveled around the island, filmed a video, and even submitted it to a tourism bureau competition. A 24-year-old Hong Kong boy named Jiang Junxian (Andy) fell in love with Taiwan’s warm hospitality. He spent four weeks traveling across the island’s many famous and lesser-known spots, creating a short film to introduce Taiwan to the world. Jiang said, “Taiwan’s hospitality will create unique memories for you.”

▲ Jiang Junxian filming his full island tour record. (Video courtesy of Jiang Junxian)


▲ Many Taiwanese people treated Jiang Junxian to local delicacies and scenic spots, solidifying his desire to explore the island. (Photo courtesy of Jiang Junxian)

Jiang first set foot in Taiwan in 2012, where he worked in exchange for accommodation on an Alishan farm. After that experience, he spent ten days traveling around Taiwan. “Back then, I was welcomed warmly everywhere I went, which made me fall in love with Taiwan.” Whether visiting Qingjing, Puli, Taichung, Tainan, or Kaohsiung, he was met with the locals’ warmth and kindness. Many Taiwanese treated him to great food and amazing sights, further encouraging his dream of touring the entire island.

Falling in love with Taiwan wasn’t due to one grand, emotional moment, but rather countless small gestures that added up. Jiang said he once hiked alone up Tiger Head Mountain and encountered a Taiwanese person who struck up a conversation. They later became friends, and the person even invited him to stay at their home. “That kind of thing rarely happens in city life.” He had visited Taiwan four times, always wanting to do an island tour but never finding the chance — until he saw the Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s video contest. He spent NT$60,000 and four weeks traveling the island to film a short movie he hoped would show more people what Taiwan is really like.


▲ Falling in love with Taiwan isn’t due to one grand, emotional moment, but rather countless small gestures that add up. (Photo courtesy of Jiang Junxian)

“At first, I wanted to make the short film to show my dad.” Jiang said he once met an American backpacker in Europe who recorded multiple videos on a phone. To let his own father back home feel the warmth of his travels, Jiang began casually filming short clips so his family could experience parts of his journey. These also became a way to document his island tour around Taiwan.

During his four-week trip, Jiang traveled from Taoyuan southward, visiting Taichung, Qingjing, Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, Puli, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting, Green Island, Hualien, Penghu, and Taipei, experiencing the unique warmth of people everywhere. He said that during the trip, he once faced the dilemma of having no money because banks were closed on a holiday. “I was staying at a youth hostel in Hualien. The owner not only let me owe him the money but also lent me cash to take a bus from Hualien to Taipei.” The hostel owner, who usually earned a living by hosting guests, offered selfless help. “Sometimes a place feels beautiful just because of moments like these. So I spent a lot of time chatting with the owner at the hostel.”


▲ Visiting Taiwan five times, he still believes “the most beautiful scenery is really its people.” (Photo courtesy of Jiang Junxian)

Visiting Taiwan five times, he still believes “the most beautiful scenery is really its people.” Jiang said many Western tourists visit Asia, often heading to Southeast Asian resort islands. “Making the video was also a way to introduce Taiwan to more people.” Every step in chasing your dreams is a building block along the path, Jiang said. He hopes to become a travel show host and is moving forward toward that goal through his videos and travels. This short film about falling in love with Taiwan might just be the beginning of that dream.

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